Dhanurvyatipata – A Reflective Pause
Authored by - Smt. Chandrimā Kalbāg, with inputs from Ved. Shrī Nāgesh Hal̃dīpur Bhaṭ mām and Sunbeam archives
Dhanurvyātipāta – A Reflective Pause
In the Vedic understanding of time, certain periods of the year call for the cultivation of antarlaks͟hya, or inward alignment. One such phase, Dhanurvyātipāta*, occurs in Dhanur Māsa (the solar month where the Sun is in Dhanu Rāshi), between Dhanur (Sagittarius)Saṅkrānti (roughly mid-December) to, Makara (Capricorn) Saṅkrānti (usually mid-January), coinciding with the lunar months approximately in Pus͟͟hya Māsa or Mārgashīrs͟ha māsa.
Dhanurvyātipāta is composed of two words—Dhanur and vyātipāta. In Vedic astrology, vyātipāta is a yoga formed when the Sun and Moon cross paths in a manner indicating imbalance or opposition. Thus, Dhanurvyātipāta denotes a disruption caused by opposing forces when the yoga occurs in Dhanur-māsa. Considered unfavourable, this period is devoted to pitṛ-kārya, tarpaṇa, dāna, Brāhmaṇa-bhojana, while new auspicious ventures such as weddings and house-warmings are avoided. Worship of Rudra (the presiding deity of vyātipāta) and Bhagawān Vis͟hṇu is performed to mitigate the negative effects associated with this period. In some traditions, during the entire Dhanur māsa, pūjā-s and meals are completed before sunrise.
In the Mahābhārata, Shrī Kris͟hṇa is believed to have advised Yudhis͟ht͟hira to perform the Dhanurvyātipāta vrata and pūjā, to gain the spiritual strength needed to overcome the adversities of vanavāsa.
At Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, Shirālī, this practice is symbolically observed for a single day, in accordance with the Chandramāna pañchāṅga. On this day, sandhyāvandana, japa, pūjā-s, brāhmaṇa santarpaṇa, other rituals and the offering of naivedya are completed before sunrise, with the prasāda bhojana typically concluding around 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Dhanurvyātipāta reminds us that when we face hurdles or dilemmas in life, we must steady the bow of our vision, aim it inward and hold it in restraint, to strengthen us spiritually, thus preparing us for right action at the right time.
* This year (Vishwāvasu Saṁvatsara), Dhanurvyātipāta falls on 27th December, 2025.
Explore: I Antarlaks͟hya I Nis͟ht͟hā I