ADHIKA MAASA- Excess month

What is Adhika Maasa?

Literally Adhika means additional, extra and Maasa means a month. Adhika Maasa means an extra month. We would have observed that in Western Calendar there is a concept called Leap Year which occurs once in every four years when we find an extra day is added to the month of February and the calendar year will have 366 days instead of regular 365 days. Something similar to that, we find in Hindu Almanac where, a time compensation of one month is made to adjust the time movement and to make necessary corrections to the calendars we follow. This is something in vogue and followed in Hindu religion since time immemorial initiated by our ancient seers with their vision and forethought.

Generally we find only one new moon (Amavasya) and one full moon (Pournami) in a Luni - Solar month. If in any solar month two new moons occur, which normally does not, then both the Lunar months will have to be reckoned. When there are two new moons one at the commencement and other at the end of a solar month then two lunar months would be originating in the same solar month. Then both the Lunar months will have to bear the same name as of the solar month. Then the Lunar month that begins from the first new moon is deemed as an extra month. This is called Adhika Maasa or Mala maasa. The Lunar month beginning from the second New Moon is called as the real or pure and is referred to as Nija Maasa or Suddha Maasa with both the months bearing the same name. In short an Adhika Maasa is a Lunar month during which there is no Surya Sankramana or solar transit. Therefore, when Adhika Maasa occurs, Sun’s stay in a particular sign or Raasi will be longer than the duration of that Lunar month.

Sun and Moon are called Luminaries which are visible in our day to day life. Their phases viz… Full Moon (Pournami) and New Moon (Amavasya) helped our ancient seers to establish a suitable time division of Lunar Month on which our religious calendar (Almanac) is based. Lunar month commonly observed in our Lunar Calendar is known as Amaanta starting from the end moment of New Moon (Amavasya) to the end moment of the next New Moon. A Lunar month is a period starting from Sukla Prathama (Paadyami) and ending with Krishna (Bahula) Amavasya. Similarly another noticeable feature was the occurrence and recurrence of seasons known as Ruthus. These phenomena made our seers to notice the obvious movement of the Luminaries on a clear cut path known as zodiac that is divided into twelve signs or Raasis. Movement of Sun from one sign to the other in the zodiac is reckoned as Sankranthi or Sankramana. The period between two Sankrantis (transit of Sun from one sign or Raasi to the other) is taken as Soura or a Solar month. One complete cycle of Sun around the zodiac starting from Aries and ending with Pisces is known as a Solar year. Since Vedic times our ancient seers are perhaps the pioneers to combine successfully the solar calendar into the lunar one and take it as a Luni – solar calendar so that it can be used for both religious/spiritual and social purposes.

Technicalities of Adhika Maasa

It was found by our ancient seers that a Lunar month will have duration of 29 days 12 hours and 44 minutes that add up to 354 days and 9 hours in a year, falling short of the solar year of 365 days by about 11 days (approx). Accumulation of this difference of more than 30 days in a span of three years results in sliding of a Lunar month in relation to solar calendar. Such progressive recession of Lunar months leads to disparity in the celebration of festivals and the seasons they occur which are dependent on Solar Calendar.

Therefore in order to synchronize the Lunar months with Luni-Solar calendar and to keep in pace with the seasons our ancient seers have formulated a concept or technique of restraining Lunar months and devised an intercalary month for the Lunar Calendar. Thus, as and when there is an accumulation of recession by about 30 days, a Lunar month is added to the year. This extra month known as Adhika Masa occurs at regular intervals of 32 or 33 solar months to maintain the balance between Solar and Lunar Calendars. Thus it can be seen that an intercalary month (Adhika Masa) occurs once in two/three years in the normal course.


Significance of Adhika Maasa

Having understood the concept and technicalities of Adhika Maasa let us try to understand what Adhika Maasa signifies in a religious and spiritual way. Lot of solemnity is attached to the Adhika Maasa in Hindu religion and spirituality. Adhika is a Sanskrit word, that also means the best, the greatest, powerful, and extraordinary. It is measured more glorious than all other months in terms of its merits.

Sri Maha Vishnu is considered as the presiding deity of Adhika Maasa in the name Purushottama. Hence,

Adhika Maasa is also referred to as Purushottama Maasa. Purushottama is one of the thousands of names of Sriman Narayana. It means the best among the beings in the Universe. Sri Rama is called as Purana Purushottama. Adhika Maasa is the most sacred month dedicated to the most sacred person Sri Maha Vishnu.


Austerities during Adhika Maasa

Adhika Maasa is considered as the most auspicious month to perform certain austerities for spiritual advancement. Some of the austerities prescribed to be observed during Adhika Masa Vratha are,

Parayana: Reading of sacred scripts especially Bhagavatha during Adhika Masa is given high significance and considered as highly meritorious. Apart from this one can also read other scripts like Bhagavat Geeta, Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Sthothra etc…during Adhika Maasa.

Naktha Bhojana: Eating one time meals at night with complete fasting
during day time and avoiding eating of Urad/Urad dal and preparations made
out of it during this period.

Eka Bhuktha: It is opposite of the above, eating only once during day time
and not taking any food till next day.

Uposhana: Completely avoiding meals and taking only milk and fruits
during the vratha period.

Mouna Vratha: Observing total silence and not talking to any one for a
specific period of time every day during the vratha period.

Akhanda Deepa: Lighting a lamp (Akhanda Deepa) in Pooja Room and
allowing it to glow continuously through out the vratha period (day and
night). Only Ghee or Thila Oil should be used for lighting of Deepa.

Dharana– Parana: Fasting on one day and eating on the next day during
the vratha period.

