Vedic Month Names

May 4, 2009

dear sreenadh ji

very good informativ post with lot of ideas .

All vedic texts and allied litterature uses various months and yudadhi concepts in varying way and it may b reflecting the usage of those in the purticular context or happening till the day of composition .Also over yrs may b some interpolations by way of some missings even possible .Here i wonder abt the creed of ppl who criticise everything ( but they says they want re surrection of vedic culture ) and says i read everything frm cover to cover and then says their own misconcepts as the base of arguemnts and says it is wat rishies meant by it .

But a serious sincere seeker has his own troubles ,limitations and even confusions .where as for them everything is easy so long as it is easy to misintrepret and if some one mentions some thing contradictory by quoting texts they will ask question to that poor soul in the manner to date the text or ask who is who etc and then shower all kinds of abuses on vedas and holy litterature and as if it is ur duty to clear their ignorence

for them it is a bliss and blessing

I know the main reason ,who ever supported western scholars only got awards ,rewards and even any funding ,who ever go strictly with traditions are always discarded by General public ,our Govtmnts and even all western medias

so we hav to fight with this slumdog millinaire's too in our pursuit for clearing many ambiguities and they r paid and well equipped where as we spend our own hard earned wealth and time and result may b suffering in personal life too

thanks and keep it up

rgrds sunil nair

, "Sreenadh" <sreesog wrote:>> Vedic Month Names> - Written by Sreenadh OG> Vedic Months> Types of Months> > Vedic literature speaks about 5 types of named Months and three types of> unnamed months.> > The named month sequences are - Tapa, Magha, Mesha, Aruna and Baja.> > The un-named month sequences are – The Nakshatra month and the> Nityayoga month> > The month sequence can be –> > 1. Sidereal Lunar : like the Nakshtra month (Lunar)> 2. Luni-solar : like the Chaitradi months (Lunar)> 3. Tropical Solar : like the western solar tropical months> (Solar)> 4. Sidereal Solar : like the Meshadi months (Solar)> > These are the only four categories month names can belong to. While> speaking about months it is essential that we understand about what type> of month we are dealing with. Same is true for Vedic months as well.> > [Please note that the Gregorian solar months like January, February,> March etc that we use today do not belong to any of the above four> scientific categories – but just fixed name sequences for dividing> 365 days only.]> > > > Adhimasa and Mala masa> > Another general concept of importance is Adhimasa (extra month) and> Malamasa (impure month). They don't mean the same. Extra month is> always connected with Lunar months and Malamasa with Solar months.> > Extra Month (Adhi masa): Tithi or Nakshtra based Lunar months and the> Lunar year would be always small compared to the solar year. To adjust> the difference and make them tune with each other usually an extra Lunar> month is considered. This extra lunar month is termed `adhi> masa' (extra month).> > > > Impure Month (mala masa): If start of more than one lunar month occurs> with in a single solar month, then that solar month would be treated as> impure month (mala masa). For example in Amanta system (month start with> Sukla paksha pradipada, i.e. with first day after new moon), if two> Amavasi (no moon or new moon) occur with in a single solar month, then> that solar month would be considered as impure. In Pournamanta system> (month start with krishna paksha pradipada, i.e. with first day after> full moon) if two Paurnami (full moon) occur with in a single solar> month, then that solar month would be considered as impure (mala masa).> > Please note that we would be speaking about extra month (Adhimasa) only> in case of Lunar months and impure month (Malamasa) only in case of> Solar months.> > > > List of Months> > Firstly, without considering whether these months are sidereal lunar,> sidereal solar, tropical solar, lunar (luni-solar) – the vedic named> months are listed below –> > > > > > Sl> > 1.Chitradi> > 2.Madhuvadi> > 3.Arunadi> > 4.Bajadi> > 5.Meshadi> > 1> > Chaitra> > Madhu> > Aruna> > Baja> > Mesha> > 2> > Vaisakha> > Madhav> > Arunaraja> > Prasava> > Vrishabha> > 3> > Jyeshta> > Sukra> > Pundareeka> > Apija> > Mithuna> > 4> > Ashadha> > Suchi> > Viswajit> > Kratu> > Karkita> > 5> > Sravana> > Nabha> > Abhijit> > Vasu> > Simha> > 6> > Bhadrapada> > Nabhasya> > Ardra> > Aharpnati> > Kanya> > 7> > Asvina> > Isha> > Pinvaman> > Mugdhahra> > Tula> > 8> > Kartika> > Urja> > Annavan> > Vainamsina> > Vrischika> > 9> > Margaseersha> > Saha> > Rasavan> > Atyayana> > Dhanu> > 10> > Pausha> > Sahasya> > Iravan> > Bhauvana> > Makara> > 11> > Magha> > Tapa> > Sarvoshadha> > Bhuvanapati> > Kumbha> > 12> > Phalguna> > Tapasya> > Sambhara> > Adhipalaka> > Meena> > Extra/Impure Month> > Adhikamasa> > Maliplucha> > Mahasvan> > Prajapati> > Malamasa> > I will discuss these 5 unique vedic month sequences in detail as and> when required. Out of these five sequences due to the presence of extra> months - such as Adhikamasa in Chaitradi sequence and Mahasvan in> Arunadi sequence - it is evident that most possibly they are Lunar month> sequences. Similarly due to the presence of impure months – such as> Maliplucha in Madhavadi sequence and Malamasa in Meshadi sequence it is> evident that most possibly they are solar months. There is a good> possibility that Bajadi months are also solar in nature as evident from> the use of other names of Sun for naming months such as Kratu, Vasu etc.> Thus we have 5 Vedic month sequences such as –> > 1) Chaitradi (Lunar)> > 2) Madhavadi (Solar)> > 3) Arunadi (Lunar)> > 4) Bajadi (Solar)> > 5) Meshadi (Solar)> > But this vague understanding won't be enough if we want to approach> this subject in a scholarly way. So I will try to go further in our> effort to understand these Vedic month sequences.> > > > Differentiating Lunar and Solar Months> > Secondly, our effort should be to identify which of them are Lunar> (sidereal lunar, luni-solar) and which are solar (sidereal solar,> tropical solar). Two criteria we can use are –> > * If the month names uses Nakshatra names then definitely they> are Lunar (sidereal lunar or luni-solar) in nature> * If the month sequence provides a special name for extra month> then definitely it is a lunar (sidereal lunar or luni-solar) month> and not solar month.> > The Chaitradi month names clearly indicate that they are connected to> Nakshtras such as Chaitra, Vaisakha, Jyeshta etc and so definitely Lunar> (sidereal lunar or luni-solar). Similarly the Arunadi month names do> refer to Nakshatras such as Abhijit and Ardra and so most possibly> Lunar. To substantiate the argument, Chaitradi sequence do have an extra> month with the name Adhika masa or Adhi masa (meaning `extra> month') and Arunadi sequence do have an extra month with the name> Mahasvan (meaning `bright' or `great'). Therefore it is> certain that both Chaitradi and Arunadi sequences where Lunar (sidereal> lunar or luni-solar) in nature.> Lunar Months> Differentiating Sidereal Lunar and Luni-solar Months> > How would we identify whether a lunar month is, sidereal lunar or> luni-solar? This can usually be identified based on the definition of> the month itself. Further it should be noted that the popular Vedic> months are luni-solar in nature – since they are based on Tithi and> Full Moon or New Moon in various Nakshatras.> > Sidereal Lunar Months = 27 Nakshatras (27 1/3 solar days)> > Sidereal Lunar Year = 324 Nakshatra days = 27.333 x 12 = 327 solar days> > To make such months in tune with the Solar year of 365.2425 days more> than one extra month (Adhimasa) per year would be required in this case;> and the extra month should contain 365 – 327 = 38 days.> > Is it possible that the Arunadi sequence was Sidereal Lunar in nature -> especially because of the fact that the extra month is named Mahasvan> (meaning `bright' or `great')? Was this naming done> since the extra month was more than 38 days long? No - this do not seem> to be true. Why? If Arunadi months were sidereal lunar in nature they> will never get names which refer to Sun. The month names Aruna, Arunaja,> Iravan all refer to Sun. For this it is evident that, Arunadi month> sequence is luni-solar in nature. It is well known that the most popular> Vedic month sequence, the Madhavadi moths is also luni-solar in nature.> > Sidereal Lunar Months = 30 Tithis (29.5 solar days)> > Sidereal Lunar Year = 29.5 x 12 = 354 solar days> > To make such months in tune with the Solar year of 365.2425 days more> than one extra month (Adhimasa) per three years would be required in> this case; and the extra month should contain (365 – 354 = 11 days> per year) x 3 years = 33 days.> > This was the system of extra month followed in Chaitradi sequence and> Arunadi sequence.