History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.2243

v6.c81.2243

*Siṁhastha-guru*—When Jupiter enters the sign Siṁha (Lion or Leo) there is no marching against an enemy, no marriage, no upanayana, no occupying a house (for the first time), no establishment of the images of gods and generally no performance of other auspicious acts; vide Malamāsatattva p. 828 quoting two verses from Bhīmaparākrama which are BB (p. 274) and Śuddhi-kaumudī p. 222. It is believed that all sacred places come to the river Godāvarī when Jupiter is in the sign Lion and therefore one should bathe in the Godāvarī when Jupiter is in Leo (which is for about one year). There are diverse views about celebrating marriage and upanayana in *Siṁhastha-Guru*; some hold that marriage and other auspicious rites are prohibited only when Jupiter is in Maghā-nakṣatra (*i. e.* first 13⅓ degrees of Leo). Others hold that in the countries between the Ganges and Godāvarī marriage and upanayana are prohibited through all the days when the Jupiter is in Leo; but other rites may be performed except when Jupiter is in Maghā, still others hold that there is no bar of Simhastha-Guru during the time when the Sun is in Meṣa (sign Aries or Ram). Vide SmK pp. 557-559 for discussion of these views. It is popularly believed that the jar of nectar that rose from the ocean was placed by the gods first at Haridvāra, then at Prayāga, then at Ujjain and then at Trimbakeśvara near Nasik.