Phalguna Masam
Phalguna or Phālguna is a month of the Hindu calendar. In India’s national civil calendar, Phalguna is the twelfth month of the year, and corresponds with February/March in the Gregorian calendar.In Luni-Solar religious calendars, Phalgun may begin on either the new moon or the full moon around the same time of year, and is usually the eleventh or twelfth month of the year. However, in Gujarat, Kartika is the first month of the year, and so Phalguna follows as the fifth month for Gujaratis.The holidays of Holi (15 Phalguna) and Maha Shivaratri (14 Phalguna) are observed in this monthIn solar religious calendars, Phalguna begins with the Sun’s entry into Aquarius, and is usually the eleventh month of the year.In the Vaishnava calendar, Govinda governs this month.Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami was born on Phalgun Sukla Navami in 1595 AD who advocated Madhvacharya’s Dvaita philosophy.Most parts of North India see early celebration of the famous Hindu festival Holi in this month. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (Phalguna Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March.The Hindu festival of Shigmo is also celebrated in Goa and Konkan in the month of Phalguna. Celebrations can stretch over a month and may last even after the Hindu Luni-Solar New Year begins. Another popular fair is Phalguna Mela in Khatushyamji in Rasjasthan.
Lord Vishnu Named As Govinda:-
Lord Vishnu in the name of Sri Govinda is the presiding Deity (Masa Niyamaka) governing the month of Phalguna masam. Govinda is a very popular name of Lord Sri Vishnu which we find commonly being chanted by one and all. In 24 Kesava Namas we find Govindaya Namaha as the fourth one which we recite while performing Aachamanam and also we recite Sri Govinda, Govinda while performing Sankalpa. The name Govinda also popularly figures in Sri Vishnu, Naamathraya Japam viz. Achyutaya Namaha, Ananthaaya Namaha and Govindaaya Namaha. We find a reference to the word Govinda in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram in sloka number 20 & 58 as follows
Maheshvaso mahibharta shrinivasah satam gatih
Aniruddhah suranando govindo govidam patih
Mahavaraho govindah sushenah kanakangadi
Guhyo gabhiro gahano guptas chakra-gadadharah
Govinda means the One who is the Lord of Cows, protector of Cows, the one who has lifted the hill called Goverdhanagiri with His little finger to save and protect the Cows and Cowherds, also the one who is the protector of Earth. Go also means Vedas. One who is the protector of Vedas and who is eulogized by Vedas.
Go means Cow and Vinda means one who helps to survive or surmount. Go+Vinda = Govinda means the One who helps us to survive and surmount the earthly existence and reach Supreme realization of the Self. Lord Sri Krishna is popularly known and called as Govinda and who is also called as Gopala the protector of cows. We also find Lord Sri Venkateshwara popularly being referred to as Govinda and devotees chanting Govinda-Govinda when they visit Tirumala Kshetra.
Vratams In Phalguna Masam:-
Payo Vratam:-
According to our Purana’s, from Sukla Padyami to Dwadasi, first 12 days pooja should be done to Lakshmi sametha Narayana(Lord Vishnu along with goddess Lakshmi Devi). These twelve days resemble 12 months. Doing pooja in these 12 days is equivalent of praying Lord Vishnu throughout the year. It is called as “PAYO VRATHAM”. Only milk should be taken as food after offering milk as Nivedhyam to god. Donating cow (Godanam), clothes, money is very auspicious in this month.
When King Bali (Bali Chakravarthi) and his followers invaded Swarga Loka, dethroned Indra and other Demi-Gods and captured all their wealth, Aditi the Divine Mother of Demi-Gods and wife of Sage Kashyapa got highly distressed with the plight of her sons. Aggrieved with her sons’ condition she prayed to her husband Sage Kashyapa to suggest the way to make her sons reoccupy their respective positions in the Heaven. Moved by the Aditi’s request, Sage Kashyapa suggested her to worship Lord Sri ManNarayana by performing an austerity known as Payo Vratha and explained its rules and regulations.
According to its principles one has to perform with proper sankalpa this austerity for twelve days, starting from Sukla Paadyami and ending with Dwadasi. During this period one should perform Sri Vishnu Aaradhana by worshiping Him daily with shodasa upachaara pooja and feeding poor and Brahmins as much as possible and subsisting only on Milk. One is required to perform this austerity with total faith and devotion towards Lord Vishnu, strictly observing celibacy, taking bath thrice a day, sleeping on floor etc. At the end of the vratha one should perform a homa/yagna, feed Brahmins, and give charity. Since this Vratha is ought to yield far reaching results and fulfills all desires it is also known as Sarva Yagna.
Aditi then performed Payovratha strictly adhering to its rules resulting in Lord Sri ManNarayana appearing before her and assuring her that her wish would get fulfilled and that He would take birth as her son. Accordingly, Lord Sri Maha Vishnu took the incarnation of Lord Vaamana and fulfilled Aditi’s desires. We find a reference to Payovratha in Ashtama Skhanda (8th Canto) of SriMad Bhagavatham in the episode of Sri Vaamana Avathara. This Vratha is performed during Phalguna masam. This austerity is suggested as one of the Divine remedies for lack of progeny.
Ganesh Vratam:-
Main god to be worshipped in this month is DUNDI VINAYAKA IN KASI. Dundi Vinayaka is also found in Draksharamam. Dundi Vinayaka is worshipped in two separate days of this month
1. AVIGNA VRATHAM on Sukla Padyami to remove all obstacles.
2. PUTRA GANAPATHI VRATHAM on Sukla Chathurthi for children.
Amalaki Ekadasi:-
Amalaki Ekadasi occurs on the 11 th day of Phalguna month(Sukla Ekadasi). On this day we should pray Amalaki(Amla tree) And donate amla. Vasista Muni said in BRAHMANDA PURANA that those who faithfully observes a fasting on this Ekadasi, obtains enormous wealth, gets free from all kinds of sins and attain Liberation. Fasting on this Ekadasi is more purifying than donating 1000 cows in charity to a pure Brahmin. In Orissa this Ekadasi is known as SABARMMAT EKADASI and special prayers are held in Lord Vishnu and Jagannath temples. Further more, if this Ekadasi falls on Thursday it is regarded as even more auspicious. Purana’s also insist to eat amla. Amla tree is given importance in this month as amla tree flowers 6 months before from now and it will attain all its medical values fully by this month and are ready to eat. Amla fruit is one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C, its fresh juice contains nearly 20 times as much vitamin c as Orange juice. It is an ingredient of many Ayurvedic medicines and tonics.
Govinda Dwadasi :-
Govinda Dwadasi is celebrated on the next day of Amalaki Ekadasi i.e on Sukla Dwadasi.
On this day we have to pray Lord Vishnu take bath in river Ganga. If not possible to take bath in Ganga River we can go to the nearest river available. It is believed that by doing so we get good health.
Dola Purnima(Holi):-
Dola Purnima is also called as MAHA PHALGUNI, HOLIKA PURNIMA. On this Purnima, Lakshmi Narayana pooja is done on this day and Unjal Seva(Swing festival) is done, so it is called as Dolika Purnima. It is one of the popular festivals in Orissa. On this day, there will be burning of demon Holika, which is called as HOLIPADA. Playing of Holi takes place on the next day and is primarily celebrated as the victory of good over evil. In Tamilnadu this Purnima is called as Phanguni this Purnima is treated as the marriage day of Madura Meenakshi and Sundareswara swamy. KALYANA VRATHAM is done in all temples. It is called as KALYANA PURNIMA.
Full Moon day in Phalguna masam is celebrated as Holi festival. If that day is associated with Uttara Phalguni star it is said to be highly meritorious for worshiping Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi. Holi is also known as colour festival which is celebrated with great fanfare by Hindus as well as Sikhs sprinkling colours/colour water on each other. In South India it is known as Kama-Dahana. We find people lighting a bonfire in commemoration of Manmatha (Kamadeva) the Lord of passion, getting burnt to the furious gaze of Lord Shiva when He was disturbed from His meditation. This tradition of lighting a bonfire carries a message to mark the burning of our Arishadvargas (Negative passions). This festival of colours has socio-cultural and religious significance which is participated by one and all irrespective of their caste and creed.
Bahula Astami:-
BAHULA ASTAMI is treated as the birth day of goddess Sita Devi. Janka Maha raja found Sita Devi on this day.
Amavasya:-
This is the last day of the year, so it is called as Kotha Amavasya in ANDRAPRADESH. Kotha means new in Telugu. It is believed that leaving Tarpana to ancestors on this day is good.
Phalgu River:-
Phalgu is the name of a holy river on the banks of which the sacred Gaya Kshethra is located in Bihar. Two streams Lilajan (Niranjara) and Mohana originating from a hill called Korambe Pahar about 75km south of Gaya meet together to form the river Phalgu at Gaya. It is a tributary of river Ganges and most of the time it remains dry due to a curse given by Goddess Sita Devi.
The river is also referred to as Gupta Ganga because most of the year its bed usually appears dry but if you scoop with your hand you will at once come to clear water. It is believed that water in the river acts as a healer that drive away and cure all illness.
It is said that Agni Purana has explained river Phalgu as a combination of Phala (merit) + Gau (wish fulfilling Cow - Kamadhenu) and its etymology implies that the river manifests the highest power of piouness added with merit. As per Vaayu Purana it is said that the river Phalgu is considered superior to river Ganges (Ganga) since it is the liquid form of Lord Vishnu whereas Ganga (Ganges) has originated from the foot of Lord Vishnu.
Other Personalities/Events Associated with Phalguna Maasam:-
In Mahabharatha epic, we find Arjuna being referred to by several names and one such name is Phalguna. It is said that Arjuna was born during Phalguna masam in the constellation of Uttara Phalguni.
Renowned Madhva Saint, philosopher, Guru Saarvabhouma, Sri Raaghavendra Swamy (Sri Raayaru) of Mantralayam was born during Phalguna masam on the seventh lunar day (Sukla Sapthami) that is celebrated as Guru Saarvabhoumara Jayanthi. In fact Sri Raayaru took his Sanyasa Deeksha in the month of Phalguna masam only.
We also find during Phalguna masam Aaradhana of other Great Madhva Saints viz. Sri Sudheendra Theertharu (Vidya Guru of Sri Raghavendra Swamy), Sri Vaadiraaja Theertharu (Sodhe) and Sri Vyasarajaru (Anegondi).
Teppotsavam (Tirumala):-
Famous Boat festival or Float festival known as Teppotsavam is held at Tirumala Sri Swamy Pushkarini Theertham during Phalguna masam. This is held for five days during Sukla paksha starting from Dasami and ending with Pournami thithi. During the five day festival, first two days Lord Sri Rama and Lord Sri Krishna along with their consorts are taken out in procession on a decorated boat in Swamy Pushkarini theertham. Last three days Lord Malayappa Swamy (Lord Venkateshwara) is taken out in procession along with His consorts. This float festival attracts thousands of devotees coming from across the country.
Charities during Phalguna maasam:-
During Phalguna masam, Go-dhana (giving Cow as charity) along with its maintenance, Vasthra dana are prescribed.
Phala + Guna = Phalguna. Phala means merits and Guna means qualities and Phalguna masam is a highly auspicious month that is full of meritorious qualities.
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