Maasaanaam Maargaseersho~ham (Significance of Margasira Masam)

Maasaanaam Maargaseersho~ham

    

Margaseersha also called Agrahayana is the ninth month in a Hindu calendar starting from Chaitra masam. The word Agrahayana means the month of equinox.  In olden times the year used to begin with Margasira Masam.  This month is named after the star Mrigasira when the full moon day coincides with Mrigasira constellation and that month is denoted as Margasira Masam.  During the month Sun will be transiting in Scorpio sign (Vrischika raasi) and will be entering into Dhanus raasi in the middle of the month when it is known as Dhanurmasam.  It marks the beginning of a new season called Hemantha Ruthu that generally occurs during the calendar months of November and December.

Lord Sri Maha Vishnu in the name of Keshava is the presiding Deity (Masa Niyamaka) who governs this month of Margasira masam.  We find Lord Sri Krishna being referred to as Keshava.  In 24 Keshava Namas the very first name that we recite is Om! Keshavaya Namah! In Bhagawadgita we find Arjuna addressing Lord Sri Krishna several times as Kesava. In Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram we find a reference to the word Kesava in sloka # 3 and 69,

Kalaneminiha virah saurih sura-janeshvarah

Trilokatma trilokeshah keshavah keshiha harih 
(sloka#69)

Kesa is a Sanskrit word meaning hair or a ray of light. Kesava means the one who has got a long and beautiful hair, whose hair is very charming, filled with supreme fragrance. Kesava is the one who is endowed with the rays of light spreading within the orbit of the Sun, one who is the Lord of creation, preservation and destruction, one who is the origin of Brahma and Shiva, one who is the tormentor of his enemies, and the one whose, very chanting removes sorrows and sufferings. Kesava also means the one who has slained the demon Keshi and hence is referred to as Keshiha.

Margasira masam is a highly meritorious month for worshiping Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi and Sun God apart from Lord Hanuman and Lord Subramanya. Several religious events occur during the month of Margasira.

Dedicated to Lord Subramanya, sixth day of Margasira masam, sukla Shasti thithi is known as Skhanda Shasti or Subramanya Shasti or Champa Shasti.  We find people worshiping on this day Lord Subramanya who is also known as Skhanda or Kaartikeya.  Thaipusam is a special event of this day performed at all the temples of Lord Subramanya especially in South.  On this day we find devotees observing an austerity of carrying a Kaavadi (a semicircular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod) to the temple of Lord Subramanya as a mark of their owe fulfilling for averting a calamity.  In some parts of the South we find people observing austerities like fasting, visiting a snake bill, performing pooja and offering milk etc. on this day.  Vasthra Dana to a Brahmachari on this day is considered as highly meritorious.

Margasira sukla Ekadasi is known as Mokshada Ekadasi the most auspicious day to worship Lord Vishnu.  This day is also revered as Geeta Jayanthi the day Lord Sri Krishna counselled Arjuna with his famous preaching known as Bhagawadgita. It is befitting to read at least one chapter of Bhagawadgita on this sacred day duly understanding its meaning.  If this day of Sukla Ekaadasi is also associated/coincide with Dhanurmasam then it also known as Vaikunta Ekadasi or Mukkoti Ekadasi. For more details on Dharnumaasam and Vaikunta Ekaadasi please read from the following links...

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2009/01/vaikunta-ekadasi.html

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2010/12/concept-significance-of-dhanurmasam.html

Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, sukla Trayodasi in Margasira masam is observed as Hanumad vrata. This is mostly observed in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states.  On this day Lord Hanuman is exclusively worshiped by one and all for good health, peace and prosperity.  It is said and believed that Lord Vedavyasa had narrated the significance of this vratha to Dharmaraja and it was performed by Draupadi Devi. Significant feature in this vratha is worshipping Lord Hanuman with a yellow coloured thread having 13 knots known as Thora and is worn after pooja.

Full Moon day in Margasira masam is celebrated as Dattaatreya Jayanthi, the day Lord Dattaatreya an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and also regarded as a manifestation of Trinal Lords (Brahma, Vishnu & Maheshwara) was born.

Lunar days, Sapthami, Ashtami and Navami in the Bahula Paksha of Margasira Masam are referred to as Poorvedyu, Ashtaka and Anvashtaka days which are sacred days for performing Pithru tharpana under the concept of Shannavathi. For more details on Shannavathi please read from the link given below...

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2010/10/shannavathi-shraaddha.html

Maasaanaam Maargaseersho~ham. In Bhagawadgita, Vibhuthi Yoga sloka # 35, Lord Sri Krishna says that, amongst the months He is Margaseersha Masam. These words of Lord Sri Krishna testify the significance given to Margasira masam in the Hindu spiritual calendar.

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu