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Kārtīka Pūrṇimā – English
- Posted by Dr. Srinivas Jammalamadaka
- Date November 16, 2023
- Comments 0 comment
Introduction
The second fortnight (kṛṣṇapakṣa) of the lunar month of Bhādrapada is called Mahālayapakṣa/Pitṛpakṣa. The fifteen days of Mahālayapakṣa are auspicious to perform Śṛāddha (ancestor worship).
The word Mahālaya is a compound of two words ‘Maha’ and ‘ālaya’. The word maha in this context means celebration or utsava. Ālaya means place. In the present context, ālaya would mean time. So, the word Mahālaya means the time of celebration.
Who is celebrated?
The ancestors are celebrated. Therefore, the fifteen days in which the ancestors are celebrated is Mahālayapakṣa. As Pitṛs are celebrated, it is also called as Pitṛpakṣa.
Normally, Pitṛśṛāddha is performed annually on the tithi in which the ancestor left the body. Apart from that, Pitṛśṛāddha is performed on the Mahālayapakṣa. The difference and significance of Mahālayaśrāddha is that unlike in the annual Pitṛśṛāddha, the pinḍapradana is not only done for paternal and maternal father/mother, grandfather/mother, and great-grandfather/mother but for friends, family, gurus and etc.
Why is the second fortnight (kṛṣṇapakṣa) of the lunar month of Bhādrapada is considered as Mahālaya?
In the dharma śāstra text, parāśaramādhavīya, we find this citation –
nabhasya kṛṣṇapakṣapratipatprabhṛti paṃcadaśadināni kṛtsnaḥ|
aparapakṣaḥ savitari kanyāgate sati mahālaya iti proktaḥ||
This means – in the second fortnight of the lunar month of Bhādrapada, when the sun enters the constellation of kanyā (Virgo), the fortnight is called mahālaya.
In addition to this, the bṛhanmanusmṛti states –
āṣāḍhīmavadhiṃ kṛtvā paṃcamaṃ pakṣamāśritāḥ|
kāṃkṣaṃti pitaraḥ kliṣṭā annamapyanvahaṃ jalam||
This means – that starting from the full moon day of the lunar month Āṣādha, the fifth fortnight is considered auspicious for śṛāddha and the Pitṛdevatas desire annam and jalam.
And in bhaviṣyapurāṇa, we find this –
kanyāṃ gate savitari pitṛrājño-nuśāsanāt|
tāvat pretapurī śūnyā yāvadvṛścikadarśanam||
tato vṛścikamāyāte nirāśāḥ pitaro nṛpa|
punaḥ svabhavanaṃ yānti śāpaṃ dattvā sudāruṇam||
This means – that when the sun enters the constellation of kanyā (Virgo) until it enters the constellation of vṛśchika (Scorpio), the Pitṛdevatas descend from the Pitṛloka to bhūloka by order of Yama (who happens to be the king of Pitṛloka). As the Pitṛdevatas are in bhūloka, it is the duty of the descendants to offer śṛāddha.
Then there can be a question – if Pitṛdevatas are in bhūloka from the sun enters the constellation of kanyā (Virgo) until it enters the constellation of vṛśchika (Scorpio), why only the second fortnight (kṛṣṇapakṣa) of the lunar month of Bhādrapada is called Mahālayapakṣa/Pitṛpakṣa, and the śṛāddha is performed in this fortnight?
ākāṃkṣaṃti sma pitaraḥ paṃcamaṃ pakṣamāśritāḥ|
tasmāttatraiva dātavyaṃ dattamanyatra niṣphalam||
This means – that the Pitṛdevatas desire śṛāddha to be performed on the second fortnight (kṛṣṇapakṣa) of the lunar month of Bhādrapada, and hence, the śṛāddha performed on other than the Mahālayapakṣa is unfruitful. Therefore, it is understood that Mahālayapakṣa is the right time to perform Mahālayaśṛāddha.
Relation of Mahālayapakṣa and bustling of crackers on Narakachaturdaśī
The Pitṛdevatas who descended to bhūloka, return to their loka on Narakachaturdaśī. And hence, Ulkādānam is done. Ulkā means an object which emits light. In the present context it means sparklers, crackers etc. That means one should give sparklers, and crackers to others.
What is the purpose of ulkā dānam?
