This is known as Purushottama Masa/Adhika masa and has no equivalence in the English calendar
Lord Purushottama is presiding Lord or the Masa Niyamaka who governs this Adhika Masa and so this month is referred to as Purushottama Month. Purushottamah means the greatest among all Purushas. Purushottama is one of the thousands of names of the Supreme Personality. It means the best and the most superior amongst all the created beings. We find a reference to the word Purushottama in sloka # 3 of Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama.
Yogo YogavidaamNeta PradhaanaPurusheshvarah |
NaarasimhaVapuh Shreemaan Keshavah Purushottamah ||3||
In the Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15 Verse 18, The Supreme Lord Krishna says:
‘Yasmaat ksharam ateetoham aksharaadapi chottamah
Atosmi loke vede cha prathitah Purushottamah ‘
I am superior to Matter and superior to the Individual Soul; and hence I am called Purushottama in the world and in the Vedas.
Lord Sri Rama an embodiment and personification of virtue is known as Maryada Purushottama. Sacred place Puri the seat of famous Puri Jagannath temple is known as Purushottama Kshethra.
Adhika Masa occurs once in two/three years. The Lunar calendar begins with Chaithra Masa and ends with Phalguna Masa – totally there are twelve months. Solar calendar too has twelve months beginning with Mesha and ending with Meena Masa. The English calendar too similarly has twelve months – January to December.
Adhika means additional or extra and Masa means a month. So, Adhika Masa means an extra month. We are already familiar with the extra day once every four years known as leap year as per English calendar. Similarl as per our vedic calculations, to adjust time movement an extra month is accommodated. Usually in a month there occurs one new moon (Amavasya) and one full moon (Poornima). However if two new moons (Amavasyas) occur in a month, then it will be considered as two months, but having the same month name. So, the month which starts with the first new moon is considered as the extra month and is known as the Adhika Masa or even known as Mala masa. The month, which starts with the second new moon onwards is known as the Nija Masa or the real or pure Masa or even Suddha Masa.
The Adhika Masa occurs when there are two New Moons in a Solar Month and there will be no Sun’s transit or Sankramana in that Lunar month. In such a situation we find Sun transiting or Sankramana happening just before and just after the Adhika Masa. In other words an Adhika Masa is a Lunar month during which there will be no Surya Sankramana or solar transit. Therefore, when Adhika masa occurs, Sun’s stay in a particular zodiac sign will be slightly longer.
Generally, Adhika Masa occurs in the period from Chaithra to Aswayuja the first seven months of the Hindu Lunar Calendar. Adhika masa is applicable only for followers of Lunar calendar (Chaandramaana) and not as per Solar Calendar (Souramaana).
Kshaya Masa
To synchronize Lunar and Solar calendars, one can add more months over a longer period of time. Under this concept it is said that for 1920 solar months, 60 Adhika Masas will be added but only 59 are adequate. Hence, to bring balancethis excess Adhika masa, our ancestors have devised a concept where one month is reduced or dropped from the Lunar Calendar by ignoring the count of Lunar month at appropriate intervals. This method of reduction or dropping of a Lunar month is known as Kshaya Masa where, in such an eventuality there will be no new Moon (Amavasya) in a particular solar month. Sun’s stay in a particular raasi or sign will be less than the duration of a Lunar month and it results in two Sankramanas or Solar transits taking place in a particular lunar month.
It is said that Kshaya Masa occurs generally once in 141 years and again after 19 years. It doesn’t occur at short intervals of time. Generally Kshaya Masa occurs in one of the Lunar months of Kartika, Margasira and Pushya Masa. In the year when Kshaya Masa occurs there will be two Adhika Masas, one before and the other after the Kshaya Masa.
