This is an article series. Please read all previous articles before reading this article. The URLs for all previous articles are located in the SPECIAL THOUGHTS section.
Previously, we learnt to use the “Drik Panchaanga” online portal to lookup the Tithi for the current day and current location along with a few other useful parameters, all available to us on-line.
Tithi pertains to the Moon. The Devata associated with the Moon is Chandra. And Chandra has Abhimaana on our mind. All the Jnyaanendriya-s and Karmendriya-s are connected with the Mind. While these Indriya-s are external to the Mind, there are six enemies about, and are internal to, the Mind. These internal enemies are: Kaama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsara. Vrata is an austerity observed for a short period of time with a hope that the aforesaid internal enemies of the Mind experience some dilution. Therefore, it is essential to elaborate on each of these internal enemies and their interrelations.
Shree Krishna has stated in Bhagavad-Geeta, Chapter 2, Verse 62:
dhyaayato vishayaan pumsah sangah teshoopajaayate |
sangaat sanjaayate kaamah kaamaat krodhobhijaayate ||
Many translations and explanations are available for Bhagavad Gita on the internet and I encourage you to look it up. However, what I like to focus on these words:
Kaama: Most people translate the word “Kaama” as “desire”. But, based on what I was taught and based on the essence of the verse above, the word “Kaama” refers to a “Very strong fixation to a certain desire or tendency”. The fixation is so strong that it is almost like an addiction. It should also be noted that the word “vishaya” has been used in the above verse, which refers to something coming from outside into the mind through one of the 5 sensory organs OR something like certain incidents or tendencies that the mind has got fixated on.
Krodha: When Kaama is not fulfilled, it leads to Krodha (anger). The stronger the fixation/addiction to a certain desire, higher are the chances of anger erupting when that particular desire is not met.
Lobha: When the desire is met, it leads to hoarding of materialistic things and a sense of possession when it comes to spouse, children, relatives, friends and subordinates. Lobha leads the mind to a whirlpool-like state where the mind is constantly fixated on maintaining what has been hoarded/possessed. It erupts in anger upon the slightest loss of what’s been hoarded or the slightest loss of a sense of control over whoever the mind is possessive about.
Moha: My take on the word “Moha” is that the syllable “Mo” denotes “Moksha” and the syllable “Ha” denotes something that kills. Thus, the word “Moha” means anything that kills/ruins a Jeevaatma’s journey towards “Moksha”. In general, lack of focus on the Creator (Paramaatma) and obsession with anything/everything that the Creator has created (Prapancha) can be referred to as “Moha”. The insentient primordial nature (Jada Prakruti) manifests in various unique and wonderful forms/ways through Paramaatma, The Creator. Similarly, the Jeevaatma too manifests to its full potential through Paramaatma, the Creator. No manifestation or change or movement of the insentient is possible without the involvement of a sentient. Especially, the sentient that causes the creation of something as vast, unique and wonderful as this universe is the ultimate/infinite sentient referred to as Paramaatma. But when a mind focuses more on the wonders of the “Created” while completely ignoring the “Creator”, then that is what can be referred to as “Moha”.
Mada: Moha leads to Kaama. When Kaama is fulfilled, it leads to Lobha. And Lobha (hoarded materialistic wealth or sense of possession over family, relatives, friends, and subordinates) leads to a false sense of superiority, gloating and bragging. This is referred to as “Mada”. The syllable “Ma” refers to “I”, the self and the syllable “da” refers to “giving”. Thus, “Mada” refers to a sense that “I” am the giver or possessor of all things “I” claim ownership of while completely ignoring that everything in the created universe really belongs to its Creator i.e., Paramaatma.
