Safe guards of a Muhurata
There are certain broad guidelines given to us by Narada. These are known as the 21 great evils or Mahadoshas and must be avoided in any election chart. Our sages took stock of the difficulties attendant on locating a good Muhurtha and came up with a practical piece of advice. They said, choose a time that has a predominance of good points over the bad ones. The bad ones cannot be eliminated in toto. Therefore, let the plus points be more in number. As a general rule, avoid the heavy afflictions listed as Mahadoshas.
Of the Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana, the Nakshatra is most important. Between the Lagna and the Nakshatra, the former merits greater attention. The Lagna must invariably be strong. Render Jupiter strong for marriage, Venus for travel, Mercury for learning, Mars for all kinds of competition, the Sun for meeting officials and those in positions of authority and influence. Irrespective of the nature of the undertaking, make the Moon powerful.
What safeguards should a Muhurtha have?
Jupiter or Venus in Lagna is an overall shield against most adverse factors in the Muhurtha. Their aspect on the Lagna is also good. So also the disposition of Jupiter, Venus or Mercury in quadrants which can neutralise some of the other malevolent factors.
The Moon in the 11th for night Muhurthas and the Sun in the 11th for daytime ones is also good.
Then the Hora factors can also the considered.
Each hour of the day is called a Hora. Each day, from sunrise to sunrise, has 24 Horas of equal duration. Each Hora is governed by each of the planets in cyclic order in a particular way. Sunday begins with the Hora of the Sun at sunrise. Then follow the Horas of Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in that order and the cycle keeps on repeating until on Monday morning at sunrise, the Hora of the Moon will run be followed by the Horas of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury. This is a very simple process and anyone can plan his venture to begin in a proper Hora easily.
How are the Horas interpreted?
Kalaprakasika says: the Sun indicates danger to life, Venus favors marriage and Mercury is good for delivery. The Moon rules general welfare. Saturn signifies fetters. Jupiter bestows monetary benefits and Mars rules war.
By timing a project to start in an appropriate Hora, success can be expected. For instance, we know the Moon takes care of general welfare. So any project can be begun in the Moon’s Hora. Let us suppose the Moon is in Scorpio and with Saturn. Here, not only is the Moon is n Scorpio and with Saturn. Here, not only is the Moon weak but also suffers from the proximity of a malefic. So although the Moon Hora would have been advisable, in this particular instance, it has to be rejected. The Horas of Venus and Jupiter can be chosen. As natural benefics, regardless of the nature of endeavour, these two planets can be depended upon.
As another illustration, let us take the case of a woman undergoing labour pains. The Tithi is Amavasya and Nakshatra also is unfavourable. In such a case, we cannot wait for a favourable Tithi or Nakshatra. The woman can be taken to the nursing home in a Lagna occupied or aspected by Jupiter or Venus or in a Hora of one of these planets or of Mercury. Likewise, depending upon wach ease in the worst of panchanga-conditions, a relatively safe period can be found.
By choosing a proper Muhurtha, we can ensure the quality of time and screen off adverse influences. Would this have been possible if fate or destiny had been all powerful? The very fact that there is such a subject as Muhurtha allowing scope for free-will quash all charges of fatalism against astrology.
