Hi everyone, welcome to Vedic Astrology Study
Podcast. Through this medium, I cover a breadth
of some basic principles and analysis of the
beautiful ancient science of Jyotish. Gifted
to humanity by wise ancient seers of India, typically
there are playlists of different kinds with case
studies to have a practical grounding of those
principles. In this series which will become
a part of the Panchanga playlist, I am covering
the science of Muhurta or the timing of events,
activities, dietary control, tuning your attitude
to any given day of the month since this is a
lunar calendar. As per Vedic astrology, the human
being should regulate their daily activities
in alignment with the lunar cycle. and the corresponding
tithi of the day. You might say this is the beginning
of the use of science of Jyotish consciously,
with awareness and in full view of self and this
space -time reality we find ourselves in. Since
this deals with your everyday cycle of energies
that each of us deals with on a daily basis,
it's a good beginning point to start Jyotish
which Panchanga studied first, before you get
to the charts part. If you do not know what your
current tithi is, where you are on the planet,
you can download the Jyotish app, which is indicated
on the slide with its logo on android or iphone
store. Download it, set its location to wherever
you are on the planet. Then click on mahurta
and panchanga part as is shown on the slide,
and it will tell you the current panchanga aspects,
the tithi, the vara, the karada, yoga and nakshatra,
which is typically where moon is transiting over.
Then use these series as a study material to
guide your daily activities, diet, attitude for
any given day. The way I shall cover each tithi
here begins with the element and deity followed
by the energy of the day, what to do, what to
avoid, suggested mindset, elementary, dietary
consideration and the content is covered both
for Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha tithis.
For the basics of this, see the previous tithi
videos in this playlist. Let's get started. Now
let's look at 8th tithi of Ashtami. On the pie
chart there, it is marked. On the Shukla side,
the waxing side, is Shukla Ashtami. And on the
Krishna side, it is Krishna Ashtami. It's a Jaya
tithi. The second one after the third one. This
tiny box you can read out there. Tridya was the
first, this is the second of the Jaya Tithis,
victory and success. And the last one being the
Trayodashi, both on the Krishna side and the
Shukla side. So what's the general energies of
this particular Tithi? Ashtami, number eight.
Ashtami, the energetic quality, is a Jaya Tithi
which bestows forceful, victorious energy. However,
the nature of this victory is often through intensity
and transformation. Think of the 8th house, think
Scorpio in natal chart, isn't it? You have to
understand that everything in Vedic astrology
is numerological, it's mathematical and it's
precise and it has got a pattern of correlation.
Once you begin the study, systematic study of
this, which I hope to get in this channel with
whatever I have done and to come, It will give
the student or one who is interested in learning
a broader view of how one thing ties to the other
it invariably does in Vedic Astrology, so far
what I have seen with my studies. The number
8 has significance in many traditions as a point
of power and indeed Ashtami is known for its
fierce and transformative qualities. Look at
the Shakti involved. It's the goddess energy
of divine feminine in its fierce form. The presiding
deities are Vasus. The eight Vasus are the elemental
gods. Now we are talking at an elemental level,
not at the human level, which tie this day to
natural forces, material prosperity. Notably,
in the Vedic tradition, two divine births occurred
on Ashtami. Lord Krishna, first of all, Janma
Ashtami it is called, Sravana Krishna Ashtami,
which comes in the Sravana month, in August,
usually every month. And then there is, on the
eastern side of India, there is Goddess Durga,
heavily celebrated in Bengal, which is Shukla
Ashtami during Navaratri, which is going on now,
or just finished. We have crossed the Shera,
so yeah, we are going towards Diwali. These events
highlight spiritual potency of Ashtami. It is
considered a day when the divine energy intervenes
powerfully in the world. Look, you have to bring
in Shaktis, Devi or Devata Shaktis, in whatever
way is needed for your life. It's a selective
approach to take the energy that is divine, that
is consciousness, and apply it specifically coordinated
with your timing. The science of Vedic Astrology
is called Hora Shastra, the science of timing.
And more than anything else, this form of Electional
Astrology is all about timing your events. Back
to Ashtami. These events highlight spiritual
potency of Ashtami. It is considered a day when
divine energy intervenes powerfully in the world.
Ashtami carries high Shakti, power, especially
divine feminine power. You might say it's like
the Rudra form of the feminine, like Durga, like
Kali. It is a titi born of celebration and discipline
often involving fasting and intense spiritual
practice in the living Vedic traditions of India.