Matsara: Many people translate the word “Matsara” as jealousy. But scholars disagree. The actual Sanskrit word for jealousy is “asooyaa”. The word “sara” refers to sliding. The Sanskrit word “Reptile” is “Sareesrupa” which refers to something which slides. Thinking along the same lines, “Matsara” refers to a sense of competition, a sense of preventing others from sliding past and getting ahead. This sense of competition may actually be a good thing among equals. But we often make the mistake of considering those who are not really equal to us as our equals. We’ve all heard the saying “Pick someone your own size to fight with”, haven’t we? Thus, a sense of competition with those who are superior to us is when “Matsara” becomes dangerous and harmful.
The aforesaid internal enemies are referred to as “Ari Shad-Varga” in Sanskrit. “Ari” means enemy; “Shad” means six. In Bhagavad-Gita, Shree Krishna states that Kaama and Krodha originate from “Rajo Guna”. These are default traits of Rajo Guna that cloud the mind. Dilution of the above does not happen by default. It requires a lot of sustained effort over the entire lifetime of a spiritual seeker. This is the reason why our ancestors, who followed the eternal Vedic way of life, prescribed many Vratas. They found spiritual benefits in following them. Panchaanga gives us the details of the start and end time of various Tithi-s and various Vrata-s to be observed on specific Tithi-s. There are many Vrata-s to be observed on specific Tithi-s, and Drik Panchaanga gives us the details of the start and end time of various Tithi-s as applicable to any location on earth. For example, Swarna Gauri Vrata is observed on Truteeyaa Tithi; Sankashti Vrata is observed on Chaturthi, Pradosha Vrata is observed on Trayodashi, and so on.
The general rule is that each Vrata usually has a specific Pooja, some Daana (offerings to the deserving and/or needy), and some dietary restriction. Simplest dietary restriction usually involves the avoidance of grains. The general dietary restriction recommended to bring the mind to a Saatvik state usually involves limiting to fruits and milk. More strictly, complete avoidance of solid food or, even more strictly, no food or water for the duration of the Vrata is recommended.
As has been mentioned previously, we all need to keep earning punya. Punya is like the money we deposit in the bank account. Bhaagya (which is basically all the good things you have right now) is like the money we withdraw from the ATM. If the money in your account runs out, then no money can be drawn from the ATM. Similarly, if you run out of Punya, then there won’t be any Bhaagya. Observing these Vrata-s and some specific pooja Karma-s on specific days at specific times yields immense Punya. For example’s sake, let’s say a certain Vrata observed on a specific day is said to earn like a 1000 units of Punya. If one does not observe the recommended Vrata on that day, then it is his/her loss. So, the “Punya” account was not replenished. When one continues to ignore Vrata-s, all Punya accumulated in the past keeps getting encashed as Bhaagya until the “Punya” bank runs dry. And then one will see unfortunate things starting to happen. That is when most people turn to God and start coming to temples more regularly, seeking “Good Luck”.
Getting back to the topic of Vrata-s, even though many Vrata-s are said to earn a seeker thousands of units of Punya, there are some specific Tithi-s and Vrata-s that are said to earn a seeker millions of units of Punya. We have already looked at the Punya Kaala and Mahaa Punya Kaala during Sankramana. Let go over a few others:
- Chandra Grahana
As explained previously, Chandra is the Devata associated with the Moon and is the Abhimaani Devata for our Mind. Chandra is said to have originated during Samudra Mathana, and all good things that originated during Samudra Mathana are said to contain Amruta. Perhaps this is why Chandra’s reflected light is said to be essential for the growth of all vegetation. Chandra also denotes our Guru i.e., our spiritual mentor. Bhoomi i.e., the Earth, is where we live. Here is where we do all our Karma. So, this is our Karma Bhoomi in general. And we also have our specific Karma Bhoomis, which will be our place of employment, our places of Pooja/worship, and wherever else we do our Niyata Karma.
