View source for Category:Dark Moon

'''Theme Analysis'''

The dark moon (amavasya) holds a significant place in the Vedic calendar, marking the timing for specific rituals, festivals, and cosmic events. It is the designated time for the festival of Dīpāvalī and immediately precedes the Govardhana-pūjā. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that this phase is auspicious for offering oblations to forefathers and for holy bathing in the Ganges during the Magha-mela. However, the dark moon also has a darker side; it is the prescribed time for animal sacrifices (bali-dāna) for those in the mode of ignorance, and astronomically, it is when the demon Rahu attempts to cover the sun and moon. Philosophically, the dark moon serves as a metaphor for the unmanifest or covered state of consciousness, similar to a child in the womb.

* '''Festivals:''' The Dīpāvalī festival occurs on the dark-moon night of Kārttika, followed by Govardhana-pūjā.
* '''Sacred Rites:''' It is a time for rich brāhmaṇas to offer oblations to forefathers and for recitation of scriptures.
* '''Tamasic Rituals:''' Animal sacrifices to demigods, intended to be performed swiftly and silently, are scheduled for the dark-moon night.
* '''Cosmic Enmity:''' The dark moon is the time when Rahu attacks the luminaries, trying to cover their light.

* Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: [[Vanipedia:Rituals and Observances of Dark Moon|Rituals and Observances of Dark Moon.]]
----


[[Category:Moon]]
[[Category:Worlds and Universes - Umbrella Category]]
[[Category:Categories - First Stage Theme Analysis Pending Proofreading|K]]
[[Category:All Categories - Vaniquotes]]