Important days in the month of Aashaada

Gurupurnimaa (गुरुपूर्णिमा / ಗುರುಪೂರ್ಣಿಮಾ)

ಆಶಾಡ-ಪೂರ್ಣಿಮಾ

आशाड-पूर्णिमा

Aashaada-Full moon day

On this day, after bathing and offering abulations (sandhyaavandane), one should go the place of the spiritual teacher and with one-pointed mind offer fruits and coconut. Doing thus, one shall be free from disasters and be happy.

Start of Dakshinaayana (दक्षिणायनस्य प्रारम्भः / ದಕ್ಷಿಣಾಯನ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭ)

Usually the start of Dakshinaayana occurs in the month of Aashaada. At this meeting point of Uttaraayana and Dakshinaayana, one should take holy bath, give alms, and take part in homa.

Vata Saavitri course of conduct

Vata Saavitri course of conduct (वट सावित्री व्रत / ವಟ ಸಾವಿತ್ರಿ ವ್ರತ)

ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠ-ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ

ज्येष्ठ-पूर्णिमा

Jyestha-Full moon day

This course of conduct is said to give well-being, children and marriage. It is said that this course of conduct has to be practised for three days and must be followed at least for one day. More details about this shall be posted later.

Significance of Hanuma Jayanti

Hanuma Jayanti (हनुम जयन्ति / ಹನುಮ ಜಯಂತಿ)

ಚೈತ್ರ - ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ [ದವನದ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ] - ಹಸ್ತಾ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ - ಬ್ಯಾಘ್ಯಾತಯೋಗ - ಭದ್ರ ಕರಣ

चैत्र - पौर्णमि - हस्ता नक्षत्र - ब्याघ्यातयोग - भद्रकरण

Chaitra - Full moon day

9th April 2009, Thursday, (Hasta star, byaghyaatayoga, bhadrakarana) the full moon day of this month of Chaitra, is the birth anniversery of the greatest devotee of Sri Raamachandra, Hanuman. Hanuman  was born at sunrise (6:16AM). This day is very significant. Hanuman's father was a great monkey by name Kesari, and mother Anjana Devi, a sadhvi. She begot Hanuman by obtaining permission from sages, and hence Hanuman also has the name Anjaneya {अञ्जना --> आञ्जनेय}(It is called aadivruddhi (आदिव्रृद्धि) in Sanskrit). Remembering Hanuman will instill great energy into us, and Hanuma jayanti is the day to remember him. We come across his prowess/valour during his life (avataara) in Treta yuga (त्रेता युग) from incidents in the Raamayana. Its important to remind ourselves every now and then about this great devotee of the Lord. Some of the benefits of remembering Hanuman as described in the sastras are as follows:

- For intelligence: Hanuman was known to be a very good linguist. He was known as Navavyaakarana pandita (नवव्याकरण पन्डित/ನವವ್ಯಾಕರಣ ಪಂಡಿತ)(Master of Grammar). He inspires us to speak in a very beautiful and meaningful way.

- For physical strength: He did literally fly over the Indian Ocean to get to Lanka from India. He also brought the Sanjeevini mountain from Himalaya to Lanka. He is said to have tried to swallow the Sun, thinking it to be a fruit. He also inspries us to overcome our laziness.

- For Mental strength: He was famous for brahmacharya. It is said that he wouldn't look at unmarried women in the face.

- and thus for overall success in life, especially in today's age where one is losing courage day by day for innumerable reasons.

ಬುದ್ಧಿರ್ಬಲಂ ಯಶೋ ಧೈರ್ಯಂ ನಿರ್ಭಯತ್ವಂ ಅರೋಗತಾ

ಅಜಾಡ್ಯಂ ವಾಕ್ ಪಟುತ್ವಂ ಚ ಹನುಮತ್ ಸ್ಮರಣಾತ್ ಭವೇತ್.

बुद्धिर्बलं यशो धैर्यं निर्भयत्वम् अरोगता ।

अजाड्यं वाक्पटुत्वं च हनुमत् स्मरणाद् भवेत् ॥

Its advisable for everyone to say this sloka, especially on the occasion of Hanuma Jayanti. Right from kids to elders should think about Hanuman and say this sloka whenever they are going out for work as it will inspire them to do their work to the best of their capacity and also avoid the ill-effects of celestial bodies (the reason for this shall be made known later). Along with this, on Hanuma Jayanti, people should visit nearby temples and offer their prayers.