For the ancient people the Earth (nature), Moon & Sun were the most immediate & visible aspects of the cosmos.
Just by looking them for few moments, they influence our thinking and fueled our imagination to think beyond this world and our normal life...
I think yogis were highly inspired by the Sun & Moon. There are countless examples and stories that are the proof of it.
Around five years ago, when I was in the Ashram (Shanti kunj) in Haridwar, I heard in lot of audios Guruji Pandit Shree Ram Sharma Acharya emphasized to meditate upon Savitadevta (rising sun) & full moon. Many times I got the opportunity to be a part of group full moon meditation...
Also, we can see in Yogic/Hindu culture, in some of the special Purnimas like Buddha Purnima, Guru Purnima, Sharad Purnima, Kartik Purnima ; devotees/Yogis/pilgrims used to go to take the Holy baths in the sacred rivers. They do fasting, perform religious rituals, offer the food, cloths etc... That shows how much Purnima is important.
One day I was suggesting to Grandpa (now 110 years old) to take the Holi bath in Ganga before leaving the physical body.
Grandpa said: "my son, I used to go every Purnima (that's ones in a month) for Holi bath in Ganga by walking bare feet 12 kos 😳 (means 27 km)..."
It was enough for me to know his faith and devotion, and the importance of this day...
Spiritual significance
Yogis noticed the Moon suffered from regular waxing & waning, while Sun remained constant. So, for them, Sun symbolized permanence & Immortality while Moon symbolized impermanence, recurrence, repetition, cycle of birth & death...
But, full moon symbolizes that someone has known the ultimate truth, has awakened the entire energy of chitta, or has experienced the Spiritual Enlightenment.
In this particular night, the energy of the moon is on the top. So, naturally, whatever you are, it will intensify more or less. In the full moon night, practitioner can experience more depth in meditation rather than common nights, that's why yogis emphasize the meditation on this particular night.
In Ayurvedic texts, you may find one word Soma or Soma Ras. Soma means nectar & ras means juice...
Soma ras is considered a nectar that is falling from the Chandra (Moon) that's nourish & nurture all the fruits, vegetables, grains & herbs...
In many stories, I heard that Devtas used to drink the Soma Ras in the Heaven to become immortal... I am not claiming it 😊🙏... but I believe that the light of the Moon nourishes the fruits, vegetables and other eatable things...
I have seen that in the night of Sharad Purnima (October or November month), people/Ayurvedic doctors used to prepare the Kheer (a sweet made up by milk & rice) & use to keep it in the light of moon over the night & next day people use to eat it offer to others.
I also saw that some of Ayurvedic doctors use to give the special kheer for the patients even those who have the kapha disorders. Actually kheer is cold in Nature and after putting this in the light of Full moon, it should become more cold but how the patients of kapha use to get heal, I couldn't understand... Then, I had to accept that this Nectar (positive energy) or Soma is falling in the night of Sharad Purnima...
Do some experiments... And know more by your experience 😊🕯️🙏
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Hari 🕉!!!