Gand Mool dosh: baby born in Mula, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati, Ashwini or Magha

Many new parents are told their baby has Gand Mool dosh. The news can be upsetting at a happy time. It helps to know what the term means and what families usually do about it.

The six nakshatras

Gand Mool covers six nakshatras, in pairs at the points where the zodiac moves from one element to the next.

• Ashwini and Revati.
• Magha and Ashlesha.
• Mula and Jyeshtha.

These sit at the junction of Mercury and Ketu, which is why they are called junction stars.

What the texts say

The old texts link Gand Mool births with some strain for the family in the early years, and they say the effect depends on the pada. A pandit therefore checks the exact pada and the time of birth before advising anything. Many people born in these nakshatras live full and happy lives. It is treated as something to settle with a puja, not something to fear.

The usual remedy

The Gand Mool shanti puja is done when the same nakshatra comes back, which is around the 27th day after birth. Families gather with a pandit, offer worship to the nakshatra lord, and often donate food or clothes. The baby’s father and mother usually attend.

• Check the nakshatra and pada from the birth time.
• Ask a pandit from your own community for the right form of puja.
• Fix the date from the panchang when the same nakshatra returns.

A good puja is a calm family event. Plan it, enjoy it and move on. Spend your energy on the baby.