The Month of the Supreme Person

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Purusottama Adhika Masa – The Month of the Supreme person

 

(May 17 – June 30 2007)

 

Every two (sometimes three) years in Vedik Sidereal astrology there is

a time compensation month added to correct, and adjust the time

movements. This is something similar to the western Leap Year.

 

This month is considered to be very auspicious (adhika = best or

greatest), as Vishnu Himself appearing in a Calendrical Form to rectify

our astrological and astronomical calculations.

The

astronomical parameters differ only slightly in different astronomical

texts. For our present discussions, these differences will not matter

much and so we follow the Suryasiddhanta. According to this text,

1 Lunar year = 29.5305 X 12 = 354.366 days

1 Solar year = 365.2587 days.

Thus

one lunar year lags behind the solar year and one lunation has to be

added after 3 years to fit the lunar year into the solar one.

Astronomers have called this intercalary lunation as adhika month, and

have asserted that this month is to be added to the lunar year.

 

According

to the Vedic/Hindu lunar year, there were only 12 months. Each of the

twelve months was assigned to the 12 great devas. So that the lunar and

the solar years do not get out of step with days and seasons, the

far-sighted Rishi and Munis calculated and facilitated Adhika Masa

(extra month) and shown its importance. But one problem still remained.

Each of the 12 months was assigned to 12 different devas. But the 13th

extra month was not assigned to any deva. Adhika Masa felt sadness and

approached Lord Vishnu and said that no deva was assigned to him and

for that reason he was called Mal Masa or Malimmacha. Adhik Masa

further spoke to Lord Vishnu: ' I am filled with anxiety and I have

therefore come to seek your refuge and help.'

Lord

Vishnu took pity on him. The Lord agreed and assigned Adhika Masa to

Himself and gave the name Purushottama Masa to this month. Lord Vishnu

also said that acquisition of merits during other months through good

deeds, japa, austerities etc can be acquired by japa, austerities etc.

carried out within this one month. Since then it is known as the

Purushottama Masa and acquired greater significance than the other

months. Purushottama is a name for the Lord which means the topmost

person.