practical and traditional guide to Hindu slokas and mantras you can chant during the Chandra Grahan (lunar eclipse) happening tomorrow (March 3, 2026), based on common scriptures and customary practices. These are suitable whether you are spiritually inclined or looking for a devotional focus during the eclipse time.
General Principles During The Eclipse
Suspend worldly activities and focus on prayer, chanting, or silent meditation.
Fasting or light intake (if you choose) is recommended before and during the eclipse.
Sutak (pre-eclipse sacred period) is observed before and throughout the eclipse, so chanting and prayer are emphasised during this time.
Traditional Slokas & Mantras to Chant
1. Śiva Mahāmrityunjaya Mantra
A powerful mantra for protection and inner calm:
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe…
This is commonly chanted during eclipses for strength, protection and peace.
2. Ashtākṣara & Vaishnava Mantras
Good for universal protection and devotion:
Ashtākṣara (Lord Krishna):
“ॐ नमो नारायणाय” (Om Namo Narayanaya)
Sri Krishna Sharanam:
“श्रीकृष्णः शरणं मम” (Shri Krishnaḥ Sharanam Mama)
These are traditional invocations during grahan periods.
3. Gayatri Mantra
One of the most revered mantras in Hindu tradition:
ॐ भूर् भुवः स्वः ।
तत् सवितुर् वरेण्यं ।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Chanting this during eclipse time is considered highly auspicious.
4. Surya / Chandra (Moon) Invocation Slokas
For lunar eclipses it is traditional to chant lunar invocations or general planetary peace verses:
यो सः वज्रधरो देवः आदित्यानां प्रभुर् मतः ।
सहस्रनयनः शक्रः ग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
A traditional Graha Peeda Hara sloka invoked to alleviate eclipse-related effects.
5. Names of God & Peace Chants
Om Namah Shivaya – peace and purification.
Hare Rama, Hare Krishna mantra – devotion, calming the mind.
radha.name
Shanti Mantra (peace invocation for the environment and self).
In addition to mantras, many people choose to:
Chant devotional hymns such as Hanuman Chalisa or Aditya Hridaya Stotram.
Read sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Ramcharitmanas or Sundar Kaand.
Practice meditation and silence, focusing on inner peace.
These can be especially grounding during the eclipse period.
Repeat any mantra you know well rather than learning a new one at the last minute.
Maintain regular rhythm and attention rather than speed.
If possible, take darshan of the Moon after the eclipse ends, then bathe and break any fast.
Donations (Dāna) During an Eclipse
In Dharma Shastra tradition, charity given during grahana kāla is said to yield multiplied merit because the mind is inward-turned and the atmosphere spiritually charged.
Why Donate During an Eclipse?
Scriptures say that during eclipse:
Japa gives manifold results.
Snāna (holy bath) purifies deeply.
Dāna removes karmic obstacles.
It is an excellent time for pāpa-kṣaya (reduction of negative karma).
Many follow guidelines from texts like the Dharmasastra, various Puranas, and Smritis.
Traditional Items Donated During Eclipse
The following are commonly recommended:
1. Anna Dāna (Food Donation)
Cooked food to the poor
Rice, grains, pulses
Fruits
This is considered the highest form of charity.
2. Til Dāna (Sesame Donation)
Black sesame seeds
Especially recommended during lunar eclipses.
3. Vastra Dāna (Clothing)
New clothes to the needy
Blankets
4. Go Dāna (Cow Donation)
Traditionally very meritorious (symbolically supported today through goshala donations).
5. Dakshina to Brahmanas / Temple Support
Monetary donation
Supporting Vedic chanting
6. Gold or Silver Donation
Given according to one’s capacity.
A Simple Practical Way Today
If elaborate rituals are not possible:
Chant during eclipse.
After it ends, bathe.
Donate food or money to someone genuinely in need.
Support a temple or spiritual institution.
Feed animals or birds.
Charity given with humility and no expectation is what matters most.
What Did Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita Donate Before Vanavāsa?
Before leaving for exile, Sri Rama did not walk away like a prince stripped of power — he walked away like one who consciously renounced everything.
The details are found in the Ayodhya Kāṇḍa of the Valmiki Ramayana.
Sri Rama’s Donations
When he accepted exile:
He gave away his wealth.
Distributed jewels.
Donated cows in large numbers.
Gifted garments and ornaments.
Gave away chariots and royal possessions.
Distributed riches among Brahmanas and the poor.
He ensured no one who came to him left empty-handed.
He also instructed that:
Servants be taken care of.
Dependents be provided for.
This was not symbolic renunciation. It was total.
What Did Sita Donate?
Sita Devi:
Gave away her ornaments.
Distributed costly garments.
Gifted wealth to Brahmanas.
Removed royal decorations before entering forest life.
Her renunciation was quiet, dignified, and absolute.
What Did Lakshmana Donate?
Lakshmana:
Distributed his personal wealth.
Gave away ornaments and comforts.
Prepared to live as a forest ascetic.
Chose service over privilege.
His was the renunciation of comfort and self-interest.
The Deeper Meaning
Before stepping into hardship, they did three things:
Detached from wealth.
Ensured others were secure.
Walked into exile light-hearted.
Renunciation preceded suffering.
That is Dharma.
A Beautiful Parallel
An eclipse symbolically represents:
Light temporarily obscured.
A moment of inner withdrawal.
I remember in childhood during eclipse there would be a stream of needy people who would go from house to house and announce "de Daan chute graan ". We used to have all things to be donated stacked in the watchman driver room which was quiet big the size of large bed room these days with large windows overlooking the street. As ours was a corner house. And we would sit in the first floor room and survey what went on downstairs. Then we were rushed for bath. Quiet an exciting time, we were never allowed to watch the eclipse though.
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