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

Beyond the designated years original: "sharad," literally "autumns," often used to mean years, that age is considered the limit. Thus, the decision regarding the years is as follows: for a Brahmin, the eighth year is the primary time. Doubling that makes sixteen. Therefore, the period for a Brahmin is from the eighth year until the sixteenth year. For a Kshatriya the warrior/governing class, it is from the eleventh year until the twenty-second year. For a Vaishya the merchant/agricultural class, it is from the twelfth year until the twenty-fourth year. This is the progressive determination of the years. Beyond this, they are no longer eligible. As stated in the Sangraha a compendium of traditional rules: "For kings (Kshatriyas) 16, for the doers (Vaishyas) 22, for the twice-born (Brahmins) 24—these are the final limits; beyond this, they become 'fallen' patitya. For their purification, the Vratyastoma rite a ritual to recover lost social or religious status is prescribed."

Likewise, according to the teachings of Katyayana: "Until the sixteenth year, the time for a Brahmin has not passed; until the twenty-second for a Kshatriya, and until the twenty-fourth for a Vaishya. Beyond that, they are considered to have 'dropped the Savitri' referring to the Savitri or Gayatri mantra, the core of the initiation."

What happens to them? One should not initiate them, nor teach them, nor perform sacrifices for them, nor have social dealings with them. When the time has passed, if three generations have "dropped the Savitri," their descendants have no right to the sacraments samskaras or to be taught. If they wish to be purified, they must perform the Vratyastoma rite, after which they may be socialized with—so say the scriptures.

Now, the author speaks of the time for initiation even before the standard age if there is an eagerness for study: "from the fifth year." In the fifth, eighth, or ninth years, for the Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya respectively, the "desire for reading"—meaning the study of the Vedas and other sciences—is considered appropriate and praised by the sages. It is said in the Sangraha: "Spiritual radiance, vigor, knowledge, longevity, prosperity, fame, and strength; these are the fruits for one initiated for the sake of learning from the fifth or eighth year." || 13 ||

Now, the author describes the "Strength of Jupiter" Gurubala in a single verse. Regarding the "sign" original: "rashe," referring to the birth sign or Janmarashi: Relative to the birth sign, when Jupiter (Guru) is in the sixth, third, or first houses, he is to be honored and bestows auspiciousness in this "binding of the vow" vratabandha (initiation). Jupiter also stays in the tenth house. However, even if he is in a position to be honored, if he is in the twelfth (last), fourth (water), or eighth houses, he is not a giver of auspiciousness. This means he becomes inauspicious.

But if he is "in his own house" original: "nijagrihagah," Sagittarius or Pisces or "in his exaltation" original: "tungago," the sign where a planet is strongest, then even if he is in these "bad houses," he is considered praiseworthy. His exaltation is Cancer original: "karkata". As stated in the Brihajjataka a classic text on Hindu astrology by Varahamihira: "Aries, Taurus, Capricorn, Virgo, Cancer, Pisces, and Libra are the exaltations for the Sun and the other planets, respectively, at the 10th, 3rd, 28th, 15th, 5th, 27th, and 20th degrees."

If Jupiter is in his "sign of debilitation" original: "swanishadi," the sign where a planet is weakest, which for Jupiter is Capricorn, then the results for the various positions change. "Similarly for the Girl's Sign": relative to the sign of Virgo representing the bride or a girl's horoscope, the auspicious and inauspicious effects are the same as described for the boy. If one needs to find an auspicious time quickly for a groom who has many other good qualities, or if it is an urgent time, even if Jupiter is in the "bad" 10th, 4th, or 8th houses, one should perform "double worship" dvirachya. If he is in the 6th, 3rd, or 1st houses, as prescribed by the scriptures, he should be worshipped. If he is in a very favorable position, he should be "worshipped twice," and by that double worship, the timing becomes beautiful. After speaking generally, the author mentions a special case for the "house": if he is in a particularly excellent house, he should be "worshipped thrice" trirachya, and then it is beautiful. Here, Jupiter in Taurus original: "vrisha" or Sagittarius original: "chapa"...