Equinox and Hindu Festivals

The criteria of festivals and muhurtas are determined from our scriptures like Puranas and the epics apart from the Vedas.  Let us see the Puranas first about Mesha/Tula Samkranti!

All the Puranas declare Vishuva (Vernal Equinox) as Mesha Samkranti:

Srimad Bhagavata, the most favourite Purana of the entire Hindu community, has said in 5/21/3-6

 यदा मेषतुलयोर्वर्तते तदाहोरात्राणि समानानि भवन्ति ....

"When the sun enters Mesha and Tula Rashis, days and nights are equal then".  

Shri Vishnu Purana is equally a very important Purana of the orthodox Hindu lore.  It has said in 2/8/67

  तुलामेष गतेभानौसमरात्रिदिनम् तु तत्||

"When the sun enters Tula and Mesha Rashis, the days and nights are equal then"

The same adhyaaya, 74th shloka has reaffirmed with full force

मेषादौ च तुलादौ च मैत्रेय विषुवत्स्थितः||74|| 

 तदा तुल्यमहोरात्रम् करोति तिमिरापहः|| 

"O Maitreya, when the sun enters Mesha and Tula it is known as Vishuva.  The sun makes days equal to nights then".

Similarly, yet another important Purana viz. the Vishnudharmottarapurana 3/9/7  tells us

तुलामेष गते भानौ विषुवद्दिनमुच्य्ते 

"The entrance of the sun in Mesha and Tula (Rashis) is known as Vishuva --Vernal Equinox and Autumn Equinox---when the days and nights are equal!"

Shivamahapurana 1/15/9-10 has said

तस्माद्दशगुनं ज्ञेयं रविसंक्रमणे  बुधाः||  विषुवे   तद्दशगुणं अयने तद्दश स्मृतं|| तद्दशमृग संक्रान्तौ  तच्चन्द्रग्रहणे दश ||

"By giving charities on Samkrantis the results are ten fold whereas if charities are given on Ayana or Vishuva Samkrantis the results are multiplied tenfold further"|

The Mahabharata also has extolled Vishuvas/Ayanas:

In Vaishnava-dharma-parva 8/23 the Mahabharata has said

राजन्नयनयोर्मध्ये विषुवं संप्रचक्षते ||समरात्रिदिने तत्र संध्यायां विषुवे नृप || ब्रह्माहं शङ्करश्चापि तिष्ठामि सहिताः सकृत || क्रिया करन कार्याणामेकीभावत्वकारनात  ||

"O King, between the two Ayanas i.e. Solstices there are two Vishuvas i.e. Equinoxes  when the days and nights are equal.  At twilight time of those two days of Vishuvas, Brahma, Myself (i.e. Vishnu) and Shiva get together and review the activities of the world"

All the Siddhantas talk of nothing but Equinoxes as Mesha/Tula Samkrantis:

Surya Siddhanta Bhugoladhyaya has said

 मेषादौ  तु सदा वृद्धिरुदगुत्तरतो अधिका | देवांशे च क्षपा हानिर्विपरीतं तथासुरे||57||  तुलादौ द्युनिशोर्वामं क्षय वृद्धौ तयोरुच्य्ते|

"The days and nights are equal on Mesha Samkranti.  Then the days start becoming longer as compared to nights till they reach Karkata....On Tula Samkranti, however, the days and nights are again equal".

Aryabhata has said in his Aryabhatiya 4/1

मेषादेः कन्यान्तं सममुदगपमण्डलार्धमपयातम् ||

तौल्यादेर्मीनान्तं शेषार्धं दक्षिणेनैव||

''One half of the ecliptic, running from the beginning of the sign Aries to the end of the sign Virgo, lies obliquely inclined (to the equator) northwards.  The remaining half (of the ecliptic) running from the beginning of the sign Libra to the end of the sign Pisces, lies (equally inclined to the equator) southwards".

Bhaskaracharya-II of 12th century has confirmed the same thing in his Siddhanta Shiromani, Spashtadhikaar

क्रियतुलाधर्संक्रंपूर्वतो अयनजवोत्थः दिनैर्विषुवद्दिनं|| मकर कर्कट्सम्क्रमतो अयनं...||46||

Bhaskaracharya has explained the meaning himself in his own Vasana Bhashya on the same

तैर्दिनैर्मेष संक्रान्तेस्तुला सम्क्रान्तेश्च् विषुवद्दिनं भवति 

"On the day of Mesha and Tula Samkrantis the days and nights are (to be made) equal (by Ayanamsha corrections)"

Aadi Shankara and his successors also followed Mesha=Vishuva i.e.Vernal Equinox:

Yoga Vasistha Maharamayana 6/81/118 has said

शरीरे सोमसूर्याग्नि  सम्क्रान्तिज्ञो भवानघ|| तत्र स्म्क्रान्तिकाला हि  बाह्यास्त्रिनसमा स्मृताः ||  

While commenting on the same Ananda Bodha Yati, a monk of 12th century in the order of Aadi Shankara, has said in his Tatparya Prakasha commentary

शरद्देमन्त शिशिरेषु क्र्मादौष्ण्यस्य ग्रासादग्नेः सोम्संक्रान्तिस्तयोः संधी विषुवतौ सूर्यस्य च मेषादि संक्रान्तिस् तथा शरीरेअपि ....