Apart from the above some of the other austerities include, eating food without salt, sleeping on the floor avoiding cot and bed, Lakshavarti (preparing one lakh cotton wicks and lighting lamps with it), avoiding cutting
of nails and hair etc…

One can also take up any other austerity that pleases Sri Maha Vishnu. In this regard one can consider writing of Sri Rama Naama during the Vratha period the simplest austerity with great benefits. While writing Rama Naama one should also recite the same silently.


Charities during Adhika Maasa

Lot of significance is given and is considered highly meritorious to give charity during Adhika Maasa. Adhika Maasa– Anantha Phalam. Charity should always be accompanied with proper Dakshina according to ones capacity. Some of the charities prescribed to be given during Adhika Maasa are as follows;

Apoopa Dana: Apoopa means a sweet dish made with Rice flour, jaggery and Ghee. Such sweet dish 33 in number should be given as charity to a Brahmin along with a Brass plate. According to ones capacity this can be given on every day or during specified days or at least on one of the specified days during the vratha period. This type of charity is considered to be highly meritorious and bestows significant results.

Phala Dana: Seasonal fruits or Banana 33 in number can be given as
charity as said above.

Thaamboola Dana: Betel leaves + Areca Nut + either a fruit or a Coconut
+ Dakshina should be given to Brahmin couple (33 in number) as said
above.

Other charities prescribed during Adhika Masa are Anna Dana, Deepa Dana, Baagina Dana, Pusthaka Dana (Sacred scripts like Bhagavatha), Sayya Dana (Bed Sheet + Blanket + Pillow) along with Lakshmi Narayana Prathima, Godana (donating a Cow), Thila Dana along with a Brass vessel, Vasthra Dana (Clothes), etc…

Apart from the above one can also give any other charity that suits to the season. For example Vaisakha Masa being a summer month one can donate Water, Umbrella and Chappals etc… according to ones capacity. Whatever you do it should be done with all sincerity, devotion and without expecting any results.

Specific days for giving charity are Dwadasi (both Sukla & Krishna Paksha), Pournami (full Moon day), Amavasya (New Moon day), Astami, Navami and Chaturdasi days during the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha), Vyatheepatha, and Vaidruthi days.
Pithru Karma during Adhika Maasa

Nitya Karma, Amavasya, Yugaadi, Manvaadi related Pithru karmas should be
performed both in Adhika Maasa as well as in Nija Maasa.

If annual ceremony of deceased known as Prathisaamvatsareeka Sraaddha falls during the month when Adhika Maasa occurs it should be performed in Adhika Masa provided the concerned Pithru had expired during Adhika Maasa. Otherwise it should be performed only during Nija Maasa. Also means to say that, in case the deceased had expired in Nija Maasa in normal course the shraaddha should be performed during Nija Maasa and not in the Adhika Maasa.

In case Adhika Maasa coincides with Maasika (monthly) ceremonies during
the first year of Pithru’s death, the concerned Maasika shraaddha should be
performed twice both in Adhika maasa as well as in Nija maasa.

In case if the 12th month ceremony coincides with Adhika Maasa then that Maasika ceremony should be performed twice both in Adhika Maasa as well as in Nija Masa and the first annual ceremony (Prathamaabdeeka) should be performed in the 14th month.

In case Adhika Maasa coincides with Dasa Dina Karma all the related ceremonies including Sapindeekarana should be performed only during Adhika Maasa.

In case the first annual ceremony happens to fall during Adhika Maasa it should be performed during Adhika Maasa only even though they had expired during Nija Maasa.


Adhika Maasa– Prohibited Activities

Adhika Maasa is also referred to as Mala Maasa (inauspicious month).
Though Adhika Maasa is considered as very auspicious and sacred for religious and spiritual pursuits it is considered as inauspicious for performing certain other rituals. Some of the activities to be avoided during Adhika Maasa are Upanayana samskara, Vivaha, Gruha Pravesa, Shasti Poorthi and Devatha Prathista etc… However, rituals like Garbhadaana, Pumsavana, Seemantha, Naamakarana, Annapraasana etc…can be performed during Adhika Maasa.

Brahmotsavam at Tirumala during Adhika Maasa:

We are aware that every year the annual Brahmotsavam of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy takes place at Tirumala during Kanya Maasa that coincides with Navarathri festival during the Lunar month Aaswayuja Maasa. If Adhika Maasa is coinciding with Aaswayuja Maasa then the nine day festival Brahmotsavam at Tirumala is held twice, both in Adhika Maasa as well as in Nija Maasa.

YUGAADI-The Hindu New Year

YUGAADI - THE NEW YEAR

Significance:

Yugaadi is basically a Hindu festival signifying the time element of the Universe which is celebrated as a new year day coinciding with the first day of Chaitra Maasa Sukla Paksha Prathama Thithi as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar called Chandramana. As per Chandramana the month is denoted by the star on the full moon day. For example when the full moon day is in the star constellation of Chitta (Chitra) that month is referred to as Chaitra Maasa whose beginning day is celebrated as Yugaadi.

It is a festival mainly celebrated in the southern part of India and Maharashtra. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka it is celebrated as Yugaadi while in Maharashtra it is called as Gudi Padwa. In all the three states it is celebrated as per Chandramana. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala it is celebrated as per Souramana on the day Sun enters the Mesha Raasi in the zodiac called as Mesha Sankranthi which generally falls in March-April every year referred to as Solar New Year.

Vasantha Ruthu (Spring season) is the first among the seasons, Mesha Raasi is the first among the zodiac signs, Chaitra Maasa is the first among the Maasa, Sukla Paksha is the first among the fortnights, Prathama (Paadyami) is the first Thithi among the Thithis. The day coinciding with the confluence of the above is celebrated as Yugaadi. It is an occasion that also signifies the end of an era and also beginning of a new era. It also indicates the onset of spring season called Vasantha Ruthu first among the six seasons in a year (Vasantha, Greeshma, Varsha, Sharad, Hemantha, and Sisira).

