History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c82.501

v6.c82.501

As in ancient times upanayana was meant for conferring on the boy the authority to study Veda and as the planet Jupiter (Guru) was identified with Bṛhaspati, the *guru* of the gods and the Lord of Speech, great importance was attached to the position of Jupiter But exceptions were introduced even when Jupiter was apparently not favourable. One exception was 'even if Jupiter be in the 8th place from the rāśi of birth or be in the sign of Lion (which is the svagṛha of the Sun) or in depression (i. e in Makara) or in the house of his enemy, upanayana would be auspicious if performed in Caitra when the Sun is in Pisces (which is the svagṛha of Jupiter) This exception is due to the fact that the principal time for upanayana is the 8th year from conception or birth and other conditions are of secondary importance, as the Dharmasindhu says.⁹²² Certain nakṣatras alone were declared to be auspicious for upanayana and *samāvartana* of dvijas viz on the nakṣatras Hasta, Citrā, Svāti, Puṣya, Dhaniṣṭhā, Revatī, Aśvinī, Mṛgaśiras, Punarvasu and Śravaṇa; upanayana was to be performed on a commended tithi when the Moon is powerful (i e from 5th of bright half to the 5th of the dark half ) ⁹²³