Tamil New Year – in Chitthirai or Thai?

Written by
Jayasree Saranathan

Tamil New Year!

The traditional day of Tamil New Year on the first day

of the entry of the sun into the month Chitthirai is challenged.

The alternative that is given is the first day of Thai!

The powers-that-be prefer to call the traditional chitthirai New Year

as Chitthirai-th-thirunaaL!

This amuses me because the very name ‘Chitthirai-th-thirunaaL’ means New year!

It is the tradition of Travancore kings to have their birth stars in their names.

In fact, according to Dharma sastras such as Dharma sindhu,

one must be given 3 names in a naming ceremony

conducted on 11th or 21st day after birth.

One of them must be about the birth star,

another on the solar month and the third a civil name for everyone

to call the person.

It was common in those days to have a name on the birth star

or starting with letters indicated by one’s birth star.

There was a king called Swathi thirunaaL whose compositions are popular even
today.

He was known as Swathi –thirunaaL because his birth star was swathi.

If some one is born in the star Chitthirai,

he can have his name as Chitthirai thirunaaL!

If we call the first day of Chitthirai as ‘Chitthirai thirunaaL’,

then it means that it was the birth day!

The birth day of the Year ahead!

The only irony is that there is no Chitthirai star on the first day of Chitthirai
month!

The name Chitthirai is because the Full moon occurs in Chitthirai star in that
month.

For those doubting Thomases who think that the names such as Chitthirai

are not connected with Tamil, here is a piece of information from Choodamani
nigandu.

The month is known as 'Madhi' or 'ThingaL' in Tamil,

because of the connection of Moon or Chandran

(Madhi' and 'ThingaL are Tamil words for moon)

From Madhi, the Tamil name "maadham" is derived.

The month is named after the star in which the moon becomes Full (pournami).

If we say ‘chitthirai’ maadham’ it means there is Full moon

in the star Chitthirai in that month.

Like this names were given for others months.

(Here is the link for the name- derivatives of other Tamil months as given by
Paramacharyal of Kanchi
http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part6/chap13.htm )

Maadham is that which aids in the evolution of natural forces.

"BhoothangaLukku pariNaamatthai seivathu".

The names of maadham (month) are unique for Tamil, in that

they indicate the nature of ritu or 'paruvam' or season and their changes.

The uniqueness of traditional knowledge is that

moon is not the only indicator of months and seasons

The sun also plays a vital role in indicating months and seasons

in addition to doing time keeping.

Having understood this cosmic principle, our ancients followed

what is called the Luni-solar calendar,

combining the movements of both the moon and the sun.

Hindu Calendars are made as per rules laid down in Siddhanthas.

There are 18 Siddhanthas, of which Surya siddhantha is the oldest.
No one can ever say its antiquity.

The Calendars also come under the same category.

They are based on Universal truth, conceived at a time in antiquity
and handed down the generations, but are written in local languages.

The Siddhantic literature is a part of the 3 segments of Jyothisha or astrology,

known as GaNitha Skanda.

This is based on calculation in astronomy and planetary systems and the measuring
of time.
Measurement of time is possible or done only on the basis of the movement of the
Sun.

Surya siddhatha has listed 9 types of measurement of time (maana),

of Brahma (kalpa), of the Gods, of the fathers (pitrus), of Prajapathi
(manvanthra),
of Jupiter (Brihaspathya maana), of solar, civil (saavana maana), lunar and
sidreal time.

Of these only 4 are for practical use for humans, says this Siddhantha.
They are Solar (sauramaana),
Lunar (chandramaana)
civil (saavana maana)
and sidreal (nakshthra maana).
Based on these only calendars are made and New Year is fixed.

Of these the two calendars,

one based on moon and another based on sun (Luni-solar calendar)
are in popular use for Hindus in different parts of the globe.

The Solar calendar commences on the entry of the sun in the first zodiac sign,
called Aries.
The lunar calendar commences on the day after New moon just before the sun enters
the first zodiac.

All these are based on sound rationale.

They have been conceived by sages who have had no barrier of race, language or
region.
The rationale is universal like the laws of Nature.
They have been conceived for the benefit of mankind.

The rationale is that Chitthirai marks the birth month of the world, of our
universe!
The lunar year commences on the first day after New moon
before the sun enters Ashwini.
This day is known as Yugadhi because
the present kalpa, Shwetha varaha kalpa started on this day.
It is the Kalpa-adhi day

The month is known for many beginnings.

The second day of this lunar month, (shukla paksha dwithiyai)
marks the birth of Krutha yuga.

The fifth day (shukla paksha panchami)

marks the birth of Koorma kalpa.

On the 7th day in this month (shukla paksha sapthami)

Ganga was born on this day.
That day is known as Ganga sapthami.

The 13 th day (shukla paksha thrayodhasi)

marks the birth of Mathsya avathara.
On the 5th day in Krishna paksha of this month
was born Varaha.

This means the land form was lifted from the waters
on a Krishna paksha panchami day in the lunar month of Chaithra.

Thus the month marked with many beginnings of the world

and the universe was considered as the first month.

The corresponding day of the sun’s position when the yuga was born
was the 1st day of Chitthirai.
From texts we know that the present Chathur maha yuga started on a day when all
the planets were in 0 degrees Aries.
At that time, the sun had just entered Aries and
the moon was on the first day after Amavasya.

These two occasions concerning the two time keepers

of the space- time continuum
namely, the moon and the sun,
coincided at 0 degrees Aries.
That day marked the beginning of Kritha yuga.
So that day is considered as the birth day for our world.

That day of entry into Aries has an additional specialty because

the sun enters the star Ashwini on that day.
Ashwini is the star of curative properties.
It is signified as the star of generation. It grants longevity
Besides long life, the Ashwins are capable of removing the foes,
bringing out germination, granting progeny
and curing all diseases.

