19/10/2021
The Beginning Of Festivities With Sharad Purnima
The night of the fullest moon of the year signifies the start of the month of the Vedic month of Kartik or the start of all the festivities. It is believed that on the night of Sharad Purnima, the gods bestow Amrit, or nectar to the world, through the rays of the most beautiful full moon that enhances the essence and qualities of all animate and inanimate objects. Anything that is left under this full moon absorbs the auspiciousness of its rays and can act as a carrier to transmit this energy. Read on to know more about the essence of this day.
THE AUSPICIOUSNESS OF SHARAD PURNIMA
In Ayurveda, Sharad Purnima is known for its principle of Hansodak. According to the Charak Samhita, leaving some water in a silver vessel under the Purnima’s beautiful moon, helps absorb and imbibe all qualities of the evening sun and rising moon that activate an enhancing luminosity (Saumyata) in the body.
This water can be used for bathing or be splashed on face. It can also be consumed as the first drink of water (Ushapaan), to soothe the mind, body and soul.
HISTORY OF SHARAD PURNIMA
*Prasadam*
In princely states of the country, all the cooking utensils and vessels were left under the moon, on Sharad Purnima, to absorb the moon’s rays and imbibe its positivity. This was a solemn ceremony to honor the occasion of the Purnima; while everyone was dressed in white, offering white Prasadam (flowers) to the divine. The furnishings were set up with cushions and bolsters of snow-white silk, which were embroidered in silver. Princesses were required to wear no other jewelry but pearls; in necklaces, earrings, bangles, to radiate the glow of the Purnima moon. A grand dinner for the Royal families was then arranged, where everything on the menu was white in color: an auspicious picnic with merriment and dancing in the aura of moonshine. Huge silver vessels were used to make Kheer (Indian rice pudding), which were displayed to absorb the propitious Moon rays.