In Western countries, a child starting school is not invested with the kind of significance that one finds in India, especially among the Hindu community. For Hindus, Vidyarambh, or the initiation into the world of learning, is a major event in life.

 Every major life event involves certain rites or rituals in Hinduism, be it puberty, marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, naming ceremony of the child, death, and so on. Such rituals are deemed necessary to invoke divine blessings and grace.

 Vidyarambh (starting of education) rites are among the 16 major rituals in Hinduism. The 16 rites are performed at 16 key stages of a person’s life. When a child becomes old enough to enter school, the parents perform Vidyarambh rites at an auspicious time or Muhurat, chosen by the family astrologer. Modernity has relegated many of these rites into oblivion, but those who cherish culture and traditions continue to perform them.

 The Vidyarambh ceremony takes place before a child joins the school for the first time. Its aim is to ensure that the child will learn well and meet the expectations of the parents. As it is an important ceremony in the child’s life, choosing the right time to begin the child’s education is mandatory in Hinduism.

What is Muhurat?

 Time is a very important element in astrology. The time of our birth determines our destiny and the quality of our life. The time at which major life events happen determines their outcomes. Time can be auspicious or inauspicious. When we do something at an auspicious time, it has good outcomes. When something happens at an inauspicious time, there will be negative outcomes. This is why many Hindus consult the Panchang (Hindu almanac) before scheduling important events like marriage, Upanayanam, launching new ventures, Griha Pravesam, etc.

 All parents want their children to do well in life and have a successful career. When the child does not do well in academics, they become worried about the child’s future. Astrology says that a child’s education should begin during a good Muhurat if his/her academic life is to be smooth and successful. The optimum time for the initiation into education is Vidyabharam Sanskar Muhurat.

 How the Muhurat for Child’s Education is Chosen

 The astrologer chooses Vidyarambham Muhurat after examining the child’s birth chart. The position of planets, Nakshatras/constellations, and the Moon are analyzed carefully to determine the auspicious time.

 Let us see some of the factors that come into play when choosing a Muhurat for starting the education of the child.

 Time

 Astrology lays down some guidelines about when education should commence and what is the ideal time and month for it.

 Uttarayan (the 6-month period when the Sun moves north) is suitable for beginning the child’s education.

 During Uttarayan, there is abundant sunlight, which is auspicious. This period is believed to be a progressive and awakened state in Indian traditions. Uttarayan is the daytime of the Gods, so organizing activities at this time is auspicious.

 The Sun’s entry in the northern equinox is very auspicious for commencing the education of a child. Some astrologers claim that the entire year is auspicious, except the period from the 11th lunar day of Ashada Shukla Paksha to the 11th lunar day of Kartik Shukla Paksha.

 But Jupiter and Venus should not be combust during the chosen time, as it is not favorable. Jupiter is regarded as Guru, as it enables the development of knowledge and intellect. Auspicious Jupiter has a positive effect on the child in the womb. The native will have a positive mindset, and the ability to learn will be very good. The native will be able to learn and grasp anything new easily. Also, if Jupiter is setting at the time of commencement of education, its benefits will be less, and it may not be very auspicious for the native. Venus also has the position of master/Guru. Hence, if these two planets are setting, it is not good for the child’s education.

 Weekday

 The next key factor is the day of the week on which the child’s education is to begin.

 Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are suitable days for Vidyarambham. The planets which rule these days have a calm nature, so they will ensure a smooth education. Besides, they will help the child understand everything in a simple manner.

 Sunday is also a favorable day for beginning the child’s education as the Sun represents the soul, fame, profession, career, etc. While Sundays and Mondays are favorable, Tuesdays and Saturdays should be avoided.

 Mars and Saturn belong to the category of malefic planets. Tuesday is the day of Mars, and Saturday is the day of Saturn.

 If the Muhurat for starting the education of the child has as Ascendant moveable signs like Aries, Cancer, or Virgo, which have favorable planets in the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th or 10th house, malefic planets on 3rd, 6th, 10th or 11th house and no planets in the 8th or 10th house.

 Moon/Tara

 The strength of Moon and Tara also matters. If the Moon’s transit is strong and auspicious, it is very good. Hence the saying, “Chandrama Sarva Karyeshu Prashaste”.

 An auspicious Moon enhances the auspiciousness of a Muhurat considerably.

 So, one should check the strength of the Moon because the other planets will give auspicious and inauspicious results based on the Moon’s strength.

 If Tara is strong, the Moon will also be strong and vice versa.

 The day when the Moon is in the 4th, 8th, or 12th house from the birth sign of the child and the 3rd, 5th, or 7th house is without any Tara is a good Muhurat for starting education.

 Nakshatra

 The right Nakshatra/constellation is also important for starting the child’s education.

 If auspicious constellations are chosen, the child’s education will be without any tension and impediments.

 Choosing a Chara (Moveable) or Soumya (Benefic) Nakshatra is best.

 If the child starts his/her education on a day that has moveable Nakshatras like Swati, Punarvasu, Shravan, Dhanishtha or Shatabisha, or milder Nakshatras like Hasta, Ashwini, Pushya, Moola, Mrigashira, Chitra, Purvashada, Purvaphalguni, Purvabhadrapada or Ashlesha, it is very auspicious.

  Things to Remember

 The education of their child should not commence during the Bhadra lunar day and other inauspicious Yogas as they can negatively affect the child’s education.

 The idols of Ganesha and Goddess Saraswati must be present during Vidyarambham. Ganesha is the God of Science, Art Wisdom, and Saraswati is the goddess of education and knowledge. The two deities complement each other and bestow good results in a child’s education.

 The Pooja should include Tulsi, feast, stylus, slate, etc. If teachers are not present during the Vidyarambha Pooja, use a coconut in their place. After the Pooja, the child should begin his/her education by writing “Om” or “Ganeshaya Namah” with his/her hand.

 The child should participate in the ceremony with full involvement and understand every action of the rite.

 Students should take part in the rituals only after Chudakram (first haircut), and the child has to be purified before the ceremony. One should check the mental level of the child as well. Only when the child is ready to begin education, this rite can be performed. At the time of the child’s Annaprashan (first solid food intake) ceremony, the child may not be able to speak, but around the age of Chudakram, the tendency to speak and learn will begin to awaken, so it is better to schedule Vidyarambham after Chudakram.

 It is important to remove the hair (Mundan) of the child. It helps purify the child, which is essential, as only then can the brain work well.