''....The junction of two ayanas (Solstices) are known as Vishuvas (Equinoxes) and it is the day of Mesha Samkranti...." 

Shaivashastras also advise us to celebrate Vishuva as Mesha/Tula samkrantis:

The world famous Acharya Abhinavgupta of 10th century Kashmir has said in his immortal Tantraloka, 6/115-16मेषे प्राप्ते रवौ पुण्यं विषुवत्पारलौकिकम् ||प्रवेशे तु तुलास्थेअर्के तदेव विषुवद्भवेत

''When the sun enters the sign Mesha, it is the pious moment of Vishuva.  When the sun enters Tula it is Vishuva again"

The commentator Jayaratha, who was around in 12th century in Kashmir, has made it very clear that by Vishuva is meant the occasion when days and nights are equal!

Historically also, India celebrated Makar Samkranti on the shortest day of the year and Mesha Samkranti on the day of Vernal Equinox:

Alberuni has said  during his sojourn in India in 11th century ''When the sun leaves the point of Winter Solstice he begins to move towards  north pole. Therefore this part of the year is referred to as Uttarayana i.e. the period of the sun's marching through the six zodiacal signs beginning with Caper (Makara).  In consequence, this half is called Makaradi, having Makara as beginning."  (page 356 of Vol. II of Alberuni's India)

By implication, it is clear that in 12th century Indian Meshadi was the day of Vernal Equinox! 

The solar New Year also starts from March 20, 2017

Since the solar Vaishakha starts from March 20, 2017,---5-18 pm IST)---obviously, it is the start of the new solar year also!

In view of the above clarifications, I repeat my challenge to all the scholars to quote even a single verse from any Purana or siddhanta or scripture that has said the Mesha Samkranti is any other day than the Vernal Equinox!

 It is therefore my earnest request that we must celebrate festivals and muhurtas on correct days lest

यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारतः |

न स सिद्धिमवाप्नोति न सुखं न परां गतिम् ||

“One who acts willfully caring a fig for shastras will neither have happiness nor success much less Moksha” ---Gita 16/23

Hope you will follow the real Vedic and Pauranic calendar instead of Analemma curve for your festivals and muhurtas!

Jai Shri Ram!

A K Kaul

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Chaitra Purnima, or Chait Poornima, is the full moon day in the month of Chaitra (March - April) in a traditional Hindu calendar. The full moon day of Chaitra (March-April) is also observed as a sacred day dedicated to Chitragupta in South India. On this day Chitragupt, the assistant of Yamaraj, maitains the recirds of births and death in the whole world, is worshipped. It is Chitragupta who also maintains the accounts, of our good and bad actions in this world, and we are rewarded or punished accordingly hereafter. At Kanchipuram, near Madras, the image of god Chitragupta is taken out in a procession and the devotees have a holy dip in the River Chitra flowing down the nearby hills.

The worship and prayer offered to Chitragupt, the chief scribe of Yama, reminds us of the gods, high above, keeping a watch on our every action and maintaining a record of it. It helps us in self-analysis and maintaining good conduct so as to reap good rewards and avoid punishment after death. It also reminds us that a sin can be forgiven if one repents sincerely, vows not to repeat it, and prays to the Lord with penitent heart, devotion and intense faith.

The deity is also invoked in a metal or earthen pitcher filled with an elaborate ritual. Chitragupta literally means a "hidden picture" and it is he who presents a true picture of our actions after death.

This occassion falls on the full moon day on the Chithirai Natchathiram. It is celebrated at night with the Swami Porappadu.

THE TWELVE months of the Hindu year, based on the lunar calendar, are named after that star during whose ascendency the full moon of that month occurs. The full moon day of Chaitra month, that is, the Purnima during the ascendency of the Chitra star is particularly sacred to the Chitra Guptas, the recording angels of the Hindu pantheon. A special worship is offered to these celestial representatives of the god of death, and an offering of spiced rice is prepared and later distributed as prasad or holy sacrament. A fire worship is done at the close of the ritualistic worship. By the performance of this religious observance annually, these angels of the other world are greatly pleased and judge man's actions with more sympathy.


The story behind the birth of Hanuman
There’s a story narrated by Agastya Muni to Lord Ram in the Valmiki Ramayana, regarding Hanuman’s birth. Sri Hanuman is one of the 11 expansions of Lord Shiva, who came in monkey form to serve Lord Ram in his mission to annihilate Ravana.

One day, the wife of Lord of monkeys, Vanaraja Kesari was standing on the top of a mountain. Her name was Mother Anjana, one of the celestial nymphs (Apsara Menaka) in her previous life. Since she had disturbed Vishwamitra Muni, the way a monkey does, she was cursed by him to be married to a monkey and give birth to monkeys in her next life.

