Annular solar eclipse visible in India on 21st June 2020

Rules for abiding during the solar eclipse and its fruit obtained according to zodiac signs

1. Solar eclipse

On Jyeshtha Amavasya (21.6.2020), Sunday, an annular solar eclipse will be visible in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and part of Uttarakhand and partial solar eclipse in the rest of India around 10 a.m.

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 21st June, however, is annular. 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.

2. Period of visibility of solar eclipse in India

This eclipse will be visible in the entire Asia continent, Africa continent, part of southern Europe and the northern part of Australia. This eclipse will be visible on 21.6.2020 from 10.01 a.m. to 1.28 p.m. (Reference : Date almanac)

2 A. The phases observed during the eclipse (The timings are for Mumbai)

2 A 1. Sparsh (First contact) : On 21.6.2020 at 10.01 a.m.

2 A 2. Madhya (Totality) : On 21.6.2020 at 11.38 a.m.

2 A 3. Moksha (Final contact) : 21.6.2020 at 1.28 p.m.

2 A 4. Grahan Parva (Note 1) (Total period from the first contact to final contact) : 3 hours 27 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.

2 B. Commencement of Vedh of the eclipse

2 B 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 B 2. Period :  Since this solar eclipse is in second prahar (Eighth part of a day) of the day, Vedh have to be observed from Saturday (20.6.2020) 10 p.m. to Moksha of the eclipse, that is, 1.28 p.m. on 21.6.2020

3. 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 (10.01 a.m. to 13.28 p.m.) drinking water, urination/defaecation and sleeping are prohibited; hence, refrain from doing them in this period. The Vedhakal rules should be followed by children, weak and sick individuals, pregnant women from 4.45 a.m. on 21.6.2020 till Moksha of the eclipse.’ (Ref. : Date Almanac)

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

3 A 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.

3 A 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.

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.

4. Prohibited and permitted deeds during the eclipse

4 A. Prohibited deeds

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

4 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.

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.

5. Fruit according to zodiac signs

5 A. Auspicious fruit : Mesh (Aries), Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo)and Makar (Capricorn)

5 B. Inauspicious fruit : Mithun (Gemini), Karka Cancer), Vrushchik (Scorpio) and Meen (Pisces)

5 C. Mixed fruit : Vrushabh (Taurus), Tula (Libra), Dhanu (Sagittarius) and Kumbha (Aquarius)

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

6. 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.

Since the annular phase of the solar eclipse will be visible for 40 seconds during this eclipse, it is advisable to wear the specially-prepared sunglasses during this period. Later, the annular solar eclipse will be visible in southern India on 21.5.2031. Earlier, annular solar eclipses were visible in some parts of southern India on 15.1.2010 and 26.12.2019.

7. 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.

8. 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 complementary 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, Jotish Falit Visharad, Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay, Jotish Vibhag Pramukh, Sanatan Ashram, Ramnathi, Goa

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat