ADHIK MAAS : LEGEND & WORSHIP

ADHIK MAAS

(Extra Lunar Month)

From 18th Aug to 16th Sept 2012, The Adhik Maas will be observed by all Hindus.

The lunar calendar adds one extra month every third year. This extra month is known by various names: Adhik Maas, Mal Maas or Purushottam Maas. This is the thirteenth month of the lunar calendar.

Just as there is the lunar year with the extra month (Adhik Maas), so is there a lunar year with a diminished or reduced month, with only eleven months in the year. Which is called 'Kshaya Maas' The lunar year comprising of eleven months only is very rare indeed. It occurs once in 140 years or once in 190 years

Adhik Maas adopts the name of the month that follows adhik Maas. So this year it is Bhadra Adhik Maas. As per Vasishtha Siddhanta Adhik Maas or the extra lunar month occurs after every 32 months, 16 days and 8 Ghadis (a Ghadi is a period of 24 minutes and 60 Ghadis equal 24 hours).

Scientific explicate : It is a fact that the solar year is made up of 365 days and about 06 minutes and the lunar year is made up of 354 days. Thus both the solar and the lunar years have gaps of 11 days, 1 hour, 31 minutes and 12 seconds. As this gap increases each year, it approximates in three years to one month.

Krishna is the Lord of this adhik maas. hence this Adhik Maas is very auspicious to all Vaishnavs.

It is believed that the Adhik Maas Vrat is capable of excusing all the sins of the followers. People observe fast and give donations. Shri Krishna has also appreciated Adhik Maas Vrat which produces unfailing results and removes all sorts of mishaps and obstacles.

Simple ways of following Adhik Maas :

1. Daan : Give donations like clothes etc. to needy, as charity. Daan is fruitful only when you give your precious possessions unhesitatingly and without expectation of any returns. Daan is meritorious and virtuous when you give it secretly. Pure daan earns pure punnya. only your earned virtues get carried to the next Life. You earn what you sow, nothing more nothing less. Earn more virtue by giving away your best to the needy.

2. Deep Daan : Light up the deep ( Diyas ) at temples , or for your Guru or near Pipal Tree to earn Punya during Adheek Maas.

3. Every day Read or Listen to the 15th Adhyay (purshottam adhya) of Bhagvad Geeta before Lunch. In chapter fifteen Lord Krishna reveals the virtues, the glories and transcendental characteristics of God being omnipotent (all powerful) omniscient ( all knowing ) and omnipresent (present everywhere). Also He explains the purpose and value of knowing about God and the means by which He can be realized. Thus this chapter is entitled: Realization of the Ultimate Truth.

4. A statue of Radha-Krishna or Lakshmi-Narayan is to be worshipped with Sodashopachara puja.

5. Japa : Recitation of- || ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय : || OM Namo Bhagvate Vasudevay at least for 108 times a day. .

Wish you a very fruitful Adhik Maas.