Question

In the 'Pitra-day' (time-measure for the Manes), what is the correct chronological sequence of lunar tithis from the moment of their sunrise to midnight?

• A. E, A, B, C, D
• B. B, A, E, C, D
• C. A, C, D, E, B
• D. D, C, E, A, B

Hint:

Pitra Day = Dark Fortnight (Krishna Paksha). Pitra Night = Bright Fortnight (Shukla Paksha). Their 'Noon' is Amavasya because that's when the Moon is closest to the Sun.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In Indian cosmology, the 'Pitra-Mana' is the time-scale used by the Pitrus (ancestors residing on the Moon). One human lunar month (Chandra-Maasa) is equal to one day-and-night for the Pitrus. Because the Pitrus reside on the far side of the Moon, their perception of the Sun depends on the Moon's phase relative to the Earth and Sun.

Step 2: Mapping Pitra-Time to Human Tithis:
According to the Surya Siddhanta:
1. Pitra-Noon (Midday): Occurs at the New Moon (Amavasya). At this point, the Sun is directly overhead for the Pitrus.
2. Pitra-Midnight: Occurs at the Full Moon (Purnima). The Sun is completely hidden behind the Earth.
3. Pitra-Sunrise: Occurs halfway between Midnight and Noon, which is the 8th tithi of the dark fortnight (Krishna Ashtami).
4. Pitra-Sunset: Occurs halfway between Noon and Midnight, which is the 8th tithi of the bright fortnight (Shukla Ashtami).

Step 3: Determining the Sequence:
The question asks for the sequence from Sunrise to Midnight for the Pitrus:
1. Sunrise: Krishna Ashtami (Option E).
2. Noon: Amavasya (Option A).
3. Afternoon (Post-Noon): Shukla Ashtami (Option B) and subsequent waxing tithis like Shukla Dashami (Option C).
4. Midnight: Purnima (Option D).
Sequence: E (Krishna Ashtami) $\rightarrow$ A (Amavasya) $\rightarrow$ B (Shukla Ashtami) $\rightarrow$ C (Shukla Dashami) $\rightarrow$ D (Purnima).

Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct sequence is E, A, B, C, D.