What is Dhanurmasam
In Vedic texts, the ‘Dhanus’ month is called ‘Sahas’. In Sanskrit ‘Dhanus’ stands for a bow. ‘Dhanu’ is also an astrological sign in Indian horoscope systems, corresponding to Sagittarius. It is preceded by the solar month of ‘Vrischika’ and followed by ‘Makara’.
It is also called ‘Margali Masam’ in Tamil. Dhanurmasa occurs in the month of ‘Margasira’ and overlaps approximately the second half of December and about the first half of January. During this period the sun passes from ‘Dhanur Rasi’ (Sagittarius) to ‘Makara Rasi’ (Capricorn).
When the Sun transits into Dhanus Raasi, as per the solar calendar of the Hindus, the following month is called Dhanurmasam. It usually starts on 16th December and ends on January 13th or 14th on Bhogi festival day.
It is the last month before the onset of Uttarayana. Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 declares, “Of months, I am Margashirsha.”
Significance of Dhanurmasam
The significance of ‘Dhanurmasam’ is discussed in the ‘Dhanurmasa Mahatmya’ of ‘Pancharatragama’. In ‘Pancharatragama’, the greatness of ‘Dhanurmasa’ is presented in four chapters, as a conversation between Lord Vishnu in the form of a Hamsa (Swan) and Lord Brahma.
The dialogue between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma is narrated by Sage Suta in response to a query by Sage Shaunaka.
Pancharatragama Chapters
- The greatness and holiness of ‘Dhanurmasam’ and the rewards one deserves by observing the austerities in the holy month are found in the first chapter.
- The story of King Satyasandha and the holiness he achieved by observing ‘Dhanurmasa Vrata’ is mentioned in the second chapter.
- The third chapter talks about the importance of giving alms and the numerous pious deeds a devotee can perform during the ‘Dhanurmasa’.
- The final chapter talks about feeding the poor. It is said that the best way to reach the feet of Sri Hari is by feeding the hungry and poor during the month.
The Dhanurmasam continues until ‘Bhogi’ when the sun enters ‘Makara Rasi’ from ‘Dhanur Rasi’. Throughout this month, there is an atmosphere of festivity and celebration in the temples of Lord Vishnu. One celestial day of gods is equal to 6 human months called ‘Uttarayana’. Similarly, one celestial night of gods is equal to another 6 months called ‘Dakshinayana’ in a human year. ‘Dhanurmasam’ falls at the end of Dakshinayana.
Once, on the eve of ‘Dakshinayana’, the gods assembled on the ‘Mount Meru’ and prayed to the Lord Vishnu. As He appeared, they told Him that “night” was approaching and sought His permission to leave for their abodes. Then ‘Ratri Devi’, (Patron deity of the night) took the form of a beautiful damsel and prostrated before the Lord.
She pleaded with the Lord that ‘Dakshinayana’ is viewed as inauspicious and no one performs good deeds during this period and that she is universally reviled. She declares that she has decided to undertake penance to obtain the Lord’s grace and in case she fails, she will end the life of infamy.
The merciful Lord took pity on her and blessed her saying the duration of ‘Dakshinayana’ is of 3 seasons (2 months each). Out of them, the first two seasons shall be dearer to Him and within these 2 seasons (four months) there shall be an order in which ‘Kartika’ shall be the dearest followed by ‘Ashvija’, ‘Bhadrapada’, and finally ‘Shravana’. All the pious deeds performed during the four months shall yield immense ‘Punya’.
Hence, hereafter, people started looking forward to the arrival of this period and this erased the stigma attached to her. Thus, these four months have acquired unparalleled significance in the Hindu calendar.
Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, “Maasaanaam Margasirshoham” which means “I am the ‘Margashirsha’ amongst seasons of the year.”
According to the scriptures, during the ‘Dhanurmasa’, the gods perform special Pujas to Sri Maha Vishnu at the “Brahma Muhurta”. It is believed that worshipping Lord Vishnu at least one day during this auspicious period is worth worshipping Him a thousand years.
Every single step taken for an early morning dip in lakes and rivers is believed to confer the ‘Punya’ of performing an Ashvamedha Yaga. So it is recommended to the devotees of Lord Vishnu to perform pujas and worship Him during the Brahma Muhurtha.
Sunyamasa
Dhanurmasam is also considered ‘Sunyamasa’ and is declared unsuitable for mundane celebrations such as marriages, housewarmings, and purchase of property etc. Because it is the period of the sun entering ‘Dhanur Rasi’ and passing on to ‘Makara Rasi’. According to the Shastras, when the sun is in the ‘Dhanu’ and ‘Meena’ (Sagittarius and Pisces) residing with ‘Brihaspati’, (Jupiter) all activities such as marriage or house warming etc are forbidden.
Only prayers and godly functions are performed during the period. This ensures a festive climate during which everyone is peaceful, pleasant and happy without being burdened with other activities. During this month, devotees perform the holy acts of ‘Surya Namaskars’ and worship of Lord Vishnu in the early hours.
