Determination of Lunar Days

Decision on Lunar Days 5

Regarding the third lunar day, the later day is preferred; this applies to the seventh case as well. When the solar eclipse original: "grasa," literally a 'bite' or 'swallowing' of the sun exceeds three muhurtas approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes, the later day is chosen. The four-month period the monsoon retreat begins with the month of Ashadha.

Solar Ingress and Holy Timing

During the Cancer Ingress original: "Karka Sankranti," the summer solstice in the traditional calendar, the holy time original: "punya kala" lasts for three nadis 72 minutes. When the sun begins its northward transit, the holy time is considered to be ahead of the transit itself. According to the authorities such as Hemadri, if the transit occurs at night after midnight, the five nadis of both the previous and following days are considered holy.

Concerning the transit of the sun through the signs of Sagittarius, Pisces, Virgo, and Gemini: if the transit occurs at night, the holy time is divided between the preceding and following parts. Five nadis around midday are considered the most holy. Similarly, five nadis at sunrise are prescribed for rituals dedicated to the gods and the ancestors.

In the month of Magha, if the transit occurs after midnight during the sun's southern course, the previous day should be taken for the ritual as long as the sun has not yet risen.

The Impurity of Rivers

Between the signs of Leo and Cancer the peak of the rainy season, all rivers are considered "menstruating" original: "rajasvala," a term for ritual impurity caused by the heavy silt and turbulence of the monsoon rains. One should not bathe in them, and those flowing into the ocean should be avoided.

The Great Rivers of the South (South of the Vindhya Mountains):
The Godavari, Bhimarathi, Tungabhadra, Venika, Tapi, and Payoshni.

The Great Rivers of the North (North of the Vindhya Mountains):
The Bhagirathi (Ganges), Narmada, Yamuna, Saraswati, Vishaka, and Vitasta.

It is said that one should not bathe in these Great Rivers during this time. At the beginning of the Cancer transit, the Great Rivers become impure for three days; on the fourth day, they become pure again, just like the cycle of birth. This rule applies to regions outside of Gauda modern-day Bengal. Rama 5 However, it is noted that: "The Ganges, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati (born of a hundred goals) are never overcome by this impurity, even when joined by other rivers."

Festivals of the Month of Shravana

The third day of the bright half of Shravana is famous among the people of Gujarat as Madhushrava. It should be observed when joined with the following day.

The fourth day of the bright half of Shravana should be joined with the previous day, according to the teachings regarding the "Mother's defect" a technical astrological flaw in timing.

The fifth day of the bright half of Shravana is Naga Panchami (the Festival of Snakes). It should be observed on the later day. For the worship of the Nagas (serpent deities), the fifth day should be joined with the Vishti a specific astrological timing or 'Karana'. On this day, the serpent deities are worshipped...

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The vows for the twelfth day and others have been stated previously. On the twelfth day of the bright half of the month of Shravana, the Offering of Sacred Threads original: "Pavitraropana," a ritual where garlands of thread are offered to the deity to atone for any lapses in worship over the year to Lord Vishnu is prescribed.

Instructions for the Thread Offering

As stated in the Hemadri (citing the Vishnu Rahasya): "When the sun is in the sign of Cancer, on the twelfth day of the bright half of Shravana at sunrise, the offering of the sacred threads should be performed." This may also be done during the evening original: "pradosha" of the twelfth day, or even on the fifth or fifteenth day, if it is more convenient. If the Shravana timing is missed, the learned should perform it on the full moon of the month of Karttika, as stated in the Kalottara of Narada and Agni.

Materials and Construction:
According to Hemadri, the threads can be made of gold, silver, copper, silk, lotus fibers, or cotton. Cotton threads are particularly auspicious for the month of Karttika. The threads should be new and without breaks.

• The Best Thread: 108 strands.
• The Middling Thread: 54 strands (some say 40).
• The Inferior Thread: 27 strands (some say 30 or 36 or 24).

For the worship of Shiva, the length of the thread should be twelve fingers-breadth, or ten, or the thread should match the width of the Lingam (four fingers-breadth for the smallest).

Who Should Perform the Ritual

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, women, and Shudras—all who remain steadfast in their own duty dharma should perform this sacred thread offering.

"If a son of man does not perform the Sacred Thread Offering according to the rules, then his worship for that month and the entire year becomes fruitless, O best of sages."

The Chaturdasha-mayashtraisha a technical term for the fourteen knots on the thread representing different powers or deities is the foundation of everything. These should be worn for a month, a fortnight, or at least a full day and night.

Thus ends the section on the Sacred Thread Offering. On the fourteenth day of the bright half of Shravana, the day joined with the previous one is preferred. The Upakarma the ritual for renewing the Brahminical sacred thread is described in the Prayoga Parijata...