The word Yugaadi is derived from the word Yugaadi (Yuga + Aadi). Yuga means the period or era and Aadi means the beginning. Yugasya Aadi = Yugaadi. Yuga means star movement, the day when creation was started, the day on which Yuga has commenced. It is the beginning of an Era/Yuga called as Yugaadi which specifically mentions the period in which currently we are living. Sakha calendar begins with the month of Chaitra Maasa which falls generally during March/April every year that marks the beginning of the New Year Yugaadi.

Yugaadi is said to be the day when Lord Brahma had commenced the creation called as Brahma Kalpa. Beginning of Kalpa is called Kalpaadi and beginning of Yuga is called Yugaadi. To commemorate the commencement of Creation, this day is celebrated as Yugaadi. In simple terms it is said to be the day when Kali Yuga had begun.

It is said that as per Valmiki Ramayana Sri Rama had killed the demon Ravanaa on the day previous to Yugaadi falling on the New Moon Day (Amavasya) of the last lunar Month Phalguna. To commemorate the victory and achievement next day is celebrated as a festival symbolizing the beginning of new period.

Yugaadi - The Time Element

Yugaadi means time analysis. As said earlier Yugaadi is treated as the beginning of Creation by Lord Brahma and it also signifies the present period in which we are living. Presently we are in the Era of Salivahana called Salivahana Sakha, of the first leg of Kali Yuga (the 4th Era of 28th Maha Yuga) in the 7th Manvanthara called Vaivasvatha Manvanthara of the Kalpa called Swetha Varaha Kalpa.

As per Vedamana it is believed that the creation had started approx 197 crore years back. As per Yuga pramana life span of Kali Yuga is 432,000 years out of which 5110 years have past. As per the Sakha calendar it is 1931 years since the beginning of Salivahana Sakha corresponding to the English calendar year 2009.

Chandramana Calendar has sixty year cycle and each year Yugaadi is denoted by a specific name starting from Prabhava and ending with Akshaya. After completion of sixty years the calendar starts anew with its first name again. Current Yugaadi year is called as SRI VIKRUTI Nama Samvatsara that is being celebrated on Friday the 16th day of March 2010.


TRADITIONS & CUSTOMS OF YUGAADI

Thailabhyangana

Lot of significance is given on this day to Head bath with Thila oil called Thailabhyangana. It is believed that those who do not take head bath on this day will go to hell.

Sun Worship

Yugaadi is once again a Sun centric festival. Sun is the soul of Kalapurusha (Lord of time). Without soul there is no existence of man, so also there is no time without Sun. Sun is said to be the seventh Manuvu in whose name the present Manvanthara is being called as Vaivaswatha Manvanthara the period in which we are currently living.

Lot of significance is given to Sun worship during this Manvanthara. On this day Sun sets his journey towards East and when he enters Mesha Raasi (Aries) becomes very powerful. Astrologically Sun in Mesha Raasi is said to be in exalted position. Sun worship and Surya Arghya on this day is very sacred and auspicious.

Nimbakusuma Bhakshana

Nimba means Neem and Kusuma means flower. Tradition is that on this day people eat in the morning after the bath a pickle (sauce) made with a combination of six ingredients that gives six different tastes (Shadruchi).

The ingredients are Neem flowers, raw mango, jaggery, new tamarind, dry/green chillies, and salt. In some places people use sugar cane instead of jaggery and pepper instead of chillies. It is popularly called as Yugaadi Pachhadi in Telugu, Bevu-Bella in Kannada.

It is a mixture of six different tastes viz. bitter (Neem), sweet (Jaggery), sour (Tamarind) salty (Salt), hot/spicy (Chillies/Pepper), and tang (Raw Mango). The philosophy in eating this sauce with six tastes is to say that life is not a bed of roses it is a mixture of sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise which has to be accepted together with equanimity. It is said that by eating this pickle on this day one gets courage to face obstacles in life.

There is also a scientific health message involved in eating this. Neem is good for diabetes, skin diseases and acts as a blood purifier. It is called as Sarva Roga Nivarini. Even today usage of Neem leaves is prevalent in rural areas whenever any one is infected with small pox/chicken pox. Jaggery helps in increasing the hemoglobin content of blood that help in curing iron deficiency, Tamarind helps in removing excess of kapha, vata, and pitta, raw Mango works in throat related problems and enhances the appetite, Salt gives energy, Chillies removes kapha and vatha, pepper helps in cold and works in throat related problems.


Panchanga Sravana

Panchanga means an almanac that contains the astronomical/astrological daily details mainly related to Thithi, Day (Vara), Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana called as Pancha Anga (five limbs or five elements) that helps in identifying various auspicious/inauspicious moments of electional astrology. Panchanga also indicates forecasts for eclipses, weather, monsoon, transit of planets, implications to individuals based on their birth stars, zodiac signs, raasi phala, and general trend with respect to economy, political scenario.

The almanac Panchanga involves lot of mathematical and geometrical calculations based on side real system, understanding of astronomical phenomena such as movements of heavenly bodies the Sun, Moon and other planets. Mainly Panchanga is based on Surya Siddhantha or Dhrugganitha. These panchangas are published by various authors in various regional languages based on different philosophies prevailing in Hindu religion.

On the day of Yugaadi people traditionally gather to listen from the learned, the recitation of Panchanga for the forthcoming year and the general forecast. In the present days of Television Technology this type of gatherings have come down as people listen Panchanga Sravanam from a live telecast by various regional Television Channels.

