Total
Lunar Eclipse or Chandra Grahan: March 2025.
On March
13–14, 2025, the first Chandra Grahan (Total Lunar Eclipse) of the year will
occur, casting the Moon in a reddish hue often termed a "Blood Moon."
This
phenomenon holds deep spiritual importance in Sanatan Dharma, urging us to
align ourselves with cosmic rhythms through prescribed rituals and
introspection.
In this post,
we explore the astronomical details with specific timings for Trinidad and
Tobago, scriptural references, visibility across regions, and the spiritual
observances associated with this event.
Astronomical
Details of the Total Lunar Eclipse (Trinidad and Tobago Time).
The Chandra
Grahan of March 13–14, 2025, will unfold over several hours, with precise
timings in Trinidad and Tobago as follows:
- Start of the Eclipse
(First Contact): 11:59 PM, Thursday, 13th
March, 2025
- Total Eclipse Phase
Begins: 2:27 AM, Friday 14th March, 2025
- Maximum Point of Lunar
Eclipse: 2:59 AM, Friday 14th March, 2025
- Total Eclipse Phase Ends: 3:31 AM, Friday 14th March, 2025
- End of the Eclipse (Last
Contact): 5:59 AM, Friday, 14th
March, 2025
Visibility
of the Chandra Grahan.
This Total
Lunar Eclipse will be visible across regions including the Pacific, North and
South America, Western Europe, and Western Africa. Specific cities where the
event can be observed include Trinidad and Tobago, Dublin, Lisbon, Honolulu,
New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto, Chicago, Mexico City, Brasília, Santiago,
Washington D.C., Auckland, San Francisco, Suva, Lima, and Havana.
For devotees
in Trinidad and Tobago, the eclipse will be visible from the evening of
Thursday, 13th March, into the early morning of Friday, 14th March (see timings
above), offering a significant opportunity for observation and spiritual
practice.
Conversely,
the Chandra Grahan will not be visible in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and most
countries in West Asia, as it occurs during daylight hours there.
Per Vedic tradition, observances such as Sutak
(a period of ritual impurity) and Spiritual Practice are not applicable in
regions where the eclipse is not visible to the naked eye.
Scriptual
Significance.
In Vedic
astrology, a Chandra Grahan is attributed to the influence of the shadow
planets Rahu and Ketu, as described in the Puranic narrative of the Samudra
Manthan (churning of the ocean) found in texts like the Bhagavat Puran
(Skanda 8, Chapter 9), Skanda Puran (Kashi Kanda, Chapter 39), and Vishnu
Puran (Book 1, Chapter 9).
This episode
narrates how the demon Svarbhanu, after deceitfully consuming Amrit (nectar of
immortality), was exposed by Surya (Sun) and Chandra (Moon), who then informed
Lord Vishnu. Using his Sudarshan Chakra, Lord Vishnu severed Svarbhanu in half,
creating Rahu and Ketu, resulting in their eternal enmity with the Sun and
Moon.
During a
Chandra Grahan, Rahu is believed to engulf the Moon, causing a temporary cosmic
imbalance. The Chandogya Upanishad (8.13.1) references Rahu as a shadow
entity responsible for such events. The Moon, as the presiding deity of the
mind in Vedic thought, is pivotal for mental clarity and emotional stability.
The Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (Chapter 9, Verse 5) emphasizes that
afflictions to the Moon, such as during a Grahan, can disturb mental peace.
This
particular eclipse occurs in Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra (a star governed by the
Sun, associated with duty and prosperity). Per the Samhita Vichar, it
suggests worldly implications, as a shloka states, “Raajnah kastam ca kshatrabhangah
ca bhavati,” hinting at challenges for leaders, such as governance
disputes, ill health, or political instability, due to this Nakshatra’s
emphasis on authority. Astrological forecasts suggest geopolitical tensions,
protests, economic downturns, and resource scarcity persisting for 45 to 60
days post-eclipse, underscoring the need for caution.
Sutak:
Period of Impurity/Inauspiciousness.
The Dharma
Sindhu specifies that Sutak (a time of impurity) lasts 3 Prahars
(approximately 9 hours) before a Lunar Eclipse begins and 4 Prahars for Solar
Eclipses. For Trinidad and Tobago, the Sutak timings are:
- Sutak Begins: 3:16 PM, Thursday, 13th March, 2025.
- Sutak Ends: 4:47 AM, Friday, 14th March, 2025.
- Allowances for Children,
Elderly, and Sick: Begins at 9:16 PM,
Thursday, 13th March, 2025, and Ends at 4:47 AM, Friday, 14th March, 2025.
