INSIDE OUTSIDE OF Abhishek Mohta

Even though according to astrology, the date of birth as per the Hindu lunar calendar is inauspicious, it is still advisable to celebrate it on that day as the benefits derived are more than if celebrated on the date of birth according to the Western calendar. - Compiler: We advise that the birthday should be celebrated as per the Hindu lunar calendar.


However astrology says ‘No auspicious action should be performed on the date that one is born because that day is inauspicious. So what stand should be adopted?

A Scholar: The implied meaning of the word ‘inauspicious’ in this context is different. The attributes of the embodied soul born on that particular day match with the frequencies present on that date as per the Hindu lunar calendar (‘tithi’). The sorcerers with their prowess to do black magic, can make a replica of an embodied soul and can cause distress upto 70%. Thus this day is considered ‘inauspicious’ due to the probability of suffering which could be maximum  on that date.
In ‘Kaliyug’ this is an excellent example of the misconceptions harboured by people. On this day the probability of harm is more means that, chances of obstacles in any auspicious task is high so the misconception that was formed was that one cannot perform any holy ritual for the embodied soul on this date of the Hindu lunar calendar.  On the contrary, when celebrating the birthday on this date, through the ritual of ‘aukshan’ and a prayer made unto the family deity, the chaitanya generated helps the embodied soul to combat the distressing energy attacks at various levels. Thus, there is no rule that one must not perform any ritual on this day and the statement from astrology is baseless.’- (Through the medium of Mrs. Anjali Gadgil, 4th March 2006, 7.17 p.m.)
Blessings and good wishes endow maximum benefit: ‘The frequencies of the date of birth according to the Hindu lunar calendar match the individual maximally.Since the blessings and good wishes of relatives and well-wishers bring maximum benefit to the individual celebrating the birthday as per the Hindu lunar calendar is more beneficial.
One develops the strength to combat obstacles in life: Since the frequencies in the universe on the birthday as per the Hindu lunar calendar match the temperament of the person born on that date, the ‘sattvik’ and chaitanya-enriched rituals done by an individual on that day leave a deep impression on his subconscious mind. As a result, he derives spiritual prowess to combat problems in his future life.’- A Scholar (Through the medium of Mrs. Anjali Gadgil, 21st January 2005, 9.11p.m. and 28th August 2005, 11.40a.m.)
Benefits of celebrating a birthday as per the Hindu lunar calendar (‘tithi’) as against the date of birth as per the Western calendar

 Traditional Hindu Birthday Celebration – How do Hindus Celebrate Birthday?

Janam Dhin, Birthday, is celebrated in a unique way in Hinduism. In Hindu religion, the Hindi Tithi or the Nakshatra or Nallu is chosen to celebrate the birthday. The annual birthday celebration is not on a fixed date as in the English Calendar. Hindus give importance to the Tithi and in some regions it is based on the 27 Nakshatras. There is also a debate whether it is right to light candles on a cake and then blow it off on birthdays in Hindu tradition. Feeding the poor is an important part of Hindu birthday celebrations.

Visiting the temple on birthday and performing Ganesh Puja is considered highly auspicious. Other important pujas performed on birthday include pujas to Shiva, Rudra Abhishek, Navgraha Puja and pujas to ‘Ishta Devta’ or personal deity. Blessings of parents, especially that of Mother is very important on birthday.

Now, if the person believes in astrology, then depending on the position of the grahas etc there will be other pujas that will be needed to be performed on the birthday. For this the person will need the help of a learned Pandit or Poojari or astrologer.

In Hindu Tradition, lighting a lamp is considered highly auspicious and this is done daily by majority of Hindus at home. So there is a debate whether it is right to blow off the candles on a birthday cake. Traditionalists are strictly against this but liberals, who are in majority, nowadays celebrate birthday in this manner.

Even those Hindus who celebrate birthday by cutting cake, visit temples first and perform pujas. So a person should be given the freedom to celebrate his/her birthday the manner which he/she wants.

It must be remembered here that there are several Hindus who celebrate their birthday with children in orphanages or with elders in old age homes. It is also a Hindu tradition to feed the poor on a person’s Janam Dhin. Perhaps this is one tradition which we should maintain on all our birthdays