History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c82.521

v6.c82.521

On account of the complicated nature of the muhūrta for marriage, a short cut was hit upon called *Godhūlī* or *Gorajas* (literally, dust raised by cows) muhūrta. The Rājamārtaṇḍa devotes ten verses to it (folios 34b and 35a, verses 550–559). Three of them are set out here.⁹³⁴ 'While the Sun, though setting, appears like saffron or red sandalwood paste, while the stars in the sky are not seen to sparkle with their light, while the sky is filled with the dust pounded by cows (returning to their pens) with the tips of their hoofs, that time is declared to be Godhūlikā, which gives rise to wealth and crops and prosperity. In this muhūrta the planets, the tithis, Viṣṭi or stars or constellations do not create an obstacle; this unimpeded yoga was declared by Bhārgava as time for marriage and for starting on an invasion. When no other auspicious *lagna* can be found then sages direct that Godhūlikā (muhūrta) is auspicious; but if a lagna which is auspicious and powerful can be found the Godhūlikā muhūrta does not bring about auspicious results. The Dharmasindhu (p. 254) simply quotes the Muhūrta-mārtaṇḍa IV. 38, which says that this muhūrta is intended for śūdras, but that in times of great difficulty when the girl has reached puberty it may be auspicious also for brāhmaṇas and persons of other varṇas. In these days also this Gorajas muhūrta is sometimes resorted to by all varṇas.