Significance
Significance of Shashtiabdhapoorthy
What is Shashtiabdhapoorthy?
In Vedic tradition, the completion of 60 years is a significant milestone known as Shashtiabdhapoorthy. It marks the end of a Vedic Samvatsara (year cycle) and signifies a divine new beginning. The celebration involves performing sacred rituals and remedial prayers to cleanse any karma accumulated over the years and seek divine intervention to overcome any planetary afflictions.
The Vedic Year and Calendar
The Vedic calendar is intricately based on astronomy, making it unique and deeply connected to cosmic rhythms. The year is divided into two systems:
- Chandramana (based on Moon phases)
- Souramana (based on the movement of the Sun)
Each year in the Vedic system is further divided into six seasons, two solstices, and twelve months. Additionally, Nakshatras (constellations) and Muhurat (auspicious time periods) play a vital role in determining the ideal time for rituals and celebrations.
The 60th year, or Shashtiabdhapoorthy, is celebrated when the samsara (lifecycles) of the individual are completed, signifying the culmination of a unique 60-year cosmic cycle. This ritual also marks the first opportunity for individuals to rectify any planetary afflictions in their birth chart (Jataka) and release both known and unknown karmas.
What Makes Vedic Seva’s Offering Special?
- Remedial Ritual for Known and Unknown Karma
The Shashtiabdhapoorthy ritual is designed as a remedial ceremony to seek divine blessings for the cleansing of past karmas, both known and unknown, that have accumulated over the years. This is done through specific mantras and offerings to the deities, seeking the grace of divine energies to bring balance and peace into one's life. - Unique Offerings to Various Deities
The ritual involves offering special prayers and charitable donations (daanam) to various deities, such as Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and other cosmic deities connected to the planets, seasons, and nakshatras. These offerings help mitigate the effects of malefic planetary influences and bless the individual with longevity and prosperity. - Marriage Rituals and Divine Blessings
During Shashtiabdhapoorthy, couples perform rituals similar to those of a marriage ceremony, such as Mangalya Dharanam (the symbolic tying of the knot), which is believed to strengthen the bond and bring divine harmony to their life together. The Abhishekam (ritual pouring of sanctified water) is also performed for both individuals, helping to purify and sanctify their journey forward.
When Should You Perform Shashtiabdhapoorthy?
Choosing the Right Date and Time
Unlike the Western method of celebrating a birthday by the date and month, the Vedic birthday is celebrated based on the Janma Nakshatra (the star constellation at the time of birth). The ideal date for Shashtiabdhapoorthy is the Janma Nakshatra, which typically corresponds to the month of the person’s birth. In some rare cases, the Nakshatra may fall twice in a month, in which case the most auspicious one is selected for the ritual.
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