Follower:
Gurudev, Pranam.
Gurudev:
Pranam. Yes, tell me.
Follower:
Gurudev, about 15 days ago, we witnessed a lunar eclipse, and tomorrow, a solar eclipse is scheduled to occur.
Gurudev:
Yes, tomorrow is the solar eclipse.
Follower:
Two eclipses within a single fortnight—this seems like a significant event.
Gurudev:
In India, both have been invisible. We couldn't see the lunar eclipse, and we won't see the solar eclipse tomorrow either. It is an annular solar eclipse. Today, the New Moon (Amavasya) period begins at 2:00 PM. It is a long Amavasya. It starts today and ends tomorrow at 4:23 PM.
Follower:
So, it starts on the 9th and ends on the 10th?
Gurudev:
Yes, it ends at 4:23 PM on the 10th. The Amavasya is declared for the night it covers. Today is also Phalaharini Kali Puja. You probably know that Mother Kali is worshipped with various fruits today; that's why she is known as Phalaharini Kali. This tradition has been around for a very long time—I believe it started around 1870. It has continued since then. While it is a Kali Puja, she is specifically offered fruit. The word Phalaharini refers to one who consumes or accepts fruits. This puja will take place tonight because the Amavasya falls during the night.
Gurudev:
Tomorrow's Amavasya will last until 4:23 PM. It is lasting about two hours longer than usual. There is a rule: when Amavasya increases by two hours, Purnima (Full Moon) decreases by two hours, and vice versa. This is a cyclical span; it doesn't always cover exactly 24 hours. Tomorrow's Amavasya exceeds 24 hours.
Gurudev:
Regarding the annular solar eclipse tomorrow, it won't be visible from our region. It will be seen from parts of North America, Europe, the North Atlantic Ocean, and some other northern regions. In those places, it will be daytime during the eclipse. For us, the eclipse starts at 3:25 PM and ends at 4:59 PM. That is the duration—from 3:25 to 4:59. For a short while, the sun will be affected, but it will remain invisible to us. We will see the sun as it usually appears.
Gurudev:
This is because the moon's shadow will fall entirely over the sun. It's called an annular eclipse because the moon covers the center of the sun, leaving a ring-like shape. A "Ring of Fire" will be created.
Follower:
Gurudev, I want to ask—what are the effects of having two eclipses within one fortnight?
Gurudev:
It has actually been very good for us. I previously said that COVID would start to subside by the 22nd. It won't be completely eradicated, but it will become limited. People won't worry about it as much. Earlier, I used to get 20 to 50 calls a day from people saying they had COVID. For the last five days, I haven't received a single call like that. This indicates that the impact is decreasing. People from all over India—Bombay, Delhi—used to call, but it has stopped. After tomorrow's eclipse, you will see it decrease even further. This is a major celestial event. The solar eclipse is very important to us. After this, the situation with Corona will become very stable.
Gurudev:
This is a good sign. We haven't seen two eclipses in a single fortnight like this in a long time. Tomorrow's eclipse lasts 1 hour and 35 minutes. Even if it's invisible to us, the sun is one. Wherever the eclipse happens, we should observe the traditional precautions.
Gurudev:
I especially want to advise pregnant women: do not cut or chop anything during that time. Stay still in one place, perhaps on a bed or a couch. Do not move around too much or go to the bathroom during the eclipse hours. It is believed to affect the child in the womb. Avoid cutting fruits or vegetables. Just spend that hour and 35 minutes resting or watching TV. We strictly advise pregnant women against using the bathroom or cutting anything during the eclipse.
Follower:
You mentioned 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Gurudev:
Yes, it's not a long time; it can easily be spent watching TV. I have seen cases where cutting during an eclipse resulted in children being born with physical marks or deformities like a cleft lip. Regardless of how much science advances, there is no harm in following these traditions for just an hour.
