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

Su. Ma. 14In the auspicious moments associated with the gods of the directions—Hari (Indra), Soma, Agni, Rakshasa, Yama, Varuna, Anila, and Hansa—one should calculate the appropriate timing. Specifically, for the Great Home original: "Mahalaya," referring to the ancestral rites or a significant dwelling, the presiding deity is Indra. Now, the author describes the First Outing original: "Nishkramana". This outing is performed in the fourth month of the child’s life. It is said by the ancient sages that this ceremony follows the same rules as those for starting a journey. Regarding this ritual, the sage Brihaspati says: "The First Outing is the act of leaving the house for the first time. If this action is neglected, it results in the destruction of the child's lifespan and prosperity." The sage Yama states: "One should perform the First Outing in the fourth month of the solar calendar." The Karika a collection of ritual verses adds: "In the fourth month, under an auspicious lunar mansion and during the bright fortnight, the outing should occur. The child should be bathed, well-dressed, and surrounded by auspicious sounds."

On the twenty-first day, or when the feeding is prescribed by the stars, the child should be joined with the sound of a conch; the outing is said to occur in the fourth month. 4

After taking the child and leaving the house, one should go to the temple of the Sun or another deity. Having worshiped the deity properly, one should have the priests recite blessings. Then, after circumambulating the temple, the child should be brought back to their own home. They should also visit the house of the maternal aunt and then be taken to the maternal uncle’s house. There, through the recitation of blessings, the child is honored with the wish for a long life. This procedure for the child's outing is written according to the school of Jayanta and should be adapted according to one’s own family traditions. 4 Next, the author describes the Ear-Piercing original: "Karnavedha" in the Mandakranta meter. It should be done under the "Friendly" stars original: "Maitra," such as Anuradha, Revati, Mrigashirsha, or Chitra; or the "Swift" stars original: "Kshipra," such as Hasta, Pushya, and Abhijit. It can also be done under "Fixed" or "Moving" stars. The "Fixed" stars are the three latter ones Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada and Rohini. The "Moving" stars are Shravana, Dhanishta, Shatabhisha, Punarvasu, and Swati. These timings are further qualified: they should be free from the influence of the wind and water elements original: "vyanilambha," referring to specific astrological defects. Di. 14

This means they should be free from the stars associated with the wind (Swati) and water (Shatabhisha), and also free from the star Rohini. The months of Chaitra, Karttika, Phalguna, and Pausha roughly April, November, March, and January are suitable. The ears of boys and girls should be pierced by a skilled practitioner according to the rules. For a boy, the right ear is pierced first; for a girl, the left ear is pierced first. Regarding the needle, Brihaspati says: "A golden needle should be used for a prince, a silver one for a Brahmin or a Vaishya, and an iron needle for a Shudra; it should be the length of the middle finger." The procedure for ear-piercing is described in the Grihyaparishishta Grihyaparishishta: an architectural and ritual supplement to the domestic law codes. It states that the ear-piercing should happen in the third or fifth year, during the morning. Facing the East, the practitioner consecrates the right ear with the mantra: "May we hear what is auspicious with our ears" original: "Bhadram karnebhih," a famous Vedic prayer for well-being. Then the left ear is addressed with the mantra "Seeing with the eyes" original: "Vashyanti veda". After giving the boy sweets,

Under the friendly, swift, fixed, or moving stars, avoiding those of wind and water, in the months of Chaitra, Karttika, Phalguna, and Pausha, avoiding the days and stars of Saturn and Mars—

Then, one should provide a feast for the Brahmins. However, one must avoid the stars and days ruled by the Sun, Saturn, and Mars Sunday, Saturday, and Tuesday, as well as their specific astrological divisions. Furthermore, one should avoid the "Empty" lunar days Rikta: the 4th, 9th, and 14th days of the lunar fortnight, considered unlucky, the full/new moon days original: "Parva", and the eleventh and eighth days. Nighttime and the twilights must also be avoided. Crucially, the ceremony must be performed in an odd-numbered year of the child's life, avoiding even-numbered years. The strength of the Ascendant Lagna is determined as previously described. Here, the sage Nrsimha says: "The two ears should be pierced in an odd-numbered year for the child, during the bright fortnight, on an auspicious day of the week, in the months of Chaitra, Pausha, Margashirsha, or Phalguna. The eleventh, eighth, full/new moon, and 'Empty' days should be avoided to ensure a favorable outcome."