Sun’s entry into Ashwini in Aries is connected with many auspicious things
in many verses in Rig veda and Brahmanas.

“Like the sun’s progress in a day in Ashwini,

may the deities give us Ayush” so goes a prayer of Rig veda.

(From Rig veda HYMN CLVII. on Asvins:-

4 - Bring hither nourishment for us, ye Asvins Twain;
sprinkle us with your whip that drops with honey-dew.
Prolong our days of life, wipe out our trespasses;
destroy our foes, be our companions and our Friends.

5 - Ye store the germ of life in female creatures, ye lay it up within all living
beings.
Ye have sent forth, O Asvins passing mighty, the fire, the sovrans of the wood,
the waters,

6 - Leeches are ye with medicines to heal us, and charioteers are ye with skill in
driving.
Ye Strong, give sway to him who brings oblation
and with his heart pours out his gift before you. )

Aries is known as Adya and Pisces as Antyam,

making it known that Aries is always at the beginning and
Pieces always at the end.

Aries with ashwin is known as Chagi and Vishwa Bheshaji

indicating that it overcomes all evils and cures all diseases.

So it is apt to begin the year with the entry of Sun into Aries (ashwini).

In this context I want to express some issues

connected with the Varusha-p-pirappu (birth of New Year)

Contrary to what many people think,

Varusha-p-pirappu is not celebrated at the exact time of entry of sun into Aries.

The entry of the sun into Aries heralds the beginning of Souramaana or Solar year.

But, for the purpose of rituals, festivities and celebrations,

we rely on Savana-maana, the civil year.

The saavanamaana year begins at sunrise just after the sun enters Ashwini.

The new rays of the sun must glow on Ashwini star in the beginning of this year.

The morning rays of the sun must come into contact with

the day or star or thithi to make it auspicious for celebrations.

The sangramanam (entry) of the sun into Aries may happen

at any time of the day on the first day, say, even after sun set.
But the arrival of the year can happen at a time

only when the first rays of the sun shine on the first day of sangramanam.

This is as per Surya Siddhantha.

 This means at times, the New Year may be celebrated hours
after the sun has entered Aries.
The sunrise marks the day.

In contrast, the exact time of sangramanam is noted only

for Makar- sangramanam or Makar shankaranthi (Thai),

which is about the entry of the sun into Capricorn.

It is because the KaraNam ruling at the exact time of Makar Shankaranthi

is said to decide the nature of 'kaarya-siddhi' ( success in endeavors)

in the year that already started on Chitthirai.

This time of sangramanam may be auspicious or inauspicious.

That is why Surya Sindhantha specifically says that

Makar Shankaranthi is not the right time to start the year.

The Tamil Siddhas who also happened to be astrologers analysed from this angle
and accepted the entry of the Sun in Aries
as the point capable of giving leads and inputs to their predictions.
Astrologically, events must be known from Sun's movement.
The Tajaka system of yearly prediction takes into account
the position of the Sun in one's birth chart.
The starting point for prediction in this system takes into account
the sun's degrees at the time of birth.
Similarly the earth's or mankind's birth time is taken as the beginning.
This coincided with the time when the sun was in 0 degrees Aries
(known from Puranas and astrological texts).
This point is capable of giving correct predictions for the year ahead.
That is why the New year always comes with a Panchanga
and predictions for the ensuing year.
Western astrology also follows the system of keeping sun's position
as the nodal point for making predictions.

The solar year always starts on zero degrees Aries.

Since we have verses written by Tamil Siddhas
(particularly இைைக்காை்ைு சித்தர் ) on this point (of Mesha sankramana)
and related predictions based on sun's entry,
it can be said that following the Solar calender of Meshasankramana had been in
vogue in the Tamil society.
Certainly it is not on Makara sankramana, the first day of Thai
which marked the completion of பாைை ோோான்பு and
starting of a new nonbu for longevity of the husband - called as Thai neeradal.

***

ைத is not the New Year

– from Sangam texts!
ூசங்கத் தமிழ் ோூ ல்களில் 'ைத' என்பது திருோாளாக ொசால்லப்பைைில்ைல.

அது ஒரு ைிழாைும் அல்ல.

அோத ோபால் புத்தாண்ைும் ஒரு ைிழா அல்ல.

ஆணடத தவககதைை வழி பாடகள மலம, ைரும் ஆண்ைு ோல்ல ஆண்ைாக இருக்க

ோைண்ைும் என்ோே ைரோைே்ேிருக்கிோர்கள்.

சங்க காலத்தில், பல ைிழாக்கள் இருோ்திருக்கின்ேன.

"அழியா ைிழைு" என்ேு பதிே்ேுப்பத்து (29) ூகூ ேுகிேது.

ைாக்ைர் உ. ோை. ச. அைர்கள் கண்ொைைுத்த பைழய உைரயில், இைதப்பே்ேி ொசால்ைகயில்,

ூஅோ்ோாைளய தமிழகம் என்ொேன்ேும் ைிழாக்ோகாலம் பூ ண்ைிருோ்தது என்பர்.

ோாள்ொதாேும் மணைிழா மே்ேும் பிே ைிழாக்கள் ோைை ொபே்ேுக் ொகாண்ைிருோ்தன.

ைிழாக்கைளப் பே்ேிச் ொசால்ைகயில், ோீர் ைரைு பே்ேிோய அை்ைிழாகள் ோிகழ்திருக்கின்ேன.

அோத ோபால் எல்லா ைிழாக்களிலும் மலர்களும், கரும்பும் உண்ைு!

