Why Is the Year Divided into Twelve Months

आदित्यः –
आदित्यमण्डलस्थो हिरण्मयः पुरुषः – that golden form that you see inside surya mandala is him, Aditya, Surya Narayana.

ध्येयः सदा सवितृमण्डलमध्यर्ती नारायणः सरसिजासन सन्निविष्टः

One complete revolution of sun in the zodiac with respect to earth or one complete revolution of earth around sun is called one year. Aditya has 12 forms and the year has 12 months.

First form Indra – is the power of Surya Narayana acting through the king of Devas. Devas keep evil under control. Indra is the head of all those powers who keep evil under control. So when you see someone fighting evil, fighting corruption, fighting crime, fighting injustice, you should see power of Surya in action.

Whenever you see a good ruler trying to destroy evil, corruption, establishing peace, happiness, you should see Surya in action through his form called Shakara, Indra.

The second form Dhata is present in Prajapati, Brahma and causes creation, creation of everything. So when you see creative power you should see Aditya’s, Surya’s power acting out. Creativity you see in artists, sculptors, writers, composers, when you see a seed germinate, when you see a plant growing up in your garden, when you see a newborn, when you see a mother bird nursing the baby birds, you should see Surya in action through his aspect called Dhata.

The third form of Aditya is Parjanya – the power of sunlight that causes evaporation of water from the oceans, from all water bodies, form clouds and causes rains and provides water to all beings on earth. It’s a great water distribution system, you see.

Had water been confined to water bodies, then life would have been there only in and around water bodies, near seas, lakes, rivers. But, on the surface of earth, life is there everywhere and every living being needs water.

And can you guess how much water Parjanya handles in a year by causing evaporation and later giving rain? Write 51 and then put 16 zeros after that – whatever that number is.

So many litres, every year.

And making sure that everyone, everything gets his or her or its due. Without fail, year after year.

This is what the third form of Surya, that is Parjanya, does – water distribution.

The fourth form of Aditya is Pusha – one who nourishes.

If you see food chain – plants are the producers, primarily. Plants produce and from there food chain develops. If plants don’t produce, then the world would starve and perish.

And what causes production of food, that is photosynthesis within plants – sunlight.

So no sun means no food, no nourishment.

So as Pusha, sun causes photosynthesis and nourishes the world.

The fifth form of Aditya is called Tvashta.

Veda says – tvasta rupanam adhipati samavatu.

Tvashta gives forms.

If a child born to a man and woman looks like a human being, not anything else.

When a coconut germinates and grows up, it always looks like a coconut tree and not a mango tree.

Why, how?

Because someone controls this.

Who is that? Tvashta, the fifth form of Surya.

The sixth form of Surya is called Aryama.

Aaryam shreshtam mimeete iti Aryama.

Aryama is that form of Surya who refines people, who makes people great, makes them noble, gives them good qualities, gets them rewarded and recognized for that.

So wherever you see greatness, nobility – you see Aryama in action.

So this is the form of energy of Surya which you see in evolved cultures, in developed places, in growing places.

The seventh form of Surya is called Bhaga.

Bhaga is always connected to prosperity and luck.

So wherever you see these, you can be sure that this form of Surya, this energy of Surya, is present there.

The eighth form is Vivasvan – Surya that is Agni.

Agni is same as Surya. When in the sky he is called Surya and when on earth he is called Agni. And the form of Surya present in Agni, the energy of Surya, power of Surya that is present in Agni, is called Vivasvan.

So when you see anything burning, energy getting released, when food gets digested in the stomach, when the food particles are taken to individual cells in the body and with the aid of oxygen get burned and release energy for the functioning of the body – this is the work of Vivasvan.

The ninth is Amshu, which is the form of Surya that is present in Chandra.

A characteristic called apyayana is attributed to Chandra – apyayana means to increase, to grow.

It is moon that makes plants to grow and also everything to multiply.

The reproductive system is closely linked to Chandra.

Production of ovum and periods in the female body are linked to the action of Moon and Mars. Male fertility is connected to Chandra.

