Importance of Vaisaka Month

On the 26th of April, (Sunday), Vaisakha Masa,( Lord Vishnu’s  favorite masa, is said to be the greatest, the most sacred and shubha  of all months) begins.

According to Narada muni, Kartika(Tulam-Vrischikam), Magha(Makaram-Kumbham) and Vaisakha(Medam-Idavam) are the finest months, but of these three, Vaisakha is supreme. Vaisakha has the capacity to remove the sins of past births and liberate the worshipper from worldly bondage. It is the best month for dharma, yagna, rituals and tapasya, as it is the most suitable compared to other seasons. Vasant (some write basant) or spring is conducive for worship for the common man ( householder) and during this time, from Meena to Karkata ( Pisces to Cancer) i.e. from Chaitra Sankranti to Shravana Sankranti, Vishnu roams the celestial woods and gardens with Rama. During Vaisakha, Vishnu tests his devotees, as those who sit idle during this month, without any puja or dAna, suffer a fall in dharma. The four purusharthas, namely, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha are attainable with Vaisakhadharma, i.e., worship and rituals during this month will yield nothing less than the fruits of these highest goals. At a more mundane level, it grants ayu (longevity), yash (fame) and pushti (sustenance) and the unending blessings of Vishnu.

Vaisakha is the month par excellence for doing dAna (charity), yagna (fire sacrifice some write yajna), vrata (fasting ritual) and snan (bathing).

Daana is an important aspect of Vaisakhadharma. This can comprise the giving of any item in charity, but the highest among these is the dAana of water or jaladAna.

Those who do not give water to a thirsty passer-by or a guest or a visitor to one’s home, shall be re-born as the bird chataka, who had spent its life pining for water.

The devata for the month is Madhusudana¹ and worshipping the deity after bathing with puja and arghya will absolve all sins and give endless pleasure to Vishnu.

Bathing in the Brahma muhurta i.e., before sunrise, during Vaisakha followed by worship of  Vishnu is considered to be equal to visiting all the pilgrimages. Chant the following mantra given in Padmapurana while you bath.

 

Mesha samkramanam thottu

vaishakam kazhivolavum

Pratha snanam kazhikkunnen

prasadikka janardhanan                                       1

 

Madhuvil bhaskaranan medam

Pukku nilkke pularchayil

Snanam cheyyumenikkeesa

Nalka chonna bhalam hare                         2

 

Priyamallo madhudweshin

Madhu masam thava prabho

Athil prabhatha snanal me

Papam neekki bhalam tharoo                     3

(Translation by Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon)

Goddess Ganga will be present in every river and pond from brahma muhurtha to Suryodaya. So bathing in the morning will give Gangasnanabhala.

Visit Vishnu temples, Chant Vishnu Sahasranama and other stotras, mantras like om namo narayanaya, om namo bhagavathe vasudevaya……

Read the Bhagavatha Purana and Vaisakha Mahatmyam Kilippattu.

Important Days

26th Sunday : Vaisaka month begins, Samadhi day of Chattambi Swamikal

27th Monday: Akshaya tritiya and Balarama Jayanthi.

Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaye Tritiya, falling on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Vaisakha of the traditional Hindu calendar, is one of the four most auspicious days of the year for Hindus.

The word Akshaye, a Sanskrit word, literally means one that never diminishes, and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is widely celebrated in all parts of India by different sections of the society irrespective of their religious faith and social grouping. The day is particularly considered auspicious for buying long term assets like gold and silver, including ornaments made of the same; diamond and other precious stones; and the real estate. The legend states that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya shall continue to grow and bring prosperity. Hence, it is normal to see many of the new ventures, like starting a business, ground breaking for construction etc on the Akshaya Tritiya Day.

With the mass media and marketing, this day has been taken over by marketeers to promote sales and bookings for Gold jewellery, houses, consumer electronics.

The day is also traditionally celebrated as the birth day of , Balarama the eightth avatar (incarnation) of the God Vishnu.

According to Hindu mythology,  on this day the Krita yuga began; and the Ganga river, the most holy and sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven.

Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright-half of the lunar month of Vaisakha is considered as one of the most sacred days of the year. The word, “Akshaya” means one that never diminishes. Hence, starting a new activity or buying valuables on this day is considered to certainly bring luck and success. The religious merit that is acquired by giving gifts on this day becomes inexhaustible. Many buy new gold jewelry on this day. Most Jewel stores stock in new jewelry models for this occasion. “Lakshmi-inscribed” gold coins, diamond jewellery and golden dollars with the pictures of many gods and goddesses. The day is generally observed by fasting and worship Lord Vasudeva with rice grains.. The day gains more importance when it falls on a Monday or under Rohini Star. A dip in the Ganges on this day is considered to be very auspicious. Akshaya Tritiya is also called Navanna Parvam. Akshaya Tritiya falling on a Rohini star day is considered more auspicious. Lord Kubera, considered to be the richest, is one amongst the Astadikpalakas. Lakshmi Tantram says that this Lord will himself pray to Goddess Lakshmi on this day.

Most of us are already aware of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Out of these, Artha plays an important role. Artha here means money. Even decades passes by, the importance of Artha remains the same. Without Artha, nothing can be achieved. Here Artha merely does not only mean money but also includes honour, happiness etc. The pujas we have to perform on Akshaya Tritiya are as under: Kubera Lakshmi Puja This puja has to be performed on this day only. The puja should commence in the morning and end in the evening. From the next day onwards, one has to perform the puja regularly for 108 times by reciting the moola mantra. A photo of Goddess Lakshmi Devi along with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra could be used for the puja. Light with pure ghee should be used. Also light dhoop sticks with Kumkum and turmeric can be used. The moola mantra for the pujas is as follows: Kubera Twam Danadeesam Gruha Te Kamala Sithta Tam Devem Prehayasu Twam Madgruhe te Namo Namah. or by saying om namo bhagavty vasudavah

Other important days of this month

Varaha Jayanthi, Sree Shankara Jayanthi, Buddha Jayanthi (Vaisaka poornima)

The Vaisaka Festival of Kottiyoor Perumal temple in Kannur district(Kerala) also begins in this month.

 

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