இன்ேு ோாம் ோிைனப்பது ோபால, கரும்பு என்பது ொபாங்கல் ைிழா ஒன்ைே பே்ேியது மை்ைுமல்ல.

பதிே்ேுப்பத்து 30 ொசால்கிேது,

"காலமன்ேியும்
ூ கரும்பருத்ொதாழியாது அரிகால ைித்துப் பல பூ ைிழைில்"

ோீர் ைளம் இைையோது இருோ்தைமயால், காலமில்லாத காலத்தும், கரும்பு முே்ேி ைிைளைதும்,

ூஅேுக்கப்பைுைதும் உண்ொைன்ேு உைர கூ ேுகிேது.

கரும்புப்பாத்தியில், பல் ைைக மலர்ச் ொசைிகளும் ைளர்க்கப்பை்ைன.

இதைன

"ையோல ொோல்லின் ோைலி ோீைிய கரும்பின், பாத்திப்

ூ பன்மலர்ப் பூ த்ததும்பின "

என்ேு புே ோானுேு (386 ) ூகூ ேுகிேது.

கரும்பும், பல ைைக மலர்களும், எோ்த ஒரு ைிழாைிலும் முக்கிய அங்கம் ைகித்தன.

"இோ்திரைிழாைில்
ூ பூ ைினன்ன " ூஎன்ேு ஐம்குேு ோூ ேு (62) ூகூ ேுைைதக் காண்க.

புனலும், ூபூ ைும், கரும்பும் எோ்த ஒரு ைிழாைிலும், முக்கிய ொசய்திகளாக இருோ்தன.

இன்ைேய காலம் ோபால் ைத மாதம் மை்ைிலுோம கரும்பு என்ே கைத அன்ேு இல்ைல.

ோமலும், புனல் இல்லாமல் எோ்த ொகாண்ைாை்ைமும் அோ்ோாளில் இல்ைல.

புனல் என்ோல், இள ோைனிலில் அதிர்ோ்து ஓைி ைரும் முதல் மைழ ோீர் முதல்,

ோைனில் காலத்தில் குளுைமையத் தரும் ோகாைைபுனலும் ோசர்த்து,

கார் துைங்கும் ோைைளயில் ோிைேோ்த ஆேுகள் ைைர,

இை்ொைல்லாக்காலங்களும், ைிழைில் முழங்கும் காலங்கள்.

புனோலாைு
ூ கூ ைிோய ைிழாக்கள் ைோ்திருக்கின்ேன.

'தீோீர் ோீர் ைிழைு' என்னும் ோைனில் ைிழா புது ோீர் ஓைி ைரும் ோபாது, ொகாண்ைாைப்பை்ைது.

பதிே்ேுப்பத்து (48) ொசால்கிேது, தீ ோபான்ே ொைம்ைம ோீக்கி, தண்ைம தரும்பைி

மைழ ோீர் ைோ்ததால் ொகாண்ைாைப்பைுைது என்ேு.

சித்திைர பைுர்ணமியில் ஆரம்பிக்கும் இோ்திர ைிழாைிலும்,

ூ ூ க்கள் ொசாரிதலும் உண்ைு.

புனலாைலும், ப

இது ோகாைை மைழயின் ோபாது ொகாண்ைாைப்பைுைது.

இோ்த் ைிழாைைக் காண இமய புலத்திோின்ேு மக்கள் ைோ்தனர் என்ேு சிலப்பதிகாரம் ொசால்கிேது.

'பைே' ோபால ஒலி எழுப்பும் ைிழைுகள், பைே ஒலி ோபால புனல் ோீர் ைருைைதப்பே்ேிோய

என்ேு கலித் ொதாைகயும் ொசால்கிேது. (22 & 92)

இைை எல்லாம் ோகாைையில் அல்லது, ச

ூ ூ ரியனின் ைைக்கு அயனத்தில் மைழ ொபாழியும்

காலத்தில் எல்லாம் ோிகழ்ோ்தைை.

கார் காலம் முழுைதும், ைீை்ைு ைிரதங்களும், ைீை்ைு ைழிபாைுகளுோம ோைை ொபே்ேன.

கார் முைிோ்து, ொைள்ளம் ொபருக்ொகைுத்து எங்கும் ொைள்ளக் காைாய் இருக்கும் காலம் மார்கழி.
ஆறறில ஓடம நீரம கலஙகி இரககம.

எங்கும் குளம் ோபாலத் ோதங்கி இருக்கும்.

ஆகேவ மாரகழி மாைம 'குளம்' எனப்பை்ைது.

பரிபாைல் (ைைைக) ம
ூ ூ லம் மார்கழி மே்ேும் ைத மாத ோீர் பே்ேி ொதரிோ்து ொகாள்ளலாம்.

மைழ ோின்ேைுைம், மக்கள் மீண்ைும் ொைளிோய ைோ்து ைிைுைர்.

ஆனால களிரம, ூபனியும் கூ ர் ோைலாகக் குத்தும் மாதங்கள் இைை.

"ைதயும் மாசியும் ைையகத்து உேங்கு" என்ேு பதிே்ேுப்பத்து உைர-ூகாரர் கூ ேுகிோர்.

ைையகம் உேங்கும் ைத எை்ைாேு ஆண்ைுத் துைக்கமாக இருக்க முைியும்?

ைத- மாசியின் ொகாைுைமைய, பதிே்ேுப்பத்து (59) "ூமாகூ ர் திங்கள்"

ைாயிலாகத் ொதரிோ்து ொகாள்கிோோம்.

ஆட ேகாட பாடடச ேேரலாைைன பாடம 'காக்ைகப் பாைினியார்',

பாணர்கள் பரிசில் ோதைி ைீை்ைை ைிை்ைு ொைளிோய ைர முைியாமல்,

மாசித் திங்கள் எை்ைளைு கைினமாக இருக்கிேது என்கிோர்.

