Sañgava
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Sometimes transliterated as: Sangava, SaJgava, Saygava
Sañgava literally means ‘when the cows are gathered together for milking’.
Muhurtas of a Day
A day of 24 hours is divided into 30 muhurtas. One muhurta is of 48 minutes. The day-time has 15 muhurtas. This period is divided into five equal parts:
- Prātah or udaya - sunrise
- Saṅgava - milking time
- Madhyāhna - midday
- Aparāhṇa - afternoon
- Sāyāhna - evening
Each of these is of 144 minutes’ or 2 hours and 24 minutes duration.
Significance of Saṅgava
The second part is called saṅgava because that is the time the cows are gathered together and milked. Saṅgava is also suitable for prātarhoma[1] and starting a vrata.[2]
The Pravargya rite is to be performed during this time. Some dharmaśāstras[3] consider this period of the day as suitable for marriage ceremonies also.
References
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore
