By Swami Harshananda
Āgrahāyaṇī literally means ‘related to agrahāyaṇa’.
The month Mārgaśīrṣa, the 9th month of the calendar year (corresponding to November-December) is called Agrahāyaṇa (‘beginning of the year’). According to the writings of the foreign travelers like Al-Beruni[1] and borne out by the internal evidence in the Mahābhārata[2] the year began with Mārgaśīrṣa. Hence it is named Agrahāyaṇa. The rite performed on the full-moon day of this month is called ‘āgrahāyaṇī.’
An important part of this rite is pratyavarohaṇa (‘descending again’) signifying the ceremonial descent of the entire family from a high cot or, couch which was being used from the month of Srāvaṇa (corresponding to July-August) for fear of snakes. Hence this is sometimes considered a part of the snake rite.
After uttering the prescribed mantras (which contain prayers to snakes not to harm the family) and offering pāyasam (milk-rice pudding) to them, the entire family comes down from the high cot and sleeps on the bed of straw or grass newly prepared. On this occasion the house is usually re-plastered and painted, if not renovated. In some works pratyavarohaṇa is mentioned as a separate rite to be performed at the beginning of each six season period.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore