Thai Pusam

Thai Pusam
Puṣya (पुष्य):—Name for a particular section of the ecliptic. It is also known as Puṣyanakṣatra. Nakṣatra means “Lunar mansion” and corresponds to a specific region of the sky through which the moon passes each day.
Puṣya means “the nourisher” and is associated with the deity known as Bṛhaspati (God of prayer).
The presiding Lord of this lunar house is Śani (Saturn).
Indian zodiac: |3°20'| – |16°40' Karka|
Karka (कर्क, “crab”) corresponds with Cancer.
Western zodiac: |29°20' Cancer| – |12°40' Leo|
Cancer corresponds with Karka (कर्क, “crab”) and Leo corresponds with  Siṃha (सिंह, “lion”).
Puṣyā (पुष्या) is a Sanskrit word referring to the asterism Cancri. When preparing to build a playhouse (nāṭyamaṇḍapa), the architect should spread a piece of white string (for measurement) during this specific asterism (puṣyā), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra 2.27-28.
The string can be made of kārpāsa (cotton), bālbaja (kind of grass, Eleusine indica), Muñjā grass or vālkala (bark) of some tree.
Puṣya (पुष्य) is the name of a Nakṣatra mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.
As regards the heavenly bodies, the Nīlamata refers to the sun, the moon, the planets and the stars.
The divisions of the time are also mentioned as objects of worship.
Puṣya (पुष्य).—A nakṣatra in Airāvati vīthi.*
The month sacred to Bhaga, etc.*
A term for Kali-yuga, evils of*
Puṣya (पुष्य) refers to the eighth of twenty-seven constellations (ṛkṣa), according to the Mānasāra.
It is als known by the name Siddhya.
Ṛkṣa is the third of the āyādiṣaḍvarga, or “six principles” that constitute the “horoscope” of an architectural or iconographic object. Their application is intended to “verify” the measurements of the architectural and iconographic object against the dictates of astrology that lay out the conditions of auspiciousness.
The particular nakṣatra, also known as ṛkṣa (e.g., puṣya) of all architectural and iconographic objects (settlement, building, image) must be calculated and ascertained. This process is based on the principle of the remainder. An arithmetical formula to be used in each case is stipulated, which engages one of the basic dimensions of the object (breadth, length, or perimeter/circumference). In the context of village planning and measurement, the text sates that among the stars (ṛkṣa), the ones that are pūrṇa (odd), are auspicious and the ones that are karṇa (even), inauspicious.
Puṣya (पुष्य) refers a kind of precious stone (gem) used for the making of images (Hindu icons), as defined in the texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The materials listed in the Āgamas for the making of images are wood, stone, precious gems, metals, terracotta, laterite, earth, and a combination of two or three or more of the materials specified above.
The precious stones mentioned in the Āgamas for the purpose of making images are [for example] puṣya.
Precious stones (e.g., puṣya) are preferred materials for fashioning images.—The materials recommended in the śilpaśāstra for the fashioning of images are unburnt clay, burnt clay as in brick or terracotta, sudhā (a special kind of mortar/plaster), composite earth, wood, stone, metal, ivory, dhātu (mineral), pigment, and precious stones.
Wood is considered superior to earth, stone as better than wood, metal better than stone, and precious stone (such as puṣya) is the most preferred of all.
Puṣya (पुष्य) is the name of a Nakṣatra mentioned in chapter 18 of the Candragarbha:
the 55th section of the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra, a large compilation of Sūtras (texts) in Mahāyāna Buddhism partly available in Sanskrit, Tibetan and Chinese.—
Chapter 18 deals with geographical astrology and, in conversation with Brahmarāja and others,
Buddha explains how he entrusts the Nakṣatras [e.g., Puṣya] with a group of kingdoms for the sake of protection and prosperity.
The Puṣyanakṣatra comprises the following realms:
1. Po-tch'a-li-fou (Pāṭaliputra),
2. Mo-ni-lan-p'o (Maṇilamba?),
3. P'o-leou-na (Varuṇa),
4. Na-tchö-lo (Nacara?),
5. Kie-na (Karṇa),
6. Pe-pan-tchö-lo (Uttarapañcāla),
7. Ti-po-na (Tipana),
8. So-lo-ts'o (Saratsa),
9. Tchan-po (Campā),
10. Sou-tou-na (Sthūna?),
11. Kieou-leou-tch'a-to (Kurukṣetra),
12. Si-ti (Aparāntā?),
13. Fou-leou-cha-fou-lo (Puruṣapura),
14. Heou-mi-tan (Homidha),
15. Lan-mo-p'o (Laṃmava or Lampa?),
16. K'iu-lo (Gaura?),
17. Hi-mo (Haima),
18. Chö-ye-po-t'i (Jayapati),
19. Po-k'ieou-mi (Vagumi?),
20. Heng-ho-men (Gaṅgādvāra),
21. T'eou-p'o-lo-p'o-ti (Dvāravatī?),
22. Tchan-ta-lo-po-ti (Candravatī?),
23. P'o-leou-kia-tche (Bharukaccha),
24. Sou-ni-k'i (Sonikhī?),
25. K'iu-cha-po-ti (Ghoṣavatī?).
Puṣya (पुष्य).—
The Kali age.
The month called पौष (pauṣa).
The eighth lunar mansion (consisting of three stars), written also तिष्य (tiṣya).
-ṣyam
The blossom.
Foam, scum.
-ṣyā The asterism called पुष्य (puṣya).
Puṣya (पुष्य). (-ṣyaḥ-ṣyā)
The eighth lunar asterism, comprising three stars, of which one is the Cancer.
The month Pous, (Dec. and Jan.)
The Kali, or fourth age.
puṣ to nourish
Puṣya (पुष्य).—
nourishment; the blossom i.e. the best part of anything.
Thai Pusam has special significance in Kali Yuga that we are in now.
The Six Lettered Mantra of the Six-faced Lord (Shan-Mukha,
Aaru-Mukha) - Sa Ra Va Na Bha Va was born when PANCHAKSHARA Mantra was taken siege by the Asura Forces, just proclaiming the truth that Dharma (righteousness) will be tested, but will prevail.
Blessed Thai Pusam to all.