> > > > Chaitradi Months> > Let us understand what period of the year these months refer to> currently –> > Sl> > Chitradi> > Gregorian Date> > (approx)> > Condition: Full Moon in the Nakshatra -> > 1> > Chaitra> > Mar 21 – Apr 21> > Chitra> > 2> > Vaisakha> > Apr 21 – May 21> > Visakha> > 3> > Jyeshta> > May 21 – Jun 21> > Jyeshta> > 4> > Ashadha> > Jun 21 – Jul 21> > Purva Ashadha> > 5> > Sravana> > Jul 21 – Aug 21> > Sravana> > 6> > Bhadrapada> > Aug 21 – Sep 21> > Purva Bhadrapada> > 7> > Asvina> > Sep 21 – Oct 21> > Asvina> > 8> > Kartika> > Oct 21 – Nov 21> > Kartika> > 9> > Margaseersha> > Nov 21 – Dec 21> > Mrigaseersha> > 10> > Pausha> > Dec 21 – Jan 21> > Pushya> > 11> > Magha> > Jan 21 – Feb 21> > Magha> > 12> > Phalguna> > Feb 21 – Mar 21> > Uttara Phalguna> > When connected with seasons, usually for Chaitradi months the year (and> month counting) could start from either Chaitra (i.e. from vernal> equinox) or from Magha (i.e. from winter solstice). The other two> possible starting points such as Asvina (i.e. from autumnal equinox) and> Ashadha (i.e. from summer solstice) are not much known to have been in> use. But still many Vedic evidences points to the fact that, even when> the month names used remains the same, the year beginning could be in> any season – depending on locality, culture, religion, festivals and> so on.> > > > Arunadi Months> > Let us understand the period represented by Arunadi months also in the> same way. We get these month names from Tatireeya brahmana quote that> reads as follows –> > Aruno arunarajaH pundareeko visvajit abhijit ardraH> > Pinvamano annavan rasavan iravan sarvoshadhaH sambharo mahasvan> > (Taitireeya brahmana 1-10-1)> > [(The months are) Aruna, Arunaraja, Pundareeka, Viswajit, Abhijit,> Ardra, Pinnvamano, Annavan, Rasavan, Iravan, Sarvoshadha, Sambhara and> Mahasvan]> > > > But please note that 13 month names are listed here, indicating that the> sage is speaking about Lunar months. The listing starts with Aruna> indicating that the year started with this month itself. If we> `assume' that the year beginning was in tune with `vernal> equinox' (this is not certain or necessary, but only an assumption)> then the months would represent approximately the following period given> in the table below. It is also not certain, what were the pre-conditions> used to derive the span of the month. If we again `assume' that> Arunadi were months similar to Chaitradi, calculated based on the> presence of Full Moon within the month then possibly the situation was> as follows –> > > > Sl> > Arunadi> > Gregorian Date> > (approx)> > Condition: Full Moon in the Nakshatra -> > 1> > Aruna> > Mar 21 – Apr 21> > Hasta> > 2> > Arunaraja> > Apr 21 – May 21> > Swati> > 3> > Pundareeka> > May 21 – Jun 21> > Anuradha> > 4> > Viswajit> > Jun 21 – Jul 21> > Mula> > 5> > Abhijit> > Jul 21 – Aug 21> > Abhijit> > 6> > Ardra> > Aug 21 – Sep 21> > Satabhishak> > 7> > Pinvaman> > Sep 21 – Oct 21> > Revati> > 8> > Annavan> > Oct 21 – Nov 21> > Bharani> > 9> > Rasavan> > Nov 21 – Dec 21> > Rohini> > 10> > Iravan> > Dec 21 – Jan 21> > Punarvasu> > 11> > Sarvoshadha> > Jan 21 – Feb 21> > Aslesha> > 12> > Sambhara> > Feb 21 – Mar 21> > Purva Phalguna> > Please note that the above listing is just an assumption and may not be> the truth. With the Nakshatra names Abhijit and Ardra coming so close to> each other, I am not even certain that these are Lunar month names. It> is also possible that these are Solar months names derived based on some> other condition. A some what common thread of – many month names> indicating Vishnu, many month names indicating some Vedic yagas, many> month indicating some connection with seasons etc are trends that are> visible in this month naming. But no single, solid, common clue which> can be used to decipher the secret of these month names is available. It> seems that here the month division is done based on the bright Nakshatra> Abhijit. It should be considered that in Nakshatra divisions (of 13 deg> 20 min) as well all the corresponding Yoga Taras (bright stars of the> division) falls within the Nakshatra division, only when Abhijit star is> considered as the starting point. Certainly as some point in the Vedic> past Abhijit star might have been made use of both in the Nakshatra> division as well as in Month division. The special name "Brahma> Rasi" (Sign of creation) given to Makara Rasi (Capricorn Sign) in> Mahabharata also serves as a supporting factor here. Please note that> Abhijit star is at the beginning of Makara Rasi (Capricorn sign).> Considering these scenarios it is even possible that these month names> are sidereal in nature. The fact is that – except the following two> points we are not sure about any thing related to this month sequence.> The points we are sure about are –> > * Arunadi month names were in use in the Vedic period> * Arunadi month sequence starts with the month of Aruna –> i.e. the year used to begin with the month of Aruna.> Solar Months> Differentiating Tropical Solar and Sidereal Solar Months> > Even if we identify that some month sequences are Solar (due the absence> of extra months, due to the presence of impure months etc), how can we> differentiate between the two types of Solar months – i.e. Tropical> Solar and Sidereal Solar? The only arguments that we can take help from> are as follows –> > * The tropical solar months will have names that reflect the> seasons which they represent. i.e. The meaning of the words used as> month names will point to the seasons they represent.> * For tropical month names - at all periods of time, people> would be referring to particular months with a particular season > with the same name itself.> * The sidereal month names will have names that associate them> with the stellar or Nakshatra belt.> * Just like the description about the movement of equinoxes or> solstices through Nakshtras, descriptions about the movement of> equinoxes or solstices through Sidereal Months (Signs) would be > available.> > It is in the absence of clear pointers as stated above that people fall> into the confusion of whether to consider some month sequences given in> Vedas as Tropical Solar or Sidereal Solar. The same happened with> Madhuvadi months and Bajadi months as well, even every one were certain> that Meshadi months are sidereal solar months in nature.> > > > The possible candidates for Solar Vedic months are Madhuvadi, Bajadi and> Meshadi months. Let us discuss them one by one.> > > > Madhuvadi> > Some people consider these month sequences as tropical and some as> sidereal. The whole confusion about these month stuff and what they mean> seems to have originated from a single Taitireeya Brahmnama quote, which> states that "during that period spring season started with Madhu> masa". Some argue that one Rk Vedanga Jyotisha quote also> substantiates the above statement. The quote reads as follows –> > Madhuscha madhavascha vasantikavritu, Suktrascha suchischa graishmavritu> > Nabhascha nabhasyascha varshikavritu, Ishaschorjascha saradavritu> > Sahascha sahasyascha haimantikavritu, Tapascha tapasyascha saisiravritu> > (Taitireeya brahmana 4-4-11)> > [(During the period of Taitireeya brahmana) Vasanta ritu is composed of> Madhu and Madhava, Greeshma ritu is composed of Sukra and Suchi, Varsha> ritu is composed of Nabha and Nabhasya, Sarad ritu is composed of Isha> and Urja, Hemanta ritu is composed of Saha and Sahasya, Sisira ritu is> composed of Tapa and Tapasya]> > Now this quote can have two type of interpretation – one by> considering these Vedic months as tropical solar and other by> considering them as sidereal solar. The only possible third> interpretation would be of treating this quote as erroneous. Since it is> one of the rare evidences related Madhuvadi month sequences we have, let> us accept this quote as true and sincere and try to know the possible> interpretations.> > > > Interpreting Madhuvadi as Tropical Solar months> > The popular interpretation is of treating Madhuvadi months as Tropical> solar. This interpretation would mean that, what ever the time period be> – Madhu and Madhava would be the months of Vasanta ritu; Sukra and> Suchi would be the months of Greeshma ritu and so on. But then again> there are two opinions about where the vasanta ritu starts – as per> one tradition vernal equinox comes at the beginning of Vasanta ritu, and> as per the other it is in the middle of vasanta ritu. The first one is> popular in India, while is the second is popular in the west.> > > > a) Vernal equinox at the beginning of Vasanta Ritu> > Sl> > Madhuvadi> > Gregorian Date> > (approx)> > Season> > 1> > Madhu> > Mar 21 – Apr 21> > Vasanta> > > > 2> > Madhav> > Apr 21 – May 21> > 3> > Sukra> > May 21 – Jun 21> > Greeshma> > 4> > Suchi> > Jun 21 – Jul 21> > 5> > Nabha> > Jul 21 – Aug 21> > Varsha> > 6> > Nabhasya> > Aug 21 – Sep 21> > 7> > Isha> > Sep 21 – Oct 21> > Sarat> > 8> > Urja> > Oct 21 – Nov 21> > 9> > Saha> > Nov 21 – Dec 21> > Hemanata> > 10> > Sahasya> > Dec 21 – Jan 21> > 11> > Tapa> > Jan 21 – Feb 21> > Sisira> > 12> > Tapasya> > Feb 21 – Mar 21> > > > b) Vernal equinox at the middle of Vasanta Ritu> > Sl> > Madhuvadi> > Gregorian Date> > (approx)> > Season> > 1> > Madhu> > Mar 5 – Apr 5> > Vasanta> > > > 2> > Madhav> > Apr 5 – May 5> > 3> > Sukra> > May 5 – Jun 5> > Greeshma> > 4> > Suchi> > Jun 5 – Jul 5> > 5> > Nabha> > Jul 5 – Aug 5> > Varsha> > 6> > Nabhasya> > Aug 5 – Sep 5> > 7> > Isha> > Sep 5 – Oct 5> > Sarat> > 8> > Urja> > Oct 5 – Nov 5> > 9> > Saha> > Nov 5 – Dec 5> > Hemanata> > 10> > Sahasya> > Dec 5 – Jan 5> > 11> > Tapa> > Jan 5 – Feb 5> > Sisira> > 12> > Tapasya> > Feb 21 – Mar 21> > Some one who considers Madhuvadi months as Tropical solar can select any> one of these opinions. Let us consider the first opinion (which is the> popular one), and try to understand the same. Madhuvadi months do not> seem to be `Tropical months' considering the following points> –> > * If we accept this system we will have to accept that –> > * Vedic sages named the cold seasons as hot seasons! (Tapa and> Tapasya mean hot)> * Vedic sages named the cloudy rain season as clean sky> seasons! (Nabha and Nabhasya mean `clean sky')> * Similarly we will have to wonder why they named the hot> seasons as white (sukra) and clean (Suchi) and so on. Similar logic> holds good for all month names.