It is said and believed that by doing Panchanga Sravanam and praying the Navagraha at this moment on Yugaadi day, auspicious results can be attained.

Thithescha sriyamapnothi varaadayushya vardhanam
Nakshathradharathe papam, yogadroganivaranam
Karanathkarya siddhisthu panchangaphalamutthamam
Kala Vithkarma Kruddhimaan Devathanugraham Labheth

Meaning: Thithi (day) gives wealth, Vara (week) enhances the longevity, Nakshatra (star) removes the sins, Yoga (fortune) cures the diseases, and Karana (Half part of thithi) gives success in deeds. One who does the karma by knowing the above will have Divine blessings. That is why every day during Sandhya vandana (daily prayer) one is required to do Sankalpa where in, all the above five elements are recited.

Panchanga Sravana on the day of Yugaadi is very auspicious. It is said that it will give the result (phala) of taking bath in sacred river Ganges, blessings of Navagraha. Sun gives courage and glory, Moon gives status, Mars gives auspiciousness, Mercury gives intelligence, Jupiter gives knowledge, Venus gives comfort and happiness, Saturn removes sorrow and obstacles, Rahu gives popularity, and Kethu gives significance.


Prapadana (chalivendram)

Donating water starting from this day for 4 months (summer months) is said to be very auspicious and sacred.

Prapeyam SarvaSamanya Bhoothebhya: prathipaditha
PradanathPitharasarve Thrupyanthucha Pithamaha
Anivaarya Mithodeyam Jalammaasa Chathustayam

We would have observed in many towns voluntary organizations erecting the spots called Chalivendram where passersby are served with water stored in earthen pots covered with cloth during summer months. It is said that by doing this activity all the fore fathers gets pleased.


Udakakumbha daana

Udaka means water, Kumbha means pot. Giving charity of water stored in a pot made up of Copper, Silver, or at least earthen pot (made up of mud) covered with a new cloth to a Brahmin during this period is said to be very sacred that gives multi fold results.

* Yesha DharmaGhato Dhattoh Brahma Vishnu Sivathmaka
* Asya Pradhanathsakalam mamasanthu manoratha

Meaning this water pot called Dharma Ghata signifies the trinal lords (Brahma, Vishnu and Siva) bring unto me fulfillment of all desires.


Vasantha Navarathri

Sri Krishna said that Masaanaam Margasirshoham, Ruthunaam Kusumaakara meaning the month Margasira is the most sacred among the months and Vasantha (Kusuma) or spring season is the most sacred among the seasons.

Like we celebrate nine day festival during Dussera season, similarly a nine day spring festival is celebrated beginning with Yugaadi (Chaitra Sukla Paadyami) and ending with Sri Rama Navami. During these nine days Goddess Devi/Durga is worshipped. In some places it is celebrated as Rama Navarathri worshiping Lord Sri Rama during these nine days. People also perform parayana of sacred books during the nine days like Ramayana, Sundarakanda, and Devi Bhagavatham.


Gudi Padwa

Yugaadi is celebrated as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra state. Gudi means Dwajam and Padwa means the first day of the New Year. It is customary among the Maharastrian families to erect on this day in front of the house a bamboo stick topped with upturned silver/copper pot decorated with flowers, coloured silk cloth and coconuts. It is worshipped as Brahma Dwaja/Indra Dwaja indicating invitation to all the deities to the house on this day. It also symbolizes welcoming the New Year with victory or achievement, joy and happiness. On this day people also eat a mixture of neem leaves, tamarind, jaggery, gram pulse.

In Tamil Nadu Yugaadi is celebrated as Puthandu (Varusha Pirappuv) festival and in Kerala it is celebrated as Vishu festival. It is celebrated as a New Years day even in Punjab, Assam, West Bengal, Orissa states. In Punjab it is called as Baisakhi. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka it is also marked by literary discussion, poetry recitations, honoring and recognition of authors of literary and poetic works, cultural programs, Kavi Sammelana etc. In the evening people gather together and exchange greetings.

In some of the regions especially in Andhra Pradesh there is a myth that how one live on the day of Yugaadi similar will be the way one live throughout the year. More than the myth the philosophy is we reap what we sow as the old saying goes. You sow the good then you reap the good. A good thought/action has a good result and an evil thought/action has a bad result. We are the makers of our own fate. As per Karma Philosophy we sow seeds of Karma for our future births through our thoughts and vision and plan for our Karma (Agami Karma) in future births. To attain good results, the foundation we lay for our thought/action should be good from day one perhaps from the Yugaadi Day.

THE HINDU TIME ELEMENT - KALPA

THE HINDU TIME ELEMENT-KALPA

The arithmetic's of Hindu time element and certain related terminologies that will help us in understanding the time element called Kalpa Para that refers to the life span of the Universe and Lord Brahma. Reference to Hindu time element is said to have been scripted in many Vishnu related Puranas like Bhagavatha Purana, Matsya Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Mahabharatha and Bhagavath Gita.

Hindu sages describe time as cyclic and an endless process of creation, preservation and dissolution. The Universe is cyclically created and destroyed. Hindu religion and philosophy which strongly believes in Vedas has clearly spelled out the time element of the universe at different levels. Understanding of time element in Hinduism is as old as the Hinduism itself. Several puranic texts have mentioned about the time element in Hinduism.

It is said that before commencement of Creation (Srushti) there was only water every where and Sriman Narayana the primordial person (Aadi Purusha) only was present in deep meditation. He Desired (Sankalpa) to start the creation, He first created the Universe and Omkara from where the Vedas got originated. It is also said that Vedas are (Swayambhu) which are Sriman Narayana himself. He then created Lord Brahma from his navel to take further the process of Creation.

