A few days ago we started the month of Margashirsha also known as Margashirsha in the south. This is a month that runs roughly from December 15 to January 15, give or take a day or two, depending upon the lunar calendar. It is dedicated to many spiritual practices. In a way, this is a reflection of nature. This is supposed to be the peak winter time, though one may argue that the South hardly experiences any winter.
That apart, nature is more dormant, but very pleasant. There is a chill in the mornings, and the grains are ripening in the fields now. Not much work happens in an agrarian society, so one spends the time differently.
Since in winter everything is slowing down, with the energy of plant life, concentrated in the roots and tubers, nature seems to be going within. Therefore, this seems to be a good time for spiritual and religious practices, and that’s exactly what is done in the southern part of the country.
The importance of this month is even highlighted in the Bhagavad Gita by Sri Krishna Himself, who says “Among the months, I am Margashirsha.” So, this becomes a time dedicated to more intense spiritual practices.
People get up earlier than usual, have a dip in the ponds, go to the temple, and do their sadhana. This is also roughly the time that coincides with the Makara, or the worship of Ayyappa in Kerala, where, again, the discipline is very monk-like — the devotees are supposed to live a very austere, monk-like lifestyle.
So overall, this is a time of sadhana, religious disciplines, prayer, meditation, and generally an intense effort in uplifting oneself spiritually. This is what the month of Margashirsha involves. Even in the Northern part of India, being an agrarian society, not much happens until the harvest season, which comes later. So, we make the most of this wonderful time in self-growth and religious discipline.
The writer is the founder of Aarsha Vidya Foundation. You can write to him at aarshavidyaf@gmail.com
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