The Gem of Electional Astrology

original: "Muhurta Chintamani"

The beauty of the scene was observed because Lord Ganesha has a single tusk; however, by placing pieces of the Ketaki flower Pandanus flower there for a short time, he appeared as if he had two tusks. This is a wonderful poetic ornament of comparison. May that Ganesha—who is called "Elephant-faced" original: "dvipasya" because he drinks once with his trunk and again with his mouth—remove all obstacles. ॥ 1 ॥

red mark (Upajati Meter) To provide the means for understanding the entire collection of ritual actions, containing the play of essential meanings in a concise form—

The "collection of actions" refers to the entire group of rituals beginning with birth ceremonies; the "means for understanding" refers to the cause for knowing whether a specific action is auspicious or inauspicious on a given day. This work contains the "play of essential meanings" within it, meaning it expresses the core conclusions in concise words. Although there are many ancient texts on auspicious moments Muhurta: a unit of time approximately 48 minutes long, or more broadly, the study of choosing the right time for an event, they contain vast readings and separate chapters for considering dates and other factors. In this book, the management of all tasks is accomplished in just a few words in a single place. Therefore, this book is a "Jewel" Mani for the "Thought" Chinta—the determination of auspiciousness and inauspiciousness—regarding the specific purity of the day or the fifteen divisions of the day. Just as a diamond is the foundation of all lustrous things, this book is the foundation for all auspicious timing. Rama the Astrologer Rama Daivajna, the son of the world-renowned astrologer named Ananta, expands upon this—that is, he describes the arrangement of prescriptions and prohibitions. ॥ 2 ॥

(Anushtup Meter) Fire, Brahma, Gauri, Ganesha, the Serpent, Guha, the Sun,

red bracket First, to determine the auspiciousness of the five limbs of the calendar Panchang: the traditional Hindu almanac, the lords of the lunar days Tithis: lunar days are stated: The lord of the 1st day Pratipada is Fire Agni; of the 2nd, Brahma; 3rd, Parvati Gauri; 4th, Ganesha; 5th, the Serpent Sarpas/Nagas; 6th, Kartikeya Guha; 7th, the Sun; 8th, Shiva; 9th, Durga; 10th, Yama; 11th, the All-gods Vishvedevas; 12th, Vishnu Hari; 13th, Cupid Kamadeva; 14th, Shiva; and the 15th (Full/New Moon), the Moon. The purpose of stating these is that the deity who presides over a lunar day should be worshipped on that day; furthermore, they grant results for tasks according to their specific qualities and actions. As stated in texts like the Ratnamala regarding the purpose of lunar days: on the 1st day, one should not perform auspicious acts like marriage, travel, tonsure, consecration, or entering a new home; however, this specifically refers to the 1st day of the bright fortnight Shukla Paksha. In the dark fortnight Krishna Paksha, some of these actions are permitted, which will be clarified later. On the 2nd day: works related to the state, initiation ceremonies, consecrations, marriages, travel, and wearing ornaments are auspicious. On the 3rd day: the aforementioned works of the 2nd day, as well as travel-related deeds, crafts, tonsure, first feedings, and entering a new home are auspicious. On the "Empty" days Rikta Tithis—the 4th, 9th, and 14th—fire rituals, destructive acts, and imprisonment—