A Kalpa is a Sanskrit word meaning an aeon (immeasurably long period of time) in Hindu cosmology. In Hindu philosophy a Kalpa is equal to 432 Crores of years. It is a day in the life of Lord Brahma. It is equal to 1000 Maha Yugas measuring the duration of the world. Each Kalpa is divided into 14 Manvantharas each one lasting 306,720,000 years. Two Kalpas constitute a day and night of Lord Brahma.

A Kalpa is also called as Vedanga, the hand of Veda Purusha. Kalpa is also referred to as the Sasthra that involves one to carry out the injunctions of Kalpa. Various kinds of spiritual rituals to be performed come under the province of Kalpa. Kalpa is one of the six disciplines of Vedanga.

YUGA

Yuga is a period or an Era in which we live. As per Kalpa Pramana there are four Yugas viz.

Krita Yuga known as Sathya Yuga which is also called as the Golden age an era of total virtue.

Thretha Yuga called as the Silver age an era of 3/4th virtue.

Dwapara Yuga called as bronze age with half virtue and half sin in its era, and

Kali Yuga called as iron age (Black age) with 1/4th virtue and 3/4th sin in its era.

Life span of these Yugas will not be equal. The Yugas get progressively worse from morality point of view as one proceeds from one Yuga to another. As a result each Yuga is of shorter duration than its previous one. It is as follows,

* Krita Yuga (Sathya Yuga) 1728000 years
* Thretha Yuga 1296000 years
* Dwapara Yuga 864000 years
* Kali Yuga 432000 years


MAHA YUGA

One cycle of four Yugas (Krita, Thretha, Dwapara and Kali) is called as Maha Yuga (Chatur Yuga); its life span will be 43, 20,000 years. It is also called as a Divine Yuga.


MANVANTHARA

During every Kalpa Lord Brahma creates 14 Manus one after the other, who in turn manifest and regulate the world. Manvanthara is Manu’s cycle the one who gives birth and govern the human race. Manvanthara is reckoned with the age or period of Manu. The period of each Manvanthara consists of 71 Mahayugas (Chaturyugas) that is 71 x 4320000 = 306,720,000 human years. After each Manvanthara there follows Sandhi Kala of the duration of Krita Yuga years. (1728000). It is said that at the end of each Manvanthara it is followed by a Pralaya during the Sandhikala.

There are 14 generations of Manus they are, Swayambhuva, Swarochisha, Outtama, Tamasa, Raivatha, Chakshuva, Vaivaswatha, Savarni, Daksha Savarni, Brahma Savarni, Dharma Savarni, Rudra Savarni, Deva Savarni, and Indra Savarni. At end of the 14th Manu, the cycle repeats again and Brahma creates fourteen additional Manus. Each Manvanthara will have a set of seven sages called Saptha Rishis who will live through out the Manvanthara period.


KALPA

A Kalpa is a day (12 hours) in the life of Lord Brahma. Each Kalpa is ruled by a succession of 14 Manus and the period of reign is called Manvanthara. A Kalpa (day period of Brahma) consists of a period of 17,28,000 years called Aadi Sandhi followed by 14 Manvantharas and Sandhi kalas that will be equal to 1000 Maha Yugas.

One day (Kalpa) of Brahma is also divided into 10000 parts called
Charanas equivalent to 1000 Maha Yugas of 10 Charanas each. Each Maha Yuga consists of 10 Charanas (Krita Yuga 4, Thretha Yuga 3, Dwapara Yuga 2 and Kali Yuga 1).

A day of Brahma is equal to 14 x 71 = 994 Maha Yugas + Sandhi Kalas (equal to 6 Maha Yugas) = 1000 Maha Yugas. Sandhi kala is arrived at as follows; For 14 Manvanthara 14 sandhikala periods equal to the age of 14 Krita Yugas = 1728000 x 14 = 24192000 + 1728000 (Aadi Sandhi period) = 2,59,20,000 /43,20,000 years = 6 Maha Yugas. In terms of number of years, a Kalpa will be of 1000 Maha Yugas x 4320000 = 432 crores of years.

A night of Brahma is of equal duration of another 1000 Maha Yugas = 432 crores years. Thus a full day (day + night) of Brahma is the period of Two Kalpas equal to 2000 Maha Yugas (864 crores years)

At the end of Brahma’s day time there will be a deluge (Pralaya) when the Universe will temporarily get dissolved by way of a Naimittika Pralaya. Then that will be the night time of Lord Brahma which will be equal to another Kalpa. During this time Lord Maha Vishnu reclines into meditative pose (Yoganidra) before Brahma starts recreation in the new Kalpa that will be the beginning of a new day for Lord Brahma. Thus in a full day’s cycle of Lord Brahma there will be creation during day time and destruction during night time.

There are 30 Kalpas as per Matsya Purana which gets repeated cyclically. They are Swetha, Neelalohita, Vamadeva, Rathanthara, Rourava, Deva, Bruhath, Kandarpa, Sadhya, Eesana, Tamah, Saraswatha, Udaana, Garuda, Kaurma, Narasimha, Samana, Agneya, Soma, Maanava, Tathpuman, Vaikunta, Lakshmi, Savithri, Aghora, Vaaraah, Vairaja, Gouri, Maheswara, and Pithru Kalpa. It is said that Vayu Purana gives a different list of Kalpas which are 28 in number.


