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Be it a solar or lunar eclipse, the rules to follow before, during and after the eclipse are as follows:
Before the eclipse:
- One should not eat 12 hours before the solar eclipse begins. One can drink water.
- One should not eat 9 hours before the lunar eclipse begins. One can drink water.
- In addition, one should not offer meals to God during this pre-eclipse period. However, one is allowed to perform arti, pray and sing devotional songs during this period.
- There may be times when the solar eclipse occurs before sunrise. Therefore one may see the eclipse only after the sun has risen. In this case, one should not eat after sunset the previous night.
During the eclipse:
- While the eclipse is taking place one should sit in one place, chant the name of God and sing devotional songs.
- One should observe a waterless fast while the actual eclipse is in progress.
After the eclipse:
- One should take a bath with one’s clothes on immediately after the eclipse.
- It is best to take a bath in cold water after the eclipse is over.
- The Satsangijivan, written by Shatãnand Muni, states that after one purifies oneself, one should offer donations according to one’s income. If donations are offered with love and devotion, one will receive appropriate returns as stated in the scriptures. It is in the joy of the Sun and/or Moon-god being released from the clutches of Rãhu that the devotees offer donations. Since sadhus have no money, they rejoice by performing puja.
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