Concept of Panchak

I think this is the final article on Nakshatra till we start Planets through Nakshatra in coming times. This article is regarding the Concept of Panchak or group of 5 Nakshatras which are considered as inauspicious. So, let's cover this topic on following points -

Panchak Nakshatras.

Prevailing concept regarding Panchak.

Reason behind such concept

Deaths during Panchak.

My opinion.

Conclusion.

Let's cover all points one after the other -

Panchak Nakshatras - Panchak are actually the last 5 nakshatras out of 27 visible nakshatras. These are Dhanishtha, Satabhishak. Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati.

Prevailing concept regarding Panchak - Concept running in society regarding Panchak is that one should avoid any new beginning or auspicious activity when Moon is transiting through either of the Panchak Nakshatras, i.e. Dhanishtha, Satabhishak. Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada or Revati.

Reason behind such concept - As I see, the main reason behind such concept is the nature of these nakshatras. All these 5 nakshatras are towards the end of the nakshatra scheme and they are more linked with spiritual side of life then materialistic side of life. Like, Dhanishtha is Nakshatra of Celibacy, Satabhisha is Nakshatra of Serving Humanity, Purva-Bhadrapada is Nakshatra of initial experience of Enlightenment, Uttara-Bhadrapada is Nakshatra of final experience of Enlightenment and Revati is Final Liberation. So, all these nakshatras are related with letting go state of life. But all our ventures in life are materialistic in nature. If someone is opening a shop or starting a business then it is not for letting go but it is for accumulation. So, the beginning of any such materialistic effort should not be on the day when Moon is in nakshatra which doesn't support materialism. Yes, if any one wants to take Sannyas and start a spiritual way of living then I would say that any of these nakshatra would best suit him. So, it is again what I say is that we need to be aligned with energy of Astrology. We can't expect materialistic success in spiritualistic times.

Deaths during Panchak - Then there is one more belief that if a death occurs in a family when Moon is in any of these nakshatras then that family may see total 5 deaths one after the other during next 24 months unless some worship or remedies are performed. Source of this belief is quoted from Garuda Purana.

My Opinion - I find myself in disagreement with this concept. Reasons are as follows -

• As per http://www.ecology.com/birth-death-rates/ , 1,51,600 people die daily in this world. That means in 5 days of Panchak, about 7,58,000 people will die. I am sure that except Indians, none else would perform remedies for Panchak after 1st death. Hence, I am unable to believe that all other families worldwide are going to see 4 more deaths within next 24 months due to 1 death in Panchak and non-performance of remedial measures. In a way, it is human ego again which says that by performing a remedy we can even control life and death matters. In a way, this looks like another way of instilling fear in people's mind and of selling some cheap remedies.
• Also, we are in times of Nuclear Family where a family consists of only 3-4 family members. So, it automatically over-rules this belief because when a family don't even have 5 members then how such a belief can manifest?
• If Death is there in anyone's chart during a certain time then no remedy can change it. Likewise, if death is not there in anyone's chart during a certain time then not performing any remedy can't bring it.
• This belief is against the natural law of life and death where we are trying to take control of one end of universal functioning which will only create an imbalance for all of us.

Conclusion - In a way, it again shows that we have accepted God only as Creator and not as a destroyer. We want to worship God to bring child birth and to prevent death. Do we even realize as to what can happen to this world if we only have births and not deaths? Within an year, this Earth will be over-crowded by humans and we will cut each other off in hope of finding some space to just stand on the Earth.

Hope this helps. Please post any comment or query you may have.

Thanks,

Swami Premanand Bharti