Re: Significane of Sankranthi??
From the Bhakti List Archives
• January 16, 2001
Sri: Makara Sankranti is celebrated when the Sun begins the northward journey, marking the beginning of the "uttaraayaNa puNyakaalam". Sun enters the sign of "Makara", (Capricorn) from Cancer at this time. (This is also called equinox, when the day and nights are exactly the same). Starting this day, the duration of day starts to increase till "dakshiNaayanam" comes. Lord Surya on His dazzling chariot that has thousands of spokes and magnificent wheels, and driven by seven horses (seven colors of the spectrum) begins His journey northward into the Makara Rasi, filling ourlives with light and getting rid of the darkness that has loomed for the past few months. This light not only fills our material life and helps our plants grow at seeding time, but also gets rid of our "internal" darkness, showing the path of moksha. Another reason why the month of Margazhi precedes the Holy event of Sankranti. On this day, the devotee prepares a dish made of green grams, rice and jaggery - representing Lord Narayana, Laxmi and the Divine love. The festival reminds us that we need to establish that Divine Love within ourselves and give a direction to this "chanchala buddhi" and fix it our Lord Narayana, who brings light in our lives. In Mahabharata, Sri Bhishma Pitamaha waited on the bed of arrows till the "uttaraayaNa punyakaalam" has arrived, and then breathed once more, for the last time. It is believed that one escapes the cycle of life and death, if dies on this day. I also believe that "sesame oil" is used in making sweets and dishes, particularly on this day but do not have too much idea as to why. In chaturtha prasna (MahaNarayanopanishad), it is mentioned that sesame seeds are used for purificatory purposed (or as being auspicious - "tila juhomi sarasaagum sapishhThaam gandhaara mama chitteramanutu swaaha", "tila krishnaa tila shevataa tila saumyaa vashaanugaa"...). I am requesting the learned members of this group to enlighten us in this regard. -- Rajeev _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com -------------------------------------------------------------- - SrImate rAmAnujAya namaH - To Post a message, send it to: bhakti-list@eGroups.com Search archives at http://ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/index.html#SEARCH Manage your subscription at http://www.egroups.com/mygroups
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