AADITYA - Catalyst for Empowerment

Sankranti means to go from one place to another place (to change direction). It also means one meets another. The time when the sun changes direction from one constellation (of the zodiac) to another is known as Sankranti.

Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana) is known as Makar Sankranti. The sun journeys northward. The days are gradually lengthening in the northern hemisphere.

From Makar Sankranti onwards when the sun is travelling northwards, innumerable auspicious things start happening. Climate and atmosphere improve. Children born during this period are naturally progressive, well mannered, pleasant and of noble disposition.

The Bhagavad Gita mentions the importance of the northern path of the sun at the time of death. This was the reason why Grandsire Bhishma, who was wounded in battle and in semi conscious state, while lying on the bed of arrows, chose to wait it out, awaiting the northward path of the sun, before choosing to die.

All such special reasons make the northward journey of the sun sacred and auspicious at Makar Sankranti.

To Hindus, the sun (AADITYA) stands for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom. Makara Shankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live, and begin to joyously let the light within us shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge, even as the sun does from this day.

Makara Shankranti is called Pongal by the Tamilians, from whom it ushers in the New Year. The day begins with Surya Pongal or sun worship. The newly harvested corn is then cooked for the first time.

Joyous festivities mark the celebration in every home. Servants, farmers and the poor are fed and clothed, and given presents of money. On the next day, the cow, which is regarded as the symbol of the Holy Mother, is worshiped. Birds and animals are also fed.

In this manner the devotee’s heart gradually expands during the course of the celebrations. Love extends from the household to servants, the poor, the cow and all other living creatures.

During this holy festival we learn to feel our oneness with all creation; we learn to be unselfish and to tread the path of love, purity and forgiveness. We learn that our real wealth is the goodwill and friendship of those around us, the land on which our food grows, and the animals that help to make our work lighter.

“Share what you have with all” – this is the clarion call of the day.

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Why do we Yell in anger?

A sage asked his disciples,
‘Why do people yell at each other when they are upset?’

The men thought for a while,
‘Because we lose our calm’ said one.
‘we yell for that.’

‘But, why to yell when the other person is just next to you?’ asked the sage. ‘Isn’t it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you yell at a person when you’re angry?’

The men gave some other answers but none satisfied the sage.
Finally he explained, ‘When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must yell, to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to yell to hear each other through that great distance.’

Then the sage asked, What happens when two people fall in love? They do not yell at each other but talk softly, why? Their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small…

The sage continued, ‘When they love each other even more, what happens?They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that’s all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.’

Then the sage said, ‘When you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.

Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is
changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded
and bound to present views. Learn and practice non-attachment
from views in order to be open to receive others’ viewpoints.
Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge.
Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe
reality in yourself and in the world at all times

~Thich Nhat Hanh