A Total Solar Eclipse – Purna Surya Grahan – will take place on July 11, 2010. It is not visible in India. The eclipse will be visible only in parts of South America, Cook Islands, French Polynesia etc. Hindu Panchangs and calendars have ignored the Suryagrahanam. As per the India Time the eclipse will be taking place from 23:45:00 hrs on July 11, 2010 to 02:20:00 on July 12, 2010. The GMT or Universal Time of the Eclipse is from 18:15 UT to 20:52 UT
According to NASA, the Suryagrahan on July 11 is a ‘Total Solar Eclipse’ and Moon's umbral shadow crosses the South Pacific Ocean where it makes no landfall except for Mangaia (Cook Islands) and Easter Island (Isla de Pascua). The path of totality ends just after reaching southern Chile and Argentina. The Moon's penumbral shadow produces a partial eclipse visible from a much larger region covering the South Pacific and southern South America.
Usually, Hindus do not perform any work during Surya Grahan and they purify themselves by taking a bath and chants the Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna, Lord Vishnu and Shiva. Ashtakshara mantra is ‘Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.’
Generally most Hindu temples remain closed during the period of solar eclipse and temples reopen on the next day morning after special pujas and rituals. Hindus in large number take holy dip in Rivers like Ganges and other tirths especially at Brahmasarovar in Kurukshetra.
This Surya Grahan is of no importance as per Hindu astrology and calendars. There is no need to follow any rules and rituals.
What do Hindus do during Surya Grahan?
The next Surya Grahan is on January 15, 2010.
Ancient sages and texts like Brahman Siddhanta restrict viewing the eclipse – one should look at an eclipse through a cloth or a reflection of it. A pregnant woman should never look directly at an eclipse.
Mantras Chanted during Surya Grahan
Some of the important mantras that are chanted during the Surya Grahan include:
Gayatri Mantra
Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna. Ashtakshara mantra is ‘Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.’ Astakshari Mantra is also taken as ‘Om Namoh Narayan Na Yah.’
Mahamrityunjay Mantra is also chanted during eclipse.
Other mantras chanted are Surya Kavach Strotra and Aditya Hridaya Strotram
It is important that one chants mantra, or remember god in any form, at this time to keep calm and the aura clean.
Hindu Temples Remain Closed
All Hindu Temples remain closed during Surya Grahan. Temples open only after proper rituals are performed to get rid of the ill effects of the Surya Grahan. However, some Lord Shiva temples remain open during Surya Grahan as Lord Shiva is considered as ‘Layakara,’ who Himself is an embodiment of darkness.
Fasting During Surya Grahan
Adult Hindus stop eating 12 hours before a solar eclipse. Children, old people and those who are ill stop eating 3 hours before the beginning of a solar eclipse. If the solar eclipse ends after sunset, then people fast during night and consume food only next day morning.
One should not take food at the time of Grahan because it is said that at this time the most harmful rays from the sun can be seen and absorbed.
Pregnant Woman and Surya Grahan
Normally at the time of Surya Grahan, pregnant women are supposed to not come out of the house, with no sunlight entering either by doors or windows. This is to avoid harmful rays.
Story of Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan in Hindu mythology
The Amrit (elixir) that was obtained from churning the ocean was cunningly stolen by Ausras (Demons). Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini, a beautiful damsel, to win back the Amrit. She achieved her mission by enamoring the Asuras, they fell for her beauty and handed over the Amrit to her.
Mohini returned to the Devas and started distributing it. Devas sat in a line and mohini gave a portion to each one of them. Rahu, an Asura, who found out that they were tricked took the form a Deva and sat in the line between Chandra (Moon God) and Surya (Sun God).
When Mohini approached Rahu, Chandra and Surya realized that Rahu was not one among them and soon identified him as an Asura. Mohini soon severed the head of Rahu which flew into the sky. Rahu’s, depicted in the form of a Snake head occasionally, continued to live and decided to avenge Surya and Chandra.
Thus periodically Rahu engages in a war with Surya and Chandra. The Chandra Grahan (Lunar eclipse) and Surya Grahan (Solar eclipse) takes place when Rahu gobbles up Moon and Sun respectively. Surya and Chandra then fights to free themselves.
Holy Bath in Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra During Surya Grahan
Millions of Hindus take a holy dip the famous Brahma Sarover at Kurukshetra in Haryana on the Surya Grahan or solar eclipse day. The Brahma Sarover located here is a highly sacred ‘Tirth’ and it is believed that Lord Brahma began the creation process from here. Lord Krishna discussed the Bhagavad Gita with Arjuna on the battle field of Kurukshetra and the greatest battle in epic Mahabharata also took place here.
It is widely believed that to bath in the in Brahma Sarover in Kurukshetra is equal to performing the famous Ashwa Medha Yajna or Yagam mentioned in several Hindu scriptures. During the Surya Grahan period it is a mela like atmosphere in Kurukshetra. It is also said that all the holy waters in the rivers mentioned in the Hindu scriptures flow to the Brahma Sarover Tirth during solar eclipse.
It must be also noted that during the famous 18-day Kurukshetra battle fought in the Mahabharata, on the fourteenth day of the battle a total solar eclipse takes place, which helps Arjuna to kill Jayadratha. This happened with the blessing of Lord Krishna.
Surya Grahan and Pregnent Women
What Should Pregnent Women Do During Surya Grahan
There is lot of fear among many Hindus regarding Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) and Pregnancy. Most people want to know about precautions to be taken during Surya Grahanam. The only precaution that you should take is that you should never look at the Sun directly during the Grahan. As a clear cut solution, ancient seers in Hinduism recommend pregnant women remain indoors during Grahan. The mantra chanted during the period is the Santana Gopala Mantra.
Astrological View Point
Now for those of you believe in astrology, there is a ‘punya kala’ when the Surya Grahan is visible. And people observe fasting during this period. If the Grahan is not visible in the particular region, there is no ‘punya kala’ and there are no restrictions.
There is no restriction in moving around if there is no Surya Grahan in your region.
Ayurvedic View Point
Some traditions in Hindu religion ask pregnant women to sit or lie down on a mat containing Darbha grass or Kusha Grass. It is also advised to keep some Kusha Grass with the pregnant woman.
Fasting during Grahan
Now there are several Hindu communities that fast (Upvaas) during Surya Grahan. A pregnant woman should take the advice of her doctor before fasting. If you are so particular about fasting, you can fast just during the Surya Grahan period and avoid a complete fast.
The Use of Metal or Sharp Objects
There is a popular belief that pregnant women should not use sharp metal objects like knife, pins etc during the Grahan period. In simple terms they should not cut anything during the period or should not wear pins etc. Some people suggest that it will be hard to stop the blood flow if there is a cut on the body during the period. But this has no proper scientific backing.
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