Partial Lunar Eclipse (25/26.04.2013) - Khandagraasa Chandra Grahana

Om! Sri Raaghavendraaya Namaha!

Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!

Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Raama Doothaaya Namaha!

Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaaya!

    Partial Lunar Eclipse (25/26.04.2013)

     (Khandagraasa Chandra Grahana)

Sparsha       Madhya       Moksha (01.24hrs)    (01.37hrs)   (01.51hrs)

First eclipse of the year 2013 is going to be witnessed on 25/26^th April 2013 on the lunar day Chaithra Sukla Pournami (full moon day).  It is going to be a partial Lunar eclipse (Khandagraasa Chandra Grahana) occurring at the Moon’s ascending node; Rahugrastha Chandra Grahana. This eclipse will be visible in parts of Asia; Europe; Africa; Australia and eastern part of South America. In India it will be visible throughout the country. It is going to be a short eclipse lasting for 27 minutes. Though five eclipses are occurring during 2013; this is the only eclipse that is visible in India. Astrologically, this Eclipse is occurring in the constellation of Swathi Nakshathra in Thula Raasi (Libra) where incidentally Saturn and Rahu are transiting.  Rahu is the star lord of Swathi constellation.

Schedule of current Lunar Eclipse as per IST

Date of Eclipse	25/26th April 2013 (Thursday midnight)
Lunar Day	Sri Vijayanaama Samvatsara Chaithra Sukla Pournami
Type of Eclipse	Partial Lunar Eclipse Khandagraasa – Rahugrastha Chandra Grahana
Visibility	Across the country
Eclipse Time (26.04.2013)	01.24 hrs (IST) to 01.51 hrs (IST)
Total duration of Eclipse	27 minutes
Eclipse Phases: Sparsha (Beginning) Madhya (Mid time) Moksha (Ending time)	01.24 hrs 01.37 hrs 01.51 hrs
Vedha starts from	16.24 hrs (25.04.2013)
Parva Kala	27 minutes

As per NASA eclipse timing is going to be same through out India. Food restriction for those who can afford starts from 16.24 hrs on 25.04.2013. Pregnant women; children; old aged and ailing persons have relaxations in food timings but well before the eclipse time.  As far as possible avoid taking food during eclipse. Those belonging to Swathi star should avoid looking/getting exposed to the Eclipse.

 

Astrological details of the Eclipse

Eclipse Sign	Thula Raasi (Libra)
Eclipse constellation	Swathi Nakshathra
Planets in Eclipse sign	Rahu + Moon + Saturn
Effect on zodiac signs Negative results Mixed results Auspicious results	Thula (Libra); Meena (Pisces) Karkataka (Cancer); Vrischika (Scorpio) Mesha (Aries), Kanya (Virgo) Mithuna (Gemini); Kumbha (Aquarius) Vrushabha (Taurus); Simha (Leo); Dhanus (Sagittarius); Makara (Capricorn)

Suggested Remedies

Since eclipse is occurring in the constellation of Swathi, those who are born in Swathi constellation may have to perform Grahana Shanti. Those born in the Moon sign of Thula (Libra) and in the constellation of Swathi in particular should donate the following to a Brahmin along with Dakshine on the next day morning after taking bath.

One Bronze/Copper plate (filled with ghee) +

Silver Chandra Bimba & Naga Bimba +

Vasthra (Clothes) along with

Rice + Black Urad (whole grain); Black Thila (sesame seeds)

(Please see Annexure for the related sloka)

Those born with Thula (Libra); Meena (Pisces); Karkataka (Cancer) and Vrischika (Scorpio) as their Moon signs should also donate; Rice + Black Urad (whole grain); Black Thila (sesame seeds) along with Dakshine; on the next day morning after taking bath.

Performing Rudraabhishekam to Lord Shiva before and after the Eclipse will be beneficial.  Lighting of Lemon + Ghee lamps during the eclipse time will also be very useful in weakening the negative effects of Rahu.

Suggested prayers

Specific prayers to Lord Lakshmi Naarasimha (star Deity for Swathi); Goddess Durga (for Rahu who is star lord of Swathi Nakshathra); Lord Sri Krishna and Lord Shiva (for Moon), Lord Hanuman, Moon God are required to be made during eclipse. Some of the useful prayers suggested for recitation during eclipse time are… 

Sri Vishnu Sahasra Naama Stothram;

Sri Nrusimha Kavacham/Runa Vimochana Sri Nrusimha Stothram;

Sri Krishnaashtakam/ Sri Daamodara Stothram;

Sri Venkateswara Vajra Kavacha Stothram;

Arjuna Krutha Durga Stuthi; Argala Stothram; Durga Kavacham; 

Sri Hari-Vayu Stuthi/Yantroddhaaraka Hanumad Stothram;

Khila Vayu Stuthi/ Hanuman Chaaleesa;

Sri Raghavendra Stothram/ Kavacham/Ashtaakshari;

One can choose any one or more of the above or any other useful Divine prayer based on their individual faith and according to their sampradaya; while the above list is only indicative but not exhaustive. Those who cannot recite them can at least resort to chanting of Naaraayana Ashtaakshari or Shiva Panchaakshari or Sri Rama Naama or Sri Raghavendra Ashtaakshari during Eclipse.

