Amritavarshini : THE RAGA THAT BRINGS RAIN

Kerala has mainly two rainy seasons. The Southwest Monsoon that arrives in the month of June is called Edavappathy, as it comes in the middle of the month of Edavam on the Malayalam Calendar.
People from around the world come here to see the Sky loving the Land.

"Love is in land and air

the sky is kissing the land

with his rain and thunder"

We have many Gods that maintain rain, thunder, storm etc in vedas. Lord Indra, Lord Dyaus ( Zeus ), Lord Prajana ( Perkūnas/ sometimes identified with Thor), Maruths etc. Rain is a process managed by large amount of Gods so its not a small process. Mid October witnesses the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon. In the Malayalam calendar this month is called Thulam and hence the name Thulavarsham meaning the 'The Rains in Thulam'. Now the gathering rain clouds are from the Bay of Bengal. 

These bearers of rain hurry to Kerala through the Palakkad Gap in the Western Ghats. The swirling, jostling, billowing dark messenger of life sailing on the wings of northeast winds is a breathtaking sight to behold. As nature recoups with the rains, it is rejuvenation time for humans too. According to Ayurveda, Monsoon is the best season for rejuvenation therapies. 

During the Monsoon season, the atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy.Ayurveda recommends undergoing Panchakarma treatment during rainy season.

THE RAGA THAT BRINGS RAIN

In Carnatic music Amruthavarshini is the raga that is supposed to get the rain. The raga Malhar is a powerful legendary in Hindustani classical music which is equivalent to Amruthavarshini. Even in Puranas, its written that in Thretayug, when Ravana set fire to Hanuman's tail, he set fire to entire Lanka. Then Ravana played the Amruthavarshini raga on his Veena and brought forth rain. 

It is said that the Carnatic composer Muthuswami Dikshitar brought rain at Ettayapuram, Tamil Nadu, India by singing his composition Aanandaamrutakarshini Amrutavarshini.

Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar

There are lots of miracles that have taken place and are still taking place by singing and chanting krithis of Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar. He attained mastery over the Veena, and the influence of Veena playing is evident in his compositions.

Once he was passing through the village Ettayapuram in thirunelveli District, there was an acute drought. Since he was well known for his powers, people in the village requested him to get rains in. At their request he sang the same kriti in Amruthavarshini raga. When he sang the line "varshaya varshaya varshaya" it started raining heavily flooding the village and he had to sing the same song with the slight modification. Instead of "varshaya varshaya varshaya", he used "sthambaya sthambaya" to stop the rains.

According to the legends, raga Malhar is so powerful that, when sung, it rains. The raga has lost its "swaroop" among the ages because there was no one who could remember its complicated rhythms and beats. Many great artists of Medieval period and much earlier period used to sing this raga.

There are many written accounts of the raga. Meera Bai, the devotee of Lord Krishna is among noble singers those who were capable of having down the rains by various kinds of raga Malhar. She has composed between 200 to 1300 prayerful songs (bhajans), and most passionately praised Lord Krishna.

From instances discussed above we see how the sound vibrations, that when applied in the right way affects nature. In Ramayana and Mahabharath serials, we see Kings holding an arrow in the bow and chanding some sacred mantra that turns the ordinary metal arrow into some fire cracker. Yes, it is possible, the words from our mouth are so much important that it effects not only the people around us but the society, nature and even animals. 

In Mahabharath, Upon returning home(from swayamvara) with Draupadi, on purpose, Yudhisthira addresses his mother first "Look mother, what we have brought." Kunti, unmindful of what Yudhisthira was referring to, unassumingly asked her son to share whatever it is with his brothers. Then Kunti did not change her word, in those days , a word was given such an importance.Thus, in order to obey their mother's order all five accepted Draupadi as their wife.

Body & health condition during rainy season:  

-Low digestion power

-Low immunity and

-Low body strength

Food to avoid during rainy season: 

• Food that causes Vata and Pitta imbalance such as food having bitter, hot and astringent principles, potato, etc.
• Food items that are heavy to digest.
• Frozen food stuff, ice creams.
• Oily food stuff