According to Indian astrology and belief, only full or annular eclipses and partial or umbral eclipses will have an impact on us and the penumbral eclipses do not effect us. According to Indian Panchangas Penumbral eclipses are not harmful so they are not even mentioned in Panchangas.
Where it is not visible it will not have any adverse effect.
2022 will have 4 eclipses as follows:
Solar eclipses in 2022: April 30, Saturday. It will be visible from 12:15 pm to 04:07 pm.
Lunar eclipse in 2022: May 15 and 16. It will start from 7.02 am on May 15 and 16 and will last till 12.20 am.
Solar eclipses in 2022: October 25, Tuesday, October 25. This will be a partial eclipse that is visible from 16:29:10 and will last till 17:42:01.
Lunar eclipse in 2022: November 8. It will last from 1:32 pm to 7.27 pm.
The media and the astrologers make all kinds of terrible predictions and terrify the common man about the disastrous effect of the eclipses on people and the country. While some negative effects are there the eclipse is not a disaster. Nothing has happened to India or the world during many of the past eclipses. During one of the eclipses which took place in Karka/Cancer sign and Pushyami star, they said it is a terrible time for all people born in this sign and star. I am born in Karka/Cancer sign and my birth star is Pushyami and nothing happend to me. Same with my wife and brothers. I have been studying and practicing astrology for more than 36 years. The eclipse time is a great one for Pooja or Mantra Jaap or Stotra Paath.
The great Indian astrologer Varahamihira, one of the Navaratnas (Nine Jewels) of Emperor Vikramaditya’s court, in the 57 BC, has given the most detailed account about the effects of eclipses in his scripture Brihat Samhita. It is the only scripture which gives the effects of eclipses. Many negative effects on Brahmins, Kings, Visyas etc. and various regions, about eclipses conditions causing floods, earth quacks etc. But he has not said anything about it causing harm to people born in that Rasi or Nakshatra!!
However some other scriptures say it is not good for the people born in the nakshatra in which the eclipse is happening, the previous nakshatra, the next nakshatra, and tha Anujanma and Trijanma nakshatras
The eclipses are a natural God given phenomena and rest assured that HE did not create them to torment the millions born in a Rasi or Nakshatra!!
What not to do: Normally during the regular eclipses the rays of the Sun and Moon are harmful, both according to the Hindu scriptures and the scientists, hence it is advisable not to look at them directly with naked eyes and do not expose yourself to their rays/light. Dont eat or drink anything during the eclipse time as the cooked food gets spoiled very quickly during the eclipse. If you have cooked food, put a Tulasi (Basi) leaf in that vessel and it will not be spoiled. The pregnant ladies are strongly advised to avoid getting exposed to the eclipse rays. Avoid traveling during the eclipse. any important deals during the eclipse time. Avoid sex during this time.
What to do: The eclipse period is an excellent time to worship God. Any Stotra recital, or any Mantra chanting or Pooja done during the eclipse time, will yield many times more results than the normal days. Any charity done will give you good benefits. Take bath after the eclipse and only then you should eat or drink.
Most of us have read about eclipses in our school geography class but here are some details to refresh your memory.
Solar eclipse (Surya Grahan)
If the moon comes in between the Earth and Sun then it will block the rays of Sun from reaching the Earth. This is known as Solar eclipse. This occurs on Amavasya or new moon day only.
Lunar eclipse (Surya Grahan)
When Earth comes between the Moon and Sun then it blocks the rays of Sun and this will create a shadow of Earth on Moon. This is known as a Lunar eclipse. This occurs on Purnima or new moon day only.
Different types of Solar and Lunar eclipses.
Celestial bodies cast a shadow over each other in many ways. Eclipses are classified as below:
Full solar eclipse: Moon’s shadow covers the the sun completely.
Partial solar eclipse: Moon’s shadow covers part of sun.
Annual solar eclipse: when the shadow of the moon falls on the central part of the sun, leaving the outer edges to form a ring-like structure, this is known as an annual solar eclipse.
Total lunar eclipse: When the moon is covered completely by the shadow of Earth.
Partial lunar eclipse: When the moon is covered partly by the shadow of Earth.
Penumbral solar or lunar eclipse: If the eclipse is covered by Earth’s penumbral shadow then it is called Penumbral Lunar/Solar eclipse.
Indian Vedic astrology Panchangas take into account only the eclipses visible in the place we live, ie, when the eclipsed rays of Sun or Moon fall on us and only the umbral eclipses are taken into account and the penumbral eclipses are not taken in to account and not mentioned in the Panchangas usually.
The legend of Rahu and Ketu: According to Hindu mythology as given in Shanda Purana, long ago the Devatas (Gods) and Rakshas (Demons) churned the ocean to get the Amrit, the divine nectar which makes one immortal. Finally Dhanvantri came out with a pot of Amrit and there was a mad rush for it and the Devas and the Rakshas started quarrelling. Hence, Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini (a charming lady) and charmed them into sitting in two separate rows to distribute the Amrit. She started with the Devatas. Towards the end of the line as the Amrit was almost over, a Rakshasa called Rahu guessed what was happening and sat at the end of the devatas line. Mohini poured the last of the Amrit in Rahus hands and he drank it. Sun and Moon, who were sitting next to Rahu informed Mohini that he is a rakshasa. Lord Vishnu cut off Rahu’s head with the Sudarshan Chakra and neck was separated from his body. However as he has already consumed Amrit he did not die and hence the bodiless head lives as Rahu and the headless torso lives as Ketu. The Rakshas protested and another quarrel started. Finally a compromise was agreed and Rahu and Ketu were given the status of planets and as the Sun and the Moon reported Rahu, on full moon and new moon days Rahu and Ketu were allowed to torment the Sun and Moon to have their revenge. This causes the eclipses during which time Sun and Moon lose their rays and become powerless.
More about other misconceptions