Reckoning of time for Lord Brahma:

In Bhagavath Gita a day of Lord Brahma has been defined as 1000 Maha Yugas (Sahasra Yuga paryantham ahar-yad brahmano vidhuh meaning a day of Brahma is of 1000 Mahayugas)

According to Mahabharatha 12 months of Brahma is equal to 360 days that constitute his year and 100 such years is his life time and that is the life cycle of the Universe. Fifty years of Brahma are supposed to have been elapsed and we are now in the 51st year of Lord Brahma in Swetha Varaha Kalpa. At the end of the Kalpa, Brahma rests for one night that is equal to the day during which time the world is annihilated (destroyed) that is called as Pralaya.

As per Vedamana the life of Lord Brahma is said to be 100 years called as Brahma Kalpa. Though Brahma Kalpa had started from the day of his origin, first half of his life (50 years) was spent in knowing and understanding the Tattva of Sriman Narayana. As per the directions of supreme Sri Maha Vishnu, Brahma started creation in his 51st year that is the current year in the life of Lord Brahma. It is reckoned as follows in terms of human years,

*1000 Maha Yugas = 1 Kalpa = 1 day (12 hours) of Lord Brahma = 432 crores of years
*2000 Maha Yugas = 2 Kalpas = 1 day (24 hours) of Lord Brahma = 864 crores of years
*30 such days of Brahma = 30 x 864 crores of years = 259.2 billions years = 60 Kalpas
*12 such months (one year or 360 days) of Brahma = 12 x 259.2 billions years = 3.1104 trillions years = 720 (360+360) Kalpas
*50 such years = 1 Paraarddha = 50 x 3.1104 trillion years = 155.52 trillions years = 36000 Kalpas
*2 such Para Ardhas = 100 years of Brahma = 311.04 trillions years = 72000 Kalpas

According to this arithmetic life span of Lord Brahma will be 311.04 trillions years.


Reckoning for the Current Date:

(The time elapsed since the current Brahma has taken over the task of creation)

Some of the words in Sankalpa sloka that we recite daily during Sandhyavandana or before commencement of any divine prayer or ritual contain the time element viz. Aaadhya Brahmana, Dwiteeya Parardhe, Swetha Varaha Kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manwanthare, Kaliyuge, Prathama Pade, Salivahana Sakhe. In these words there is reckoning of the current date as per Vedamana since the birth of Lord Brahma.

Aaadhya Brahmana Dwiteeya Parardhe:

That means first half of the life time of Lord Brahma is over and we are in the 2nd half called Dwiteeya Parardhe in the 51st year of Lord Brahma (50 years of Lord Brahma is equal to 155.52 trillions human years)

Swetha Varaha Kalpe:

That means we are in the first day (only day) called Swetha Varaha Kalpa in the 51st year of Lord Brahma.

Vaivaswatha Manvanthare:

In Swetha Varaha Kalpa (first day of Lord Brahma) after passing through 6 Manvantharas out of 14 we are currently in the 7th Manvanthara called Vaivaswatha Manvanthara. In terms of number of years after taking into account the sandhi kalas we have passed through 185.2416 crores human years (4320000 x 71 x 6) + (17,28,000 x 7) during the previous six Manvantharas. And in the current Manvanthara (Vaivasvatha) we have passed through 27 Maha Yugas out of 71 and we are currently in the 28th Maha Yuga. That means in this Manvanthara we have passed through 11.6644 crores human years during the last 27 Maha Yugas.

Kali Yuge:

In the 28th Maha Yuga after passing through the three periods viz. Krita, Thretha, and Dwapara Yugas comprising of 38,88,000 human years we are currently in the 4th Yuga that is Kali Yuga, in which we have already passed through 5110 human years. As per scripts it is said that Kali Yuga had begun 3102 years BC. Counting from the beginning of the Kalpa it is (185.24 + 11.67 + 0.39 + 0.005) =197.30 crores human years since commencement of creation by Lord Brahma.

Salivahana Sakhe:

Further reckoning down based on the concept of Sakha, after passing through the Yudhistira and Vikrama Sakhas we are currently in the Salivahana Sakha 1931 years since its beginning in 78 AD.

Tabulating the above it is reckoned as (taking the year 2009 as the base)

* 311.04 Trillions human years is the life span of current Brahma
* 157.49 Trillions human years since the origin of current Brahma
* 197.30 Crores years since the beginning of the Swetha Varaha Kalpa (time since creation started)
* 12.06 Crores years since the beginning of Vaivaswatha Manvanthara
* 38.88 lakhs years since the beginning of this Maha Yuga (28th Maha yuga)
* 5110 years since the beginning of the present Kali Yuga
* 1931 years since the beginning of Salivahana Sakha

It is said that after the life span of Lord Brahma it will take another 100 Brahma years before a new Brahma is born. It is also said and believed that Lord Hanuman is going to be the future Brahma after the expiry of the life span of the current Brahma.

Universal repositioning takes place whenever celestial splendors like Eclipses occur. Astronomically lot of changes do takes place in the universe and all such may not and need not lead to a dooms day. Above arithmetic shows that still 18.61 crores human years have to pass through before end of the present Manvanthara when it is expected to be a deluge (Pralaya). So as per this study one can be assured that cyclical end of the Universe is far away and it is a long way to go for a dooms day.

One should always remember the fact that nothing is permanent in this world even the Universe, or even Lord Brahma (Creator). The only permanent entity is the Primordial Person Sriman Narayana the creator of Brahma.

In Phala Stuthi of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Sthothra, Lord Brahma describes Lord Maha Vishnu as,

! Namostvananthaya Sahasramuurthaye! SahasraPaadaakshi Sirorubaahave!
! Sahasranaamne Purushaya Saswathe! SahasraKoti Yugadhaarine Namah!!

Salutations to the Infinite, one who has manifested as innumerable number of forms, who has innumerable feet, eyes, heads, arms, one who has innumerable number of names, who is an eternal person, and who holds thousands of crores of Yugas which are uncountable.