மாசி என்ோல் ோமகம் என்பது ொபாருள்.

மாசி மாதத்தில் ோமகோம இேங்கி ைோ்தாே்ோபால், ூபின் பனி மூ ைி இருக்கும்.

ஆகேவ இம மாைம, மாசி எனப்பை்ைது.

இது 'ூமாகூ ர் மாசி' என்கிோர் காக்ைகப் பாைினியார்.

மாக்கள், குளிர் மிகுதியாள் இைே ோதைச் ொசல்லாது,

பசி மிக்கு, உைல் சுருங்கி, ஒைுங்கிக் கிைப்பது குேித்து,

"மாக
ூ ூ ர் திங்கள் மாசி' ூஎன்ோர் என்ேு உைர கூ ேுகிேது.

இச் ொசய்திைய ொோைு ோாள் ைாைையும், (6) " மாோமயல் மேப்ப, மோ்தி
ூ கூ ே" ூஎன்ேு கூ ேுகிேது.

ஆட-மாைுகள் ோமயச் ொசல்ைதில்ைல.

மோ்தி உைல் குேுகி ஒைுங்கி ோிே்கும் மாதம் மாசி மாதம் ஆகும்.

இப்பைிப்பை்ை மாசியில், பாணர்கள்,

எப்ொபாழுது பனி ைிலகி, கதிர் உதயம் ஆகும் என்ேு காத்திருப்பார்,

என்கிோர் காக்ைகப் பாைினியார்.

ோகாைையில், கதிர் உதயம் ஆைதே்குள் பாணர்கள் கிளம்பி ைிைுைர்.

ொையில் ைருைதக்ே்குள் அரசைன ைோ்து பார்ப்பர்.

ஆனால மாேியில, ொையில் ைராதா என்ேு காத்திருப்பார்.

எப்ொபாழுது குளிர் ைிலகும் என்ேு பார்த்திருப்பார்.

இப்பைி இயல்பு ைாழ்க்ைக பாதிக்கப்பைும் மாசி ொதாைரும், ைதத் திங்களா ஆண்ைு முதலாக

இருோ்திருக்கும்??

எல்லாைிதத்திலும் முைக்கிப் ோபாைும் ைத - மாசி ஆகிய பனிக் காலம் ஒரு ைிழாக் காலம் அல்ல.

ூ ூ - 1369)
"பனி ோீர் ோதாய்தலும் பாைை ஆைலும்" (பிங்கலோ்ைத ோிகண்ைு - ச

என்ேு மார்கழி மாதம் முழுைதும், கன்னியர் ஆே்ேுத் துைேயில், ூோோான்பு ோூ ே்பர்

மைழ ோைண்ைி ொசய்யப்பைும் ோோான்பு இது.

http://jayasreesaranathan.blogspot.com/2008/12/paavai-nonbu-how-it-was-done.html

மார்கழி ோீர் கலங்கிய ோீர்.

கார் காலம் ஓய்ோ்து காை்ைாேு அைங்கி, கலங்கி ஓைியும், குளமாகத் ோதங்கியும் இருக்கும்

காலம் இது.

இோ்தக் காலத்தில், மைழ ோோான்பு ோோாே்ோல், அைுத்த கார் காலம் ைளமான மைழ ொபாழியும்.

கலங்கிய ோீர் குேித்து, எோ்த ைிழைுகளும் ோைத்த முைியாது.

ஆனால மாரகழி மடநத வரம ைை ெைளளிய நீர ஓடம காலம.

அன்ன ோைை, அழகு ோைையுைன் ைரும் ஆே்ேுக் கன்னி,

மக்கள் எண்ணங்கைள ைதத்துக் ொகாள்கிோள்.

ைத-இ
ூ என்னும் ொசால் சங்க ோூ ல்களில் பல இைங்களிலும் ைருகிேது.

ைத என்ோல், ைதத்தல் என்ேு ொபாருள்.

ைதத்தல், பின்னுதல், ொபாருத்துதல், ோசர்த்தல் என்னும் ொபாருளிோலோய ைருகிேது.

இதன் ொபாருைள ோன்கு உணர்த்துைது ோபால, பரிபாைல் (11) ூகூ ேிகிேது.

"ோீ தக்காய் ைதோ்ோீர்"

கார் கால ோீர் ோபாலன்ேி, ொதளிைாக இருக்கும் ைத மாத ோீர்,

மக்கள் தம் எண்ணங்கைளத் ைதத்துக் ொகாள்ளும் பளிங்கு ோபால இருக்கிேது.

இோ்த மாதத்திே்கு ோோர் எதிரில் இருக்கும் மாதம்,

ைதக்கப்பை்ை எண்ணங்கைள பிரதி பலிக்கச் ொசய்தார் ோபால கண்ணாைி ோபால் இருக்கோை

அது "ஆட" மாத்ம் என்ோயிே்ேு.

ைதயில், ோீரில் கண்ை பிம்பம், ஆடயில - கண்ணாைியில் ோோர் முகமாகத் ொதரிய ோைண்ைும்.

ைதயில் உள் ைாங்கிய ோைண்ைுதல்கள், ஆடககள நிகழநத விட ேவணடம.

எண்ணங்கள் ோிகழும் காலம் புனல் ஓைும் ைிழாக் காலங்கள் ஆகும்.

ூஇதுோை சூ ரியனின் ைைக்கு ஊர்ைலத்தின் ோகாலாகலம் ஆகும்.

இதன் உச்சிக் காலம், ூசூ ரியன் தைல ோமல் சஞ்சரிக்கும் காலமான, சித்திைர.

அதுோை இோ்திர ைிழாைின் காலம்.

மன்மதனின் காலம்.

இைத இோ்திர ைிழா பே்ேிய காைதயில், சிலம்பில் பைிக்கலாம்.

இதுோை ஆண்ைு முதலாகக் ொகாண்ைாைப் பை்ைிருக்க ோைண்ைும்.

ோகாலாகலமான ப்ரோமாத்சைம் ோபால இோ்திர ைிழாைை சிலம்பு ைிைரிக்கின்ேது.

ஆடல பாடல மைல, கைைுள் ைழிபாைு ைைர, ோமலும் ொதய்ை ொசாே்ொபாழிைுகள் ைைர

சித்திைர ொபௌர்ணமியில், இோ்திர ைிழைில் ோைோ்திருக்கின்ேது என்பதே்கு ,

சிலப்பதிகாரோம ஆதாரம்.

ஆனால ைையில, ோைண்ைுதல்கள் ொசய்யப்பைுகின்ேன.

ோல்ல கணைன் ோைண்ைும் என்ேு கன்னிப் ொபண் ோைண்ைுகிோள்.

கணைன் ோன்கு ஆயுளுைன் இருக்க ோைண்ைும் என்ேு மைனைி ோைண்ைுகிோள்.

ைத என்பது தைத்தின் காலம் ஆகும.

ோீரின் கண் ோின்ேும் ொசய்யும் தைம், மே்ேும்,

ொோருப்பின் கண் ோின்ேு (ோோாம குண்ைம் சுே்ேி) ொசய்யும் தைம்,

ஆக பாைவ ேநானப மடதத, "தைத்ைத ோீராைி" (பரி பாைல் 11) ,

புலனைக்கி, காக்கும் ொதய்ைமான ஆே்ேு ோீரின் கண்,

தங்கள் ோைண்ைுதல்கைளக் ொகாை்ைி,

ொசய்யப்பைுைோத 'ைத- ோீராைல்' ஆகம.

ைதத் திங்களில் தைத்ைத முைித்த ைகயுைன்,

ைீை்ைில் முைங்கிக் கிைக்க ோைண்ைியைாேு, பனிக் காலம் ைோ்து ைிைுகிேது.

பாைை ஆைிய இளம் ொபண், அைைளப் பார்த்து ஏங்கும் தைலைைனக் காணாள் இல்ைல.

அைளிைம் மனம் பேி ொகாைுத்த தைலைன் ொசால்கிோன்,

"ோீ ைதயில் ோீராைிய தைம் தைலப் பைுைாோயா?' (கலித் ொதாைக 59)

இைோளா என்ைனப் பார்க்கோை மாை்ோைன் என்கிோள்.

ஆனால, ைருைம் ோதாேும் , ைதயில் ோீராைி,

ோல்ல கணைன் ோைண்ைும் என்ேு மை்ைும் ோைண்ைிக் ொகாள்கிோள்.

என்ைனக் காணாது இருக்ைகயில், ைத ோீராைி தைம் இருோ்து என்ன பயன்? என்ேு ோகை்கிோன்.

ைதயின் முக்கியத்துைம், ோோான்பின் ோைண்ைுதைலத் ைதத்தோல என்ேு,

ஐம்குேு
ூ ோூ ேும் (84) ோே்ேிைணயும் (22) ூகூ ேுகின்ேன.

இோ்த தைத்திே்கு பலன் கிைைக்க, ோைத்த ப்பைும் ோைை்ைைோய, 'ஏேு தழுைுதல்'.

இது முல்ைல ோிலத்தில் மை்ைுோம, ஆயர கலதைில மடடேம நட ெபறறத.

ஆயர மகள ைான வளரககம காைளைய எவன அடகககிறாேனா,

அைோன அைளுக்கு ஏே்ே கணைன் என்ேு முைிைு ொசய்யப் பைுைான்.

இதில், காைளைய யாரும் (இோ்த ோாளில் ொசய்ைது ோபால) ஆேவேப படதைேவா,

ூொகாைுைமப் பைுத்தோைா கூ ைாது.

அோ்தக் காைள அோ்தக் கன்னி ைளர்ப்பது.

அதே்கு ஒரு தீங்ைகயும் அைள் ொபாேுக்க மாை்ைாள்.

எைன் அைள் ைகத் தலம் பே்ே ைிரும்புகிோோனா,

அைன, அைத அைக்க முே்பைுைான்.

இை்ைாேுதான் மஞ்ச ைிரை்ைு அோ்ோாளில் ோிகழ்த்து.

இோ்த ைழக்கம், முல்ைல ோிலம் தைிர ோைேு இைங்களில் இல்ைல.

முல்ைல ோிலத்தில் இருோ்ததே்கு காரணம்,

ஆயர மகைள மணபபவன அவரகள கலத ெைாழிலான, மாைு ோமய்ப்பதில் ,

காைள அைக்கி ோமய்ப்பதில் ைல்லைனாக இருக்க ோைண்ைும் என்போத.

மே்ே ோிலங்களில் இை்ைழக்கம் இல்ைல.

மேைர் குைியில், ைீரத்ைதக் காை்ைும் ைண்ணம், ைீர ைிைளயாை்ைில் ொைே்ேி ொபே்ேு

கன்னிையக் ைகப் பிைிக்க ோைண்ைும்.

ூ ூ ைாமணி ோிகண்ைில் 'மே ைழி மணம்' பே்ேிய

ச ூ குேிப்பின் மூ லம் இது ொதரிகிேது.

மே்ே பைி, மே்ே ோிலங்களில் ஏேு தழுைும் ைழக்கம் இலைல.

தமிழர் அைனைரின்,

அைையாள ைிைளயாை்ைு என்பது ோபால் இன்ேு ொசால்கிோர்கோள அதே்கு என்னொைன்ேு ொசால்ல.

தைத்ைத ோீராைிய, திருமண ையது அைைோ்த கன்னிைகக்கு,

ூதைம்
ூ கூ ைிய ைிதமாக ோல்ல ைரன் கூ ைி
ை ரும் காலமாக இருப்பதனால்,

'ைத பிேோ்தால் ைழி பிேக்கும்" என்னும் ொமாழி ைழக்கில் ைோ்த்து.

இதைன, புத்தாண்ைின் அேிகுேியாக ோிைனப்பைத என்னொைன்ேு ொசால்ைது!

ைத முைிோ்து, மாசி பிேோ்தால், "மாசிப் பனியில் மச்சும் குளிரும்".

இோ்த ோோரமா புத்தாண்ைு புகு ோோரம்??

ஆனால மண விழவ, புள் ோிமித்தம் பார்த்து , ோாள் ோோரம் பார்த்து, இள ோைனில் காலத்ோத

ோராதினியுைன் , சோ்திரன்
ூ கூ ைிய காலத்ோத ோிகழ்ோ்ததாக, அகம், ூசிலம்பு மூ லம் ொதரிகிேது.

ஆக, மணைிழாைுக்கு பிள்ைளயார் சுழி ோபாைும் காலம் ைத.

கன்னியின் புது ைாழ்ைு ோோாக்கி முயே்சிகள் ொசய்யப்பைும் ைத,

ூஒை்ைு ொமாத்த மக்களின் புத்தாண்ைு என்ேு கூ ேுைதே்கு ைாை் இலைல.

மாக
ூ ூ ர் திங்களாய் குேுக ைைக்கும் காலம், புத்தாண்ைின் துைக்கமாக

இருக்க ோைண்ைும் என்ேு ோிைனப்பைத என்னொைன்ேு ொசால்ல!!

*************************

There are several reasons why Thai can not replace Chitthirai.

(1) The most important reason is that no one will start from the ‘knee’.
Any beginning will be done from ‘head to toe’.
That is, the progression starts from Aries to Pisces.
Sages like Parashara, Jaimini and Narada have described this progression
as the body of ‘Kala purusha.’

Starting from Capricorn means

having knees as the head,
ankles as the face, feet as the neck,
and then head as the lungs and so on.
But if we start from Aries, then it will be the normal form, from head to feet.
This can be explained like this:-
This world or universe of matter (prakruthi) contains certain specific elements
which have specific characteristics.

From stars and star dust and to us, the humans and the minutest living organisms-
everything is made up of the same elements
but in different constitution.

Similar elements exhibit similar characteristics and

mixed-up elements exhibit correspondingly mixed-up characteristics.
The mixed-up varieties are beyond count and comprehension.
It is here astrology gives us clues about how they will behave in what ways.

The humans and other life forms depend on this world for existence.
This world depends on the sun and its system of planets.
We must know that in the event of even a slight change
in the system of planetary positions in our solar system,
our earth can not exist in a way to support life as it does now.

The entire solar system in turn, depends on the other star systems
which move round in relation to each other in an equilibrium.
In the built-up of this dependency,
it has been found out by our sages
that the patch of sky against which we move in an orbit
(which is rather conceived as the movement of the sun in a 360 degree circle)
known as the zodiac,
has a direct bearing on earth and its dependents.

This zodiac has been characterized as Kala purusha by the sages.

Kala means time, the supreme lord, the god of death, the cosmic being etc.

The Bhagavata says,

Time is called Kala, because it controls the life and death of all living things;
it does not leave even the minutest part of Time.
It seizes or gathers together all beings.
It invests all beings with weal and woe,
It contracts their span of life,
Or it leads them to the abode of Death.”

In short, we are in then grip of Kalapurusha.

That Kalapurusha’s head lies in Aries.

The entire zodiac is characterized as 12 limbs of the Kala purusha,

each with a corresponding and distinct characteristic.

Aries – head
Taurus – face
Gemini - Neck and arms
Cancer – lungs
Leo – heart
Virgo- entrails
Libra – pelvis
Scorpio – genital organs
Sagittarius – thighs
Capricorn – knees
Aquarius – ankles
Pisces – feet.

This is the structure of the kaala purusha.

Each of these parts signify numerous factors
in addition to the ones exhibited by the parts mentioned above.

Astrologically the zodiac thus begins with Aries.

Cosmologically,
the point of intersection of the earth’s orbit with the celestial orbit
at 0 degree marks Meshayana or the beginning of Aries.

But this position moves backward by 1 degree every 72 years.

Currently this intersection lies at the junction of Aquarius and Pisces.

Earlier it was at the Star Karthigai (as told in some vedic hymns)
Much earlier, a hymn mentions that the junction happened at the beginning of Leo.

All these are about another measure of time in terms of Polar cycle,
which is a unit of Manvanthra cycle.
This is for computation purpose only,, and not of mundane use for humans.
But the starting the yearly cycle at Aries comes in for practical use to humans.

When this system is retained,

it is possible to predict even the birth and life of animals and plants!!
The New Year calendar precisely does that.
It not only tells about the life for humans in the next one year.
It also tells about all flora and fauna and the quality of life in the next one
year.

(2) The New year comes with a ministry of it own.

This is for the purpose of predictions.

New Year without astrology is thus unthinkable.
It is like how we thin k on our birth day.
On every birth day we think we are born again
and used to wonder how the time until the next birthday is going to be.
Similarly every birth day at the cosmic level with the sun coming
to the first point of zodiac is a time of prayers that the coming one year sojourn
of the sun must bring goodness to mankind.