Veda says on the day of Amavasya, Chandra disappears from the sky to be present in all plants to nourish them with amrita. It is because of this that herbs have healing power.

The tenth form of Surya is Vishnu – the force that destroys daityas and danavas and takes avataras.

This is why we say Sri Hari and Surya are one and the same.

The avatara aspect of Sri Hari is the same as Vishnu aspect of Surya.

While Sri Hari is Surya in his entirety, as Surya Narayana, as all the 12 forms of Aditya, his avataras are particularly this Vishnu aspect.

Eleventh is Varuna – present in the ocean, present in all water. The power of ocean.

This is why just as fire purifies, water also purifies.

Veda says – agni is born out of water.

So Vivasvan is Surya in Agni, and Varuna is Surya in water.

And the twelfth form is Mitra – the form that is compassionate towards all, kind towards all.

Wherever you see kindness, compassion, sympathy, charity – it is this power, this form of Surya that is present.

• Why does a year naturally feel like twelve parts rather than a blur?

  • Because the sun's cycle shows twelve repeating qualities of energy. Marking them helps minds and families live with rhythm instead of rush.

• How does devotion to the Lord connect with the sun we see every day?

  • The same supreme power works through the sun to sustain, protect, and guide. Remembering him when you step into sunlight keeps bhakti practical and alive.

• What is the point of linking months to different powers like courage or compassion?

  • It trains attention. When you notice a power at work, gratitude awakens, ego softens, and action becomes cleaner.

• How can this view improve physical health without getting mystical?

  • Morning light for 10–15 minutes sets your body clock and mood. Daylight movement aids digestion and sleep. Simple, steady, effective.

• What does the 'protector' aspect teach for home life?

  • Stand against wrong calmly and early. Parents model firm kindness; children learn that safety and truth go together.

• What does the 'creator' aspect mean for work and study?

  • Start small, ship something daily. Treat ideas like seedlings: protect, water, and be patient.

• Why care about the rain and water cycle spiritually?

  • It shows continuous giving. Keep water clean at home, avoid waste, and say a quick thank you before drinking. Gratitude reshapes habits.

• How does the 'nourisher' aspect change the way we eat?

  • Sunlight feeds plants; plants feed us. Favour seasonal, plant-forward meals and eat in calm. Better gut, better mood.

• What is the lesson in the 'giver of form'?

  • Respect natural limits. A child is not a project. Guide gently; do not force them into someone else’s shape.

• How does the 'refiner of character' show up in daily life?

  • Choose one trait per month to polish: truth, punctuality, cleanliness, patience. Small wins accumulate.

• What do we learn from the 'bringer of prosperity'?

  • Prosperity follows responsibility. Keep accounts clean, pay on time, and share quietly. Bhakti is honest with money.

• How does the 'fire within' help health and focus?

  • Keep digestive fire steady: regular mealtimes, no heavy late dinners, brief post-meal walk. Clarity of mind improves when the belly is calm.

• Why link the moon’s growth quality to family routines?

  • Gentle increases work. Build habits in small steps: one page, one prayer, one walk. Families change by increments, not announcements.

• What is the use of seeing the 'protector who destroys harm' in tough times?

  • It gives courage without hatred. Do what stops damage, keep the heart clean, and hand over outcomes to the Lord.

• How does the 'purity of water' guide relationships?

  • Words should refresh, not burn. If a talk gets heated, pause, drink water, and start again softer.

• What does the 'universal friend' teach about charity?

  • Give without strings and without drama. If help adds shame or control, it is not friendship.

• How can a family actually live this twelve-fold view across a year?

  • Pick one theme per month: protect, create, conserve water, nourish, respect forms, refine character, handle money cleanly, guard digestion, grow gently, act with courage, keep speech pure, practice friendship.

• Where does bhakti fit among all these practical steps?

  • At the center. Begin and end the day with a short remembrance. Action becomes prayer, and prayer becomes strength.

• What proves this approach is working?

  • Sleep deepens, meals are calmer, tempers cool faster, bills get paid on time, and the house feels safer. The Lord’s grace shows up as order and quiet joy.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi