The Extraction of Determinations for Lunar Days

Regarding this, Madhava a prominent 14th-century commentator on sacred law states that a period lasting three Muhurttas original: Tri-muhurtta; a Muhurtta is approximately 48 minutes, totaling 144 minutes at the time of sunrise is required. However, the text Nirnayamrita literally "The Nectar of Decisions," a 14th-century treatise on ritual timing claims that even a duration of a single Ghatika a unit of 24 minutes at sunrise is acceptable. If such a condition exists on both days, the day is considered "full" or complete for ritual purposes.

On the Full Moon day of Bhadrapada, a ritual known as the Nandimukha Shraddha a "joyful" ancestral rite performed before auspicious occasions or specific seasonal transitions should be performed, specifically intending to honor the female ancestors beyond the great-grandmother. 20 In this rite, the maternal grandfathers are offered unbroken grains of rice original: Akshata; used in place of the usual funeral cakes during certain joyful or transitional rites.

Next is the Dark Fortnight original: Parapaksha, also known as Pitru Paksha, the fortnight dedicated to the spirits of the ancestors. Within this period, the earlier portion is considered the proper time. Performing rites from the fifth lunar day onwards is praised for those seeking sons. Following that, from the tenth day onwards is recommended. Within that period, the thirteenth day when combined with the Magha constellation is designated as the Mahalaya the "Great Residence" or the peak of the ancestral fortnight for those who are poor.

In that context, during the fortnight ending with the New Moon, the Nanda-type days the 1st, 6th, and 11th lunar days should be avoided for certain actions. Regarding this, the it is said Sage Kagnijini states: "During the dark fortnight of the month of Nabhasya an archaic name for the month of Bhadrapada, one should perform ancestral rites daily. Neither the Nanda-days nor the fourteenth day should be avoided."

However, there is a statement by the sage Yajnavalkya a legendary Vedic sage and legal authority which says that one should avoid the fourteenth day original: Chaturdashi except for those who died by weapons. According to Madhava, this restriction should be understood as applying to other months; this is the view held in the Nirnaya Sindhu a massive 17th-century compendium of religious law by Kamalakara Bhatta.

Nevertheless, the fourteenth day is indeed used for rites involving those killed by weapons. When the Sun has entered the sign of Virgo original: Kanyagate Savitari, there are fifteen days for these rites, though some consider it sixteen. The fifteen-day option is the standard rule. This continues until the first day of the bright half of the month of Ashvin...