In the tenth chapter of the Bhagwad Gita, entitled the "Vibhuti Yog", Lord Shrikrishna describes the best amongst the rest. Let me give you an example. Says the Lord, "Of/amongst the seasons, I am the spring." In Verse Number xxxv of the chapter, says the Lord, "masanam margashirsh: asmi" which means " I am the margashirsha of/amongst the months." This year it began on December 1.
Significantly, the ninth month, the month of birth in a way, this month is special across the whole of India. In Maharashtra, for example, the Prabodhini Ekadashi (the ekadashi whence begins the end of the Lord's restful slumber) would have just got over. Across temples, there is the early morning special "kakad aarti." In Tamilnadu, it seems, they draw the 'kollam' rangoli. Apparently, Devi Laxmi is worshipped in this month
Aai used to love that excerpt from Chapter X, Shloka xxxv. "Masanam Margashirsh: asmi" was one of her favourite quotes. Throughout the month, she used to take up some 'vrata' and follow it most assiduously, most religiously. At Sanju's Woodland home, she used to go for the early morning "kakad aarti". She used to love it, too. I remember her detailed description of those special morning prayers.
Festivals are always related to the agricultural calendar in our agrarian country. May be, it can be said that the 'kharif' crop would be long over, and the hustle and bustle for the 'rabbi' crop would be awaited as well. May be, hence, the month would be like a fallow piece of land. It should be reaped productively. To keep, in brief, the common man and the typical society on the path of good behaviour (well, the empty mind is always the devil's favourite front), all the rituals must have been introduced.
Hence the calling the month holiest of the holy. Hence the rituals and prayers. Well, anything followed/practised for twenty-one days becomes a habit. So says folk psychology. May be, hence the 'vrata's and prayers to instil good habits in the common man.
Pratima@How many are the ways to creatively and critically understand our culture, our traditions, our ancient ways of living!
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