Meaning of the term Madhyamasi used during Vedic Period
The term “Madhyamasi” was used during the Vedic period in ancient India to refer to the middle period of the lunar month, which is the period between the full moon and the new moon. The term comes from the Sanskrit word “madhyama,” which means “middle.”
In Vedic society, the lunar month was divided into three periods or tithis, each lasting approximately 10 days. The first period was known as the bright fortnight or the waxing moon, the middle period was known as Madhyamasi, and the third period was known as the dark fortnight or the waning moon.
Madhyamasi was considered to be an auspicious time for various religious and social activities, including the performance of certain Vedic rituals, the offering of sacrifices, and the observance of fasts. It was also believed to be a time when the powers of nature were at their strongest, and people often performed special rites to appease the gods and ensure good fortune.
Overall, the concept of Madhyamasi highlights the importance of lunar cycles in Vedic society and the significance of timing and auspiciousness in religious and social practices.