One Hundred Verses on Astrology

Grooming rituals shaving and hair-cutting are auspicious when the twelfth, second, fifth, and ninth lunar days or planetary houses are avoided. The stars Chitra, Hasta, Mrigashira, Ashvini, Revati original: "Paushna", Pushya original: "Gurubha", Punarvasu original: "Aditya", Dhanishtha original: "Shravishtha", Shravana, and the three Uttaras are favorable. Wise men state that these rituals are auspicious on the days of Venus Friday or Jupiter Thursday. For the Sun and Mars Sunday and Tuesday, specialized rules apply. The binding of the grass girdle Mounji Bandhana; the investiture of the sacred thread is auspicious for all when performed on the day of the teacher of the gods Jupiter; Thursday. ॥ 24 ॥

The Auspicious Time for the Sacred Thread Ceremony

Regarding the timing for the Initiation Ceremony Upanayana: it is highly recommended under the stars Chitra, Hasta, Mrigashira, Ashvini, Revati, Pushya, Punarvasu, Shravana, Dhanishtha, and Svati.

For a Brahmin boy original: "vato," referring to the student or initiate, the planets Jupiter and Venus must be strong in their positions and through their current transits.

For a Kshatriya boy the warrior/administrative class, the Sun and Mars must possess strength.

For a Vaishya boy the merchant/agricultural class, the strength of the Moon is required.

Alternatively, for all classes—Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya—one should ensure the strength of Jupiter, Venus, the Sun, and the Moon. One must observe these characteristics through the rules of planetary transits.

The ceremony should not be performed on "non-study" days Anadhyaya; days when Vedic recitation is forbidden, nor on the day of the son of the Sun Saturday, during the dark fortnight, at night, on the seventh lunar day, during a "cruel" planetary division, or on "empty" lunar days Rikta Tithis; the 4th, 9th, and 14th days of the lunar cycle. The binding of the girdle should also be avoided when the teacher of the gods Jupiter is in his sign of debilitation Capricorn, or when he is in an enemy's sign, or when Venus is eclipsed or defeated in planetary combat. ॥ 25 ॥

Forbidden Times for Initiation

The following times must be avoided for the ceremony:
1. The forbidden non-study lunar days: the 1st, 8th, 14th, 15th Full Moon, and 30th New Moon.
2. Saturday, the dark fortnight, and the nighttime.
3. The 7th and 13th lunar days, and the "empty" lunar days.
4. When Jupiter is in its sign of debilitation, in an enemy's sign, or has been "defeated" in planetary conjunction.

The same applies to Venus. Regarding the planetary dignities: Aries is the exaltation of the Sun, while its debilitation is in Libra. For others, the order follows the text lists various signs like Virgo, Cancer, Taurus, and Pisces in relation to planetary strength.

The Lords of the Vedas

The lords of the four Vedas—Rigveda and the others—are respectively:
1. Jupiter for the Rigveda
2. Venus for the Yajurveda
3. Mars for the Samaveda
4. Mercury for the Atharvaveda

The vow of the sacred thread is most auspicious when performed on the day of the planet that rules the boy's specific Veda, especially when that planet is strong and situated in a "center" house Kendra; the 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th houses.

The following traits are predicted based on the astrological sign at the time of initiation:

• If in a sign of the Sun Leo, the boy will be harsh or cruel.
• If in a sign of the Moon Cancer, he may be unsteady.
• If in the signs of Mars Aries or Scorpio, he may be prone to sin.
• If in the signs of Mercury Virgo or Gemini, he will be wise and learned.
• If in the signs of Jupiter Sagittarius or Pisces, he will be a performer of sacrifices.
• If in the signs of Saturn Capricorn or Aquarius, he will be foolish.

॥ 26 ॥
One should know that Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Mercury are the lords of the four Vedas starting with the Rigveda. The binding of the girdle is auspicious on the day of the lord of the student's Veda. 27 If the Moon is in a "center" house, the initiate becomes a teacher...