Episode 18: What is a Rtu? How are seasons defined in the Hindu calendar?

[@santruptapani]

Very nice !!!!

[@sujatharb12]

Thank you very much for the informative videos. It was by chance, we found your channel few days back, and we are continuously watching them from episode 1. Really unique way of starting the episodes each time, and we get to see different places each time. Thank You very much again.

[@Ahargana]

Thank you for your support!

[@giridantanala]

Thank you very much sir

[@kailashyadav6724]

Very informative.

[@amiteshkumar3924]

Sir what about ritu based on lunar months, cause ritu based on lunar months don't coincide with this Sayana system. For example according to Sayana system Vasant started from 18 Feb 2021 but from lunar calendar it started from 12 April 2021. Please explain

[@Ahargana]

Thanks for this question!👍 You are right - there is a tradition (which is current even today) that Vasanta Rtu is Chaitra and Amavasya, etc. Also, 12 Apr 2021 is indeed Phalguna Amavasya (i.e. Chandramana Yugadhi - Chaitra masa starts). But mid-Apr to mid-Jun are too too hot to be called "Vasantha" today; Monsoon also sets-in in early June. Hence, this tradition does not stand scrutiny today. I think this tradition was true way back in 2000BC, when vasanta vishuvat (the middle of Vasanta) was in Krittika (I talked about this in an earlier video - the History one). I took a quick look at Stellarium: At that time, Meshadhi was at 330° sāyana longitude (by definition this is the beginning of Vasantha). And Chaitra masa starts with a Phalguna Amavasya (in amāntā tradition) which happens near Meshadhi (we have discussed this in the Adhika Masa videos). Hence, Vasanta Rtu was indeed Chaitra and Vaishaka masas, way back in 2000BC. I need to do a more careful study with Stellarium to confirm this (maybe you can help me with this analysis?). But this is my first-cut analysis.

[@Ahargana]

@amiteshkumar3924 I have covered this topic in Episode 19 in great detail. Thanks for your comment.

[@giridantanala]

Is there any clue, how these nakshatra system evolved....selecting specific groups of stars..etc.

[@Ahargana]

Not as far as I know. What I do know is that Sri. Tilak believes rg and yajur veda and even Jyotisha vedanga refer to only nakshstra and not rashis. Hence, nakshatras were an original Hindu conception, rashis were likely late additions, owing their inclusion in our calendar to contact with the Greeks.

[@deepakkumarkoshta8605]

Sir please share your email