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.
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