> * Even though throughout the sequence there is only one month> name with the meaning repeating or beginning (i.e. Isha) we will> have to accept that Isha is not the beginning month but instead> Madhu masa.> > These two basic arguments prompt me to deny any possibility of> considering these month names as Tropical Solar. What ever be the> popular opinion, I am not ready to join the thoughtless mass who assumes> that these months are Tropical solar in nature.> > [[but then again question remains – Why then the BC 1400 text Rk> Vedanga Jyotisha text also refer to the month of Tapa and tell as that> it is in tune with Vedic Magha? Does it not point to the fact that> Madhuvadi months are Tropical Solar itself? I don't have an answer> to this question as of now – and so move forward, in order to> consider the other possibilities.]]> > > > Interpreting Madhuvadi as Sidereal Solar months> > What if we treat these month names as Sidereal Solar months? Then the> above Taitireeya brahmana quote will simply mean that during that period> the seasons were in tune with those sidereal months. This info would be> helpful to us even in dating Taitireeya brahmana text as well, provided> we know which area of the sky is indicated by the names such as Madhu,> Madhava etc.> > But to strongly argue that these months are Sidereal in nature the first> reference we need is that of somebody associating different seasons with> the same month names. i.e. Since the solstices and equinoxes moves> through the sidereal months at different periods of time, different> months should get associated with the same seasons. Do we have any such> evidence to quote? Yes – We do! Let me share two such references.> > 1) Linga Purana> > (Source:> http://books.google.co.in/books?id=zhIbyxoxHMgC & pg=PA39 & lpg=PA39 & dq=madh\> u+madhav+months & source=bl & ots=twVTTMeRgn & sig=AWXpO1U14AJrYADzYdEvqtbbJz0\> & hl=en & ei=p23sSfG_LMuUkAXe7JyoCA & sa=X & oi=book_result & ct=result & resnum=3#\> PPA39,M1> <http://books.google.co.in/books?id=zhIbyxoxHMgC & pg=PA39 & lpg=PA39 & dq=mad\> hu+madhav+months & source=bl & ots=twVTTMeRgn & sig=AWXpO1U14AJrYADzYdEvqtbbJz\> 0 & hl=en & ei=p23sSfG_LMuUkAXe7JyoCA & sa=X & oi=book_result & ct=result & resnum=3\> #PPA39,M1> ) Ref to page 39.> > The above link provides the following info from Linga Purana –> > "According to this account (i.e Linga purana) Madhu and Madhava are> months of Greeshma, Sukra and Suchi of Varsha, Nabha and Nabhasya of> Sharata, Isha and Urja of Hemanta, Saha and Sahasya of Sheeta and> Tapa-Tapasya of Vasanta"> > > > 2) Taitireeya Brahmana> > According to Taitireeya Brahmana Madhu-Madhava are the months of> Vasanta, Sukra-Suchi of Greeshma, Nabha-Nabhasya of Varsha, Isha-Urja of> Sarat, Saha-Sahasya of Hemanta and Tapa-Tapasya of Sisira.> > > > The above two accounts – one from Linga purana and the other from> Taitireeya Brahmana – associates different months with the same> seasons; a clear evidence to prove that those months are sidereal in> nature and that the seasons are moving through those sidereal months!> > > > Now I am equipped with the following info –> > * These Vedic months starts with Isha (since it is the only> month in the sequence with the meaning repeating or beginning)> * These Vedic months are sidereal in nature> > > > With this much understanding, I daringly add the following assumption> –> > * Just like the other sidereal month sequence Meshadi - > Madhuvadi must also have been starting on the same sidereal> location. That should be the very reason for listing these months> starting from Madhu masa instead of Isha which is the actual> starting point of this month sequence. Then Ishadi must have been > Tuladi month sequence itself. Thus I get the following sequence –> > > > Sl> > Ishadi> > Gregorian Date> > (approx)> > Tuladi> > 1> > Isha> > Oct 14 – Nov 14> > Tula> > 2> > Urja> > Nov 14 – Dec 14> > Virschika> > 3> > Saha> > Dec 14 – Jan 14> > Dhanu> > 4> > Sahasya> > Jan 14 – Feb 14> > Makara> > 5> > Tapa> > Feb 14 – Mar 14> > Kumbha> > 6> > Tapasya> > Mar 14 – Apr 14> > Meena> > 7> > Madhu> > Apr 14 – May 14> > Mesha> > 8> > Madhav> > May 14 – Jun 14> > Vrishabha> > 9> > Sukra> > Jun 14 – Jul 14> > Mithuna> > 10> > Suchi> > Jul 14 – Aug 14> > Karkitaka> > 11> > Nabha> > Aug 14 – Sep 14> > Simha> > 12> > Nabhasya> > Sep 14 – Oct 14> > Kanya> > > > So this was the original Vedic Ishadi sidereal solar month sequence that> was in use! What if I arrange it just like the normal Meshadi, Madhuvadi> sidereal month sequence? Then I will get the following table.> > Sl> > Madhuvadi> > Gregorian Date> > (approx)> > Meshadi> > 1> > Madhu> > Apr 14 – May 14> > Mesha> > 2> > Madhav> > May 14 – Jun 14> > Vrishabha> > 3> > Sukra> > Jun 14 – Jul 14> > Mithuna> > 4> > Suchi> > Jul 14 – Aug 14> > Karkitaka> > 5> > Nabha> > Aug 14 – Sep 14> > Simha> > 6> > Nabhasya> > Sep 14 – Oct 14> > Kanya> > 7> > Isha> > Oct 14 – Nov 14> > Tula> > 8> > Urja> > Nov 14 – Dec 14> > Virschika> > 9> > Saha> > Dec 14 – Jan 14> > Dhanu> > 10> > Sahasya> > Jan 14 – Feb 14> > Makara> > 11> > Tapa> > Feb 14 – Mar 14> > Kumbha> > 12> > Tapasya> > Mar 14 – Apr 14> > Meena> > > > Am I certain about the fact that Madhu is in tune with Mesha? Actually I> am not. But I am certain that the Madhu is sidereal solar month. So I> think, I can daringly take the risk of this assumption, especially due> to the fact that both the Madhuvadi sequence and Meshadi sequence was in> use during Vedic times – if both were sidereal, they must have been> in tune with each other. The same was true for the sidereal Nakshatra> sequence Aswinyadi as well – all sidereal systems must have shared a> common starting point. Further the dating of text in which these> references occur also should help me to evaluate the truthfulness or> falsehood of my assumption.> > > > Dating the references provided by Taitireeya Brahmana and Linga Purana> > Now how can this whole understanding help us in interpreting the> Tatireeya Brahmana quote we have?> > Modern scholars consider Taitireeya brahmana as a text of first half of> first millennium BC – i.e. between BC 500 to 1 BC. During that> period the vernal equinox was in Aswini Nakshatra (BC 680 to AD 280).> True, during the period of Taitireeya brahmana, Vasanta ritu was> composed of Madhu-Madhava (Mesha-Vrishabha). This means that our derived> information about the Madhuvadi sidereal solar months is in tune with> modern historical and literary understanding about the period of Vedic> texts as well.> > > > What about the period referred to by Linga Purana?> > Linga purana is referring to the current scenario, where Madhu-Madhava> is in tune with the Greeshama season (hot season from Apr 14 till Jun> 14). Where would be Vansanta Ritu? As per linga purana view,> Tapa-Tapasya (Feb 14th to Apr 14th) indicate the Vasanta ritu –> possibly pointing to the fact that Linga purana assumes vernal equinox> to be at the middle of Vasanta ritu. This means that Linga Purana is> referring to the current scenario itself and is a text of later origin> than Taitireeya Brahmana. But it does seems to contain better> understanding about the usefulness and application of these sidereal> months (than the lone quote of Taitireeya Brahmana) – as evident> from the detailed correlation of seasons and many other factors of> astrological predictive usefulness. Linga purana even though a text of> later day origin, seems to have preserved the original Saiva traditional> teachings and the connected Tantric wisdom. Any one could feel the> traditional roots of this wisdom from the following words provided by> Linga Purana –> > > > Every season has two adityas (gods), two sages, two gandharvas, two> apsaras, two rakshasas (demons), and two nagas (snakes) that ride on the> Sun's chariot to keep the Sun company. Their names along with the> seasons are given below.> > a) Greeshma: The Adityas, Dhata and Aryama; the sages, pulastya and> pulaha; the gandharvas, Tumburu and Narada; the Apsaras, Kritasthala and> Punjikasthala; the Rakshasas, Raksholeti and Prabeti; the Nagas,. Uraga> and Vasuki.> > b) Varsha: The Adityas, Mitra and Varuna; the sages, Atri and> Vashishtha; the Gandharvas, Haha and Huhu; The Apsaras, Menaka and> Sahajanya, the Rakshasas, Paurucheya and Vadha; the Nagas, Takshaka and> one other (name not mentioned)> > c) Sharat: The Adityas Indra and Vivasvana; the sages, Angirus and> Bhrigu; the Gandharvas, Vishvavasu and Ugasha; the Apsaras, Pramlocha> and Arumlocha; the Rakshasas, Sarpa and Vyagha; the Nagas Elapatra and> Shankhapala> > d) Hemanta: The Adityas Parjanya and Pusha; the sages, Bharadwaja> an Gautama; the Gandharvas, Suruchi and Paravasu; the Apsaras, Gritaji> and Vishvachi; the Rakshasas, Ape and vata; the Nagas, Dhananjaya an> Iravan.> > e) Sheeta: The Adityas, Anshu and Bhaga; the sages, Kasyapa and> Kratu; the Gandharvas, Chitrasena and Urnayu; the Apsaras, Urvani and> Purvachitti, the Rakshasas, Vidyuta and Diva; the Nagas, Mahapadma and> Karkataka.> > f) Vasanta: The Adityas, Twashta and Vishnu; the sages, Jamadagni> and Viswamitra; the Gandharvas, Dhritarashtra and Suryavarcha, the> Apsaras, Tilottama and Rambha; the Rakshasas, Brahmopeta and Yakshopeta;> the Nagas, Kambana and Ashvatara.> > (Source: Quoted from the earlier Linga purana reference itself)> > Wasn't that informative and useful? The Saiva tantric tradition and> the knowledge it shares is always like that!> > > > (To be continued……)>