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/search/label/DIVINE%20STOTRAS%20AND%20SLOKAS

What is to be done during Eclipse time?

Any Eclipse time is said to be very sacred and celestial and entire period of Eclipse is known as Parva Kala (most sacred time).  Any sacred rituals or rites performed during Parvakaala will derive more merits than those performed during ordinary times. Hence, don’t waste the Eclipse time with materialistic pursuits and activities. Eclipse is the most opportune time to perform Snaana (sacred bath) before and after the Eclipse; Prayer; Punascharana of Upadesa Manthras (like Gayathri manthra), Pithru Tharpana; Charity. Chanting of Vedic manthras/sacred stothras during eclipse will ward off the negative energy that gets activated during eclipse and protects from all negativity. 

Those who are eligible (Tharpanaadhikari) should give Sarva Pithru Tharpana to fore-fathers with black Thil (Sesame) seeds with proper sankalpa during eclipse time. During Vedha period, nithya karma like Snana, Sandhyavandana can be performed. Snana (taking bath) after the Eclipse is a must and thereafter food can be taken after offering prayer.

Annexure

Pithru Tharpana Sankalpa Sloka (Current Lunar Eclipse specific) Sri Govinda - Govinda! Sri MahaVishnorAagnaaya, Pravarthamanasya, Aadya Bramhane, Dwiteeya Parardhe, Sri Swetha Varaaha Kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Kaliyuge, Kali Prathama Charane, Bauddhavathare, Salivaahanasakhe, Jambudweepe, Meror Dakshina bhage, Bharathavarshe, Bharatha Khande, Godavari Dakshina theere……Sannidhau, Asmin Varthamane, Vyavahaarike, Chaandramanena, Sri Vijayanaama Sanvastare, Uttaraayane, Vasantha Ruthau, Chaithra Maase, Sukla Pakshe, Pournami Thithau… Bruhaspathi Vaasare, Vishnu Nakshatre, Vishnu Yoge, Vishnu Karane; evam guna visheshana visistaayaam; Punya thithau; Praacheenavithi (Yagnopaveetham in apasavya position) Samastha Pitrantharyaami… Sri MadhvaVallabha SriMadhJanardhana Vaasudevah Preranaaya Sri MadhvaVallabha SriMadhJanardhana Vaasudevah Preethyartham Asmath Samastha Pithrunaam Akshaya Punya Lokaavaapthyartham Chandroparaaga Punyakaaley; Sraaddhaanga Saddhyah Thila Tharpanam Karishye For more information on Thila tharpana vidhi, list of Sarva Pithru etc… you may like to refer to the following post…..  http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/search/label/AMAVASYA%20THARPANA%20VIDHI After giving Thila Tharpana… Samarpana sloka Yasya smrithya cha naamokthyaa thapoyajnaa kriyadhishu nyunam sampoornathaam yaathi sadhyo vande thamachyutham manthraheenam kriyaheenam bhakthiheenam Janaardhana yathkrutham thu mayaa deva paripoornam thadhasthu mey Anena Mayaa - Chandroparaaga Kruthena Samastha Pithru Thila Tharpanena Samastha Pithrantharyaami Sri MadhvaVallabha SriMadhJanardhana Vaasudevah Priyathaam Supreetho Varado Bhavathu Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu Kaayena vaacha manasendri yairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa vaa prakrite swabhavath Karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai Naarayanayethi samarpayaami While giving charity (Bimba Daana) following sloka to be recited… Chandraantaryaami Sri Lakshminaarasimha preranaaya Sri Lakshminaarasimha preethyartham Chandroparaaga-peeda-parihaaraartham Sanaaga chandrabimba-daanamaham karishye ಚಂದ್ರಾಂತರ್ಯಾಮಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಸಿಂಹಪ್ರೆರಣಾಯ  ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಸಿಂಹಪ್ರೀತ್ಯರ್ಥಮ್   ಚಂದ್ರೋಪರಾಗಪೀಡಾಪರಿಹಾರಾರ್ಥಮ್  ಸನಾಗ ಚಂದ್ರಬಿಂಬದಾನಮಹಮ್ ಕರಿಷ್ಯೇ చంద్రాంతర్యామి శ్రీ లక్ష్మీనారసింహప్రేరణాయ  శ్రీ లక్ష్మీనారసింహప్రీత్యర్థమ్ చంద్రోపరాగపీడాపరిహారార్థమ్  సనాగ చంద్రబింబదానమహమ్ కరిష్యే

For more details on Eclipse terminology, dos & don’ts, usage of Dharbha (Kusa grass) during Eclipse etc… you may like to refer to the related posts from the following links… 

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/search/label/Eclipse

Eclipse Terminology (a glossary) - Grahana Vichara (useful information)

Sri Krushnaarpanamasthu