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