Mansashtaka 2012 date

Mansashtaka 2012 date is 20 January. The denomination of Mansashtaka defines its occurrence; that is eighth lunar day of the dark half of the lunar month Magha. Mansashtaka; ashtaka meaning eighth indicates it’s assert, mansa signifying flesh. Accordingly, on this day, the Sraddha, or obsequies offerings of flesh, should be made to the pitris or manes.

Little about Manshashtaka

According to the Pauranik authorities,-' there are three days of this nature, in the months severally of Agrahayana, Magha, and Phalguna; But according to the Mitakshara, there are four such ashtakas in the course of the year; there being one on the eighth of the moon's wane of each of the two months of the two seasons of Hemanta and sisira, or the four winter months, when sraddhas are positively enjoined (nitya).

The former authorities direct that different offerings shall be made on the three days, or severally, cakes, flesh, and vegetables, as will be noticed; but it is usual to substitute cakes of boiled rice flour, mixed with milk and sugar for the meat which was anciently presented, not only at the Ashtaka sraddhas, but, as Manu enjoins, at the periodical sraddhas in general. "Let the Brahman who maintains a household fire, who has performed the funeral ceremonies of his own family, repeat the subsequent general sraddha at the conjunction of the moon every month. The wise have called the monthly sraddhas the subsequent or periodical sraddha, and that is to be offered diligently with excellent flesh."

The time is specified in the Mitakshara, upon the authority of an ancient lawgiver, Aswalayana. The flesh should be that of a goat or a deer, King Ikshwaku having commanded a large deer to be brought to him for the sraddha at the Ahtaki.