Spiritual Significance of the Lunar Eclipse
Aryabhatta was a legendary mathematician and astronomer in medieval India, also known as one of the first physicists in the world. In his ancient text Aryabhatiya, while describing the lunar eclipse, he writes,
चन्द्रो जलमर्कोऽग्निर्मृद्भूश्छायापि या तमस्तद्धि | छादयति शशी सूर्यं शशिनं महती च भूच्छाया ||
It means the moon is made up of water, the sun is made up of fire, the earth is made up of soil, and its shadow is made up of the darkness. So the moon covers the sun, and the great shadow of the earth covers the moon.
65% of the human body is made up of water, and water constitutes 70% of the earth’s surface. While the moon’s magnetic effect creates drastic changes in the seas, the moon impacts our emotions as well. The full moon is known to affect our auras, and meditating with moon cycles helps us listen to our intuitive selves.
A lunar eclipse is a potent time for subconscious cleanse and rejuvenation. Known to bring out sudden and abrupt changes within, a lunar eclipse possesses the power to alter our emotional state. Therefore, it is considered an opportunity to free yourself from the burdens of unwanted attachments. We will be facing the lunar eclipse in India on May 26th this year. Here are do’s and don’ts during the eclipse time.
-Avoid consumption of food during the time of an eclipse. It is believed that cooked food deteriorates faster during the eclipse and has an adverse effect on health.
-As lunar eclipse harms food, cooking shall also be avoided during this time.
– It is advised not to consume anything two hours before the eclipse time so that the food gets digested properly, and as you will have an empty stomach during that time. It’s best to chant the mantra and meditate while being on an empty stomach.
-It is advised not to have physical relations during this time as well.
-As per the Shastras (ancient texts), it is advised that meditation should be performed during the time of the lunar eclipse. Holy mantras like the Mahamrityunjay mantra believed to magnify the intensity of meditation during this period.
-It is advised to put holy basil leaves in the drinking water containers and dry food containers to prevent them from the negative vibrations during this time.
-After the eclipse, consider visiting temples, taking a bath, and donating to charity.
While meditating during the lunar eclipse, try to follow these steps.
– Lit an oil lamp in your prayer room before settling down for meditation. It will help reduce the negativity in the surroundings, and the lamp will help you concentrate on your Sadhana.
– Write one thing on paper that is bringing you down, which is hampering your morale, obstructing you from succeeding. Then, withholding a Sankalp (intention) in mind to expel what’s stunting you from progressing in life, burn down that piece of paper, and visualize its departure from your life for good.
-Meditate, visualizing the most important people around you. Try to reflect on the place you hold in their lives.
– Think about how you can help them, showing your gratitude for helping you out for all these years.
– While concentrating on your breath, connect with your inner self while chanting the mantra given by your Guru. Mahamrityunjay mantra can be chanted during this meditation.
– Eclipse is considered a wrong time for pleasures, but it is regarded as an auspicious time for Sadhana. Chant your Beej (Seed) mantra at least 108 times, which is equivalent to 10,000 times or more during this period.
It is believed that the Sadhana performed on the day of the Lunar eclipse will have long-lasting effects on the seeker. Energy harvested while performing the meditation during the eclipse gives a push to Sadhak to progress speedily in the realm of spirituality.
A lunar eclipse is the best time to let things go. It’s the best time to get rid of that emotional baggage, that negativity, which puts you down. It’s time to let go of those familiar and comfortable habits which are tying you down.
Every full moon brings new hope with it. A unique chance to dive into your subconscious and reconnect with the celestial energies by practicing meditation and mantra chanting. The lunar eclipse is such an auspicious time, which multi folds these effects of the full moon.
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