The Indian calendar is intricately and accurately tied to astronomical events, fascinatingly influencing even our understanding of the days of the week—from Sunday to Saturday—a topic I will delve into in an upcoming blog. Today, however, I focus on how our birthdays align with astronomical events, recurring beautifully each year. While the Gregorian birth date also occurs annually, this article explores the unique aspects of these systems and provides insights into how we can embrace and celebrate birthdays according to both calendars.
Birthday as per Gregorian calendar
The Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in October 1582, is the most widely used calendar globally today. It incorporates astronomical events such as the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, rounding off for practical ease rather than aiming for pinpoint accuracy. This simplifies the tracking of anniversaries such as birthdays, approximating their annual occurrence based on the Earth’s orbit. Despite this approximation, the calendar provides a stable and widely accepted framework for organizing events globally, ensuring consistency in scheduling international activities and holidays. Therefore, the return of the birth date in a given month is celebrated as the birthday.
Birthday as per the Indian Calendar
In contrast, the Indian Calendar is deeply rooted in astronomical observations of the Sun, Moon, Earth and the 27 fixed stars. These stars, which remain fixed in the sky, serve as reference points for tracking planetary movements and their mutual distances. When a child is born, these astronomical events are noted, and we await the recurrence of the same celestial alignment the following year, termed as the Star Birthday or Nakshatra Birthday. A child’s birth is celebrated based on the solar month and the specific Nakshatra (constellation) under which the Moon resides during its orbit around the Earth. This unique alignment recurs annually, marking the significance of the Star-Birthday or Nakshatra-Birthday.
Is this relevant today?
Ancient scriptures emphasize the rarity and sanctity of human birth among the multitude of species on Earth, considered a blessing or the fruit of virtuous deeds. The celebration of birthdays reflects this reverence, akin to the cyclic unity of the Moon with its Nakshatra during its waxing and waning phases relative to the Sun and Earth. Traditionally, birthdays are observed with gratitude for life’s opportunities and are marked by spiritual introspection, prayers, and acts of charity towards the less fortunate.
Celebrating Both Birthdays
The Gregorian calendar-based birthday becomes an occasion for festivities with friends, family, and colleagues, celebrating the joy of existence and accomplishments. It plays a significant role in the social fabric, fostering bonds and marking milestones in life.
Conversely, the Indian Calendar-based birthday offers a moment for personal reflection, spiritual growth, and connection with the universe at large. This day holds a deeper significance for inner contemplation and seeking spiritual insights. Experiential wisdom advises us to utilize this time wisely for inner peace; when the Moon aligns in the same degree as during birth, it suggests a heightened sensitivity and caution. It reminds us to tread carefully in travel, decision-making, and other important matters, emphasizing the need for a secure and stable environment. Therefore, traditionally, it is observed quietly with visits to temples, religious rituals, a home-made feast, and seeking blessings from elders and the family deity, as well as by being benevolent and charitable towards others less fortunate.
Every 19 years, the Gregorian calendar’s approximation corrects itself to align with cosmic events, meaning that on the 19th birthday, both the birthdate and the Star birthday will coincide. It is recommended to focus on activities suitable for the Star birthday on this occasion, while celebrating socially at a later time as expected.
By choosing the right activities, we are able to leverage both these days to our benefit.
How to know your birth star ? How to know its annual return ?
To find your Nakshatra, you can refer to your horoscope or use online tools readily available. Determining its annual return date involves consulting an almanac or Indian calendar, which may require familiarity with these resources. I offer assistance in finding your Star Birthday and provide details of its next two occurrences through a simple form, with no charges incurred. All you need to do is fill up the form here
In the future, I plan to equip you with tools to identify this on your own through a self-service blog. Rest assured, your privacy is my priority, and any data shared will solely be used for providing the requested information.
