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Adhik Mass
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Astronomy
The lunar calendar adds one extra month every third year. This extra month is
known by various names: Adhik Maas, Mal Maas, Purushottam Maas, Malimmacha. 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. The lunar year comprising of eleven months only is very rare indeed. It
occurs once in 140 years or once in 190 years. But the extra month or Adhik Maas
comes every third year. Adhik Maas adopts the name of the month that follows
adhik Maas.
Whenever Sankranti does not fall within one month then Adhik Maas occurs. When
there are two Sankrantis within one month then it becomes the lunar year with
one reduced month (11 months in the year).
Vasishtha Siddhanta (the treatise of Vasishtha) mentions that 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).
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.
[Note: The moon takes about 27.3 days to make one complete orbit around the
earth. The earth orbits around the sun once every 365.2422 days (= earth’s
orbital speed of 29.79 km per second). The earth and the moon in 27.3 days have
moved as a system about 1/12 of the ways around the sun. This means that from
one full moon to the next full moon, the moon must travel 2.2 extra days before
it appears full. This is due to the curve of the earth’s orbit around the sun.
The moon is still making one complete orbit (circle) in 27.3 days. But to line
up with the earth and sun to become a full moon again it takes 29.531 days.
29.531 day Lunar months = 354.372 days per lunar year. Thus we arrive at a
difference of 10.87 days a year between a lunar year and a solar year of
365.2422 days per year.]
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Religious
significance of Adhik Maas
Regarding Adhik Maas (Mal Maas) Hemadri says that Mal Maas Vrat (Adhik Maaas
Vrat) is capable of washing away all the sins of people (who observe the Vrat).
During this month mukta, nakta, fasting etc are undertaken and garments etc. are
distributed to charities. A beautiful story relates to how, in ancient times,
through the observance of Mal Maas Vrat, king Nahush was released from all
bondage and acquired the throne of Indra (the ruler of gods in heaven).
It is written in the Devi Bhagavat that charitable and meritorious acts and
fastings etc. carried out during this Mal Maas (Adhik Maas), inevitably produce
results. Just as atomic sized contents within a seed produce a giant and long
living Banyan tree, so in the same manner even a little charitable act done
during Mal Maas (Adhik Maas) produces big results.
As mentioned before, Mal Maas or Adhik Maas is also known as Purushottama Maas.
There is a nice story about this. According to the lunar year, there were only
12 months. Each of the twelve months was assigned to 12 gods. So that the lunar
and the solar years do not get out of step with days and seasons, the
far-sighted Rishi-Munis calculated and facilitated Adhik Maas (extra month) and
shown its importance. But one problem still remained. Each of the 12 months was
assigned to 12 different gods. But the 13th extra month was not assigned to any
god. Adhik Maas (Mal Maas) felt sadness and approached Lord Vishnu and said that
no god was assigned to him (Adhik Maas) and for that reason he was called Mal
Maas or Malimmucha. Adhik Maas further spoke to Lord Vishnu: ‘ I am filled with
anxiety and I have therefore come to seek your refuge and help.’
Lord Vishnu took pity on him. The Lord (Vishnu) agreed and assigned Adhik Maas
to Himself and gave the name Purushottama Maas to this month. Lord Vishnu also
said that acquisition of merits during other months through good deeds, japa,
austerities etc can be acquired by japa, austerities etc. carried out within
this one month. Since then it is known as the Purushottama Maas and acquired
greater significance than the other months.
In a book called Purushottama Granth can be found many aspects of the special
religious significance of this month. Many people read or listen to this book
during Purushottama Maas (Adhik Maas). By reading and listening, high merits are
acquired. There are lots of lovely stories connected with the special
significance of this month.
It is written in the Bhavishyottar Purana that fasting or eating once a day
should commence on the first day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) and end
on the last day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha). According to ability,
distribute to charities and do good deeds.
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Reactions of Adhik Maas
The Puranas also sing high praises about Adhik Maas and indicate Puja, readings
of scriptures etc. during Adhik Maas. Selfless actions, without the expectations
of results, are to be performed during Adhik Maas. Mal Maas (Adhik Maas) is the
month for Vishnu puja. The recitation of Srimad Bhagavat Purana and of the
Bhagavad Gita during this month produce top meritorious results. In addition to
singing and listening to the praises of the Lord (Vishnu), undertake Adhik Maas
Vrat also. This Vrat is to begin from the first day and ends on the last day of
Adhik Maas. Waking up during the hours of Brahma Muhurta (between 4 am and 6
am), after ablutions, place a murti of Radha-Krisha or Lakshmi-Narayana and
perform Sodashopachara puja. If there is a temple nearby then perform puja of
whatever deities are usually worshipped therein. During the entire month of Mal
Maas Vrat eat Sattvic food (vegetarian meals, milk, fruits, nuts, grains,
vegetables). One meal at night is recommended.
It is written in the Bhavishyottar Purana that Sri Krishna Himself has said
regarding Adhik Maas Vrat that by carrying out the Vrat with the sole aim of
worshipping God, through fasting, cleanliness, charity, puja etc. merits are
acquired which produce unfailing results and all sorts of calamities are
overcome.
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