This New Moon in Cancer, in the constellation of Pushya marks
the beginning of the month of Shraavana. The month is named Shraavana according
to Indian calendar because the full moon will most likely occur in the
constellation of Sravana or Dhanistha directly opposite that of Pushya in
Cancer. The month of Shraavana is
considered very auspicious because the entire Indian sub-continent experiences
monsoon during this time. It is also considered Lord Shiva’s favorite month as
Parvati did immense penance in this month to have him as her husband.
Astrologically speaking, the New Moon in Cancer is preceded by the New Moon in
Gemini cycle where Rudra, the fierce form of Shiva destroys the creation that
has gone corrupt. Rudra’s tears post-destruction when hits the earth gives rise
to new flora and fauna – this is depicted in the stories of Punarvasu and
Pushya in Cancer. One can draw analogies to the monsoon in the Indian
subcontinent bringing life to the flora and fauna after a spell of extreme
summer that burns up most life. Most devotees of Shiva will start a 16 Monday
fast in this month to celebrate the abundance of life.
Shraavan is also the month when many poets and artists
compose new pieces inspired by the sounds in nature. It is not surprising that
the constellations of Sravana and Dhanistha symbolize sound and music The Full
Moon on August 15th will occur in the nakshatra of Dhanistha. I
remember some of my favoriate poems in Marathi are on the beauties of Shraavan
month and I would read them with renewed vigor as I watched the rains, inhaled
the fresh air & smell of wet soil, and enjoyed the sound of raindrops
against my window.
Many may also feel a renewed vigor this August because of
Mercury and Jupiter going direct, and Mars coming out of debilitation as it
moves into Leo. Notice what got uprooted last month. It may have been a change
in habit or lifestyle, unearthing office politics and gossip, discovering false
promises, technical problems with electronic devices, softwares and websites,
identifying ways by which you bleed money, realizing the dark underside of authorities in
power, acknowledging your own inner indiscipline, lack of vitality and
motivation, and non-clarity in your approach to life. Many of us might have
felt parched for true inner nourishment.
Jupiter will station for a few weeks before it begins its
forward movement in the sky. It may bring up the feeling of being choked about
things that bring us hope before we feel a sigh of relief. Mars will transit
over the Gandhanta (junction) point between Cancer and Leo around August 6 to
10 making us feel irritated due to low energy, focus and discipline. Renewed
sense of energy will be experienced by many after Mars has completely
transitioned into Leo. Saturn will also begin to slow down in preparation of
its forward movement in September. Venus transiting close to the Sun in the sky
(phenomenon called combustion) may burn the impurities in our relating to
others. Back biting, politics, manipulations and inconsistencies in
relationships may surface making us feel burnt. Make sure to take the tonics of
self-love and self-care.
It is good time to find inner joy in anything that has rhythm
and music. See if music leads you to nature. Seek out streams, waterfalls, waves
of ocean, birds in forest and the sound of breeze. Notice how these move you
towards renewed life.
My favoriate Shraavan poem written by Poet Balkavi Tryambak
Bapuji Thomre is ‘Shraavan Masi Harsh Manasi’ (translation available online):
श्रावण मासी हर्ष मानसी हिरवळ दाटे चोहिकडे,
क्षंणात येते सर सर शिरवे क्षंणात फिरुनि ऊन पडे
क्षंणात येते सर सर शिरवे क्षंणात फिरुनि ऊन पडे
वरति बघता इंद धनुचा
गोफ दुहेरि विणलासे
मंगल तोरण काय बांधले नभोमंडपी कुणी भासे
मंगल तोरण काय बांधले नभोमंडपी कुणी भासे
झालासा सुर्यास्त वाटतो,सांज अहाहा तो उघडे
तरु शिखरावर उंच घरावर पिवळे पिवळे ऊन पडे
तरु शिखरावर उंच घरावर पिवळे पिवळे ऊन पडे
उठती वरती जलदांवरती
अनंत संध्याराग पहा
सर्व नभावर होय रोखिले सुंदरतेचे रुप महा
सर्व नभावर होय रोखिले सुंदरतेचे रुप महा
बलाकमाला उडता भासे
कल्पसुमांची माळिच ते
उतरुनि येती अवनीवरती ग्रहगोलचि की एकमते
उतरुनि येती अवनीवरती ग्रहगोलचि की एकमते
फडफड करुनि भिजले अपुले
पखं पाखरे सावरती
सुंदर हरिणी हिरव्या कुरणी निजबाळांसह बागडती
सुंदर हरिणी हिरव्या कुरणी निजबाळांसह बागडती
खिल्लारे ही चरती रानी
गोपही गाणी गात फिरे
मंजूळ पावा गाई तयांचा श्रावण महिमा एकसुरे
मंजूळ पावा गाई तयांचा श्रावण महिमा एकसुरे
सुवर्ण चंपक फुलला
विपिनी रम्य केवडा दरवळला
पारिजातही बघता भामा रोष मनीचा मावळला
पारिजातही बघता भामा रोष मनीचा मावळला
सुंदर परडी घेऊनि हाती
पुरोपकंठी शु्द्धमती
सुंदर बाला या फुलमाला रम्य फुले पत्री खुडती
सुंदर बाला या फुलमाला रम्य फुले पत्री खुडती
देव दर्शना निघती ललना
हर्ष मावे ना हदयात
वदनी त्यांच्या वाचून घ्यावे श्रावण महिन्याचे गीत
वदनी त्यांच्या वाचून घ्यावे श्रावण महिन्याचे गीत
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