Sunday, March 6, 2016

Maha Shivratri 2016 on 7th March, Monday

Maha Shivaratri is being celebrated on the krishna paksha trayodashi of Hindu calendar Phalgun (Feb / March) every year. On this auspicious day, devotees observe fast and keep vigil all night. Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the ′Tandava′. It is also believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati. On this day Shiva devotees observe fast and offer fruits, flowers and bel leaves on Shiva Linga. All through the day, devotees visit Shiva temples and chant the sacred panchakshari mantra "Om Namah Shivaya".

Lord Shiva has many names and "Shankara/Shamkara" is one of the most favorite. The word "Shankara" is the combination of two words "Shan" and "kara". "Shan" means good and "kara" means doer and therefore "shankara" means doer of good deeds or giver of boons (shan karothi shankara). "Shamkara" also means the creator of harmonious or melodious sounds. Indeed, Lord Shiva is verily the source of all sounds and musical notes as symbolised by the dhamaru he holds in his hands. Origin of dance is also associated with Lord Shiva. "Shankarabharanam" is a famous raga in Carnatic music and the name meaning is "ornaments of Shankara" which also represents the seven notes of Carnatic music ie. Sa - Sarpam(serpent), Ri - Rudraksham, Ga - Ganga, Ma - Man(deer), Pa - Pushpam (flower), Dha - Dhamaru (a musical instrument), Ni - Nishakara (Moon). Shankaraabharanam although has some vague semblance to Hindusthani Raag Bilaval and western major scale do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti, is much more replete with gamaka possibilities and a technically disciplined raaga with an ancient tradition. Bilaval hardly matches the magic well defined bhaavam of Carnatic Sankaraabharanam with its remarkable serpentine grace and rich gamaka-s. Shankaraabharanam(Dheera-Sankaraabharanam) is the twenty ninth Melakarta Raaga of Carnatic music.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Grahanila(Planetary positions) as on 1st Mar 2016

As on 1st March 2016 Sun & Ketu in Aquarius, Rahu & Jupiter in Leo, Moon & Mars & Saturn in Scorpio and Mercury & Venus in Capricorn. Planetary transits in March: 14th Sun -> Pisces, 1st Mercury -> Aquarius, 7th Venus -> Aquarius, 18th Mercury -> Pisces, 31st Venus -> Pisces.
The planetary positions given above are at the time of Sunrise in India(Kerala) and Moon's conjunction effect on markets may be seen in countries (Asia / Europe / US) where trading take places at the time of conjunction(10° - 0°). When the angular difference between the Moon and the planet is more than 5 degrees or conjunction occurs in Rasis(constellations) other than the Sun's Rasi, there may be a delay up to 24 hours in the conjunction effect according to their positions {Note: expect only eighty percent accuracy in assumptions based on Moon's conjunction with Mars(-), Venus(-) and Jupiter(+) as some other astro factors may also influence the market}. Moon conjuncts with Venus on 7th March, a trading holiday due to Mahashivratri. As Moon conjuncts with Mars on 28th Nifty may move downwards on 28th/29th. Jupiter is in retrograde from 6th January to 11th May and there will be disruption in air/rail traffic etc. during this period. Guru-Chandala Yoga (Jupiter & Rahu in same Rasi) which occurs normally once in Seven years is happening from 31st January to 11th August 2016 ( refer January 7, 2016 post) and it's unfavorable to market.

On 9th March 2016 there is a Solar eclipse. As the eclipse ends at 6.45 a.m. and the Sunrise in Kerala(Thiruvananthapuram) is at 6.40 a.m. it may not be visible in Kerala. The map below shows the places where it is clearly / partially visible. Incidentally, Nandi recollects what he heard in his child hood - "Solar eclipse happens when Rahu swallows the Sun". There is a fact hidden in it, In Kerala, solar eclipse is visible only if the eclipse occurs due to the conjunction of Sun and Rahu. If it is the result of Sun and Ketu conjunction, mostly it is not visible and this time that's the case.