Determining the Auspicious Moment: Principles and Rules of Muhurta

In the Vedic Sanatan tradition, every auspicious activity is performed after determining a favorable time (Muhurta) by considering planets, constellations, and omens. The primary rules related to Muhurta, as outlined in the Toyanath Panchanga, are as follows:

1. Purification of Time (Samaya Shuddhi): When Guru and Shukra are Combust

The condition of Jupiter (Guru) and Venus (Shukra) is paramount in determining a Muhurta. Scriptures strictly prohibit performing special auspicious activities when these planets are combust (Asta), in their infancy (just risen), in old age, or during an intercalary month (Adhikamasa/Malamasa) and a skipped month (Kshayamasa).

Prohibited Activities (Kamya Karma):

The following activities are forbidden during such impure times:

• Sacraments (Samskaras): Marriage, sacred thread ceremony (Vratabandha), initiation (Diksha), tonsure (Chudakarma), ear-piercing (Karnabheda), and the first feeding of rice (Annaprashana, except in emergencies).
• Construction: Groundbreaking for a house, housewarming (Griha Pravesha), temple construction, installation of deities, and construction of gardens or water bodies (wells/ponds).
• Religious Rituals: Major sacrifices (Somayaga, Ashtaka-Shraddha), Tuladana, Mahadana, Vedic vows (Vedavrata), and taking Sannyasa (renunciation).
• Travel: Pilgrimages to places never visited before or visiting a new deity is forbidden.

Permitted Activities (Nitya and Naimittika Karma):

Even when planets are combust or during Malamasa, the following activities are not stopped:

• Daily Worship: Bathing, Sandhya, Panchayana Puja, Durga Puja, Tulsi Puja.
• Designated Festivals: Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Navaratri, Shivaratri, Yama Panchak, etc.
• Ancestral Rites (Shraddha): Offerings to ancestors (Tarpan), Shraddha, funeral rites, and observance of pollution periods (Ashaucha).
• Others: Bathing during an eclipse and performative rituals for peace (Shanti Swastyayana).

2. Calculation of Progeny (Garbha Gyan)

According to astrology, the Panchanga provides a specific method for calculating whether a pregnant woman will give birth to a son or a daughter when a question is asked.

Calculation Formula:

1. Add the number of the lunar day (Tithi), constellation (Nakshatra), and the quarter of the day/night (Prahar) at the time the question is asked.
2. Add the number of letters in the pregnant woman's name to this sum.
3. Add 3 to the total.
4. Finally, divide the total sum by 7.

Result:

• If the remainder is Odd: A son will be born.
• If the remainder is Even: A daughter will be born.

3. Interpretation of Omens (Shakuna Vichar)

The results of accidental signs seen or heard while starting a journey or an activity are as follows:

A) The Omen of Sneezing:

The result of a sneeze depends on the direction from which the sound comes:

• South-East (Agneya): Sorrow.
• South: Loss.
• South-West (Nairitya): Meeting a loved one or happiness.
• West: Sweet meal.
• North-West (Vayavya): Quarrel or discord.
• North: Auspicious result.
• North-East (Ishana): Destruction.
• Upward: Victory.
• Downward: Death or great distress.

Special Condition: A sneeze by a cow or one's own sneeze is considered extremely inauspicious. However, sneezing while taking medicine, eating, sleeping, starting education, or sowing seeds is considered extremely auspicious.

B) The Omen of Crows:

• If a crow touches the body, it may indicate loss of wealth, death, or disputes.
• If a crow sits on a woman's head, it brings harm to her husband and son.
• Witnessing crows mating may indicate death or a major crisis within 6 months. (Remedy: If touched by a crow, make an effigy of a crow from black gram flour, worship it, and donate it to remove the flaw.)

4. Rules of the Intercalary Month (Adhikamasa)

Although other auspicious activities are forbidden during Adhikamasa or Malamasa, specific donation rituals to earn merit are prescribed. In this month, it is considered auspicious to place 33 Malpuas (sweet fried breads) on a bronze plate, cover it with another bronze plate, and donate it to a Brahmin along with yellow cloth and a gold image, while chanting the 33 names of Lord Vishnu.