Chanting
Devotees worship the Lord chanting ‘Vishnu Sahasranama’, ‘Purusha Suktam’, ‘Sri Vishnu Suktam’ or ‘Narayana Upanishad’ in the early hours. Some of them also worship Sri Maha Lakshmi, the consort of Sri Maha Vishnu during this time. The Shastras decree that such devotees will be blessed with health, wealth, happiness, and good fortune.
During this month, the devotees wake up in the ‘Brahma Muhurta’ (one and a half hours before sunrise) and offer prayers to the Lord. They feed the poor, give them alms, and offer liberal ‘Dakshina’ to the holy men with the hope of amassing great Punya.
Special significance – Worshipping Sri Maha Vishnu
Thus, this month has a very special significance in the Hindu calendar for devotional activities, especially for worshipping Sri Maha Vishnu. This worship to Lord Vishnu in Dhanurmasam is to be done in Brahma Muhurtam or Arunodaya Kaala i.e., before the Sunrise when the stars are still twinkling (at least 96 meters before the Sunrise).
During this month, a special dish – Huggi, (prepared with rice and moong dal in equal proportions) is offered to Lord Vishnu as Naivedya. Since this is a twilight zone between winter and monsoon, health significance is attached to prescribing the food items during the month.
Since this month is set apart for worship, marriages, and other such functions are not performed during the month. It is only to give more focus and attention to divine worship rather than mundane materialistic activities.
How is the month observed at Tirumala?
In Tirumala temple, the priests recite Tiruppavai, a set of 30 songs composed by Goda Devi (Andal), in place of the usual Suprabhatham.
Please click here for information on events observed in Tirumala during Dhanurmasam
Dhanurmasa – Importance
Worshipping Vishnu on a single day during this auspicious period equals worshipping Vishnu with devotion for 1000 years.
Every single step was taken towards the nearby lake, river, etc., for morning dip this month brings forth merit equal to performing one Ashvamedha Yaga.
Pujas and Vratas during Dhanurmasa
The observance of ‘Dhanurmasa Vratam’ has been in vogue since time immemorial. It is also called ‘Pavai Nombu’ or ‘Margazhi Nombu’. The ‘Dhanurmasa Vrata’ was first narrated by the Lord Brahma to sage Narada. The reference to ‘Dhanurmasa’ can be found in ‘Brahmanda Purana’,’ Aditya Purana’, ‘Bhagavata’, and ‘Narayana Samhitas’.
It was Sage Narada who first prescribed the “Katyayani Vratam” to Gopikas to deserve the blessings of Lord Krishna who on the completion of the Vrata, gave His Darshan to the Gopikas and removed all their troubles. It is also believed that Andal, one of the twelve Alwars, on the advice of her father, Perialwar, performed ‘Pavai Nombu’ to achieve oneness with Sri Ranganatha (Lord Vishnu). The story was sung by Godadevi in the form of Tiruppavai Pasuras (meaning auspicious songs).
GodaDevi
Godadevi is the daughter of Vishnu Chitta. She regarded the presiding deity of the temple, Sri Vatapatra Sai (Alilla Kanan) as Lord Krishna, Villiputtur as Brindavan, the temple as Nanda Gopa’s home, her friends as Gopikas, and she as one Gopika. She takes a vow to marry none other than God Ranganayaka.
She wakes up early in the morning during the Dhanurmasa and worships Lord Vishnu. She composes all her experiences and feelings in the form of ‘Pasuram’. In this way, she composed 30 Pasurams and dedicated them to the Lord Vishnu.
Pleased with her devotion, Lord Vishnu invited her to Srirangam. When she told the same to her father, he took her to Srirangam. As soon as her wedding is celebrated with Sri Ranganatha, she kneels at his feet and attains eternity. ‘Dhanurmasam’ is the most pleasing month to the Lord Vishnu. It is considered auspicious to bathe in the rivers, worship the Lord and recite the names of the Lord during the transition of the sun to Makara.
Tiruppavai in Dhanurmasa
In Dravida, ‘Tiru’ means ‘holy’ and ‘Pavai’ means ‘Vrata’. The Hindu Puranas declare that Tiruppavai is the essence of the Vedas and the Upanishads. During the ‘Dhanurmasa, as part of the waking up ritual at Tirumala, the priests recite Tiruppavai instead of the usual Suprabhata. ‘Bilva Patras’ instead of ‘Tulasi’ is used while reciting the ‘Sahasranama’ (thousand names of the lord) of the Lord.
Dhanurmasam – The tradition of Gobbis
Young girls who have come of age get their wishes fulfilled by decorating the front porch of their houses with colourful rangoli and worshipping ‘Gobbimmas.’ Gobbimmas are the balls made of cow dung.
They are decorated with turmeric powder (Pasupu), red vermilion powder (Kumkuma), flowers and different types of grains.