The second half or kṛṣna pakṣa of bhādrapada lunar month is called as mahālaya pakṣa or pitṛ pakṣa. At this time our ancestors visit us in bhūloka to bless us. That is why ṣrāddhas are performed in these fifteen days. These pitṛ devatas return to pitṛ loka starting from naraka chaturdaśī. Hence, by igniting light through crackers, sparklers etc. in the night, it is believed to help them in their return journey. That is why while performing ulkā dānam the below śloka is to be uttered –
अग्निदग्धाश्च ये जीवाः येऽप्यदग्धाः कुले मम॥
उज्ज्वलज्ज्योतिषा दग्धाः ते यांतु परमां गतिम्।
यमलोकं परित्यज्य आगता ये महालये॥
उज्ज्वलज्ज्योतिषा वर्त्म प्रपश्यंतु व्रजंतु ते॥
(our ancestors who had proper cremation and who did not have proper cremation in my family, may they all have a good afterlife. Those ancestors who have come at mahalaya pakṣa, may they be able to see their way properly in their return journey (while we light the crackers)). On this day, in the evening, lamps have to be lit, and the sky is to be lit by crackers, sparklers, etc.
In this way, Mahālayapakṣa/Pitṛpakṣa is an auspicious time and an occasion to remember and celebrate our ancestors.
The full moon day of the lunar month of Kārtīka is called Kārtīka Pūrṇimā. This day is considered to be auspicious for :
- Sanānam in Puṣkar (a place in the state of Rājasthān, near Ajmer)
- Godānaṃ
- Vṛṣotsarga
- Dīpa-prajvalanam called as Tripurotsava
- Aruṇachala-dīpa darśanam
- Kartikeyadarśanam
Puṣkara-snānam & Godanam
The Padmapurāṇa states –
viśākhāsu yadā bhānuḥ kṛttikāsu ca candramāḥ|
sa yogaḥ padmako nāma puṣkareṣvapi durlabhaḥ||
padmakaṃ puṣkare prāpya kapirlām yaḥ prayacchati|
sa hitvā sarvapāpāni vaiṣṇavaṃ labhate padam||[1]
When the Sun is in Viśākhā nakṣatra and when the Moon is in the Krittikā Nakṣatra, this is called padmaka̍ yoga. Whoever performs Godāna of a Kapila gou (brown cow) in the place called Puṣkar shall get rid of several pāpas and attain the adobe of Lord Mahāviṣṇu.
Other smṛti states –
kārttikyāṃ puṣkare snātaḥ sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate।
māghyāṃ snātaḥ prayāge tu mucyate sarvakilbiṣaiḥ॥[2]
Whoever takes a holy bath in Puṣkar (Rajasthan) on the full moon of Kārtika month and a holy bath in Prayāga on the full moon of Māgha month he/she shall get rid of many pāpas.
It is interesting to note that even today, a vast mela is conducted in Pushkar, Rajasthan. Several people come with camels, horses, and cows. It is a major tourist festival attended by many people across the globe. It is popularly known as Puṣkar mela or Puṣkar Fair. This festival has been conducted for many years. This mela starts from the pratipad of Kārtika month and ends on the full moon day of Kārtika month. This mela has connection to this dhāmic ritual called puṣkara-snāna on kātīka Pūrṇimā.
![](https://kameswari.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Picture1.jpg)
Vṛṣotsarga
![](https://kameswari.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Picture2.jpg)
The Matsyapurāṇa states –
kārttikyāṃ yo vṛṣotsargaṃ kṛtvā naktaṃ samācaret।
śaivaṃ padamavāpnoti śivavratamidaṃ smṛtam॥[3]
Whoever performs vṛṣotsarga on the full moon of Kārtika month he/she shall reach the adobe of Lord Śiva. This is also called Śivavratam. Vṛṣotsarga means to give away a cow/bull. Some texts advise a cow family, i.e., a bull, a cow with a calf. Some texts advise Godāna as vṛṣotsarga. Vṛṣotsarga is advised to be done on other special occasions also. Vṝṣotsarga can be done on the day of rohiṇī nakṣatra of the aśwayuja month and the 10th day after a family member’s death.
