Maagha Maasam - Merits & Significance

Significance...

The month in which Moon will be at or nearer to the constellation of Makhah (Maghah) nakshathra on the full moon day that month is reckoned as Maagha maasam, which occur during the calendar months of January/February. Makhah also means Yagna and Lord Vishnu is referred to as MahaMakhah (Sri Vishnu Sahasranama sthothram sloka # 47) the presiding Deity of Yagna. The Lord is also worshiped through the medium of Yagna. Maagham is a Sanskrit word Ma+Agham. Ma means not present and Agham means sin, evil, malefic, annoyance, suffering, grief and Maagha masam is the month which is highly meritorious, auspicious and free from any sin or suffering. 

Lord Maha Vishnu in the name of Maadhava is the presiding deity (Masa Niyamaka) who governs Maagha Masam and to be worshiped.  We find a reference to the words Madhava in sloka #8, 18 and 78 of Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram. Madhava means one who is the consort of Goddess Lakshmi Devi, one who is the bestower and Lord of superior knowledge. Astrologically, Kethu the Mokshakaraka is regarded as the ruling planet of Makha star and Pithru Devathas as its presiding Deities. Maagha masam the eleventh month as per Hindu lunar calendar is considered as an auspicious month for performing marriages, upanayanam, Gruha Pravesam, Aksharabhyasam etc.

 

Prominent days of Maagha masam...

During Maagha masam we find several significant and sacred days to be celebrated.  To begin with...

Maagha sukla Panchami the fifth day of Maagha masam in the bright fortnight is celebrated as Vasantha Panchami also known as Sri Panchami. Goddess Saraswathi, the presiding deity of Akshara Gyana, the female Divine energy of Learning, Knowledge and Wisdom is said to have born on this auspicious day of Sri Panchami. Dedicated to Vaakk Devi (Goddess Saraswathi) this day is considered to be highly auspicious day especially for Aksharabhyasa (inducting a child into education).  Goddess Saraswathi is to be worshiped on this day to get rid of our sluggishness, lethargy and ignorance.

Ratha sapthami also known as Magha Sapthami or Maha Sapthami is a very popular Hindu festival dedicated to Sun God, Sri Surya Narayana.  It occurs on the seventh day (Sapthami) of Magha Masam during sukla paksha.  It is celebrated as Surya Jayanthi the day on which Sun God was born to Sage Kashyapa & Aditi and considered as an incarnation of Lord Sri ManNarayana. Special celebrations are held at all Vaishnavite temples especially at Tirumala and Srirangam apart from Arasavelli and Konark.  It is an age old custom and tradition that people on this day take special bath with seven Arka leaves.

Bheeshmaastami is associated with Bheeshma Pitamaha the most revered and grandiose character of the great Epic Mahabharata. It was on this day Bheeshma had his last breath and this day is commemorated as the day of his Niryaana.  Bheeshmaastami occurs on 8^th day (Ashtami) of the bright fortnight (Sukla Paksha) in Magha Masam the day after Ratha Sapthami.

Sri Madhva Navami falling on the 9^th day of Lunar month of Magha Masam during the bright fortnight is associated with Sri Madhwacharya one of the greatest Hindu Saints and Philosophers who was the founder and exponent of Dvaita Philosophy.  It is said that it was on this day in the year 1317 AD, Sri Madhvacharya while teaching his disciples at Udupi Sri Anantheshwara Temple, suddenly a heap of flowers were showered on him and he disappeared from that heap of flowers not to be seen later.  It is considered as the day He entered the Badarikasrama.

Maagha Pournami the full moon day in Maagha masam is celebrated as Maha Maaghi. This day marks the end of Maagha Snana vratham. It is said and believed that any Divine worship, prayer, charity or rites performed on this day are highly meritorious that gives significant results. Thilapaathra Danam is prescribed to be given to a Brahmin on this day of Mahamaaghi.  Taking bath in a sea on this day is considered as highly meritorious.

Maha Shivarathri a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva occurs on the 13^th /14^th day of dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in Magha Masam coinciding with Chaturdasi thithi.  Worshiping Lord Shiva on this day of Maha Shivarathri is considered as highly meritorious and sin remover. Special celebrations are held on the eve of Maha Shivarathri at all the holy Shiva Kshetras where lakhs of people gather to offer their obeisance and salutations to Lord Shiva the great destroyer of sins and the most benevolent God.

