SIGNIFICANCE OF ADHIKA MAASAM (Austerities - Charities - Do's & Don'ts)

ADHIKA MAASAM (Purushottama Maasa)
(Austerities - Charities - Presiding Deities....)

Having understood the concept and technicalities of Adhika Maasa from previous post, let us try to understand what Adhika Maasa signifies from a religious and spiritual parlance. Lot of solemnity is attached to Adhika Maasa in Hindu religion and spirituality. Adhika is a Sanskrit word, that also means the best, the greatest, powerful, and extraordinary. It is measured as more glorious than all other months in terms of its merits.

AUSTERITIES DURING ADHIKA MAASA...

Adhika Maasa is considered as the most auspicious month to perform austerities for spiritual advancement. Some of the austerities prescribed to be observed during Adhika Maasa Vratha are…

• Uposhana 
• Dhaarana-Paarana
• Eka-Bhukta 
• Naktha Vratha 
• Ayaachita Vratha
• Mauna Vratha

Vaachika Vratha: Getting involved in reading or listening to sacred texts like Bhagavatha Purana, Ramayana, Maha Bharatha, Bhagavadgita etc. One can also sponsor for Parayana (discourse) of the sacred texts in any temple/mutt.

Reciting sacred Stothras viz,

• Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama Stothram, 
• Bhagawadgita,
• Sri Hari-Vaayu Stuthi, etc.

Japa/Naama Smarana:

• Naaraayana Ashtaakshari or Dwaadasaakshari; 
• Gaayathri Japa; 
• Sri Raama Naama; 
• Hare Rama-Hare Krishna manthra; 
• Naama Thraya Japa; 
• Raaghavendra Ashtaakshari; etc

Rachana Seva:

Scripting the divine name of the Lord Sri Rama (Raama Naama)

Akhanda Deepa:

Lighting a lamp (Akhanda Deepa) in Pooja Room and allowing it to glow continuously throughout the vratha period (day & night). Only Ghee or Thil Oil should be used for lighting of Deepa.

Apart from the above, some of the other austerities include....

• Eating food without salt, 
• Sleeping on the floor avoiding cot and bed, 
• Lakshavarti
• Gopadma Vratha
• Pradakshina Namaskaara

Above list of austerities is not exhaustive; one may add/choose according to their sampradaya. One can take up any other austerity that pleases Lord Vishnu.

CHARITIES DURING ADHIKA MAASAM.....

Lot of significance is given and considered as highly meritorious to give charity during Adhika Masam (Adhika Masam–Anantha Phalam).Charity should always be accompanied with proper Dakshina according to ones capacity.Some of the charities prescribed to be given during Adhika Masam are as follows;

APOOPA DAANA:

Apoopa (Athirasa) means a sweet dish made with Rice flour, jaggery and Ghee. Such sweet dish #33 in number should be given as charity to a Brahmin along with a Brass plate. According to ones capacity this can be given on every day or during specified days or at least on one of the specified days during Adhikamasa vratha period. This type of charity is considered to be highly meritorious that bestows upon significant results (Anishta nivrutti poorvaka Ishtaartha Siddhi).

Phala Dana...

Seasonal fruits like Mangoes or Banana #33 in number can be given as charity as said above.

Thaamboola Dana...

Betel leaves + Areca Nut + either a fruit or a Coconut + Dakshina should be given to Brahmin couple (33 in number) as said above.

Other charities prescribed during Adhika Masam are…

• Anna Dana, 
• Deepa Dana, 
• Baagina Dana, 
• Pusthaka Dana (Sacred scripts like Bhagavatha Purana etc), 
• Sayya Dana (Bed Sheet + Blanket + Pillow) along with Lakshmi Narayana Prathima, 
• Go-Dana, 
• Thila Dana along with a Brass vessel, 
• Vasthra Dana etc…

Apart from the above one can also give any other charity that suits to the season as per Maasa Dharma. Whatever charity one gives, it should be given with utmost humility, with all sincerity, devotion without expecting any results.

Specific days during Adhika maasam for giving charity are…

• Dwaadasi (both Sukla & Krishna Paksha), 
• Pournami (full Moon day), 
• Amaavasya (New Moon day), 
• Ashtami, Navami and Chaturdasi days during Krishna Paksha,
• Vyatheepatha, and Vaidruthi Yoga days.

MAASA NIYAMAKA & PRESIDING DEITIES OF ADHIKA MAASAM…
(Significance of # 33)

Adhika Maasa is the most sacred month dedicated to the most sacred person Lord Vishnu who is the Maasa Niyaamaka (Governing Lord) of Adhika maasam in the name Purushottama. That’s why Adhika Maasam is also referred as Purushottama Maasa.

Purushottama is one of the thousands of names of Lord Sri ManNaaraayana. It means, the best and the most superior among the beings in the Universe. We find a reference to the word Purushottama in sloka # 3 of Sri Vishnu Sahasra Naama Stothram.

Lord Sri Rama an embodiment & personification of virtues is known as Maryada Purushottama/ Purana Purushottama. Sacred place Puri (Orissa) the seat of famous Puri Jagannath temple is known as Purushottama Kshethra.

• Ashta Vasus (8) + 
• Ekaadas Rudraas (11) + 
• Dwaadasaadityaas (12) + 
• Prajaapathi (1) + 
• Vashatkaara (1); (total 33)

together are the Presiding Deities of Adhika Maasam with Lord Sri Hari in the name of Purushottama being the governing Lord. Charities & Arghya has to be given with reference to the 33# Deities as per the list given below.

