In a Indian Lunar Calendar the majority of information is derived from calculations based on the Moon. In additions to astrological calculations, a significant percentage of the Panchang data used by Hindus to determine a correct time to celebrate traditional Hindu religious events. The word “Panchang” means “five limbs” in Sanskrit. It describes five ways to divide the span of a day.

It is said in the Vedas, with the use of Panchang, the person can becomes free from all his sins. Knowledge of Tithi brings Prosperity. Knowledge of Vara prolongs Life. Knowledge of Nakshatras Removes sins. Knowledge of Yoga gives Immunity from diseases. Knowledge of Karana leads to Success in all endeavors. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

Is Life a Mystery ? In the Bhagavad-Gita (7.16) Lord Krishna describes the four categories of devotees and their reasons for worshipping God. They are: 1) The seeker of relief from distress 2) The seeker of knowledge. 3) The seeker of wealth 4) The man imbued with wisdom.

Life has been a great mystery to men. Its origin, growth, dependence and disappearance have always exercised his thoughts and emotions. Through observations and experiences and through the ages the ancient Hindus realized that life was an art like any other art in the world. It required cultivation and refinement. Men born and left alone was a mass of elements, crude and brutal and slightly removed from his fellow-citizens of the world.

His life stood in need of as much care protection and cultivation as a plant in a garden. As in philosophy so in rituals life was regarded as a cycle. It starts where it ends. From birth to death it is a continuous series of incidents moving round a nucleus of desire to live, to enjoy, to think and ultimately to retire.

The Hindu Samskaras originated in the past when the problems and the needs of the society were different from what they are to-day; the mind of the people were working under an ideology which was peculiar to its age. To day the society has changed; the man has changed accordingly; his beliefs, sentiments and aspirations have all undergone change. Unless the Hindu Samskaras are also transformed in the light of new developments, they cannot appeal to the new mind.

By scientific discoveries many mysteries of life have been solved and man’s control over his environment has immensely increased. At the source of life man is even to day experiencing the mystic touch of the invisible. This fact will keep alive the religious sentiments in man. Though the magic hold of religion in some fields of life will be loosened, the human heart will not part with that sanctity which is imparted by religious sanction. The consecration of life will never cease. Similarly the fact that life is an art and it requires conscious and planned efforts for its cultivation and refinement will never die out.