Significance of Dhanur MAsa

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Dhanur Masa – Dhanurmasa DHANOOR MASA Dhanur Maasa's special Dharma ( in brief)

Dhanur Mas, or Dhanurmasa, is an important period in traditional Hindu calendar.

The month is known as Dhanur Maas as the sun transits through the Dhanur Rashi (Sagitarius) and the period ends with the Makar Sankranti.(Normally on the Bhogi habba Day)

 

In some regions the first day of Dhanur Maas is known as Dhanur Sankranti.

 

In 2009, Dhanur Masa begins on December 16 and ends on January 13, 2010.

Dhanur masa is also known as Marghazhi month in Tamil Nadu. The period is highly auspicious for Vishnu devotees.

 

2 hours before Sun rise, periods is called “Ushah Kala”

 

One must take bath, finish Ahneeka, perform Devara pooja etc.

 

Scriptures recommend Dhanur Masa Pooja for prosperity., longevity and above all to be born again and again as a Vaishnavite. Must prepare Huggi and do naivendya to the Lord In this month, preference to be given to POOJA only and not Bhojana-

 

Best: 1 part rice: 2 parts Moong Dhal(Hesaru Bele= Paitham Parapu-Moong Dhaal); Better: 1 rice: 1 Moong DhalMiddle: 1 rice: 1/2 Moong dhalBad: 1 rice: 1/4 Moong dhal.

Perform Lakshmi stotra:

 

Sri Devi PrathamaM naama dwiteeyamamrutOdbhavaa!

truteeyaM kamala PrOktA ChaturthaM Loka sundaree!!

Panchamam ViShNupatneeti ShastyaM Sri VaisHnaveeti chi!

saptamaM tu VarArOhaa AshTamaM HarivallabhA!

NavamaM ShrGhaNi PrOktrA DashamaM Deva DevikA!

EkadashaM MahAlakshMi DwaadashaM LOkasundari!

Sri PadmA KamaLa MukuNda mahishi Lakshmi Stree LOkEshwari!

Maa Ksheeraabdi sutaa Aravinda Jananee vidyaa SarOjaatmikA!

Sarvaa AbheeShTa phala PradaEti satataM nAmAni YO dwaadasha

praataH Shuddha tarA paThaMti satataM sarvAn LabhaMte shubhAn!!

Bhadra LakshmistavaM nityaM puNyamEtAchchubhaavahaM

taulE sntwApi karvEyaaraM japEt Sri VRukSha SannidhaU!

When stars are visible doing Pooja is Best. After stars are invisible it is Madhyama. After sunrise,performing pooja is not conducive.

(Courtesy. Uttardi Mutt.org)

General:

It must be noted here that in Tamil Nadu, Margazhi month, which is also known as Dhanurmasam, begins on December 16 and ends on January 13, 2010.

Dhanur Mas is not an independent month in any Hindu calendar. It begins in the middle of Margashirsh month in Gujarati and Marathi calendar. In North Indian, calendar it begins during the Krishna Paksha of Poush month. Dhanur Mas is therefore the period the sun shifts from the Dhanur rashi to Makar Sankranti.

The Ekadasi falling during this period is considered highly auspicious 28th Decr 2009.. In South India, especially the Vaikunta Ekadasi which falls during the waning phase of the moon in Dhanur Mas attracts thousands of devotees.

Temples conduct special pujas during the period. In some regions, the period is only considered apt for offering prayers and pujas.

The period when the sun starts moving northward from the Topic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer is called uttaraayaNa. The opposite period when the sun moves southward is called dakshiNaayaNa. According to our shAstras, one human year corresponds to one day for the celestials; uttaraayaNa is their daytime and dakshiNaayaNa the night. This “night” begins with AshADha shukla EkAdashi (the eleventh day in the bright half of the lunar month of AshADha).

