Significance of Intercalary month
The Intercalary month, in Hinduism, refers to an additional month added to calendars to ensure alignment with lunar and solar cycles. Recognized across various texts like the Arthashastra and Puranas, it serves to correct timing discrepancies and facilitate accurate seasonal or ritual observance. This thirteenth month plays a crucial role in aligning calendars, particularly in relation to the solar year, and involves certain religious practices. Its significance extends to historical contexts within Indian astronomy, emphasizing the integration of lunar and solar calculations.
Synonyms: Intercalated month
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Intercalary month'
The Intercalary month in Hinduism is an additional month added to lunar calendars to correct discrepancies with solar cycles and seasons, facilitating alignment with seasonal observances and enhancing spiritual practices and energy.
From: Kautilya Arthashastra
(1) An additional month introduced in a lunar calendar to align with seasonal cycles.[1] (2) An additional month introduced periodically to align calendars or correct timing discrepancies.[2]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) An additional month that is incorporated to align the calendar cycle, associated with spiritual energy and its acquisition.[3] (2) The thirteenth month added to a year that serves as an exception or addition, analogous to an excrescence in the ritual.[4]
From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology
(1) A month added to the calendar in certain years, which can cause the sun to return to its natal position twice within a single lunisolar year, impacting the calculation of elapsed years.[5]
The concept of Intercalary month in local and regional sources
Intercalary month is an essential concept in calendar systems, serving to align lunar and solar years by adding extra months. It is significant in the context of Mesopotamian and Indian astronomy, particularly within the Yavanajataka's calculations.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) These are extra months that are added to the lunar calendar, and the number of these is added to the solar months to convert them to lunar months.[6] (2) The intercalary month is added to the calendar to eliminate the difference between the lunar year and the solar year, as explained within the text.[7] (3) These are added to 13 lunar years and calculated according to the 5-year yuga system, demonstrating adjustments in the calendar.[8] (4) This is an extra month added to a calendar to keep it in sync with the solar year, which is discussed in relation to both Mesopotamian and Indian astronomy.[9] (5) This is a unit of time that is relevant to calculations in the Yavanajataka, and its relationship to solar months and synodic months is discussed.[10]