JYOTHISHI

Pradhosha

Pradhosha Pooja is one of the most important poojas performed to the  Lord Shiva. In Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha the evening of the Trayodashi (thirteenth moon day) between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. is called Pradhosha. Pradhosha time is especially meant for praying to Lord Shiva. Praying during that time will free us from our sins and gives us Moksha finally (hence the name Pradhosha). During Pradhosha time a special type of circumambulating called Soma Sutrapradakshinam is done.

Pradhosha Purana:

When Devas and Asuras were trying to get Amrutha (nectar) from the Ksheerabthi (Ocean Milk) using the serpent ‘Vasuki’ and the hill ‘Mandhara’, the terrible poison ‘Halahala’ came up. Every one got frightened and pleaded to Lord Shiva to rescue them. Lord Shiva consumed the poison and ordered Devas and Asuras to continue to churn the ocean. They resumed their effort and got ‘Amrutha’ on Dwadhashi (twelfth moon day). Without praying and thanking the God, Devas started dancing and celebrating their victory.

On Trayodashi (thirteenth moon day) they realized their sin of not praying to the God and pleaded for his forgiveness. Lord Shiva forgave them and danced between the horns of the Nandi (holy bull). That time is called Pradhosha. Whoever prays to Lord Shiva during that time, Lord Shiva fulfills their wishes and gives them’ Mukthi’

When Pradhosha falls on a Saturday then, it is called Mahapradosha or Shani Pradhosha

Jaya Ekadashi – 14 Feb 2011

( Courtesy – Mr MS Hebbar)

Haripada Punya Kala: The Day for Prosperity and Happiness –   February 13th

Haripada Punya Kala: The Day of Vishnu’s Benevolence

Haripada Punya Kala is the day when Lord Vishnu performed miracles for the universe and is also the day when Vishnu’s infinite compassion flows freer than usual. Lord Vishnu is the maintainer of life and the entire cosmic creation and accessing Vishnu on this powerful day will bless you with Prosperity and Happiness.

February 13th is Double Vishnu Time!

Haripada Punya Kala is always marked by the Sun’s transit into a fixed sign. The Sun enters the sign of Aquarius on February 13th – this transit is what makes it a ‘Double Vishnu’ time is that this transit occurs on the same day as Ekadasi or the 11th Moon, which is another very good time to access Vishnu’s energy and to worship Him.

More about this unique Haripada Punya Kala Transit

• Sun, the lord of the natural 5th house, enters Aquarius, which is the 11th house means that this placement will bring about eternal joy and material prosperity.
• The Sun gives a 7th house aspect to its own sign Leo which means that this placement will bring about happiness within the family.
Other planetary placements that add significance for open access to the energy and blessings of Vishnu: Ketu will be in Gemini, Saturn in Virgo, all other planets except for Moon are in between Sagittarius and Pisces in a row, Sun in between an exalted Mars and Jupiter in its own sign of Pisces adds greater strength to the Sun’s position.

Haripada Punya Kala occurs only 4 times per year when the Sun enters a ‘fixed’ sign. Interestingly, according to Vedic time cycle, each Haripada Punya Kala has a unique celestial configuration which repeats every 60 years. Each unique celestial configuration lends itself for a specific benefit to

Rathasapthami

 Ratha Saptami or Rathasapthami (Sanskrit: रथसप्तमी, Kannada: ರಥಸಪ್ಥಮಿ) or Magha Sapthami is a Hindu festival that falls on the seventh day (Sapthami) in the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month Maagha. It marks the seventh day following the Sun’s northerly movement (Uttarayana) of vernal equinox starting from Capricorn (Makara). It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha (Chariot) drawn by seven horses (representing seven colours) towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easterly direction. It also marks the birth of Surya and hence celebrated as Surya Jayanthi (the Sun-god’s birthday).
Rathasapthami is symbolic of the change of season to spring and the start of the harvesting season. For most Indian farmers, it is an auspicious beginning of the New Year. The festival is observed by all Hindus in their houses and in innumerable temples dedicated to Surya, across India.

Religious significance

Rathasapthami marks the seventh day following the Sun’s northerly movement (Uttarayana) of vernal equinox starting from Capricorn (Makara). It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha (Chariot) drawn by seven horses, with Aruna as the charioteer, towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easterly direction. The symbolic significance of the Ratha and the seven horses reigned to it is that it represents the seven colours of the rainbow. The seven horses are also said to represent the seven days of a week starting with Sunday, the day of Sun god Surya. The Rathasapthami festival seeks the benevolent cosmic spread of energy and light from the Sun God.
Rathasapthami also marks the gradual increase in temperature across South India and awaits the arrival of spring, which is later heralded by the festival of Ugadi or the Hindu lunar New Year day in the month of Chaitra.

Religious observances

God Vishnu in his form as Surya (the Sun-God) is usually worshipped on this day. Usually, Rathasapthami begins in households with a purification bath (bathing is also done in a river or sea) by holding several Ekka (Calotropis Gigantea) leaves on their head while bathing and chanting a verse which is supposed to invoke the benevolence of the Lord in all that one indulges in during the rest of the year. Its use during the ritualistic ceremonious bath involves placement of seven leaves – one on the head, two on the shoulders, two on the knees and two on the feet.

The following mantra on Sun god is chanted while taking the bath.
“Saptha Saptha Maha Saptha|
Saptha Dweepa Vasundara|
Sapth Arka Parna Madaya|
Sapthamyam Snana Machareth||”

By following this simple ritual people believe that the Lord will bless them with success for all their endeavors in the coming year.

Argyam or (Tharpanam) (water held in the palms) is offered to the Sun God on this day while chanting hymns are performed to the Sun God. It also involves doing a Pooja with the ritual Naivedhya (food offering to God), and offering of flowers and fruits. Important prayers offered to the Sun god on this occasion are the Adityahridayam, Gayathri, Suryashtakam, Surya Sahasram namam. The preferred time for the pooja is within one hour after sunrise. In places like Mysore and Melkote, ceremonial processions carry the Surya Mandala – the icon of Surya.

The food grain associated with Surya/Sun god is the wholesome Wheat, so on this day Godi/Wheat Payasa or Avalakki/Beaten Rice Payasa/Pudding is prepared and the Payasa is allowed to overflow the pan in which it is being cooked. Perform Pooja and offer fruits and payasa to the god.