After performing Japa, once the eclipse is over, one should bathe with all their clothes on their body. Grihastas (householders) shall donate gold and other such things. Hemadri says:
Grasyamane Bhavet SnaAnam Graste Homajapadikam |
Muchyamane Bhaved Daanam Mukte Snaanam Vidhiyate ||
‘One should bath just before an eclipse. He should chant God’s names during the eclipse or perform offerings (Homa) and after the eclipse he should perform Daan (donation) and Snaan (bath).
Those that do not bathe after the eclipse has completed, are considered as Sutaki (untouchable) until such time of the next eclipse,’ explains Bhargavachan Chandrika. ‘One should bathe without chanting Mantras,’ explains Smrutiratnavali.
Saints should perform Pooja, as they have no capacity to perform Daan. Vishnu Dharma explains, ‘Those who are not Grihastas, who have nothing to give, shall perform Pooja of Lord Vishnu, as by doing so they receive the fruits of donation.’ Similarly, ‘One can derive the fruit of donation, sacrifices and of penance by merely performing Pooja of God.’
Note that all clothes that are worn or touched during the time of an eclipse are fit to be washed. No allowance is made here for specific materials e.g. the fallacy that cotton clothing (such as a jacket) does not need to be washed is untrue.