Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c10.s1.19

c10.s1.19

For initiation careful choice of the proper month, day, planetary influence and so forth is essential. The months of Jyaiṣṭha, Āṣāḍha and Bhādra should generally be avoided. No initiation should take place on an intercalary month (Malamāsa) during which religious ceremonies are forbidden. Tuesday and Saturday are inauspicious. The stars, such as Rohiṇī, Śravaṇā, Ārdrā, the three Uttaras (Uttara-phālguni, Uttarāṣāḍha, Uttara-bhādrapada), Puṣya and Śatabhiṣā are declared to be auspicious; but some add Aśvinī, Svāti, Viśākhā, Hastā and Jyeṣṭhā. With regard to the Tithi or lunar day, the second, fifth and sixth days of the fortnight are specially favourable; but the Dīkṣā can also be performed on the twelfth and the thirteenth day: while some authorities prescribe also the seventh and the tenth day, as well as the day of the full-moon. In holy places, during eclipses, in the Tantu-parvan in Śrāvaṇa and Dāmana-parvan in Caitra, and on the acquisition of a worthy preceptor, who is rare in this world, no discrimination of time is necessary. The direction of the Guru regarding all these should be strictly followed; for if the Guru permits, any day, month or place is auspicious.