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| Sunday, March 21, 2004 |
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| Sunday, March 21, 2004 |
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The most striking characteristic of the Vikrama calendar is its flexibility. Its length varies year to year, so we find it shorter by 12 days during the leap year and by 11 days during non-leap years. The gap between the two is filled up by an additional month known as malamasa (inter-calary month). The Vikrama year during normal times is about 354 days but is approximately 385 days when a month is added. This year happens to be an inter-calary year. The length of the year stands expanded by one month stretching its total duration from 2 to 5 a.m. on April 9, 2005. The month of Shravana this time is duplicated and has two phases – Adhika Shravana and Shudha Shravana. A majority of festivals that usually fall in Shravana or after Shravana will be held later. The new Samvatsara assumes significance this time because this is going to be a Kumbha and Ardha-Kumbha mahaparva year. It is the turn of Ujjain to hold it on the banks of the Shipra. Although pilgrims in record number are expected to pour in from as early as April 1, the most sacred day is Tuesday, May 4, when the sun, moon and Jupiter—the trio responsible for the celebration of this mahaparva will be occupying Aries, Libra and Leo, respectively.
The new Samvatsara is termed as Hemalamba in astrological parlance. Samvatsara born under the shadow of Uttarabhadrapada, the constellation governed by Saturn, the hawk, is believed to be ominous. It intensifies disruption. People belonging to far-flung areas are forced to relinquish their home due to war-like conditions created by terrorists, smugglers and saboteurs. Hemalamba also focuses on the need for greater defence preparedness. The kingship will be taken over by the sun which is suffering from two grave maladies. As the co-traveller of a debilitated Mercury, the sun has turned malefic. The direct visual alliance with its enemy, Saturn, will reduce the lord of the year’s role to that of a mere figurehead. The starry position is agonising. Kaliyuga, the incarnation of Satan, will let loose frenzy. The rulers will be callous in the discharge of their obligations. With the law and order machinery given a go by, there will be a total breakdown of the institutional framework that aims to protect political and constitutional propriety. Defection and horse-trading among the contenders of power will reduce the polity to a big farce. Money and muscle power will become the main assets of our political bosses and their nexus with criminals will get stronger. The sun, no doubt, is a negative force and is likely to keep the peace-loving people on tenterhooks but there is a silver lining to the dark clouds. Mars, the second- in-command, a fast friend of the King, is well placed and free from all afflictions. The Cabinet too with as many as seven ministerial berths held by benefic stars is a strong plus point. It shows there is no fear of any direct war and the proxy war being waged by our neighbour would recede. India’s solar chart offers mixed results. It’s lord, Mercury, is combust. Combustibility for the lord is a serious matter. It can inflict a stunning blow to the administrative machinery. There will be chaos and anarchy in the corridors of power. Peace and progress could be imperiled. The votaries of another school are of the opinion that Mercury keeps on surrounding the sun and his relationship with the sun is that of a moth and light. The next important planet is the lord of luck—inthis case,Venus, who is dignified and a great power to reckon with. This one planet is enough to change the destiny of the entire nation. The inference that can be unhesitatingly drawn is that good times are ahead. India shall make a leap forward by making her presence felt in the comity of nations. At home, despite high-pitched claims and sloganeering, no party will be able to establish its sway at the hustings. The party in power shall be in a position to improve its strength distinctly but people’s mandate, by and large, will be a fractured one. The stars of the main opposition party are not likely to show any promise. Hopes of capturing power and expanding its electoral base may fail. On the other hand, a few regional parties too shall make their presence felt by achieving electoral gains. Hence the domination of a coalition culture which has already struck roots could again become the order of the day. India’s freedom chart is another potent factor that needs to be considered. As per this chart, the country at present is under the influence of Venus as mahadasha lord and Mercury as the antardasha lord with total period of their sway ranging from July 15, 2003 to May 15, 2006. Venus and Mercury are both benefic stars and happen to co-exist in India’s freedom chart. Venus is the star of love while Mercury personifies wisdom or budhi or intelligence which distinguishes human beings. We should expect a change for the better during the current year. Jammu and Kashmir, despite peace talks and gestures of goodwill extended by the political leaders from both sides, will remain disturbed. However, the accusations of human rights violations by Pakistan against Indian forces will lose its appeal and India’s image as a peace-loving country shall be globally acknowledged. The rehabilitation of Kashmiri refugees driven from the valley will pose a serious problem for the Government. India and Pakistan will meet and may also succeed in clearing a few bottlenecks but the solution of the Kashmir imbroglio would continue to hang fire. The fourth horoscope designated as the Aardra-entry chart which is primarily linked with the economy as a whole comes into force on June 21, at 9.10 p.m. As many as three stars are dignified in this horoscope. Prospects of trade, industry and agriculture shall improve significantly. Rain gods will pour adequate rain to keep our land irrigated. Concessions to the farming community shall keep them in good spirits. Samvatsara’s choice of the horse as a mode of transport is another favourable development. Widespread expansion of roads, railways and air links will provide greater mobility. Like the horse, people will be in haste to finish their work. With ruling parties dabbling in populist policies, the trade impediments will be softened. Direct and indirect foreign investments will grow substantially but India will have to rely on external capital to bridge the gap between exports and imports. On the home front, diverse policies sponsored by different political affiliations will remain a big hindrance. Despite the trend towards liberalisation gaining momentum, the general state of economy will not prove a catalyst for reducing the rich-poor gap. The yawning gap will remain due to the conflicting views of coalition partners about ways and means to remedy the situation. A majority of those desirous of trying their luck in the stock market should not take the current rising trend for granted. Although with industrial growth on the upswing and the economy showing signs of recovery, the fluctuations will be fast. Hardline speculators can be in for bad times. The volatility of the stock market will surprise even the most experienced players. According to an indigenous phrase – Pal mein tola pal mein masa will be the true character of the market. Foreign investors will still hold the key to inflate and defeat it. It will be an extremely testing time for the small investor who will need to exercise the utmost caution. |
OUR
scriptures emphasise the sanctity and piety of Samvatsara Phaladesh. The
new Samvatsara—2061—commences its journey at 4.10 am on the
night between March 20 and 21. But according to the Vikrama calendar,
it must coincide with the sunrise to be designated as Samvatsara. The
point worth noting here is that Vaarpravritti—the turn of the
day begins with sunrise and not with midnight as we find in the
calendar. The Samvatsara celebrations should be taking place with
the first rays of the sun and not earlier. The solar date falling on
this day will be on Chaitra 8. The first spring navaratra also
falls on the same day, while Baisakhi—the first day of the new
solar year— is on April,13.
