Determination of Lunar Days

Determination of Lunar Days 3

Regarding donations: "This water-pot of Dharma original: "dharma-ghato." A ritual vessel filled with water and often fragrant substances, given to earn spiritual merit. is given, embodying the essence of the Trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Through the offering of this pot, may my ancestors and grandfathers be satisfied." Ancestral rites original: "shraddha." should be performed during both the solstices, both the equinoxes, and on the transition days of the World Ages original: "yugadishu." These are the anniversaries of the start of the four great cosmic cycles., even without the offering of funeral rice-balls original: "pinda-nirvapana.".

This Third Day This refers to Akshaya Tritiya, the "Undecaying Third" in the bright half of the month of Vaishakha, considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. is to be accepted when it overlaps with the following day original: "paraviddha." and when it prevails during the evening original: "pradosha-vyapini.". If the lunar day spans two days and is equally prevalent in both, the second day is preferred. According to the Bhavishya Purana One of the eighteen major traditional histories.: "If the third day of the bright half of Vaishakha coincides with the Punarvasu constellation during the first watch of the night, it is exceptionally holy." The first three lunar days—the third, the eighth, and the ninth—should be observed when they are the primary days for the gods, the ancestors, and humans respectively.

On the seventh day of the bright half of Vaishakha occurs the Birth of the Ganges original: "gangotpattih." This festival, Ganga Saptami, celebrates the day the goddess Ganga was reborn from the ear of the sage Jahnu.. For this observance, the day that prevails during midday original: "madhyahna." should be chosen. If it spans two days or only partially covers the midday, the earlier day joined with the sixth should be chosen. In ancient times, on this seventh day, the river-goddess Jahnavi A name for the Ganges as the daughter of the sage Jahnu. was released from the ear-hole of the sage Jahnu after his anger had passed. On this day, one should worship the goddess Ganga, who wears the sky as her waistband.

The fourteenth day of the bright half of Vaishakha is the Birth of Narasimha original: "nrsimha-jayanti," the anniversary of the appearance of the Fourth Avatar of Vishnu—the Man-Lion.. This should be accepted when the lunar day prevails during the evening original: "pradosha.". If it spans two days, the second day is preferred. This vow should be performed year after year to grant satisfaction. If this fourteenth day of Vaishakha falls on a Saturday with the Swati constellation, it is a combination of great fortune obtained only by divine grace.

Rama 3

Regarding donations: On the Full Moon of Vaishakha, one should give a water-pot to Dharmaraja The "Lord of Justice" or Yama, the god of death and dharma.. Thus concludes the month of Vaishakha.

Now begins the month of Jyeshtha. The solar month of Jyeshtha begins when the Sun enters Taurus original: "vrisha-sankranti.". The Rambha Vow A ritual performed primarily by women for prosperity and beauty, dedicated to the celestial nymph Rambha. on the third day of the bright half of Jyeshtha should be observed when it is mixed with the preceding day. On the tenth day of the bright half of Jyeshtha is the Dashahara The festival celebrating the descent of the Ganges to earth, said to "remove ten sins.". This should be observed when the tenth day is joined with the preceding day, especially if it coincides with a Wednesday and the Hasta constellation. By bathing during this ten-fold alignment, a person is liberated from all sins.

The eleventh day of the bright half of Jyeshtha is the Waterless Fast original: "nirjala-ekadashi." The most rigorous of the twice-monthly fasts, where even water is not consumed.. On the Full Moon of Jyeshtha is the Savitri Vow original: "savitri-vratam" or "Vat Savitri," where married women pray for the longevity of their husbands, referencing the legend of Savitri who reclaimed her husband Satyavan from the God of Death.. Regarding this, there is a discussion on whether it should be performed on the Full Moon or the New Moon. Some say the Full Moon should be chosen if it is joined with the preceding day. In this context, one should give a water-pot for the pleasure of the deity Trivikrama A name for Vishnu in his form as the giant who stepped across the three worlds.. Thus concludes the month of Jyeshtha.

Now begins the month of Ashadha. The Sun's transit into Gemini original: "mithuna-sankranti."... illegible ritual timing?.