Partial Solar Eclipse on 25.10.2022, rules to be followed during the eclipse period and its effect on zodiac signs!

 

1. Countries where solar eclipse will be visible

On Ashwin Amavasya (25.10.2022, Tuesday) the eclipse will be visible in India, the central and western regions of Asia, the whole of Europe, North-Eastern Africa.

 

2. Partial and Total Solar eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth. When this happens, the moon blocks the light of the sun from reaching the earth. The shadow of the moon is then cast on the earth. There are three types of solar eclipses. First, there is a total solar eclipse. For the phenomenon to occur, the sun, moon and earth must be in a direct line. Second is the partial solar eclipse when the sun, moon and earth are not exactly lined up. The solar eclipse of 25th October is partial. This happens when the moon is farthest from the earth. Since the moon is farther away from the earth, it seems smaller and does not block the entire view of the sun. Instead, the moon in front of the sun looks like a dark disk on top of a larger disk and appears like a ring of fire. The solar eclipse occurs only on Amavasya. Sage Atri was the first teacher who imparted the knowledge about eclipses.

 

3. Period of visibility of solar eclipse in India

3 A. Duration

This eclipse is from 4:49 pm to sunset on 25.10.2022. (Courtesy: Date Panchang)

3 B. The phases observed during the eclipse

(Note : The timings are for Mumbai)

1. Sparsh (First contact) : On 25.10.2022 at 4.49 PM

2. Madhya (Totality) : 25.10.2022 at 5.43 PM

3. Moksha (Final contact) : until sunset. On 25.10.2022 at 6.08 PM

3 C. Grahan Parva

(Note 1) (Total period from the first contact to final contact) : 1 hour 19 minutes

Note 1 – Parva means an auspicious time. The time from the first contact to final contact of the eclipse is the auspicious time. The Scriptures mention that spiritual benefit is accrued if one remains in communion with God during this period.

3 D. Auspicious Time period

This solar eclipse will be visible all over India partially, and this partially visible sun will set. Therefore, the Moksha of the partial solar eclipse will not be seen anywhere in India. Therefore the auspicious period (Punyakaal) should be considered from first contact time (sparsha) of eclipse to sunset, according to the local time (of that particular location).’

(Courtesy: Date Panchang)

3 E. Commencement of Vedh of the eclipse

1. Meaning :

Before the solar eclipse, the sun starts to come in the shadow of the moon. As a result, the sunlight starts reducing gradually. This is called the commencement of Vedh.

2. Period : 

As this solar eclipse occurs in the fourth prahar of the day (Note 2), the Vedh of the eclipse begins on Tuesday 25.10.2022 from 3.30 am to sunset. Children, elderly, weak and sick people, as well as pregnant women should observe Vedh on Tuesday from 12.30 pm to sunset.’ (Courtesy: Date Panchang)

Note 2 : A Prahar is of 3 hours. In day time there are 4 prahars and at night 4 prahars, which together make a total of 8 prahars in a day.

 

4. Rules for abiding during the solar eclipse

During Vedhakal bathing, puja, daily rituals/worship, chanting and Shraddha can be performed. Eating is prohibited; hence, refrain from eating; however, drinking water when essential, urination/defaecation, and sleeping are permissible. During Parvakal (From 4.49 PM to 6.08 PM Mumbai time) drinking water, urination/defaecation and sleeping are prohibited; hence, refrain from doing them in this period. (Ref. : Date Almanac)

4 A. Importance of abiding by rules of Vedh from the viewpoint of health

1. Physical and gross level

During the period of Vedh, the food becomes stale very soon due to the growth of bacteria. Immunity becomes low during this period. Just as food cooked at night becomes stale next morning, the food cooked before eclipse turns stale after the eclipse. Therefore, that food should be disposed of. This rule does not apply to water and milk. These things can be used even after the eclipse.

2. Mental level

Mental health is also affected during the period of Vedh. As per psychiatrists, some people suffer from mental distress such as depression, increased tension, etc.