Tripurotsava
![](https://kameswari.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Picture3.png)
The Bhārgavārchana Dīpika, a dharma śāstra work explains –
paurṇamāsyāṃ tu sandhyāyāṃ kartavyastripurotsavaḥ|
dadyādanena mantreṇa pradīpāṃśca surālaye||[4]
A lamp has to be lit in the evening and placed in a temple on the full moon of Kārtika month. This is called Tripurotsava. After placing the lamp in the temple, the following śloka has to be chanted –
kīṭāḥ pataṅgā maśakāśca vṛkṣā jale sthale ye vicaranti jīvāḥ|
dṛṣṭā pradīpaṃ na ca janmabhāgino bhavanti nityaṃ śvapacā hi viprāḥ||[5]
Creatures like insects, birds, mosquitos, and living beings like trees that live on land, water, and air, who will see this lamp shall not have the next janma. This reflects the karuṇa that the culture cultivates in the society.
Aruṇachala-dīpa darśanam
Aruṇachalam also known as Thiruvaṇṇāmalai is a famous town in Tamil Nāḍu. Aruṇachalam is the place where lord Śiva appeared in the form of fire. This is one of the five sacred places of Panchabhūtalingas. The Story of Aruṇachaleśwara is in the Aruṇāchala mahātmya of Skandapurana̍s maheśwarakhanḍa.
Once Lord Brahma and Viṣṇu quarreled about who is the most powerful deity among them. The quarrel grew into a big war, which was causing a lot of trouble to the common people. In order to stop their war, Lord Śiva appeared in between them in the form of Agni or fire. Then, upon the request from Brahma and Viṣṇu, Lord Śiva solidified in the form of a hill, which is now called Aruṇagiri or Aruṇāchalam. Later, a temple was built and a Śivalinga was consecrated. It is said that in the caves of Aruṇagiri, there shall be at least one sādhaka until pralaya.
nakṣtre kṛttikākhyesmin tejaste dṛśyatām param|
tadvīkṣitamidam tejaḥparam prativatsaram||
dṛṣṭvā samastairduritair muchyatām sarvajantavaḥ|
tatheti devadevena prochethāntardadhe girau||
Lord Śiva said that on the day of Kṛttika nakṣatra in the kārtika month, a light has to be lit on the Aruṇagiri. Whoever has the darśana of this lamp shall get rid of many pāpams. Hence, even today on the full moon day of Kārtika month thousands of devotees witness the Aruṇagiri dīpam, also called kātigai dīpam, and perform giripradakṣiṇa.
![](https://kameswari.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Picture4-scaled-1024x684.jpg)
Kartikeyadarśanam
![](https://kameswari.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Picture5.jpg)
The Kāśīkhanḍa states –
kārtikyāṃ kṛttikāyoge yaḥ kuryātsvāmidarśanam|
saptajanma bhavedvipro dhanāḍhyo vedapāragaḥ||[6]
On the day of kṛttikā nakṣatra in the month of Kārtika, that is the full moon day, Kārtikeyaswāmy darśanam has to be done. Kātikeya also known as Subrahmaṇyam, Swāminātha, Murugan is the son of Lord Śiva and pārvati. Hence, all the kārtikeya kṣetras will be full of devotes on the full moon day of Kārtīka month.
Hope this article helps in rediscovering the cultural heritage of bhārata. svasti.
References
[1] Bhat, S. (2018). Nirṇayasindhu (2nd ed.) [Sanskrit and Hindi]. Khemraj Śrīkṛṣṇadās, Mumbai. Pg. no.311
[2] Bhat, S. (2018). Nirṇayasindhu (2nd ed.) [Sanskrit and Hindi]. Khemraj Śrīkṛṣṇadās, Mumbai. Pg. no.311
[3] Bhat, S. (2018). Nirṇayasindhu (2nd ed.) [Sanskrit and Hindi]. Khemraj Śrīkṛṣṇadās, Mumbai. Pg. no.311
[4] Bhat, S. (2018). Nirṇayasindhu (2nd ed.) [Sanskrit and Hindi]. Khemraj Śrīkṛṣṇadās, Mumbai. Pg. no.312
[5] Bhat, S. (2018). Nirṇayasindhu (2nd ed.) [Sanskrit and Hindi]. Khemraj Śrīkṛṣṇadās, Mumbai. Pg. no.312
[6] Bhat, S. (2018). Nirṇayasindhu (2nd ed.) [Sanskrit and Hindi]. Khemraj Śrīkṛṣṇadās, Mumbai. Pg. no.312
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