Understanding Purtassi, the month of fasting
Many Hindus celebrate the fasting month.
THE month of Purtassi (mid September to mid October) is dedicated to the worship of Maha Vishnu (the preserver) who is the absolute symbol of the transcendent state of Ananda.
In the Holy Trinity (Trimurthi) of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, the preserver is Vishnu. It is the period of the year in which we pay homage to Lord Vishnu. Therefore our worship is thanksgiving to mother nature for preservation.
Preservation is a divine attribute which embraces many aspects of our life to which we invoke lord Vishnu as Emperumal, Govinda, Venketeswara, Hari Narayana, Balaji, Srinivasa, Runganatha, Ram Chandra, etc. It was in the month of Purtassi that Lord Vishnu, in the form of Sri Venketa Chala Pahi (Balaji), came to earth to guide people and left his form in the Thiruppathi hills in India. Therefore people from all parts of the world flock to India to pay homage to Thiruppathi to get a glimpse of the divine form by taking vows to overcome their problems.
At many temples, the Garudan flag is hoisted on the first day of the month. The Shree Emperumal Hindu temple hoists the flag on the first day of the month because the insignia of Garudan lie permanently at the entrance of the temple. The flag is renewed annually at the Thiruna festival.
On the first day of the month, Malayppa swami and his two consorts and Lord Ganesha are taken in procession around the temple to herald this sacred month. Therafter prayers are held on each Saturday of the month. Special recitals pertaining to Lord Vishnu are conducted from religious books like Garuda Parthu and Thirunaam Padhigam. Devotees say: “Govinda, Govinda, Govinda,” after each verse is recited. Devotees especially on Saturdays wear the Naamam or the Vaishnavite symbol. Symbolically, the Naamam represents Lord Vishnu`s two feet in his reclined pose – which is represented in the shape of a capital “u” (white). The central spoke represents the Thrishaum (red stroke) – Mother Lutchmee.
Saturdays are observed for the worship of Hanuman and Shri Balaji because Saturdays are free from the influences of Saturn and other planetary sources (Grahas). In this month planets like Mercury and Ketha influence the earth. Therefore, the worship of Lord Vishnu with devotion and love will help us to have a peaceful and happy life with good obedient children. “Bakthi” is the main theme of all the rituals in the month.
Benefits from observing Purtassi:
- The community becomes united in this period. We must strive at all times to be united.
- The restriction to a vegetarian diet is not only an act of self discipline but this abstinence has profound religious significance, which helps in the purification of the body, mind and soul. It helps to discipline the mind, removes waste and toxins from the body and helps to revitalize the body in its capacity to function well. It further helps the mind to become more alert and sharper.
- Devotion to God especially during this Kaliyug period is important. This period which is characteristic of excessive greed for power, extreme hatred, jealousy, anger and intolerance have polluted the life of man in general all over the world.
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The following temples will be observing Purtassi. Maha Vishnu temple will observe its prayer next Saturday, September 23 at 3.30pm All are welcome. For further information contact Reggie Chetty at 076 1307 591. The Port Shepstone Tamil Asociation will observe its Purtassi prayer on Saturday, September 23 at 3.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to join them in paying homage to Lord Vishnu and the divine Mother. For further information contact Mrs D Naidoo at 083 781 3853 or 071 998 2157. The Umbango Sri Siva Soobramoniar Alayam will observe the prayer on Saturday, September 23. For further information contact 083 7035303
Information obtained from Maritzburg Sun
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