The Invisible Connection Between the Moon, its Phases and Humankind

-By Dr Guruji Sundar/ HH Saint Sundar

The Moon is not just another celestial object, but rather a celestial being. In Hinduism, it is revered and worshipped as Chandra Deva. In many religions and faiths, the Moon holds a crucial significance. The Moon’s phases, especially the Full Moon (Poornima) and the New Moon (Amavasya), have a remarkable influence on humankind. These two phases have been considered sacred since time immemorial, and their impact on humans has long been observed and documented. In this article, our beloved master, Dr Guruji Sundar/ HH Saint Sundar, has compassionately shared his divine revelations on the Moon:

The New Moon (Amavasya): Spiritual meaning, significance, and impact on human beings

The New Moon or Amavasya signifies a new beginning, making it an auspicious day for starting new ventures or conducting important functions. The Waxing phase of the Moon that follows this day symbolises enormous success and rapid growth of the said ventures, like businesses or projects. 

In Hinduism, Amavasya is historically important as the great Kurukshetra War started on this day. Similarly, in Jainism, Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and final Tirthankara, attained Nirvana (Enlightenment) on this day. Of all New Moon days, Mauni Amavasya (Magha Amavasya) and Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya) are the most powerful. In South India, special parikramas and holy dips are performed in Agni Theertham, a sacred beach in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, in North India, people take holy dips

in the sacred River Ganga.

What makes a New Moon day special is the extremely high cosmic power of attraction between the Earth and the Moon, which allows one to reap maximum fruit in spiritual practices or sadhanas. On other days, spiritual seekers have to fight against gravity to pull their Kundalini Shakti/Inner Energy upwards to the Crown (Sahasrara Chakra) or Third Eye (Ajna) Chakra, but this transition from the lower chakras to the higher chakras becomes effortless. This makes the New Moon a boon for seekers to evolve in spirituality.

As the Existence or Mother Existence vibrates at a higher frequency, Tantra and other ritualistic practices are also performed during this phase of the moon. The sadhakas do so to make the best use of this surge in divine energy to reap greater benefits from their practices. In South India, people who face mental disturbances are treated during the New Moon in holy places like Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple (Sholingur), Sri Agora Veerabadhra Swamy Temple (Hanumanthapuram near Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu), and Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple (Gunaseelam, Trichy).

Meanwhile, in North India, people honour their ancestors, who come down from the Pitraloka to Bhuloka on Amavasya to visit their descendants and bless them. Places like Vishnu Pad in Gaya, Varanasi, Badrinath, and Muktinath are filled with devotees who perform special puja and make offerings to their ancestors. In Hinduism, it is believed that almost 75% of human suffering and pain are caused by pitradosha. To absolve their sins, people pray to their ancestors on Amavasya and offer a feast, which satiates the ancestors, who in return give their blessings. 

A famous testament to the power of the New Moon is the story of Abirami Pattar (Subramaniya Iyer). A temple priest in Thirukadaiyur, he was often in such a deep meditative trance that people mistook him for a madman. When King Serfoji-I asked him the moon's phase on an Amavasya day, the saint—lost in a vision of the Divine Mother—replied that it was a Full Moon.

Facing execution if the moon did not appear, the saint sang the Abirami Anthaathi. At the 79th verse, Goddess Abirami threw her earring into the sky, which transformed into a radiant full moon. This miracle turned a New Moon into a night of light, proving the spiritual heights reachable on this day.

Full Moon Day (Poornima): Meaning, spiritual significance, and effect on mind & body

Each phase of the moon holds its own spiritual significance. While the New Moon can be compared to a “seed,” the Full Moon symbolises the “flower” that has bloomed. Also known as Poornima, it is a period when the divine energy is at its maximum flow. The attraction between the Earth and the Moon is very high on this day as compared to other days. 

The Full Moon has a greater influence on a human being’s mind and emotions, as compared to other phases of the moon. The majority of the people (who do not meditate or follow any spiritual path) don’t know how to cope with this sudden surcharge of abundant energy in the surrounding space. For them, it is advisable to just close their eyes and spend their time in silent prayers to reap the benefits of a Full Moon day. 

The term “lunatic” stems from the root word “lunar.” It has long been observed that some people become maniacal or insane, due to the surplus energy descending on them when the moon is in full bloom. Crime rates also go up during Full Moon days as thieves and criminals do not know how to deal with this sudden rise in their energy. They spend this amplified energy in evil acts, as they don’t know a better use of it. It is also a scientific fact that during a Full Moon, tides run high in oceans due to the high magnetic pull. 

On the contrary, Full Moon is more than an auspicious day for spiritual seekers, as meditating on this day yields high results, allowing one to grow rapidly in their path. When a person meditates on Poornima, he can feel the immense cosmic energy descending into his body through the Crown (Sahasrara) Chakra. As the existence is functioning at full peak during a Full Moon, the person will have a graceful sail into their inner space while meditating. A real meditator will know the absolute bliss of meditating on this day, as coming out from his inner space will be an uphill task. 

In India, some meditators use special techniques to absorb energy from the moon directly. 

90% of saints have attained Enlightenment on a Full Moon. Notably, the Great Gautam Buddha was born on, attained Enlightenment and took Maha Samadhi on this day only. In Hinduism, Poornima is considered auspicious, and devotees choose this day for any new or important events. Many perform special pujas, observe fasting, Mouna Vrat, and offer prayers.

In South India, it is a general custom that those gifted with siddhis like foretelling and clairvoyance prefer to do it on a Full Moon day. Additionally, special abhishek, pooja, aarti, and chariot procession of deities are observed in many temples. In the Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar temple, lakhs of people perform “Girivalam,” where they circumambulate the holy hill barefoot on a Full Moon as the herbs on the holy mountains emit divine vibrations, which are absorbed by the devotees as they walk around.

(Story written by Dr Rathna Priya T. S. and edited by Arya Vaishnavi)