History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c99.1324

v7.c99.1324

Makarasankrānti (vide Saṅkrānti) 211-225, bath with ordinary water (not heated) obligatory on, 212, falls at present on 14th January in the Hindu almanacs based on Sanskrit works while the correct date is 21st December preceding 222, 712, fast for three days or one day in honour of M. 220, gifts are made even now on M. mostly by women 222, great merit results from bath in Ganges on, 212, Hemādri states that the proper day of M was in his day 12 days before the popular day of M and gifts (religious) should be made 12 days before the latter, 712n; it now falls in Pauṣa but the day changes in terms of the Gregorian calendar 211, 712, it was an important religious festival, but now more a social observance than religious 211, 221, meaning of the word 211, origin of the festival on m 223; procedure observed on, 211-212, prognostications drawn from the supposed directions of the deified M coming, going etc 225, puṇyakāla (holy time) on day of M 212, sesame to be employed on M in water for bath, and should be eaten and are very much in evidence even now 219, 221, twelve rāśis and their western names 211 and n (and all twelve saṅkrāntis are holy), was supposed (as a divinity) to ride some vehicle and an Upa-vāhana (ancillary vehicle), to wear a garment of some colour, to carry a weapon, to apply a *tilaka* of some substance 224-225; was supposed to be either young, middle-aged or old, to have certain postures (sitting, standing etc.), to come from one direction, to go to another and cast a glance at a third 225.