Vedo Rakshati Rakshitaha

Phalguna Masam

Last but not the least, Phalguna masam is the 12th month as per traditional Hindu Lunar calendar that generally occurs during English calendar months of February-March. The season is known as Sisira-Ruthu when we find still cool but pleasant climate, change in the colour of the leaves as they start withering. When the season ends we find new leaves start springing up that marks the beginning of spring season and the temperature slowly gets warmer. During this month Sun transit takes place from Kumbha raasi (Aquarius) to Meena Raasi (Pisces). Sisira is one of the thousands of names of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu that we find in sloka number 97 of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram.

Araudrah kundali chakri vikramyurjita-shasanah

Shabdatigah shabdasahah sisirah sarvari-karah

Sisira is a Sanskrit word meaning cool. Lord Vishnu is very cool in his disposition and Who is a solution to those who are suffering from worldly burning passions.

As per Hindu lunar calendar, the month in which full moon day coincides with Poorva/Uttara Phalguni star that month is denoted as Phalguna masam. Astrologically we find the stars Poorva Phalguni in the zodiac sign of Leo (Simha raasi) and Uttara Phalguni partly in Leo and partly in Virgo (Kanya raasi). While Venus is the ruling planet of Poorva Phalguni star, Sun is the ruling planet of Uttara Phalguni star.

Phalgu is the name of a holy river on the banks of which the sacred Gaya Kshethra is located in Bihar. Two streams Lilajan (Niranjara) and Mohana originating from a hill called Korambe Pahar about 75km south of Gaya meet together to form the river Phalgu at Gaya. It is a tributary of river Ganges and most of the time it remains dry due to a curse given by Goddess Sita Devi. The river is also referred to as Gupta Ganga because most of the year its bed usually appears dry but if you scoop with your hand you will at once come to clear water. It is said that as per Vayu Purana the river Phalgu is considered to be superior to river Ganges since it is the liquid form of Lord Vishnu whereas Ganges has originated from the foot of Lord Vishnu. As per Agni Purana it is said that Phalgu means highest power of piousness added with merit. Phala means merit and Gau means wish fulfilling cow (Kamadhenu).

Lord Sri Maha Vishnu in the name of Sri Govinda is the presiding Deity (Masa Niyamaka) governing the month of Phalguna masam. Govinda is a very popular name of Lord Sri Vishnu which we find commonly being chanted by one and all. In 24 Kesava Namas we find Govindaya Namaha as the fourth one which we recite while performing Aachamanam and also we recite Sri Govinda, Govinda while performing Sankalpa. The name Govinda also popularly figures in Sri Vishnu, Naamathraya Japam viz. Achyutaya Namaha, Ananthaaya Namaha and Govindaaya Namaha. We find a reference to the word Govinda in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram in sloka number 20 & 58 as follows

Maheshvaso mahibharta shrinivasah satam gatih

Aniruddhah suranando govindo govidam patih

Mahavaraho govindah sushenah kanakangadi

Guhyo gabhiro gahano guptas chakra-gadadharah

Govinda means the One who is the Lord of Cows, protector of Cows, the one who has lifted the hill called Goverdhanagiri with His little finger to save and protect the Cows and Cowherds, also the one who is the protector of Earth. Go also means Vedas. One who is the protector of Vedas and who is eulogized by Vedas. Go means Cow and Vinda means one who helps to survive or surmount. Go+Vinda = Govinda means the One who helps us to survive and surmount the earthly existence and reach Supreme realization of the Self. Lord Sri Krishna is popularly known and called as Govinda and who is also called as Gopala the protector of cows. We also find Lord Sri Venkateshwara popularly being referred to as Govinda and devotees chanting Govinda-Govinda when they visit Tirumala Kshetra.

Payo-Vratha (in brief)

When King Bali (Bali Chakravarthi) and his followers invaded Swarga Loka, dethroned Indra and other Demi-Gods and captured all their wealth, Aditi the Divine Mother of Demi-Gods and wife of Sage Kashyapa got highly distressed with the plight of her sons. Aggrieved with her sons’ condition she prayed to her husband Sage Kashyapa to suggest the way to make her sons reoccupy their respective positions in the Heaven. Moved by the Aditi’s request, Sage Kashyapa suggested her to worship Lord Sri ManNarayana by performing an austerity known as Payo Vratha and explained its rules and regulations.

