The auspicious period of Adhik Maas begins on June 17 and ends on July 15, 2015 and with it comes additional opportunities of worship, as all are afforded an ‘adhik’ month or additional month to commune with Divinity. Most blessed indeed are a people who embrace these opportunities of prayer to increase their spiritual assets and strengthen the spiritual armour of their land.
In the Hindu scriptural text Vratraaj, Bhagavan Vishnu responds to Lakshmi Maataa on her questions regarding the greatness of Adhik Maas, also called Malmaas or Purushottam Maas. The Lord outlines the reason behind the extra month that affords all additional time to focus on the Divine. According to Bhagavan Vishnu:
- Whenever Sankranti does not fall within one month then the month is considered to be an adhik or extra month and Adhik Maas occurs. The lunar calendar year then has 13 months.
- When there are two Sankrantis or solar transitions within one month then it is referred to as a ‘kshaya’(lost) month and the year becomes a lunar year with one reduced month (11 months). The lunar year comprising of eleven months only is very rare. It occurs once in 140 years or once in 190 years. But the extra month or Adhik Maas comes every two to three years.
- Bhagavan Vishnu said that He is the God of Adhik Maas. He says, “There is no doubt that whosoever performs ‘shodas-opachaar’ and worships the holy ones in Adhik Maas, he receives all fulfillment.”
- In Adhik Maas all success come when regular injunctions are carried out, sandhya, shraadh, etc are done.
- Whosoever offers gifts, jap, havan, does self-study, Pitri-tarpan, ‘archan and ‘shubh- karam’ during this month, attains all fulfillment.
- The welfare of mankind is served well through the various rituals performed at this time.
- Sins of many life-times can be destroyed by sacrifice done in Adhik Maas.
- Worship of Surya Bhagavan during this period cuts all sins.
- To please Janaardhan, Kartik or Shraavan, Adhik Maas vrat should be observed.
- Vratraaj quotes from Bhavishya Puraan that says that whosoever does not worship the Lord with devotion, he is bereft of wealth, children, relatives and friends.
- Through the worship of Vishnu, Hari, Mahavishnu, Krishna, Raam, Keshav, Madhav, Achyut, Purushottam, Govind , all other deities are pleased.
Many examples are given in Vratraaj, of individuals who were redeemed through austere sacrifices and worship during Adhik Maas. On the other hand, according to Vratraaj, anyone who spends this period idly, suffers in the filth of sin, worry and poverty.
Indeed, the month of Adhik Maas is one that is most auspicious for worship. Truly fortunate are those who refuse to be caught up in the ‘Adhik-maas frenzy’ that propagates some kind of ‘shut-down’ of prayer, worship and the Divine.
SWAHA advises that pooja should continue normally at this time. Please be reminded that pooja is a most essential requisite in our lives. It has been prescribed as a regular mode of worship. It is an action that should never cease to be performed. Everyone should utilize the time in doing all actions that are conducive to drawing closer to the Divine. The Divine is one’s every breath. Can one exist without this vital ingredient of nourishment and existence?
