Astami mixed with saptami

[Guest guest]

> Dear Bhaktarupa Prabhu

> PAMHO AGTSP

>

> Could you tell me the criteria used to ascertain whether or not Janmastami

> this year was mixed with saptami?

>

> Hari Bhakti Vilasa clearly states that if astami on Janmastami is mixed

> with saptami then Janmastami should be observed in navami, not astami.

>

> Im not saying there is a mistake in the calculation, all i want to know is

> the CRITERIA used.

>

> Looking forward to your response.

>

> Hope you are well. Hare Krishna!!

>

> ys

>

> ad

 

Thank you for your query.

 

Astami mixed with saptami means that for the location in question, the

astami tithi is not present at any sunrise. This would mean that on day 1 at

sunrise the angle between the sun and moon is in the range of 72 degrees to

84 degrees, and on the next day, day 2, at sunrise the angle between the sun

and moon is in the range of 96 degrees to 108 degrees. Because of this, day

1 is a saptami and day 2 is a navami. No astami at any sunrise!

 

Some Vedic calendar systems, not used by the Gaudiyas, state that in such a

case, since day 1 completely encapsulates the astami tithi (meaning that the

astami tithi, which begins at 84 degrees angle and ends at 96 degrees angle,

starts after the sunrise of day 1 and ends before the sunrise of day 2),

therefore the occasions to be celebrated on the astami day should be

celebrated on day 1 during the actual time of the astami tithi. However, the

Hari Bhakti Vilas citation that you correctly state above says that day 1 is

"contaminated" by the saptami, and thus is not suitable for the observance

of Janmastami and it must be celebrated on the next day, day 2, which

happens to be a navami.

 

I hope this is OK.

 

Your servant, Bhaktarupa Das