Deity	Antharyaami Roopa
ASHTAVASUS
1.   DrONa	VishNu
2.   Dhruva	Jishnu
3.   Dosha	MahavishNu
4.   Arka	Hari
5.   Agni	Krishna
6.   Dyou	Adhokshaja
7.   PraaNa	Kesava
8.   Vibhavasu	Madhava
EKAADASA RUDRAS
9.   Bheema	Raama
10.       Raivata	Achyuta
11.       Oja	Purushottama
12.       Ajaikapaat	Govinda
13.       Mahaan	Vamana
14.       Bahuroopa	ShrIsha
15.       Bhava	SrIkanTa
16.       Vaamadeva	Viswasaakashi
17.       Ugra	NaaraayaNa
18.       VruShaakapi	Madhuripu
19.       Ahirbudhni	Aniruddha
DWAADASA AADITYAS
20.       Vivaswaan	Trivikrama
21.       Aryamaa	VaasudEva
22.       Poosha	JagadyOni
23.       tvaShTru	AnaMta
24.       Savitru	Sheshasaayi
25.       Bhaga	SankarshaNa
26.       Dhaatru	Pradyumna
27.       Parjanya	Daityaari
28.       VaruNa	VishvatOmukha
29.       Mithra	Janardhana
30.       Shakra	Dharaavaasa
31.       Urukrama	Daamodara
32.       Prajapathi	Agardhana
33.       Vashatkara	ShrIpathi

PITHRU YAGNA DURING ADHIKA MAASAM....

Nithya Karma, Shannavathi [Amaavasya (Darsha), Yugaadi, Manvaadi] related Pithru karma should be performed both in Adhika Masa as well as in Nija Masa.

If regular annual ceremony of a deceased (Prathisaamvatsareeka Sraaddha) falls during the month when Adhika Masam occurs it should be performed in Adhika Masam provided concerned Pithru had expired during Adhika Masam. Otherwise it should be performed only during Nija Masam.

Also means to say that, in case the deceased had expired in Nija Masam in normal course Sraaddha should be performed during Nija Masam and not in the Adhika Masam.

In case Adhika Masam coincides with Maasika (monthly) ceremonies during the first year of Pithru’s death, the concerned Maasika sraaddha should be performed twice, both in Adhika masam as well as in Nija masam.

In case, 12th month (maasika) ceremony coincides with Adhika Masam then that Maasika ceremony should be performed twice both in Adhika Masa as well as in Nija Masa and the first annual ceremony (Prathama-Aabdeeka) should be performed in the 14th month.

In case Adhika Masam coincides with Dasa Dina Karma all the related ceremonies including Sapindeekarana should be performed during Adhika Masam only.

In case first annual ceremony (Prathama Aabdeeka) of the deceased falls during Adhika Masam, it should be performed during Adhika Masam only even though they had expired during Nija Masam.

In case Pithru Paksha falls during Adhika Masam?

If Adhika Masam occurs during Bhaadrapada Masam, then Mahalaya Sraaddha that is required to be performed during the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Bhadrapada masam has to be performed twice both in Adhika masam as well as in Nija Masam.

ADHIKA MAASAM - PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

Adhika Masam is also referred to as Mala Masam (inauspicious month). Though Adhika Masam is considered as sacred for spiritual pursuits it is considered as inauspicious for performing certain other rituals.

Some of the activities to be avoided during Adhika Masam are…

• Chowla Karma,
• Upanayana, 
• Vivaaha, 
• Gruha Pravesa, 
• Shashti Poorthi 
• Devatha Prathista etc…

However, rituals like,

• Garbhadaana, 
• Pumsavana, 
• Seemantha, 
• Naamakarana, 
• Annapraasana, can be performed; and any other austerity that was taken up prior to the commencement of Adhika maasam can be continued during Adhika Masam.

BRAHMOTSAVAM AT TIRUMALA KSHETHRA....

Whenever there is an occurrence of Adhika maasam (intercalary month), it is a tradition that, Brahmotsavam at Tirumala Kshethra will be held twice in that year. First one known as Saalakatla (annual) Brahmotsavam that will be held as per schedule (held after the transit of Sun into Kanyaa raasi) with the ninth day coinciding with Sravana Nakshathra.

Second one called Navarathri Brahmotsavam will be held again for nine days during Navarathri festival. Sravana Nakshathra is the parameter for conclusion of Brahmotsavam.

Generally there will be a gap of one month between the two festivals; with the first one performed during Bhaadrapada maasam and second one during Aaswayuja maasam. Significant feature whenever two Brahmotsavams are held is; Dhwaja-arohana and Dhwaja-avarohana rituals will be held only once; that is during the first one.

ADHIKA AASHAADA – PURI JAGANNATH TEMPLE 
(Nava-Kalebarotsavam)

It is the only temple where the idols of main deities are changed once in twelve years and that generally coincides with Adhika Aashaada Maasam. Old idols are buried and new idols are made and installed. This ritual is known as Navakalebarotsavam.

Namo! stvananthaaya Sahasra Muurthaye
Sahasra Paadaakshi Shiroru baahave
Sahasranaamne Purushaaya Shaasvathe
SahasraKotii Yugadhaarine Namah

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

As long as one performs any sacred and pious act with full faith and devotion, it would definitely yield positive results and would bring pleasing rewards. They generate positive energy, help in acquiring control over the wandering mind and bring discipline in life for self uplift. One should not make a tall claim of performing austerities, rather should be performed selflessly with utmost humbleness and try to spread the divinity involved in it.

Related post (please click on the link given below)....

ADHIKA MAASAM (Intercalary month) - Concept & Technicalities...

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2010/04/concept-of-adhika-masam.html