Beginning of the Four and their significance
Of the four - , , and we are today in the yuga (Iron Age). The yuga is said to have begun in the month; the yuga in the month of and the yuga in the month of . The ancients celebrated the days of the beginning of each yuga in an appropriate manner, with due ceremony. By efflux of time, with the decline in human qualities, the significance of these observances was forgotten and the day came to be observed only as the beginning of a new year in the almanac. Thus the beginning of the yuga, which was originally in the month of , came to be observed in , when the Sun enters the (Ram) asterism and marks the beginning of a new year. The is not celebrated as in olden times. We have now only new year days based upon the position of the Sun or the Moon. The name of the new year is . The name is obviously dreadful. means bloodshot eye. It is only when one is filled with hatred and greed and wickedness that one's eyes turn red. But it is wrong to judge anything by the name only. The name may be attractive and sweet but the person may be quite different. A man with the name (the King of righteousness) may be evil from head to foot. A person named (a prince of beauty) may be loathsome.
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bears a dreadful name, but the year is likely to prove a very peaceful one. The ruler for this year is (the Moon deity). His minister is . Moon and are well disposed towards each other. More than that, (the Sun), who is the presiding deity for food crops, is favourably placed. is capable of destroying everything and creating everything. This year, because of the Sun's position, there will be no lack of rains and there will be sufficient foodgrains.
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To purify our hearts and minds, the first thing we have to do is to lead a righteous life. Our actions must be based on morality. Indulging in abuse of others or inflicting pain on them is not a sign of human nature. The evil that we do to others ultimately recoils on us. Auspicious days like should be used for making resolutions to change our ways of life and to purify our behaviour by giving up all bad qualities.