Why Keep Silence on Mauni Amavasya?

Date, Sacred Bath and the Essence of the Vow of Silence

The Amavasya tithi of Magha month is called Mauni Amavasya. It is also known as Maghi Amavasya. Of the 12 new moon days of the entire year, it is regarded as the most meritorious and powerful. In the Gregorian calendar, this tithi usually falls in late January or early February. On this day there is a special tradition of bathing in a sacred river in silence, offering tarpan to the ancestors and giving charity.

Element of the Festival	Details
Tithi	The Amavasya of Magha month
Principal Practices	Vow of silence, sacred bath, ancestral tarpan and charity
Planetary Position	Both the Sun and the Moon in Makara (Capricorn)
Best Places to Bathe	The Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj, the Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada or any sacred river
Best Time to Bathe	From Brahma Muhurta until sunrise
Principal Donations	Black sesame, blankets, grain, jaggery, ghee and warm clothes
Tarpan Materials	Water, black sesame, kusha grass and rice grains
Special Combinations	Somvati Amavasya when it falls on Monday and Shanishchari Amavasya when it falls on Saturday

The Basic Rules of Mauni Amavasya

• Take the vow of silence as soon as you wake and do not speak to anyone until the bath and worship are complete.
• If possible, bathe in a sacred river. Otherwise, bathe at home in water mixed with Gangajal and black sesame.
• After bathing, offer water to the Sun, then face the south and offer tarpan to the ancestors.
• Donate sesame, blankets, grain and warm clothes according to your means.
• Keep restraint in speech, food and thought throughout the day.

The Secret Behind the Name Mauni

The word Mauni comes from maun, meaning silence and maun comes from muni, the sage. A muni is one who contemplates and whose speech is calm. The very name of this Amavasya shows that this is a day of restraint in speech and of self reflection. There is also a belief that Manu appeared on this day and the word Mauni is also linked with Manu. Manu is regarded as the first ancestor of humankind, so this day inspires human beings to return to their original nature.

While describing the austerity of the mind, the Bhagavad Gita counts silence as part of tapas, along with cheerfulness of mind, gentleness, self control and purity of feeling. This means that silence is not merely keeping quiet but an austerity of the mind. When speech stops, the racing of the mind also begins to slow down. The energy that is constantly spent on speaking, arguing and reacting begins to gather within.

What Is the Spiritual Power of the Vow of Silence?

In ordinary life, a person speaks thousands of words in a day. Most of these words are not necessary. Many words hurt others and many are filled with lies, criticism or pointless talk. In the yogic tradition it is believed that life force is spent along with speech. When a person restrains speech, the drain on their inner strength stops.

According to yogic belief, this gathered energy rises upward and begins to flow towards the Ajna Chakra, located between the eyebrows. The Ajna Chakra is regarded as the centre of intuition, discernment and concentration. This is why meditation after silence is deeper and japa is considered more effective.

The scriptural tradition describes 2 main forms of silence.

Type of Silence	Nature	Suitable For
Vak Maun	Giving up speech only, with gestures or writing allowed when needed	Householders and working people
Kashtha Maun	Complete renunciation of speech, gestures and writing, as silent as a piece of wood	Seekers, sannyasis and Kalpavasis

Tradition describes keeping silence for 24 hours on this day. But for a person who cannot keep silence for the whole day, the rule is to stay silent at least from waking until the bath, worship and charity are complete. The true purpose of silence is not simply to keep the lips closed. If the mouth is shut but the noise of anger, criticism and worry continues in the mind, that silence is incomplete. True silence is the one in which the mind also becomes still along with speech.

How to Keep the Vow of Silence at Home

• Inform your family a day before the vow so that no inconvenience arises.
• As soon as you wake, take the resolve of silence in your mind and bow to the Lord.
• Keep away from the mobile phone, television and unnecessary means of communication.
• During the silence, chant mentally, such as Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya or Om Namah Shivaya.
• Sit quietly for some time during the day and observe your thoughts without getting caught in them.
• When you break the silence, first take the name of the Lord and then speak to anyone.

A Rare Combination of the Planets

From an astrological point of view, on Mauni Amavasya the Sun and the Moon are together in Makara. Amavasya itself is the name for the conjunction of the Sun and the Moon but this conjunction in Makara is considered special, because at this time the Sun is in Uttarayana. On this day the Moon is usually in the Uttarashadha, Shravana or Dhanishtha nakshatra. The deity of Shravana Nakshatra is regarded as Lord Vishnu and the very meaning of Shravana is listening. On a day when the tradition is to stop speaking and listen to the inner voice, the presence of Shravana Nakshatra becomes deeply meaningful.

Makara is the sign of Saturn. The Sun signifies the father and the soul and the Moon signifies the mother and the mind. Saturn is linked with karma, discipline and the tendencies received from the ancestors. When the Sun and the Moon meet in the sign of Saturn, this time becomes the most favourable for remembering the ancestors and purifying karma. This is why Mauni Amavasya is called the great festival of ancestral tarpan.

On Amavasya the light of the Moon is at zero. The Moon signifies the mind, so on this day the mind can be more sensitive and unsteady. Silence and meditation are the simplest ways to manage this unsteadiness.

Concern	Astrological Indication	Remedy on Mauni Amavasya
Pitru Dosha	Sun afflicted by Rahu or Saturn	Tarpan with black sesame and feeding Brahmins
Mental restlessness	Weak or afflicted Moon	The vow of silence and mental remembrance of Chandra Dev
Troubles linked with Saturn	Sade Sati or Dhaiya	Donating black sesame, blankets and mustard oil
Disputes arising from speech	Afflicted 2nd house or Mercury	A full day vow of silence
Obstacles in work	Adverse Rahu	Offering water to the Peepal tree and a lamp in the evening

The Great Gathering of Ancestral Tarpan

Tarpan offered for the ancestors on Mauni Amavasya is regarded as highly fruitful. It is believed that tarpan offered with black sesame and water on this day reaches the ancestors of many generations and satisfies them. Satisfied ancestors bless their descendants with happiness, prosperity, children and long life.

Step	Method of Tarpan
Bath	Bathe in sacred water while keeping silence
Seat	Sit on a kusha mat facing the south
Materials	Place water, black sesame, kusha and rice grains in a copper vessel
Sacred Thread	Those who wear the sacred thread should move it to the right shoulder during ancestral rites
Tarpan	Offer water 3 times through the Pitru Tirtha, the part of the palm between the thumb and index finger
Remembrance	Remember the father, grandfather, great grandfather and the ancestors of the mother's side by name
Charity	After the tarpan, donate grain, clothes and dakshina

Those who do not know the names of their ancestors may offer tarpan by remembering all the known and unknown ancestors of their lineage. Purity of feeling is what matters most. Setting aside food for the cow, the crow, the dog and the ants on this day is also considered part of satisfying the ancestors.

The Importance of Charity on Mauni Amavasya

Magha is the month of charity and Amavasya is its most meritorious day. Charity given on this day is believed to bring imperishable fruit. There is also a tradition of keeping silence while giving, so that pride in giving does not escape through speech.

• Black sesame: For the peace of both the ancestors and Saturn.
• Blankets and warm clothes: To protect the needy in the cold of Magha.
• Grain and khichdi: Feeding the hungry is regarded as the greatest merit.
• Jaggery and ghee: For the grace of the Sun and prosperity in the home.
• Shoes and sandals: To ease troubles linked with Saturn.
• Service to the cow: Feeding green fodder and jaggery to a cow.

What Should Be Done and Avoided on Mauni Amavasya?

Do	Do Not
Keep silence from morning until the bath and worship	Do not argue or speak harsh words to anyone
Bathe in a sacred river or in water mixed with Gangajal	Do not sleep past sunrise
Offer tarpan to the ancestors	Do not eat meat, alcohol or tamasic food
Offer water to the Peepal tree	Do not harm any animal or bird
Light a lamp at the door of the home in the evening	Do not go to cremation grounds or lonely places at night
Practise mental japa and meditation	Do not display or boast about your charity

The Supreme Truth That Echoes Within Silence

Mauni Amavasya is a reminder of a truth that human beings often forget in the noise of the world. The deepest things are not spoken in words. They are experienced in silence. On the very day when the sky holds no moonlight, a person receives the chance to search for the light within.

For the seeker who bathes in sacred water in silence on this day, offers sesame water to the ancestors with faith and serves those in need, this Amavasya does not remain a night of darkness. It becomes a festival of inner light. This practice of silence should not be limited to one day. If a person learns to stay silent for some time every day, their whole life can become calm, balanced and meaningful.

FAQ

When does Mauni Amavasya fall? Mauni Amavasya falls on the Amavasya tithi of Magha month. In the Gregorian calendar it usually falls in late January or early February.

Why is silence kept on Mauni Amavasya? Silence is regarded as an austerity of the mind. The yogic belief is that restraining speech stops the drain of inner energy and steadies the mind for meditation and self reflection.

Is it necessary to keep silence for the whole day on Mauni Amavasya? Tradition prescribes silence for the whole day but one who cannot do so should keep silence at least from morning until the bath, worship and charity are complete.

How should ancestral tarpan be performed on Mauni Amavasya? After bathing, face the south, take water, black sesame, kusha and rice grains in a copper vessel, offer the water 3 times through the Pitru Tirtha and remember the ancestors.

What should be donated on Mauni Amavasya? Donating black sesame, blankets, warm clothes, grain, jaggery, ghee and shoes is considered highly meritorious on this day. Feeding green fodder to a cow is also auspicious.