Ch. 92. Remedies from Gandanta Birth

1. The Sage said. O Brahmin! Gandanta is of three kinds, namely of Tithi, Nakshatr and Lagn. Birth, travelling and performance of auspicious functions, like marriage etc., during Gandanta are likely to cause death of the person concerned.

2. O Maitreya! The last 2 Ghatikas of Purna Tithi (5^th, 10^th, 15^th) and the first 2 Ghatikas of Nanda Tithi (1^st, 6^th, 11^th) are known, as Tithi Gandanta.

3. Similarly the last two Ghatikas of Revati and first two Ghatikas of Ashvini, the last two Ghatikas of Aslesha and first two Ghatikas of Magha and the last two Ghatikas of Jyeshtha and first two Ghatikas of Mula are known, as Nakshatr Gandanta.

4. The last half Ghatika of Meen and first half Ghatika of Mesh, the last half Ghatika of Kark and first half Ghatika of Simh, the last half Ghatika of Vrischik and first half Ghatika of Dhanu are known, as Lagn Gandanta.

5. Amongst these Gandantas the last 6 Ghatikas of Jyeshtha and first 8 Ghatikas of Mula are known, as Abhukta Mula.

6-8. Now I will tell you the remedial measures to be adopted to release the child, born during Gandanta, from its evil effects. The father should see the child born only on the morning next to the end of the days of Sutaka, or on any auspicious day after the performance of the remedial measures. The remedial measures are giving a bullock in charity in the case of Tithi Gandanta, giving a cow with calf in charity in the case of Nakshatr Gandanta, giving gold in charity in the case of Lagn Gandanta, performing Abhisheka of the child along with father, if the birth is in the first part of Gandanta and along with mother, if the birth is in the second part of Gandanta.

9-11. Performance of Puja on the holy Kalash of the idol of the deities of Tithi (in case of Tithi Gandanta), Nakshatr (in case of Nakshatr Gandanta) and Lagn (in case of Lagn Gandanta), made of 16 Masas, 8 Masas, or 4 Masas of gold, as may be possible, followed by Havan and Abhisheka, according to procedure already described earlier. At the end as many Brahmins, as may be possible within one’s means, should be fed. These remedial measures will ensure long life, good health and prosperity for the child.

Notes. Unless one is himself fully conversant with the performance of religious rites, the remedies, recommended in this chapter, earlier and later chapters, should be got performed by and under the directions of a learned priest, because the full effects will be derived, if the rites are performed correctly and according to the procedure, prescribed in the religious scriptures on this subject.