There is a confusion in
the name of the New Year that begins tomorrow (14th April 2017)
among some people of Tamilnadu. Some Tamil almanacs mention the New Year name
as Hemalambi, while most Tamil almanacs mention the name as Hevilambi. The
issue is that the prediction for the year differs with these two names. Hemalambi
predicts bountiful rainfall whereas Hevilambi predicts lack of rainfall or
delayed rainfall. In this post I have attempted to look into the differences
from my current knowledge of this topic.
The names of these
Years gain significance as they stipulate some major events expected to happen
in that year. Besides there are
predictions on overall prosperity for the land based on expected rainfall, the resultant
agricultural production and the price level. Our ancestors (sages and siddhars)
have written predictions on these lines for all the 60 years of the cycle. Hemalambi
and Hevilambi do not come with the same prediction. Such a difference is not observed in the names
of the other years.
Year and predictions
vary from region to region
One major feature that
can be noticed is that the New Year does not begin on the same date throughout
India. The differences can be attributed to the regional rainfall activity
(which is not the same throughout India) and the kings or dynasties who laid
down their own systems based on the advice of the astrologers. However most regions seemed to follow the 60
year names of the Jupiter cycle (Brihaspathi chakra). From the records of Asiatic Society (1840 edition), it comes to be known
that the same cycle was followed in Tibet and China too.
·
North east India including Bengal and
Tibet together followed the Jupiter cycle which begins on the year Vijaya
(in the 60 year cycle). Vijaya is the 27th year in the cycle that
starts from Prabhava. The reckoning of the years is based on Surya Siddhantha.
·
There is another rule known as
Jyotistava by which the years are calculated from Prabhava (the first
year of the cycle). This is followed in Tamilnadu.
·
A 3rd rule was known as Telinga
rule in which the year starts from Pramathi. Pramathi is the 13th
year in the cycle that starts with Prabhava. The records of the Asiatic Society
say that this method was prevalent in Peninsular India at that time (till 1800s).
Based on such variations
in application of rules, the upcoming New Year must be Keelaka
and not Hevilambi. Presently North Indian regions follow Telinga rule and
as such the New Year is Keelaka in many parts of North India. This shows that the
names (based on rainfall predictions) and methods have changed completely between
North and South India.
The name Telinga in
Telinga rule sounds like Tailinga / Telunga, the region of Andhra and
Telangana. They follow the same cycle starting from Prabhava as we do in
Tamilnadu. However the Yugadhi (Lunar year) that marks their New Year is
Hemalambi and the predictions point out to good
monsoon.
But the prediction for Hevilambi
written in Tamil by Idai-k-kaattu
siddhar gives an opposite view.
The story of
Idai-k-kattu Siddhar shows that he had rewritten the Year predictions as he found
the then-existing predictions not coming true. According to that story he saved
food for himself and his goats expecting a drought year whereas the year prediction
was a bountiful monsoon. Others remained
hopeful of good rains, but the expected rains did not materialise. As a result,
while this Siddhar and his dependants remained unaffected by drought, others in
the lands suffered a lot. It was only after that, the Siddhar was supposed to
have written down his predictions for the 60 year cycle. His predictions are
still being quoted in all almanacs in Tamilnadu.
As such Hevilambi is
not expected to see good rains this year. The word ‘vilambi’
in Hevilambi means delay or decline in Sanskrit. The ‘He’ in Hevilambi is
vocative case that is used to address, like “oh, Vilambi!” . This indicates that there would
be a delay in rains or a decline in the amount of rainfall.
The next year is
Vilambi which also means the same. But coming after Hevilambi, it indicates somewhat
better rains than that is realised in Hevilambi.
The story of the
Siddhar and the re-worked year prediction shows that what was used until then
was found to be unsatisfactory. This was perhaps due to the reason of the
rainfall scenario being totally different in Tamilnadu from what is experienced
in the neighbourhood, say, in Telugu speaking regions or in Kerala.
Though Kerala also
follows the same year cycle, I doubt whether they follow the same prediction. I
have no idea of the predictions in their land. However, based on the historical
records, I found that they were following a different Era until a couple of
centuries ago. It was the Parashurama Era and
was followed in the western coast right from Mangalore in the north till Cape Comorin
in the south, including the stretches of present day Kerala. Thinking of this Era
followed in this specific region, it is absolutely relevant as the whole
stretch of this region come under the same type of rainfall activity.
Thinking on similar
lines for Telugu speaking regions, they cannot have the same year predictions for
all the 60 years as given by Idai-k-kattu Siddhar. This year being Hemalambi for them, they can
expect good rains in their lands while Tamil nadu may come under the effect of
Hevilambi.
Origin of the name,
Hemalambi
The cycle of Brihaspathi
(Jupiter) mentions Hemalamba
and not Hevilambi. All the names of this cycle have been taken up by the
current systems used in different parts of India. In the case of Hemalambi, the
name is different and the prediction is also different for Tamilnadu.
The 60 years of this
cycle were divided into 12 yugas having 5 year duration each. The Yuga at human
scale, as relevant for Vedic life was made of only 5 years. Hemalamba /
Hemalamva (Hevilambi for Tamil nadu) is the 31st year or the first
year of the 7th yuga in Jupiter cycle.
The prediction for
Hemalamba in Jupiter cycle expects damage of crops due to storm and rains. It
does not speak about delay or decline in rains as predicted by Idai-k-kattu
Siddhar. Going by the tradition of usage of this cycle in Bengal and NE India
until 1800s, we can expect this prediction becoming true for those regions.
As Kerala was under a
different system (Parashuraam Yuga), the predictions can be different from what
Indai-kkattu Siddhar says or even what Jupiter system says.
In the final analysis,
we can say that the Jupiter cycle which is still present throughout India had
seen modifications in the past as Siddhar had done.
As Siddhar- prediction
expects a drought for Tamil speaking lands, we can take a cue from Jupiter cycle
to look for remedies.
As per Jupiter cycle,
the 7th yuga starting with Hemalamba (Hevilambi) is ruled by Pithrus. This implies that people must worship or propitiate
Pithrus in all the 5 years starting with Hemalamba (Hevilambi).
With drought already
having set in Tamilnadu and a fall in rainfall expected (as per my rainfall research
too) this year, let people worship their departed ancestors with all fervour
and devotion.
May the water droplets offered to them come back as rains for all of us!
"swasthir maanushEbhyah :
Oordhwam jigaathu bheshajam/
Sham no asthu dwi-padhE:
Sham Chathush padhE
OM Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi:"
(Translation)
Let
there be goodness to human beings.
Let
the plants which are like medicine to us grow up well.
Let
the bipeds and quadrupeds be well.
Let
there be our goodwill to them.
Let
there be peace at all three levels of
Bhu
(physical),
Bhuvah
(vital)
and
swah
(mental
levels of)
all
these beings