Purushottama is one more name of Lord Vishnu and it is the 24th name of Lord Vishnu in Vishnu Sahasranama rendered in the Mahabharata. Lord Rama is also called as Maryada Purushottama, whereas Lord Krishna is known as Leela or Purushottama.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, Purushottam is explained as above and beyond kshar and akshar purushas or as an omnipotent cosmic being. Kshara is explained as “destroyable,” Prakṛti which is bound by maya; and Akshara (अक्षर) as “imperishable,” “unalterable,” “undestroyable,” Atma is unchanged, and remains as such forever beyond maya. This is mentioned in verses 15.16 and 15.17 of the Bhagavad Gita
Purushottam is often misinterpreted as “Foremost Amongst All Men.” The most appropriate word for this concept in Sanskrit literature is “Narottam,” which is used for Arjun in the Mahabharata.
The Enchanting Story of Purushottama Month (from Padma Purana)
A large gathering of sages once decided to perform a great yajna at the joly Naimisharanya. Suta Goswami was also present among them. The sages were eager to know about the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and requested Suta Goswami the same. They wanted to hear the most perfect narration. Suta Goswami was very fortunate to have heard the narration from Sukha Goswami. So, he now began to narrate for the benefit of the sages.
Narada Muni once reached Badrika Ashram, where Lord Narayana Rsi lived. The river Alaknanda was flowing down from His lotus feet. Narada muni paid his respectful obeissances to Narayana Rsi and then asked him to explain a simple process where householders and sages can also attain the Supreme Lord’s realization.
Lord Narayana Rsi began narrating the glories of Purushottam month and the pastimes associated with the month. Lord Sri Krishna had narrated this to Yudishtir Maharaj previously. Yudishtir Maharaj had lost everything in his life to Duryodhana – his empire, palace, his wife Draupadi, in a gambling match. Dusashana insulted Draupadi in the entire Kuru assembly in the presence of elders. Dushasana then tried to stip Drupadi naked infrot of the entire assembly. She was then saved from such a plight by Lord Sri Krishna, once she sought His help. After all this, Yudishitr Maharaj alongwith his brothers, his mother and wife Draupadi then left the kingdom and started to live in the Kamayaka forest.
During their staty in the forest, Lord Krishna once visited the Pandavas. They forgot their painful life just by seeing Him. But the Lord was very pained at seeing their miserable life and decided then to reveal to them about the importance of Purushottama month.
An extra month once came into existence and everyone immediately took it to be most inauspicious and looked at it as equivalent to stool. The month was considered as untouchable and was ridiculed and rejected by everyone to perform any religious activity.
This extra or additional month was very sad as it was now rejected by all human beings. In such a state it now went to Vaikuntha to meet the Lord and explain its position and situation. The month then fell don at Lord Vishnu’s lotus feet and began to cry and requested Him to be no longer indifferent to her. The Mord, who is ever merciful then told her that He will protect her always from all miseries. After this assurance, the month said she was nameless and wanted a complete position to stop everyone from ridiculing her. The Supreme Lord then said that the month will be empowered to be with complete quality, fame opulence, success, realization and also provide great benediction to Devotees. The Lord then declared that the month will be equal in potency to Him. He also said that all His divine qualities are now bestowed in this month which was abused so much. He decided to name her after Him – Purushottama month and said it will be the famous month in this world.
There is no transit of the Sun and his associates in this month.
There are no Festivals celebrated in the month. But the month is meant for spiritual progress and many austerities/Vratas are prescribed.
Austerities performed during Adhika Masa
Adika Masa/Purushottama Masa is the most auspicious month to perform various austerities to advance spiritually. Some of the austerities prescribed to be observed during Adhika Maasa Vratha are:
Uposhana
Dhaarana-Paarana
Eka-Bhukta
Naktha Vratha
Ayaachita Vratha
Mauna Vratha
Vaachika Vratha
Reading or listening to sacred texts like Bharatha, Bhagavad gita and so on.
Organising discourses of the sacred texts.
Sacred stotra recitation like – Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama Stothram, Bhagawadgita.
Japa/Nama Recitation – Chanting the Lord’s name – Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
Rachana Seva – Scripting or writing the divine name of the Lord Sri Rama (Rama Nama)
Akhanda Deepa – Lighting a lamp (Akhanda Deepa) in the Pooja Room. Keep the lamp glowing continuously throughout the vratha period (day & night). Only Ghee or Til Oil should be used for lighting the Deepa.
