Determination of Lunar Days

Decision on Lunar Days [Cont.] ...one should perform the fast. At the end of the lunar day original: "tithyante", the practitioner who has observed the vow should perform the ritual breaking of the fast Paranathe formal meal that concludes a period of fasting. Thus concludes the discussion on Janmashtami.

In the month of Shravana, the collection of sacred Kusha grass is prescribed for the New Moon original: "amavasya". According to the sage Harita: "When the New Moon occurs at sunrise in the month of Nabhasya another name for Bhadrapada, it is observed." However, the text clarifies that if the tenth part of the month of Shravana remains, or if the eighth part is reached, the New Moon is obtained. In the Madanaratna a famous 15th-century legal digest, it is said: "The New Moon falling within the Great Ancestral Fortnight original: "Mahalaya," the period for honoring ancestors of the month of Bhadrapada is what is obtained." It is a settled principle that other rituals, such as the Third-Day Vows, should be performed when joined with the Fourth Day. Thus concludes the month of Shravana.

Now begins the month of Bhadrapada.
When the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Leo original: "Simha", the first sixteen ghatikas a traditional unit of time; 16 ghatikas is roughly 6.4 hours are considered the auspicious time. Other rules remain as previously stated. Regarding the birth of cattle: "If a cow gives birth while the Sun is in Leo, death is predicted [for the owner] within six months; of this, there is no doubt." So says the sage Narada regarding the birth of a cow. At the moment of birth, one should give the "body of the vow" likely referring to a symbolic gift or the calf itself to a Brahmin. Then, one should perform a fire sacrifice Homaa ritual where offerings are made into a consecrated fire with many oblations. Wise men say: "In the month of Magha, a buffalo giving birth; in Shravana, a mare; and in Leo, a cow—these bring death to the owner."

On the third day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada, the Haritalika Vow a festival dedicated to Goddess Parvati is observed. For this, even a single muhurta approximately 48 minutes of the day is sufficient for it to be accepted. Even if only a muhurta remains, the Gauri ritual should be performed on the following day. This is because the conjunction with Ganesha the 4th lunar day is highly praised, as stated by the authority Madhava. Rituals such as the Honey-Shravani and the Haritalika of virgins should be performed by women when the third day is mixed with the fourth, during the day or night.

Rama. [Transcriber/Owner note] On the fourth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada, the Varada Chaturthi Vow the "boon-giving" fourth day, also known as Ganesha Chaturthi should be taken as the full day. For Ganesha original: "Gananatha", if the fourth day continues into the next day, those desiring the highest results should perform it on the earlier day. The time when the day is at its midpoint original: "madhyahna" is the most auspicious for this. A fourth day "pierced" by the mother referring to the 3rd lunar day, associated with the Mother Goddess Gauri is praised. It is said that performing the ritual at the midday peak in the designated "field" destroys sins. On this day, looking at the moon is strictly prohibited. Midday is the primary time for the worship of Ganesha, according to the Nirnayamrita an authoritative text on ritual timing.

The lion killed Prasena; the lion was killed by Jambavan.
Do not cry, O handsome child; for this Syamantaka jewel is yours.
This famous verse refers to the legend of the Syamantaka jewel. Reciting it is believed to protect a person from the false accusations that result from accidentally looking at the moon on Ganesha Chaturthi.

On the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada is Rishi Panchami the festival honoring the Seven Sages. According to the view of Hemadri, the latter part of the day is preferred. According to the Tithi Dipika, if the fifth day lasts for two muhurtas, it is the day for the vow. The worship of the Sages original: "Rishis" should be done on the fifth day. If the fifth day is joined with the fourth, the worship of the Sages should not be performed by ascetics Yatisrenunciants or monks; if performed then, it becomes fruitless. In the view of Madhava, the fifth day is best in the forenoon. In reality, the midday overlap is the most important.

On the sixth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada, regarding the son of Lakshmi: bathing and worshipping the Sun original: "Bhaskara" on this day brings the reward of the Horse Sacrifice original: "Ashvamedha" and the benefits of the Five Products of the Cow original: "Panchagavya".

On the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada is Durvashtami the festival of the sacred Durva grass. This should be taken when it overlaps with the next day, following the rules for the Shravani and Durga festivals. If the eighth day is joined with the Jyeshtha constellation, it should be taken in its earlier form; if it spans two days, the second is preferred. One should worship the Goddess Indra-Devi-Jyeshtha during the conjunction of the stars and release the vow during the Mula constellation. This is considered the best observance. The Puranas state: "The eighth day of the bright fortnight in Bhadrapada is known as Durvashtami; it should not be performed if it is the following day." However, some say that if the eighth day occurs for even a single muhurta in the Rohini period, whether earlier or later, that is when Durvashtami should be done, avoiding the Jyeshtha and Mula constellations. Others suggest that the Durva grass should be offered when Jyeshtha and Mula are joined. According to Hemadri, this should be done at the rise of the star Agastya. This vow is specifically for women; they should worship the Durva grass according to the rules. Just as one might face widowhood if Krishna's birth is not celebrated correctly, if the eighth day is not obtained without the proper astrological signs, observing it on the seventh day will prevent sorrow.

६ Page/Section marker The Jyeshtha constellation joined with the Maitra star gives all success, while the overlap with Mula is forbidden, as stated in the Chandrika. ६