Articles by Shishyas – Ravi Trehan
The full moon day or the 15th lunar day of Shukla Paksha of Kartika month is known as Kartika Purnima. This day is considered very auspicious. In fact, the whole month of ‘Kartika’ is considered sacred among all the twelve months of the year with one festival or the other being performed almost every third day. The last five days are considered more sacred (Panchaka) and ends with Kartika Purnima. This holy day is also celebrated as revered Guru Nanak Devji’s birthday. This year, Kartika Purnima falls on 8th of November 2022.
Kartika Purnima has a very special significance for Shiv Bhakts. According to Param Pujya Guruji, Lord Shiva goes into deep meditation on ‘Kartik Purnima’ handing over His powers to Aadi Shakti, Maa Parvati, and emerges from that state on the midnight of Mahashivratri (except that He wakes up on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi for a day and again goes into deeper meditation to come out of it on Mahashivratri). As such, the period between ‘Kartika Purnima’ and Ganesh Chaturthi is called Shakti period when Aadi Shakti, Maa Parvati, in her different manifestations, is supreme and occupies an exalted position.
Under the domain of Maha Shakti period, it is only appropriate for all Shiv Bhakts, in fact all male members of the society, to be respectful and polite to all the Shakties in the form of mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, friends, in fact all female members of the society, and win their love and affection. Men folks should exercise restraint over their anger, harsh and indifferent behaviour towards women. After getting up from their sleep in the morning, they should look at the feet of female members of the family and foster lovable and compassionate feelings towards them.
When Lord Shiva (our Isht) is in Samadhi, it is the cardinal duty of all Shiv Bhakts to follow their Lord, i.e., to meditate (dhyaan yoga), practice maximum possible ‘Japa’ and lead a pious and ‘satoguni life in terms of ahaar (the nature of food that we consume), vyavhaar (conduct), and chintan (thought process). However, during the period from Kartik Purnima to Ganesh Chaturthi, Shiv mantras (e.g., Raksha mantra, Rudra mantra, Mahamrityunjay mantra, etc.) are not recited during Japa; only Shakti mantras and Guru mantras (e.g. Maa Chamunda mantra, Shaanti Mantra, Maha Lakshmi Mantra, Maa Sharda mantra, Maha Gayatri mantra, Aum Namo Shiv Aum, Aum Namo Gurudev etc.) are recited.
Similarly, laung, that is linked with Lord Shiva’s mantra, is discontinued from Kartika Purnima till Mahashivratri. However, elaichi, kali mirch, and jal are continued to be consumed during this period.