Once, on the eve of dakshiNaayaNa, the celestials assembled on the peaks of Mountain Meru and prayed to the Upendra form of Lord ViShNu. When the Lord arrived, the celestials told Him that their “night” was approaching and sought His permission to go to their respective abodes. Then Ratri devi, the patron deity of night and dakshiNaayaNa, took on the form of a beautiful damsel and prostrated before the Lord. She pleaded with Him as follows “Lord, everybody views dakshiNaayaNa as a bad time. Nobody performs any good deeds in that period. I am universally reviled. I will undertake penance to obtain your grace. If I do not achieve my goal, I will commit suicide and end this life of infamy”. The assembled celestials concurred and pleaded her case before the Lord. The merciful Lord took pity on her and blessed her as follows, “Ratri devi, your duration consists of 3 seasons of 2 months each.

Out of these, the first two seasons shall be deemed to dear to me. Within these 2 seasons consisting of four months, there shall be a hierarchy in which kArtIka shall be the dearest, followed by AshvIja, BhAdrapada and finally shrAvana.

All pious and meritorious acts performed in these four months shall yield immense benefits. Due to this, people will now look forward to this time of the year, thus removing the stigma attached to you”.

From then on, these fours months became special in the Hindu calendar.

The last portion of the night i.e., the one-and-half hours before sunrise, has been given a very special status by our shAstras. They decree that this is the best time for humans to wake up and start performing their prescribed religious activities like sandhyavandane, chanting of mantras etc. The beginning of this period is called ‘brAhmi mUhurta’. The same injunctions hold true for the nighttime of the celestials also. Here, their special time starts with MargashIrsha shukla EkAdashi (the eleventh day in the bright half of the lunar month of Margashira) and extends upto the end of dakshiNaayaNa.

This period is called ‘dhanur maasa’ and roughly corresponds to the time when the Sun transits the zodiac sign of Dhanus or Sagittarius. It is said that the celestials wake up at this time and perform special prayers to the Lord. Our shAstras decree that during dhanur maasa, humans too should wake up at the brAhmI muhurta and perform pUja to the Lord.

People failing to do so will be cursed with leprosy and dire poverty for 7 lives while those following these injunctions will be specially blessed with health, wealth, happiness and the good fortune of being a pious VaishNavite in all seven lives. It should be remembered that puja to the Lord should be performed every single day during the dhanur maasa.

People should attempt to complete the puja to the Lord before sunrise. All other activities like sandhya vandane, tarpaNa to Rishis, celestials and ancestors that one performs as part of the puja routine should be taken up after the puja has been completed. Timing is so critical that the shastras rate the quality of the puja based on when it completes. Puja that finishes when the stars are still twinkling is deemed to be the highest quality. Puja that finishes after the stars have vanished, but before sunrise, is deemed to be medium, whereas puja that finishes after sunrise is inferior. Puja performed in the afternoon is practically useless.

 

“Smruti muktAvaLi” the reference work and authority for rituals says

 

“yathaa sankOchya satkarma bhunktElpa dvaadashIdinE |

tathaa praatardhanurmaasE kRutvaa karmaarchayEchCha maam “

 

meaning that just as one curtails rituals on a saadhana dvaadashi so as to be able to partake the meal within the prescribed time, one should curtail rituals during dhanur maasa so as to finish the puja before sunrise. However, there is one important difference.

 

During saadhana dvaadashi the emphasis is on completing the puja and the meal on time, whereas here it is only on finishing the puja before sunrise and not the meal.

 

One of the highlights of the dhanur maasa puja is the special offering of mudganna (called as Huggi or pongal in south indian languages) as naivedya to the Lord.

This dish uses Greengram (Moong daal or hesaru beLe) and rice as the primary ingredients.

ShAstras rate the naivedya based on the proportion of Green gram to rice in the mudganna.

Again the Ratio is repeated so that correct quantity is added to ensure that one would get the best Phala.

The naivedya is rated as Supreme if the ratio (of greengram to rice) is 2:1. It is Good if 1:1, medium if 1:2 and low if I:4 or higher. People should endeavour to prepare mudganna to the best of their ability and financial status, taking care to keep the quantity of Greengram to be at least half (if not more) of the quantity of rice used.

It is said that Shachi devi, the wife of Indra, offered such Supreme mudganna mixed with ginger to the Lord and got rid of her troubles.

If possible, people should prepare mudganna using Curds (yoghurt), Jaggery and ginger, offer it to the Lord and then serve it to deserving brahmins.