Sunday associated with Amaavaasya + Sravana Nakshatra + Vyatheepatha Yoga + in the lunar month of Pushya or Maagha is referred to as Ardhodhaya which is considered to be a very sacred day, a parvakala that occurs very rarely that is more meritorious than an eclipse. Maagha Bahula Amaavasya associated with Satabhisha star is considered as highly sacred and meritorious. According to Dharmasindhu by performing Pithru  Sraaddha on this day, Pithrus (ancestors) gets pleased for ten thousand years.

Charities during Maagha masam...

During Maagha masam following charities are prescribed to be given which is considered as highly sacred and meritorious.

Veni Danam at Prayaga, Thila-Paathra Danam (Black/white sesame seeds along with a copper or a bronze vessel), Salagrama Dana, Anna Dana (Food), Gold or gold items, Hiranya danam, Thila (Sesame) + Sugar in the ratio of 3:1, Kooshmaanda Danam (Pumpkin). Apart from the above Thila homa and Thila bhakshana are also prescribed during Maagha masam.

Maagha Snaana...

While Kartheeka masam is given lot of significance for lighting of lamps, Maagha masam is given special significance for taking bath that is known as Maagha Snanam.  It generally starts from Pushya sukla Pournami and ends with Magha sukla Pournami or it can also be from Makara Sankramana to Kumbha Sankramana as per Solar/Luni-Solar calendar. For followers of lunar calendar it starts from Pushya Bahula Amaavaasya and ends with Maagha Bahula Amaavaasya.  During this period it is prescribed to take bath early in the morning before Sunrise preferably during Arunodaya kala. This sacred bath is preferred to be taken in Sea, river, lake or theertha or at least at home. Apart from the daily routine (Nithya Karma) special arghya is to be given to Lord Madhava and Sun God after Maagha Snanam.  

For SnaAna aacharana PoornimaAnta (Lunar month ending with Pournami) is followed.

Merits of Maagha Snaana...

Magha Snanam Karishyami Makarasthe Divaakare

ಮಾಘ ಸ್ನಾನಮ್ ಕರಿಶ್ಯಾಮಿ ಮಕರಸ್ಥೆ ದಿವಾಕರೆ

During this period it is prescribed to take bath early in the morning before Sunrise preferably during Arunodaya kaala. This sacred bath is preferred to be taken in any river, lake or theertha or at least at home. Taking a bath (Snana) which is always refreshing, not only cleanses our external body, but also has significance from religious and spiritual point of view in the daily routine of an individual. In Hindu philosophy daily routine generally begins with a bath before worshiping God, a discipline that is inculcated with a sense of cleanliness in our actions. If it is during an auspicious period like Maagha maasam, its spiritual merits are in multiple. It is said that Maagha Snana can purify a person even from ghastly and dreadful sins committed. Taking bath early in the morning during Maagha maasam is highly sacred, spiritual and meritorious. Sacred texts like Vayu Purana, Brahmaanda Purana are said to have made reference to the merits and significance of Maagha Snanam.

According to Dharma Saastras merits of Maagha Snaana gets increased depending on the place where the bath is taken as given below....

• With hot water at home–Merits equivalent to Six years of such Snana; 

• From the waters of a well –12 years of such Snana phala;

• In a lake –24 years of such Snana phala;

• In any river – 96 years of such Snana phala;

• In any sacred river – 9600 years of such Snana phala;

• At the confluence of sacred rivers–38400 years of such Snana phala;

• In Ganga (Ganges) River–Merits equivalent to 38400000 years of such Snana phala;

• At Triveni Sangam (Prayaga) – 100 times of Ganga Snana phala;

• Maagha Snana in sea (Samudra) is considered more meritorious than all the above.

Wherever may be the place of bath; one should always remember to recollect (recite) प्रयाग प्रयाग प्रयाग - ಪ್ರಯಾಗ ಪ್ರಯಾಗ ಪ್ರಯಾಗ - prayāga prayāga prayāga and pray Maasa Niyamaka Maadhava. Those who cannot take bath as said above for the entire month should at least take it for the last three days which is known as Anthya Pushkarini. Maagha Snanam is prescribed for all ages of men and women.

माघ स्नान मंत्र:

माघ स्नानमिदम् पुण्यम् स्नास्यॆह० दॆव माधव

तीर्थस्यास्य जलॆ नित्यमिति स०कल्प्यचॆतसि

दुःख दारिद्र्यनाशाय श्री विष्णॊस्तो‘षणाय च।

प्रातः स्नानं करोम्यद्य माघे पापविनाशनम्॥

मकरस्थॆ रवौ माघे गोविंदाच्युत माधव।

स्नानेनानेन मे देव यथोक्त फलधो भव॥

कृष्णाच्युत निमज्जामि प्रभातेस्मीन् शुभोदके।

अनेन माघ स्नानेन सुप्रीतो मां समुद्धर॥

माघ स्नानं करिष्यामि मकरस्ते दिवाकरे।

आ समाप्ति महादेव निर्विघ्नं कुरु माधव॥

अर्घ्य म०त्र:

तपस्यर्कोदये नध्यां स्नातोहं विधि पूर्वकं।

माधवाय ददामीदमर्घ्यं सम्यक् प्रसीदतु!

