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Sikhism, Hinduism and the Mysticism of Welcoming of New Native Month: Sankranti (Sangrand)
Our life on the earth has very a unique and special relation with the Sun such that our physical body and its vitality
and radiance, is definitely is helpful for our growth and development. The Philosophy of Religions, The Metaphysics in particular, though the Eastern or Indian Philosophy in general, greatly gives the metaphysically diversified meanings, effects, impact and influences of transition of the Sun through twelve signs of the zodiac, namely Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. The day when the Sun passes from one zodiac sign to the next bears the name Sankranti (in Hindi) or Sangrand (in Punjabi).
This day bears a deep mystical, spiritual, religious and the relevant cultural, traditional and social beliefs and faiths attributed in Indian Civilization and the world over contributing humanity metaphorically. The Mysticism, the valuable part of Metaphysics, and the Astrology, all over the world, have the similar attributes for these transitions of the Sun. In all these attributes, the Sun symbolizes as the soul (Atma).
In the Indian calendar, the Native (Desi) months, each one runs for the duration between transitions of the Sun from one sign of the zodiac to the next. Like when the Sun transits from the Pisces to Aries, on that day the month of Vaisakh begins, the very day when the Vaisakhi, Birthday of the Khalsa is also celebrated. The months from Vaisakh proceed accordingly as, namely, Vaisakh, Jeth, Ashaad (Haarh), Sawan, Bhadron (Bhadon), Assu, Katak, Maghar, Poh, Magh, Phalgun (Phagun), Chet; each starting on the respective Sangrand.
All of the Indian religions guide to celebrate the Sangrand, the day of transition of the sun from one sign to the next every month by taking holy bath (Ishnaan) in the sarovers (pond near the holy place or pilgrim where water is stored for the Ishnaan) and holy rivers or even at home. And also to do the charitable activities including different types of charitable works, rendering service to the needy people, place and all other living identities and offering donations. These are having the mystical significance as said earlier.
It is as if celebrating it for peace and harmony on earth, as all people on the globe; pray on this day for the welfare of all. On this, day people go to the religious places (in Sikhism the religious place is Gurudwara Sahib, the similar word to temple, church or any other place of any faith). It is the day for concentrating on the service and duty as the mystical path as described in the Gurbani.
Magh is of great importance at Shri Mukatsar Sahib, so on are for other Sangrand days. It has importance that the mysticism of Religion is forgiveness not punishment. The believers to offer prayers and Parshad also visit the other many religious places. The sweet foods are prepared at home and special Parshad for this occasion is an offering to the Guru or the Deity. In the Indian Philosophy of Religions, the Mysticism, and The sweetness represent the humbleness and serving others.
The Indian religions provide us with special mantras, Puja ( worship), path (prayers) etc. for the Sangrand. In the Sikh religion, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave the message and prayers for each month, in the Tukhari Raga. Many devotees felt the message and prayers difficult to understand by these who were learning the spiritual advancement by following the Gurubani. So, when the fifth Guru Nanak, Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji were giving the Divine Message of Gurbani for special purposes and occasions, the congregation requested Guru Ji to give special massage and prayers for the Sangrand. Guru Ji on their request gave the Divine Message and prayers for each month in Majh Raga, and this is known as Baramaha Majh; the Divine Massage for each Native month in Majh Raga.
The Sikhs read the Divine Message for each Sangrand in all Gurudwaras on theSangrand, from the Baramaha Majh. This is a very special message for the betterment of personal, family, social, spiritual life by means of divine progress and development in a metaphysical and the thus metaphysical way. This development is gradually and systematically for one month to the next until this spiritual journey completes its yearly cycle in the cyclic and re-cyclic processes of the universe. We enrich it by reinforcements of our age, experience and cosmic rhythm going on our Earth yearly, as long as one lives. These seem as if the resolutions for the month as the many other religions make the same methodology for the mystical cycle of the year.
The each month thus end with a festival and new one begins on the same day. The taking of the holy bath is also important factor, which seems to have a great mystical meaning as the water gets a special name in not only in the Sikhism, but also in the other religions. The Sikhs call it Amrit, means the water of life. The Sikhs offer all worships and prayers in the presence of water. It seems as if it is kind of ancient Reiki system, that the simple water the waves spiritually magnetize it. It is wonders that our mind generates the waves, while we are in the sleep. People in India place water as if collecting these waves and vibrations. They drink this water or pour it to a plant uniting with the nature.
Published: August 14, 2007
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