Jyotirvidabharanam (Kalidasa)

Jyotisha Bhasvati Commentary 6

...not in the months of Madhu Chaitra or Vasanta Vaishakha. It is explained that regarding the determination of time, an Intercalary Month Adhika Masa: an extra month added to the lunar calendar to keep it synchronized with the solar seasons occurs when thirty-two The OCR reads "twenty-two" (dva-vimshat), but the numeral later and astronomical standard is "thirty-two" (dva-trimshat) months and fifteen days have passed. Thus, that specific calculation is established. For this reason, other conflicting opinions are considered incorrect.

The Application of Time Measures

Now, in the Vasantatilaka meter, the author explains which specific measure of time should be adopted for which various religious acts:

For all rites that are dependent on the Lunar Day Tithi: a lunar day, roughly 1/30th of a lunar month and for those activities that must be performed without interruption, the Lunar Measure Chandramana: time calculated by the moon’s phases must be used. These include:

• Tonsure original: "Chaula" — the first ritual haircut of a child
• Eclipses original: "Grahana"
• Marriage original: "Vivaha"
• Ancestral Rites original: "Pitri Karma"
• Journeys and Vows
• Initiation Ceremonies original: "Upanayana" — the sacred thread ceremony
• Fasting original: "Upavasa"

In these matters, the Lunar measure is the authority. If one uses a different measure for these, the ritual timing becomes "blurred" or incorrect.

Furthermore, the author clarifies the distinction regarding the Solar Measure Sauramana: time based on the sun's entry into zodiac signs and the Civil Measure Savana: time based on consecutive sunrises.

It is well known that for the following, only the Solar Measure should be used:

• The determination of the Year original: "Varsha"
• The Two Paths of the Sun the Solstices: Uttarayana and Dakshinayana
• The Seasons original: "Ritu" — such as the winter/Shishira season
• The Great Eras original: "Yuga" — such as the Satya Yuga

Conversely, the Civil Measure counting a month as exactly 30 days from sunrise to sunrise is applied in cases of:

• Penances original: "Kricchra" and "Chandrayana" — specific types of dietary and spiritual austerities
• Impurity Periods original: "Sutaka" — the period of ritual pollution following a birth or death in the family
• Medical Treatments original: "Chikitsita" — prescribing the duration of a course of medicine
• Calculating the Daily Motion of Planets
• Payment of Wages or Daily Labor

By following these specific distinctions between Lunar, Solar, and Civil time, the "flaws of the day" are avoided, and the rites achieve their intended merit.