माधववाय नम इदमर्घ्यम्!

सवित्रे प्रसवित्रे च परंधाम्ने नमॊस्तुते!

त्वत्तेजसा परिभ्रष्टं पापं यातु सहस्रधा

सवित्रे नम इदमर्घ्यम्!

गंगा यमुनयोर्मध्यॆ यत्र गुप्ता सरस्वती!

त्रैलोक्य वंदिते देवि त्रिवेण्यर्घ्यं गृहाण मे!

त्रिवेण्यै नम इदमर्घ्यं!

दिवाकर जगन्नाथ प्रभाकर नमोस्थुते!

परिपूर्णं कुरुष्वेदं माघ स्नानं मया कृतम् !

गंगासिंधु सरस्वती च यमुना गोदावरी नर्मदा

कृष्णा भीमरती च फल्घुसरयू श्रीगंडकी गोमती

कावेरी कपिलाप्रयागविनुता नेत्रावतीत्यादयो

नद्य: श्री हरिपादपंकजभवा: कुर्वंतु नो मंगळं

ಮಾಘ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಂತ್ರ:

KªÀAUÀÄt..ªÀiÁ¸À ¤AiÀĪÀÄPÀ ªÀiÁWÀ (¥ÀæAiÀiÁUÀ) ªÀiÁzsÀªÀ ¦ævÀåxÀðA 

ªÀiÁWÀ ¸ÁߣÀA PÀjµÉå.

ಮಾಘ ಸ್ನಾನಮಿದಮ್ ಪುಣ್ಯಮ್ ಸ್ನಾಸ್ಯೆಹ೦ ದೆವ ಮಾಧವ

ತೀರ್ಥಸ್ಯಾಸ್ಯ ಜಲೆ ನಿತ್ಯಮಿತಿ ಸ೦ಕಲ್ಪ್ಯಚೆತಸಿ

ದುಃಖ ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯನಾಶಾಯ ಶ್ರೀ ವಿಷ್ಣೊಸ್ತೋ‘ಷಣಾಯ ಚ|

ಪ್ರಾತಃ ಸ್ನಾನಂ ಕರೋಮ್ಯದ್ಯ ಮಾಘೇ ಪಾಪವಿನಾಶನಮ್||

ಮಕರಸ್ಥೆ ರವೌ ಮಾಘೇ ಗೋವಿಂದಾಚ್ಯುತ ಮಾಧವ|

ಸ್ನಾನೇನಾನೇನ ಮೇ ದೇವ ಯಥೋಕ್ತ ಫಲಧೋ ಭವ||

ಕೃಷ್ಣಾಚ್ಯುತ ನಿಮಜ್ಜಾಮಿ ಪ್ರಭಾತೇಸ್ಮೀನ್ ಶುಭೋದಕೇ|

ಅನೇನ ಮಾಘ ಸ್ನಾನೇನ ಸುಪ್ರೀತೋ ಮಾಂ ಸಮುದ್ಧರ||

ಮಾಘ ಸ್ನಾನಂ ಕರಿಷ್ಯಾಮಿ ಮಕರಸ್ತೇ ದಿವಾಕರೇ|

ಆ ಸಮಾಪ್ತಿ ಮಹಾದೇವ ನಿರ್ವಿಘ್ನಂ ಕುರು ಮಾಧವ||

ಅರ್ಘ್ಯ ಮ೦ತ್ರ:

ತಪಸ್ಯರ್ಕೋದಯೇ ನಧ್ಯಾಂ ಸ್ನಾತೋಹಂ ವಿಧಿ ಪೂರ್ವಕಂ|

ಮಾಧವಾಯ ದದಾಮೀದಮರ್ಘ್ಯಂ ಸಮ್ಯಕ್ ಪ್ರಸೀದತು!

ಮಾಧವವಾಯ ನಮ ಇದಮರ್ಘ್ಯಮ್!

ಸವಿತ್ರೇ ಪ್ರಸವಿತ್ರೇ ಚ ಪರಂಧಾಮ್ನೇ ನಮೊಸ್ತುತೇ!

ತ್ವತ್ತೇಜಸಾ ಪರಿಭ್ರಷ್ಟಂ ಪಾಪಂ ಯಾತು ಸಹಸ್ರಧಾ

ಸವಿತ್ರೇ ನಮ ಇದಮರ್ಘ್ಯಮ್!

ಗಂಗಾ ಯಮುನಯೋರ್ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಯತ್ರ ಗುಪ್ತಾ ಸರಸ್ವತೀ!

ತ್ರೈಲೋಕ್ಯ ವಂದಿತೇ ದೇವಿ ತ್ರಿವೇಣ್ಯರ್ಘ್ಯಂ ಗೃಹಾಣ ಮೇ!

ತ್ರಿವೇಣ್ಯೈ ನಮ ಇದಮರ್ಘ್ಯಂ!

ದಿವಾಕರ ಜಗನ್ನಾಥ ಪ್ರಭಾಕರ ನಮೋಸ್ಥುತೇ!

ಪರಿಪೂರ್ಣಂ ಕುರುಷ್ವೇದಂ ಮಾಘ ಸ್ನಾನಂ ಮಯಾ ಕೃತಮ್ !

ಗಂಗಾಸಿಂಧು ಸರಸ್ವತೀ ಚ ಯಮುನಾ ಗೋದಾವರೀ ನರ್ಮದಾ

ಕೃಷ್ಣಾ ಭೀಮರತೀ ಚ ಫಲ್ಘುಸರಯೂ ಶ್ರೀಗಂಡಕೀ ಗೋಮತೀ

ಕಾವೇರೀ ಕಪಿಲಾಪ್ರಯಾಗವಿನುತಾ ನೇತ್ರಾವತೀತ್ಯಾದಯೋ

ನದ್ಯ: ಶ್ರೀ ಹರಿಪಾದಪಂಕಜಭವಾ: ಕುರ್ವಂತು ನೋ ಮಂಗಳಂ

మాఘ స్నాన మంత్ర:

మాఘ స్నానమిదమ్ పుణ్యమ్ స్నాస్యెహ౦ దెవ మాధవ

తీర్థస్యాస్య జలె నిత్యమితి స౦కల్ప్యచెతసి

దుఃఖ దారిద్ర్యనాశాయ శ్రీ విష్ణొస్తో‘షణాయ చ|

ప్రాతః స్నానం కరోమ్యద్య మాఘే పాపవినాశనమ్||

మకరస్థె రవౌ మాఘే గోవిందాచ్యుత మాధవ|

స్నానేనానేన మే దేవ యథోక్త ఫలధో భవ||

కృష్ణాచ్యుత నిమజ్జామి ప్రభాతేస్మీన్ శుభోదకే|

అనేన మాఘ స్నానేన సుప్రీతో మాం సముద్ధర||

మాఘ స్నానం కరిష్యామి మకరస్తే దివాకరే|

ఆ సమాప్తి మహాదేవ నిర్విఘ్నం కురు మాధవ||

అర్ఘ్య మ౦త్ర:

తపస్యర్కోదయే నధ్యాం స్నాతోహం విధి పూర్వకం|

మాధవాయ దదామీదమర్ఘ్యం సమ్యక్ ప్రసీదతు!

మాధవవాయ నమ ఇదమర్ఘ్యమ్!

సవిత్రే ప్రసవిత్రే చ పరంధామ్నే నమొస్తుతే!

త్వత్తేజసా పరిభ్రష్టం పాపం యాతు సహస్రధా

సవిత్రే నమ ఇదమర్ఘ్యమ్!

గంగా యమునయోర్మధ్యె యత్ర గుప్తా సరస్వతీ!

త్రైలోక్య వందితే దేవి త్రివేణ్యర్ఘ్యం గృహాణ మే!

త్రివేణ్యై నమ ఇదమర్ఘ్యం!

దివాకర జగన్నాథ ప్రభాకర నమోస్థుతే!

పరిపూర్ణం కురుష్వేదం మాఘ స్నానం మయా కృతమ్ !