The sun influences the landmass in its sojourn everyday and in seasons.
The seasons only determine the good and bad to be faced in a year.
The landmass or the country and its inhabitants are dependent on Nature
controlled by the sun
for everything from good rains, good crops and the resultant welfare of all
beings.
These issues can be ascertained by the ministry of the Sun.
Yes, number of factors are calculated to know how the year is going to be.
This is given in simple understanding as the Ministry for the year.

The planet of the day when the Sun enters Ashwini at sunrise in Aries,
is the Minister for the year ahead.

The planet of the day of the first day of Lunar year

(the day after New moon or Amavasya that comes just before the entry of sun into
Aries)
is the King of the Solar year ahead.

The entry of the sun in other signs, (Ravi sankramaNam into other signs)
decides the other issues of the year ahead.

The planet of the day when the sun will be entering in the month of Aani
in the ensuing year
will influence the birds!
( For instance, bird flu, a recurrent phenomenon of the current times is
predictable as per calendar reading)

The planet of the day when the sun will be entering in the month of Aadi,
will be influencing the fate of us, the human beings!!

The planet of the day when the sun will be entering in the month of AavaNi,
will control the fate of cattle

The planet of the day when the sun will be entering in the month of Aippasi,
will decide the nature of things for snakes and other reptiles!!

The planet of the day when the sun will be entering the month of Maargazhi
will decide the fate of camels!

The planet of the day when the sun will be entering the star Arudra,
will influence the life of trees and plants.

The planet of the day when the sun will be entering in the month of Thai,
will control the planets of our solar system!!
(It must be noted here that the entry into Thai does not enjoy a pivotal position
astrologically)

The planet of the day when the sun will be entering in the month of Thai
is known as Neerasaadhipathi.
In this case, the predictions are for a year staring
from Chithirai to next Chitthirai.
These predictions will be made well in advance before
the year starts in Chitthirai
and will come into operation from Chitthirai, that comes 9 months before Thai.

On the contrary, if Thai is made the New year

it means that the Neerasaadhipathi will be controlling the three months only,
till Chitthirai begins.
For the remaining 9 months one must refer to the next Thai sankramana
or the next New year of Thai. This is absurd!

As such even the Calendar reading or prediction making

will be ridiculous if we begin the year at Thai.
This kind of confusion will come up at different levels,
and calendar making will look like an exercise in mockery.

(3) The 60 year cycle of the sun marking one half its revolution
in a 120 year cycle, which forms the basic unit in Polar cycle
(this will be detailed in another post)
is another thorn of contention for people who want the New year in Thai.
It is because they are given Sanskrit names.

It must be noted here that

the naming has been done by unknown authors in an undated past,
only to say in a crisp way
what the New Year is going to be like.

The names themselves are indicative of what the year holds

and as such are relevant tools of prediction.
Based on the nature or character depicted
by those names and the Lords of the years,
Tamil saints have written verses which can be seen in Tamil Panchangas.

The names indicate the cyclical nature of time

and also the nature of the particular year.

They give broad outline about the year at the country level
and also about the ruler and the kind of rule.

For instance, in the year ‘Vyaya’,

Mr.Karunanidhi took up the reigns.
Vyaya indicates excesses in spending.
We saw the draining of treasury into spending for freebies.

The next year was “sarvajith”, when the ruler would be all powerful.
None was able to shake the ruler.
The ruler was a sarva- jitthan.
We found this in reality as Mr.Karunanidhi enjoyed an upper hand in everything
from Sethu project!

The next year starting from Chitthirai was“sarvadhaari”

In this, the ruler would look like an ‘all powerful’ person
Just in looks ( exhibiting) only, but not really so - is the meaning.
But the year after that, that is, starting from Chitthirai in 2009 (April 2009),
it is “virOdhi’, meaning ‘enemy’.

The ruler would be perceived as an enemy (by people)

and the ruler would have many enemies!

This is how the predictions proceed, basically from the names of the year and
then from other factors connected with each year.
Thus there is something in the name.
Call it by some other name, the predictions will be same.
Change the system of New year,
then also the prediction will be the same, as applicable from Chitthirai.

Agree with them or denounce them, the predictions are not going to change.
The way they have been named is to understand the meaning easily.

That is all.
No Tamil or no Sanskrit bias.

It is about universal laws.

In this context a question may be raised.

The same calendar is not there in North india.
When it is Sarvajith in Tamil nadu,
it is ViLambi in the North. What does this signify?

The difference is due to the difference in

geography and the fall of solar rays
in a particular place.
The Indian sub continent has been divided into different zones
based on the sun rise- sun set time and the location.
The sunlight does not fall in the same way on all parts of India.
This causes variations in
the climate, crop patterns and other activities
That is why the calendar year differs in different places in India.

What we follow as New Year in Tamilnadu is

just right, meaningful and applicable to Tamilnadu.
By changing it, the real implications can not be changed.

(4) There are other astrological disadvantages to starting the Year at Thai.
The day when the sun will be entering in the month of Thai
(apart from determining Neerasadhipathy),
has another astrological significance.

Thai marks one half of the year, namely ayana.

It also marks one half of the day, namely KaraNa (which is half of a thithi)
KaraNa, which of one of the 5 angas ( segments) of Panchanga
plays a crucial role in determining the nature of success in any undertaking.

While the ayana heralds the way the days are going to be (that of bright and hot)
the KaraNa tells about the way how the works will be done.

The KaraNa in operation at that time will decide

about the nature of accomplishments in the year starting from Chitthirai.

The determination of KaraNa for the entire year will expire in 3 months
when sun enters Aries,
if the New Year is changed to Thai.

(5) The first 3 days of Thai will always be ‘Kari naaL’-

a day of inauspiciousness for doing any mundane celebration.

Travel on these days also is not favored.

It can be seen that worst accidents that involve moving vehicles
and result in fire happen on KarinaaL.

