According to Hindu beliefs, there are two types of eclipse,
solar eclipse and lunar eclipse and some inauspicious time before the eclipse is known as Sutak. According to the beliefs, the atmosphere of the earth gets polluted during Sutak and extra precautions should be taken to avoid any harmful side effects.
What is the duration of Sutak during Grahan?
Sutak is observed for 4 prahars during
surya grahan and sutak is observed for 3 prahars before eclipse during
chandra grahan. There are a total of 8 Prahars from sunrise to sunrise. Hence Sutak is celebrated 12 hours before the surya grahan and 9 hours before the chandra grahan.
Prohibited activities during Sutak period
❀ All kinds of solid or liquid foods are prohibited during Sutak and eclipse. Therefore, one should not eat twelve hours before the solar eclipse and nine hours before the lunar eclipse until the eclipse ends.
❀ The food limit for children, sick and old people is limited to only one prahar or 3 hours.
❀ Sutak is observed only when an eclipse is visible at the place in question.
❀ Oil massage, drinking water, excretion of excrement, hair combing, brushing of teeth are prohibited during the eclipse.
❀ Pregnant women are strictly advised not to venture out during the eclipse and the harmful effects may cause the child to become disabled and the chances of miscarriage increase.
What are the post grahan rituals?
Any cooked food is advised to be discarded and only freshly cooked food should be consumed after the eclipse. Foods such as wheat, rice, other cereals and pickles should be preserved by adding Kush grass or basil leaves. After the eclipse is over one should take a bath and offer prasad or charity to the brahmins. Offering prasad after the eclipse is considered extremely beneficial.
Mantras to chant during eclipse
तमोमय महाभीम सोमसूर्यविमर्दन।
हेमताराप्रदानेन मम शान्तिप्रदो भव॥१॥