1,214
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 153:
Line 153: − + − Sharad Purnima: Sharad Purnima is celebrated on the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) of the lunar month of Ashwin masa of Sharada Rtu. This event is celebrated as the harvest festival and signifies the end of Monsoon Season. Sharad Purnima is also known as ‘Kumar Purnima’ or ‘Kojaagari Purnima’ and is celebrated with immense fervour and gaiety all across India. According to the Hindu beliefs, moon rays on the night of Sharad Purnima possess several curative properties. It is believed that the full mооn’s brightness brings joy, pleasure, and calmness on this day.+ − + − + + + − People gather on to the open spaces where moonlight will be abundant and direct.+ − Preparing rice kheer or thick sweetened milk mixed with nuts and leaving it in the moonlight for the entire night is the most important ritual of Sharad Purnima. After making an offering to God, the kheer is left preferably in a silver vessel under the moonlight for the entire night. The next day morning it is consumed and distributed as Prasad.+ − Ancient theories behind rituals+ − In ancient times, sages believed that when the moon is full of its 16 kalas, the moon’s rays on that night drip nectar and contain healing properties that are beneficial for the body and soul. Sharad Purnima is the only day in the year when the moon is full of its 16 kalas (phases). So on this night, the moon is believed to throw its beams showering elixir (amrit) on Earth, giving health, love and prosperity to people.+ − It is believed that on this full moon night, Goddess Lakshmi descends on Earth to watch the actions of human beings. She is believed to move around the orbit in the night sky asking Ko jaagarti? (Who is awake?), and to those who are awake, she gifts wealth and prosperity. That is why this night is also called ‘Kojagiri Purnima’. (Bhavan’s Journal, 31 October 2021 issue.,Bhavan’s Journal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai-400007. https://www.esamskriti.com/e/Culture/Festivals/About-Sharad-PURNIMA-1.aspx)+ − − Line 180:
Line 180: + + + + + + + + + +
Sharada Rutucharya (शरद ऋतुचर्या) (view source)
Revision as of 17:26, 16 September 2022
, 17:26, 16 September 2022→Sharat purnima /Kojagiri pournimi
Since the heat of the sunrays is extreme in the day and it is better to avoid it to prevent further aggravation of pitta dosha, celebration on open spaces under moon light is certainly beneficial to preserve health. However, the period recommended is that of Pradosha and not of midnight. <ref name=":2" />
Since the heat of the sunrays is extreme in the day and it is better to avoid it to prevent further aggravation of pitta dosha, celebration on open spaces under moon light is certainly beneficial to preserve health. However, the period recommended is that of Pradosha and not of midnight. <ref name=":2" />
=== Sharat purnima /Kojagiri pournimi ===
=== Sharada purnima / Kojagiri pournimi ===
Sharat /Sharad Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the lunar month of Ashwin masa of Sharada Rtu. This event is celebrated as the harvest festival and signifies the end of Monsoon Season. It is also known as 'Kaumudi purnima', ‘Kumara Purnima’ or ‘Kojaagari Purnima’ and is celebrated with immense zeal and cheerfulness all across India. According to the ancient Bharatiya shastras, moon rays on the night of Sharad Purnima possess several healing or curative properties. Its a full moon day and being the ruler of mind and emotions, the full moon’s brightness is believed to bring joy, pleasure, and calmness on this day. There are certain traditions and there are also set of theories and logics from shastras that support these particular methods of celebrations which will be discussed henceforth.
Customs and traditions
'''Customs and traditions'''
People observe fast throughout the day.
* People observe fast throughout the day.
* People gather on to the open spaces at night where moonlight will be abundant and direct.
* Preparing rice kheer or thick sweetened milk mixed with nuts and leaving it in the moonlight for the entire night is the most important ritual of Sharad Purnima. After making an offering to God, the kheer is left preferably in a silver vessel under the moonlight for the entire night. The next day morning it is consumed and distributed as Prasad.
'''Ancient theories behind rituals'''
It is believed that moon has 16 phases known as kalas in ancient Indian shastras. According to the lexicon, the term ''kalaa'' connotes a small part of any single part or portion of the whole. It also signifies a 16th part or 16th digit of the moon’s diameter and thus turns to be a symbol of part of the whole. While, the term 16 kalaas or digits connote “the sense of fullness , completeness, as the moon with 16 kalaas is representative of full completion and at the same time its 16 digits ranging from the no form to the form of fullness represent the totality in fullness of the circumference which bears similarity with the cosmos”. <ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/what-are-the-16-kalas-of-lord-krishna-things-you-need-to-know-on-janmashatami-2022/articleshow/93642598.cms</ref><ref>https://www.dailypioneer.com/2015/sunday-edition/lord-with-16-kalaas.html</ref> Sharad Purnima is the only day in the year when the moon is full of its 16 kalas (phases). Therefore it is the only day in the year which actually is a full moon day (with all 16 phases). So on this night, the moon is believed to throw its beams showering elixir (amrit) on Earth, giving health, love and prosperity to people. The moon’s rays on that night contain healing properties that are beneficial for the body and soul.