After completion of the puja one should recite the bhadralakshmi stuti as follows:

“shrIdEvi prathama namah dvitIyamamRutOdbhavaa |

tRutIyam kamalaa prOktaa chaturtham lOkasundarI |

panchamam viShNupatnIti ShaShTam shrIvaiShNavIti cha |

saptamam tu varaarOhaa aShTamam harivallabhaa |

navamam shArgaNI prOktaadashamam dEvadEvikaa |

Ekaadasham mahaalakShmIrdvaadasham lOkasundarI | shrI padmakamalaa mukundamahiShI lakShmIstrIlOkEshvari |

maakShIrAbdhisutaaravinda jananI vidyaasarOjaatmikaa | sarvaabhIShTaphalapradEti satatam naamaaniyE dvaadasha |

praatah shuddhataraaH paThanti satatam sarvaallabhatE shubhaan | bhadralakShmIstavam nityam puNya mEtachChutbhaavaham |

kaalE snaatvaapi kaavEryaam japa shrI vakShasannidhau”.

As stated earlier, all other daily rituals like tarpana to the celestials, Rushis, ancestors, sandhyavandane, chanting of mantras etc should be undertaken after the puja is finished.

Next, deserving brahmins should be fed. Once this is done, the person performing puja has 2 options – to partake the meal in the morning, or wait till afternoon and partake food after completing afternoon puja. Both options are equally popular in practice amongst orthodox madhvas.

Lakshmi sthotra is also recited since Devendra got back his kingdom by chanting the

dwadhasha namaas of Sri Mahaalakshmi in this month. If any daana were given during this month especially on Vyateepatha day 24th Decr 2009,,to a worthy person, it would be most effective.

Shree Devi Prathamam NaamDwithiyam AmruthodBhavaThruthiyam KamalaaProkthaaChathurtham lOkasumdariPancamam viShNu pathneethiShasthyam Shree vaishNa veethichaSapthamamthu varaarOhaaAshtamam HarivallaBhaaNavamam ShaamgaNi ProkthaaDashamam deva devikaaEkaadasham MahaalaksmiDwaadasham Lokasumdari Shree Padma Kamalaa Mukumdha mahishiLaksmi stree lOkeshwari Maa KshiraaBdhi suthaaravimdhajananee Vidhyaa SarOjaathmikaa Sarvaa AbheeShta Phala PradhEthisatataM naamani yO DwaadashaPraathah shuDhDha taraa paTamtisatataM sarvaan laBhate ShuBhaan Bhadhra lakshmi Sthavam nithyampuNyamEth Achyutha BhaavahamTaulau smaatwaapi KaavEryaamJapa Shree Vriksha Sannidhau !! Argya to be given to Vyathipaathi Devathain the form of Chakra Roopi Vishnu: Vyathipaatha MahaasatwanSaRva Paapa PraNaashana|Sahasra Bhaaho VishwaathmaanGrihaaNaRgyam Namosthuthe|| Now turn to South Direction,Remembering the Pitrus,to give Argya: Vishnu priya VyathipaathaPitruNaamnRuNapradha|PitruNaam mama VaikuntamPrayachcha Bhghavan hare|| Twatrasaadhena Me BhakthiRasve vamana paayini|Jnaana Vignaaana vairaagyamPrayachcha Bhaghavan mamaH|| -to Give ThaRpaNa

During Dhanurmasa by offering “Mudganna” to Sri Hari, one would be blessed with 1000 years of Pooja Phala. It is the only Vratha that would give so much of Punys Phala compared to performing other vrathas.

Dhanurmaasa Pooja is very important and instrumental to attain Shatru Jaya, Dheeragyush, Dhanasampathu, Vedaaadhi shastra Abhyasay. By so doing one can fulfil his ambitions, attain yoga and above all he can be sure to born as VaishNava .in all his future Janma. That mahaabhagya is bestowed on him. In other words, it means that it is essential and a duty to perform pooja during Dhanurmasa as we do duty during other vratas.

Pancharatra says:

Kodandsthe Savitham

Prathyupah Poojanaadhdhare|

Sahasrabhda Archana PhalamDine

Naikena Labhyathe.|

It means, as said above, by doing Dhanurmaasa pooja at Usha Kala, it would fetch 1000 years pooja phala, in one day itself (Here we should not forget that it is essential and a duty to do Devara pooja on other days also)

Agneya PuraNa says:

 

Kothandsthe savithari Mudganyam

Yo nivedhayeth|

Sahasravarshiki Pooja Dine

Naikena siddhyathi||

 

Yata Truptetn Dhanurmasw

Mudganena Ramaapathi|

Na thatha Vrathadaanerdaana

Thapobhirna Chaadhvarai||

 

Kodandsthe Divanaathe

Yo Mudganyam Sahasrarkam|

Nivedayed HareH Samyag Jitwa

Shatroon Kshanena Sah||

 

Sadhadhyarka Mudgnayam

Yo Dhanurmaasi Vishnave|

Samrpayeth sa DheeRaghaayudyanaado

Veda paraaghaH||

 

Yam Yam Kaamayathe Kaamam

tham tham Praapya SudhRbhalam|

Sa Syaadh yogi Sudhih

Shreeman VaishNayo Janma janmani||

Agneya PuraNa says:

In the following First stanza that if you do not perform Dhanurmasa Pooja, at the prathah kala, it is said to be MahApApa:

Yasthu DaridhyaBudhtya

Mudganna na Nivedhayet|

VishnaveKaRmkhe Praathah

Saptha Janmasu NiRdhanaH||

In the second stanza it says that the person who does not perform Dhanur maasa pooja would suffer daridrya , becomes “manda Buddhi”, gets diseases for 7 Janmas.,

Usha Poojah Dhanumaase

Yo Na KuRveetha vaishnaVeeM|

Sapta Janmasu Rikthah

Syaath Khayarogi cha Moodadhi||

DhanuRmaasa KaRthavya (Duties)

Jyothis Shastra (Bhaskareeya) says:

That the last day of Margashiramaasa and the dawn of Pushyamaasa, it would be cold and one may find difficult to get up first. And to take bath, in the lake, river, and pond so early, is the second problem for him. To perform Sri Hari Pooja, that too in wet clothes, in case he had not planned, he may feel difficult.

The Shastras say that all efforts should be made to get up early in the morning whatever be the conditions of oneself or weather, or ruthu kaala.,

One is doing duty to God who has given us this Vaisnava janma and we should make it “:SaRthaka” During Dhanurmaasa, finish snana, sandhyavandana etc and perform Devara pooja. Pray, sing hymns in the name of Sri Hari and offers Mudganna, i. e. Huggi. During alpa dwadashi,, the pooja system are abridged so as to complete the PaaraNe within the stipulated time.

So also during Dhanumaasa the same system to be adopted and pooja performed and neivedya completed before the stipulated time.

The following sanskrit sloka is simple:

Pooja Kaala for dhanur Maasa:

Tasmaat SaRva Prayatnena

Chaapa maase Dine dine|

Usha Kale thu Samprapathe

Archayitwaa JanaaRdhanam||

 

Upachaarai Shodashobhi

Mudgannam cha Nivedhayet|

Yatha Samkochya SaT KaRma

Bhumkthe Dwadashi Dine||

 

Thatha Pratha dhanuRmaase

twakthya KaRmaaNyascha yechhamaaM||

Agneya puraaNa says about the ripe time for Dhanurmasa pooja:

Best for Deva Pooja at AruNodaya time:

Better for deva Pooja after stars are invisible:

Worst for deva pooja after SooRyodaya kala and

“NiraRthaka” - performing deva pooja in the afternoon.

 

The sanskrit sloka here is very simple to understand.

 

..Mukhyaa AruNodaye Pooja

Madhyamaa Luptha Taarakaa|

Adhamaa SooRya sahithaa

madhyane Nishphala Bhaveth||

In all the mutts the poojas are performed very early in the morning and the Food is served before 7 am. Top of FormWhy are poojas performed early in the mornings in all temples during dhanurmasa? why do they close early?

