Given 3

Rituals of Shaving and the Commencement of Knowledge

The rituals of shaving, beginning education, the ritual fire-circle, and piercing likely referring to ear-piercing or Karnavedha—with the exception of marriage—are not recommended during the month of one's birth. Travel is also certainly not auspicious during this time; this is the truth. 51 Auspicious works and ceremonies performed in the month of one's birth constellation or birth ascendant are considered beneficial; thus says the sage Garga. However, travel is never recommended during these times. 52

Auspicious and Inauspicious Days for Shaving

The fifth, seventh, tenth, eleventh, and thirteenth lunar days, as well as the second and third, are considered to bring good fortune. 53 One should avoid the twelfth, the eighth, the "empty" days original: rikta — the 4th, 9th, and 14th days of the lunar fortnight, the sixth, and the first day of the fortnight. Shaving performed on the remaining days brings auspicious results. 54

One should also avoid shaving on the sixth, eighth, and fourth lunar days, the day of the new moon original: sinīvālī — the day when the moon is invisible, the fourteenth, and the ninth. Among the days of the week, Sunday, Tuesday, and Saturday should be avoided for these rituals. 55 Traditional law states that Sunday and Tuesday are particularly dangerous, as they may bring death to a child. If the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu are in stationary positions, they destroy the fruits of all works. 56

All planets in a "middle" position are undesirable, with the exception of Venus. If Venus is in the eighth house original: nidhana — the house of death/transformation, it swiftly bestows wealth and prosperity upon the child. 57 Inauspicious astrological periods such as Vyatipata, "Bird Days" specific forbidden days in the ritual calendar, Vaidhriti, and the "Joint" periods original: gandanta — the inauspicious junction between certain signs or constellations are not praised for the ritual of shaving; one should avoid them for all significant tasks. 58

The Ritual of Tonsure (Chuda Karman)

If the child's mother is pregnant, one should not perform the ritual tonsure original: chaula or mundana — the ceremonial first haircut of the boy. It should be done after five months have passed or earlier interpretive note: This refers to the safety of the mother and the spiritual energy of the household. In the family of the performer, the shaving of the boy's head should not be done during the "Three Auspicious Events." These three are: the wedding of a son, the first entry into a new house, and the tonsure ritual itself. 59

Wise men say that the rituals of the first hair-cutting, the cutting of the ends of the hair, the parting of the hair original: simanta — a ritual for pregnant women, marriage, and the thread ceremony original: upanayana are "Great Auspicious Events." Other rituals are considered "Lesser Auspicious Events." For children born of the same mother, one should not perform the same ritual in the same year; however, if the mothers are different, it is permitted. 60

The Beginning of Learning

From the second year of birth, one should joyfully perform the ceremony of "learning the alphabet" original: aksharabhyasa. Following this, the binding of the sacred thread original: maunji bandha and the beginning of Veda study are ordained. 64

When the Sun is in its northern course original: uttarayana — the half of the year between the winter and summer solstices, and the fifth day is reached, the acceptance of the alphabet original: kshara — likely a scribal variant for akshara, meaning 'letter' or 'indestructible' by children should take place. One should worship the goddess Saraswati Goddess of learning and Ganesha The Remover of Obstacles with offerings of jaggery and other sweets. 65

While the Sun is in its northern course, the month of the Water-Bearer original: kumbha — Aquarius should be avoided. All other fortnights are said to be auspicious, but the rest are not shining. The commencement of education is praised when the enemy of the demon Madhu Vishnu/Krishna is worshipped. When Mars is in the division of the Deer Capricorn, or when Saturn, the Sun, or the Lords of the directions are favorably placed—specifically Jupiter or Mercury—one should begin education. 67 Leave aside the days when Jupiter, the preceptor of the gods, is in the sign of the Lion Leo, and instead, when Venus is in a favorable position and the malefic planets are in the pillar houses Kendra, begin the study of knowledge. 67 Avoid the sixth, the first, and the tenth days...

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