Narayana Gopala – A Special Day Dedicated to Vishnu in Tamil Nadu (Vishnu Saturdays )
The Significance of Purattasi month
In Tamil Nadu, the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept. – Oct.) is dedicated to the Hindu deity, Vishnu. Special rituals mark the entire month, especially on all Saturdays, which are called Purattasi Sani. Sani or Saturn is the ruling deity of Saturday (Sani kizhamai is the Tamil word for Saturday). Normally, in Tamil Nadu, Saturdays are believed to be inauspicious, since Sani is known to cause problems and hardships for people. He is dark in color, wears black clothes, and holds arrows, a sword, and two daggers. He is usually seated on a black crow. During Purattasi, however, Sani’s malefic influence is believed to be less, hence the Saturday celebrations.
On Purattasi Sani days, people offer special prayers and perform poojas. Special meals will be prepared, too, and there is a special ritual performed by the sons of each household. These rituals are observed in Purattasi, as it is the month in which Lord Venkateswara (also called Vishnu and Balaji) came to earth and returned to Vaikunta (Vishnu’s celestial abode). The word Venkateswara means “the Lord who destroys sins.” This is the prominent form of Vishnu in Kali Yuga (which is the present period, also called the age of vice). Kali Yuga is the last one among the four yugas or epochs that the world passes through. This cycle of yugas has been described in the Indian scriptures. It is Venkateswara who moderates the adverse effects of Kali Yuga somewhat.
Vishnu’s role in Kali Yuga
Hindu beliefs state that human civilization undergoes spiritual degeneration during Kali Yuga. It is often called the “Dark Age” because people who live in this age are very removed from God. The word ‘Kali’ means strife or discord. Dharma will vanish from the world as people become materialistic, greedy, selfish, and corrupt.
In the Mahabharata, there is a discourse by Markandeya which describes the Kali Yuga. According to it,
•Rulers will be unreasonable and levy unfair taxes.
• Rulers will not be interested in promoting spirituality or protecting their subjects. Instead, they may pose a danger to the world.
• People will migrate to countries where wheat and barley will be the staple food source.
• Greed and anger will be common. Humans will show animosity towards each other openly.
• Dharma will be ignored.
• People will murder for no valid reason justification, and they won’t see anything wrong with it.
• Lust will become socially acceptable, and sexual intercourse will become the main requirement of life.
• Sin will increase greatly, while virtue will disappear.
• People will make promises and vows only to break them.
• People will become addicted to intoxicants.
• Men will find jobs stressful and will try to escape work by going to retreats.
• Gurus will not be respected, and their students will try to harm them. Their teachings will be ignored or sullied, and followers of Kama, the God of desire, will take control of people’s minds. Brahmins won’t be learned or honored, Kshatriyas will not have courage, Vaishyas will not be just, and Shudras will be neither honest nor humble
Narayana Gopala day
In Tamil Nadu, people observe a fast for the first three weeks of the month. They have only one meal a day and avoid non-vegetarian food. On the third Saturday, they make a special vegetarian meal which includes a variety of dishes. The day is called “Narayana Gopala.” Narayana is one among the many names of Vishnu and refers to the “direction of a human being,” that helps him/her achieve the goal of moksha. The fast ends with this special meal. People also perform Pooja for Vishnu and offer arti and prasad.
A special ritual is also performed on Purattasi Sani days. The son of the house, sporting a Vishnu tilak on his forehead, goes to nearby houses with a pot containing uncooked rice and wearing a mala or garland of Tulsi leaves. At the door of each house, he says, “Narayana Gopala Govinda.” The people in that house will take rice from the pot and add new rice to it.
Purattasi month is believed to be the ideal month for thanking Vishnu, who preserves the Universe in Kali Yuga. The worship is also believed to reduce Saturn afflictions and bestow an abundant life, besides paving the way for moksha or salvation.
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