Why You Should Begin an Important Project on Vasant Panchami
Vasant Panchami: The "Flawless Day" of the Year
One of the most auspicious days of the Vedic calendar is coming up soon, known as Vasant Panchami. This day, also known as Saraswati Puja in celebration of the birthday of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, is a festival that marks the arrival of early spring in some parts of India. I recommend beginning important projects on this day because it is an abhuj muhurta (muhurat), when any important new venture that is launched can have quite fortunate results. This year, it occurs on Wednesday, January 25 in the western hemisphere, and on Thursday, January 26 in the eastern. Use Drik Panchang to find the exact date for your locale if you are uncertain.
Lord Ganesh Opens the Gate for Saraswati: January 24 in the Western Hemisphere and January 25 in the Eastern Hemisphere
Ganesh Jayanti, literally “Ganesh's birthday,” occurs on the day before Vasant Panchami. This year, it falls on January 24 in the western hemisphere, and January 25 in the eastern hemisphere. Also known as Magha Shukla Chaturthi, Sakat Chauthis, Tilkund Chouth, or Tilo Chauth, this is the birthday of Ganesh that is widely celebrated in South Indian culture. It always occurs on the fourth day after the New Moon in the bright fortnight of the month of Magha in January-February.
Lord Ganesh is the elephant-headed son of Shakti and Shiva in the Vedic pantheon. Ganesh is the remover of obstacles, patron of astrologers, and god of prosperity, wisdom, and knowledge. Residing in the root chakra (muladhara), Ganesh literally guards the gate of our kundalini energy. He is thus known as the gatekeeper of consciousness.
Ganesh and Saraswati are often worshiped together as they both elevate the mind and promote learning and right knowledge. The universal pulse of life is channeled through each of them equally, as both Saraswati and Ganesha represent the ultimate creative power. As Ganapati, the lord of categories and hosts, Ganesha is always invoked before the other gods. Thus, it is fitting that Ganesh’s birthday is always celebrated the day before Saraswati’s.
Ganesha, Saraswati - Enjoying Music by Harsh Malik
Understanding Abhuj Muhurtas: Fortunate Days to Begin Important Projects
Vasant Panchami is one of several annual abhuj muhurtas. These special events occur on some of the holiest days in the Vedic calendar. Abhuj muhurtas are propitious days when you can successfully start important projects. An abhuj muhurta day tends to override the other astrological aspects that are occurring during the day's twenty-four hour period. “Abhuj” in this context refers to “something that cannot be consumed, which thus remains eternal.” Thus, an abhuj muhurta focuses on the stability and durability of any project that you begin at this time.
Vasant Panchami: A Flawless Day that Celebrates the Beginning of Spring in India
The upcoming abhuj muhurta that will occur on January 25 or 26 is called Vasant (or Basant) Panchami. It is described as a “flawless day” in the Padma Purana. This special event occurs on the fifth lunar day (panchami tithi) after the New Moon in the month of Magha in the Vedic lunar calendar. This year, Magha month extends from January 22 to February 21.
Vasant Panchami celebrates the tremendous burst of new life force that comes forth around the beginning of early spring in India. It is also the birthday of Devi Saraswati. This day is celebrated as Saraswati Puja in some traditions of India (such as in Bengal).
Saraswati by Shruti Prasad
The goddess Saraswati is the Shakti (dynamic power) of the creative principle of the Universe. Her name means “One who reflects the essence of our true nature,” and also “She who Flows,” and “She of the Stream.” As the personification of the ultimate divine creative power, Saraswati is the Vedic goddess of knowledge, science, music, and art.
Various sects and regions of India observe Vasant Panchami by following a variety of different traditions. In most places, this day is an important occasion for worshiping one’s ancestors (pitri-tarpana). In some areas, kites are flown to celebrate the beginning of the spring season, as ‘vasant” means “spring." In other places, students are initiated into new learning programs on this day.
Festival of Kites by Navneet Parikh
Some Hindus worship Lord Vishnu and Ma Ganga on Vasant Panchami. In Bengal, Saraswati’s murti (statue/image) is carried in a procession and immersed in the holy Ganges. Vasant Panchami is also a day when many people honor the god of love, Kamadeva, who is a Cupid-like deity. Kamadeva is the embodiment of love who is married to the goddess of spring named Vasanta.
How to Harness the Auspicious Power of Vasant Panchami
On this special day, anything important that we perform or initiate is said to bring about favorable consequences. Vasant Panchami is an excellent abhuj muhurta for beginning all kinds of creative endeavors, including those related to relationship matters, health, travel, business, and property matters, and especially anything related to children, learning and education, writing, poetry, dramatic and visual arts, music, and dance.
At a deeper level, Vasant Panchami is wonderful day for spiritual ceremonies and practices that help us align with the supreme creative power of Saraswati.
With loving reverence, I bow to the goddess Saraswati, who is pure and luminous as snow, as pearl, as camphor, and the bright full Moon, who with great delight bountifully bestows her gracious blessings, who is adorned with fragrant golden flower petals, and whose beautiful form captures my enraptured mind.
Om Aing Mahasaraswatyai Namah! I bow to Maha Saraswati Devi!
Wow! Look forward to starting something special. Jan 25. 26 (in Asia) are 4th and 5th waxing moon phase of First Month of Rabbit Year. We have public holiday till then. Those 2 days mark the arrival of the wealth deities back from Heaven, after their temporary visit at year end to file their report on human affairs. Hence, both days are considered very auspicious, esp for financial undertakings and beginning work after Chinese New Year.
Goddes Mathangi, the tithi Deity of Shukla Paksha Panchami, is a celebration, in the traditional Shri Chakra worship.
Good for all kind of learning and to start new endeavors.