Chitra Purnima
Chitra Purnima, also known as Chitra Full Moon, occurs when the Sun is in an exalted position in the sign Aries (close to the Earth) and the Moon is aligned with the bright star called Chitra in the constellation of Libra. Full Moons are an ideal time for creation and manifestation. Chitra Purnima is the day sacred to Chitragupta, assistant of Lord Yama. He is the record keeper of good and bad deeds or karmas of human beings on earth. Chitra Purnima day is auspicious to gain Chitragupta’s blessings to wash away all our sins.
Chitra Purnima is observed in the Tamil month of Chithirai (month of April and May) during full moon day.
Legend
According to Vedic tradition, Brihaspati is the guru (preceptor) of Lord Indra (leader of Devas and ruler of Heaven). Once, Indra disobeyed his Guru, and so Brihaspati, in order to teach a lesson to Indra, temporarily gave his advisor role to Indra. During the Guru’s absence, Indra did many evil deeds. When Brihaspati resumed his duty, Indra wanted to know what he should do to rectify the wrongs he did in his Guru’s absence. Brihaspati told Indra to go on a pilgrimage. While Indra was on the pilgrimage, one day he suddenly felt that the load of sins had been taken off his shoulders at a place near Madurai in South India. Indra discovered a Shivalinga there. Indra attributed the miracle to this Linga and immediately constructed a temple on the site. When Indra proceeded to worship the Linga, he did not have any flowers. Lord Shiva magically created golden lotuses in a nearby pond. Indra was greatly pleased and blessed. The day on which Indra worshipped Lord Shiva was Chitra Purnima. The story signifies that when we sincerely realize our mistakes and correct ourselves, our sins are forgiven. We should meditate on this story on Chitra Purnima day.
Significance of Chitra Purnima
A full moon is considered auspicious in many religions because of its effects on the attitude of people. Full moon is said to promote creativity and positive sentiments. People usually enjoy a highly positive mental energy during this time. The solar calendar begins with an exalted Sun in Aries, a favorable position in the sky that can provide the most benefic results to Earth. So it is a mighty Sun, fully empowered to bring about its good effects. In Hinduism, Chitragupta is the assistant of Lord Yama. He is the record keeper of good and bad deeds (karmas) of human beings on earth. It is believed that when a person dies, Chitragupta immediately makes a thorough check of the list of bad and good karmas of the person and passes the message to Lord Yama. With this information Lord Yama makes the final decision on the soul of the person. The name Chitragupta also signifies the hidden (gupta) pictures (Chitra) of deeds of every human on earth.
Spiritual Significance of Chitra Purnima
Human beings acquire sins due to wrong deeds committed consciously or unconsciously. To be free from the negative karmas one needs powerful remedies. Worshipping Chitragupta on Chitra Purnima will help one to gain his blessings for the soul to be purified. Full Moons are an ideal time for creation and manifestation. It is a time when the mind begins to weigh and balance its own thought forms. The exalted Sun in Aries energizes your soul, which helps you to make wiser “karmic” choices. These choices decide the destiny of your existing life and also the life beyond. The concept of Chitragupta being vigil on the activities of humans on Earth is to tell humans not to commit any sin, especially on such an auspicious day. The event of Chitra Purnima reminds people that good and bad deeds will certainly fetch the corresponding consequences on people life after life. Therefore, people must always resort to doing good actions. The prayers should be focused on attaining freedom from our shortcomings, because this is the perfect day to come out of illusions (maya). This is the right day to chip away bad thoughts and karma and accumulate good ones by doing good deeds.
Remedy to dissolve bad karma and to add on some good karma
- Meditate on the story of Lord Indra and his Guru Brihaspati.
- Worship Lord Shiva and Chitragupta with incense, camphor and flowers.
- Make donations like food, clothes, books, money, or anything that would serve a purpose for a suffering heart.
- Feed the poor and the needy.
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