The full moon in the Vedic month of Margashira is dedicated to Lord Dattatreya the combined power of the Hindu Trinity (Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva). This year it falls on Dec 26th, 2023. It is also celebrated as Annapurni Jayanti.
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In the Bhagavad Gita (10.35) Lord Krishna says – Of the months, I am Margashira.
This shows the auspiciousness and power of this Vedic month where the full moon falls in the Nakshatra of Mrigashira.
Margashira is the 9th month of the Hindu calendar and the Sun is in the 9th sign of Sagittarius during this time.
Honoring Lord Dattatreya
The full moon in Margashira is celebrated as Dattatreya Jayanti. This is the day when Lord Dattatreya was enlightened. Lord Dattareya is the combined energy of Lord Brahma (Creation), Lord Vishnu (Sustenance) and Lord Shiva (Transformation). He is revered as the Adi-Guru, the first spiritual teacher, and is often depicted with three faces, symbolizing the unity of the three principal deities.
Honoring the Goddess of Nourishment
Annapurna Jayanti, which coincides with Margashira Purnima, is dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, the bestower of food and nourishment. Goddess Annapurna is often depicted holding a golden ladle and a container of rice, symbolizing her role as the provider of sustenance.
Devotees observe this day by offering prayers and seeking the blessings of Goddess Annapurna for abundant food, prosperity, and well-being. It is a time when people express gratitude for the nourishment they receive and make efforts to help those in need through charitable activities like distributing food to the less fortunate.
Full Moon Rituals
- Chant the mantra – Aum Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya as many times as you possibly can. For personalized rituals based on your own birth chart download the align27 app.
- Read few chapters from Avadhuta Gita and Jivanmukta Gita (Discourses given by Lord Dattatreya).
- Chant the mantra – Dattatreya Hare Krishna or Om Namo Bhagavate Dattatreyaya 108 times during Moon or Jupiter hora preferably.
- You can meditate on the Bija or seed sound of Lord Dattatreya which is daaM
- Charity and donation (especially Anna dhaanam – donation of food) done on this day gives 32 times more benefits as compared to other days.
- Listen to Annapoorna Stotram composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
Story of Lord Dattatreya
Dattatreya was the son of the sage Atri and his wife Anasuya. Anasuya, an archetypal chaste and virtuous wife, did severe Tapas (austerities) to beget a son equal in merits as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the Hindu male trinity (Trimurti). Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati, the goddess trinity (Tridevi) and consorts of the male trinity deputed their husbands to test her virtuousness.
The three gods appeared before Anasuya in the disguise of sanyasis (ascetics) and asked her to give them alms naked. Anasuya was perplexed for a while, but soon regained composure. She uttered a mantra and sprinkled water on the three mendicants, turning them into babies. She then breast fed them with her milk naked, as they wished.
When Atri returned to his ashram (hermitage), Anasuya narrated the event, which he already knew through his psychic powers. He hugged the three babies to his heart, transforming them into a single baby with three heads and six arms. The Trimurti then appeared in their true form, before Atri and Anasuya, and blessed them with a son Dattatreya.