During Sutak,
the Earth’s atmosphere is believed to be contaminated by the malefic influences
of Rahu and Ketu. The Garuda Puran (Preta Kanda, Chapter 10, Verse 15)
advises abstaining from mundane activities to maintain spiritual purity,
recommending mantra recitation and meditation instead.
Restrictions.
Devotees in
Trinidad and Tobago, where the Chandra Grahan is visible, are advised to:
- Refrain from cooking and
eating during the Sutak period.
- Avoid activities such as
oil massage, combing hair, or brushing teeth.
- Pregnant women are
particularly cautioned to remain indoors and avoid cutting or stitching,
due to beliefs about potential harm to the unborn child, as noted in the Matsya
Puran (Chapter 253).
These
observances apply only in regions where the Grahan is visible.
Spiritual
Practices.
The Garuda
Puran and other texts recommend spiritual practices during a Chandra Grahan
to mitigate its effects and harness spiritual benefits:
- Before the Chandra Grahan:
Discard cooked and uncooked food or protect it by adding Kush grass or
Tulsi leaves during the eclipse.
- During the Chandra Grahan:
A. Mantra
Japa: Chanting mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva
or Lord Vishnu is highly beneficial. Two specific shlokas are also recommended:
- Tamomaya Mahaa-bheema
Soma-Surya-Vimardana, Hema-Taara-Pradaanena Mama Shanti-prado Bhava
(Meaning: O Rahu, who obscures the Sun and Moon, grant me peace through
the offering of golden stars.)
- Vidhuntuda
Namastubhyaṃ, Siṃhika-aanandana-achyuta, Daanena-anena Naagasya Raksha Mam
Vedhaja-adbhayat
(Meaning: O Vidhuntuda, son of Siṃhikā (Rahu), protect me from the fear
caused by this eclipse through this offering to the serpent deity.)
- Havan:
A fire ritual using offerings of ghee and sesame seeds can be conducted
during the total eclipse phase (2:27 AM to 3:31 AM - Friday 14th March).
- After the Chandra Grahan:
Following the eclipse’s end at 5:59 AM on Friday, 14th March, 2025, in
Trinidad and Tobago, take a ritual bath (Snaan), sprinkle water
with Tulsi leaves throughout the home using Kush grass, and perform acts
of charity (Daan), such as offering food or resources to the needy.
A
Call to Spiritual Discipline.
For devotees
in Trinidad and Tobago, where the Chandra Grahan is visible (see timings
above), this event offers a sacred opportunity to engage in Jaap (mantra
chanting), Dhyan (meditation), Havan (fire ritual), and other
acts of devotion, particularly around the maximum point at 2:59 AM on Friday.
For those in
regions where the Grahan is not visible, it remains a time for contemplation of
cosmic interconnectedness and adherence to Dharma through study and prayer.
Scriptures
provide guidance on practices during a Chandra Grahan:
- The Shiva Puran (Vidyeshvara
Samhita, Chapter 10, Verse 23) states, “Yasmin Kaale Japen Nityam Shiva-Mantramsu-Siddhidah,”
meaning, “At such times, when one chants Shiva’s mantras, they grant
perfect Siddhi (mastery).”
- The Mantra Mahodadhi
(Chapter 2, Verse 15) explains that mantras chanted during a Grahan
achieve Siddhi swiftly, as the veil between material and spiritual realms
thins, amplifying focus and intent.
- The Shatapatha Brahmana
(Agnistoma, 4.3.4.12) highlights that fire rituals during cosmic
disturbances amplify their potency.
Devotees
performing simple spiritual practice can utilize the following window: 2:27 AM
to 3:31 AM on Friday 14th March, 2025.
Devotees
aiming for Siddhi may extend their Jaap or Havan into a
disciplined practice, such as completing 1,008 mantra repetitions over the
eclipse duration 11:59 PM on Thursday 13th March to 5:59 AM Friday 14th
March.).
Final
Reflections.
As we approach
this Chandra Grahan, let us honour the wisdom of our Vedic traditions by observing
the prescribed rituals and precautions where applicable. May this celestial
event inspire us to seek the light of divine knowledge amidst the shadows of
material existence, fostering inner peace and spiritual growth.
Key
Takeaways.
- Sutak Period:
Observe from 3:16 PM, Thursday, 13th March, to 4:47 AM, Friday, 14th
March, 2025.
- Spiritual Practice:
Focus on the total eclipse phase, 2:27 AM to 3:31 AM, Friday 14th
March, 2025.
- Mantra Siddhi:
Pursue across the full eclipse, 11:59 PM, Thursday, 13th March, to 5:59 AM,
Friday, 14th March, 2025.