The Sun of Auspicious Moments with the Beloved of the Sun Commentary

Muhurta Martanda 3

Commentary

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Regarding the three dangerous junctions (Ganda-anta): for the six combinations known as Vishkambha, Vyaghata, Shula, Vajra, Ganda, and Atiganda, specific durations at the beginning are avoided. In order, these are 3, 9, 5, 9, 6, and 6 ghatikas original: "ghaṭikā"; a unit of time equal to 24 minutes. To clarify: in Vishkambha, the first 3 ghatikas are excluded; in Vyaghata, 9; in Shula, 5; in Vajra, 9; in Ganda, 6; and in Atiganda, 6. Similarly, one must consider the "poisonous" ghatikas (Visha-ghati) of the Nakshatras lunar mansions/stars such as Ashvini and the rest, which have characteristics that will be described later. || 3 ||

The text mentions Latta literally "a kick"; a malefic planetary influence on a star, the group of five (Panchaka), and the "malefic group" (Papa-varga). All of these, along with the inauspicious transits of the Moon, should be understood through the section on planetary transits (Gochar). One must also know the misfortunes arising from planetary periods (Dasha-arishta) as taught in the science of horoscopy (Jataka). Further, one must avoid times when the Lord of the Birth the planet ruling the sign one was born under, Jupiter, or Venus are "set" combust, or too close to the sun to be seen.

Also avoided is the "Scissor" formation (Kartari) a "scissor" occurs when a house or planet is flanked on both sides by malefic planets, "cutting" its power created by malefic planets affecting the Ascendant Lagna or the Moon. One must also avoid the ill effects arising from transits—specifically when many malefic planets dominate—and the various types of Sutaka ritual impurity arising from eclipses, births, or deaths. Among these, the impurity of an eclipse will be explained further.

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One must also avoid bad omens original: "duś-cihna" at the start of a task, such as sneezing or hearing harsh words. Mental distress original: "mano-vibhanga" or a lack of internal will, and disease original: "vyādhi" such as a fever, are also reasons to pause. As the medical authority Vagbhata says: "Disease is a transformation characterized by pain, born of past sins." This means one should not perform an auspicious ceremony for a person suffering from fever.

As stated in the Jyotish-Prakasha:
"The loss of radiance combustion of the birth lord, the lord of the ascendant, the Moon, Venus, or Jupiter; the birth month; the birth day; bad omens; mental distress; the intercalary and deleted months Adhimasa and Kshaya-masa; the impurity of death, birth, or an eclipse; the onset of fever; the mother's menstrual period; or the anniversary of a parent's death—all these are to be avoided.

So too are the three dangerous junctions (Ganda-anta); the transitions between signs, lunar days, or stars; the astronomical alignments of Vyatipata and Vaidhriti; the first half of the Parigha combination; the Sun’s entry into a new sign (Sankranti); and the inauspicious periods of Kulik and Ardhyama. Furthermore, avoid a constellation occupied by malefic planets, or even a benefic constellation if it is joined by Rahu or Ketu the lunar nodes. One must know if the Ascendant is joined by malefic planets, if the lord of the Ascendant is in an 'enemy' or 'death' house, or if the birth Moon is poorly placed.

Avoid the Ascendant if it is caught in a 'Scissor' between two malefic planets, if the Moon is waning, or if it falls in a bad division of the sign. Avoid malefic days of the week, malefic hours, and inauspicious combinations (yogas). These faults are denounced when performing any good work. Other misfortunes arise from planetary periods or transits, such as Latta (the kick), Argala (the bolt), or the poisonous minutes of a star. These faults are specified according to the region and the time." || 4 ||

Now, regarding the nine "secondary planets" (Upagraha). After discussing these faults, the author explains through a verse-and-a-half what should not be done. One should not perform auspicious works when certain stars, counting forward from the Sun's position, are afflicted. This refers to the 7th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th, and 21st through 25th years of a cycle. In such times, one should not engage in activities that might lead to injury or the use of weapons.