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at Avurudu or any important occasion, we need to know the auspicious
times With the Sinhala and Tamil New Year just around the corner, the demand for this customary necessity, is even more. "It's because of our cultural values, handed down from generations that Sri Lankans are so interested in auspicious times, horoscopes and astrology," says Indika Epa Seneviratne, who comes from a family which has been delivering astrological data to the nation since 1854. Heading the editorial board of the famous Epa Ephemeris and almanac, he believes that for most people, getting regular readings of horoscopes, is a way to keep our age-old customs alive. The 150th Epa almanac or Epa Litha which has become a must have in almost every household during New Year celebrations, was published this year, proving yet again, the country's demand for astrological guidance. An auspicious moment or a Suba muhurtha, according to the Sri Lankan customs must be calculated when all the planets are positioned in good or Suba place. The positioning of the Moon is also important in the forming of an auspicious moment. Converting a Suba muhurtha using corresponding time will not give you the precise auspicious moment. For example, if an astrologer informs you that 10.45 a.m. is an auspicious moment for a marriage ceremony in Colombo, using the same time for a ceremony at Trincomalee, or the corresponding time in Sydney would be incorrect, since the times of sunrise in different locations vary. According to astrology, an Almanac is a manuscript, which contains all auspicious details relevant to the New Year and other important days of a particular year, while an Ephemeris or "Panchanga," deals with the Dinaya, Nekatha, Thithiya, Yoga and Karana, which are the five components essential to calculate auspicious times of a particular date. The majority of those components are dependent on the position of the moon and the earth. Good Panchanga does not mean that a particular day is favourable for all individuals, but rather depends on the "Janma Nekatha" (Nekatha at the time of birth or the birth star) of the person. If a person's Janma Nekatha is auspiciously compatible with the Nekatha of a particular day that makes it a good day for him. R. Rajaratnam, an expert in the field for the past 40 years explains that three main methods of astrology exist presently. "The first is the Chinese method, in which animals are used as the base, while the Western method is the second, and is based around the evolving of the sun's rotational patterns. According to this method, the longitude and latitude of a particular location is a key factor. The third branch of astrology is the one used in Sri Lanka and India, and is built around the sun rise and birth time of a given person," he said. "I don't partake in this occupation as a business or trade, but more as a religious activity," says this modest man, who does not charge a fee for his readings, but instead accepts anything offered to him. "I generally have about ten people a day, coming either to get their horoscopes read, or to find out auspicious times to engage in important matters. More people come to me closer to the New Year and during the wedding season. The election which just concluded too, brought about a lot of interest," added Mr. Rajaratnam, with a smile. Siriwardene Tissera, 76, an astrologer for the past 40 years, is one of the few who still writes on the ola leaf using the pan hinda. So skilled is he that he can produce a person's horoscope within the hour. For most Sri Lankans, astrology is a vital component of life, as they depend on it for their every need. But there are many others who opt to use it only as a guideline. "I feel that there is a great truth behind this science. Most often we see that following advice you receive once your horoscope is read, brings about good effects, while deliberately ignoring such advice and direction, could disrupt your life," says Mrs. S. Ranasinghe, a senior teacher who believes that it's always better to be aware of the best time or moment during which you should engage in important tasks or missions. "It's better if you can check for a Suba Nekatha before an important undertaking. Also, you should make an extra effort to avoid the Rahu Kalaya or bad period of a particular day, and or refrain from bathing and so on, during the Nonagatha Kalaya (period before the New Year dawns, during which you are supposed to engage in religious activities)." "Whenever I feel like things are not going well, or I have to take an important decision regarding my education, profession or any other aspect of my life, I get my horoscope read," says Ruwindra Mahidaratne (24) a young lawyer, proving that age is not a barrier, when it comes to the interest Sri Lankans have in this science. "My parents belief is what got me interested initially, but now I get my horoscope read on my own as well. I am in the practice of getting an auspicious time to leave home for exams and we do the same when we are going abroad as well." The recently concluded parliamentary election saw most Sri Lankans looking to astrology for the much sought after predictions. The demand for the Ira Handa astrological newspaper prior to the election, was ample proof of this. "We generally publish astrological details regarding star signs and so on, and the general public is extremely interested in this sort of information. But there is a definite increase in the sales our newspaper during the election and the New Year," says Priyantha Rathnayake, Editor, Ira Handa. As we approach another Avurudu, we see how the majority of Sri Lankans, irrespective of race or religion, continue to depend on this science. |
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Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Sri
Lankans have their very own way of doing things….. calculating
the most apt moment in which to carry out an otherwise mundane task.
From naming a baby, to cutting his or her hair for the first time,
giving the first solid food, reading the first letters, getting
married, building a new house or starting a new business, regardless
of race or religion, auspicious times are a necessity for most.