1) The month of Dhanur Masa or (Marghazi) is considered a very special month for religious services. Lord Krishna declares in the Bhagavad-Gita: “I manifest the most in the month of Margashirsha, (also known as Dhanur Masa - Dec 16 to Jan. 13) among the months of a year.” This quote substantiates the great religious significance that Dhanur Masa has in the Hindu religious calendar. It is for this reason that our sages have determined that this month should be set apart completely for devotional activities. Bhagavad Gita, 10-35:"brhtsaam tathaa saamnaam gaayatree chandasaamaham maasaanaam margasheersho-ahamritunaam kusumaakarah"'Likewise among the sruties that can be sung, I am the variety known as Brahatsama; while among the Vedic hymns I am the hymn known as Gayatri. Again, among the twelve months of Hindu calender,I am the month known as Margasirsa ( November - December); (and) among the (six) seasons ( successively appearing in India in course of a year ) I am the vernal season.'2) Brahmi Muhurtham for Celestial Gods:One year of human beings is one day for the celestial counterparts (Devas and Gods). The first six months from mid Jan to mid July (Utharayanam) is the day time and the next six months mid July to mid Jan (Dhakshinaayanam) is the night time for the Gods. And this Maargazhi (Dhanur Maasam) being the dawn of the day (Brahmi Muhurtham) for the Gods, singing and chanting the glory of God is considered most auspicious.Human Brahma Muhurtham and celestial Brahma Muhurtham occur simultaneously in the early mornings of Dhanur month!Moreover, they say that the Ozone layer is so clean during the early mornings of this month and you can breathe fresh and pure oxygen during that time. Imagine waking up early in the morning, having bath and going for a walk amidst fresh air. And during the course you get to breathe the fresh oxygen without any pollution.Unjavruthi is another popular tradition followed by people especially during Maargazhi. People from the neighborhood wake up early in the morning and walk around in the all the streets singing Bhajans accompanied with musical instruments.3) Maargazhi is the time for harvest for the farmers. It’s the time they reap their produce and make their living. After getting good harvest in Maargazhi, they thank the Sun God on the day of Pongal festival (Makara Sankaranti) in the month of Tamil month ‘Thai’.4) Early rise requires early bed for the Bhaktas. Also Ahas (day time) is minimum for the year in this month. So temples are closed earlier.

Generally Brahmi Muhurtham is considered to be good time perform pooja. Early morning on all 30 days of Dhanurmasa (Margazhi) between 4.00 am to 6.00 am is beneficial for praying and worshiping Gods and Devas in the whole Margazhi at the Brahma Muhurtham time. This early morning time is ideal for worshiping Gods. Hence the temples perform pujas early in the morning in Dhanurmasa.Scriptures recommend Dhanur Masa Pooja for prosperity., longevity. Dhanur Masa - starting from 16th December and ending on 13th January (one day this way or that way is also possible) Dhanur masa-Marghazhi - is a Shoonya Masa. Because it is considered as inaspicious to do any good things other than Godly functions.This month month is allotted to Gods and for us it a blank - meaning Soonya.The month Marghazhi (December-January) derives its name from the star Mrigasirsha occurring on or immediately after the month’s Pournami (Purnima - full moon). It is also known as Dhanur masa since during this month the sun transits through Dhanur rasi (Sagittarius). Vedas and agamas say mornings in this month are ideal for worship of the Lord. Krishna underlines its special nature by saying in Bhagavad Gita that among months he is Marghazhi, due to it's Jayanti this month. In temples all over India during this month there is special pre-dawn worship. Since this month is set apart exclusively for worship, the month is considered as –Soonya masa - inauspicious for events like marriages and other such functions are not performed in Marghazhi.Since temples are opened early they also close little early after the worships are done.-

Dhanurmasa called when Sun moves in “Dhanur” (Sagittarius) Sign. In this month Sun moves in Guru’s (Jupiter) sign and known for different significant role (Guru Sharnagat). So, keeping the importance of Sun, the poojas performances start with Sun rise and close with Sun set.

What is so special about Margazhi?

The month of Margazhi (Margasirsh in Sanskrit) or Danur masam of the Hindu calendar is considered extremely holy.

Shivas ArudraDarshan comes in this month.

Vaikunda Ekadasi comes in this month.

Aandals Tiruppavai

Manikkavasagars Tiruvempavai is chanted during this month.

