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Re: SriJayanthi

From the Bhakti List Archives

M.N.Ramanuja • August 14, 2001 


Regarding SriJayanthi Adiyen has this to say

Five thousand years ago, when Srikrishna was born, the day was
Simha masam (Avani), Sravana masam, Bahula, Ashtami. and Rohini star.
Hence ideally all these conditions have to match to celebrate
Srijayanthi. But many a times they dont coincide. So the authorities of
various sections of Hindus, have adopted their own criterion for
celebration. For some it is enough if it is Sravana Bahula Ashtami, that
is Srikrishna Janmashtami. Coming to Iyengars, Avani (Simha) masam, Rohini
Ashtami and bahula (dark fortnight) are more important than Sravana
masam. But still among the various groups of Iyengars, there are followers
of Siddhanta system, Vakya, Mannar, Thozhappar, etc. For Thozhappars
Rohini is necessary or so. For Mannars and others Ashtami is
necessary it seems. This is the general rule as far as Adiyen knows. But
this time, SriJayanthi falls in Mahalaya Paksha. For Mannar tradition it
is on 10th Sept and for Thozhappar tradition it is on 11th Sept. According
to a well known Mysore Almanac, however, Ashtami and Rohini coincide
on 10th Sept.   It will be helpful for all if some astrologer Srivaishnava
can elaborate on these matters in bhakthi list.

( For example by the way, the Yajur Upakarma for Siddhanta followers this
year was on 3rd Aug and for Vakya followers it was on 4th Aug. Gayathri
Japam was on 5th Aug for both. But some of the Vadakalai mathams followed
both Yajur Upakarma and Gayathri on 4th Aug only, whereas many of the
vadakalais did Yajur Upakarma on  4th  and Gayathri on 5th. )
Hence it is all a question of their traditional following. There is no
common day for celebrations of any thing for all Iyengars also. 
***********************************************

Another point to be considered, going by the way the SriJayanthi is
conducted with the preparation of sweets and savouries as well as
preparation of Thairvada, Pepper curry and sajjiappa and athirasa etc one
feels whether it is not only a celebration of Sri KrishnaAvatara but
also His departure from the Earth on the same day. Knowledgeable members
of the list are requested to throw more light on this doubt and clarify.
 
Adiyen 
Ramanujadasan
Ramanuja


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