Hinduism believes that kala is a part of the human personality. More number of kalas in a human indicates that the person will have more qualities. If a person has 16 kalas, that creates a perfect person. Only Lord Krishna — the Hindu God — is considered to have all the 16 kalas.<ref>https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/sharad-purnima-2020-date-and-time-of-the-festival-to-worship-lord-chandra-3019982.html</ref> Therefore Krishna, this incarnation of lord Vishnu having all 16 kalas denotes that “being nearer to the completeness in every aspect of human periphery, he represents the avatara of superlative degree, a complete avatara of the almighty possessing 16 ''kalaas'' in the form of absolute spirit endowed with which he could manifest varied forms of his virtuous excellences”. While the concept of ''Kalaavatara'' in its basic concept represents the degree of power he possesses and which in turn symbolises the powers of the moon who too is held as super power incarnate.
Sharada or the entire dakshinayana actually is the time of feminine marked by the growth of crops, blossoming of flowers indicating recreation or regeneration (thus also known as harvest season or festival), the power of feminine or devi. As per a legend, it is believed that on this full moon night, Goddess Lakshmi descends on Earth to watch the actions of human beings. She is believed to move around the orbit in the night sky asking Ko jaagarti? (Who is awake?), and to those who are awake, she gifts wealth and prosperity. That is why this night is also called ‘Kojagiri Purnima’. And to receive the grace of Devi or Devine goddess people stay awake.<ref>Bhavan’s Journal, 31 October 2021 issue.,[https://www.esamskriti.com/e/Culture/Festivals/About-Sharad-PURNIMA-1.aspx Bhavan’s Journal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai]</ref>
'''Ayurveda's wisdom'''
Ayurveda's wisdom
Ayurveda acharyas have praised the the properties of moonrays in the Sharada rtu. They state that, staying in the moonlight at night or specifically during pradosha period is beneficial for preserving and promoting health in this season. Thus one should get deliberately exposed these healing rays.
Ayurveda acharyas have praised the the properties of moonrays in the Sharada rtu. They state that, staying in the moonlight at night or specifically during pradosha period is beneficial for preserving and promoting health in this season. Thus one should get deliberately exposed these healing rays.
=== Dashera ===
=== Dashera ===
* Vijayadashami: Vijayadashami is also popularly known as ‘Dussera’ and is one of the prime Hindu festivals. This day commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, the demon King. Vijayadashami is celebrated on the ‘Dashami’ (10th day) of the ‘Ashwin’ lunar month as per the traditional Hindu calendar. This day also culminates the grand Navratri celebrations in some parts of the country.
* Vijayadashami: Vijayadashami is also popularly known as ‘Dussera’ and is one of the prime Hindu festivals. This day commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, the demon King. Vijayadashami is celebrated on the ‘Dashami’ (10th day) of the ‘Ashwin’ lunar month as per the traditional Hindu calendar. This day also culminates the grand Navratri celebrations in some parts of the country.
* '''The tenth day of Navarathri in Sharad Ritu, Vijaya- Dashami is one among the three most auspicious days in our calendar. It is the most sought-after day for launching ones hopes and ventures. Vijaya-Dashami signifies rescue of Dharma from the creeping shadows of the unjust, instating the virtuous to their rightful position and the victory of good over evil. On this day, the Pandavas ended long years of their humiliating exile and incognito; the friendless brothers found an ally in Virata and celebrated it with the bonding of young Abhimanyu and Uttara. On this day, Sri Rama with his consort was enthroned in Ayodhya on return from years of exile and vanquishing the demon king Ravana. It was on this day the Goddess Durga mata destroyed horde of evil forces, restored light and hope in the hearts of the virtuous. It is a day of victory and rejoices.'''<ref>[https://sreenivasaraos.com/2012/09/20/sharad-ritu-season-of-tender-beauty-grace-and-celebrations-2/ Sharad Ritu] – season of tender beauty, grace and celebrations </ref>
Significance of Sharada rtu for its inclusion in wishes and blessings for long life
'''Our seers visualized a life worth- living as spans of Sharad Ritu; not merely, because it is the most enjoyable season but also because it suggests an interpretation and a sense of balance that life should have. That perhaps was the reason our ancients measured meaningful life spans as representations of Sharad Ritu. A young person on threshold of life greets his beloved at the time of wedding “Oh! The auspicious one, the cause of my life, may we live to see a hundred Sharad seasons (''subhage, tvamjeeva sharadahshhatam'')”.'''
'''The Vedic aspirations of living a long, rich and purposeful life are expressed as enjoyment of life as in Sharad Ritu.'''
'''''Paśyema śaradaḥ śataṁ| jīvema śaradaḥ śataṁ| budhyema śaradaḥ śataṁ| rohema śaradaḥ śataṁ | pūṣema śaradaḥ śataṁ| bhavema śaradaḥ śatam |'' ''bhūsema śaradaḥ śataṁ|''''' '''''bhūyasīḥ śaradaḥ śatam''' '''|''' (AVŚ_19,67.1-8'')
'''May we see a hundred ''Sharad Ritus''. May we live a hundred ''Sharad Ritus''. May we be wakeful in a hundred ''Sharad Ritus''. May we ascend through a hundred ''Sharad Ritus''. May we enjoy prosperous hundred ''Sharad Ritus''. May we adorn a hundred ''Sharad Ritus'' .May we live more than a hundred invincible ''Sharad Ritus.'''''
== References ==
== References ==
[[Category:Ayurveda]]
[[Category:Ayurveda]]