According to its principles one has to perform with proper sankalpa this austerity for twelve days, starting from Sukla Paadyami and ending with Dwadasi. During this period one should perform Sri Vishnu Aaradhana by worshiping Him daily with shodasa upachaara pooja and feeding poor and Brahmins as much as possible and subsisting only on Milk. One is required to perform this austerity with total faith and devotion towards Lord Vishnu, strictly observing celibacy, taking bath thrice a day, sleeping on floor etc. At the end of the vratha one should perform a homa/yagna, feed Brahmins, and give charity. Since this Vratha is ought to yield far reaching results and fulfills all desires it is also known as Sarva Yagna.

Aditi then performed Payovratha strictly adhering to its rules resulting in Lord Sri ManNarayana appearing before her and assuring her that her wish would get fulfilled and that He would take birth as her son. Accordingly, Lord Sri Maha Vishnu took the incarnation of Lord Vaamana and fulfilled Aditi’s desires. We find reference to this Payovratha in Ashtama Skhanda (8th Canto) of SriMad Bhagavatham in the episode of Sri Vaamana Avathara. This Vratha is performed during Phalguna masam. This austerity is suggested as one of the Divine remedies for lack of progeny.

In Mahabharatha epic, we find Arjuna being referred to by several names and one such name is Phalguna. It is said that Arjuna was born in Phalguna masam and in the constellation of Uttara Phalguni. Great Madhva Saint and Philosopher, Guru Saarvabhouma, Sri Raghavendra Swamy of Mantralayam was born during Phalguna masam on the seventh day Suddha Sapthami that is celebrated as Guru Saarvabhoumara Jayanthi. In fact Sri Rayaru took his Sanyasa Deeksha in the month of Phalguna masam only. We also find during Phalguna masam Aaradhana of other Great Madhva Saints viz. Sri Sudheendra Theertharu (Vidya Guru of Sri Raghavendra Swamy), Sri Vaadiraaja Theertharu (Sodhe) and Sri Vyasarajaru (Anegondi).

Full Moon day in Phalguna masam is celebrated as Holi festival. If that day is associated with Uttara Phalguni star it is said to be highly meritorious for worshiping Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi. Holi is also known as colour festival which is celebrated with great fanfare by Hindus as well as Sikhs sprinkling colours/colour water on each other. In South India it is known as Kama-Dahana. We find people lighting a bonfire in commemoration of Manmatha (Kamadeva) the Lord of passion, getting burnt to the furious gaze of Lord Shiva when He was disturbed from His meditation. This tradition of lighting a bonfire carries a message to mark the burning of our Arishadvargas (Negative passions). This festival of colours has socio-cultural and religious significance which is participated by one and all irrespective of their caste and creed.

Famous Boat festival or Float festival known as Teppotsavam is held at Tirumala Sri Swamy Pushkarini Theertham during Phalguna masam. This is held for five days during Sukla paksha starting from Dasami and ending with Pournami thithi. During the five day festival, first two days Lord Sri Rama and Lord Sri Krishna along with their consorts are taken out in procession on a decorated boat in Swamy Pushkarini theertham. Last three days Lord Malayappa Swamy (Lord Venkateshwara) is taken out in procession along with His consorts. This float festival attracts thousands of devotees coming from across the country.

Ekadasi thithi falling in sukla paksha of Phalguna masam is called as Amalaki Ekadasi. It is said that fasting on this day of Amalaki Ekadasi is more meritorious than giving one thousand cows in charity. One who observes fast on this day and worship Lord Sri Maha Vishnu with total faith and devotion would get freed from all kinds of sins and attain liberation. Ekadasi falling in Krishna Paksha is known as Papa-Vimochani which is self explicit.

During Phalguna masam, Go-dhana (giving Cow as charity) along with its maintenance, Vasthra dana are prescribed. Phala + Guna = Phalguna. Phala means merits and Guna means qualities and Phalguna masam is a highly auspicious month that is full of meritorious qualities.