Gurudev:
Another important rule is not to eat during the solar eclipse. Even science suggests this, as scientists say that certain germs or pathogens can proliferate during this time. While the younger generation might mock these traditions, asking "What does the sun have to do with me?", there is a logic behind it.
Gurudev:
In the old days, people followed these rules strictly. After an eclipse, people would bathe in the Ganges and make donations. Now, much of that has faded with modern lifestyles. However, I recently heard of a doctor who advised a cancer patient to eat rice cooked only in a clay pot, rather than aluminum or other metals. This was a traditional practice that we are now returning to. The patient is doing much better.
Gurudev:
Previously, food was cooked in clay pots over wood fires. There is nothing healthier than that. Now we use induction cookers and other modern appliances. While they save time, they can be detrimental to long-term health. Ultimately, the body suffers.
Gurudev:
So, I request everyone to follow the eclipse rules. Avoid eating and, for pregnant women, stay resting. After the eclipse ends, we must perform a cleansing. We bathe the idols and purify the temple with Pancha-Amrita and Panchagavya. We did this during the lunar eclipse, and we will do it again tomorrow.
Follower:
Gurudev, you are right. Many people cannot follow these rules due to office work or other commitments.
Gurudev:
Yes, life goes on, offices stay open, and people eat. But as we say, "The more clever you try to be, the harder the consequences you'll face later." Some choose to follow, others don't. We can't force anyone. But for those who can, it is highly beneficial.
Follower:
Friends, you heard Gurudev discuss the timings for tomorrow's annular solar eclipse. He explained the "Ring of Fire" effect where the moon covers the sun. Even if it isn't visible here, the spiritual and physical effects remain. We should try to follow these words.
Gurudev:
Yes, it is wise to follow what our ancestors taught us. They weren't foolish, and neither are we, but it's better not to be overly "clever" when it comes to nature's laws.
Follower:
We will end today's session here. Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Blessings to you.
Spiritual Insight
Guru Shyama Khyapa provides detailed guidance about a rare celestial event: two eclipses within one fortnight—a lunar eclipse followed by an annular solar eclipse. This annular eclipse creates a spectacular "Ring of Fire" effect, where the moon covers the center of the sun, leaving a ring-like shape visible. While this eclipse won't be visible from India (it will be seen from North America, Europe, and the North Atlantic), its spiritual and physical effects are universal.
The Guru explains that today is also Phalaharini Kali Puja—a special tradition dating back to around 1870 where Mother Kali is worshipped with various fruits. "Phalaharini" means "one who consumes fruits." This puja occurs tonight because the Amavasya (New Moon) falls during the night. The Amavasya period is unusually long—exceeding 24 hours by about two hours. There's a cyclical rule: when Amavasya increases by two hours, Purnima (Full Moon) decreases by two hours, and vice versa.
Most significantly, Guru Baba announces that COVID will subside after this eclipse. He had previously predicted COVID would start decreasing by the 22nd, and this has proven true—he received 20-50 calls daily from COVID patients before, but for the last five days, not a single call. This eclipse marks a turning point: "After tomorrow's eclipse, you will see it decrease even further... the situation with Corona will become very stable."
The Guru provides specific eclipse precautions: pregnant women should not cut or chop anything, should stay still in one place (bed or couch), avoid moving around or using the bathroom during eclipse hours (3:25 PM to 4:59 PM, duration 1 hour 35 minutes). He has seen cases where cutting during eclipses resulted in children born with physical marks or deformities like cleft lip. Fasting during the eclipse is recommended—science supports this, as certain germs/pathogens can proliferate during this time. After the eclipse, cleansing rituals are performed: bathing idols and purifying temples with Pancha-Amrita and Panchagavya. The Guru also advocates returning to traditional practices like cooking in clay pots over wood fires—nothing is healthier. While modern appliances save time, they harm long-term health. His final wisdom: "The more clever you try to be, the harder the consequences you'll face later." Follow ancestral wisdom regarding nature's laws.