Following Sri Navadwip Panjika of Siddhanta Saraswati
Thakura
&
Rashtriya Panchang published by the Government of India
&
Iskcon Vaishnava Calendars
This page was compiled by
Jaya Tirtha Charan dasan
Introduction
to the concept of Panjika:
Sri
Navadwip Panjika of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur:
Astro pages - links:
Footnote:
Intro by Jaya Tirtha
Charan dasan:
This is an individual panjika of auspicious timings for some
of the major places of Krishna conscious development in New Zealand. Further
it is also a Vaishnava Calendar, and Panchanga; showing Tithis, Nakshatras,
Varams, Pakshas, Masas, Yogas, as well as Fasting, Functions and Events/Observances.
...
This particular Almanac is specifically for those living
in the various longitudes and latitudes and times sections of New Zealand,
and is therefore accurate to the minute, in regards to fasting periods,
times to break fast, the movement of the stars and planets, as well as
auspicious times when to optimise the combination of such events for good
deeds (Sat Kriya Karmani).
...
Astrological "auspiciousness" is for performance of Samskaras
and other Dharmic or Sat Kriya Karmanas and is different from the sacridity
of an auspicious event such as the appearance or disappearance of a great
saintly spiritual preceptor, an incarnation of the Lord, etc., which is
in itself all auspicious. However, such days are meant for exclusive remembrance
and service of the Lord, and the wonderful interactions and pastimes that
Hehas with His pure devotees, and generally not for performance of other
activities. The same is to be said for sacred days like Ekadasi, Dwadasi,
Purnima, and Amavasya, as well as sacred places like the Holy Dhams of
Mayapur, Vrindavan, Puri or the various Divya Deshes of South India, etc.,
which are considered to be Mother or instigator(s) of devotion.
...
Astrological "auspiciousness" as identified herein
is in accordance with co-ordinates found in the sacred Muhurtha shastra;
Sat Kriya Sara Dipika of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami; the teachings of HDG
Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; Muhurtha Tattwa of B.V Raman;
Kalaprakashika of Subramaniyam Iyer, Jyotish Vedanga of Deshpande from
Rg, Yajur, and Arthava Veda; Samskara Vidhi of Vaidyanath Shastri, etc.
...
All of the above can be validated with authentic
Vaishnava scriptures such as the Srimad Bhagavatam, Tantra Sara (of Madhwacarya),
Pancharatra Agamas (Narad Pancharatra, Ahirbudhnya Samhita, Vaikahamsa
Agama, etc.), Apastambha Silpa Sutra, and Griya Sutras, and the Puranas.
...
Therefore as well as a bona-fide Vaishnava Calendar,
and an explanation of the significant factors(from Navadwip Panjika of
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad), the contents of this
Panjikam shows auspicious times for performance of; Vivaha (marriage);
Garbhadhanam (impregnation); Pumsavan (selecting a male child); Simontanayanam
(preparing the child in the womb); Jata Karma (birth ceremony); Nama Karanam
(name choosing and giving); Niskramanam (first journey to the temple);
Karna Beda (ear piercing); Annaprasna (first grains); Cuda Karanam (Mundan
- head shaving); Vidya Rambha (beginning studies - first schooling); Upanayanam
/ Diksha / Yajurved Upakarmas (times for sacred thread giving); Grha Rambha
(building a new house); Grha Pravesham (moving into a new house), Antyesthi
(last rites); and many miscellaneous Timings for Auspicious events (buying
a new car/conveyance; choosing and installing gems; new clothes; to win
law suites; to gain employment / occupation / business; beginning journeys
/ travel, etc., etc. - Rahu Kalam / Yama Ghantam / Gulikalam, etc., predicting
and avoiding Solar & Lunar Eclipses, ashthami, chaturdasi, chaturthi,
Mangal dosh / Kuja dosh, etc., etc.
...
