Thursday, April 7, 2016

815. Happy Yugadi to one and all…..!



The word Yugadi is a union of two Sanskrit words “Yuga” (Year) and “Adi” (Beginning) Yugasya adi = yugadi, (Beginning of the year). It is the starting day of Kaliyuga.

Kaliyuga began on Feb 20, midnight 3102 BC on the day when Sri Krishna ended his avatara of which was for the Dusta Jana Bhanjana (Annihilation of Evil Individuals) and Shista Jana Paripalana (Protection of the Good Individuals) at Prabhas.

Yugadi as per Kaliyuga starts from Chaitra Shudda Paadya (Vasanta Ritu) “Samvatsara” means Varsha, i.e., year.  As per Hindu tradition, there are 60 Samvatsaras, each has different names. This Samvatsara is Sri Durmukhi Nama Samvatsara. This Sri Durmukhi Nama Samvatsara is the 5117 th year of Kaliyuga.  

On this day a Sanathani gets up at Arunodaya Kala. Aruna who is the elder brother of Garuda is the charioteer of Sun. Before the sunrays it is the rays of Aruna which is crimson red which appear on the sky this is Arunodaya.  

Thaila Abhyanjana is advised on this day. There is a lot of significance given to head massage with with Sesame oil before bath to get relief from stress and strain.

Nimbakusuma Bhakshana is another most important ritual of this day. Nimba means Neem and Kusuma means flower. Tradition is that on this day people eat a pickle (sauce) made with a combination of six ingredients that gives six different tastes. The ingredients are Neem flowers, Raw mango, Jaggery, Tamarind, Chillies, and Salt. It is popularly called as Yugadi Pachhadi in Telugu.

It is a mixture of six different tastes viz. bitter (Neem), sweet (Jaggery), sour (Tamarind) salty (Salt), hot/spicy (Chillies/Pepper), and tang (Raw Mango). The philosophy in eating this sauce with six tastes is to say that life is not a bed of roses it is a mixture of sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise which has to be accepted together with equanimity. 

There is also a scientific health message involved in eating this. Neem is good for diabetes, skin diseases, and acts as a blood purifier and anti-oxidant. Jaggery helps in increasing the haemoglobin content of blood that help in curing iron deficiency, Tamarind fights against vitamin C deficiency, raw Mango prevent diarrhoea and heat stroke, Salt gives energy, Chillies helps build immune defence system and Pepper is an excellent source of manganese, a very good source of iron and vitamin K, and a good source of dietary fibre. 

Panchanga Sravana is another important practice. Panchanga means an almanac that contains the astronomical/astrological daily details mainly related to Thithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karna and Vara are called as Pancha Angas (five limbs or five elements) that helps forecasts for eclipses, weather, monsoon, transit of planets etc. Tithi is Ending Moment (EM) of elongation of the Moon, the lunar day, the angular relationship between Sun and Moon (Apparent Moon minus Apparent Sun). One Tithi equals 12 degree difference between Moon and Sun. Nakshatra is Ending Moment of asterism of the day, that is, the stellar mansion in which Moon is located for an observer at the centre of the Earth. One Nakshatra equals 13 degrees and 20 minutes. There are 27 Nakshatra in 360 degrees. Yoga is the Ending Moment of the angular relationship between Sun and Moon (Apparent Moon plus Apparent Sun). One Yoga equals 13 degrees and 20 minutes. There are 27 Yogas in 360 degrees. Karana is Ending Moment of half of a Tithi. One Karaṇa equals 6 degree difference between Moon and Sun. Vara is the weekday the seven weekdays.

And finally the most virtuous is the Prapadana. Offering water starting from this day for 4 months (Summer) is said to be needy for the people to quench their thirst.

Our customs and traditions are so very scientific. It is very interesting to know about it and follow them…..What say???


May this Sri Durmukhi Nama Samvatsara bring you all peace and tranquillity.    

No comments:

Post a Comment