Month: June 2010

As the Sun entered the 15th degree of Taurus, Edava Pathi began in right earnest. When I woke up at 0230 AM, it was raining cats and dogs.

The rains must have continued for one hour. It was accompanied by lightning. Let us hope that Global Warming has not triggered Climate Change to that extent and we will be receiving some rains !

Unlike the Gregorian Calender, the Vedic Astro Calender gives the positions of the celestial bodies. For instance, today is Edavam 15th and we know that the Sun is in the 15th degree of Taurus. Today the Calender shows Thrikketta, which means that the Moon is in the constellation of Thrikketta and is in Scorpio. The Calender gives the Jnattuvelas and the Rohini Jnattuvela started on the 25th. So we are in Edava Pathi, in the midst of Rohini Jnattuvela. Rains will be sporadic but will accelerate as Makiryam, Thiruvathira, Punartham and Pooyam Jnattuvelas take over.

The Western Calender is based on the Tropical Zodiac ( from the First degree of Aries to the 360th degree of Pisces ) and we find that the Vernal Equinoctial Point recedes one degree every 72 years. ( This is the astro phenomenon of the Precession of the Equinoxes ) Hence in the Tropical Zodiac, the First Point of Aries moves ! The Vedic Calender is based on the Sidereal Zodiac and is counted from the First Degree of Beta Aries ( Aswini ) to the 360th degree of Zeta Piscium ( Revathi ).

As the First Point of Aries moves in the Tropical Zodiac, some adjustments should be done in the Western Calender. Pope Gregory modified the Julian Calender by 12 days and the present Calender came to be known after him – the Gregorian Calender. Seasons were changing and Western astronomers were worried. So Pope Gregory added 12 more days to the Julian Calender ! Like, today is Oct 2nd and tomorrow is Oct 14th !

The Vedic Calender, as it is based on the constellations of the fixed stars or rather the Sidereal Zodiac, is static and does not change. All Indian Astrology is Sidereal.

So we find that, to the man of Wisdom, the Gregorian Calender is of no use. The Vedic gives all astro information and is informative indeed !

More info about Astrology at eAstroVedica.

We have said that Vishu 8 or the Sun’s entry into the eighth degree of sidereal Aries, is the time for the farmers to sow.

Vishu or the solar ingress into Aries, is celebrated all over Kerala. This is the dawn of a new Agricultural Year, as it marks the end of the hot seasons of Kumbha ( Aquarius ) and Meena ( Pisces ). Temperature touching 43 degrees is disconcerting. Vishu is the heralder of the two monsoons, the South West and the North East.

The Vedic Calender is astro-meteorological and the farmers know when to sow and when to reap. So the best time to sow is in Medam or Mesha or Aries. Anything planted after this date will fructify, as the Edava Pathi or the South West Moon takes over in June and the Thula Varsham or the North East Monsoon takes over in Oct-Nov.

In traditional farming, plants and trees need watering on alternative days. Now both monsoons ensure that plants and trees will be watered by Nature !. Hence the green landscape engineering done by Nature makes Kerala beauteous !

When the Sun reaches its maximum declination at 23 degrees 27 mins South, at the Tropic of Capricorn, ( the end of Dakshinayana ), the Indian Ocean becomes hot & the northern places of the Indian subcontinent become cool. Then we find the phenomenon of cool winds condensing to form clouds, picking up moisture laden winds from the Bay of Bengal, sweeping down on the Himalayas and the Indo Gangetic plains and pouring over peninsular India. Kerala also gets these rains and hence the South West Monsoon which ends in September is replaced by the North East Monsoon and this rainy season or watering by Nature continues till Dhanus, the 15th of December ! Hence the tourists find Kerala enchanting, because of the green landscape architecture effectuated by Mother Nature !

India is an agrarian economy, dependent heavily on the monsoons. In 1895, the rains never came and India experienced drought and famine. The monsoons can also be destructive. Trees are uprooted, cables smashed, houses destroyed as a result of poor infrastructure. In 2008, our paddy fields were flooded due to heavy rains and the nearby inhabitants had to be evacuated. Despite its potential for destruction, monsoons are generally welcomed, as it liberate the natives from the blistering heat of Kumbha (Aquarius ) and Meena ( Pisces ).

Vishu marks the beginning of Vasanta Rithu, the first of the six seasons.

Farmers in Kerala say that

the seeds sown on Aswathi Jnattuvela ( the Sun’s transit of the first 13 degrees of Aries )
and mango seeds sown on Bharani Jnattuvela ( the Suns’s transit of the constellation of Bharani )

will fructify.

The best time for planting cocounut trees is on Patham Udayam, the Tenth Rising of the Sun, when Sun enters the tenth degree of Aries.

So Vishu is an agricultural festival, based on the Wisdom of the Heavens and not a religious festival !

The Jnattuvelas are the contribution of Kerala Astrology. Another contribution of K A is Gulika, the son of Saturn and Trisphuta, the Triune Longitude. Kerala Horary Astrology is supposed to be the best.

More info about Kerala at Kerala Heritages.

Fierce rains lash Kerala. It is now raining heavily, here in Trichur. Rains started at 1130 AM and are now continuing at 0400 PM. (110610)

We had indicated in our columns that rains will accelerate after Makiryam, Thiruvathira, Punartham and Pooyam Njattuvelas . These four Njattuvelas are considered to be fierce, compared to other Njattuvelas. Markiryam Njattuvela started on the 8th of June.

Kerala receives almost 2500 mm rainfall from the South West Monsoon and almost 500 mm from the North East Monsoon.

Average monthly rainfall in Kerala in mm

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
14 16 36 110 252 653 687 404 252 270 158 45

The Ancient Seers prayed for rains, rains which will liberate us from the blistering heat, rains which will water our plants and trees, rains which will give us the much needed water.

May the rulers be just
May the world be happy
May there be plenty of rains
May the earth become fertile
May the good be fearless
May people become angerless !

Swasthi prajabhyam paripalayantham
Nyayena Margena Maheem Maheesa
Go brahmanebhya shubhamasthu nithyam
Loka samastha sukhino bhavanthu
Kale Varshe thu parjanya
Prithvee sasya salinee
Lokoyam kshobha rahitha
Sajjana santhu nirbhaya

Now at 0730 PM on 120610, it is still raining. We have had 30 hours of incessant rain. The water levels in the reservoirs were abysmally low and Kerala Electricity Board was worried two days before. There was only water to generate 8 millions units. ( Kerala’s power is 99% hydroelectric ). The discharge from the heavens was providential. Now this glorious rain must have boosted the water levels. Thank God, no power cuts !

We are still watching the climate. Just to see whether Global Warming has effected a change. We got only 1000 mm rainfall last year. This year we are bound to get more. The 825 km Malabar Coast, from Mumbai to Cape Comorin, gets maximum rainfall and will Global Warming affect this bounty adversely? Let us watch and see !

Nature Divine is homeostatic, Nature is liberal, giving us everything at the correct time. Does She not give us watery fruits like cucumber and water melons during the hot summer season? She knows what is best for us. Natural Philosophy ( Sankhya ) postulates that the main efficient cause is Nature ( pradhanam prakritim prahuh ). Goethe, Paracelsus, Companella, Kapila, Bruno etc were all natural philosophers.

Nature is the Main Cause
For the Causal Equation !
Purusha ( Self ) is He who enjoys
Dejection and Elation.

Karya Karana Karthruthve
Hetu Prakriti uchyathe
Purusha Sukha Dukhanam
Bhoktritvam Hetur uchyathe ( The Holy Geetha )

“To the philosopher, Nature and the Divine are one Being, acting by necessity and by inexorable Law ” averred Spinoza.

What Alexander Pope said about Providence

(Who finds not Providence all good and wise
Alike in what it gives and what denies ?)

should be said about Nature.

Who finds not Nature all good and wise
Alike in what it gives and what denies?

And Wordsworth confirmed Her fidelity

“Nature never did betray the heart that loved Her.”

What has the nation’s GDP growth got to do with the monsoon ? Everything !

The India Meterological Dept is considering declaring the monsoon to be a ” good monsoon “, in sharp contrast with the 2009 monsoon, which was more or less a failure.

A good monsoon means rising water levels in the reservoirs and dams. More power. It will raise farm output, control inflation ( particularly food inflation, which was 17.6% ) and spur economic growth.

60% of arable land is rain-fed. Hence monsoon showers are critical to soya bean, edible oil, sugarcane, rice etc. In India, the Monsoon is the real Finance Minister !

Because of the bad monsoon of 2009, Indian agri growth rose only .2%. On the other hand, this year’s monsoon will trigger 2.5 % agri growth and 8.5 % GDP growth. If India has sufficient infrastructure, the GDP growth will be more than 10%. A 4% agri growth forecast, many feel, will be too ambitious. Also a double digit GDP growth forecast !

Astro Meteorology is right again. The South West Monsoon hit Kerala on May 19th, from Karthika Njattuvela ( Sun’s transit of Eta Tauri ) onwards, slightly ahead of schedule. Sporadic rains characterised both Karthika and Rohini Njattuvelas ( Sun’s transit of Alpha Tauri ). Rains accelerated after Makiryam Njattuvela ( Sun’s transit of Lamda Orionis ). From 11th, 1130 AM onwards it has been raining incessantly. It is raining heavily now ( 13062010, 0300 PM ). There were non stop rains for 30 hours.

Tamil Nadu never used to get the South West Monsoon. But this time she got it ! There were rains in Bangalore and Surat.

As Thiruvathira Njattuvela ( Sun’s transit of Alpha Orionis ) will take over from 22nd June onwards, we expect the IMD to declare this monsoon as an ” excellent monsoon”.

Farmers use Thiruvathira Njattuvela for planting seeds, particularly beans and pepper.

Timely onset of monsoon has raised hopes of better production. The sugar output will be around 18.5 million tonnes this year.

As the Summer Season can be destructive ( more than 100 people died due to sunstroke ) monsoons can also be destructive. Fishermen are warned not to venture into the sea. The sea has attacked some 50 houses in Chavakkad Beach. Seven fishing boats were devoured by the sea. Winds at 60 km per hour are lashing Kerala. Those who are living on the low lying areas of Kerala are warned. On the positive side, rivers are overflowing, paddy fields are overflowing and wells, ponds, and lakes are full of water.

Edava Pathi & Its Two Branches

As the Sun enters the 15th degree of Taurus or Edava Pathi, the Arabian Sea Branch of the South West Monsoon first lash the Western Ghats, the rainforests of India, normally around May 29. The Western Ghats of coastal Kerala becomes the first place to receive it. This branch moves northwards along the Western Ghats, with precipitation on the coastal areas. ( coastal Kerala, coastal Karnataka and coastal Maharashtra . Bombay, on coastal Maharashtra, receives it on June 10th ). As the winds do not cross the Western Ghats, the eastern areas of the Ghats do not receive this precipitation.

At around the same time, the Bay of Bengal Branch of the S W Monsoon, picks up moisture laden particles from the Bay of Bengal and moves towards North East India, flowing over the Bay of Bengal. Immense rain mark the entry of these winds at the Eastern Himalayas. Shillong, on the southern slopes of the mighty Himalayas, is one of the most moist places in India. The winds then turn west, travelling over the Indo Gangetic plains at a rate of 7/14 days per state, showering its benign precipitation all along its way.

In the heavens, Venus, the water planet, moved to watery Cancer on 09 June. Jupiter in watery Pisces also augurs well for rains. Last year, Jupiter was in the Saturnine ( hence airy ) sign of Capricorn, which never indicated rains !

The solar month of Gemini ( Mithuna ) started on 15th June and will stretch upto 16th July. It is a month of 32 days. Gemini consists of two quarters of Lamda Orionis ( Makiryam ), four quarters of Alpha Orionis ( Thiruvathira ) and one quarter of Beta Geminorum (Punarvasu)

This month June came as a relief for those suffering from intense heat, particularly in the coastal areas of India. A drought like situation had prevailed due to Saturn in Virgo. This time the South West Monsoon will be strong and it will strengthen in the coming months. But then monsoons can be destructive also. Intense rains in Kerala may wreak havoc on the people living in low lying areas. The sea will be vicious and fishermen are warned not to go to sea. Bathing in rivers also is taboo. ( Some people have already lost their lives due to the rivers creating havoc ). Why did they foresake caution when the Sastras told them that these are the times of rainy Njattuvelas ?

Sasanthi ithi sasthram – meaning that Science is the friend, philosopher and guide of all humanity and is a beacon light to all. Those who know that now we are running the Solar transit of Lamda Orionis ( Makriyam Njattuvela ) will be careful and will avoid the sea, rivers, ponds, lakes etc. The destruction caused by the monsoons – the wise call it the Rain of Life and Death – can be terrible. But still monsoons are welcomed all over, as they can save man from the scorching heat and save us from drought !
Sasanath Thrayate iti shastram ( That which saves via instructions is called Science ). Hence all sciences, including Astro Meteorology, are indicative guides for all humankind.

So Kerala will get a lot of rains this year. Not only Kerala, but the entire Malabar Coast of 825 kms. Also there can be slight earthquakes. The North West places of India, Central India may be afflicted by crime and homicide.

The Solar Transit of Alpha Orionis ( Thiruvathira Njattuvela ) starts from 22nd June, 0943 AM. Thiruvathira will take over from where Makiryam left. There can be devastation in the paddy fields and some crops may be destroyed in Kerala. Jupiter will be in Uttarabhadra throughout. For those born in Rohini and Thiruvathira, this is not a good phase as health problems may afflict them. Also for those born in Makam and Pooram. Economic loss is indicated for those born in Uthram and Hasta. They should not speculate in June. They should turn to Meditation and prayer this month.
You can see Mercury on the North West Horizon, as Mercury rises 2 hours before Sunrise.

On 15th June, at 1021 AM, the Solar ingress into Gemini ( Mithuna ) took place. Jupiterian aspect on the Gemini Ascendant is auspicious. Also the Ascendant lord is in its own sign. Vicious attacks by the sea & landslides may occur in Kerala. The month of Mithuna will be favourable for Uthram borns. For those born in Pushya, Mithuna will not be so auspicious and they will have to face afflictions. They should fast on Sundays. Rohini borns will be afflicted mentally. For those born in Poorvashada, increase of enemies and economic loss indicated.

On June 26, the lunar eclipse will be at 0246 PM but will not be visible. It will last till 0732 PM. This time is auspicious for undertaking pilgrimages and for donating to the public. This eclipse will affect Pooradam, Thiruvathira and Punartham natives. Full Moon occurs on 25th, from 0414 PM to 26th 0501 PM. Those born in Ayilam, Thrikketa, Revathi, Makiryam, Aswathi, Makam, Moolam should pray and meditate during this phase.

Monsoons may be the primary cause of Monsoon Tourism in Kerala.

During the monsoon seasons, particularly during the months of Mithuna ( Gemini ) and Kataka ( Cancer ), the body becomes weak and this is an excellent time to take in Ayurvedic medicines.

I am taking in Chyavana Prasam, a rejuvenative and restorative. It is an Anti Aging Medicine, enriched with the essence of gooseberries, the great source of Vitamin C.
Aphrodisiacs like Mucuna Pruriens ( Naikarana parippu ) and Withania Somnifera ( Aswagandha, the Indian ginseng ), can be taken in. This process is called Vajeekarana in Ayurveda. It makes men regain their lost Sapta Dhatus or the Seven Tissue Elements and makes men as fit as horses !

In his book ” Quantum Healing”, Dr Chopra says ” During the coming years, Ayurveda will blossom”.

During Monsoons, the digestive power weakens and vata is aggravated. Moderation in diet is what the doctor orders. Bitter, pungeant and astringent food should be taken in, along with rice and wheat. It is better to avoid excessive sex. It is time to go in for oil bath and massage. Water should be boiled and cooled. Avoid sleeping during daytime. Honey can be taken in, as it is an excellent medicine.

