What is Yuga:di? Why do we celebrate Yuga:di?

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JAI SRIMANNARAYANA

 

WISH YOU ALL HAPPY YUGADI !

 

1. What is Yuga:di ?

 

A. Time is one of the auspicious forms of Lord Narayana according to Veda.

Yuga + A:di becomes Yuga:di. It means the beginning of a new era. According

to Vedic system, a new time period starts from this Yuga:di day.

All the stars that can be observed

by human beings from anywhere round this Earth, spread all over the sky are

divided into 27 groups called Nakshathras. That is, the whole of sky visible

to humanbeings from round the Earth is divided into 27 parts. All these parts

are fixed in their positions. Each segment is given a name, in general, called

Nakshathram. Moon will be in the area of one of the Nakshathras for few hours

(nearly a day). Vedic Rishis who realised this wonderful arrangement, have

found out that each Nakshathram was referred to by these Vedic hymns with

perfectly suitable names. When it is full Moon day on Chiththa Nakshathram,

then the month is called Chaithra Month. Similarly when the Visakha

Nakshathram is on Full Moon day then it is called Vaisakha Month. Like that 12

months will make one year. In every month, 15 days before Full Moon is called

Sukla Paksham and 15 days after is called Krushna

Paksham.

This is the day, upon the request of

four headed Bramha, Lord Narayana came down from Pa:lakadali (Milk Ocean) as

Lord Ranganatha (who is now in Srirangam) onto this Earth. This is the first

Archa:vatha:ram (deity form) descended on this Earth. This day is hence Lord

Rangana:ttha:'s birth day. The day when Lord came onto this Earth is marked the

auspicious beginning of the era, the new year.

 

2. Why do we celebrate Yuga:di ?

 

A. To mark the auspicious occasion of Lord's descendance onto this Earth,

people celebrate Yuga:di. From this day, the whole Nature changes its colour.

Nature serves Lord by commencing its new cycle of seasons from this day.

Lord, just out of Love and unconditional mercy, to save the bound souls, came

down to Earth in Archa form. Realised sages and great rishis who

understood this, ear marked this great occasion and thus everyone

celebrate Yuga:di. Lord Rama, Ideal Man, was born on 9th day after this

Yugadi. Sri Rama's marriage with Sitha was also performed on this 9th day from

Yugadi only.

 

3. How do we celebrate Yuga:di ?

 

A. On Yuga:di day people celebrate the occasion by performing the following:

Mainly, People take full shower, wear new clothes, offer prayers to God, eat a

simple special preparation that has all 6 tastes, thus sharing the joy

along with all the family members, relatives and friends. People listen to

Pancha:ngam from the devoted Purohits who prepare traditional calenders.

Basing on the broad consensus of the results of the Pancha:ngam of coming year,

people plan their major undertakings and other activities. Students /

disciples honour their Teachers and Gurus with their best offerings and take

their blessings. People offer Puja to cows, big trees etc. Farmers sow the

seeds in a specially prepared area to test the strength of their seeds and the

fertility of their lands. Artists give performances, inaugurating their

gratitude towards God and His subjects. Scholars were invited to participate

in scholastic discussions and discourses on

Vedas, Puranas, Ithihasas, Sasthras etc. Poetic convocations (Kavi

Sammelans) and Brilliant literary feats ( Avadhanas ) will be conducted on the

occasion. This occasion marks a great significance for performances and fresh

starts of native cultural activities. All these are group activities that

enhance mutual relationship, moral standards and improve harmony among people in

the society.

People in traditional families chant Sri Ramayana

from this day and understand the subteleties of one's duty and purpose of

living to lead an ideal life.

 

4. What is Pancha:nga Sravanam ?

 

A. There are five prime attributes of time, Titthi ( Time based on Moon's

phase), Va:ra (Time based on planet's influence) , Nakshathra (Time based on

specific Nakshathra under influence, Yo:ga (Time based on different

conjunctions) and Karana (Time based on several predetermined constants).

Basing on these attributes and the Planets' nature of influence, a broad

forecast is made regarding major factors of environmental changes, rains,

growth of different grains, profits and losses of different stocks, occurance

of solar or lunar eclipses etc.. in the near future. Great Scholars who know

the science of planets and nakshathras will calculate different factors based

on Vedic principles. It's customary for people to listen to the revealings of

those scholars with Divine Motive and thus plan their future with a

pre-emptive preparedness and caution in rendering their services to Lord through

their regular duties and other projects. Thus Pancha:nga Sravanam (

listening to the Pancha:ngam ) is considered an auspicious act by people

which inspires and assures the noble mission of planned achievements in the

coming year.

 

It's like assessing the environment, pitch and

the ground, before players enter the ground, owing to many influencing factors

and constants.

 

The Pancha:nga karthas calculate eclipses

exactly just using the principles of Vedic Mathematics ! The calculations

of scientists and their heavy equipment may fail at times ! But the

calculations of an authentic scholar of Vedic tradition who just calculates in

his room just on a paper using the facts given in Sasthras, observing the

movements of Sun, Moon, requires no equipment or formulae or data of today's

modern science !! What a great science it is ? Instead of appreciating it and

knowing the greatness of our Vedic science, some pseudo rationalists started

questioning the Pancha:ngam.

 

Note: Panchangam and Jyothisham share common science of our Sasthras,

Puranas. They are not meant to be interpreted for selfish benefits. No

science is bad. It depends on how the science is used. No technology is bad,

it depends on how it is used. Isn't it? It's not the technology and science

that need to be questioned, but, its practical usage and implementation aspect

that needs to be guarded.

 

However, these days, as many people who claim

themselves scholars, posing much in media with good make up, clad in Vedic

attire, though they by themselves never follow basic Vedic principles either

in their conduct or in their attitude, started to poke their nose into this

sacred science, started to take advantage of weaknesses of people. When such

misleading people hold big positions in society or have strong political/

financial backup started using this pancha:ngam solely for more and more

profitable business, the sanctity of this science was ruined and unfortunately

common man was misled who started doubting the very science which is still

practical and proven.

 

5. What is Nimbakusuma Bhakshanam ?

 

A. In every home, they prepare a nice mixture using fresh sugarcane pieces,

neem flowers, tamarind fruits, new mango pieces, jaggery, banana pieces, few

green chillies, little ginger, salt, cardomom, elaichi .... taken all

afresh, natural and unprocessed. Of course, they are all mixed in judicial

proportions to make the mixture reflect all the tastes. This will have all 6

tastes of sweet, hot, sour, bitter, salt, acrid.

 

It appears that it is meant to remind us that life is a mixture

of all the tastes and experiences. One should be able to face them all and

handle the situations smartly and successfully in progressing towards the goal

of life.

 

This mixture is called Nimbakusuma Bhakshanam. Eating this

mixture is also Nimbakusuma Bhakshanam. The major content is fresh neem flowers

called Nimbakusuma. Bhakshanam means a dish. Bhakshanam also means eating.

 

 

 

Wishing you all a happy Yuga:di.

 

Jai Srimannarayana!