Janmashtami, fasting till midnight, till Lord
Krishna was born. Durga Ashtami, fasting and
worship during Navaratri, the nine nights. The
atmosphere of Ashtami can be described as vibrant,
intense and result -oriented. If you want to
delve into it, and I have quite a bit, and I
have a resonance with Divine Feminine, I must
tell you that the Deva Shaktis, let's say you
go to Shiva or Vishnu, they are much more milder
than if you go to the Shakti energies. Divine
Feminine takes no prisoners. She is out there.
She is out there getting stuff. Just like the
little embodifications of Feminine we have called
women, are very active, you see, compared to
the male principle. Males are generally passive,
if you see it from the consciousness perspective.
They are more peaceful, they are more Shiva -like.
So this is a very vibrant, intense, result -oriented
Shakti energy on Ashtami. Therefore, it is encouraging
works of courage, strategy and quick success
on this day. It is not mild, it is not the easy
-going type, but it is auspicious, more warrior
-like. Many people consider us to be somewhat
hard energy for casual events because this is
not a casual energy, simple. Defense recommended
activities now. Defense security and conflict
resolution. Ashtami's Jaya energy, Jaya Amitvictory,
is great for tackling adversaries or competition.
It's an auspicious time for fortification and
defense type of activities. For example, strengthening
one's business position against competitors,
implementing security measures at home, or even
military game exercises, military strategies,
so on. In personal life, you need to confront
an issue or a competitor. Ashtami gives you that
upper hand. of course you have to be ethical
there debates and legal battles initiated or
fought can be good on ashtami in your favor provided
you have truth on your side durga goddess durga
is going in for the truth protection of the truth
destruction of the shadow you might say construction
and crafts is another good day on ashtami The
classic texts say Ashtami is good for architecture,
construction and craft related activities. This
implies it's a productive day to work on building
projects or hands -on type of activity or projects.
Perhaps the focus and stamina are high, therefore
you have to accomplish a lot of tasks. If you're
building something, physically or metaphorically,
Ashtami helps solidify it. Remember. Always check
the illumination. Now we are going across to
the middle point of Saptami. So we are going
towards full waxing or towards full waning. So
the energy gets quite intense as you move towards
the new moon, Amavasya or towards the full moon.
Sports and physical challenges. Ashtami favors
sports, physical training and competition. Think
Tritiya. You started Tritiya. First Jaya was
in Tritiya. Tithi, now we have come to Ashtami,
the second of that, which is more intense than
Trithya. The body's energy and reflexes may be
heightened, athletes might perform well on this
day and one can push their personal limits of
power. It's a good day to strive for personal
bests in the gym or on the field or if you are
participating in game or athletics or race. Another
good activity on Ashtami is business and financial
deals. It is listed as auspicious for commencing
business activities. If you want a venture to
have a winning drive, so to speak, start on an
ashtemy. It can be beneficial. It's also good
for buying gems and jewellery. I am never much
of a fan of this because it has become a racket
of jewellers just selling lots of metal and stones.
Consciousness is you and me as consciousness.
are far more than any sticks and stones. Therefore,
I am not a fan of just selling gems and jewelry.
Deals requiring bold decisions or negotiations
might reach successful conclusion on this day.
Another good activity is dancing and performing
arts. Look, you are finding a trend, isn't it?
If you are really learning this stuff, between
the third and eighth there is a commonality.
Interestingly, dance is specifically mentioned
among auspicious activities. for Ashtami. Ashtami
can channel creative expression with intensity.
So performing arts like dance, drama or any art
that involves vigor and precision like martial
art demonstrations or energetic music performances
or these days you have the zumba or even tango
or even tai chi. Tai chi is more mild. Think
bold expressions. If you're an artist, use Ashtami's
expression or inspiration to work on something
that requires deep emotive physical power or
technical skill. Spiritual practices of ritual
power are also good on this day because it's
Durga Shakti. Ashtami is extremely potent for
spiritual pursuits, especially those involving
Tantra Sadhana or Devi Shakti Sadhana or Divine
Feminine Energy or Fierce Devotion. Think Lalita
Sahasranamaya. I have already made a whole series
on it if you want to listen. In Ashwin is Maha
Ashtami, one of the peak days of Durga Navaratri,
when devotees perform intense prayers to Goddess
Durga in the form of Chamundi or Maha Gauri.
Similarly, Krishna Pakshana Ashtami in Bhadrapada
is Janma Ashtami, celebrated with a day -long
fast and night vigil for Lord Krishna's birth.
This is a very ancient culture. This is the only
one of its kind on the planet, which has still
preserved all its tradition. To a greater or
lesser degree, that's different. So you have
to study the entire Vedic tradition as a package.
You can't separate things and find out one piece
here, one piece there, and say this is right
and that is wrong. That would be seriously a
foolish error. Anyway, back to ashtami. Is ideal
for intensive prayer, fasting, tantric sadhana,
everything tantric is Devi Shakti by the way,
and connected with divine power. If you want
to undertake a strong vrata or a vow or not just
necessarily of chastity and stuff like that but
strong disciplinary vows like let's say you want
to diet and you want to start on this day say
okay I'm going to decide so and so and so make
a list make intention and start it. Ashtami is
a good day. Initiate a transformative spiritual
practice like starting to chant a powerful mantra
of course in Lalitha Sastranama Ashtami is highlighted
if you want to look that up. doing Homa or fire
ceremony for protection in the house if there
is lot of dead energy in the house in your house
and it is not surprising this day people carry
all kinds of energy now do a fire ceremony the
way a fire ceremony clears all this nonsensical
energies in the house is best to bring in Agni
there and do it on an Ashtami day it is supported
it will multiply 8 times so to speak activities
to avoid, ashtami's energy, while auspicious
for many things, is not gentle. Therefore, generally
not chosen for peaceful, family -oriented, auspicious
ceremonies like marriages or baby showers. Many
consider ashtami too sharp or intense. It's like
taking a knife and cutting across things. But
typically, Hindu marriage muhurta avoid ashtami
because of its warlike undertone. Avoid scheduling
weddings on ashtami. Also, traveling on Ashtami
can be okay, but if it's a leisure trip. Be mindful
that things might get intense. Try and avoid,
I would say. If Ashtami falls on a Sunday or
a Monday, it might be a bad combination. Another
thing to avoid is legal contracts or peace treaties.
Say, this is a warrior -like energy. In the middle
of the war, you can't call peace. Something like
that. It will be contradictory. If you are in
a position of strength, Jayatiti ensures a winner
and a loser. So if you are compromising on Ashtami,
you might be inadvertently put yourself on the
losing side. Don't start something that requires
very calm, nourishing and diplomatic atmosphere
and energies. It's the energies of the day, folks.
Muhurta is the science of energies of the day.
The war of Mahabharata began on Ashtami. Suggested
mindset for this day is determined courage, spiritually
attuned, that sort of an energy. Embrace your
inner warrior and worship on Ashtami. Tune into
Durga, tune into Kali, tune into Goddess Lalita.
All feminine, intense energies. This day to be
bold and fearless in pursuit of what is right.
A disciplined and focused mind. Many people find
their concentration is sharp and honest to me.
So it is ideal directed towards your goals. You
might say this tithi is the amplification of
the third one, the tritya. At the same time maintain
moral clarity. Something lacking in these day
and age. Everybody is running out of money and
bank accounts. So channel Krishna's righteousness.
Krishna is the epitome of righteousness. He tried
to stop all the war and fighting. Ironically,
keep faith that higher powers support you. Great
mindset is a devotional fervour. Mix your worldly
efforts with prayer. For example, before an important
task, take the moment to involve Durga or Krishna
or your Ishta Devata, the one God that you kind
of resonate with. There are lots of them in Vedic
tradition. Pick your one which you are most resonate
with, that is Ishta Devata. This synergy of human
effort and divine grace is potent on this day.
If you're fasting or spiritual practices be resilient.
This day Shakti can help you go beyond your usual
limits. Try to ride the wave of intensity rather
than suppress it. Nothing can be suppressed on
this day. It wants to go out and get stuff done
in a very aggressive way this day. Practicing
introspection still on my second cup of tea,
is also recommended. Asthma can bring subconscious
things to the surface. Half waning moon can stir
hidden emotions on the Krishna side of it. We
shall see the details further on. So, advice
is to witness any inner turmoil and direct it
to transformation, like fasting. Give a little
less food to the body and bring it more towards
your breath and mind. and observe joy and ferocity
in your mindset is as appropriate as can be take
it in the context of what is appearing in your
life lastly maintain respect for cosmic power
humble yourself before divine mothers okay diet
recommended diet now from the ayurvedic perspective
ashtami often comes with traditions of fasting
special diet Fasting. Many people on Shukla and
Krishnastami for religious reasons took fasting.
Durga Ashtami for example or Janmashtami. The
day Durga was born, the day Krishna was born.
Kanya Puja or girl worship also is done. She
is the divine representative in a junior form,
isn't it? They make things like Suji Halwa or
Kala Chana, that is black Indian chickpeas. And
Puri, offered to the Goddess. Janmashtami devotees
typically fast all day long and break the fast
until midnight when Krishna was born. So plan
wisely for fast. Traditional fasting foods for
Ashtami might include dairy, milk, yogurts, fruits
and nuts. And certain root vegetables like potato
or sweet potato. Flours like buckwheat or water
chestnut. Flour to make permissible dishes. There
is a specific regime if you want to look that
up. If not fasting fully, consider light meals.