Music stands tall. Jaya TV airs Marghali MAsa Music Festival from Chennai. Temples have special early morning pooja (Ushat Kala Pooja).

In Bagavadgita Krishna himself says, Masanam Margaseersho Asmi. What is so special about this month?The key to the timing of many rituals and festivals and other important social events, is the weather and harvest! As the customs and traditions evolved, man had to take into the weather conditions as one among the most vital factors. The cold weather in 'Markazhi' and limited number of day hours, called for special efforts to shake off lethargy, a natural tendency (hibernation!), and some reasons were created for early rising and early morning vigour of activities on the social plane! Religiion and spirituality being the easiest routes to motivation, the 'Bhakti' marga showed the way to effective measures to keep man active in healthy social interactions!

Therefore, as adjuncts, the concepts of gods' last few sleeping hours before the gods got up (in 'Uttarayana', after the 'dakshinayana', at the end of 'Markazhi'!) from sleep to commence their day (six months of 'uttarayana'!), and the ideal days for religious worship, were evolved and refined in all regions where winter peaked around those days, with similar thoughts and allied traditions evolving in other comparable religious practices! Cold weather is the most 'creative' weather for production of all kinds, stamina for work being maximum, once the inertia and initial lethargy are successfully tackled, thus Lord Krishna also acknowledged the prime place of that month of winter, as top among the months! That generally sums up the lovely month of music and pilgrimage!

As the questions states ,this month is considered a month of "omens"when so many things -good and bad-happen.many rituals and religious beliefs are fulfilled in this month .It is amonth somewhat odd than other vikrami months.

In the early morning of Margashirsha Purnima( Full Moon) a Tsunami of apocalyptic proportions arose and the deadly blow of an unprecedented earthquake brought mayhem. Co-incidentally it was 26th December 2004 also. And it is this date only which is now on every tongue in the world. No one is saying that the tide which rises is due to the Full Moon. The gravitational attraction of the Moon was well understood by our ancient Acharyas. This was the month of Margashirsha which also has a great deal of historical significance. The war of Mahabharata was fought in this month of Margashirsha in the bright half on trayodashi tithi in Bharani nakshatra. Two days before the Full Moon. In Bhagwad Geeta, lord Krishna has described the month of Margashirsha as one of his manifestations. Today science has seen unprecedented growth. Intensive networks of supercomputers have been developed to process data but scientists are saying that an earthquake cannot be predicted. Earthquake is a chance incident. But the amazing progress made by our ancient Acharyas with their prolonged experience and observations and intelligent experimentation is unimaginable for the present day western scientists and mathematicians. Acharya Varahamihira was a contemporary of King Vikramaditya and the greatest of ancient astronomers or Acharyas. In his Magnum Opus Brihat Samhita there is a complete chapter devoted to earthquakes. But our present day business minded astrologers have little use for it. That is why it was ignored. Neither were experiments and research carried out in this direction

Lord Krishna has said in Bhagavat geetha that " In the 12 months, I am Margazhi". (Masanam Margaseersho Asmi) .What else to describe after that!!! In Hindu Mythology we set off certain days or months for celebrating gods only and these are considered inauspicious for other functions. Apart from Dhanur Masa considered as Shoonya Masa. This is like the birth Tidies of Rama on Navami and Krishna on Asthami are celebrated for them only and these tidies are inauspicious for other functions and attempting for any good deeds.The month of Margazhi which is supposed to be sacred from all aspects. Thus it's rendered to the God himself in aim of attaining prosperity and blessings, hoping god showers with all good luck. The very objective this month is to get together and offer the prayers, he will surely listens to it. The Tamil month of Margazhi is of great importance because Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that he is Margazhi among the twelve months.The month is also noted for its numerous music concerts. Another unique feature of the month is the beautiful kolams (rangoli) drawn on streets and in the courtyard of houses. Morning Bajans and Temple Prasadasm, Ven pongal are very important in this month. In my younger years I never missed the Perumal Koil Ven Pongal. SunDal, Koil Prasadams has special taste, probably it is the prasadam of God.

This is the significance of Dhanurmaasa -special pre-dawn worship

That is the greatness of Dhanur Masa.

Why not we observe !

GRRRao

BengaLooru

11.12.09

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