Importance of Muhurat
Time is the essence of astrology. The time of birth of a child, of a sapling or an animal carries with it the history of its product. Now, let us look at it the other way round. Mark out a point of time as astrologically propitious. Plan the birth of a child or the planting of a seed or even the beginning of a venture. Should it give good results in the form of a child that will live long and well or a tree that will prove highly productive or a venture that leaves behind only a trail of success? If the answer is yes, then we are right and probably, fairly acquainted with Muhurtha, a branch of astrology that has been successfully applied to all kinds of human endeavour from the Vedic times. Muhurat is the yardstick which gauges the quality of time.
In the Mahabharata, we read of Parasara and Matsyagandhi uniting to bring forth Vrda Vyasa. We are told Parasara is carried away by the rustic beauty of Matsyagandhi. Well, that is how the poet puts it and we must give him a wide margin for it. The poet is far too imaginative to see the trust in its objective blandness. He must paint it in the riotous colours of poetic imagery. But to a mind trained to make a proper and objective assessment of a situation, there is more to this episode than being a mere romantic interlude in the mighty epic of battles and kingdoms.
Let us stop to ponder what kind of a man Parasara was. He was a tapasvi who had burnt away the dross of his gross nature in the dual fires of austerity and discrimination. He had reached a stage where Nature and her offspring were nought but the One Indwelling Spirit. Duality had ceased to exist for him. In his infinite compassion, he identified himself with the suffering humanity lost in the maze of Avidya - he was a seer - the past, the present and future lay unwrapped before him. No wonder he gave the world the science of astrology which, in later days, Varahamihira calls a boat to cross the ocean of life. Would such a man fall prey to carnal urge depicted in the fisherman’s story?
Parasara waiting on the banks of the river to cross it looked up at sky to note an amazing configuration of planets was about to take place. He saw that in a short while from then, the sign rising on the eastern horizon was so powerful and so full of auspicious signs that it could only forebode good to the world. He speculated a birth taking place now, or even an Adhana, could be of a mahapurusha who could work towards ameliorating the human agony born of the dualities. Appropriately enough, he saw the young maiden approach him to ferry him across the river. This is how and why Matsyagandhi brought forth Veda Vyasa who not only wrote the epic Mahabharata much before the events in it took place and the devotional treatise Srimad Bhagavatam but also codified and classified the Vedas. What greater evidence does one need to appreciate the astrological importance of a moment? This is then science of Muhurat which enables one to judge the worthiness or otherwise of time.
The basic tool for determining a suitable Muhurat is the Panchanga. This is an ephemeris that carries the astronomical computations of planetary positions.
What are the pancha angas or the five limbs of time?
They are Vara (weekday), Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatra (asterism), Yoga and Karana. The definitions of these terms are simple and can be found in any text-book on the subject. Each of these elements must be carefully chosen before venturing on any project – secular, spiritual, political or social.
Of the seven days in a week, Tuesday and Saturday are invariably avoided. Tuesday comes under Mars, the planet of strefe, discontent, accident and turmoil. Saturday is ruled by Saturn who stands for decay, delay, obstacles, frustration, loss and death.
Tithi is the lunar day. The full-moon and new-moon days, the 4th, the 8th and 14th lunar days in the dark and bright halves of the lunar month are not recommended for any Muhurat.
Nakshatra is the arc of 130 20 and for purpose of Muhurat, the Moon’s exact location is vitally important.
Krittika and and Bharani, Pubba, Poorvashada, Moola, Makha, Aslesha, Jyeshta, Aridra and Poorvabhadra are constellations that are avoided for all constructive works.
In drawing up a propitious chart for any venture, it is important to ensure the strength of the Ascendant and the Moon, the latter both by himself and also in relation to his natal position in the chart of the native for whom a Muhurat is sought.
All constructive works must have a vacan: 8th house. Not even a benefic should occupy it.
