Lunar Day 21 Rama 21

Determining the Great Night of Shiva

The fourteenth lunar day Chaturdashi should be chosen for the observance of the Great Night of Shiva Shivaratri Vrata. Because the primary ritual involves a night-long vigil original: "jāgaraṇa", one should fast on the day that coincides with the night. Specifically, the fourteenth day of the dark half of the month of Magha January/February that is joined with midnight nishitha is the proper time. By observing the Great Night of Shiva, one attains the merit equivalent to a Horse Sacrifice Ashvamedha.

When the fourteenth day occurs at midnight on two consecutive days, or if it falls on the previous day, the timing must be analyzed carefully. If the thirteenth day ends during the daylight hours, and the fourteenth day is complete at midnight, then that is the time for the vigil. "Daylight hours" refers to the period until sunset. According to the school of Hemadri, if the fourteenth day touches midnight on both days, the first day is chosen. However, the school of Madhava referring to the 14th-century scholar Madhavacharya argues that if the second day contains both the evening pradosha and midnight, then the second day is preferable.

It is also stated: if the first day touches midnight but the second day only touches the evening, then the later day is still preferred. This is especially true when it is joined with the Jaya a specific auspicious astrological alignment. If the fourteenth day begins after midnight on the first day and ends before midnight on the second, then the later day is chosen. If neither day is fully joined with the evening, then the midnight presence is the deciding factor for all scholars. Regarding the breaking of the fast parana, the Skanda Purana states: "One should fast on the fourteenth and break the fast on the fourteenth." One should break the fast at the end of the lunar day, even if that occurs during the day.

The text here enters a highly technical debate between the Hemadri and Madhava traditions regarding whether the fast should be broken while the fourteenth lunar day is still active or after it has ended, depending on how many 'watches' (yamas) of the day the tithi occupies.

The ritual procedure puja-vidhana involves four rounds of worship throughout the night to achieve spiritual success. This rule for the Great Night of Shiva applies to the monthly observance as well. Every month, on the fourteenth day of the dark half, the rules for the monthly Shivaratri follow the same principles as the fire-rituals original: "agnihotra-dharma". Therefore, the day possessing both evening and midnight presence is the primary choice.

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The Month of Phalguna

Now, the month of Phalguna February/March. When the sun enters the sign of Aquarius Kumbha in the morning, the remaining rules are as before. The full moon of Phalguna is the festival of Holika Holi.

The timing for Holika should be chosen when the full moon Purnima prevails during the evening pradosha. If the full moon touches the evening on two days, or if the fourteenth day occupies the evening of the first day and the full moon occupies the evening of the second, there are differing views. According to some, the second day is preferred; according to others, it is not. One must avoid the "Face of the Corrupt Period" original: "bhadra-mukha"; referring to an inauspicious astrological window called Bhadra during which Holi fire should not be lit. According to the words of the sage Narada: "One should avoid the face of Bhadra and perform the Holika worship in the mouth of the night."

If the evening is available on both days, the later day is chosen because the previous day is tainted by the overlap with the fourteenth. If the full moon ends before the evening on the second day, one may have to perform the ritual on the first day, but only after the inauspicious Bhadra period has passed at night. As stated in the Govindarka: "One should not light the fire while Bhadra is present, for it would destroy the king and the country."

The fire-worship Hutashani does not occur in an intercalary month mala-masa. The first day of the bright half of Phalguna is considered the start of the Manvantara an era of a Manu. This day is to be accepted as the previous day’s alignment for the bright half.

On the first day of the bright half of Chaitra, the New Year begins. Wise scholars say this first day Pratipat should always be taken when it is joined with the previous day at dawn, as it marks the beginning of the year and the spring.

In the morning, after the Holika bonfire, all men should take a bath. The following prayer mantra is recited:
"Adored by the King of the Gods Indra and by the Creator Brahma, O Goddess, protect us and be the giver of prosperity to all beings."

On the seventh and eighth days of the bright half of Phalguna, the ancestral rites Ashtaka are performed as before. There is a special significance to the eighth day of the bright half of Phalguna: it is the day the wife of the Lord of the Raghus, Janaki Sita, was born. By fasting on this day and worshipping the daughter of King Janaka, one honors the wife of Rama.

Finally, the New Moon of Vaisakha April/May is also a Manvantara day...