Muhurta Martanda — Page 20

Commentary — Page 20

During the six months of the Sun’s northern course original: "sauraṃ," referring to the solar half of the year or Uttarayana, these rituals are prescribed. However, while one’s wife is pregnant, one should not perform the "pilgrimage-shaving" original: "tīrtha-sauraṃ," shaving the head at a holy site. Following the ritual of "parting the hair" the Simantonnayana, performed during pregnancy, one must not carry a corpse or perform similar funerary duties. Before the age of fifty, one should not perform the solar-shaving unless it is for a specific, required ritual naimittika. After that age, however, one may shave according to their own desire. This concludes that section.

Now, the author describes the appropriate time for the beginning of education Akṣarārambha and the initiation ceremony Vrata.

Starting from the constellation of Anuradha original: "Mitra": In the fifth year from birth, before the time for the initiation ritual, at the time prescribed for the beginning of learning, the "rite of the letters" Akṣaravidhi—meaning the first time a child is taught the alphabet—should be performed. It is auspicious when the Sun is in its northern path Uttarayana, but not when it is in the sign of Aquarius original: "Ghaṭe," the Water-bearer.

In the constellations of Anuradha, the three Hastas, Punarvasu, Jyeshtha, Revati, Shravana, and Ashvini; in the fifth year, before the initiation ritual; the rite of education is performed while the Sun is in the northern path, excluding Aquarius. (11)

The commentary clarifies: "In the northern path original: "saumya-saṃjñe ayane"," meaning when the Sun moves toward the north. "Excluding Aquarius" means the sign of the Water-pot is avoided during this northern transit. According to the standard definition, the year is divided into two paths of six months each, starting with Capricorn and Cancer.

The constellations mentioned are:
Mitra refers to Anuradha.
Tryarka refers to the three constellations associated with the Sun, namely Hasta and its neighbors often referring to the group of Hasta, Chitra, and Svati in this context, or variations of the Sun's asterisms.
Aditi is Punarvasu.
Indra is Jyeshtha.
Antima is Revati.
Hari is Shravana.
Turaga is Ashvini.

The rest has been explained previously. By saying "before the initiation" original: "vratāt-prāk", it is implied that this should not be done after the sacred thread ceremony. As Sage Brihaspati stated: "A wise person should begin the study of letters before the second birth the spiritual birth of initiation." The sage Nrsimha also says: "The acceptance of letters is prescribed in the fifth year; one should avoid the month of Aquarius during the Sun's northern path." 11.

Next, the author describes the primary and secondary times for the initiation ritual Vratabandha for the Priestly, Warrior, and Merchant classes original: "Brahma-Kshatra-Visha".

The ritual for a Brahmin Vipra should occur in the eighth year, either from conception or from birth. For a Warrior Kshatriya, it should be in the eleventh year original: "shiva," a numerical code for 11. For a Merchant Vaishya, it should be in the twelfth year original: "ravi," a numerical code for 12.

In this matter, even if the planet Jupiter Jiva is in an unfavorable or inauspicious position for one's specific birth-sign, the ritual may still be performed. When is this allowed? During the month of Chaitra when the Sun is in the sign of Pisces original: "mina-sthe ravau".

For the Brahmin and others, the initiation occurs in the eighth, eleventh, or twelfth year from conception or birth. Even if Jupiter is unfavorable, it may be done when the Sun is in Pisces during the month of Chaitra, due to the strength of the year itself.

The "strength of the year" original: "abdasya dāḍhyāt" means that reaching the prescribed age provides enough spiritual potency to override minor planetary afflictions. This is supported by the Sangraha text: "If one has reached the eighth year, even if the Sun is in Pisces during Chaitra, the initiation Upanayana is auspicious." Even if Jupiter is in the eighth house from the birth moon, or in the sign of Leo, or in its sign of debilitation or an enemy's sign, the tying of the girdle Maunjibandha is declared auspicious in the month of Chaitra when the Sun is in Pisces. If the specific year is not utilized, even if all other planets are in good positions, the "year-strength" is lost, and the time becomes as useless as death itself.

Next, the author will discuss the results of performing the ritual during the "secondary" or late period...