There are some more austerities which can be observed like
Eating food without salt
Sleeping on the floor avoiding cot and bed
Lakshavarti
Gopadma Vratha
Pradakshina Namaskara
This list of austerities is not exhaustive. One may choose to follow them as per their sampradaya. One could also take up any other austerity for the pleasure of the Lord.
Charity during Adhika Masa
Charity during this month is of utmost importance as its regarded as a highly meritorious act. Some of the charities prescribed to be given during this month are;
Apoopa/Atirasa Daana
Apoopa (Athirasa) is a type of sweet dish made using Rice flour, jaggery and ghee. 33 numbers of this sweet as to be given in charity to a brahmana along with a brass plate. This charity may be given every day of the month or on specific days of the month. This is a highly meritorious charity.
Phala Dana
33 numbers of seasonal fruits like Mangoes or Banana are given as charity.
Thamboola Dana
Betel leaves + Areca Nut + either a fruit or a Coconut + Dakshina should be given to Brahmin couple (33 in number).
Other charities prescribed during Adhika Masa are
Anna Dana,
Deepa Dana,
Baagina Dana,Pusthaka Dana (Sacred scriptures like Bhagavatha Purana etc),
Sayya Dana (Bed Sheet + Blanket + Pillow) along with Lakshmi Narayana Prathima,
Go-Dana,
Thila Dana along with a Brass vessel,
Vasthra Dana etc.
Apart from the above one can also give any other charity that suits the season as per Masa Dharma. Whatever charity one gives, it should be given with utmost humility, with all sincerity, devotion without expecting any results.
Specific days during Adhika maasam for giving charity are:
Dwaadasi (both Sukla & Krishna Paksha),
Pournami (full Moon day),
Amaavasya (New Moon day),
Ashtami, Navami and Chaturdasi days during Krishna Paksha,
Vyatheepatha, and Vaidruthi Yoga days.
There are Ashta Vasus (8) + Ekaadas Rudraas (11) + Dwaadasaadityaas (12) + Prajaapathi (1) +Vashatkaara (1); (total 33) together all of them are associates of the presiding Lord of Adhika Maasa. Charities & Arghya has to be given with reference to the 33# Deities as per the list given below.
Some of the activities to be avoided during Adhika Masam are:
Chowla Karma,
Upanayana,
Vivaaha,
Gruha Pravesa,
Shashti Poorthi
Devatha Prathista etc…
Adika Masa at Holy Dhams
PURI JAGANNATH TEMPLE
Nava-Kalebarotsavam
It is the only temple where the idols of main deities are changed once in twelve years and that generally coincides with Adhika Aashaada Maasam. Old idols are buried and new idols are made and installed. This ritual is known as Navakalebarotsavam.
At Tirupati
BRAHMOTSAVAM
Whenever there is an occurrence of Adhika masam (intercalary month), it is a tradition that, Brahmotsavam at Tirumala Kshethra will be held twice in that year. First one known as Salakatla (annual) Brahmotsavam that will be held as per schedule (held after the transit of Sun into Kanyaa raasi) with the ninth day coinciding with Sravana Nakshathra. Second one called Navarathri Brahmotsavam will be held again for nine days during Navarathri festival. Sravana Nakshathra is the parameter for conclusion of Brahmotsavam.
Generally there will be a gap of one month between the two festivals; with the first one performed during Bhaadrapada masam and second one during Aswayuja masam. Significant feature whenever two Brahmotsavams are held is; Dhwaja-arohana and Dhwaja-avarohana rituals will be held only once; that is during the first one.
Namo! stvananthaaya Sahasra Muurthaye
Sahasra Paadaakshi Shiroru baahave
Sahasranaamne Purushaaya Shaasvathe
SahasraKotii Yugadhaarine Namah
As long as one performs any sacred and pious acts with full faith and devotion, it would definitely yield positive results and would bring pleasing rewards. They generate positive energy, help in acquiring control over the wandering mind and bring discipline in life for self uplift. One should not make a tall claim of performing austerities, rather should be performed selflessly with utmost humbleness and try to spread the divinity involved in it.
