What is Yuga:di? Why do we celebrate Yuga:di?

04-10-2005, 10:18 AM

JAI SRIMANNARAYANA

WISH YOU ALL HAPPY YUGADI !

1. What is Yuga:di ?

A. Time is one of the auspicious forms of Lord Narayana according to Veda.
Yuga + A:di becomes Yuga:di. It means the beginning of a new era. According
to Vedic system, a new time period starts from this Yuga:di day.
All the stars that can be observed
by human beings from anywhere round this Earth, spread all over the sky are
divided into 27 groups called Nakshathras. That is, the whole of sky visible
to humanbeings from round the Earth is divided into 27 parts. All these parts
are fixed in their positions. Each segment is given a name, in general, called
Nakshathram. Moon will be in the area of one of the Nakshathras for few hours
(nearly a day). Vedic Rishis who realised this wonderful arrangement, have
found out that each Nakshathram was referred to by these Vedic hymns with
perfectly suitable names. When it is full Moon day on Chiththa Nakshathram,
then the month is called Chaithra Month. Similarly when the Visakha
Nakshathram is on Full Moon day then it is called Vaisakha Month. Like that 12
months will make one year. In every month, 15 days before Full Moon is called
Sukla Paksham and 15 days after is called Krushna
Paksham.
This is the day, upon the request of
four headed Bramha, Lord Narayana came down from Pa:lakadali (Milk Ocean) as
Lord Ranganatha (who is now in Srirangam) onto this Earth. This is the first
Archa:vatha:ram (deity form) descended on this Earth. This day is hence Lord
Rangana:ttha:'s birth day. The day when Lord came onto this Earth is marked the
auspicious beginning of the era, the new year.

2. Why do we celebrate Yuga:di ?

A. To mark the auspicious occasion of Lord's descendance onto this Earth,
people celebrate Yuga:di. From this day, the whole Nature changes its colour.
Nature serves Lord by commencing its new cycle of seasons from this day.
Lord, just out of Love and unconditional mercy, to save the bound souls, came
down to Earth in Archa form. Realised sages and great rishis who
understood this, ear marked this great occasion and thus everyone
celebrate Yuga:di. Lord Rama, Ideal Man, was born on 9th day after this
Yugadi. Sri Rama's marriage with Sitha was also performed on this 9th day from
Yugadi only.

3. How do we celebrate Yuga:di ?

A. On Yuga:di day people celebrate the occasion by performing the following:
Mainly, People take full shower, wear new clothes, offer prayers to God, eat a
simple special preparation that has all 6 tastes, thus sharing the joy
along with all the family members, relatives and friends. People listen to
Pancha:ngam from the devoted Purohits who prepare traditional calenders.
Basing on the broad consensus of the results of the Pancha:ngam of coming year,
people plan their major undertakings and other activities. Students /
disciples honour their Teachers and Gurus with their best offerings and take
their blessings. People offer Puja to cows, big trees etc. Farmers sow the
seeds in a specially prepared area to test the strength of their seeds and the
fertility of their lands. Artists give performances, inaugurating their
gratitude towards God and His subjects. Scholars were invited to participate
in scholastic discussions and discourses on
Vedas, Puranas, Ithihasas, Sasthras etc. Poetic convocations (Kavi
Sammelans) and Brilliant literary feats ( Avadhanas ) will be conducted on the
occasion. This occasion marks a great significance for performances and fresh
starts of native cultural activities. All these are group activities that
enhance mutual relationship, moral standards and improve harmony among people in
the society.
People in traditional families chant Sri Ramayana
from this day and understand the subteleties of one's duty and purpose of
living to lead an ideal life.

4. What is Pancha:nga Sravanam ?

A. There are five prime attributes of time, Titthi ( Time based on Moon's
phase), Va:ra (Time based on planet's influence) , Nakshathra (Time based on
specific Nakshathra under influence, Yo:ga (Time based on different
conjunctions) and Karana (Time based on several predetermined constants).
Basing on these attributes and the Planets' nature of influence, a broad
forecast is made regarding major factors of environmental changes, rains,
growth of different grains, profits and losses of different stocks, occurance
of solar or lunar eclipses etc.. in the near future. Great Scholars who know
the science of planets and nakshathras will calculate different factors based
on Vedic principles. It's customary for people to listen to the revealings of
those scholars with Divine Motive and thus plan their future with a
pre-emptive preparedness and caution in rendering their services to Lord through
their regular duties and other projects. Thus Pancha:nga Sravanam (
listening to the Pancha:ngam ) is considered an auspicious act by people
which inspires and assures the noble mission of planned achievements in the
coming year.

It's like assessing the environment, pitch and
the ground, before players enter the ground, owing to many influencing factors
and constants.

The Pancha:nga karthas calculate eclipses
exactly just using the principles of Vedic Mathematics ! The calculations
of scientists and their heavy equipment may fail at times ! But the
calculations of an authentic scholar of Vedic tradition who just calculates in
his room just on a paper using the facts given in Sasthras, observing the
movements of Sun, Moon, requires no equipment or formulae or data of today's
modern science !! What a great science it is ? Instead of appreciating it and
knowing the greatness of our Vedic science, some pseudo rationalists started
questioning the Pancha:ngam.

Note: Panchangam and Jyothisham share common science of our Sasthras,
Puranas. They are not meant to be interpreted for selfish benefits. No
science is bad. It depends on how the science is used. No technology is bad,
it depends on how it is used. Isn't it? It's not the technology and science
that need to be questioned, but, its practical usage and implementation aspect
that needs to be guarded.

However, these days, as many people who claim
themselves scholars, posing much in media with good make up, clad in Vedic
attire, though they by themselves never follow basic Vedic principles either
in their conduct or in their attitude, started to poke their nose into this
sacred science, started to take advantage of weaknesses of people. When such
misleading people hold big positions in society or have strong political/
financial backup started using this pancha:ngam solely for more and more
profitable business, the sanctity of this science was ruined and unfortunately
common man was misled who started doubting the very science which is still
practical and proven.

5. What is Nimbakusuma Bhakshanam ?

A. In every home, they prepare a nice mixture using fresh sugarcane pieces,
neem flowers, tamarind fruits, new mango pieces, jaggery, banana pieces, few
green chillies, little ginger, salt, cardomom, elaichi .... taken all
afresh, natural and unprocessed. Of course, they are all mixed in judicial
proportions to make the mixture reflect all the tastes. This will have all 6
tastes of sweet, hot, sour, bitter, salt, acrid.

It appears that it is meant to remind us that life is a mixture
of all the tastes and experiences. One should be able to face them all and
handle the situations smartly and successfully in progressing towards the goal
of life.

This mixture is called Nimbakusuma Bhakshanam. Eating this
mixture is also Nimbakusuma Bhakshanam. The major content is fresh neem flowers
called Nimbakusuma. Bhakshanam means a dish. Bhakshanam also means eating.

Wishing you all a happy Yuga:di.

Jai Srimannarayana!