Grahana (eclipse)

Grahana (Grahaṇa) — an eclipse, an astronomical event in which the Moon blocks the Sun (Surya grahana) or the Moon enters the Earth's shadow (Chandra grahana). The name comes from the Sanskrit "grah" — "to seize": an eclipse is possible only when the Sun and Moon are near the lunar nodes — Rahu and Ketu — and the traditional mythological image describes an eclipse as the swallowing of a luminary.

Place in the system

The panchanga describes the state of the sky. Grahana is a special astronomical event, possible only near the nodes of the lunar orbit. Indian tradition reads eclipses as an unfavourable time, in which it matters to be especially mindful.

A solar eclipse happens on Amavasya, a lunar one on Purnima. A total solar eclipse happens somewhere on Earth on average once every year and a half, but at any one point on Earth — extremely rarely.

Practical meaning

Grahana is a time of special caution. Tradition directly cautions against important worldly undertakings, travel, and eating during an eclipse.

The grahana background works through temporary concealment. It is a time in which the usual supports do not hold, and it matters to be modest and mindful.

In Indian folk practice, during an eclipse people do not eat, do not leave home without need, and do not undertake important matters. After the eclipse, a bath and purification rites are performed.

In daily practice

Grahana is a time of pause. Tradition sets this time aside for stillness, fasting, and prayer: worldly matters are set aside, and the time itself is used for japa and mantra.

Grahana also suits offerings to ancestors: offerings made during an eclipse are held to carry special power.

Grahana also suits purification: after the eclipse, a bath and purification rites are recommended.

How much a grahana is yours personally is refined by Tara Bala. Grahana sets a general background of eclipse, and the personal layer shows how far it matches your life.

Further notes

The pre-eclipse period — sutak kala — begins in advance (traditionally about 12 hours before a solar eclipse and about 9 hours before a lunar one; the length varies by regional convention), and already during this time tradition does not schedule meals or important undertakings. The eclipse itself is read by tradition the same way: no meals, no new matters, a retreat into stillness. After the eclipse, a bath and mantras are recommended. Tradition observes sutak kala and its restrictions where the eclipse is visible; if it is not observed in your location, these rules do not apply.