Folio 3

The Ritual of the Tonsure and the Beginning of Learning

Under the groups of Steady, Soft, and Light stars original: "dhruva-mṛdu-laghu-varge", and those governed by Vishnu the star Shravana, the God of Fire the star Krittika, and the Divine Teachers... when the ascendant is auspicious. This ritual should occur with malefic planets original: "pāpaiḥ" situated in the improving houses Upachaya: The 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 11th houses in a birth chart, where even difficult planets are said to provide strength and growth. and benefic planets positioned in the angles or the trines Kendra and Trikona: The 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, 1st, 5th, and 9th houses; these are considered the most auspicious locations for planets to reside.. ॥ 17 ॥

Thus ends the section on the Rite of the Tonsure Chūḍākarma: The first ceremonial cutting of a child's hair, symbolizing the purification of the child and the shedding of traits from previous lives..

The timing may be in the third year, or when the child is older... some say on the tenth day... others suggest the fifth year for certain lineages. ॥ 18-19 ॥

Lord Ganesha [is invoked]... in the fifth year... 22... 20... 2... 6... 1... 5... 3... These numbers refer to specific calendrical calculations and planetary degrees required for the ceremony.

Under the Light or Steady stars, the stars of the Wind Svati, or the Sun Hasta, and those of the Moon, Mercury, and the "First of the Horses" Ashwini... in the three "Root" stars... one should commence the Beginning of Learning Vidyārambha: The formal ritual marking a child's entry into education, often involving the child writing their first alphabet in a tray of grain. when the gentle, benefic planets are located in the center of the chart. ॥ 21 ॥