By

V K Shridhar, India
Editor: Maurício Avila, Brazil

I
t is fundamental for a branch of
Astrological knowledge to be
useful, that it possess three
V. K. Shridhar is author of essential ingredients (viz. prescriptive,
preventive & predictive). Muhurta
compendium on Vedic Muhurt (Electional branch) is the most useful
astrology titled “Hindu Electional branch of the Vedic astrology well
Astrology”. A voluminous book meeting all these essentials
containing all aspects of Muhurta requirements, which has withstood test
that cannot be found in any other of time for, at least, the last two
book. His work has received rave millenniums. How to mitigate the ill
effects of planets (karamkand -
reviews and has been proclaimed as
propitiations)? When should we initiate
the best work on Muhurta so far
the different life activities to assure the
compiled by any Indian author. Mr K success of them (muhurtgian - election
N Rao has written the foreword for branch)? Answer these questions were
the book, which is available only on the two primary purposes of Vedic
Saptarishis Astrology Book store astrology. Our Trikaaldarshi (the
http://shop.saptarishisastrology.com highest intuitive power) Sages have
blessed us with numerous treatises on
He can be contacted at Muhurta, with discriminative
[email protected] knowledge and logic for its application
for all the time to come.
T he purpose of this series of articles analyzing this subject is to apprise the readers
about the usefulness of this knowledge in attaining great success in all life
activities, by revealing how effectively this can used for practical purposes. In the
series of lessons on Vedic Electional Astrology, subtleties and secrecies along with
fundamentals of this branch shall be discussed with hope of renaissance of this branch
of Vedic astrology, which was undoubtedly born in India. There are divergent
opinions on the birth place of Astrology, but all agree that the first book on Horary
Astrology was written in India. There are no Hindu mythological and canonical texts
in which some reference on Muhurta is absent, what amply proves that Muhurta branch
was also prevailing in that era.

This author, by no means claims to be a specialist in Hindu Electional astrology, but

an ardent student of the branch, willing to share his understanding with the readers
with the main purpose to enable them to decipher the treatises and to specialise this
subject. For the benefit of the humanity through the advice on discriminatively
starting life activities - the fundamental purpose of Vedic astrology.

In Vedic System, Electional Astrology is distinct from Horary Astrology - unlike in

Western Astrology - and have different set of rules, even in the basic astrological
principles followed in both of its branches. Each branch of Astrology had its own
specialised exponents. Excepting Acharya VarahaMihira, no other exponent has written
treatises on more than one branch of Astrology, although some stray references on
Muhurta are generally found in treatises of other branches. He opines that one should
not live in a place where there is no astrologer to guide day to day activities -
Muhurta). The solemnization of Samskaras for purification, travel, war, Vastu and
other life activities were not thought possible without the proper guidance of Muhurta
Astrology. It’s a matter of fact that nowadays, people seek for super specialists in the
numerous fields of knowledge, but not in Astrology.

Muhurta has emanated from Vedas, Shaastra, Puranaas, Shrutis, Samritis, scriptures and
other religious and holy mythological books as well. With regards to Muhurta,
religious dictums have precedence over dictums or aphorisms on him. Social
conventions and customs have acquired an overriding importance over religious
customs and dictums. In this way, social customs followed over time by family,
society and the country, must invariably be considered while deciding an election.

Omens and portents at the time of initiation of the elected activity foretell the
ultimate result, so much that exponents on this subject advise that these have the final
say - no activity can ever fructify if there is an adverse omen at the time of initiation.
Those experts in dreams believe that it has precedence over the omens. SwarShaastri
opines that the final outcome of a current activity fundamentally depends upon
current Swar, should all other elements are equal among the two aspirants. Indeed,
Swar is one of the most exalted knowledge, and it is the highest kept secret in Indian
mythology. Nevertheless, Vedic Muhurta Astrology is the only known branch of
knowledge which is able to guide an aspirant in choosing the most auspicious time to
initiate life activities, the other branches are supportive.

No single branch of knowledge has the solution for all, and Muhurta is not an
exception. For success in a venture, skills and knowledge for the specific activity are
fundamenta and, in order to attain a higher degree of success in a life activities it is
essential to select the most appropriate moment of time (through Muhurta)
considering the purification of his body (through bathing - medicinal bathing);
purification of environment (by chanting mangalik songs/Vedic hymns); purification
of celestial environments (by conducting Yagna/Havanas); purification of
environments of the place of activity (through use of ornaments; observation of omens
and portents; giving alms and food to the needy; seeking blessings from God, elders,
Gurus and good wishes from associates; and support from nature - it is an holistic
approach for attaining Siddhi).

Muhurta must meet the individual requirements. Universally auspicious time

mentioned in Panchangas for various Muhurtas cannot be suitable in all cases. It is a
widely accepted notion that all kinds of works can be initiated during Navratris,
AkshyaTritiya, Vijay Dashmi and others significant auspicious days. Tara, transit,
interrelationship of planets (compound friendship), planetary significance, Dasha of
planets (Hindu progression periods), divisional charts of the individual aspirant play a
significant role in deciding the Muhurta for the specific individual. Our Sages had long
back laid down rules in Muhurta treatises regarding these subtle aspects which need to
be purposively decoded keeping a holistic approach. Culling elections for individuals
considering his radical features is a hallmark of Vedic Muhurta Astrology. This is a
concept not traceable in recently invented Electional Astrology of the west (Horary
Astrology).

Muhurta covers all activities from conception till the last rites after death. Its primary
function during Vedic Era was to elect suitable time for each Samskara, being most
used to elected the time for activities which are done only once (e.g. Muhurta is not
required for daily shaving but for tonsure). However, for a higher degree of success
and pleasure in the desired activity, the suitable Muhurta can be profitably elected for
minor activities. When more than one activity is performed simultaneously, Muhurta
is required for the major activity (e.g. For Upanyanana it is required and for tonsure is
not when both are done simultaneously). Muhurta is decided on
Manglik/benefic/auspicious activities, thus very rarely references are found in treatises
for Muhurta of papa karmas (bad activities).
Shuddha Kaal (pure time) for Muhurta is fundamentally examined with reference to the
Panchanga - the five elements (viz. Tithi, Weekday, Nakshatra, Yoga & Karan) - and
each one of these elements has its own role and contribution in bestowing its effects.
For each activity, specific suitable elements have been prescribed. How the different
Tithi-Weekday-Nakshatra combinations produce different effects regarding the success
of activities is another singular feature of Vedic Muhurta Astrology.

Numerous factors are considered for Kaal Shuddhi, which includes the absence of 21
Maha Doshas. Useful guidelines are available for fortification and purification of
Ascendant and divisional charts, including some planetary Yogas, usually followed in
natal horoscopes, are also analyzed in Muhurta. In addition to these, there are special
planetary Yogas in election that are unique to this system. From the universally
auspicious time durations, the most suitable time for the aspirant performs an activity
is chosen. It is very rare to find a moment of time fully pious without traces of Doshas,
in this way, the balance of the election with antidotes and sanctification of adverse
elements has been described in the treatises for the benefits of the aspirants.

H
ow each element should be selected and other important features of Vedic
Muhurta Astrology shall be detailed discussed in the following lessons.
Muhurta is the soul of time personified and is the knowledge capable of
guiding aspirants to attaining higher and higher success in life activities.