NOTE:

One billion = 1000 million = 100 crores
One trillion = 1000 billion = 100000 crores

Annexure

Sakha Karthas of Kali Yuga:
The legends says that in Kali Yuga six Kings will create new eras (Sakhas) which will be named after them. They are,

* Yudhistira Sakha (Dharmaraja): His calendar started in the year 3102 BC continued for 3044 years.

* Vikrama Sakha: His calendar started in 57 BC continued for 135 years

* Salivahana Sakha (current period): His calendar started in 78 AD and will continue for 18000 years.

* Vijayabhinandana Sakha (future coming): His calendar will start in 18078 AD and will continue for 10000 years.

* Nagarjuna Sakha (future coming): His calendar will start in 28078 AD and will continue for 4, 00,000 years.

* Kalki Sakha (future coming): His calendar will start at the end of Kali Yuga 4, 28,078 AD and will run for 821 years when the Kali Yuga will come to an end.


Time Element for other Entities


For Devathas:

One day for Devathas = One human year comprising of two half years
Brighter half of the day is called as Uttarayana
Darker half of the day is called as Dakshinayana

For Pithrus (Ancestors)

1 day of Pitru = One human month (comprising of two fortnights)
Brighter fortnight (sukla paksha) = day time for Pitrus
Darker fortnight (Krishna paksha) = night time for Pitrus

RATHA SAPTHAMI (Worship of Sun God)

RATHA SAPTHAMI

! Aadi Deva namasthubhyam Praseeda mama Bhaskara
Diwakara namasthubhyam Prabhakara namosthuthe!!

Ratha Sapthami is a highly auspicious festival dedicated to Sun God. In Hindu religion it is observed as a festival across the country falling on the seventh day of Magha Masa sukla paksha. Generally it occurs during the months of January-February. This day is also known as Surya Jayanthi, the day on which Sun is supposed to have taken birth to Aditi and sage Kasyapa. Sun centric events falls continuously during Pushya and Magha Masam including Dhanurmasam, starting with Vaikunta Ekadasi and ending with Ratha Sapthami. Worshipping Sun God during this period is very sacred and celestial.

Significance of Ratha Sapthami

Ratha means chariot. Sapthami is a thithi in a lunar month falling on the 7th day of both sukla and Krishna paksha. At the time of division of constellations each day or thithi is attributed to one deity/God. In the process Sapthami thithi was allotted to Sun God and hence it is his favourite day.

On this day of Ratha Sapthami, Northern movement of the Sun God is supposed to take definite effect after he commenced his journey towards Northern hemisphere entering Makara Raasi on Makara Sankramana Day. Traditionally it is regarded as the day on which the chariot of the Sun God is diverted towards the north by his charioteer called Aruna. On this day it is believed that Sun God ride on his chariot drawn by seven horses and move toward north east direction bringing the entry of spring season.

It is also believed and said that the chariot of Sun has only one wheel that represents kalachakra and the seven horses represent seven colours of light (VIBGYOR). It is also believed that the seven horses represent seven days in the week starting from Sunday the day dedicated to Sun God. The entire kala-chakra, or wheel of time, is established on the wheel of the sun-god's chariot. This wheel is known as Samvatsara. He is the lord of Leo in the Zodiac. He stays one month in each Raasi and takes 365 days or 12 months to complete a round of 12 Rasis. Following sloka from Suryaastakam describes the above.

Sapthaaswaratha maroodam prachandam kasyapathmajam
Swethapadmadharam devam tham suryam pranamamyaham

Bandhooka pushpasankasam harakundala bhushitham
Ekachakradharam devam tham suryam pranamamyaham


On this day worshipping Sun is very sacred, celestial and highly beneficial. He is the God, a living God, Aadi dhaivam, Sanatana, whom everyone can see, perceive and pray. Though he is visible, he also has been presented in a variety of forms. He is the divine light, life-giver and time-giver. The Vedas adore him as a witness of all actions (Karma Sakshi). He is said to be Trimurthi swaroopa.

Brahmaswaroopo udaye madhyahnethu Maheswaraha
Asthakale swayam VishnuH Trayimoorthi Diwakaraha

Lord Vishnu in his form as Surya Narayana is worshipped on this day.

VihaayasagatirjyotiH suruchirhutabhug vibhuh
Ravirvilochanah suryah savitaa ravilochanah

Above sloka from Sri Vishnu Sashasra Nama (sloka 94) describe Lord SrimanNarayana as the Sun God. Purusha Sooktha also describes Sun as born from the eyes of Lord SrimanNarayana (Chaksho! Suryo Ajayatha) and is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. Sun God is called by several other names. Popularly as Surya, Aaditya, Mitra, Ravi, Savita, Arka, Bhaskara, Marichi, Diwakara, Bhanu, Vivasvatha.

Sun is said to be the seventh Manuvu in whose name the present Manvanthara is being called as Vaivaswatha Manvanthara the period in which we are living now. Lot of importance and significance is given to Sun worship during this Manvanthara. Irrespective of the caste and creed all walks of people worship him as Pratyaksha Dhaivam.

Mythological scripts say that Sun God was worshipped by Lord Sri Rama before going to kill Ravana. Yuddhistira got the Akshaya bowl after worshipping Sun. Kunti Devi mother of Pandavas worshipped Lord Sun before giving birth to Karna. Sathrajith was blessed with syamanthaka Mani after worshipping Sun God. Sambha son of Lord Sri Krishna and Jambavathi got rid of his Leprosy after worshipping Sun. It is said that Sun was the guru to Lord Hanuman who has learnt Nava vyakarana from Sun. Bhishma Pitamaha of Mahabharatha fame waited for this day and had his last breath on the day after Ratha Sapthami called Bheeshmaastami.