See, the energy is too strong. If you keep loading
up your body with food, it's not going to help,
isn't it? You need to be light on your tummy
in order to move with this day's energy. It's
that simple, folks. Instead, stick to fresh fruits,
milk, yogurt, nuts, simple vegetable dishes and
non -grain flour. These provide nourishment without
dulling the mind. When the energy of the day
is putting you on a Running path, you want to
say I want to take a slow day and rest? I mean
how is that going to help? Spices, less spices,
don't make it more spicy, you are exciting, already
fiery part of this day. Supportive foods are,
think complex carbs and proteins, quinoa, millet,
instead of refined rice and legumes like moong
dal, that's easier to digest. Also, incorporate
iron rich foods, greens, jaggery, etc. You might
also think of having chamomile tea and that kind
of a thing to calm the energy down It's thinking
it's Understand this as you are being calm in
the middle of a storm Okay, ashtami you have
to guide yourself obviously, but you have to
do certain things in a calm manner something
like a cat They are calm, but they're extremely
attentive avoid heavy foods and Oily sweets.
Typical. Avoid meat, eggs, alcohol. Generally
speaking, avoid it all together or anything.
Avoid caffeinated beverages so that you can keep
your nerves calm. Too much caffeine or coffee
or Starbucks will get you all wired up, which
you can't handle. Post -fast meal. Whether at
midnight or Janmashtami or evening of Durgashtami,
breaking a meal, something should be easily digestible.
Everything should be easy on your stomach on
this day. Ashtami diet is often about fasting
or semi -fasting to purify, then feasting in
a measured way with some lighter foods. This
pattern reflects the 8th tithi of ashtami as
intensity followed by grace. You gotta make use
of that. Prayers, less lighter foods on the side
of that. attitude towards receptivity and tuning
into the divine feminine, all of these things
will help on this day. Now let's see some specifics
of Krishna and Shukla Ashtami. On the Shukla
Ashtami side now, we are on the waxing side.
So moon is getting more and more power, that
is to say your mind is getting more and more
illumination from your soul power or the sun.
So what to do on this day? Element is ether,
the eight vasus associated with Durga like we
just saw. Energy of the day is fierce, protective
and deeply devotional. Spend time in devotion.
Devotion can come. Mantra Shakti can come. Devotion
can come. And all the tools are available in
the Vedic tradition. That's the goddess over
there. You can see she is mighty pissed off.
This is Durga Shakti. This is Kali Shakti. Fierce
devotion. She takes no prisoners, by the way.
Strong energy for elemental mastery, martial
and spiritual practices on this day. Amplify
for all those spiritual minded your practices
on this day. Recite the Lalita Sahasrama is what
I would say. Suitable for victory oriented activities
and productive vows. We are not taught this in
this day and age of smart phones and iPhones
and what not. It's like the tech industry is
there to provide support but people are using
it just to take selfies. What to do on this day?
Durga worship, protective rituals, martial training,
taking vows of devotion, safeguarding dharma.
It's a whole rabbit hole in and of itself. What
is really a dharma? Some other time. Courageous
acts and spiritual disciplines. Requiring intensity
is good. Begin tasks that require endurance and
elemental balance. See, Vasus are the eight elements
and they are etheric. So they are quite penetrative
at the deepest level. Anything which has an element
of ether, any tithi or any day, has got a very
penetrative power. You need to make yourself
subtle. That's why all the fasting and recommended
rituals. What to avoid? Frivolous activities
or idle indulgence. Social media, full stop.
Disrespecting elders' nature or sacred forces.
Avoid that. Overexertion without focus. Focus
your mind. Set a target. And go about initiating
on this day. Suggested mindset. Fierce devotion
with humility. Always has to be tempered with
that. Because you don't know what you don't know.
People are so arrogant these days. Even those
in the so -called spiritual community. Very egotistical
attitude you see. I shirk against that personally
at least. Align with natural forces rather than
oppose them. Dedication, courage and protective
love. This is the mother. Although she looks
pissed off. Think of your mother if she was a
good one. When she's pissed off, she's pissed
off. It doesn't mean she stops protecting you.
Okay? She'll give you a lesson in love. Hard
love so to speak. Okay? Diets, supported diets
would be nourishing sattvic foods like grains,
pulses, warm cooked vegetables. Lighter foods
are always good on every tithi. Foods that sustain
energy without heaviness, not too much meat,
alcohol, spiced or stale items. These are all
tamasic foods. See, tamasic foods do not contribute
to your spiritual well -being overall. And you
are a spiritual being, doesn't matter if you
are working in a bank or some multinational company.
So take care of this on the Shukla Ashtami. Let's
see Krishna Ashtami now.