Sañgava
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Sañgava literally means ‘when the cows are gathered together for milking’.
Muhurtas of a Day[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore