Blood Moon & the Lunar Eclipse: 13th March 2025.

 

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.)
1. 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 13^th March to 5:59 AM Friday 14^th 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.

1. Sutak Period: Observe from 3:16 PM, Thursday, 13th March, to 4:47 AM, Friday, 14th March, 2025.
2. Spiritual Practice: Focus on the total eclipse phase, 2:27 AM to 3:31 AM, Friday 14th March, 2025.
3. Mantra Siddhi: Pursue across the full eclipse, 11:59 PM, Thursday, 13th March, to 5:59 AM, Friday, 14th March, 2025.