Nilakshi Sharma
Bhādrapada māsa, the second to the two months of Varsha rtu, is dominated by the element of water. The earth is no longer thirsty and parched. The rivers and lakes are filled to the brim and yet Bhādrapada māsa brings us more water, till it spills over, overflows and saturates the very air with moisture that is palpable. Our very senses feel waterlogged. The Sun is an occasional visitor and its warmth and energy decrease in increments. The energy of water is governed by the Moon and it now has us floating in its limpid depths. The grounding element of earth is run over with water, and the fiery clarity of Agni recedes with the Sun. The dominance of water element leaves many of us feeling adrift and unmoored.
But even to this month when water overwhelms all else, there is a beauty and balance. The beauty comes to us in the many shades of green – in the lush, sparkling abundance of vegetation that is thriving. And balance comes in the subtle seasonal shift that is Rtusandhi with the oncoming season of Sharad. Rtusandhi is the time when the energy of one season begins to give way to the energy of the next coming season. Usually a time of slightly unsettling change. But in the month of Bhādrapada, this is a time of increasing stability because the dominance of water begins to recede and the Sun reappears in equal balance with the Moon.
But until then, in Bhādrapada māsa, we must all seek the two elements of Earth and Fire to keep ourselves in balance.
Rituals of Fire
With the Sun taking a backseat and the seasonal dominance of water, Varsha rtu and its two months see our internal Agni – our digestive fires stuttering.
Nurturing Agni: Our internal Agni or digestive fires is the vital key to health, beauty and longevity according to Ayurveda. During Varsha rtu our Agni is naturally at its lowest. Thus this is the time when we need to nurture and nourish our digestive fires. Ayurveda recommends Ginger as the warming spice par excellence when it comes to strengthening our Agni.
Agni Drink: 1 tsp ground Cumin + ½ tsp freshly ground Pepper (or long Pepper for Pitta dominant constitutions) + 2 to 3 pinches of ground Ginger + 1 pinch of Rock Salt. Add the spices to 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes. Cool and drink approximately 30 to 45 minutes before your meals. This recipe is recommended by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre.
Diya: One of the simplest yet most potent rituals of Agni is lighting a diya. Use cotton wick and oil or Ghee. Light a diya and sit and watch the gentle flickering of the flame for a few minutes. Choose the time that works best for you. Done daily, this simple practice will offer many benefits, including eye-strain relief, calming of the mind and a sense of feeling more centred. But most of all it will, in a small way, bring the energy of Agni element into your daily life during a month when the element of fire is naturally absent.
Rituals of Self Care
We also feel it in our skin. The lack of drying heat and the abundance of moisture in the air can make many of us experience skin irritation.
Salt Scrub Bath: A weekly or bi-weekly bath with a fragrant Salt Scrub during this month can keep our skin moisturised, glowing and infection and irritation free. Salt is antibacterial and keeps your skin infection free. The oil helps to moisturise your skin as well ensure that harshness of the salt is softened enough to result in gentle exfoliation.
Take a handful of good Sea Salt that has been coarsely ground. Add organic Coconut oil generously to make a rather loose paste. You can also opt to use Mustard oil. It is a potent warming oil. For fragrance add a few drops of your favourite essential oil.
To use: scoop a generous handful and apply onto damp skin. Scrub in gentle circular motions and rinse off. Pat skin dry. The Salt scrub is not recommended for use on the face.
Abhyanga: A body massage can be a good way to stimulate Agni according to Ayurveda. Abhyanga is the Ayurvedic practice of a regular self-massage with gently warmed oil. Mustard oil is very heating and good for a warming body massage. But if your digestive Agni is very weak then Mustard oil should be avoided as your skin tissues will struggle to digest the oil. You can use Coconut or Almond oil if you want a light oil. Or you can use Seasame seed oil.
To massage, gently warm the oil and using slow, long strokes massage your entire body. Regular Abhyanga will nourish the skin and make it supple. It will also improve blood circulation. After the massage wait for fifteen minutes and then bathe using ubtan or clay powders. Avoid harsh soaps and body washes.
Dry Massage: A dry powder massage is also recommended in Ayurveda to stimulate Agni in the skin. “Dry powder massages are heating, stimulating, and dehydrating, making them beneficial for weak agni and excess Kapha.” Take as much of the dry massage powder needed to gently massage your entire body. Post massage rinse body with lukewarm water and pat dry. Avoid use of soap. You can make a dry massage powder at home. Here is the Sivananda Centre’s recipe for a dry massage powder:
300g chickpea flour + 2 Tbsp dried Basil + 2 Tbsp dried Sage + 1 Tbsp dried Neem leaf powder + 1 Tbsp Shallaki powder (optional) + 1 Tbsp Amlaki or Triphala powder + 2 Tbsp Rock Salt (finely ground). Mix well and store in a glass jar in dry place away from light.
Neither Abhyanga nor Dry Powder massage should be done on a full stomach. Wait a few hours post meal or do the massage when the stomach is empty.
Festivals of Bhādrapada
Bhādrapada is the birth month for one of the subcontinent’s most celebrated pair of lovers – Radha and Krishna. Janmashtami or the birth of Krishna comes on the eighth day of the waning Moon – on September 4 this year. And then, when the Moon wanes, growing more luminous in the waxing phase then comes Radha Ashtami or the birth anniversary of Radha. This year it comes on September 18. There is something poignantly poetic in the fact that Radha and Krishna are born in the same month, on the same tithi – Ashtami but in different phases or pakshas of the Moon.
But by far the biggest festival of Bhādrapada is the one dedicated to the son of Shiva and Parvati – Ganesh. On Bhādrapada Shukla Paksha Chaturthi, the fourth day of the waxing Moon, Ganesh is ritually invited home and lovingly hosted for 10 days. And then finally after 10 days of celebration he is bid a ritual farewell with a visarjan or water immersion. This year Ganesh Chaturthi comes on September 14.
May Ganesh, the remover of all obstacles and the giver of success, bless us all this Bhādrapada.