Determination of Lunar Days

Determination 2 On the ninth and eighth days of the month of Vaisakha, those who drink eight buds of the Ashoka flower original: "ashoka-kalika." The Ashoka tree is associated with the removal of grief; drinking its buds is a ritual to ensure a year without sorrow. during the Punarvasu constellation in the bright half of the month of Chaitra shall not experience grief. The ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra is known as Rama Navami The birthday of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu.. This observance must be performed when the lunar day prevails during midday original: "madhyahna-vyapini." Since Rama was born at noon, the ritual timing is specific to that window.. When combined with the Punarvasu constellation, this day grants all desires. It is said that the merit of Rama Navami is greater than a million solar eclipses. If the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra coincides with the Punarvasu constellation and falls on a Monday or a Thursday, it becomes exceptionally holy. Therefore, with every effort, everyone should perform the vow of the Ninth Day.

If the ninth day spans the midday of two consecutive days, or if it does not span midday on either, the earlier day should be chosen. However, a day mixed with the eighth day should be avoided even if it contains the Punarvasu constellation. As stated in the Agastya Samhita A traditional text attributed to the sage Agastya.: "The ninth day mixed with the eighth should be abandoned by those devoted to Vishnu." The fasting for the ninth day should be done when the lunar day is pure. If the ninth day exists for only a single muhurta A unit of time lasting 48 minutes. at sunrise, and because it prevails at sunrise it is considered valid, yet if fasting on that day would cause the breaking of the fast original: "parana." The meal taken to conclude a ritual fast. to overlap with the eleventh day (Ekadashi), then the ninth day vow should be adjusted so the breaking of the fast does not fail. Thus, one should observe the fast even on a day mixed with the eighth if it ensures the proper timing for the conclusion.

In the month of Vaisakha, if the eleventh day is "pierced" by the dawn, there is no risk of the fast-breaking ceremony failing. Rama 2 This ritual is considered a regular obligation.

Regarding the Swing Festival original: "Andolanotsava." A festival where deities are placed on a decorated swing.: In the month of Chaitra, on the eleventh day of the bright half, the Vaishnavas Devotees of Vishnu. should celebrate the Great Festival of the Lord along with the Goddess Lakshmi. On the twelfth day of the bright half of Chaitra, the Damana Festival original: "Damanotsava." A ritual offering of the fragrant Damana plant (Artemisia) to the deity. is observed. As stated by sages like Baudhayana, this should be performed every year. 1. This should also be performed by the devotees of Shiva. Vashistha says that for three days, one should worship Durga and Vishnu (Hari) in the form of an image during the lineage of Chaitra. On the twelfth day, the conclusion of the fast (parana) involves the offering of the Damana plant to Vishnu.

In the bright half of Chaitra, on the thirteenth day, the festival of the Bodiless One original: "Ananga," referring to Kama, the God of Love. occurs. For this, the earlier part of the thirteenth day should be taken. According to the Deepika, the fourteenth day of the bright half of Chaitra should also be taken when it begins earlier. For the Madanotsava Another name for the Spring Festival of Love. in the month of Chaitra, the fourteenth day of the bright half should be chosen when it prevails during the later part of the day, never when it is only in the beginning. On the full moon of Chaitra original: "Chaitra Purnima.", it is always considered the beginning. If it falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Tuesday, it is known as a "Triple Touch" day. The merit gained there is equal to the Horse Sacrifice original: "Ashvamedha." One of the highest and most complex ancient Vedic rituals.. Thus say the ancient teachers of the yearly cycle.

On the thirteenth day of the dark half of Chaitra, if it occurs at night, it is called Varuni. This is a highly auspicious and great time. Here, the earlier day is taken because it belongs to the dark half of the month. This concludes the determination for the month of Chaitra.

Now begins the month of Vaisakha. When the Sun enters the sign of Aries original: "Mesha Sankranti," the solar New Year in many Indian calendars., the period of merit for ritual bathing lasts ten hours before and after the transition. If it occurs at night, the rules mentioned previously apply. The Akshaya Tritiya The "Undecaying Third," believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the year when any venture started or gift given will bring eternal merit. falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaisakha. This should be taken when it prevails during the earlier part of the day. Even if it spans two days, the earlier one is preferred. If the third day in the bright half of Vaisakha is joined with the Rohini constellation, it is "difficult to conquer" (highly powerful). This is especially true if it falls on a Wednesday or a Monday. When joined with Rohini and Wednesday, even if not mixed with the previous day, it is said to grant merit equal to millions of other rituals. This third day is also the start of a Yuga original: "Yugadi." Ancient Hindu cosmology divides time into four great ages or Yugas. Certain days are marked as the anniversaries of when these ages began.. As stated in the Ratnamala: "On the fifteenth of Kartika, the Kritayuga began; on the ninth of Magha, the Tretayuga; on the third of Vaisakha (Madhavasya), the Dwaparayuga; and on the full moon of Bhadrapada, the Kaliyuga." These anniversary days should always be observed during the forenoon for rituals concerning the gods, and in the afternoon for rituals concerning the ancestors. On this third day, one should give a water-pot original: "jala kumbha." Giving water to the thirsty or to Brahmins is a key ritual on this hot summer day to earn eternal merit..