History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.1242

v6.c81.1242

*Kumbhaparva*—It occurs once in twelve years. The Sun and Moon should be in Makara rāśi, Jupiter in Taurus (Vṛṣabha), there is amāvāsyā; this is called Kumbhayoga. Bath at Prayāga on this yoga is deemed to be more meritorious than a thousand Aśvamedhas, a hundred Vājapeyas and a lakh of pradakṣiṇās round the earth. Bath at Prayāga and the large concourse of sādhus are the two predominant objects of those who gather there in thousands and sometimes millions. It is in three parts, first is Makrasaṅkrānti, the 2nd (the chief one and called Pūrṇakumbha) is *amāvāsyā* and 3rd is Vasantapañcamī. In 1954 A. D. the three dates were 14th January, 3rd February and 7th February. Some hold that the three days are Makrasaṅkrānti, Pauṣa Pūrṇimā and Amāvāsyā. There are other Kumbha-yogas viz at Haridvāra when Jupiter is in Kumbharāśi and Sun enters Meṣa, at Nasik when Jupiter is in Simha and Sun and Moon in Karkaṭa, at Ujjain when Sun is in Tulā and Jupiter in Vṛścika.