Traditions & Beliefs on this Day

Bath with Arka Leaves: It is an age old custom and tradition that people on this day take special bath with seven Arka leaves by keeping one on the head, two on the shoulders, two on the knees and two on the feet. Arka is commonly called as Jilledu in Telugu, Ekka in Kannada, Erukku in Tamil, and Calotrope (bowstring hemp) in English. During the bath following sloka is chanted.

Yadhyajanma kritham papam maya sapthasu janmasu
Thanme rogancha sokancha makari hanthu sapthami!!

Yetatjanmakritham papam yachha janmanthararjitham
Mano vakkayajam yachha gnathagnathancha yathpunaha

Ithi sapthavidham papam snaname saptha sapthake
Sapthavyadhi samayuktham hara makari sapthami

Arghyam is given to Sun God on this day with the following sloka

Saptha sapthi vaha preetha sapthaloka pradeepana
Sapthami sahito deva gruhanargyam Diwakara

Some people even take bath in sacred rivers. It is believed that a bath on this day by using Arka leaves one will get rid of his/her sins coming from previous seven births.

Those who do not have parents should also give Thila Tarpana to their fore fathers (Dwadasa Pitru) on this day.

Hindu religion considers Sun as an important God to be worshipped. Several Vedic verses on Sun are incorporated into the Nitya Vidhi (mandatory daily routine) like sandhya vandana, surya namaskara, Gayathri japa, surya arghya.

Sun is called as Namaskara Priya. He blesses the devotees who offer him a simple namaskara with all sincerity and devotion. That is how the Surya Namaskara a yogic prakriya related to Sun has become very popular.

Sun worship is prevailing and being followed since time immemorial. Some of the useful prayers related to Sun are Suryaastakam, Aaditya Hridayam, Gayathri, Surya Sahasranama etc. Generally Sun worship will be very effective if it is done within one hour from Sun rise. Worship of this devatha on Sunday is supposed to bring in manifold benefits to the worshippers

Phala sruthi of Sun related sthothras says that Sun worship is Navagraha peeda pariharam, bestows progeny for the childless, helps in coming out of poverty, cures illness and gets rid of health problems haunting for the past seven births. Like Lord SriMann Narayana is the giver of Moksha, Sun God is said to be giver of Health. (Arogyam Bhaskaraddhicheth).

On this day people prepare kheer with beaten rice or avalakki (Tandulam) and offer as nivedana to Sun God.

In South India it is a tradition people draw with rangoli (colours) on the ground in front of their houses a picture of chariot and seven horses a symbolic reference to Ratha Sapthami and cow dung is burnt in centre of it. On the fire obtained they boil milk and offer it to Sun God. The ritual may vary from region to region.

Some people also observe fasting on this day and or observe mouna vratham.

Charity: Charity on this day will yield manifold benefits. Usually Kushmanda Dana (pumpkin) is said to be very sacred on this occasion. Since it happens in Magha Masa as per the Masa Dharma Thila Dana, Thila Paathra Dana, Salagrama Dana, Vasthra Dana, Blankets, Umbrella, Amalakki, (Amla) are all very sacred on this day.

Significance of Arka Leaf & Ratha Sapthami

In Hindu religion since Vedic days certain plants are associated with certain deities in performing rituals. Like Thulasi with Lord Maha Vishnu, Bilva with Lord Shiva, Durva (Garike) with Lord Maha Ganapathi. Similarly Arka plant leaf is associated with Sun God and since Ratha Sapthami is a Sun Centric festival its usage on this day has gained significance.

Arka is a Sanskrit word. Arka means a ray, a flash of lightning. It is believed that Sun God’s chariot is in perfect square shape and his shoulders are also in square shape (four angles). Configuration of arka dala also appears in perfect angle with one pair of leaves exactly opposite to the other and it is believed that Arka leaves represent the shoulders and chariot of Sun God

The name Arka is also related to Konark a place dedicated to Sun God in Orissa state. It is called as Arka Kshetra. There is a world famous Sun temple at Konark that attracts tourists from all over the world. Konark is a confluence of two words Kona and Arka = Konarka. Kona mean angle and Arka means Sun God. Konark means corner of the Sun dedicated to Sun God.

Arka plant has very good medicinal value in Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is said that Arka is used in curing skin diseases, leprosy, tumors, joint pains, wounds etc., It is called as a healing herb like Sun God as a healer.

Arka leaf is also used in the worship of Lord Maha Ganapathi (Arka Maha Ganapathi), and Lord Hanuman. The stem of the Arka tree is also used as a samidha while performing Homa/yagna.

Celebrations at Temples

Special celebrations are held in Sun temples on this occasion at Konark (Orissa), Arasavelli (Srikakulam dt.Andhra Pradesh). This festival is also celebrated in all Vaishnavite temples especially at Tirumala and Sri Rangam. Suryanar Koil near Kumbhakonam is also very popular and dedicated to Sun God. In Tiruchanoor (Tirupathi) in the temple complex of Goddess Padmavathi there is a Sun temple. In Tirumala Hills Lord Venkateswara along with his consorts (utsava murthy) is taken out in procession seven times on this day starting from dawn as a part of the Ratha Sapthami celebrations.

To write about Sun God one attempt is not adequate. Please look forward for my future posts for astrological and other significances related to Sun

! Aadityam JagadeesaMachyuthaMajam
Thrylokyachoodamanim
Bahkthabheestavarapradham dinamanim
Marthandamaadhyam subham!!

May! Sun God - Sri Surya Narayana bestow on all
good health, peace and prosperity