Kojagiri Pournima and the Starry nights in Sharad Rutu
In the last article, we discussed Sharad Rutu in relation to Dasara and Navratri, and the use of Marigold and Apta during these festivals. This gave us a glimpse of the scientific approach behind our Indian tradition. We are going to talk about the Sharad Rutu, under the starry nights of Sharad Rutu.
In the month of October, everybody is exhausted due to the intense heat throughout the day. We feel the heat more after the cool rainy season. Nature has compensated for this trouble by showering us with beautiful starry nights. The starry nights in this season are more picturesque than the nights in any other season. It is because of the pleasant existence of such a starry nights that the phrase ‘Sharadache chandane’(Moonlight of Sharad Rutu) became popular! Moonlight is always considered to be ‘cool’. However, this moonlight in Sharad Rutu is exceptionally cool. Ayurveda has used this coolness of the moonlight to protect our health in the form of ‘Kojagiri Pournima’
In the last article, we saw that increased Pitta dosha can cause problems like body heat and bleeding. The increased heat in the environment aggravates the Pitta dosha. Milk is helpful to reduce such increased Pitta dosha. Milk is cool and Pitta shamak(reducing) in nature. Therefore, the consumption of Milk is very beneficial in this season. Ayurveda has combined the Pitta reducing properties of milk with the soothing starry nights! The cool starry nights in Sharad Rutu also have favorable effects on our health. It helps to minimize the heat caused by the intense sun.
During this season, the entire sky sparkles in moonlight. The consumption of Milk under the moonlight is a perfect approach to protect our health. We should add a lot of sugar when consuming this Milk since sugar is also Pitta shamak(reducing) and cool in nature. Similarly, we should also add foods like Almonds, Pista and dried Dates. These foods help to relieve the fatigue caused by the heat during the day. Furthermore, it adds nutritional value to the milk. Foods like Velachi (Cardamom) are not only Pitta shamak but also provides great aroma to the Milk. The Milk should be boiled properly as it becomes easier to digest. It should then be kept under the moonlight for cooling. After this, it can be consumed. The soothing property of this moonlight has a favorable effect on the Milk. Therefore, consumption of such milk under the moonlight is beneficial in reducing the diseases caused by Pitta dosha. It also helps to reduce fatigue and refresh our bodies.
Ayurveda has used this “Kojagiri Pournima” to achieve all these objectives. The true scientific purpose of Kojagiri Pournima is to protect our health by following this tradition during Sharad Rutu. Of course, it does not imply that we should drink milk only on Kojagiri. Rather we should consume it throughout Sharad Rutu. On the occasion of Kojagiri Pournima, we revisit this tradition of Sharad Rutucharya.
Like the starry nights in Sharad Rutu, one more reference is found about constellation in the ancient Ayurveda books. In the rainy season, the water in rivers and lakes is not suitable for drinking due to contamination. However, by October, the water has been drained. Under the starry night, it becomes cool. Constellation in the sky has an influence on water. As a result, the water becomes purer and more fit for drinking. Around this time, the Agasti star rises in the sky. Under the light of this sky, the water in rivers and lakes becomes more pure and clear. Ayurveda has termed this water as ‘Hansodak’. Hansodak means water that is pure like Hansa(swan) or water suitable for Hansa. It is mentioned in our old books of Ayurveda that this Hansodak should be used for drinking and bathing.
Friends, I would like to make a different point while describing the water in Sharad Rutucharyaa. Now a days , in any lecture, function or articles, everyone says that research should be done in Ayurveda. Actually, the basic principles of Ayurveda are so firm that research seems to be impossible. Then there are areas, such as water in Sharad Rutu, that can be proven with contemporary techniques like biochemistry and chemical analysis. We may use these approaches to examine the water and determine when it becomes clean in Sharad Rutu. If we continue to test the polluted water and the same water after storing it under the starry nights of Sharad Rutu. These investigations and research may prove the purity and clarity of water. This observation made by our ancestors can be shown ‘on paper’ with the help of modern techniques . In doing so, the principles of Ayurveda or the ancient sciences can be reconciled without altering their principles and disturbing their values . In this way, Ayurveda may be combined with modern science.
Dr Mayuresh Aagte
Note : Please use all the medications mentioned in this article after consultation with your doctor.