Bikram Sambat – Nepali Calendar – New Year’s Resolution

In Nepal, Bikram Sambat/ Vikram Samvat (B.S) is considered as a recognized, legal Nepali Calendar, Nepali Patro with National sovereignty. On this basis, the National Calendar or calendar of Nepal is prepared. Each year, the new Sambat starts after Chaitra Sankranti (mid-April). Bikram Sambat/ Vikram Samvat is the most scientific of all the world’s calendars, based on the speed and nature of the sun.

Surya Narayan (the Sun) is the regulator of the world, time, and nature. In the Vedas, the sun is called the soul of the universe (सूर्य आत्मा जगतस्थुषः). It is said thus because Suryanarayana is the direct adherent of the entire universe and the pastoral world. Bikram Sambat/ Vikram Samvat moves on the basis of the speed of the sun. The months, such as Baisakh, Jestha, etc with 12 months are 12 zodiac signs of the sun. The sun takes one month to rotate around a certain zodiac. The solar value (saurman) is calculated on the basis of the Sun’s principle (Surya Siddhanta).

There is nothing else in the world like the Sun, regular and bright. Surya Narayan is also considered as the (Chachyu) ‘eye’, of the Supreme God in the Vedas. Suryanarayana is also regarded as a direct deity who watches the world. In the dawn, the sun showers nectar rain thus, the world receives energy in the morning. The heat of the Sun can cure many diseases. So, the sunrise has great glory and importance. All the gods, on whose feet they bow their heads, such god, Lord Shiva also, greets the same Surya Narayan through his homage when it rises in the morning. All the people worship Suryanarayana by reciting the holy Gayatri Mantra in the morning. In the Vedas also, the most talked about and described-about is Surya Narayan, the Sun.

Surya Dev is the regulator of time. Era, year, season, month, fortnight, day, hour, minute, second, clock, and moment are all measured based on the sun’s speed. When Surya Narayan reaches the mid of the sky or during midday, our watch shows exactly 12 o’clock. Therefore, each country has set a certain focal point and the national time is determined by observing the sun reaching the central sky at 12 o’clock in the afternoon. Due to the geographical differences, the time of different countries of the world is also different.

Bikramaditya is the one who started Bikram Sambat/ Vikram Samvat after the expiry of Kali Sambat of 3000 years. Historians say that the evidence at Battisputali and Bajrayogini tells of Bikramaditya, who came to Kathmandu, paid off the debt of the people, mounted on the throne, and started Bikram Sambat. Later, the then Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher formally brought it into operation in 1960. Historians believe that the most scientific, practical, and historical Bikram Sambat was put into practice as the astrologers suggested that the earlier used Sak Sambat and Nepal Sambat were impractical, doubtful, and unconventional for government affairs. Bikram Sambat is 56 years, 9 months 15 days older than the Gregorian calendar (AD).

1st of Baisakh is the first day, of the new year according to B.S. From this day, it is believed that the sun, the moon, etc along with 9 planets became dynamic and creation is believed to have proceeded. During this time, the regulator (Jagchacchyu) Surya Narayan enters zodiac Min (Pisces) from zodiac Mesh (Aries). In astrology, Aries is considered an intense zodiac of the sun. New Year begins and freshness comes to nature after Surya Narayan enters the higher or intense zodiac. The plants, shed old leaves, and out comes the new ones. The sky is clearer. The days are longer and warmer. All living beings rejoice. Mankind also is filled with happiness.

The advent of the New Year brings changes to people’s thinking. Each new year makes people more mature. Therefore, with the resolution to abandon all the bad things done in the past, to walk on the path of truth, and with the purpose of changing lives in a different way people move forward with different hopes.

In the new year, the bright rays of Suryanarayan also fill new zeal, vitality, and exuberance to the people. During this time best wishes are exchanged among each other. New resolutions will be made. All of these aspects can really change a person’s life if one can assimilate them. For this one requires a strong will, determination, confidence, and activism. To achieve all this, the blessings of Suryanarayan and one’s Istadev (family deity) are required.

Prosperity is in the hands of every person. “उद्यमेनैव सिध्यन्ति कार्याणि न मनोरथैः।” That is, desires are not fulfilled by mere wish, but karma must be done for its fulfillment. That too, after repeated karma one can reap the fruit. If the summit of a target is small, how can the peak of Everest be reached? Therefore, the target of the goal must be to reach the pinnacle of progress. Then only, one can kiss the target by reaching the summit of Everest.

Lord Suryanarayana is the eye (emerald) of light, whose small touch makes many flowers bloom. You put on the sun’s rays inside your brain and you will become like a fragrance of the flower in the world. Suryanarayan is the source of millions of inspiration, just follow a regular discipline as of the sun and you become the source of inspiration for millions too. Surya Narayan rises at the appointed time and sets at the appointed time. There is no up or downside to its timing. Fulfill your duties in due time; success will follow you, like the red color of the sun. Ramabhakta Hanuman became a good disciple who received the education of Suryanarayan. As Hanuman became famous during the Treta epoch and is still famous to date, you too can have the fame as hanuman did with the right karmas.

A year is the time of a break in the sun or its rotation of the earth. But, for a young person, 1 year is not a short time. With each new year, the life expectancy of a human being decreases by 1 year. In this short life span, each person must go through four stages of religion, knowledge, love, and salvation. Making life meaningful is to attain godliness in the end. Therefore, goals should be set according to one’s age and condition. God resides in the soul of every man. So if you can awaken the Spirit of God through self-reflection, your life surely will be worthwhile.

One should worship the Sun and one’s Istadev (family deity) on New Year’s Day. One should also participate in various religious and social activities, like going to a nearby temple and worshiping the deity. As much as possible, we should express our best wishes for the new year to neighbors and relatives. Such acts involve teaching the children their traditions in advance so that they can follow them in the future.
On this day, all the family members can sit down, review the past year’s work and expenditure as well as formulate new plans. Resolutions and actions can also be initiated this day by setting new goals for work, education, business, etc.

In the end:-

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिन: सर्वे सन्तु निरामया:।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद् दु:खभाग्भवेत् ।।
सर्वेषां स्वस्तिर्भवतु।
सर्वेषां शान्तिर्भवतु।
सर्वेषां मङ्गलं भवतु।।

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