Sometime's when we look at an ordinary
calendar or even the Vaishnava calendars events or co-ordinations are not
so clearly defined, if one doesn't know the rules behind the calculations.
Material scientists in their observatories
(ie. Carter in Wellington, and Stardome in Auckland) spend millions on
fantastic equipment to chart the stars with accuracy. And in most they
do a good job, as far as the instruments made with blunt senses can make.
However, in our Panjikas and Panchangams there are different set of rules,
that while accepting the scientific facts that are observed, apply Vaishnava
viddhi to times when to apply events to. This is explained nicely by Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur below in his Navadwip Dham Panjika Introduction.
For those wishing more specific details about any given
day or time; or requiring research done for the best time to perform any
kind of auspicious works; astrological consultation, or bookings for the
performance of functions, yajnas or Pujas, etc., Pt. Jaya Tirtha Charan
dasa may be contacted at:
...
Our (Iskcon's) Vaishnava
Calendar - Panjika is available HERE
SRI NAVADWIP PANJIKA
By Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. (English
translation by Manoj Mitra)
...
Introduction
Sri Navadwip Panjika begins, "For the welfare of everyone
Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhupada has written his Sri Hari-namamrta grammar
with the objective of cultivating Harinam, so in the same way Sri Siddhanta
Saraswati Goswami has written Sri Navadwip Panjika accordingly using different
names of Visnu for the months (Masa), fortnights (Paksas), and days (Varam),
to cultivate Sri Harinam Kirtan." According to Navadwip Panjika the year
is called "Candra Varsa" cyclic year of the moon, which goes from Krsna
Pratipat after the Gaura Purnima to the next Gaura Purnima, this is a moon
cycle of one year Candra Varsa.
...
"These months are similarly divided starting from the
Pratipat of Krsna Paksa through to the Purnima, full moon, this period
is considered one month. The months are as follows 1/. Visnu, Caitra (March-April)
2/. Madhusudhana, Vaisakha (April-May) 3/. Trivikrama, Jyestha (May-June)
4/. Vamana, Ashadha (June-July) 5/. Sridhara, Sravan (July-August) 6/.
(H)Rishikesh, Bhadrapad (August-September) 7/. Padmanabha, Aswina (September-October)
8/. Damodar, Kartika (October-November) 9/.Keshava, Mrgasirsa (November-December)
10/. Narayana, Pusya (December-January) 11/. Madhava, Magha
(January-February) and 12/. Govinda, Phalguna (February-March), these twelve
months are considered to consist as one Gaurabda. After every two
years and eight months there is also another month which is added called
Purushottama Adika Masa. This additional month starts from the sukla pratipat
to the Amavasya, some materialistic persons call this month "Malmas" and
during this month they refrain from any works, karmanas. However the pure
Vaisnavas respect this month as being a sacred and thus engage in all activities
of devotional service during this month.
...
The days of the week are also given various names of
Visnu, Sarva vasudev is Ravi var (Sunday), Sarva shivasankarshan is Som
var (Monday), Sthanu Pradyumna is Mangal var (Tuesday), Yuta Aniruddha
is Budh var (Wednesday), Adikaranadasai is Brhaspati var (Thursday), Nidhi
Garvadasai is Sukra var (Friday), Abboy ksirodaksai is Sani var (Saturday).
...
The fortnights are also renamed as Pradyumna Krsna the
dark fortnight (Krsna Paksa), and Aniruddha Gaur, the light fortnight,
(Sukla Paksa).
...
The names of the tithis according to the names of
Visnu are as follows; Pratipat - Brahma, Dwitiya - Sripati, Tritiya - Visnu,
Caturthi - Kapil, Pancami - Sridhar, Sasthi - Prabhu, Saptami - Damodar,
Astami - Hrishikesha, Navami - Govinda, Dasami - Madhusudhana, Ekadasi
- Yudhar, Dwadasi - Gadi, Trayodasi - Sankhi, Caturdasi - Padmi,
Purnima and Amavasya - Chakri.
