Adhika Masa

A chandramana masa in which no sankramana occurs is known as Adhika Masa. The instant at which Sun transits from one Rashi to the next is called a Sankramana.

Mathematically, a Chandramana Varsha has 354 days, while a Soura Varsha has 365 days, the difference being 11 days per year. In the course of 2 years and 8 months of Chandramana the difference works out to 29.5 days equal to another Chandramana masa. The 33rd masa is considered as an Adhika masa which brings the two systems (Chandramana and Souramana) to evenness. Thus, theoretically, every 33rd chandramana masa is an Adhika masa. In practice, due to the variations in speed of movement of Sun and Moon, Adhika Masa occurs anywhere between 28th and 36th masas.

No Adithya rises in an Adhika masa. Such a masa with no Adithya is called Malimlucha meaning a Napumsaka – genderless. Shriman Narayana in the name Purushotthama with Lakshmidevi in the name Ananda is the Masa Niyamaka of Adhika masa. The masa is also referred as Purushotthama masa.

Prajapathi and Vashatkara are the devathas of Adhika masa. Their antharyami Bhagavantha is not different from Purushottama, the masa Niyamaka.

Accumulation of Punya is more in a Purushotthama masa giving the masa the name Adhika masa. Bhagavantha will eliminate the papas during the masa giving the masa the name Mala masa. The list of Shubha karyas to be avoided also justifies the name Mala masa. Bhagavantha will provide Women who observe the Adhika masa with Soubhagya and be blessed with Sons with immense love to God. Snana in Adhika masa will avoid miscarriages. No other masa is equal to the Purushotthama masa.

Vrathas & Danas in Adhika Masa

Masa Snana: Snana during Arunodaya (One and a half hour period before Sunrise) on all days of the masa in rivers / sarovaras / tanks / wells etc.

Ayachitha Vratha: Being content with what you have and not ask anybody for anything.

Akhanda Deepa: One lamp should glow continuously without a break during the entire masa.

Deepa Seva: Lighting of 33 lamps, 108 lamps, 1008 lamps on all days / special days / one day or any combination.

Dharana Parana Vratha: Fifteen cycles of One complete day fasting(dharana) followed by Parana on the next day.

Vishnu Panchaka Vratha: Five fasts during the masa on – Shravana Nakshatra day, Two Ekadashis, Pournami and Amavasya

Naktha Bhojana / Eka Bhuktha: Complete fasting during the day and just One meal at night time.

Thamboola Dana: On all days of the masa to brahmin couples.

Bagina dana: Women should give away baginas to at least 33 mutthaides.

Apoopa Dana: Apoopas prepared out of Rice, Jaggery and Ghee. At least 33 apoopas in a bronze vessel to be given away. Ghee in another vessel also to be given away. This is said to bestow Vishesha Phala.

Phala Dana: Minimum of 33 plantains or mangoes or Jack fruit lozenges.

Those who cannot give on all days of the masa should try and give on the special days: Shukla Dwadashi, Pournima, Krishna Ashtami, Navami, Dwadashi, Chathurdashi and Amavasya.

Note: All danas should be accompanied by Dakshina (cash). Dakshina is the name of the Lakshmidevi seated to the south of Sriman Narayana. Danas are considered being given to Sriman Narayana and Dakshina to Lakshmidevi by name Dakshina. Shastras say Dakshina should be equal to the monetary value of the item being given away. Considering what shastras say, Dakshina should not be just a coin.

Vrathas and Danas are complete only with a Samarpane to Bhagavantha. Traditionally, ?Bharathi ramana Mukhya Prananthargatha Shri Krishnarpanamastu? is used.

The number 33 mentioned in all the above cases is the minimum indicated and persons who can afford need not limit to 33.

Adhika Masa Na-Karthavyas

Rakshasas by name Nairuthas dominate in the Adhika masa and destroy the phalas of all Kamya karmas – Functions or Vratas with a specific desire are known as Kamya karmas. List of them to be avoided in an Adhika masa are Agnyadheya, Devatha Prathishte, Yajna, Vratas, Upakarma, Vrushothsava, Choodakarma (First haircut), Upanayana, Vivaha, Vasthu devatha pooja, Gruha pravesha, Yathrothsava, Wearing of new ornaments and Mahadanas. Thulapurushadana, Hiranyagarbhadana, Brahmandadana, Kalpapadapada, Gosahasradana are some of the sixteen mahadanas.
Yathrothsava: The ban on yathra is only for those who are going for the first time. Here yathra means those who visit pilgrim centres for darshana and Shraddha.

Karthavyas in Adhika masa

Nithya Sandhyavandana, Devatha Pooja, Vaishwadeva, Pumsavana, Seemantha, Jathakarma, Shanthis associated with it, Masika Shraddha, Sapindeekarana, Varshika Shraddha (for those who have passed away during an Adhika masa), Dana & Japa on Grahana day, Chathurmasya vratha (if the Adhika masa happens to be one of the Chathurmasas), Japas / Archanas etc as Pariharas for illnesses, Japas / Parayanas etc for getting rain, and other routine activities.

Courtsey : http://www.geocities.com/panchangaminenglish/sarvajith.pdf