Determination of Lunar Days

Decision on Lunar Days 9

...should perform. Regarding this, the procedure is not found in the Dharma-ratna a 16th-century legal digest by Shankara Bhatta. Here, the Great Worship original: "maha-puja" is performed. In the month of Bhadrapada, during the bright fortnight the waxing moon, when joined with the Jyeshtha constellation: on whichever day the noble ones original: "aryah" find the Jyeshtha constellation to be rising, that is the day for the ritual. If this alignment spans two days, the latter day original: "para" should be taken. If the constellation is joined with the night on the previous day, then that previous day is chosen for the immersion original: "visarjana" in the Mula constellation.

On the eleventh day Ekadashithe 11th day of the lunar fortnight, sacred to Vishnu of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada, when joined with the Shravana constellation, occurs the Vamana Avatara the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a dwarf to humble the demon king Bali. The period covering midday should be accepted for this.

Regarding the twelfth day Dwadashithe 12th day of the lunar fortnight of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada joined with the Shravana constellation, the Vishnudharmottara Purana says: "The twelfth day joined with Shravana is the 'Great Twelfth' original: "Mahati Dwadashi" for men. On that day, having fasted, bathed, and worshiped Janardana a name for Vishnu meaning 'He who excites/stirs the people'..." This combination of the lunar day and the constellation is highly auspicious. If it is obtained, it removes the diseases of the eight directions. In the month of Bhadrapada, the Twelfth joined with Shravana is known as the Mahati Dwadashi, and fasting on it yields great fruit. If out of delusion one abandons the fast on the Eleventh, fasting on this Twelfth makes up for it. A wise person should break the fast Paranathe ritual meal ending a fast at the end of the constellation.

This is the very same Shravana Dwadashi. When the Shravana constellation joins the Eleventh day, it is called the Vishnu-shrinkhala original: "Vishnu-shrinkhala" literally means 'The Chain of Vishnu' yoga. When the Twelfth is joined with Shravana and that is also joined with the Eleventh, that is indeed the Vaishnava alignment known as the Vishnu-shrinkhala. A fast is ordained for this combination of lunar day and constellation. However, the breaking of the fast Parana should not be done until the end of the constellation... the Twelfth joined with Shravana destroys sins. The presiding deity is Vishnu, the Primeval and Supreme Person. In the autumn, if the constellation falls on the Twelfth of the bright fortnight, one should fast on the Eleventh and worship Hari Vishnu on the Twelfth. Thus, on the Eleventh...

Rama-9

...one should fast on the specified Twelfth. One undoubtedly gains everything associated with the previous day. Having fasted on the Eleventh, one should also fast on the Twelfth. In this case, there is no lapse in the rule because the deity for both is Hari. If a person is unable to perform two fasts, they should eat fruit on the first day and remain without food on the following day. When the lunar day and constellation end at the same time on the Twelfth, there is no fault in breaking the fast then. This relates to the Vamana Jayanti the birthday of the Vamana incarnation. In the Madanaratna, it is clearly stated that if the Eleventh is pierced by the Tenth meaning the 10th day overlaps with the 11th, the Shravana-joined Twelfth should be used for the ritual. Thus concludes the Shravana Dwadashi.

At this same time, the Vishnu-parivartanotsava the Festival of Vishnu's Turning occurs. The prayer is: "O Vasudeva, Lord of the Universe, this Eleventh day is dear to You; O Madhava, please turn over on Your side and sleep comfortably."

At this time, one should also resolve to observe the Milk Vow original: "dugdha-vratam," a vow to abstain from milk or follow a specific milk diet and the avoidance of meat. Since this is an observation of one's nature, ghee is not prohibited. One should avoid meat and its derivatives, as well as curds. Here we say: one should avoid the milk of a cow whose calf has died or a cow that has recently calved. The wise person who lacks such knowledge should avoid all milk and its products for the duration. One should perform this vow for seven nights with great care.

On the fourteenth day Chaturdashi of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada, the Ananta Vrata The Vow of the Infinite, dedicated to Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha is observed. The bath should be taken during the appropriate astrological moment Muhurta. For the worship and the vow, a period of three muhurtas about 2.4 hours is designated. The scholar Divodasa says the timing should be joined with the midday period. Thus, at the end of the Bhadrapada [bright fortnight], on the Fourteenth, when joined with the Full Moon... is the time for the Ananta vow. Regarding this Fourteenth... on the Full Moon of Bhadrapada... having remembered... should be done.