Dhanurmasam (Concept - Significance - Technicalities - Merits)

dHaNurMaAsaM - aRunodAya kaAla

(Concept - Significance - Merits)

https://archive.org/details/dhanurmaasa-saadhana

In Hindu religion we come across two types of calendars being followed viz. Solar Calendar known as Sauramana and Lunar calendar known as Chaandramana.

In Solar Calendar the months derive their names based on the transit of Sun in a particular zodiac sign and in Lunar calendar it is based on the constellation (Nakshatra) occurring on the full moon day (Pournami).

The period between two successive solar transits (sankramana) or the time taken by the Sun to pass through a zodiac sign is known as a Solar month.

Accordingly when Sun transits into Sagittarius (Dhanus Raasi) sign that month is denoted as Dhanurmasam.

It marks the entry of Sun into Dhanus raasi that is known as Dhanus Sankramana which generally occurs around the middle of the winter month December.

Dhanurmasam generally occurs in between the two lunar months Margasira and Pushya. As per English calendar, Dhanurmasam generally starts on 16th December and ends on January 13th or 14th on the Bhogi festival day. (Depending on transit time Aacharana of Dhanurmaasam starts on 16th or 17th)

Dhanurmaasa is also known as Chapa Maasa, Kodanda Maasa, Karmukha maasa all meaning/indicating the solar month Dhanurmaaasam when the Sun will be transiting in Dhanus Raasis (Sagittarius sign) of the zodiac.

SIGNIFICANCE OF DHANURMAASA.....

Dhanurmasam has acquired a unique significance of auspiciousness in Hindu spiritual calendar for devotional activities especially worshiping of Lord Vishnu.

More significance is given for worshiping Lord Vishnu in Dhanurmasam during the early hours before Sunrise known as Arunodaya Kaala.

Worshiping Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi along with Lord Vishnu is also prescribed during Dhanurmasam.

In this month one is expected to perform pooja rituals during the auspicious Brahmi Muhurtha (Arunodaya kaala) ie.,four Ghatis (96 minutes) before Sunrise when stars are still twinkling in the sky.

During Dhanurmasam a special dish known as Huggi (Mudganna) prepared with Rice and Moong dal (Hesaru Bele) as the primary ingredients is offered to Lord Vishnu as Naivedya.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE RATIO OF RICE TO MOONG-DAL

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> Ati-Uttama - If it is 1:2 ratio (one measure of rice to two measures of dal);

> Uttama - If it is 1:1 ratio (equal proportions);

> Madhyama - If it is 2 :1 ratio (2 measures of rice & one measure of dal);

> Adhama - If it is 4:1 ratio;

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Sukla paksha Ekaadasi (either in Margasira or Pushya maasam) associated with Dhanurmasam is revered as Vaikunta Ekaadasi or Mukkoti Ekaadasi the most auspicious day to worship Lord Vishnu. Next day is known as Mukkoti Dwaadasi.

Vyatheepatha yoga during Dhanurmasam (Dhanur-Vyatheepaatha Yoga) is given lot of prominence and it is believed that any Pithru kaarya or Daana given in respectful reverence to one’s Pithrus on this day is considered as highly meritorious.

As per Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya taking bath in Sri Swami Pushkarini at Tirumala Kshethra on the day of Sukla Dwadasi (Mukkoti Dwaadasi) in the month of Dhanurmasam during Arunodaya kaala is considered highly sacred and meritorious.

On this day more than three crores of sacred theerthas in the entire Bhoomandala will enter into Sri Swami Pushkarini.

Taking bath on this day (Mukkoti Dwaadasi) in Swami Pushkarini is considered highly meritorious and equivalent to taking bath in all the three crores of sacred theerthas. It is revered as Sri Swami Pushkarini Theertha Koti day in the almanac of Tirumala temple.

WHAT IS ARUNODAYA KaALA?

WHY IT IS PRESCRIBED DURING DHANURMaASA?

As per the concept of Hindu Kaalaganana, it is said that,one day for Devathas is equal to one human year comprising of 6 months of Uttarayana and 6 months of Dakshinayana.

That means Uttarayana is the day time and Dakshinayana is the night time for devathas. Accordingly one human month is equal to two hours (approx) for Deities.

The period of Dhanurmasam falling at the fag end of Dakshinayana indicates the last leg of the night time for Devathas (Arunodaya) when they worship Lord Sri Hari.

Hence, it is befitting for human beings also to worship Lord Vishnu at a time that coincides with the Arunodaya Kaala for Devathas. This incidentally coincides with the Dhanurmasam. This auspicious period is known as Arunodaya or Brahmi Muhurtha.

MERITS...

Any worship conducted during Arunodaya kaala would be of highest quality that yield meritorious results.

Worshiping Lord Vishnu during this auspicious and sacred period of Dhanurmasam the dearest month to Lord Sri Hari even for a single day is equivalent to worshiping Him for 1000 years.

Huggi Seva during Dhanurmaasa is highly meritorious; Also one can donate the relevant items like Moong Dal, Rice, Ghee, Shaunti (dry zinger),Curd etc.

Offering Dhanurmaasa Pooja along with Huggi Seva to Lord SriHari; one will be bestowed with longevity, wealth/prosperity, become Vedapaarangatha and above all Vaishnava in every birth;

During Dhanurmaasam, Tiruppavai a celestial song composed by Sri Godadevi (Aandaal) an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Krishna is recited instead of regular Suprabhatham at Tirumala Kshethra;

Considering the superior sacredness and spirituality attached to Dhanurmasam, auspicious functions like Marriage, Upanayana, Gruha Pravesam etc.are not performed during this month. It is only to give more focus and attention to the Divine worship rather than mundane materialistic activities.

Worshiping Lord Vishnu during the auspicious/sacred period of Dhanurmasa when Sun is transiting in Dhanus (Sagittarius) Raasi, the dearest month to Lord SriHari even for a single day is equivalent to worshiping Him for 1000 years. Any worship conducted during Arunodaya kaala would be of highest quality that yield meritorious results.

See, how dayaalu is Paramaatma Vishnu!

one day worship during Dhanurmaaasa as per norms is equivalent to 1000 years of His worship. That means it is equal to approx 10 births, and if it is for the whole month 30 X 10 births = 300 births. If a person lives for say 100 years (approx); out of which even if he observes Dhanurmaasa say for 10 years 300 X 10 = 3000 births.

If it is associated with Parvakaala like Dwaadasi/Vyatheepaatha/Vaidhruthi yoga, then it is much more. Where from we get such a relief, which saadhana/ homa/yagna gives especially during Kaliyuga?

https://archive.org/details/parvakaala-saadhana-20.11.2022

So, please don't lose this opportunity of Dhanurmaasa saadhana, do it it as much as possible.

Is it not oriented towards Moksha saadhana?

Sri Krushnaarpanamasthu

Hari Sarvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama

Sri GururaajoVijayate