| Tue 11th Sep 2007 - Shravan Vad 15
Amavaasya - Shree Sadguru Din.
What is an eclipse?
An eclipse is a partial or total obscuring of one celestial body by the shadow of another.
Lunar eclipses occur when the earth blocks the sun's light from the moon.
Solar eclipses occur when the moon blocks the sun's light from a small portion of the earth.
The scriptures describe a story about how eclipses started. It is said that at the time of an eclipse, the sun or moon deities are being swallowed by the demon Rahu. The end of the eclipse marks their escape. Disciples of Lord Swaminarayan pray to the Lord at the time of an eclipse so that the deities are saved from the menacing demon.
Several hours before the start of an eclipse, one must start to fast. Everyone is inflicted by sutak (period of ritual impurity) at the sight of Rahu. Therefore, from the start of an eclipse, i.e. from when Rahu becomes visible, anything that one touches also becomes impure and must be washed at the end of the eclipse. Any cooked food becomes impure. It should all be thrown away before the start of an eclipse. Generally, the entire house is cleaned in preparation for an eclipse. The rituals of an eclipse only need to be observed in the regions that it will be visible.
Anyone who does not observe the eclipse rituals and do not bathe at the end of an eclipse, are considered Sutaki (ritually impure) until the time of the next eclipse.
Lord Swaminarayan has commanded His disciples in sloks 86 and 87 of the Shikshapatri, to stop all other activities, purify themselves and chant the Swaminarayan mantra during a solar or lunar eclipse. When the eclipse is over, they should bathe fully clothed so that the clothes are also washed and purified. (Clothes and objects touched during this time are to be washed because they become impure.) Thereafter, disciples should give charitable donations according to their means, and sants should perform pooja. |
