History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.985

v6.c81.985

In these days most people except very sophisticated ones still take a bath on eclipses and make some gifts also, but do not proceed further in the matter of eclipses. An eclipse is the best time for japa and for dīkṣā (initiation) and perfection in the mantras peculiar to various deities: 'one⁶³⁸ should engage in japa and the like while an eclipse of the sun or moon is in progress; one should not bathe nor eat food during that time, but when the sun and the moon are free from eclipse one should bathe and partake of food one may engage in the japa of the Gāyatrī mantra (Ṛg. III. 62 10) and it is laid down that if one does not engage in japa on an eclipse one becomes sinful For dīkṣā as to mantras seven days from eclipse are allowed Solar eclipse is the best time for dīkṣā.