3. Cycle of Years, Ayanas, Months, etc...

Cycle of Years, Ayanas, Months, etc.

Among the Hindus, 60 lunar years constitute one cycle; they are :-

The first year of the cycle denotes the evolution of a new creative force which apparently is supposed to end in the last or 60 th year after getting fully matured, when the new year gives rise to new force. In Vibhava this force is expanded ; Shukla denotes its vitality; Pramoduta causes development; Prajotpathiincreases activities ; Angirasa connotes the different forms the newly evolved force takesand similary the names are given for all the 60 years indicative of the function that the force is supposed to do, till the year Akshaya or destruction sets in which means that the force generated in Prabhava has been destroyed.

AYANAS

There are two Ayanas—periods—in a year,the Uttarayana commencing from the winter solstice, when the Sun enters Capricorn or Makara and moves in a northerly direction and Dakshinayana beginning with the summer solstice or the ingress of the Sun into Cancer or Kataka when the Sun takes a southerly course.

RUTHUS OR SEASONS

The principal seasons among the Hindus are six, whereas the Europeans consider only four, viz., Autumn, Spring, Winter and the Summer.
The six seasons are :—
Vasantha Ruthu: Chaitra and Vaisakha Spring). Greeshma Ruthu : Jyestha and Ashada Summer). Varsha Ruthu: Sravana and Bhadrapada (Rainy season). Sarad Ruthu : Aswija and Kartika (Autumn). Hemantha Ruthu: Marga-sira and Pushya (Winter). Sasira Ruthu: Magha and Phalguna (Winter).
The twelve lunar months :-

The name of each lunar month is given as a result of the constellation falling on the Full Moon day of the particular month.
Solar months with their Tamil and English equivalents :-

SHUKLA AND KRISHNA PAKSHAS

Shukla Paksha consists of the bright half of the lunar month when the Moon waxes. The fifteen days from the next day of the New Moon to including the Full Moon constitute the Shukla Paksha. Thedarkhalfof the lunar month or the other 15 days from the next day of the Full Moon to the New Moon day make up Krishna Paksha.