May 17, 2009

Vedic Month Names

-

Written by Sreenadh OG

Vedic Months

Types of Months

Vedic literature speaks about 5

types of named Months and three types of unnamed months.

The named month sequences are - Chaitra,

Aruna, Baja, Madhu and Mesha,

The un-named month sequences are

– The Nakshatra month and the Nityayoga month

The month sequence can be –

Sidereal Lunar : like the Nakshtra month (Lunar)Luni-solar : like the Chaitradi months (Lunar)Tropical Solar :

like the western solar tropical months (Solar)Sidereal Solar : like the Meshadi months (Solar)

These are the only four

categories month names can belong to. While speaking about months it is

essential that we understand about what type of month we are dealing with. Same

is true for Vedic months as well.

[Please note that the Gregorian

solar months like January, February, March etc that we use today do not belong

to any of the above four scientific categories – but just fixed name sequences

for dividing 365 days only.]

Adhimasa and Mala masa

Another general concept of

importance is Adhimasa (extra month) and Malamasa (impure month). They don't

mean the same. Extra month is always connected with Lunar months and Malamasa

with Solar months.

Extra Month (Adhi masa): Tithi or Nakshtra based Lunar months and the

Lunar year would be always small compared to the solar year. To adjust the

difference and make them tune with each other usually an extra Lunar month is

considered. This extra lunar month is termed `adhi masa' (extra month).

Impure Month (mala masa): If start

of more than one lunar month occurs with in a single solar month, then that

solar month would be treated as impure month (mala masa). For example in Amanta

system (month start with Sukla paksha pradipada, i.e. with first day after new

moon), if two Amavasi (no moon or new moon) occur with in a single solar month,

then that solar month would be considered as impure. In Pournamanta system

(month start with krishna paksha pradipada, i.e. with first day after full

moon) if two Paurnami (full moon) occur with in a single solar month, then that

solar month would be considered as impure (mala masa).

Please note that we would be

speaking about extra month (Adhimasa) only in case of Lunar months and impure

month (Malamasa) only in case of Solar months.

List of Months

Firstly, without considering

whether these months are sidereal lunar, sidereal solar, tropical solar, lunar

(luni-solar) – the vedic named months are listed below –

Sl

1.Chitradi

2.Madhuvadi

3.Arunadi

4.Bajadi

5.Meshadi

1

Chaitra

Madhu

Aruna

Baja

Mesha

2

Vaisakha

Madhav

Arunaraja

Prasava

Vrishabha

3

Jyeshta

Sukra

Pundareeka

Apija

Mithuna

4

Ashadha

Suchi

Viswajit

Kratu

Karkita

5

Sravana

Nabha

Abhijit

Vasu

Simha

6

Bhadrapada

Nabhasya

Ardra

Aharpnati

Kanya

7

Asvina

Isha

Pinvaman

Mugdhahra

Tula

8

Kartika

Urja

Annavan

Vainamsina

Vrischika

9

Margaseersha

Saha

Rasavan

Atyayana

Dhanu

10

Pausha

Sahasya

Iravan

Bhauvana

Makara

11

Magha

Tapa

Sarvoshadha

Bhuvanapati

Kumbha

12

Phalguna

Tapasya

Sambhara

Adhipalaka

Meena

Extra/Impure Month

Adhikamasa

Maliplucha

Mahasvan

Prajapati

Malamasa

I will

discuss these 5 unique vedic month sequences in detail as and when required.

Out of these five sequences due to the presence of extra months - such as

Adhikamasa in Chaitradi sequence and Mahasvan in Arunadi sequence - it is

evident that most possibly they are Lunar month sequences. Similarly due to the

presence of impure months – such as Maliplucha in Madhavadi sequence and

Malamasa in Meshadi sequence it is evident that most possibly they are solar

months. There is a good possibility that Bajadi months are also solar in nature

as evident from the use of other names of Sun for naming months such as Kratu,

Vasu etc. It is also possible that they are Lunar in nature as evident from the

month name `Baja meaning Vaja (= horse, Aswini Nakshatra). Thus we have 5 Vedic

month sequences such as –

1)

Chaitradi (Lunar) – month names based on Nakshatra

position of Moon

2)

Arunadi (Lunar) – month names based on Nakshatra

position of Moon

3)

Bajadi (Lunar) – month names based on Nakshatra

position of Sun

4)

Madhavadi (Solar Sidereal)

5)

Meshadi (Solar Sidereal)

Thus

possibly the Vedic people used only two types of months – first, Lunar (i.e.

Luni-solar, Tithi based) months and second, Solar Sidereal months. It seems

that no Tropical month sequence was in use in Vedic period, even though seasons

were in extensive use.

This vague

understanding won't be enough if we want to approach this subject in a

scholarly way. So I will try to go further in our effort to understand these

Vedic month sequences.

Differentiating Lunar and Solar Months

Secondly, our effort should be to

identify which of them are Lunar (sidereal lunar, luni-solar) and which are

solar (sidereal solar, tropical solar). Two criteria we can use are –

If the month names uses Nakshatra names then

definitely they are Lunar (sidereal lunar or luni-solar) in natureIf the month sequence provides a special name for

extra month then definitely it is a lunar (sidereal lunar or luni-solar)

month and not solar month.

The Chaitradi month names clearly

indicate that they are connected to Nakshtras such as Chaitra, Vaisakha,

Jyeshta etc and so definitely Lunar (sidereal lunar or luni-solar). Similarly

the Arunadi month names do refer to Nakshatras such as Abhijit and Ardra and so

most possibly Lunar. To substantiate the argument, Chaitradi sequence do have an

extra month with the name Adhika masa or Adhi masa (meaning `extra month') and

Arunadi sequence do have an extra month

with the name Mahasvan (meaning `bright' or `great'). Therefore it is certain

that both Chaitradi and Arunadi sequences where Lunar (sidereal lunar or

luni-solar) in nature.

Lunar Months

Differentiating Sidereal Lunar and Luni-solar Months

How would we identify whether a

lunar month is, sidereal lunar or luni-solar? This can usually be identified

based on the definition of the month itself. Further it should be noted that

the popular Vedic months are luni-solar in nature – since they are based on

Tithi and Full Moon or New Moon in various Nakshatras.

Sidereal Lunar Months = 27 Nakshatras

(27 1/3 solar days)

Sidereal Lunar Year = 324

Nakshatra days = 27.333 x 12 = 327 solar days

To make such months in tune with

the Solar year of 365.2425 days more than one extra month (Adhimasa) per year

would be required in this case; and the extra month should contain 365 – 327 = 38

days.

Is it possible that the Arunadi

sequence was Sidereal Lunar in nature - especially because of the fact that the

extra month is named Mahasvan (meaning `bright' or `great')? Was this naming

done since the extra month was more than 38 days long? No - this do not seem to

be true. Why? If Arunadi months were sidereal lunar in nature they will never

get names which refer to Sun. The month names Aruna, Arunaja, Iravan all refer

to Sun. For this it is evident that, Arunadi month sequence is luni-solar in

nature. It is well known that the most popular Vedic month sequence, the

Madhavadi moths is also luni-solar in nature.

Sidereal Lunar Months = 30 Tithis

(29.5 solar days)

Sidereal Lunar Year = 29.5 x 12 =

354 solar days

To make such months in tune with

the Solar year of 365.2425 days more than one

extra month (Adhimasa) per three years would be required in this case; and

the extra month should contain (365 – 354 = 11 days per year) x 3 years = 33

days.

This was the system of extra

month followed in Chaitradi sequence and Arunadi sequence.

Chaitradi Months

Let us understand what period of

the year these months refer to currently –

Sl

Chitradi

Gregorian Date

(approx)

Condition: Full Moon in the Nakshatra -

1

Chaitra

Mar 21 – Apr 21

Chitra

2

Vaisakha

Apr 21 – May 21

Visakha

3

Jyeshta

May 21 – Jun 21

Jyeshta

4

Ashadha

Jun 21 – Jul 21

Purva Ashadha

5

Sravana

Jul 21 – Aug 21

Sravana

6

Bhadrapada

Aug 21 – Sep 21

Purva Bhadrapada

7

Asvina

Sep 21 – Oct 21

Asvina

8

Kartika

Oct 21 – Nov 21

Kartika

9

Margaseersha

Nov 21 – Dec 21

Mrigaseersha

10

Pausha

Dec 21 – Jan 21

Pushya

11

Magha

Jan 21 – Feb 21

Magha

12

Phalguna

Feb 21 – Mar 21

Uttara Phalguna

When connected with seasons, usually

for Chaitradi months the year (and month counting) could start from either

Chaitra (i.e. from vernal equinox) or from Magha (i.e. from winter solstice).

The other two possible starting points such as Asvina (i.e. from autumnal

equinox) and Ashadha (i.e. from summer solstice) are not much known to have

been in use. But still many Vedic evidences points to the fact that, even when

the month names used remains the same, the year beginning could be in any

season – depending on locality, culture, religion, festivals and so on.

Arunadi Months

Let us understand the period

represented by Arunadi months also in the same way. We get these month names

from Tatireeya brahmana quote that reads as follows –

Aruno arunarajaH pundareeko

visvajit abhijit ardraH

Pinvamano annavan rasavan iravan

sarvoshadhaH sambharo mahasvan

(Taitireeya brahmana 1-10-1)

[(The months are) Aruna,

Arunaraja, Pundareeka, Viswajit, Abhijit, Ardra, Pinnvamano, Annavan, Rasavan,

Iravan, Sarvoshadha, Sambhara and Mahasvan]

But please note that 13 month

names are listed here, indicating that the sage is speaking about Lunar months.

The listing starts with Aruna indicating that the year started with this month

itself. If we `assume' that the year beginning was in tune with `vernal

equinox' (this is not certain or necessary, but only an assumption) then the

months would represent approximately the following period given in the table

below. It is also not certain, what were the pre-conditions used to derive the

span of the month. If we again `assume' that Arunadi were months similar to

Chaitradi, calculated based on the presence of Full Moon within the month then

possibly the situation was as follows –

Sl

Arunadi

Gregorian Date

(approx)

Condition: Full Moon in the Nakshatra -

1

Aruna

Mar 21 – Apr 21

Hasta

2

Arunaraja

Apr 21 – May 21

Swati

3

Pundareeka

May 21 – Jun 21

Anuradha

4

Viswajit

Jun 21 – Jul 21

Mula

5

Abhijit

Jul 21 – Aug 21

Abhijit

6

Ardra

Aug 21 – Sep 21

Satabhishak

7

Pinvaman

Sep 21 – Oct 21

Revati

8

Annavan

Oct 21 – Nov 21

Bharani

9

Rasavan

Nov 21 – Dec 21

Rohini

10

Iravan

Dec 21 – Jan 21

Punarvasu

11

Sarvoshadha

Jan 21 – Feb 21

Aslesha

12

Sambhara

Feb 21 – Mar 21

Purva Phalguna

Please note that the above

listing is just an assumption and may not be the truth. With the Nakshatra

names Abhijit and Ardra coming so close to each other, I am not even certain

that these are Lunar month names. It is also possible that these are Solar

months names derived based on some other condition. A some what common thread

of – many month names indicating Vishnu, many month names indicating some Vedic

yagas, many month indicating some connection with seasons etc are trends that

are visible in this month naming. But no

single, solid, common clue which can be used to decipher the secret of these

month names is available. It seems that here the month division is done based

on the bright Nakshatra Abhijit. It should be considered that in Nakshatra

divisions (of 13 deg 20 min) as well all the corresponding Yoga Taras (bright

stars of the division) falls within the Nakshatra division, only when Abhijit

star is considered as the starting point. Certainly as some point in the Vedic

past Abhijit star might have been made use of both in the Nakshatra division as

well as in Month division. The special name "Brahma Rasi" (Sign of creation)

given to Makara Rasi (Capricorn Sign) in Mahabharata also serves as a

supporting factor here. Please note that Abhijit star is at the beginning of

Makara Rasi (Capricorn sign). Considering these scenarios it is even possible

that these month names are sidereal in nature. The fact is that – except the

following two points we are not sure about any thing related to this month

sequence. The points we are sure about are –

Arunadi month names were in use in the Vedic periodArunadi month sequence starts with the month of Aruna

– i.e. the year used to begin with the month of Aruna.

Bajadi

The 13th month in

Bajadi sequence is termed `Prajapati' (ruler of the people). This term do not

provide any clue to understand whether this 13th month was an `extra

month' (lunar) or an `impure month' (solar). As mentioned earlier, it is only

the presence of words such as Kratu, Vasu etc with the same meaning as `Sun'

that indicate that these month names could be Solar in nature. If these are

solar months then, `Prajapati' should be the `impure month' (mala masa). Even

if it is assumed that Bajadi months are solar, the question remains – was this

Bajadi months sidereal solar or tropical solar in nature? But is it right even

to assume that Bajadi months are solar – can't they be lunar? Even the starting

month name `Baja' (Vaja=horse=Aswini Nakahstra) indicate that these month names

could be lunar in nature. If so then,

`Prajapati' should be the `extra month' (adhi masa). To improve our

understanding, in an effort get rid of the confusion let us try to look more

closely on these month names. After looking at the meaning of the words used as

month names, I feel more in tune with considering Bajadi as Lunar months, but

for which month naming is done based on the position of Sun in some Nakshatra.

This complexity must be a result of some ancient effort to correlate both Lunar

and Sidereal solar months. The Bajadi month names with possible word meanings

and notes are given below -

Sl

Bajadi

Notes

1

Baja

Baja means `Vaja' (horse).

Aswini Nakshatra. Possibly points to Sun in Aswini.

2

Prasava

Birth, thrown tree, cut,

cruelty, fruit, wonder. Sun in Krittika.

3

Apija

Sun in Mrigasira?. The lunar

month of Jyeshta and sidereal month Mithuna as per Sanskrit dictionary. Apija

means `the one which took re-birth', the one who took birth later; younger

one.

4

Kratu

Sun in Pushya? Lunar month of

Ashadha as per Sanskrit dictionary. Yaga, Vishnu, one among Saptarshis,

praise, worship

5

Vasu

Sun in Magha? Sun, Fire, Rays,

Siva, Kubera (millionaire), One of the daughters of Daksha (27 Nakshatras are

considered as daughters of Daksha Prajapati), money, gold.

6

Aharpnati

Sun in Uttara Phalguni? The one

that is composed of days (i.e. year). The one which cannot be divided. Year.

The one that cannot be taken away. Lord of the day (Sun)

7

Mugdhahra

Sun in Chitra? The one with

beautiful days. Dumb, handsome, pure.

8

Vainamsina

Sun in Vaisakha? The vessel

used take Ghee in Homa. The one who cause destruction. (Is it due to Sun's

debilitation in Libra?)

9

Atyayana

Sun in Jyeshta? The one which

cause destruction, loss and sadness. Maleficial.

10

Bhauvana

Sun in Purva Ashadha?

Viswakarma. Bhu or Bhuvana - one among the three – viz. Bhur (Earth), Bhuva

(Atmosphere), Swa (Sky). Bhuvana – world or earth. Bhauvana – the one

connected to world or earth; worldly or earthly.

11

Bhuvanapati

Sun in Sravana? Lord of people

– Leader. Lord of the atmosphere.

12

Adhipalaka

Sun in Purva Bhadrapada? The

one with ultimate power. The ultimate soul – Paramatma.

13

Prajapati

Extra month (Adhikamasa).

Brahma, Vishnu, Siva. King, Viswakarma, Yaga, Linga.

The above study gives us the

feeling that the month names are given based on the Nakshatra position of Sun,

even though the above months are Lunar in nature. From the Apija-Jyeshta

mapping found in Sanskrit dictionaries, it seems that these months can be

directly mapped to the Chaitradi Lunar months as follows -

Sl

Bajadi

Gregorian Date

(approx)

Chaitradi

1

Baja

Mar 21 – Apr 21

Chaitra

2

Prasava

Apr 21 – May 21

Vaisakha

3

Apija

May 21 – Jun 21

Jyeshta

4

Kratu

Jun 21 – Jul 21

Ashadha

5

Vasu

Jul 21 – Aug 21

Sravana

6

Aharpnati

Aug 21 – Sep 21

Bhadrapada

7

Mugdhahra

Sep 21 – Oct 21

Asvina

8

Vainamsina

Oct 21 – Nov 21

Kartika

9

Atyayana

Nov 21 – Dec 21

Margaseersha

10

Bhauvana

Dec 21 – Jan 21

Pausha

11

Bhuvanapati

Jan 21 – Feb 21

Magha

12

Adhipalaka

Feb 21 – Mar 21

Phalguna

13

Prajapati

Once in 3 years

Adhikamasa

Thus it is clear that the both

Chaitradi and Bajadi months are Lunar in nature with the difference that

Chaitra is named so based on the position of Full Moon in Chitra Nakshatra,

where as Baja is named so (for the same month) based on the position of Sun in

Aswini (and Full Moon in Chitra itself). Thus Chaitra and Baja mean the same

except for the fact that the month entry condition differ for both of them.

Possibly –

The Lunar month Chaitra starts with suklapaksha

pratipada (and Full Moon falls in the middle of the month in Chitra

nakshatra)The Lunar month Baja starts with the entry of Sun into

Aswini Nakshatra (and Full Moon happening somewhere opposite, either in

Chitra or swati nakshtra)

This is only a learned guess, I

am taking based on the limited info available about Bajadi month names and not

a conclusion arrived at based on solid facts. So keep it only as a base for

further study and investigation about these month names.

Solar Months

Differentiating Tropical Solar and Sidereal Solar Months

Even if we identify that some

month sequences are Solar (due the absence of extra months, due to the presence

of impure months etc), how can we differentiate between the two types of Solar

months – i.e. Tropical Solar and Sidereal Solar? The only arguments that we can

take help from are as follows –

The tropical solar months will have names that reflect

the seasons which they represent. i.e. The meaning of the words used as

month names will point to the seasons they represent. For tropical month names - at all periods of time,

people would be referring to particular months with a particular season with

the same name itself.The sidereal month names will have names that

associate them with the stellar or Nakshatra belt. Just like the description about the movement of

equinoxes or solstices through Nakshtras, descriptions about the movement

of equinoxes or solstices through Sidereal Months (Signs) would be

available.

It is in the absence of clear

pointers as stated above that people fall into the confusion of whether to

consider some month sequences given in Vedas as Tropical Solar or Sidereal

Solar. The same happened with Madhuvadi months and Bajadi months as well, even

every one were certain that Meshadi months are sidereal solar months in nature.

The possible candidates for Solar

Vedic months are Madhuvadi, Bajadi and Meshadi months. Let us discuss them one

by one.

Madhuvadi

Some people consider these month

sequences as tropical and some as sidereal. The whole confusion about these

month stuff and what they mean seems to have originated from a single Taitireeya

Brahmnama quote, which states that "during that period spring season started

with Madhu masa". Some argue that one Rk Vedanga Jyotisha quote also

substantiates the above statement. The quote reads as follows –

Madhuscha madhavascha

vasantikavritu, Suktrascha suchischa graishmavritu

Nabhascha nabhasyascha

varshikavritu, Ishaschorjascha saradavritu

Sahascha sahasyascha

haimantikavritu, Tapascha tapasyascha saisiravritu

(Taitireeya brahmana 4-4-11)

[(During the period of Taitireeya

brahmana) Vasanta ritu is composed of Madhu and Madhava, Greeshma ritu is

composed of Sukra and Suchi, Varsha ritu is composed of Nabha and Nabhasya,

Sarad ritu is composed of Isha and Urja, Hemanta ritu is composed of Saha and

Sahasya, Sisira ritu is composed of Tapa and Tapasya]

Now this quote can have two type

of interpretation – one by considering these Vedic months as tropical solar and

other by considering them as sidereal solar. The only possible third

interpretation would be of treating this quote as erroneous. Since it is one of

the rare evidences related Madhuvadi month sequences we have, let us accept

this quote as true and sincere and try to know the possible interpretations.

Interpreting Madhuvadi as Tropical Solar months

The popular interpretation is of

treating Madhuvadi months as Tropical solar. This interpretation would mean

that, what ever the time period be – Madhu and Madhava would be the months of

Vasanta ritu; Sukra and Suchi would be the months of Greeshma ritu and so on. But

then again there are two opinions about where the vasanta ritu starts – as per

one tradition vernal equinox comes at the beginning of Vasanta ritu, and as per

the other it is in the middle of vasanta ritu. The first one is popular in India,

while is the second is popular in the west.

a) Vernal equinox at the

beginning of Vasanta Ritu

Sl

Madhuvadi

Gregorian Date

(approx)

Season

1

Madhu

Mar 21 – Apr 21

Vasanta

2

Madhav

Apr 21 – May 21

3

Sukra

May 21 – Jun 21

Greeshma

4

Suchi

Jun 21 – Jul 21

5

Nabha

Jul 21 – Aug 21

Varsha

6

Nabhasya

Aug 21 – Sep 21

7

Isha

Sep 21 – Oct 21

Sarat

8

Urja

Oct 21 – Nov 21

9

Saha

Nov 21 – Dec 21

Hemanata

10

Sahasya

Dec 21 – Jan 21

11

Tapa

Jan 21 – Feb 21

Sisira

12

Tapasya

Feb 21 – Mar 21

b) Vernal equinox at the middle of Vasanta Ritu

Sl

Madhuvadi

Gregorian Date

(approx)

Season

1

Madhu

Mar 5 – Apr 5

Vasanta

2

Madhav

Apr 5 – May 5

3

Sukra

May 5 – Jun 5

Greeshma

4

Suchi

Jun 5 – Jul 5

5

Nabha

Jul 5 – Aug 5

Varsha

6

Nabhasya

Aug 5 – Sep 5

7

Isha

Sep 5 – Oct 5

Sarat

8

Urja

Oct 5 – Nov 5

9

Saha

Nov 5 – Dec 5

Hemanata

10

Sahasya

Dec 5 – Jan 5

11

Tapa

Jan 5 – Feb 5

Sisira

12

Tapasya

Feb 5 – Mar 5

Some one who considers Madhuvadi

months as Tropical solar can select any one of these opinions. Let us consider

the first opinion (which is the popular one), and try to understand the same.

Madhuvadi months do not seem to be `Tropical months' considering the following

points –

If we accept this system we will have to accept that

–Vedic sages named the cold seasons as hot seasons!

(Tapa and Tapasya mean hot)Vedic sages named the cloudy rain season as clean

sky seasons! (Nabha and Nabhasya mean `clean sky')Similarly we will have to wonder why they named the

hot seasons as white (sukra) and clean (Suchi) and so on. Similar logic

holds good for all month names. Even though

throughout the sequence there is only one month name with the meaning

repeating or beginning (i.e. Isha) we will have to accept that Isha is not

the beginning month but instead Madhu masa.

These two basic arguments prompt

me to deny any possibility of considering these month names as Tropical Solar.

What ever be the popular opinion, I am not ready to join the thoughtless mass

who assumes that these months are Tropical solar in nature.

Interpreting Madhuvadi as Sidereal Solar months

What if we treat these month names

as Sidereal Solar months? Then the above Taitireeya brahmana quote will simply

mean that during that period the seasons were in tune with those sidereal

months. This info would be helpful to us even in dating Taitireeya brahmana

text as well, provided we know which area of the sky is indicated by the names

such as Madhu, Madhava etc.

But to strongly argue that these

months are Sidereal in nature the first reference we need is that of somebody

associating different seasons with the same month names. i.e. Since the

solstices and equinoxes moves through the sidereal months at different periods

of time, different months should get associated with the same seasons. Do we

have any such evidence to quote? Yes – We do! Let me share two such references.

1) Linga Purana

(Source: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=zhIbyxoxHMgC & pg=PA39 & lpg=PA39 & dq=madhu+madhav+months & source=bl & ots=twVTTMeRgn & sig=AWXpO1U14AJrYADzYdEvqtbbJz0 & hl=en & ei=p23sSfG_LMuUkAXe7JyoCA & sa=X & oi=book_result & ct=result & resnum=3#PPA39,M1)

Ref to page 39.

The above link provides the

following info from Linga Purana –

"According to this account (i.e Linga purana) Madhu and Madhava are

months of Greeshma, Sukra and Suchi of Varsha, Nabha and Nabhasya of Sharata,

Isha and Urja of Hemanta, Saha and Sahasya of Sheeta and Tapa-Tapasya of Vasanta"

2) Taitireeya Brahmana

According to Taitireeya Brahmana

Madhu-Madhava are the months of Vasanta, Sukra-Suchi of Greeshma,

Nabha-Nabhasya of Varsha, Isha-Urja of Sarat, Saha-Sahasya of Hemanta and

Tapa-Tapasya of Sisira.

The above two accounts – one from

Linga purana and the other from Taitireeya Brahmana – associates different

months with the same seasons; a clear evidence to prove that those months are

sidereal in nature and that the seasons are moving through those sidereal months!

Now I am equipped with the

following info –

These Vedic months starts with Isha (since it is the

only month in the sequence with the meaning repeating or beginning) These Vedic months are sidereal in nature

With this much understanding, I

daringly add the following assumption –

Just like the other sidereal month sequence Meshadi -

Madhuvadi must also have been

starting on the same sidereal location. That should be the very reason for

listing these months starting from Madhu masa instead of Isha which is the

actual starting point of this month sequence. Then Ishadi must have been

Tuladi month sequence itself. Thus I get the following sequence –

Sl

Ishadi

Gregorian Date

(approx)

Tuladi

1

Isha

Oct 14 – Nov 14

Tula

2

Urja

Nov 14 – Dec 14

Virschika

3

Saha

Dec 14 – Jan 14

Dhanu

4

Sahasya

Jan 14 – Feb 14

Makara

5

Tapa

Feb 14 – Mar 14

Kumbha

6

Tapasya

Mar 14 – Apr 14

Meena

7

Madhu

Apr 14 – May 14

Mesha

8

Madhav

May 14 – Jun 14

Vrishabha

9

Sukra

Jun 14 – Jul 14

Mithuna

10

Suchi

Jul 14 – Aug 14

Karkitaka

11

Nabha

Aug 14 – Sep 14

Simha

12

Nabhasya

Sep 14 – Oct 14

Kanya

So this was the original Vedic

Ishadi sidereal solar month sequence that was in use! What if I arrange it just

like the normal Meshadi, Madhuvadi sidereal month sequence? Then I will get the

following table.

Sl

Madhuvadi

Gregorian Date

(approx)

Meshadi

1

Madhu

Apr 14 – May 14

Mesha

2

Madhav

May 14 – Jun 14

Vrishabha

3

Sukra

Jun 14 – Jul 14

Mithuna

4

Suchi

Jul 14 – Aug 14

Karkitaka

5

Nabha

Aug 14 – Sep 14

Simha

6

Nabhasya

Sep 14 – Oct 14

Kanya

7

Isha

Oct 14 – Nov 14

Tula

8

Urja

Nov 14 – Dec 14

Virschika

9

Saha

Dec 14 – Jan 14

Dhanu

10

Sahasya

Jan 14 – Feb 14

Makara

11

Tapa

Feb 14 – Mar 14

Kumbha

12

Tapasya

Mar 14 – Apr 14

Meena

Am I certain about the fact that Madhu

is in tune with Mesha? Actually I am not. But I am certain that the Madhu is

sidereal solar month. So I think, I can daringly take the risk of this

assumption, especially due to the fact that both the Madhuvadi sequence and

Meshadi sequence was in use during Vedic times – if both were sidereal, they

must have been in tune with each other. The same was true for the sidereal

Nakshatra sequence Aswinyadi as well – all sidereal systems must have shared a

common starting point. Further the dating of text in which these references

occur also should help me to evaluate the truthfulness or falsehood of my

assumption.

Dating the references provided by Taitireeya Brahmana and Linga Purana

Now how can this whole

understanding help us in interpreting the Tatireeya Brahmana quote we have?

Modern scholars consider

Taitireeya brahmana as a text of first half of first millennium BC – i.e.

between BC 500 to 1 BC. During that period the vernal equinox was in Aswini

Nakshatra (BC 680 to AD 280). True, during the period of Taitireeya

brahmana, Vasanta ritu was composed of

Madhu-Madhava (Mesha-Vrishabha). This means that our derived information about

the Madhuvadi sidereal solar months is in tune with modern historical and

literary understanding about the period of Vedic texts as well.

What about the period referred to

by Linga Purana?

Linga purana is referring to the

current scenario, where Madhu-Madhava is in tune with the Greeshama season (hot

season from Apr 14 till Jun 14). Where would be Vansanta Ritu? As per linga

purana view, Tapa-Tapasya (Feb 14th to Apr 14th) indicate

the Vasanta ritu – possibly pointing to the fact that Linga purana assumes

vernal equinox to be at the middle of Vasanta ritu. This means that Linga

Purana is referring to the current scenario itself and is a text of later

origin than Taitireeya Brahmana. But it does seems to contain better

understanding about the usefulness and application of these sidereal months

(than the lone quote of Taitireeya Brahmana) – as evident from the detailed

correlation of seasons and many other factors of astrological predictive

usefulness. Linga purana even though a text of later day origin, seems to have

preserved the original Saiva traditional teachings and the connected Tantric

wisdom. Any one could feel the traditional roots of this wisdom from the

following words provided by Linga Purana –

Every season has two adityas (gods), two sages, two gandharvas, two

apsaras, two rakshasas (demons), and two nagas (snakes) that ride on the Sun's

chariot to keep the Sun company. Their names along with the seasons are given

below.

a) Greeshma: The Adityas, Dhata and Aryama; the

sages, pulastya and pulaha; the gandharvas, Tumburu and Narada; the Apsaras,

Kritasthala and Punjikasthala; the Rakshasas, Raksholeti and Prabeti; the

Nagas,. Uraga and Vasuki.

b) Varsha: The Adityas, Mitra and Varuna; the

sages, Atri and Vashishtha; the Gandharvas, Haha and Huhu; The Apsaras, Menaka

and Sahajanya, the Rakshasas, Paurucheya and Vadha; the Nagas, Takshaka and one

other (name not mentioned)

c) Sharat: The Adityas Indra and Vivasvana; the

sages, Angirus and Bhrigu; the Gandharvas, Vishvavasu and Ugasha; the Apsaras,

Pramlocha and Arumlocha; the Rakshasas, Sarpa and Vyagha; the Nagas Elapatra

and Shankhapala

d) Hemanta: The Adityas Parjanya and Pusha; the

sages, Bharadwaja an Gautama; the Gandharvas, Suruchi and Paravasu; the

Apsaras, Gritaji and Vishvachi; the Rakshasas, Ape and vata; the Nagas,

Dhananjaya an Iravan.

e) Sheeta: The Adityas, Anshu and Bhaga; the

sages, Kasyapa and Kratu; the Gandharvas, Chitrasena and Urnayu; the Apsaras,

Urvani and Purvachitti, the Rakshasas, Vidyuta and Diva; the Nagas, Mahapadma

and Karkataka.

f) Vasanta: The Adityas, Twashta and Vishnu;

the sages, Jamadagni and Viswamitra; the Gandharvas, Dhritarashtra and

Suryavarcha, the Apsaras, Tilottama and Rambha; the Rakshasas, Brahmopeta and

Yakshopeta; the Nagas, Kambana and Ashvatara.

(Source: Quoted

from the earlier Linga purana reference itself)

Wasn't that informative and

useful? The Saiva tantric tradition and the knowledge it shares is always like

that!

Rk Vedanga Jyotisha

and a secret encoded

With this much clear understanding about Madhuvadi Vedic

months, let us turn to the people who argue in favor of tropical solar months, quoting

the following –

Swarakramete somarkau yada sarkam savasavau

Syat tadadi yugam maghascha tapa suklo(a)yanam hyudak

(Verse 6 Vedanga

jyotish)

[When the sun and the moon rise

together in Dhanistha Nakshatra, then the five year yuga, Maagha, Tapa, Sukla

pakshya and Uttarayana start together]

This statement is absolutely true for the Rk Vedanga

Jyotisha period of BC 1400. But still it does not prove that Madhuvadi months

are Tropical but only substantiate the argument that Tapa is a sidereal month in tune with Makara.

Actually this quote even gives us a clue to deny all

arguments in favor of Vedic tropical months itself, and to clarify the

luni-solar (Chaitradi, Arunadi) and Sidereal (Madhuvadi, Aswinyadi, Meshadi)

base of the Vedic calendar system! How? I will explain.

When we say that - "Equinox

traverse through Nakshatras" what we mean? Do we mean that the "The

starting point of Nakshatras change with the movement of vernal equinox"

or that "The position of Equinox change but Nakshatras remain fixed"?

Ofcourse we know that it is the second - i.e. The Nakshatras remain fixed (27

Nakshatras having 13 deg 28 min each), and the equinox traverse through them

gradually" - right? I know that you will not disagree on the fact that

based on equinoxes and solstices seasons can be measured.

Now if I say - Seasons

(represented by seasons or equinox) started with Vasanta Ritu in Madhu Masa

what will you interpret? In the absence of any other poof regarding whether

Madhu Masa is sidereal solar or tropical solar, you may have two choices -

1) Consider that "the starting point of Months change with the

movement of vernal equinox" (The erroneous argument in the case of

Nakshatras as mentioned earlier!)

2) Consider that "The position of Equinox change but Moths remain

fixed"! (The correct argument in the case of Nakshatras as exemplified

earlier!)

Now in presence of the proof from

Linga Purana to show that `Seasons move through Madhuvadi months' we are left

with no other choice but to accept the truth regarding Vedic Nakshatras and

Madhuvadi months– they both are sidereal in nature. Enough of our time already

wasted by many erroneously trying to prove that Maghuvadi vedic months are

tropical solar (or some fools even coin a new tern `tropical lunar'!) – a view

supported neither by Vedas nor by logic. So what do you say - whether this

Tapa, Tapasya, Madhu, Madhava etc are sidereal solar or tropical solar? After

all these proofs as supporting arguments, do we have a choice, except to accept

that Madhuvadi are sidereal in nature?

By providing the info that winter

solstice was at Dhanishta Nakshatra (and thus that it was moving through

Nakshatras), Rk Vedanga Jyotisha is providing us with a clear clue for the fact

that many systems it speak about is of sidereal in nature. The same is true for

sidereal lunar Aswinyadi Nakshatras, and

the same is true for Madhuvadi sidereal solar vedic month sequence.

Meshadi

There are many proofs available

to state that just like the various other month names sequences, Meshadi month

names were also in extensive use during Vedic period itself. Actually it is be

less popularity of Madhu-Madhavadi months, and the systematic approach of

connecting sidereal month names with stellar constellations visible in sky that

made caused the popularity of Meshadi month names. In the same way Chaitradi month

names are scientific and systematic (since they associate sidereal Nakshatras

with the movement of Moon), Meshadi month names are scientific and systematic

(since they associate sidereal Nakshatras with the movement of Sun). This is

the very reason for both Chaitradi Lunar months and Meshadi Solar Sidereal

months becoming much popular than any other system in the course of time – it

was just the survival of the best and the fittest system.

Sl

Meshadi

Gregorian Date

(approx)

Madhuvadi

1

Mesha

Apr 14 – May 14

Madhu

2

Vrishabha

May 14 – Jun 14

Madhav

3

Mithuna

Jun 14 – Jul 14

Sukra

4

Karkitaka

Jul 14 – Aug 14

Suchi

5

Simha

Aug 14 – Sep 14

Nabha

6

Kanya

Sep 14 – Oct 14

Nabhasya

7

Tula

Oct 14 – Nov 14

Isha

8

Virschika

Nov 14 – Dec 14

Urja

9

Dhanu

Dec 14 – Jan 14

Saha

10

Makara

Jan 14 – Feb 14

Sahasya

11

Kumbha

Feb 14 – Mar 14

Tapa

12

Meena

Mar 14 – Apr 14

Tapasya

Some preliminary evidence to

prove the existence of Meshadi month names in Vedic period is given below –

1)

Take the Yajur Vedanga Jyotisha text and read the 5th

sloka. It reads as follows -

Ye brihaspatina bhuktva MEENAN prabbriti

rasayaH

te hritaH panchabhiryataH yaH seshaH sa

parigrihaH

(Yajur Vedanga Jyotisha - sloka 5)

[Take the sign

count of Jupiter counting from Meena Rasi (Pisces Sign),

....................etc] I believe you have noticed the words 'Meenan prabhriti

RasayaH' [signs counted from Meena Rasi (Pisces Sign)]. That proves the

existence of signs like Meena, Mesha etc in Vedanga Jyotisha period.

2)

Take the Rk Vedanga Jyotisha text next. Flip the pages to reach the 11th sloka. It

reads –

Sravishtabhyam gunabhyastan prag-viLAGNAN

vinirdiset

Suryat masan

palabhyastan vidyacchandramasanritun

(Rk

Vedanga Jyotisha - sloka 11)

Please notice

the words - "Prag vilangnan" (From the eastern LAGNA; from the

eastern RISING SIGN) "Lagna" means, "Raseenam Udayo Lagna"

(The SIGN rising in the east is termed LAGNA).

3)

Take the copy of Boudhayana Sutra. In it you will find

a quote that reads - "Meena Meshayor Mesha Vrishabhayor VasantaH"

[The Vasanta Ritu could be either in Meena-Mesha or in Mesha-Vrishabha (as per

the period of time and geographical location)]

4)

Then take the Rigveda itself and try to understand the

wordings such as - "Dwadasaram nahi tajjaraya" , "Dwadaya

pradhayaschakramekam" etc etc.

5)

Take Maitreya Sutra and in it you will find a quote as

follows –

Ravina langhito

masaschandraH khyato malipluchaH

masadwaye

yadapyekaRASIM Sankrametadityastatradyo malipluchaH

[if two lunar

months falls with a single sidereal solar month (Rasi; Sign) - i.e. if Sun TRANSITS two lunar months with in Rasis

(Sign) - then that month is known with the special name "Maliplucha"

(the unclean month)]

This quote proves that sidereal solar months

where clearly in existence and use during Vedic period.

6)

If even this is not enough then kid like stories are

better for you. So take the Puranas and you will find numerous references to

Signs in all of them, Such as in Garuda Purana, Agni Purana or numerous other

Puranas.

Other type of Months

Apart from the above mentioned

months, Sidereal Nakshatra Months and Nityayoga months were in use, even though

no special names were ascribed to them.

Conclusion

In this article I tried to

discuss the various month name sequences used in Vedic period, and tried to

decipher the nature of those months in detail. The general understanding

arrived at is that –

only Lunar (luni-solar) and Solar Sidereal months

were in used during Vedic period in India

and no tropical month sequences were in use in Vedic

period in India

In other words all tropical month

sequences are imported and not all Indian or Vedic in nature. The Kaulians who

argue in favor of existence of Tropical month names in Vedas are totally

baseless and lack even the basic understanding of month name sequences used in

Vedas.

- 0 -

May 17, 2009

(Continued from previous mail..............)