Lord Krishna declares in the Bhagavad Gita: "I manifest the most in the month of Mãrgaširsha, (also known as Dhanurmãsa - Dec 15th /Jan. 14th) among the months of a year, and in the spring season among the seasons of a year', thus highlighting the importance of Dhanurmãsa in our calendar

It is for this reason our sages have set apart this month for total engagement in devotional activities and from times immemorial, it has become the tradition to observe Dhanurmãsa Vrata or intensified austerities during this month, particularly by women. This vrata consists of taking bath early in the morning and engage in worship of the Lord in the brahma muhurta or the hours immediately preceding sunrise This vrata is believed to bring immense benefit to those observing it as well as to their spouses. This vrata has been extolled by Sri Andãl in Tiruppavai and by Saint Manikkavachakar in Tiruvempãvai.

The spiritual significance of this vrata is that one should awake from the darkness of ignorance in which we are all submerged and turn one's mind God ward in order for tire divinity within ourselves to manifest itself just like the rising Sun shares forth dispelling tire darkness of night preceding it.

From the two devotional works mentioned above, it could be discerned that blowing conch, early morning nagara sankirtan or singing devotional songs etc. are integral parts of (lie cram These activities bring discipline to one's mind and prepare him/her to turn God ward.

Dhanurmãsa is blessed for another important reason as well. It is on the Poornima/T'iruãdirai day of this month that Lord Šiva performed His Ãnanda Tãndava in the presence of Patanjali. Vyãghrapãda and other sages. This event is celebrated as Ãrdra Daršanam Day. Also, of the twelve names of Lord Vishnu (Kešava, Nãrãyana, Mãdhava, Govinda etc.) assigned to the twelve months of a year, Dhanurmãsa has been given the first name Kešava, signifying that this is the month fit for man m acquire the Supreme Knowledge.

Although Dhanurmãsa has earned the reputation as a šoonya mãsa during which auspicious events are not to be performed, the reason behind this tradition is a very noble one As stated before, our sages have set apart this month for devotional activities only and they discouraged performance of other religious rites, which may divert one s attention from worshipping the Lord. Instead tire succeeding month (Makaram - Jan. 15th /Feb. 14th) has been designated as a fit month for the performance of all auspicious religious rites.