The New Year Plava and the Predictions

April 13th, 2021 is first fortnight’s (sukla paksha) first day (padyami, 15 days between new moon and full moon) in the first lunar month (Chaitra). This is celebrated as the new year for lakhs of people in Telugu and Karnataka states as Ugadi/Yugadi, Maharashtra as Gudi Padwa, and Odisha as Pana Sankranti. The new year is celebrated in Tamil Nadu as Puthanadu on April 14th, 2021 following the solar cycle. This new year’s name is Plava, a boat.

It is recommended on Uga:di day to listen to pancha:ngam which contains auspicious and inauspicious times throughout the year. It contains dates of importance in celestial space such as solar eclipses. It also reveals zodiac sign impacts for everyone.

The casting of this calendar incorporates elaborate mathematics with high levels of spherical geometry and solid understanding of astronomical phenomena.

The predictions are based on the impact the solar systems planets’ (the nava grahas) positioning on us. It is a branch of Vedic science to be listened to with care so one can be aware and conscious of the possibilities. This year’s forecast predicts health issues for humans, difficult times for animals, loss of crop-produce in certain times and ample yield at other times. It also warns of war.

How true are the predictions in panchangam?

The accuracy is not for us to debate. We do not have the age, wisdom, time or abilities to do so. If one is keen, he can begin the journey of learning it. However as a common person, it is recommended that auspicious and inauspicious times throughout year are to be followed when planning events such as a weddings, business, travel etc. to the extent possible. It helps one avoid certain unwanted results. Pancha:ngam is a branch of jyothishyam, the study of celestial planetary systems’ influence on peoples’ lives.

**How can the movement of planets (the nava grahas) affect me?**

If a person in your house is in a bad mood, doesn’t that impact you at some level? The person’s intention is not to impact you, but if you are concerned for the person it will affect the way you spend time and plan your day. Similarly, the movement of the celestial planetary system is not trying to influence your or impact you. It goes on in its natural course. However, you must acknowledge and pay attention to it. Only then, will you be prepared to manage your time, energy, and consciousness to play the respective part in the connected system.

God says, “Ka:laha ka:layatha:m asmi”
God says, “I will take care of those who align with the mechanism of time.”

Pay attention to the word align. We must align rather than meddle with nature and its natural course. Trying to overtake, overrule or change existing natural systems will cause harm to us, not to the systems.

For example: when humans meddle with nature, it has its way of recovering to its original state. In the process, ultimately mankind suffers. Therefore, it is for our own benefit to align with the systems of nature. You can explore, but not exploit.

Another example: temples have set processes for conducting services to God defined in a:gama scriptures. Through the Endowments Department, governments should only facilitate this but not overrule the ways of temples’ functioning.

I understand meddling with nature can impact me, but how can temple mismanagement or non-functioning affect me?

Just like nature functions by God’s will, rushis state that Vedas (sruthi and smruthi) are the instructions of God too and must be followed. If these instructions are not followed, all of us will need to face consequences because these instructions are given for our benefit, and not for the benefit of God.

sruthi hi smruthi hi mamaiva aajna yastha:m
ullangya varthathe: aajna:cche:dhi mama dro:hi

– Vara:ha Pura:nam

Let’s all abide by the scriptures. We may not understand the depth or intricacies, initially. Therefore, let the words of those scriptural practitioners live in action without any compromise. Such great acharyas include Bhagavad Ramanujacharya. Their words are more powerful than predictions given in pancha:ngam.

As we commence the new year, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate Ramanujacharya’s 1004th birthday on April 18th. Let’s prepare for the 2022 Launch of the Statue of Equality.

Together, let’s shed ego and bow to God’s lotus feet with unfathomable faith to experience His grace. Let’s feel eternally blissful in the path laid by Bhagavad Ramanujacharya.

Let faith in God shield us in this Sri Plava Year from any predictions that indicate difficult times.

– From the discourse of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– Sri Plava Nama Ugadi, April 13^th, 2021

Amidst the wonderful discourses of Maha:mahopa:dhyaya, Sa:stra Ratnakara Dr Samudrala Venkata RangaRamanujacharya Swami varu, Ubhaya Vedantha scholar Sriman Krishnamacharya Swami varu, the revered Ramachandra Jeeyar Swamiji, Ahobila Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji, Devana:tha Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji, the event gave a blissful experience to everyone who attended online and in person.

Everyone performed abhyangana snanam (cleansing from head to toe), tasted Uga:di pacchadi (a dish with all 6 tastes representing life’s emotions and experiences) and listened to Pancha:ngam (the calendar forecast) from scholars to mentally prepare for this year.