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

...The seventh [division of the day] belongs to Shambhu original: "shambhu"; an epithet of Shiva, the eighth to Vishnu, the ninth is Abhijit the "victorious" time, the tenth to Brahma, the eleventh to Indra, the twelfth to Indrani, the thirteenth to Varuna the lord of the waters, the fourteenth to the one called Aryaman, and the fifteenth to Bhaga.

Now, for the first division of the night: it belongs to Smaraha original: "smaraha"; Shiva as the destroyer of the god of desire. Here, the sequence follows the lords of the constellations: Ajaikapad, Ahirbudhnya, and Pushan. Specifically, the first half-step belongs to Ajaikapad, the third to Ahirbudhnya, the fourth to Pushan, and the fifth to Chitra. The Ashvins the twin celestial physicians follow, then Yama is the sixth, Agni fire the seventh, Ka Brahma the eighth, and Indu the Moon the ninth. Then for the tenth of the day, the eleventh is Jiva Jupiter, and the twelfth is Vishnu. The three "Lords" follow: the Sun, Tvashtar, and Anila the Wind. Specifically, the thirteenth is the Sun, the fourteenth is Tvashtar, and the fifteenth is Anila (Wind).

The purpose of these names is explained: they are remembered for the success of actions. In these specific Muhurtas astrological hours, one should perform the rituals prescribed for the corresponding star. This is what the great sages intended. This means: in the Muhurta of Shiva, one should perform actions prescribed for the star Ardra which is ruled by Shiva. In the Muhurta of the Serpent, one does what is prescribed for Ashlesha. In the Muhurta of the Friend, one performs actions for Anuradha, and so on. As stated in the Ratnamala: "Whatever action is prescribed for a specific star, that same action should be performed in the Muhurta ruled by the deity of that star." In common worldly usage, people are seen acting as servants to these names; therefore, the names of the deities are used to recall the stars and dates.

Furthermore, regarding the visual unions [of planets], a "Serpent" [yoga] spoils the results with eighteen nadis units of time, approx. 24 minutes each, a "Direction" with fifteen, and a "Ghost" with eighteen, particularly affecting the latter half. Just as the "Serpent" is the 5th, "Direction" is the 10th, and "Ghost" is the 14th lunar day.

This concludes the Section on Stars in the Commentary on the Muhurta Martanda.

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Chapter 2: The Chapter on the Garbhadhana and other Sacraments Garbhadhana: the ritual to ensure healthy conception; Samskara: life-cycle rites of passage

Wishing to discuss the sacrament of conception in relation to the menstrual cycle, the author first describes the results of the very first menstrual period using a verse in the Sragdhara meter:

"In the first menses..."

First, he gives the results based on the month. If the first menses occurs in the months of Pausha Dec/Jan, Shukra Jyeshtha; May/June, Urja Karttika; Oct/Nov, Madhu Chaitra; March/April, Shuchi Ashadha; June/July, or Nabhasya Bhadrapada; Aug/Sept, they result in "offspring" here used ironically or requiring specific conditions. By implication, these six months are not considered auspicious. The others are auspicious.

As stated in the Jyotir-nibandha:
"If a woman's first menses is in Chaitra, she will surely become a widow; in Vaishakha, she will be rich with sons; in Jyeshtha, she will be plagued by disease; in Ashadha, her children may die; in Shravana, she will be devoted to her husband; in Bhadrapada, she will be unfortunate; in Ashvini, she will be ascetic; in Karttika, she will have few children; in Margashirsha, she will have many offspring; in Pausha, she might become unchaste; in Magha, she will be blessed with sons; and in Phalguni, she will be a virtuous and wealthy lady." Such are the remembered results of the months.

Next, he gives the results of the "unions" original: "yoga"; specific longitudinal joins of the Sun and Moon. The verse mentions Cruel Unions: these are the divisions like Vishkambha and others. Among the yogas, nine are considered "corrupt" or "wicked": Vishkambha, Atiganda, Vyaghata, Vajra, Vyatipata, Parigha, and Vaidhriti.

If the first menses occurs in Pausha, Jyeshtha, Karttika, Chaitra, Ashadha, or Bhadrapada; or during cruel yogas, on the eighth or fourteenth lunar days, on the 'Empty' days (Rikta), or on the days of the Sun, Mars, and Saturn; or during the evening, twilight, or afternoon; or under the stars Mula, the 'Sharp' stars, or during eclipses—the woman becomes unchaste or a widow. One should avoid clothes that are red, old, or blue-dyed during this time. 1

This means these yogas are inauspicious. Others are auspicious. It is said: "A woman menstruating for the first time in Vishkambha becomes unfortunate; in Atiganda, she becomes barren; in Shula, she is 'rooted' in problems; in Ganda, she becomes unchaste; in Vyaghata, she may harm herself; in Vajra, she becomes overly independent; in Vyatipata, she is a 'husband-slayer'; in Parigha, her children may die; and in Vaidhriti, she outlives her husband. The remaining yogas are auspicious and give results according to their names."

Now he gives the results of the days of the week: "Malefic Days" original: "papa-vara". The days of the waning Moon, the Sun, Saturn, and Mars are malefic and not auspicious. Others are auspicious. As stated in the Karika: "On Sunday, she becomes a widow; on Monday, her children die; on Tuesday..."