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Magha Snana


Magham is a Sanskrit word ‘Ma and Agham’. ‘Ma’ means not present and ‘Agham’ means sin, evil, suffering, grief and Magha masa is the month which is highly meritorious, auspicious and free from any sin or suffering. Lord Maha Vishnu in the name of Madhava is the presiding deity who governs Magha Masa and to be worshiped.

Magha masa is the 11th month of Hindu lunar calendar. Magha Nakshtra (star) falls on the poornima day of this month. This month is considered auspicious to perform all the major occasions like marriage, upanayana (thread ceremony), house warming etc. One year on the earth is considered as one day in the higher abode and this month starts the dawn of the day to the Gods. Deepa daana (lighting a lamp) is auspicious in Karthika masa and Magha Snana (holy dips in holy rivers) is the major ritual of Magha masa. There are many auspicious and religious events during the month.

Religious Significance of Magha Masa:

It is believed that the Hindu Goddess of wisdom and learning – Goddess Saraswati, the Sun God or Surya Bhagawan and Lord Shiva in the lingam form were born in this month.  On the fifth day in the brighter half of the moon, Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Pooja is celebrated across the country. Hence the month is particularly dedicated to Lord Surya and people worship Sun god on the four Sundays of Magha masa. Reciting Aditya Hrudya on the four Sundays of the month would be very effective.

Magha Snana:

While Karthika masa is given lot of significance for lighting of lamps, Magha masa is given special significance for taking bath that is known as Magha Snana.  It generally starts from Pushya sukla Poornima and ends with Magha sukla Poornima or it can also be from Makara Sankramana to Kumbha Sankramana as per Solar/Luni-Solar calendar. For followers of lunar calendar it starts from Pushya Bahula Amavasya and ends with Magha Bahula Amavasya.  During this period it is prescribed to take bath early in the morning before Sunrise preferably during Arunodaya kala. This sacred bath is preferred to be taken in any river, lake or thirtha or at least at home. Apart from the daily routine (Nithya Karma) special arghya is to be given to Lord Madhava and Sun God after Magha Snana.

Advantages of Magha Snana:

In the earlier months to Magha Masa, on account of cold and snow, the body becomes weak because of lack proper sunshine, etc. In Magha Masa the Sun rays provide more heat and they energize the Sea and River Waters destroying the bacteria in the waters. Common salt also acts as an antibiotic and necessary for our body to cleanse the skin. Taking these factors into consideration, our Sages prescribed that one should perform Samudra Snana and spend in Sea waters for a period of 48 minutes in Magha Masa. By this the energy of sun rays embedded in the water spreads into our body. Taking a bath in sea waters for about 48 minutes refreshes us by cleansing our external body opening the roma koopa and a lot of significance has been added from spiritual point of view in the daily routine of an Individual. The benefits are multiple when sea bath is taken in Magha Masa.

According to Dharma-Shastra merits of Magha Snana gets increased depending on the place where the bath is taken as given below.

With hot water at home–Merits equivalent to Six years of such Snana;

From the waters of a well –12 years of such Snana phala;

In a lake –24 years of such Snana phala;

In any river – 96 years of such Snana phala;

In any sacred river – 9600 years of such Snana phala;

At the confluence of sacred rivers–38400 years of such Snana phala;

In Ganga (Ganges) River–Merits equivalent to 38400000 years of such Snana phala;

At Triveni Sangam (Prayaga) – 100 times of Ganga Snana phala;

Magha Snana in sea (Samudra) is considered more meritorious than all the above.

Wherever may be the place of bath; one should always remember to recollect (recite) Prayaga and also pray Masa Niyamaka Sri Madhava (Lord Vishnu) silently. Those who cannot take bath as said above for the entire month should at least take it for the last three days which is known as Anthya Pushkarini. Magha Snana is prescribed for all ages of men and women.

Arghya Mantra

Thapasya arkodhaye nadhyaam snaathoham vidhi poorvakam|

Madhavaaya dhadhaami idham arghyam samyak praseedhithu|

Madhavavaaya nama idamargyam

Savitre prasavitre cha paramdhaamne namosthuthe

Twattejasaa paribrashtam paapam yaaytu sahasradhah

Savitre nama idamargyam

Ganaga yamunayor madhye yatra gupta saraswathi

Trailokya vamdite devi trivenyargyam grihaana me

Trivenya nama idamargyam

Diwakara jagannatha prabhakara namosthuthe

Paripoornam karishwedam Magha Snana maya krutam