AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 163 of 170 Sun god as a thanksgiving for the plentiful harvest. Sugarcane that is offered is symbolic for sweetness and happiness in life. 78. 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. 79. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana) is known as Makar sankranti. Solar Year – Importance of the Sun 80. There are 12 signs of the zodiac. There are 12 Sankrantis as well. They are given names according to the position of the sun in relation to the signs of the zodiac. Each of the 12 Sankrantis has its relevant importance but two of these are most prominent. Makara Shankranti – The Pongal 81. This is the day when the sun begins its northward journey. It usually falls in the middle of January. For the people of the northern hemisphere, the northward path of the sun marks the period when the sun is getting closer and closer to them, when the days are getting longer, and it is becoming warmer and warmer. To Hindus, the sun 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. 82. In fact, the sun itself stands for all the ideals of the Pongal festival. Its message is that of light, unity, equality and true selflessness. These are the ideals of Karma Yoga. Hence, the sun is the greatest Karma Yogi. Does it ask any reward for all that it gives to us? If it stops shedding its light, we are doomed to death. If we learn this one lesson from the sun, our lives will shine with divine lustre like that of the sun. 83. Makara Shankranti is called Pongal by the Tamilians. The day begins with Surya Pongal or sun worship. The newly harvested corn is then cooked for the first time. 84. Joyous festivities mark the celebrations. Presents, including food and clothes, are distributed to the needy. On the next day, the cow, which is regarded as the symbol of the Holy Mother, is worshipped. 85. The giving of presents is symbolic of love extending from the haves to the have-nots. 86. 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. 87. “Share what you have with all” – this is the clarion call of the Pongal festival. (Source: From articles by Acharya Satyam Sharma Shastri, Montagne-Blanche Village, Mauritius and Swami Shivananda, The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh; http://www.hinduism.co.za/makar/htm ) For Your Palate