Is an eclipse harmful during

pregnancy?
There is no evidence to suggest that an eclipse can harm a pregnant mum or her baby.
Eclipses are seen all over the world and in many countries there is no tradition of staying indoors during one.
However, in many cultures, an eclipse is considered a bad omen.
There are some superstitions that an eclipse can cause deformities such as a cleft lip or unsightly birthmarks,
but the scientific evidence does not support this belief.
If you or your family are concerned about the effects of an eclipse, there is no harm in following the
customs. After all, it is just for a few hours and if it offers you and your family peace of mind, it is probably
worth it.
But if you cannot stay indoors and abide by the usual dos and don'ts, or just don't want to, rest assured that
this does not necessarily mean that your baby will come to harm or be born with a birthmark.
Some of the common restrictions believed to keep a pregnant mum and her baby safe during an eclipse
include:

not using any sharp object such as a knife, scissors or a needle for the duration of the eclipse

not eating anything for the duration of the eclipse

resting as much as possible during the eclipse

covering the windows with newspaper or thick curtains so that no rays of the eclipse enter the home

throwing away all cooked food from before the eclipse

taking a bath after the eclipse is over

If you follow these precautions strictly, be careful not to go too long without food or drink. Some families
believe that an expecting woman should not drink water during an eclipse. However, this can put you at risk
of dehydration, especially if the eclipse is during summer. And fasting for a long time can cause:

headaches

fainting

fatigue

dizzy spells

severe acidity

If you have any of these symptoms talk to your doctor right away.
If you are out and about during an eclipse, one precaution you do need to take is to protect your eyes.
In an eclipse, it is possible to look directly at the sun without much discomfort to your eyes at the
time. But doing so can cause severe damage to your eyes without you even knowing it.
Visit our pregnancy myths and truths area to make informed choices about what's safe and what's not
during pregnancy and beyond.

Sutak during Grahan

Sutak - Certain inauspicious time before Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan is known as Sutak.
According to Hindu beliefs, the Earth atmosphere is contaminated during Sutak and extra
precautions should be taken to avoid any harmful side effects due to contamination.
Sutak Duration - During Solar Eclipse Sutak is observed for 4 Prahars and during Lunar Eclipse
Sutak is observed for 3 Prahars before Eclipse. There are total 8 Prahars from Sunrise to Sunrise.
Hence Sutak is observed for 12 hours before Solar Eclipse and for 9 hours before Lunar Eclipse.
Eating During Grahan - All type of food items either solid or liquid are prohibited during Sutak
and Eclipse. Hence one should not eat during twelve hours before Solar Eclipse and during nine
hours before Lunar Eclipse till Eclipse is over. However for children, sick and old people food
limitation is restricted to only single Prahar or 3 hours.
Sutak is observed only when Eclipse is visible at the place under discussion.
Precaution for Pregnant women - Pregnant women are strictly advised not to venture out during
Eclipse. It is believed that due to contamination and malefic effects of Rahu and Ketu, the baby
might become handicapped or disabled and probability of miscarriage is increased. Pregnant women
are also advised not to cut or stitch any cloth or to do any other similar activities as these activities
have similar effects on the baby.
Prohibited Activities - Oil massage, drinking water, Mal-Mutra Visarjan, combing hair, brushing
teeth and involving in sexual activities are prohibited during Eclipse.
Rituals After Grahan - It is advised to discard any cooked food and only freshly cooked food
should be consumed after Eclipse. The food items like wheat, rice, other cereals and pickles which
cannot be discarded should be protected by adding Kusha grass or Tulasi leaves. Once eclipse is over
one should take bath and should make offerings or charity to Brahmins. Making offerings after
Eclipse is considered highly beneficial.
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Surya Grahan and Pregnant Women What

should Pregnant Women do during
Suryagrahan in Hindu Religion?
There is lot of fear among many Hindus regarding Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) and Pregnancy.
Most people want to know about precautions to be taken during Surya Grahanam. The only
precaution that you should take is that you should never look at the Sun directly during the Grahan.
As a clear cut solution, ancient seers in Hinduism recommend pregnant women remain indoors
during Grahan. The mantra chanted during the period is the Santana Gopala Mantra.

Update: The next Surya Grahan is on June 1, 2011. But this is not visible in India and major parts
of the world.

Astrological View Point

Now for those of you believe in astrology, there is a punya kala when the Surya Grahan is visible.
And people observe fasting during this period. If the Grahan is not visible in the particular region,
there is no punya kala and there are no restrictions.

There is no restriction in moving around if there is no Surya Grahan in your region.

Ayurvedic View Point

Some traditions in Hindu religion ask pregnant women to sit or lie down on a mat containing Darbha
grass or Kusha Grass. It is also advised to keep some Kusha Grass with the pregnant woman.

Fasting during Grahan

Now there are several Hindu communities that fast (Upvaas) during Surya Grahan. A pregnant
woman should take the advice of her doctor before fasting. If you are so particular about fasting, you
can fast just during the Surya Grahan period and avoid a complete fast.

The Use of Metal or Sharp Objects

There is a popular belief that pregnant women should not use sharp metal objects like knife, pins etc
during the Grahan period. In simple terms they should not cut anything during the period or should
not wear pins etc. Some people suggest that it will be hard to stop the blood flow if there is a cut on
the body during the period. But this has no proper scientific backing.

Mantra During Surya Grahan

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Tips for Pregnant Women - What to do and what not to do What to avoid and what to
perform during Surya Grahan or Chandra Grahan:

The first and foremost precaution that every pregnant woman has to take is to avoid seeing or
looking at the Grahanam. Even though, it is visible to naked eye,

pregnant women should avoid watching graham. Stay at home and go out side during the
grahanam.