So, when Bhoomi eclipses Chandra, the first thing that’s affected is the Amruta Dhaara that we receive from Chandra. It is also like our Niyata Karma casting a shadow on our own Spiritual Mentor there by preventing Paramaatma’s Anugraha on our Guru. Chandra Grahana happens only on Poornima (full moon day), which is when we are to receive full Amruta Dhaara and Guru Anugraha. Thus, eclipse becomes an inauspicious time if one does not care to take some corrective actions. Perhaps for this reason, it has been recommended that spiritual seekers split the during of Chandra Grahana into 4 parts and do the following:
- Gaayatri Mantra Japa and Ashtaakshari Mantra Japa
- Vishnu Sahasra Naama Paaraayana
- Pitru Tarpana Karma (to be done only by those who have lost a parent)
- Daana. This would have been complicated in the past. But today, we can make financial contributions to good causes online.
- Soorya Grahana
Soorya represents Paramaatma, and Chandra represents our spiritual mentor. Soorya is the only source of all our energy. When Chandra eclipses Soorya, then what gets blocked is that spiritual energy. Chandra blocking Soorya is not the same as the clouds blocking Soorya. Clouds never completely block the Sun’s energy. They only reduce the intensity of the energy reaching the earth, as diffused light does get through the clouds down to the earth. But on the day of a total solar eclipse, Chandra blocks the energy from the Sun almost completely.
Knowingly or unknowingly, we all will have done some or many things disrespectful and/or insulting to Paramaatma or the Devata-s. There is a saying in our way of life that if a spiritual seeker has done disrespectful things towards Paramaatma or Devata-s, then his/her Guru will intervene, apologize on behalf of his/her disciple and seek pardon. Therefore, my take on this is that Soorya Grahana is that time when our Guru is apologizing to Paramaatma on our behalf and seeking pardon for his disciples. Naturally, all disciples ought to join their respective Guru as he takes on this arduous task of bearing the brunt of intense energy from Soorya all alone.
As in case of Chandra Grahana, Gaayatri and Ashtaakshari Mantra Japa, Vishnu Sahasra Naama Stotra Paaraayana, Pitru Tarpana and Daana are recommended.
- Ratha Saptami
Maagha Maasa Shukla Paksha Saptami Tithi is called Ratha Saptami, also referred to as Soorya Jayanti. It marks the symbolic birthday of Soorya and is considered as auspicious as Soorya Grahana. Yet, the restrictions applicable to Soorya Grahana are not there on Ratha Saptami. For example, no Pooja or Homa/Havan is performed during Soorya Grahana. It is advised not to venture outside during Soorya Grahana. No Anna Daana is done during Soorya Grahana. But no such restrictions are there for Ratha Saptami. So, all such events can be planned and conducted on the day of Ratha Saptami.
In general, any Punya Karma that might earn a single unit of Punya will earn 1 Crore units of Punya if performed during Granaha or on Ratha Saptami. I had actually scheduled blood platelets donation this year on Ratha Saptami day. But unfortunately, I couldn’t donate because of high pulse rate during pre-donation health screening. I was very disappointed because each donation is equivalent of 3 people a 2nd chance to live. But when done on Ratha Saptami, it would be equivalent of giving 3 Crore people a second chance to live.
Anyways, the point to note is that no opportunity to earn Punya should ever be squandered, especially events such as the two Grahana-s, Ratha Saptami and so on.
We all remember appearing in exams where the correct answer fetches 10 points, and wrong answer fetched 0. Many of the Vrata-s, Homa-s and Punya Kaala-s are just that. Meaning, if we observe the Vrata, then we earn a great deal of Punya. But not observing the Vrata, doing Homa, chanting or doing Japa would mean somewhat like Punya earnt is 0.
However, there is another important point to note here. It is best said with an example. We remember appearing in exams where the correct answer fetched 10 points, and the wrong answer took away 10 points. So, we have to be very careful answering questions in such exams. Likewise, there are 3 vratas which are absolutely mandatory. These vratas are like the highest Punya grossers among all other Vratas. The Punya earned is far far higher compared to all the Vratas. Worse yet, the consequences of not observing these mandatory Vrata is also extremely severe.
We shall get to these mandatory Vrata-s next week.
