Mauni Amavasya, also known as Mauna Amavasya, is a significant Hindu observance celebrated on the no moon day (Amavasya) of the Magha month in the Hindu lunar calendar. This day holds great spiritual importance and is observed with various rituals, prayers, and acts of self-discipline.
The date of Mauni Amavasya varies each year as per the Hindu calendar. In 2024, Mauni Amavasya falls on Feb 9-10. The day is particularly auspicious, as it aligns with the cosmic positions that enhance the spiritual energy on Earth.
The term “Mauni” is derived from the word “Mauna,” which means silence or observing silence. Therefore, Mauni Amavasya is often associated with the practice of Mauna Vrata, or the vow of silence. Devotees, especially those inclined towards spiritual pursuits, consider observing silence on this day as a means of internal purification and focus on self-realization.
Mauni Amavasya Rituals:
On the day of Mauni Amavasya, worshippers rise early to take a sacred bath in the Ganges at daybreak. If a person is unable to travel to any pilgrimage site on this day, they must add a small amount of Ganga “jal” to their bathwater. It is a common misconception that one must keep quiet while having a bath. On this day, worshippers of Lord Brahma also recite the “Gayatri mantra” and worship him. The bathing procedure is completed, and after that, the devotees sit down to meditate. Concentration and inner serenity can be attained via the practice of meditation.
Any improper behavior must be avoided on the day of Mauni Amavasya. On the day of Mauni Amavasya, some devotees maintain complete “mauna,” or stillness. To reach a state of oneness with themselves, they refrain from speaking during the day and solely engage in meditation. This ritual is called “Mauna Vrat.” If someone is unable to observe mauna vrat for the entire day, they must remain silent until all of the puja rites have been performed. Thousands of Hindu devotees and “kalpavasis” meditate the remainder of the day on Mauni Amavasya after taking a sacred plunge in Prayag’s sangam.
The Hindu holiday known as Mauni Amavasya is also suitable for purging pitru dosh. To obtain the forgiveness and blessings of their “pitrs,” or ancestors, people offer “tarpan” to them. People feed the dog, crow, cow, and kusht rogi on this day. Another significant daytime ritual is giving to charity. In the Hindu calendar, the month of “Magha” is significant. People provide food, clothing, and other necessities to the poor and in need on this day. Offering sesame (til) oil to Shani Dev is another tradition.
Significance
The Hindu faith views practicing stillness, or “mauna,” as an essential component of spiritual discipline. The word “mauni” is derived from the Hindi word “muni,” which refers to a “sanyasi” (saint) who observes quietly. Thus, the term “mauna” accurately denotes achieving oneness with oneself. In the past, prominent Hindu guru Adi Shankaracharya said that one of the three primary characteristics of a saint is “mauna.” Ramana Maharshi, a Hindu guru, promoted the use of silence as a spiritual practice in modern times. According to him, silence is more potent than thought or conversation and it helps people connect with themselves.
Mauni Amavasya must be practiced in order to soothe an anxious mind. Hindu devotees attach great importance to the ritual of bathing in the sacred waters. According to Hindu traditions, it is thought that the Ganges River’s holy water transforms into nectar on the auspicious day of Mauni Amavasya. As a result, on this day, worshippers from all over the world bathe in the sacred Ganga River. Not only that, but the entire month of “Magha,” from Paush Purnima to Magha Purnima, is excellent for the bathing ritual. However, the day of Mauni Amavasya is the most significant.
The Story behind the Mauni Amavasya
The most popular story about Mauni Amavasya is the one with Brahmin Devaswami. Once lived a Brahmin named Devaswami, with his wife Dhanvati, his sons and a virtuous daughter in Kanchipuri. All his sons were married and he was left with an unmarried daughter eligible for marriage. He began to search for an eligible groom for his daughter and sent his eldest son with his daughter’s kundali to the city to search for a suitable groom. His son showed his sister’s horoscope to an expert astrologer who told him that the girl would become a widow after marriage.
When Devaswami heard about his daughter’s fate he got worried and asked the astrologer for a remedy. The astrologer suggested requesting a washerwoman Soma in Sinhaladweep to conduct a special “pooja” and that if the lady agreed to perform the “pooja” at his house, then his daughter’s horoscope dosha shall be removed. Devswami headed to Soma’s house but he had to cross the ocean to reach there. When he got tired, hungry and thirsty, he thought of having some rest under a banyan tree.
On the same tree lived a vulture’s family. The vulture asked Devaswami about his problem and he told them his whole story. Then the vulture assured him that he would help him reach Soma’s house and guided him throughout the journey. Devaswami brought Soma to his house and asked her to perform the pooja (worship) with all the rituals.
After the pooja, his daughter Gunvati got married to a suitable groom. Even after all this, her husband died. Then Soma, being a kind-hearted woman donated her good deeds to Gunavati. Her husband got his life back and Soma returned to Sinhaladweep. As she had donated all her virtuous deeds to Gunavati, her husband, her son and her son-in-law died. Soma went through a deeply saddened phase and began to worship Lord Vishnu sitting under a peepal tree at the bank of the river and circumambulated the Peepal tree 108 times. Pleased with her true worship, Lord Vishnu gave back life to her husband, her son and her son-in-law. And ever since the fast of Mauni Amavasya is practised.