Determination of Lunar Days

Decision on Lunar Days 6

In the month of Shravana, during the full moon, the ritual should be performed when the moon is in the Dhanishtha constellation. One should not perform the Shravanam the commencement of Vedic study when the moon is merely in the Shravana constellation; rather, the ritual known as Upakarma original: "upākarana," the annual renewal of the sacred thread is truly fruitful then. If the sun is in Leo and Venus is visible, it should be done in the northern part of the village. If the sun is in Cancer, the ritual should be performed in the south. Those of the Taittiriya school should perform the Shravani ritual when the full moon lasts for two days.

Followers of the Bahvricha the Rigveda school should perform it in Shravana, avoiding the day of a solar ingress original: "sankranti". Some authorities suggest that if one is in a different region, the restrictions regarding certain forbidden days original: "vishu" do not apply. According to the Prayoga Parijata a 17th-century ritual manual, the rules for the "piercing of the house" a technical astrological conflict do not apply to the Upakarma and the ritual dismissal of studies. Furthermore, these rituals should not be performed during an intercalary month original: "adhika masa," an extra month added to the lunar calendar to sync with the solar year. The Upakarma should ideally be done in the afternoon, though some suggest the morning is preferable. In this context, the Utsarga the ritual suspension of Vedic study should be performed by everyone in the morning. For the Upakarma, one should observe a period of "non-study" original: "anadhyāya" for three nights or at least one full day and night. Rama 6

The Protection Ceremony (Raksha Bandhan)

Regarding Raksha Bandhan the ritual of tying a protective thread, the authority Hemadri states it should not be done during the waning of the moon original: "indukshaya". Specific rules are given for the Shravana and Phalguni constellations: "The Shravani ritual protects the people, but the Phalguni ritual burns them." This refers to the specific timing of the full moon. If the full moon overlaps with the previous day, the ritual should be performed on the day when the full moon exists at sunrise. This is according to the Nirnayamrita.

Some say that an overlap with a "distorted" lunar day destroys the merit of the festival. In the dark fortnight of the month of Shravana, on the second day, the Rama-vrata a specific vow or fast is observed; it should be taken when the moon is visible at rising. According to the Nirnayamrita, if it falls on two days, the second is preferred. The third day of the dark fortnight is known as Kajjali a festival often involving women singing and swinging. On the fourth day, known as Bakula, the ritual should be performed when the fourth lunar day prevails in the evening; if it covers two evenings, the morning-prevailing one is chosen. This involves the worship of cows and the banyan tree. One should avoid the "back of the calf" and the "navel" technical astrological points to avoid during cow worship.

On the sixth day of the dark fortnight, Shitala Shashti is observed. On the seventh, the Shitala Vrata continues, for which the morning timing is preferred.

The Birth of Krishna (Janmashtami)

Next is the Janmashtami the birth of Lord Krishna on the eighth day of the dark fortnight. If the eighth day is joined with the Rohini constellation, it is called Jayanti. According to the Vahni Purana: "When the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Shravana coincides with Rohini, it is named Jayanti; one should fast on that day with great effort."

The union with the Rohini constellation is the primary requirement. As stated in the Vashistha Samhita: "Even if the union lasts for only one Muhurta about 48 minutes, that day should be used for the fast." The Puranas state that the fast on Janmashtami is of two types: one based on the lunar day and one based on the constellation. The most auspicious time is the midnight union original: "madhya-rātra-yoga". Hemadri confirms that fasting when the eighth day is joined with Rohini destroys all sins. This is also supported by the Agni Purana.