After her fervent prayers, he gave her a blessing that her son would be a portion of Lord Shiva and a great devotee of a particular form of Lord Vishnu. When she took birth as a human being, she was married to Vanaraj Kesari and was very charming and beautiful.

Vayu Deva, who was watching her from the heavenly kingdom became attracted to her and then, assuming a mystic form, mated with her and hence, Pawan Putra was born as ordained by the divine arrangements.

Hanuman serves Sri Ram
Brihad Bhagwadamrita quotes a verse from Hayashirsha Pancharatra.

Narada muni speaks to Sri Hanuman, “You are the Lord’s servant, His friend, His carrier, His seat, His flag, His umbrella, His canopy, His fan. You are His bard, His adviser, His doctor, His general, His best helper, the expander of His infinite glories.”

The significance of Hanuman Jayanti
The sacred day of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great faith and devotion in India. There are various ways in which the festival is observed across the country.

Northern India: Hanuman Jayanti falls on the day of Chaitra Purnima (falling on March 31 this year). This is considered huge in areas like Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh where devotees of Hanumanji are in large numbers. Many people observe fast on this day. There is an organisation of bhandara i.e. mass scale feast where people are served puri and sabzi.

Southern India: In the southern part of the country, there are varieties of traditions and customs associated with this festival.

* People of Tamil Nadu observe it on the Amavasya of Margashirsha.
* People of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana observe it for 41-days which starts on Chaitra Purnima and concludes on the tenth day during Krishna Paksha of Vaishakha.
* People of Karnataka observe it on Shukla Paksha Trayodashi of Margashirsha.
* People of Odisha observe it on Mesha Sankranti.

The science behind Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman Jayanti falls on the full moon night of the month of Chaitra. This month, it lies in the ritu sandhi of Vasant and Shishir and the fire has already been weakened by the seasonal change. As a result, people are prone to physical as well as mental diseases due to the disturbances of Vata, Pitta and Kapha levels in our body.

The mental health of a person is affected by the lunar cycle or the cycle of moon. The day of Purnima is considered as the day when moon has the most profound effect on the human body. Therefore, for mental cleansing, fasting on the day of Chaitra Purnima was advised by our ancient sages.

Puja Timings for Hanuman Jayanti
The puja for Hanuman Jayanti can be done in Brahma Muhurtam i.e. 4.43am to 6.19am on March 31 and from sunrise till 6.06pm.


Spring equinox is celebrated also celebrated as Easter.

Why Bhishma Pitamah Chose to Die on Makara Sankranthi?

Without Bhishma, there would be no Mahabharata. It was his vow of celibacy that set in motion the chain of events that would eventually lead to the ultimate climax on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Bhishma sacrificed the pleasures of the worldly life and his rightful claim to the throne for the sake of his father Shantanu, who desired to marry the daughter of a fisherwoman.

Immensely pleased with his son’s vow and devotion, Shantanu gave Bhishma the boon of ‘Iccha Mrityu’, or death when Bhishma desires. This technically meant that Bhishma could live as long as he wanted to.

So when the arrows of Arjuna became a bed for Bhishma on the 10th day of the Kurkshetra war, the mighty warrior had just one desire – to die at the time he wished.

Being a learned scholar, Bhishma had knowledge of astrology, the Vedangas and the Shastras. He calculated a specific time of death which would free him from the cycle of rebirth and make him attain moksha.

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of Sun from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan, as per Indian astrology.

Lord Krishna says in the eighth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita that anyone who dies during Uttarayan attains moksha, but those who die in Dakshinayan are reborn.

अग्निर्ज्योतिरह: शुक्ल: षण्मासा उत्तरायणम् |

तत्र प्रयाता गच्छन्ति ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदो जना: || 24||

धूमो रात्रिस्तथा कृष्ण: षण्मासा दक्षिणायनम् |

तत्र चान्द्रमसं ज्योतिर्योगी प्राप्य निवर्तते || 25||

“Those who know the Supreme Brahman, and who depart from this world, during the six months of the sun’s northern course (Uttarayan), the bright fortnight of the moon, and the bright part of the day, attain the supreme destination. The practitioners of Vedic rituals, who pass away during the six months of the sun’s southern course (Dakshinayan), the dark fortnight of the moon, the time of smoke, the night, attain the celestial abodes. After enjoying celestial pleasures, they again return to the earth.”

Bhishma, therefore, chose to die during the Sun’s northern course – the day of Makar Sankranti to attain moksha.

In Hanuman Chalisa, it is said : 

"Yug sahastra yojan per Bhanu! 

Leelyo taahi madhur phal janu!! 

1 Yug = 12000 years

 1 Sahastra = 1000

 1 Yojan = 8 Miles

Yug x Sahastra x Yojan = par Bhanu

 

12000 x 1000 x 8 miles = 96000000 miles

 

1 mile = 1.6 kms

96000000 miles = 96000000 x 1.6kms =  96000000 miles/1536000000 kms to Sun