Hari Aum.
According to the principles of Vedic astrology, there are auspicious and inauspicious periods of time (these may be days, weeks or months). Some periods of time are good for spiritual activity but unhelpful for material projects. Other periods are good for both spiritual and material tasks.
There are no periods of time which are inauspicious for spiritual work; all days and times are good for spiritual activity, but it is just that some phases of time are regarded as being exceptionally good.
On that note, I would like to mention, for those who may not yet be aware, that we have just entered an exceptionally good time for spiritual activity.
The lunar month known as 'adhika masa' began yesterday (after the new moon day on Monday). This year, the dates of this month are from July 18 to August 16 (inclusive).
This 'adhika masa' (meaning 'extra month') occurs only once in three years. It occurs to compensate for a discrepancy between the dates of the solar and lunar year (the lunar year is slightly shorter compared with the solar year). Every three years, therefore, the insertion of this additional lunar month, balances both solar and lunar calendars and brings them into harmony with each other.
There is a legend connected with Adhika masa. It is said that once upon a time, this period was regarded by everybody as most inauspicious and it was generally despised. The being symbolising this period apparently felt greatly aggrieved at this treatment and went to Lord Narayana for help and solace.
To resolve this situation, Narayana stated that henceforth, this period would be transformed from inauspicious to extremely auspicious. He declared that anyone who worshipped God during this time would receive great blessings and proceeded to rename the month 'Purushottama masa' after Himself (one of His names is Purushottama, meaning the 'Supreme Being').
Thus, this month is regarded as very sacred for the worship of all forms of God. The devotees of Narayana in particular perform additional spiritual practices to Him during this time.
This year, the period of Adhika masa happens to coincide with another very sacred month known as Shravana. The month of Shravana occurs every year and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Any worship of Shiva during this month is said to be yield much greater benefits than at any other time.
Once in many years, these two months of Adhika masa and Shravana masa occur together giving devotees a rare opportunity to obtain even greater results than usual through their spiritual practices (the last time this occurred was nearly two decades ago).
I wanted to mention this for readers who may wish to take up additional spiritual practices during this highly auspicious time. This is an ideal time to conduct extra prayers and worship for one's own wellbeing and that of others.
In particular, it is an excellent time to start mantra japa if one is not doing some already and also to commit to extended practices such as anushthana and purascharana. It is also a wonderful time to perform homams and pujas by oneself or with the help of a priest.
Those who feel that they wish to cleanse themselves and purify particularly difficult karmas will obtain peace and the blessings of God by conducting worship during this time.
I wish all readers a very productive Adhika/Purushottama and Shravana masa. May Lord Narayana and Lord Shiva bless us all with peace, happiness and spiritual progress.
Om Namo Narayanaya. Om Namah Shivaya. Om Shri Gurave Namah.
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
P.S. Please see below for some links to articles explaining a bit more about the months of Adhika and Shravana.
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