గంగాసింధు సరస్వతీ చ యమునా గోదావరీ నర్మదా

కృష్ణా భీమరతీ చ ఫల్ఘుసరయూ శ్రీగండకీ గోమతీ

కావేరీ కపిలాప్రయాగవినుతా నేత్రావతీత్యాదయో

నద్య: శ్రీ హరిపాదపంకజభవా: కుర్వంతు నో మంగళం

மாக ஸ்நாந மம்த்ர:

மாக ஸ்நாநமிதம் புண்யம் ஸ்நாஸ்யெஹ0 தெவ மாதவ

தீர்தஸ்யாஸ்ய ஜலெ நித்யமிதி ஸ0கல்ப்யசெதஸி

துஃக தாரித்ர்யநாஶாய ஶ்ரீ விஷ்ணொஸ்தோ‘ஷணாய ச|

ப்ராதஃ ஸ்நாநம் கரோம்யத்ய மாகே பாபவிநாஶநம்||

மகரஸ்தெ ரவௌ மாகே கோவிம்தாச்யுத மாதவ|

ஸ்நாநேநாநேந மே தேவ யதோக்த பலதோ பவ||

க்ருஷ்ணாச்யுத நிமஜ்ஜாமி ப்ரபாதேஸ்மீந் ஶுபோதகே|

அநேந மாக ஸ்நாநேந ஸுப்ரீதோ மாம் ஸமுத்தர||

மாக ஸ்நாநம் கரிஷ்யாமி மகரஸ்தே திவாகரே|

ஆ ஸமாப்தி மஹாதேவ நிர்விக்நம் குரு மாதவ||

அர்க்ய ம0த்ர:

தபஸ்யர்கோதயே நத்யாம் ஸ்நாதோஹம் விதி பூர்வகம்|

மாதவாய ததாமீதமர்க்யம் ஸம்யக் ப்ரஸீதது!

மாதவவாய நம இதமர்க்யம்!

ஸவித்ரே ப்ரஸவித்ரே ச பரம்தாம்நே நமொஸ்துதே!

த்வத்தேஜஸா பரிப்ரஷ்டம் பாபம் யாது ஸஹஸ்ரதா

ஸவித்ரே நம இதமர்க்யம்!

கம்கா யமுநயோர்மத்யெ யத்ர குப்தா ஸரஸ்வதீ!

த்ரைலோக்ய வம்திதே தேவி த்ரிவேண்யர்க்யம் க்ருஹாண மே!

த்ரிவேண்யை நம இதமர்க்யம்!

திவாகர ஜகந்நாத ப்ரபாகர நமோஸ்துதே!

பரிபூர்ணம் குருஷ்வேதம் மாக ஸ்நாநம் மயா க்ருதம் !

கம்காஸிம்து ஸரஸ்வதீ ச யமுநா கோதாவரீ நர்மதா

க்ருஷ்ணா பீமரதீ ச பல்குஸரயூ ஶ்ரீகம்டகீ கோமதீ

காவேரீ கபிலாப்ரயாகவிநுதா நேத்ராவதீத்யாதயோ

நத்ய: ஶ்ரீ ஹரிபாதபம்கஜபவா: குர்வம்து நோ மம்களம்

māgha snāna maṃtra:

māgha snānamidam puṇyam snāsyeha0 deva mādhava

tīrthasyāsya jale nityamiti sa0kalpyacetasi

duḥkha dāridryanāśāya śrī viṣṇosto‘ṣaṇāya ca|

prātaḥ snānaṃ karomyadya māghe pāpavināśanam||

makarasthe ravau māghe goviṃdācyuta mādhava|

snānenānena me deva yathokta phaladho bhava||

kṛṣṇācyuta nimajjāmi prabhātesmīn śubhodake|

anena māgha snānena suprīto māṃ samuddhara||

māgha snānaṃ kariṣyāmi makaraste divākare|

ā samāpti mahādeva nirvighnaṃ kuru mādhava||

arghya mamtra:

tapasyarkodaye nadhyāṃ snātohaṃ vidhi pūrvakaṃ|

mādhavāya dadāmīdamarghyaṃ samyak prasīdatu!

mādhavavāya nama idamarghyam!

savitre prasavitre ca paraṃdhāmne namostute!

tvattejasā paribhraṣṭaṃ pāpaṃ yātu sahasradhā

savitre nama idamarghyam!

gaṃgā yamunayormadhye yatra guptā sarasvatī!

trailokya vaṃdite devi triveṇyarghyaṃ gṛhāṇa me!

triveṇyai nama idamarghyaṃ!

divākara jagannātha prabhākara namosthute!

paripūrṇaṃ kuruṣvedaṃ māgha snānaṃ mayā kṛtam !

gaṃgāsiṃdhu sarasvatī ca yamunā godāvarī narmadā

kṛṣṇā bhīmaratī ca phalghusarayū śrīgaṃḍakī gomatī

kāverī kapilāprayāgavinutā netrāvatītyādayo

nadya: śrī haripādapaṃkajabhavā: kurvaṃtu no maṃgaḷaṃ

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu