A festival of harmony and unity !

The period that leads from inauspiciousness to auspiciousness

Indian culture has beautifully intertwined Hindu festivals and seasons. Sankranti, which falls in the lunar month of Pousha, has geographical significance. The Sun, which travels through 12 Zodiac signs throughout the year, enters the sign of Capricorn in the month of Pousha.

Thereafter, the Sun starts moving northwards towards the sign of Cancer. This change in the speed of the Sun means the beginning of Uttarayan. This period, when nights become shorter and the days gradually become longer, is effectively the journey from darkness to light. It is a period which leads from despair to hope, from inauspiciousness to auspiciousness, and is considered Parvakal (Auspicious time), Punyakal (Meritorious time).

During this period, we follow some religious customs or traditions, such as giving alms, worshipping the Sun, haldi-kumkum (A function of applying haldi [Turmeric] and kumkum [Red powder made from turmeric] to each other by married women) and tilgul (A sweet made from sesame seeds and sugar) ceremonies.

Giving alms

The thoughts of H.H. Janardan Swamiji on this subject are very enlightening. Giving alms is an important means of overcoming the natural greed in humans, thus, making spiritual progress in life. One should have full faith in the Scriptures, and give alms with the faith that ‘giving alms is my duty’. It is important to give alms to the right people, at the right time and place, in the right way, and of the right kind. Giving such alms pleases God and leads to the wellbeing of the donor.

1.  On the eve of Sankranti, 5 sugads (Earthen pot filled with freshly harvested grains, carrots, pieces of sugarcane, sesame seeds, berries, tilgul, etc.) are given as alms. Giving it with the feeling that everyone has a share in what I have, is true charity. Charity is not just the donation of goods or wealth; rather, donation of food and knowledge is the highest kind of donation.
2.  What should be the nature of charity ? It should be such that the left hand does not know what is donated by the right hand. Alms given without expecting any money, honour or reward lead to spiritual upliftment.
3. The habit of giving charity cultivates the attitude of non-attachment in the individual. Human tendency is to accumulate far more resources than are necessary for the protection of the body. Accumulation of such excess objects generates attachment in the subconscious mind. To prevent the development of this personality defect, one should inculcate the habit of giving charity.
4.  H.H. Swamiji has said – ‘To an extent, donation leads to the creation of economic equality, and subsequently, benefits the society’. He advises human beings to develop the habit of giving charity regularly. Our body, for which we have great affection, eventually has to be surrendered (to death). If one develops the habit of giving charity while the body is functional, he will not be hesitant at the time of donating his body at death.
5.  Samartha Ramdas Swami says – “One should give up body-awareness and intellect, and in a state as good as non-occupancy of the body, enjoy freedom”. This path has been advised by H.H. Swamiji for the welfare of the soul. He also gives the same advice for regular donation. Love for God is a natural pheno-menon among all Saints. Saints who gift spiritual thought, are the supreme donors

– Mrs Jayashree Joshi (Courtesy : Excerpts from Monthly Yogaprakash; January 2015 Issue)

The scientific nature of the Indian measure of Time 

Many Time measurement systems in the world lack coordination between months and seasons; because, some Time measurement systems are based on the movement of the moon, and other systems are based on the movement of the sun and earth. A year based on lunar calculations is 10 days shorter than a solar year. In the Indian measurement system of Time, keeping in mind the coordination of both, there is one extra month every 3 years and the number of tithis (lunar days) are increased or reduced from time to time. As a result, the synchronisation with the seasons is always maintained.

When the Sun enters the Zodiac sign of Cancer, the Sun’s Dakshinayan commences and the day starts to shorten. After the Sun enters the Zodiac sign of Capricorn, the Sun’s Uttarayan commences, and the day starts to lengthen and the night starts to shorten. Makar Sankranti, which symbolises the transition from darkness to light, is celebrated as a festival in our country.

Social harmony and unity

In order to fulfil the needs of the neglected, poor and disabled people in society, Indian Sages started the system of giving donations. Donation is not mercy; rather, it is the social duty of the donor. Donation not only creates social equality, but also creates harmony in society. The donor has a feeling of affection and gratitude towards the recipient. Giving charity on the day of Makar Sankranti has special significance.

Donation of sesame seeds and jaggery on the day of Makar Sankranti has special significance. Sesame seeds are a symbol of affection, while jaggery is a symbol of sweetness. The combination of both is a symbol of social unity, harmony and complementary nature. There is also a tradition of making khichdi (A rice dish) on this day. Mahabharat says that during the exile of the Pandavas, they received rice, lentils and sesame seeds, etc. as alms on the day of Makar Sankranti. They received all the ingredients in a mixed state in a vessel; therefore, they cooked the ingredients together and ate. That day marked the commencement of the custom of making khichdi and donating on the day of Makar Sankranti. – Dr Sreelal

(Courtesy : Excerpts from Monthly Gita Swadhyaya; January 2023 Issue)