...
Names of the Nakshatras 1/. Aswin, Dhata, 2/. Bharani,
Krsna, 3/. Krittika, Visma, 4/. Rohini, Vishnu, 5/. Mrgasira, Basatkar,
6/. Ardra, Vutavabya Vabatprabhu, 7/. Punavasu, Vutvrt, 8/. Pusya, Vutkrt,
9/. Aslesa, Vaba, 10/. Magha, Vutatma, 11/. Purva Phalguni, Vutavabana,
12/. Uttara Phalguni, Abbyakta, 13/. Hasta, Pundarikaksa, 14/. Citra,
Vismakarma, 15/. Swati, Sacisraba, 16/. Vishakha, Sadvhava, 17/.
Anuradha, Vaban, 18/. Jyestha, Varta, 19/. Mula, Prabhava, 20/. Purvashadha,
Prabhu, 21/. Uttarashadha, Iswara, 22/. Sravana, Apramayo 23/. Dhanistha,
Hrsikesh, 24/. Satabhisakam, Padmanabha, 25/.Purvabhadrapada, Amarprabhu,
26/. Uttarabhadrapada, Aghraya, 27/. Revathi, Sasvata.
....
In the Visnudharmattar and Haiasirsha Pancaratra the
following names for the sojourn of the sun is named respectively
as Balabhadra when the sun is in its northern course or Uttarayana, and
Krsna when it is in its Daksinayana or southern course.
...
The names of the seasons or Rtus are; Vasant (Spring)
is Madhava, Grisma (Summer) is Pundarikaksa, Varsa ( ? ) is Vogasai, Sarad
(Autumn) is Padmanabha, Hemanata ( ? ) is Hrshikesh, and Shiit (Winter)
is Devatrivikram.
(Harada – Sharad (autumn – August-Sept-Oct), Shishira (winter monsoon
-shivering/chilling – Oct-Nov-Dec), Hemanta (winter – Jan-Feb), Vasanta
(flower bearing spring – Feb-March), Grishma (warming summer – April-May),
and Varsha (the refreshment and replenishment of rainy season – summer
Monsoon – June-July/August).
...
This Panjika is also designed for use with Upavas, Parva,
and Utsava, or fasting, festivals, rites and feasts according to Vaisnava
Smriti Sri Hari Bhakti Vilas. The directions sanctioned in this Panjika
give the reasons for and method as to why devotees fast on certain days
such as Ekadasi, Mahadwadasi, and the appearance and disappearance days
of great Vaisnavas, and Gurus. If it is any great Vaisnavas appearance
day is followed by Mahadwadasi, it is the duty of the devotee to fast on
the following day, the Dwadasi and not on the Ekadasi. However if the appearance
day falls on an Ekadasi where there is no Mahadwadasi following, then the
fasting should be done on the Ekadasi and parana on the day of Dwadasi.
When there is no Mahadwadasi in the appearance of Vaisnava auspicious occasions,
it has been mentioned in Hari Bhakti Vilas that fasting is carried out
on the Ekadasi whereas the actual worship, Pujas, and offerings of bhoga
to Deities of Visnu are to be offered on the Dwadasi. This subject is clearly
understandable when reference is made as an example to Sri Vaman Dwadasi,
(as mentioned in the Panjika). Throughout this book the directives of Sri
Hari Bhakti Vilas have been followed. On grasping the teachings of Gaudiya
Vaisnavas Acharyas mentioned herein we fast on the holy days of the appearance
day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Baladeva prabhu, and Sri Nityananda
prabhu hinged on the tithi based observance. Accordingly the requirements
are described for the observances in this Panjika. Fortunately, now some
other panjikas have statred to following our proceedures.
DETERMINATION FASTING COMPARTMENTS BASED ON THE JUDGEMENT
ON PENETRATION AND OVERLAPPING.