(6) Thai does not start with a ‘full’ star.

The star at the entry of sun into Capricorn, which is Utthraadam
is torn in between two constellations.
One quarter of it is at Sagittarius and three quarters at Capriocrn.
Thus sun’s entry does not happen at the commencement of a star.

(7) Finally, any measurement of time is done with reference to a starting point.
Like the way the zodiac starts with the head (at Aries),
time starts from a beginning.
The day starts with sun rise.
The year starts with Aries.
The cycle of years start from an epoch.
The epoch with Kalpa.
This is the laid down rule that has been followed by all.

Look at any old text or look at any inscription,

you will find the mention in the order of
the epoch, the Sahaaptham and the year.

It is like giving your postal address,

complete with the details of the name of the street, the city and the country.
That will exactly tell the location.

Similarly, the existing New year is designed in that way.

The Sahaptham is either Salivaahana, or Vikrama.

Both these were associated with correction in Meshayana.

The epoch is indisputably Kali yuga.
When such an established and well documented hierarchy is already there,
the starting of the year from Thiruvalluvar year lacks substance.

There must be some rationale for what we are using the birth year.
Thiruvalluvar’s birth date is not an established one.
Any specification of a date must be connected with both or
either of the two time keepers of the sky, namely the sun and the moon.
In the absence of such a identification of time to note the birth day of
Thiruvalluvar, it is not rational to connect it to a New year or New epoch.
Moreover Thiruvallauvar’s birth did not herald of any epoch.
From accounts in ancient texts,
it seems that Thiruvalluvar was born in Then-Madurai
which was submerged some 5000 years ago.
This means Thirvalluvar was born 5000 years ago.

To constrict his antiquity to a mere 2000 year period

is a disrespect to him.
When his birth has not been documented or proved,
it can not form the basis for a long round of calculation of years.

Thiruvalluvar, an Aryan in character,

would certainly be against the use his name
for the measurement of time, contrary to an established practice.

May saner wisdom descend on our rulers

in this monarchic democracy!

However much I am trying to find a convincing justification

for starting the New year on the 1st of Thai,
to that extent I am finding discouraging reasons for not having it on that day.

For a grand occasion like starting one full year of 365 days,
the Sun’s entry into Capricorn
is not an auspicious start.

Whether one believes it or not,

astrological operations will come into play at the moment they have to happen.

The Kalapurusha, lying on a full circle of the zodiac

can never be expected to make mistakes,
and he would never deviate for a second
from his job of time-keeping.

As such, when the sun enters Capricorn,

the Kalapurusha will see to it
that the Sun will be experiencing a phase of death – pangs.

Yes, all the 12 constellations of the zodiac undergo

a life-cycle of 5 stages called ‘avasthas’
Each zodiac sign is divided into 5 parts of 6 degrees each
and make the planet traveling in a particular part,
experience the avastha of that part.

The avasthas are bala (child-hood),

kumara (boy-hood),
yauvana (youth),
Vriddhaabhya (old age)
and maraNa (death).

These avasthas happen in this order of 6 degrees each,

in the odd numbered constellations starting from Aries.
The reverse of this takes place in the even numbered constellations.
Since Capricorn is an even numbered raasi,
the avasthas happen in the reverse order.
0 to 6 degrees – maraNa (death)
7 to 12 degrees - Vriddhaabhya (old age)
13 to 18 degrees - yauvana (youth),
19 to 24 degrees - kumara (boy-hood)
25 to 30 degress - bala (child-hood)

This means in the first 6 days of Thai,

the sun will be in pangs of death!

It is not wise to start the New year like this.

On the contrary,
since Aries begins with Bala avasthas,
the entry of sun in Aries will be good.

Moreover the sun reaches its greatest brilliance in Kumara avastha there.
Again Capricorn is a sign of enmity for the Sun.
Saturn, the Lord of Capricorn is a natural enemy (naisargika shathru) to the Sun.
When we go on analyzing like this,
we are not able to accept the New Year in Thai.

Instead I have a suggestion to make,

which I am sure will be agreeable to Mr. Karunanidhi.

Since Mr. Karunanidhi is harping on the theme

that ‘Tamils’ must have New Year of their own,
it will be more suitable to identify a day
that will be the dawn of a New Year for all Tamils,
irrespective of whether they are Hindus or Muslims or Christians.

Such a day will be the day when this Tamilnadu was born!
Yes, the day Tamilnadu was created can be aptly called
as the first day for all Tamils.

That day can be made the New Year day

and the year can be calculated from that day onwards.
The birth day for India was on mid night of 15th of August, 1947.
Every year we celebrate the anniversary of this day.

This is common day for all Indians irrespective of differences of sorts.

Similarly, if Mr. Karunanidhi wants to special day as the New-year day for Tamils,
that must be the day when Tamilnadu came into existence.

The original Tamil land was something else in Sangam period

which included Kerala (chEra naadu) too.
Mr. Karunanidhi, our revolutionary ruler may even ask for it
and come to an understanding with Kerala like how he has,
in Mullai-periyaar issue.

But for the time being,

he has to be content with what is now available as Tamilnadu
and unite all Tamils, irrespective of their religion,
to celebrate a single day as New Year’s day.

Full fledged celebrations can take place on that day.

All textile shops will rise to the occasion and offer massive discounts.
People – Hindus, Muslims and Christians can celebrate together
in whatever way they wish.

Lighting deepams, drawing kolams, wearing new dresses

(another occasion to distribute free sarees and dhotis),
bursting crackers, eating sweets, and what not.

No one is going to find fault with Mr. Karunanidhi

that he is trying change the existing customs.

He is free to design a new set of customs

for this New Year
and implement it too.

Why not he try this out?