 

5. Benefits of performing spiritual practice during eclipse

The output of spiritual practice performed during eclipse increases by a thousand times. Therefore, it is essential to give priority to spiritual practice during the eclipse. If one is engaged in religious activities such as chanting, reciting stotras, meditation, a lot of benefits is accrued.

 

6. Prohibited and permitted deeds during the eclipse

6 A. Prohibited deeds

Sleep, excretion, abhyangasnan (A Holy bath after applying oil, ubṭan to the whole body), consuming food and water, intercourse.

6 B. Permitted deeds

1. Taking bath as soon as Sparsh (First contact) occurs.

2. Worship of God, tarpan and shraddha (Offering water and special ritual performed for the departed ancestors), chanting, Homa (Yajna) and donations.

3. Restarting purashcharan (Repeated chanting) of mantra which was interrupted for some reason in past, during this period will accrue output manyfold.

4. Taking bath at the end of the eclipse.

5. If an individual is facing impurity (Sutak, etc.), he remains pure in context with deeds connected with eclipse such as bath and donations during the period of the eclipse.

 

7. Fruits received as per zodiac sign

(Please note : The below zodiac signs refer to sun signs.)

A. Auspicious fruit : Vrushabh (Taurus), Simha (Leo), Dhanu (Sagittarius) and Makar (Capricorn)

B. Inauspicious fruit : Karka Cancer), Tula (Libra), Vrushchik (Scorpio) and Meen (Pisces)

C. Mixed fruit : Mithun (Gemini), Mesh (Aries), Kanya (Virgo) and Kumbha (Aquarius)

The persons with inauspicious zodiac signs and pregnant women should not view this solar eclipse (Reference : Date almanac)

 

8. Precautions to be taken while viewing the solar eclipse

Do not watch the Sun through dark tinted glasses or a phone camera. This is unsafe and can lead to permanent vision loss. Do not use home-made filters or sunglasses as they are not effective. Avoid looking at the Sun through telescope, binoculars and any other optical device. There are special solar filters available in the market to witness the eclipse. Looking directly at the Sun can cause loss of the central vision, distorted vision, altered colour vision.

 

9. Information on taking bath during the eclipse

During the eclipse, all water is same as that of the river Ganga; still, cold water bestows more merits than hot water, flowing water instead of water which is drawn from well etc. is preferred. Taking bath in tank, river, Ganga, sea is more beneficial and bestows more merits. Taking bath especially in Narmada river is important. If it is not possible, remember Narmada during bath.

 

10. About taking bath after Moksha (final contact) and taking food

‘The Moksha (final contact) of this eclipse will not be seen; However, according to Indian standard time, the moksha bath should be done after the last moksha time i.e. after 6.32 in the evening and after taking darshan of (seeing) the pure sun in the next morning, one should have food. (Courtesy: Data Panchang)

 

11. Importance of spiritual practice during a solar eclipse

A particular atmosphere during eclipse affects every animate being. The period of a solar eclipse is more favourable for performing spiritual practice than the lunar eclipse. From the astrological, religious and scientific perspective, the period of an eclipse is considered important. Since the period of an eclipse is sandhikal (Transition period), the effect of performing spiritual practice during this period is evident immediately. The importance of chanting and giving donations during an eclipse is manifold. Therefore, donate as per one’s might after the eclipse ends. The solar eclipse is the main period for starting the chanting of a new Namjap and perform purashcharan. If purashcharan which was performed earlier was started during an eclipse, the mantra becomes siddha (Effective). By chanting with full faith and concentration on remembering Shri Guru with bhav (Spiritual emotion), the distress at physical, psychological, spiritual and worldly levels are eliminated. Every effort becomes successful. Japmala (A string of prayer beads commonly used for spiritual practice) is not needed for chanting during an eclipse. The entire period from Sparsha (First contact) to Moksha (Final contact) of an eclipse is the most important.

– Mrs. Prajakta Joshi (Jyotish Falit Visharad, Vastu Visharad, Ank Jyootish Visharad, Ratna Shastra Vishrad, Certified Dowser, Ramal Shastri, Hastakshar Manovishleshan Shastra Visharad, Hastasamudrik Prabodh), Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay.