Capt Purushottam Sharma (Retd)
The auspicious day of Makar Sankranti falls on the first day of Magh Vikrami Samvat that coincides 14th of January. The sun turns itself from ‘dakshinayan’ to ‘uttaryan’. This day brings with it the charm of spring that replaces the chilly winter of long nights, Every following dawn of this day brings warmth and relief that is welcomed with open arms not only by the human beings but by animals, birds, reptiles, insects, trees and plants also, Spring spreads its carpet of green leaves and flowers of fascinating hues coupled with sweet songs and chirping of birds. There is a thrilling change of moods all over. People hold celebrations and festivities on this day. The sacred month of Magh is treated ideal for spiritual elevation and material prosperity. It is a month for introversion and self purification.
Makar means crocodile. This ‘samsara’ is compared to crocodile that holds the man in its clutches. To liberate oneself from the bondage of ‘samsara’, this day calls for making the sun role model and take turn to Godward, that is, from darkness (illusion) to illumination. Obey the clarion call of Makar Sankranti because the path of ‘uttaryan’ is full of knowledge and divine grace. It is a path of enlightenment. Makar Sankranti is a day of Resolution for Revolution or Emancipation. Sun’s journey in Dakshinayan is from Mid July to Mid January and in the Uttrayan from Mid January to Mid July.
It is believed that those who drop their body during dark fortnight, (krishna pakshya), night time and sun’s ‘dakshinayan’ journey period have to suffer the cycle of births and deaths. Those who shed their mortal coils during bright fortnight (‘shukla pakshya’), day time and sun’s ‘uttrayan’ journey period are liberated.
Bhishampitamaha, known for high standards of loyalty, wisdom and heroism, who was severely wounded on the tenth day of Kurukshetra Battle kept waiting for 58 days on the bed of arrows for the ‘uttrayan’ to set in before breathing his last to embrace liberation.
Lord Krishna says in Srimad Bhagwad Gita-
“agnirjyotirahah suklah sanmasa uttarayanam
tatra prayata gacchanti brahma brahmavido janah”
(24/VIII)
‘ The path in which are stationed the all-effulgent fire-god and the deities presiding over day light, the bright fortnight, and the six months of the northward course of the sun, proceeding along it after death Yogis, who have known Brahma, being successively led by the above Gods finally reach Brahma’.
“dhumo ratristatha krsnah sanmasa daksinayanam
tatra candramasam jyoti- ryogi prapya nivartate”
(25/VIII)
‘The other path is that whererin are stationed the gods presiding over smoke, night, the dark fortnight, and the six months of southward course of the sun; the Yogi (devoted to action with an interested motive) taking to this path after death is led by the above gods, one after another, and attaining the lustre of the moon (and enjoying the fruit of his meritorious deeds in heaven) returns to this mortal world’.
Makar Sankranti is also a day of commencement of harvesting season that brings prosperity and plenty to the farmes of the South Indian States. It is also believed that King Bali visits their houses on 14th of January to shower his blessings on his subjects.
There is also a belief that on this sacred day, Bhagiratha, a king of solar dynasty, penance, brought down holy Ganga to flow over the heap of ashes of his sixty thousand ancestors (sons of king Sagar) lying in ‘patala’ (nether world) to ensure salvation to their souls.
Makar Sankranti is a day of great spiritual signifiance to our people. They visit places of pilgrimage like Paryagraj (confluence of ‘Ganga, Jamuna and Sarswati) at Allahabad, Brahmsarovar at Kurukshetra (Haryana) and Gangasagar (Kolkata) and other Rivers, streams and sarovars to take holy dips for the sake of purification and sanctification.
With spiritual and moral pursuits, people take to plantation of shady, ornamental and fruit trees as during this month.
Follow our WhatsApp channel