Vedo Rakshati Rakshitaha

Aashaada - The Soonya Masam

Fourth one as per the traditional Hindu Lunar calendar, Aashaada masam marks the beginning of Dakshinayana when, the Sun takes a southward turn in the zodiac. During the month of Aashada, Sun transits into Karkataka Raasi known as Karkataka Sankramana that generally occurs in the calendar month of July, exactly six months after the beginning of Uttarayana. The month in which full moon day coincides with Poorva/Uttara-Aashaada constellation, that month is denoted as Aashaada masam. Astrologically we find the stars Poorvaashaada in the zodiac sign of Sagittarius (Dhanus) and Uttaraashaada partly in Sagittarius and partly in Makara (Capricorn) raasi. While Venus is the star Lord of Poorvaashaada, Sun is the star lord of Uttaraashaada. Both the star lords Sun & Venus are inimical to each other.

Apart from beginning of Dakshinayana, Aashada masam marks the beginning of marathon period of austerities known as Chaturmasam. Hari Sayani Ekadasi, the day Lord SriManNarayana is believed to enter into Yoganidra (divine slumber) falls in Aashaada masam. The sacred act of getting the divine symbols stamped on one’s body known as Taptamudradhaarana is conducted during Aashaada masam on the day of Sayani Ekadasi. Lot of spiritual significance is attributed to the concept of Taptamudradhaarana.

Full Moon day in Aashaada masam known as Guru Pournima is celebrated across the country, symbolically honouring the Gurus and teachers who have taught us the Vidya. This day is also popularly referred to as Vyaasa Poornima associated with Lord Veda Vyaasa, the Divine Literary incarnation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. It is believed that Sri Veda Vyasa was born on this day of Pournami in the Lunar month of Aashaada. It is also said that it is the day on which Sri Veda Vyasa commenced his work on Brahma Sutras. Though Chaturmasam starts from Sayani Ekadasi for general public, traditionally, Ascetics start their Chaturmasa Deeksha from this day of Guru Pournima in Aashaada masam.

Aashaada Bahula Panchami, fifth day during the dark fortnight of the month is celebrated as Sri Jayatheerthara Aaradhana. Popularly known as Sri Teekarayaru, it was the day on which Sri Jayatheertharu, an advocate and great exponent of Dvaita philosophy, entered into Brindavana at Malakheda in Karnataka state during 13th century.

World famous car festival of Sri Jagannatha temple at Puri (Orissa) known as Jagannatha Ratha Yatra or Gundicha Yatra is held during Aashaada masam starting on the second day of the month during sukla paksha. The festival is witnessed by lakhs of devotees from across the world. Aashaada sukla Dasami and Pournami (10th & 15th day of the month) are regarded as Manvaadi days. Pada Raksha (Chappals), Chatthra (Umbrella), Lavana (Salt) and Amla (Amalaki) are prescribed as charity to be given during Aashaada masam.

Lord Sri Maha Vishnu in the name of Sri Vaamana is the presiding Deity (Masa Niyamaka) governing the month of Aashada masam. We find a reference to Vaamana in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram in sloka # 17 and 56 who is also described as Upendra and Trivikramah. He was known as Vamana because he was dwarf in form at the beginning. While suppressing the pride and vanity of King Bali, He was known as Trivikrama when, He grew to a gigantic size and conquered the three worlds, Earth, Upper worlds and Nether worlds with just three paces of his foot. Born to Sage Kashyapa and Aditi, He was also referred as Upendra the younger brother of Indra. We find all the three names Trivikrama, Vamana and Upendra while reciting 24 Kesava Namas. An exclusive Purana named after Lord Vamana called Sri Vamana Purana scripted by Lord and Sage Veda Vyasa forms part of 18 great Puranas called Ashtadasa Puranas.

Traditionally, Aashaada masam is considered as Soonya masam. Soonya means nothing, empty, or null and void. Numerically Soonya means zero that has philosophical and spiritual significance. As per the texts of Electional Astrology, Chaithra masam, when the Sun is transiting in Meena raasi, Aashaada masam when Sun is transiting in Mithuna raasi, Bhaadrapada masam when Sun is transiting in Kanya raasi and Pushya masam when Sun is transiting in Dhanus raasi, these four months are considered as Soonya Masams.

May be due to the spiritual significance affixed to these months, auspicious functions like Upanayanam, Marriage and Gruha Pravesam etc. are not generally undertaken during Soonya Masams. We find this tradition being followed even today in South India especially in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. There is also a convention among the traditional families in South India, of not allowing the newly married couple to stay together during Aashaada masam. It is more of a pragmatic approach and safeguard that was followed in olden days which is slowly getting vanished and not being followed in these modern days.

While Aashaada masam is considered as inauspicious for mundane activities, it is considered as sacred month for performing spiritual activities. Aashada, Karthika, Maagha and Vaisakha are regarded as spiritually important months in Hindu lunar calendar. Aashada masam is the month when the rains (monsoon) will start afresh and a number of creatures (living beings) will sprout on the earth. This month is said to be the appropriate period for sprouting of spiritual knowledge in the minds of human beings.