Determination of Lunar Days

Decision on Lunar Days 7

These are considered highly praiseworthy because the conjunction with the Rohini constellation occurs precisely at midnight original: "ardharātra". Even if the conjunction is obtained for only one Muhurta a traditional unit of time lasting approximately 48 minutes, the midnight conjunction is established. This is not distinct from the Jayanti vow a specific fast observed when the eighth lunar day and Rohini constellation coincide. It is said: "When the eighth day of the dark fortnight coincides with Rohini at midnight, worshiping Krishna original: "shauri," a name for Krishna/Vishnu therein destroys the sins born of three lifetimes."

On the following day, even if the Rohini conjunction is not applicable in every way, the presence of Wednesday and other factors is considered. Even if the eighth lunar day original: "ashtami" is only slightly present at sunrise, if it is joined with Wednesday, Monday, or Friday along with the Prajapatya the Rohini constellation, it is said: "Such a combination is rare, perhaps obtained once in a hundred years, or perhaps not at all."

Regarding the start of the day: "Whether at sunrise or at the moonrise..."
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...in these three cases. Here, the conjunction is at the deep night original: "nishitha," the period around midnight. The eighth day joined with Rohini is considered "unconditional" original: "nirupadhi". This is famously known as the Primary Time original: "mukhya kāla", for it was then that Hari Krishna himself was born, according to the Vasistha Samhita.

In that context, the eighth day is of two types: joined with Rohini and separate from it. The first type is further divided into four: the midnight conjunction occurring on the first day only, on the second day only, on both days, or on neither. In cases of doubt regarding the first two, according to Gargya, one must look at the extent of the time period. For the latter two, the second day is preferred because the duration of the time is greater. One should strive to avoid the eighth day when it is contaminated by the seventh lunar day original: "saptamī-saṃyutā", as stated in the Brahmavaivarta Purana and other texts. Thus, even if the midnight coverage is equal, if one day is more "heavy" astrologically significant than the other, the decision is based on that weight.

The eighth day without Rohini is also of four types: occurring at midnight on the first day, the second day, both, or neither. Here too, if there is doubt between the first two, one should act...
Rama 7

...even if it is joined with Rohini. If the eighth day occurs on both days or on the second day, the third position is to take the latter day. One must strive to avoid the eighth day joined with the seventh; an eighth day joined with the Sage original: "muni," a code for the number seven, referring to the 7th lunar day should never be performed, according to the Brahmavaivarta. When the conjunction of the eighth day and the constellation occurs on the subsequent days, there are four variations... [on the] first day at midnight, the eighth day; on the second day, Rohini; or the eighth on the previous day and Rohini on the following; or both on both days at midnight. In these cases...

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5

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...because the Jayanti Yoga exists on the following day, the following day is preferred. This is according to Madhavacharya. When this yoga occurs on the eighth day, it is highly praised. An eighth day "pierced" or contaminated by the previous day the 7th should not be used if the conjunction exists on the following day. Even if the eighth day lasts only one Muhurta, it is considered a "complete" eighth day. Even if the eighth day of the dark fortnight lasts for only a tiny fraction of time original: "kalā" or "kāṣṭhā", if it is joined with the ninth day, it is not considered a contaminated eighth day; this is the view of the Kanchi school.

Hemadri a famous 13th-century legal scholar says: because of the importance of the eighth day, and because it covers the time of the ritual on the previous day, the first day should be taken. Some traditions of the Nimaditya sect suggest that the day when the eighth day is present at sunrise should be taken. This rule... whether it is known or not, it provides the fruit intended for Govinda Krishna, as stated in the Brahmavaivarta. This specifically concerns the vow regarding the seventh day contamination. Even in the final two cases, the eighth day joined with the seventh is avoided. O best of the twice-born, if the Prajapatya Rohini occurs on the second day, what should be done? Then the eighth day is proclaimed as meritorious by Vyasa and others of old. Even if joined for only one Muhurta, that eighth day is "full." How much more so if it is joined with the ninth day original: "navamī", which grants liberation.

In the teachings of the wise, when the midnight conjunction occurs at the rising of the Lord of Stars the Moon, the water offering original: "arghya" and other gifts are prescribed. This should be done at night... If, on the eighth day of the dark fortnight, Rohini is seen at the time of the moonrise, then one should perform the vow. The eighth day joined with the ninth is always preferred. The water offering is given to the Moon original: "nishākara" when it is in the constellation of the Deer Mrigashira, though context implies the moon itself. Without the specific constellation, the eighth day joined with the ninth is the rule.

According to the Padma Purana: "The lunar day kills the constellation, and the constellation kills the lunar day" a technical phrase meaning they can cancel each other's auspiciousness. The sentence regarding midnight is the final decision. In the Gautama Viveka, it is stated that for fasts, the breaking of the fast original: "pāraṇa" should be done during the day. This applies to the matter at hand. Here, some authorities on ethics suggest that even if the Jayanti is contaminated by the previous day...