The period of Adhik Maas, which spans from July 18th to August 16th, 2023, holds significant importance in Hinduism. Rooted in ancient scriptures this month is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
What is Adhik Maas?
- Adhik Maas, also known as Mal Maas or Purushottam Maas, is an additional month in the Hindu lunar calendar that occurs approximately every 32.5 months, happening about once every 2-3 years.
- The Hindu Calendar is of two types, the solar calendar knows as Sauramana calendar & lunar calendar known as chandramana calendar.
- The lunar month in the Hindu calendar is based on the time it takes for the moon to complete one full orbit around the Earth. However, the lunar year is approximately 10-12 days shorter than the solar year (the time it takes for the Earth to complete one orbit around the sun). To reconcile the difference between the lunar and solar calendars, Adhik Maas is inserted into the calendar.
- This Maas lasts for approximately 29 days and 12 hours, similar to a regular lunar month, the one more extra month.
The Vedic Story of Lord Narasimha Avatar Of God Vishnu & Adhik Maas
Lord Vishnu appeared in the Narasimha Avatar to protect his devotee Prahlada to uphold dharma as per the Bhagavata Purana.
The origin story traces back to Hiranyakashipu, a powerful demon and Prahlada’s father, who sought immortality through tapasya (austerities). As Immortality boon was denied by Brahma, he secured a unique death boon that he could not be killed by any man, beast, god, or demon, and not indoors or outdoors, during day or night, on land, air, or water, in any of the 12 months.
Later Hiranyakashipu wreaked havoc, he killed many people without mercy. Because of his superior boon he demanding worship him in place of Lord Vishnu and proclaiming himself a god.
Little Prahlada, the son of Hiranyakashipu, had devotion to Lord Vishnu since his early years. Despite his father’s efforts, threats to worship Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada continued to pray to Lord Vishnu and firmly believed that the Lord would safeguard him.
Unable to understand Prahlada’s devotion to Vishnu, Hiranyakashipu tried extreme tortures and life-threatening situations. He pushed him off a high place, put him near dangerous snakes, and made him sit on a burning fire. But none of these things hurt Prahlada, who was a devoted follower and divine intervention consistently shielded him.
One day, when Prahlada reaffirmed his devotion to Lord Vishnu, Hiranyakashipu asked in anger, “Where is your Vishnu? Is He present in this pillar?”. After that, he strongly hit a pillar with his mace. To everyone’s amazement, at that very moment, Lord Vishnu appeared in His Narasimha form, emerging from the pillar.
Lord Narasimha Avatar’s Appearance:
Lord Narasimha is depicted as a fearsome deity with a human-like torso and a lion’s head and claws. He is often shown with a ferocious expression, representing the divine’s awe-inspiring and protective aspect. This unique form of Vishnu was specifically chosen to fulfill the conditions of Hiranyakashipu’s boon since it made him neither human, god, nor animal.
In a spectacular and fierce battle, Narasimha confronted Hiranyakashipu at twilight (neither day nor night), on the threshold of the door (neither inside nor outside). He held the demon king on his thighs not on land or in air or water and, using his lion-like claws, nor a weapon made of any material tore Hiranyakashipu apart, Lord created an extra month the Adhik Maas, thereby bypassing the boon’s protection.
This extra month is known as Adhik Maas Or Mal Maas Purushottam Maas.
Why it’s called Mal Maas?
All personal religious events as naming ceremony, marriage, gruha pravesh are not usually allowed in this maas. The month is known as Mal Maas (waste month) as the sun didn’t move into certain star signs (rashis) this was seen as inauspicious by people, and they thought of it as a bad time. They even called it a waste because they thought it was not a good period.
Only Worship is allowed hence this month is capable of washing away all sins by doing vrats, fasting, donations of garments & other significant food grains.
Bhajan, Homas, Reading Puranas & Poojas can also be conducted to overcome any calamities & to produce pious results.
Why It Is Called Purushottam Maas Too?
The deity or lord of Mal Maas month dint like being inauspicious month & referred as waste or Mal Maas & complained to Lord Vishnu.
Since Adhik Maas striked balance between Sun & Lunar month Lord Vishnu assigned one of his names as Purushottam Maas.The Month Of Lord Vishnu.
Faq’s:
A.
What is Adhik?
The month in which there is no transit of the Sun is called Adhik Maas.
B.
What Worships to do in Adhik Maas?
1.
Being month of Gods, in Shrimad Bhagwath Gita, the 14th chapter of Purushottam month.
Shri Ram Katha Vachan, Vishnu Sahasranama’s Stotra should be recited in this month.
2.
If you cant recite then its suggested to mantra Jaap “ Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya “ everyday 108 times.
3.
In this month donating food grains & money in charity also will get wishful results.
C.
Don’t Do This In Adhik Maas ?
- Food items as meat, garlic, radish, onion should not be consumed.
- Personal religious events such as marriage, naming, Shradh, housewarming etc. should not be done.
- Should not buy new clothes, jewellery, house, vehicle.
D.
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