There is a strong belief in some Hindus that wearing or tightening saree clips, hair clips or any
other pins or clips will be inauspicious. Avoid wearing or tightening clips.

Avoid cutting vegetables or fruits or any other material. Many Hindus believe that cutting any
material will result the pregnant women a cleft organ child.

In some regions, pregnant women avoid sleeping during the Grahanam.

For normal and safe delivery, pregnant women recite Santana Gopala Swamy Mantram and
Surya Stotras like Aditya Hridayam and other Surya Mantras, Maha Mritunjaya Stotram.

Santana Gopala Stotra (a mantra to chant during graham by pregnant women) keeps up the
health of the pregnant woman as well as the child (Garbhastha Shishu).

Santana Gopala Swamy Mantra Mantra to chant or recite for pregnant women during
Grahan:

Om Devaki Sudha Govinda Vasudeva Jagath Pathe

Dehimey Thanayam Krishna Thwameham Saranamgathe !
Kadhahaa Deva Deva Jagannatha Gothra Vridhi Karap Prabho
Dehimey Thanayam Sheegram Ayushmantham Yashashreenam !!

-Hello Moms,
Yes, there is a Lunar eclipse tomorrow @ India. Yes, pregnant ladies are advised to take extra precaution. This
lunar eclipse being a powerful one, precaution is very essential, atleast for the sake of our babies. Please confirm
the Timings from a Priest/Temple/Neighbours.
Precautions(said by Mom)
No Activity during the eclipse.
Stay totally indoor, be sure that no Harmful rays enter your room. Make your room a dark room.
Dnt Eat Anything during the eclipse period.
Dnt even cut veggies/drink water during the time.
Best advised is to stay on ur bed till the eclipse is over.
Have your last food/drink @least an hour before the eclipse begins.
After the Eclipse, take a Shower, light a lamp/do puja and then eat something that is Freshly Cooked/ even a Glass
of Milk heated js then.
U get "Darbe"/Dry Grass @ India, tak a few strands, drop in essentials like water filters, milk cans, refrigerators,
rice n dals. Said that they avoid the food to be affected with the Harmful rays.
Hope this helps.

Eclipse & Pregnant Women - Precautions during Surya

Grahan

Pregnancy is the most blessed period in a woman's life, where she plays the nurturer for the
little baby one in her womb. As a mother to be , a woman so far protected, for the first time
plays a protector. No matter what it calls for, she assures nothing adverse effects the new life
that she bares in her womb for nine months. These nine months are crucial for the well being of
both the mother and child and decides the health of the child in time to come.

Going by ancient astrological beliefs, Rahu and Ketu are malefic planets. Legend has it that
once there was a strife between Rahu (Asura ) and the Devatas (Gods ) both wanting to claim
"Amrit" for immortality. When Vishnu dressed as Mohini seduced Rahu by her charm and
stole the amrit from him, Rahu decided to trick the Devatas and get back 'Amrit". So, he
disguised himself as a Devta and waited for his turn to get a drop of 'Amrit' . To his
disappointment Surya and Chandra recognized him, Vishnu chopped Rahu's head whereby he
was divided into two Grahas - Rahu and Ketu . However to take a revenge against Surya and
Chandra , Rahu decided to cast a shadow on both , which is what we know as Surya and
Chandra Grahan. It is this legend that gives rise to the traditional belief that 'Grahan Kaal" is
an inauspicious period during which evil forces are active , especially harmful for pregnant
woman .

There are a lot of precautions women need to take during pregnancy to ensure delivery of a
healthy baby. You must have heard from your grandparents and elderly woman home that

"Grahan Kaal "is not good for pregnant woman. Most of us consider all this as superstition
but ask an astrologer and you will know the basis of this age old belief. There are no clear
scientific facts that proves that Surya Grahan affect Pregnant women. Some researchers talk
about the damage caused to offspring of animals to support their claim about the evil effects of
Surya Grahan on pregnant women. All thees researches are inconclusive, however as they say
"it's better to be safe than sorry", let us have a quick look at some of the precautions you
should consider taking as a mom to be.

Dos and Don'ts for pregnant women

Firstly a pregnant woman should not view Grahan with naked eyes. Preferably she should stay
home and not be in the open during Grahan Kaal

Do not use knife or any other sharp weapon at home during Grahan. Belief has it that cutting
fruits and vegetables during Grahan Kaal will lead to the birth of a child with cleft organ

Avoid wearing metals especially sari pins, hair pin, tightening pins and jewelry etc.

Many women avoid sleeping during Grahan.

Some scriptures suggest that women should sit only on a bed with Durva Grass and chant the
Santana Gopala Mantra.

Many women take a bath before and after Grahan

Though many scientists argue there is no solid ground in such believes, pregnant woman for
years have found faith in these precautions. The scientific argument that is easiest to give in
favour of these precautions listed above is that, since "Grahan" is a phase that is anti the
normal course of natural happenings, it's bound to have ill-effects. The extent of harm caused
is debatable no doubt, especially in the absence of any research or facts to support the claims
made by astrologers.We still believe taking precautions is the best thing to do, for the best
interest of both the mother and child.

We wish all mothers to be, a great motherhood and hope that you and your little one is blessed
with health and well - being. Live every moment experiencing the joy of being a creator,
nurturer and protector for your bundle of joy, who is yet to come. Astrosage.com wishes you all
the best.

The mantra that is chanted during Surya Grahan by pregnant women is the Santana Gopala Mantra.