...
Penetration or overlapping is classified as prepenetration
and postpenetration. Prepenetration is again classified as Suryodhayabidhwa
(sunrise penetration); Arundayabidhwa (sunray appearance penetration or
bidhwa); and Madhya Ratibidhwa (midnight penetration or bidhwa). Although
midnight penetration has taken its place in the Nimbarka sampradaya, respected
pujyapad, Srila Sanatana Goswami in his Hari Bhakti Vilas has shown in
his notes that there is no valid reason for acceptance of that. Amongst
the remaining two predhwas, Arunodayabidhwa should be considered in connection
with the Ekadasi fasting compartment (vasar) or Harivasar. Since the first
step of Dwadasi is included in the room, or compartment of Ekadasi, it
is also to be considered or defined as Harivasar. Except (beside) Harivasar
it is said that on the appearances of God, Hari, only the sunrise bidhwa
and not the sunray bidhwa is to be given up.
..
This is a general principal to abandon impure penetration
or overlapping.
...
According to the opinion of some unwise persons avoidence
of bidhwa in all cases means avoidance of Arunodaya bidhwa. That this is
completely incorrect can be proven by the statements of Sri Hari Bhakti
Vilas and the directives of Srila Sanatan Goswami regarding the determination
of Janmastami.
...
It has been explained in 12 vilas, shloka 120 of Sri
Hari Bhakti Vilas:-
..
atha sampernalaksane biddhalaksanam
.
"That the complete observation is the most
intelligent, and of most importance."
pratipat pravrtaya sarva udayadudayo rave, sampurna
eiti vikhataa harivasar vargita (HBV. 12. 315.)
.
"Accordingly on the pratipat there should be sampurna,
complete avoidance of the previous tithi, be it Amavasya or Purnima at
the time of the sunrise in this way avoiding Harivasar."
.
Described in the Skanda Purana that Pratipad tithis are
considered complete if it covers six "dandas" from one sunrise to the next
sunrise. Even this is not applicable to Ekadasi. If it stays 2 Muhurthas
before sunrise, then Ekadasi is called complete.
Form this it is clear that except Ekadasi, in other tithis
if that is, if the previous tithi enters during sunrise, then this one
is called bidhwa or penetrated. As regards to Ekadasi, if Dasami enters
during sunray bidhwa, during 2 Muhurthas or 4 dandas = 1hour and 36 mins'
of sunrise, then it would be considered Arunodaya bidhwa (prebidhwa).
Prebidhwa Nanda (Ekadasi through Sravan nakshatra, has
to be rejected. In the same way Janmastami, if Rohini is already connected.
We are requested to abandon due to prebidhwa. (HBV. 6.15.361)
.
In the footnote of the above mentioned verse, Srila Sanatana
Goswami has advised very clearly that IT IS NOT CORRECT to abandon Janmasthami
if the penetration by the Saptami comes during the Arunodaya the same way
as Ekadasi is done away with if penetrated by Dasami during Arunodaya.
The reason for this is that all other tithis other than Ekadasi are complete
if started at the sunrise, and thus their penetration during sunrise is
to be ignored.
It has to be remembered with great care that a tithi without
penetration is complete and pure in its self. Its ?
to look at a complete tithi as a penetrated one. The Gaudiya Vaisnava Acarya
Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana prabhu has written about this very clearly
in Prameyar Ratnavali 816 Prameya 9th verse.
.
Only Ekadasi observation is to be given up in care of
Arunodaya; all others including Janmasthami are to be avoided if only penetrated
by sunrise penetration. Sri Srimad Prabhupada108 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Goswami Thakur, who is the founder of Sri Caitanya and other
Mathas has described in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya lila 24.337 stanza.
"Abandon Ekadasi with Arunodaya bidhwa and other rites with Surjyodaya
bidhwa and observe all other Abidhwa vratas (unpenetrated rites). The former
causes sin and the later brings devotion to the Supreme Lord."
