Raksha Bandhan Timing: Astrological Perspectives for Auspicious Observance
Authors: Pandit Jagdeesh Tiwari, Shri Pramendra Chaturvedi Edited by : Dr. Soumya Kumar
The Raksha Bandhan should be celebrated on the full moon day [Poornima Tithi] of Shravana. The view of our classical scripture Dharma Sindhu on Raksha Bandhan???
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Meaning: 1. Raksha Bandhan should be observed during the afternoon (aparahna) or pradosh time on the full moon day of Shravan. 2. Where poornima should prevail on such day at least three or more muhurtas. 3. If on next day full moon (Purnima) from the time of sunrise is less than three muhurtas (PS: 1 muhurta = 48 minutes), then Raksha Bandhan should be performed during the previous night itself, but after the completion of the Bhadra period. 4. This should be followed even if eclipse or sankranti occurs.
The view of Nirnaya Sindhu : " ??????.?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??? ?????? ???????????????, ?????????????????????, ????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????? ???????????????????????? ??? ?????????????????????, ???????????????????????? ???????????? ??? ???????????????????????? ????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????? ??????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????? ?????????????????????????????? ????????? ??????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????? ?????? ??????????????????????????? ?????????????????? ?????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????? ????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????? ??? ????????????????????? ????????????????????? ?????????????????? ??????????????? ?????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????
Meaning: After the rituals like Upakarma, Raksha Bandhan should be performed during the afternoon (aparahna) period. Raksha Bandhan should not be done immediately after Upakarma; rather, it should be observed on the actual Purnima day. For example, let's assume that the Purnima begins today in the evening and lasts until tomorrow evening. So, it is certain that tomorrow morning the Bhadra-free Purnima will be present. Hence, the Upakarma and other rituals should be done in the morning, and Raksha Bandhan should be performed during the afternoon. There is no interdependence between Upakarma and Raksha Bandhan since the timing and process of these rituals vary across different branches of traditions. Similarly, those who do not perform the Upakarma (Dvijetar) also have the right to observe Raksha Bandhan. Therefore, even if someone performs Upakarma on the next day (considering the two muhurtas Purnima) or due to faults like grahan (eclipse) or sankranti (Solar ingress), the Raksha Bandhan will still take place on the previous day. This Raksha Bandhan should not be done during Bhadra. It's not advisable to perform Shravani Raksha Bandhan and Falguni Holika Dahan during Bhadra either, as these actions can bring harm to the ruler and the village, respectively. If Bhadra persists during the day, then Raksha Bandhan should be done after Bhadra at night. Raksha Bandhan should not be done during a Purnima that falls on Pratipada (first day of the lunar month), especially when the Purnima is less than three muhurtas in duration. Such an act harms the country.
The view of Parashara Grihya Sutra: ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????? ???????????????????????? ??? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????? ???. ?????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ?????? ??????????????????????????? ?????????????????? ?????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????
If Bhadra persists, perform Raksha Bandhan at night after Bhadra; however, avoid doing it during Bhadra or in prohibited times. Conclusion: This year, the full moon day [Poornima] of Shravana begins at 10.59 am on August 30, 2023. However, the Bhadra, considered to be inauspicious for celebration Rakshabandhan, will be prevail from 10.59 am to 9.02 pm, which covers the first half of the Poornima tithi. According to our classicals stated above, we should avoid any auspicious celebrations during this Bhadra period, including Raksha Bandhan. Please note the Poornma tithi ends at 7.02am on August 31, 2023 which is less than three muhurtas on that day. Therefore, it is clear that Raksha Bandhan should be done on the night of the 30th after Bhadra on 30th August 2023. The Bhadra concludes at 9.02 pm on August 30, 2023 (Wednesday) and Poornima ends at 7:02 am on August31, 2023 (Thursday). Hence Raksha Bandhan can be performed on Wednesday night after 9:02 pm only. Raksha Bandhan is prohibited on the 31st August 2023 due to the Purnima being less than three muhurtas.