Buying a Vehicle: Choosing the Day and the Puja

Buying a vehicle is a significant commitment for most families. It involves real money and years of use, which is why tradition attaches a muhurat to it.

The reasoning is that the moment something enters your life carries an imprint, and that imprint stays with it.

Favourable weekdays

Monday belongs to the Moon and suits travel and comfort.

Wednesday belongs to Mercury and is connected with movement, communication and trade, which suits a vehicle well.

Thursday belongs to Jupiter and is favourable for any auspicious undertaking.

Friday belongs to Venus. Since Venus signifies vehicles and material comfort, it is regarded as the best day of all for this purpose.

Sunday is accepted by some authorities, though opinion differs.

Tuesday and Saturday are generally set aside, Mars being associated with accident and aggression, and Saturn with delay and obstruction.

Favourable nakshatras

Ashwini signifies speed and is particularly well suited.

Rohini, Mrigashira, Pushya, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Dhanishta and Revati are also favourable.

Pushya is called the king of nakshatras, and purchases made under it are held to be especially fortunate.

Bharani, Krittika, Ardra, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha and Mula are avoided for a new vehicle.

Favourable tithis

The second, third, fifth, seventh, tenth, eleventh and thirteenth are suitable.

The rikta tithis, being the fourth, ninth and fourteenth, are avoided, as is Amavasya.

Rahu Kaal

Each day contains a period called Rahu Kaal in which new undertakings are not begun.

The period differs by weekday and also by location, since it is measured from sunrise.

When taking delivery, avoid Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda and Gulika Kaal.

The chart itself

At an individual level, the fourth house governs the comfort of vehicles and Venus is their significator.

Where a transit brings a favourable influence to the fourth house or to Venus, the period is particularly suitable.

Whether the dasha currently running supports a large purchase is also worth checking.

Materials for the puja

Coconut, lemon, roli, mauli, rice, turmeric, kumkum, sindoor, flowers, incense, a lamp, camphor, Ganga water, sweets and jaggery.

The method

Wash the vehicle and make it clean.

Sprinkle Ganga water over it.

Draw a swastika on the front with sindoor or kumkum.

Apply turmeric and kumkum to the four wheels and tie mauli.

Begin by invoking Ganesha, since he removes obstacles and the journey is being placed in his care.

Show incense and the lamp, and perform the arti.

Break the coconut. Place a lemon under a wheel and drive forward over it, a custom understood as clearing away negative influence.

Offer sweets and distribute prasad.

Traditionally the first journey is made with the family to a temple.

A practical solution

Showroom delivery dates are not always within our control.

An accepted way around this is to bring the vehicle home and then begin its use properly at a chosen muhurat.

In scriptural terms the muhurat of first use carries more weight than the moment of purchase. Where the delivery date is unsuitable, the puja and first journey can be timed separately.

A closing note

A muhurat is a supporting element, not a substitute for care. A vehicle bought at the most favourable moment still has to be driven carefully.

Observe the tradition with sincerity and the road with attention.