.
There are eight Mahadwadasis, among them (Unmavisnu),
Unmilani, Vyanjuli, Trisprisha and Paksavardini these are all called Tithi
ghatita, or that there cause is tithi based. Jaya, Vijaya, Jayanti, and
Papanashini these four are caused due to the nakshatra being still active
after the Ekadasi touches the next day (morning).
.
If any Ekadasi tithi exceed the following morning or
Pratakal then the next day is called Unmilani Mahadwadasi. If Ekadasi tithi
is not complete and Dwadasi is extended to the Tryodasi then this is called
Vyanjuli Mahadwadasi. If any Ekadasi tithi stretches through Dwadasi night
to Tryodasi then this is called Trisprisha Mahadwadasi (Triple touched).
If Ekadasi undergoes some extension and falls on the Amavasya or Purnima
then it is called Paksavardhini Mahdwadasi.
.
Then we have the nakshatra based observances. If sukla
(Gaura) Dwadasi is having as its nakshatra Punarvasu then this is called
Jaya Ekadasi. If it is attached to Sravan nakshatra then it is called Vijaya,
attached to Rohini nakshatra it is called Jayanti Ekadasi and attached
to Pusya (Pausa) nakshatra then it is called Papanasini Ekadasi.
.
If the Tithi or Nakshatra's maan or quality is the whole
night then it is full 60 danda. From the beginning of sunrise on Ekadasi
to the next sunrise is 64 dandas. If Dwadasi remains up to sunset on the
Punarvasu, Rohini and Pusya nakshatras it is automatically then to be called
Mahadwadasi. If Dwadasi continues upto midday with Sravan naskshatra this
is to be called Vijay Mahadwadasi.
NOTE:
From the perspective of the followers of Sripad Madhwacharya there's
a small but well composed message from one devotee responding to a suggestion
that it would be okay to follow one calendar - almanac for ekadasi just
as western calendars do in having a set day relating to the movements of
the Sun through the time zones of the world and the international date
line. Here he explains nicely some basic differences in the concept of
calendars and our Vaishnava almanacs (panchangam). In his final note he
makes the point, that we don't have to try to analaize everything to pieces,
but rather just follow the panchanga accoring to the teachings of the parampara
acharyas. Factually, the layman doesn't need to know every aspect of such
things, just like one going for a surgical operation we don't need to know
each and every aspect of the operation, rather we need to have faith that
the Acharyas are competent, that the parampara is fixed in desemination
through proven quotes from the purva-acharyas and shastra. In that way,
in confidence we will have the required faith. See that message HERE.
See our Ekadasi pages HERE
Our Astrological pages - for
all your astrological works:
Our Atronomical links
- to help you re-affirm our Vaishnava conclusions:
Our Vaishnava Calendar
- Panjika is available HERE (2000-2001& 2001-2002 & 2002 -
2003 & 2003 - 2004)
(.................if the download facility doesn't work contact me and
I can send you a calendar for FREE for your location - just send me an
e-mail, and I'll get back to you to affirm you're genuine, and not like
some I get that's address doesn't exist when I get back to them =>:-))
Here's an Excellent Time Placement and Astrological
Tool that shows all aspects of the Panchangam, and casts Astrological charts,
a necessity for the Pandit and the layman alike:
http://members.aol.com/rgopalan/panchang.html
For all their equipment, and
all their money first and foremost we accept the Vaishnava conclusion above
that of the scientists. Our founder-acharya
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad was time and time again adamant
that what we see with our blunt senses is not always correct, rather we
understand that there is a process to understand what is the truth, and
that is through the Pramanam system (see
our pages on that). Like it or not we have to accept authority, and the
Vedik / Vaishnava authority on these subjects are clear. If we undermine
the Vedik conclusions and accept the scientists as authorities we are going
against the teachings of our previous acharyas, simple as that. =>:-))
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