The triune humours of Ayurveda, Vata, Pitta and Kapha( bile, wind and phlegm) should be kept in equilibrium as their disequilibrium is disease. To keep these doshas or humours in balance, Ayurveda prescribes unique diet ( Ahara ), a distinct mode of living ( Vihara ) and routine living ( Karya ). This will help you in coping with the stresses and strains of the changing seasons.

Kerala is one of the states identified by the Center for Monsoon Tourism. Mainly because Kerala gets around 3000 mm rains in three Monsoons. Even the summer rains ( Summer Monsoon ) bring in about 300 mm of rains , the North East Monsoon brings in 500 mm and the South West 2200 mm !

Not blessed by high education alone
Tiny Kerala is graced by three Monsoons !

unnatha vidyagunathal sampannam
Kochu Keralam Thri mazhayal samriddham !

Monsoons may be the primary cause of Monsoon Tourism. But the secondary cause is Ayurveda !

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Thirunavaya,. the Abode of the Celestials !

Yesterday I went to Thirunavaya, in Malappuram, to do shrardham for my mother. It was a great experience.

Thirunavaya is the abode of the gods and it impresses one with its breathtaking natural beauty. On the banks of Nila or Bharatapuzha, a 203 km long river, the second longest after Periyar, we have three glorious temples, dedicated to the Creative, Preservative and Destructive aspects of Time Eternal !

Hindus do srardham or bali ( rites to the departed ) , that is respect those who have gone to the astral plane.

We respected the dead ancestors and prayed for forgiveness for the offences, knowingly or unknowingly, done to them. I am my brother did it for almost forty minutes, on the banks of the sacred Bharatpuzha.

Bharatapuzha comes from the Western Ghats and flows through Kerala and drains itself into the Arabian Sea. It irrigates thousands of acres. Above is a video about the lotus cultivation in Thirunavaya. ( This temple deity, Lord Vishnu, was the Tutelary Deity of the Zamorin, who then was the ruler of Kerala. He was worried about the idols which were lost in the Bharatapuzha River. Astrologers advised him to garland Lord Vishnu with the lotus flower and hence lotus is cultivated on 250 acres. The lotus thus obtained goes not only to this Nava Mukunda temple but to temples like Guruvayur also).

Millions come here because of the natural beauty, the greenish landscape architecture done by Nature and the proximity of the three temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Historical Background

Thirunavaya is a must see destination in Tourism Kerala. It lies 8 kms south of Tirur.

The famous Nava Mukunda Temple lies on the bank the of the second largest river in Kerala, the Bharatapuzha. It is believed to be 6000 years old. The sanctum sanctorum is adorned by great sculptures which defiy imagination. You can see the mythological Ten Incarnations of Vishnu along with the story of Lord Shiva in his tribal avatar, blessing Arjuna with the Pasupatha Arrow.

A place of immense historical importance, this is the ancient land of Mamankam, where the rulers used to assemble once, in every 12 years. One of them used to be elected as the Emperor of Kerala. There was a great Trade Fair held at this venue. Traders used to come in ships and barges and this festival was celebrated with great pomp and pageantry.

This temple has a ten day annual festival starting with Kodiyettam and ending in Arattu. Lakhs of people visit this temple during the festival.

The famous Vedic Othanmar Madhom, is on the bank of Bharatapuzha, near the Lord Shiva temple. This institute was a center of Aryanisation thorough Vedic Knowledge and Sanskrit and Thirunavaya is believed to be the main center, where Parasurama,one of the Ten Incarnations of Lord Vishnu, brought and settled Brahmin scholars.

How to reach Thirunavaya

It is well connected to all the districts of Kerala and can be reached

By Air

The Calicut Airport, one of the busiest and best designed, is just 26 kms from Thirunavaya

By Road

All districts of neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Kerala are connected to Tirunavaya by an efficient system of roads. The National Highway 17 is the most notable.

By Rail

Malappuram District, where Tirunavaya is posited, has two railway tracks running through it. The Mangalore-Madras and the Nilambur-Shornur tracks. Both are well connected to other cities.

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