The Nagas, which comprise one of the Eight Classes, while dominating the water element are also associated with the earth.
As a category of nature spirit, Nagas [kLu] are a class of beings (often snake-like in form) that dwell in a variety of locations ranging from waterways and underground locations and also in unseen realms. These beings have their own perceptions and vary in their enlightened level as do humans and other beings. Nagas are susceptible to suffering created by mankind’s carelessness and basic ignorance of proper conduct in nature and disrespectful actions in relation to our environment. Therefore Nagas often retaliate towards humans when they behave in such ignorant manners. The expression of the Nagas’ discontent and agitation can be felt as skin diseases, various calamities and so forth.
This is a translation of the Tibetan astrological calendar that is used to determine the movement of the Nagas according to the lunar months, and to determine which days are the best days to make offerings to them, as well as the days to avoid making offerings. This text is known as the ‘Dukhor Bekar’ and is based on the Kalachakra tantra, which is based on Yajurved astrology.
The days that are best for making offerings to the Nagas are known as ‘teb.’ Tebs are rated from one to four degrees; one teb is only slightly good, while four tebs are the the best. The benefits resulting from your offering ceremony will be according to how many tebs that day was rated. A day that has four tebs will bring the most benefit, while a day with one teb will bring slight benefit.
There are also opposite days, called ‘dok,’ when it is not a good time to make offerings to the Nagas. There are four degrees of dok - one dok being slightly bad, while four doks are the worst. If you make offerings to Nagas on a dok day, then there will be a negative reaction, often resulting in harm or illness to the naga and the practitioner. Always avoid making offerings on a day with doks.
Some days have both teb and dok, which cancel each other out, making it a neutral day. To be safe, it is best not to make offerings on these days. Any other day that has neither a teb or dok is considered neutral. It is fine to make offerings on these days, as there will not be any adverse reactions, but there will not be much benefit either.
In Tibetan astrological calendars, the ‘Naga feeding days’ are the days with tebs. The calendar may not say which degree of teb it is. For that, you need to do further research. Likewise, most Tibetan astrological calendars will mark the days with doks - the days not to make offerings. The degree of dok will not be specified.
In this calendar, the tebs are marked with a o, and the doks are marked with a x.
Inauspicious days for Raising Prayer Flags:
In addition to the Naga days, we have included the ‘badens’, or the bad days to raise prayer flags. If you hang prayer flags on these days, there will be no result. The baden days are marked with a F.
The locations of the teb days, dok days, and badens for each month are the same each year. For example, the location of the tebs and doks for the first lunar month are always like that every year. Therefore, this calendar remains the same each year.
First Lunar Month:
This is the month that the Nagas listen to Dharma teachings. If we make offerings to the Nagas on the teb day during this month, there will be three benefits: increased longevity, success in spiritual practice, and increased prosperity.
If you make offerings on dok days during this month, the Nagas will perceive your offering as wild animals attacking them. This will cause them to react by attack you back. Always avoid making offerings on a dok day during the first lunar month.
Almost every day is a bad day to make offerings during this month. The ONLY day you can make offerings is on the 25th - the dakini day, and it is an excellent day, so make an extra effort to do the Naga offering pujas on this day.
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Second Lunar Month:
This is the Naga’s memorial month. They remember everything that happens during this time, good or bad. Since their memory is very strong at this time, if you make offerings during the teb days, the Nagas will always remember this and they will become your faithful servant and companion. On the other hand, if you make offerings to them on the dok days, they will perceive your offerings as being rotten and foul smelling and they will abandon you.
There are six particularly good days to make offerings this month - the 7th, 10th (Guru day), 15th (full moon), 20th, 21st, and 25th (dakini day). There are also four especially bad days to avoid - 2nd, 26th, 27th, and 28th. The 28th is also a baden.
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Third Lunar Month:
During this month, the Nagas are gathering together in great meetings. If you make offerings to them during teb days, they will perceive your offerings as ambrosia. The result of this will bring much benefit to the surrounding environment, and all your wishes and aspirations will come true. On the other hand, if you make offerings during the dok days, they will thing your offerings as garbage and refuse and they will run away from you.
There are four especially good days to make offerings - the 5th, 22nd, 23rd, and 25th (dakini day). The worst day to make offerings is the 15th (full moon).
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Fourth Lunar Month:
At this time, the Nagas pay particular attention to abiding by the laws of their realm. If we make offerings to them during teb days, then they will provide true support to us. If we make offerings to them on dok days, our offerings will turn to poison, so beware!
During the fourth month, there are six excellent days to perform offering ceremonies: the 5th, 9th, 20th, 23rd, 25th (dakini day), and the 30th (new moon). Never make offerings on any of the red days, particularly the 13th and the 15th (full moon).
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Fifth Lunar Month:
During this month, the Nagas are preparing for their summer season. If you make offerings to them on a teb day, in turn they will help you fulfill your wishes. If you make offerings to them on a dok day, your offering becomes poison, pus and blood and they will surely flee.
While there are many good days to perform offering ceremonies this month, the best day is the 15th (full moon). The worst days are the 6th and 7th.
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Sixth Lunar Month:
The sixth month is when the Nagas harvest their food. If you make offerings to them on a teb day, then the nagas will bestow children, wealth, and livestock. If you make offerings to them on a dok day, then your offerings become rotten.
During the sixth lunar month, there are five especially good days to make offerings: the 8th (Medicine Buddha day),15th (Buddha day-full moon), 25th (dakini day), 29th (Dharmapala day), and the 30th (new moon). The days to especially avoid are the 13th and the 16th.
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Seventh Lunar Month:
This month, the Nagas are partaking and enjoying the essences of their food. If you make offerings to them on a teb day this month, the area will not suffer from drought and you will never go hungry. If you make offerings to the Nagas during a dok day, no Naga will attend your ceremony - which means no result.
There are many very good days to perform offering ceremonies for the nagas during this month - the 1st, 11th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 29th (Dharmapala day). There are only four days that are doks, the worst are the 8th (Medicine Buddha day), and 9th.
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Eighth Lunar Month:
This month the Nagas are busy to make their clothing. It is the season for dressing. If you make offerings to them on teb days, you will never suffer from the lack of food and clothes. Whatever they are getting, you will also get. However, if you make offerings to them on a dok day, even if you offer very precious things, they will be too busy to attend.
There will be no result.
Most of the days of the eighth lunar month are auspicious for making offerings. In particular, the 2nd, 8th (Medicine Buddha day), 12th, 15th (full moon), and 29th (Dharmapala day) are best. The days to especially avoid are the 10th (Guru day) and the 19th.
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Ninth Lunar Month:
During this month, the Nagas are gathering the essence of trees. The sap of the trees are owned by the Nagas and they are very connected to trees at this time. If you make offerings to them on teb days, you will always have luxuries.
If you make offerings to them on dok days, they will perceive your offering as burning fire and flee. Some text say that Nagas will punish you by giving you contageous diseases.
The most auspicious days to make offerings this month are the 12th, 17th, 27th, and the 29th.
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Tenth Lunar Month:
According to the Kalachakra Tantra and the Vedas, this month is the Naga’s sleeping time. Making offerings will bring no benefit.
The Badens during the 10th lunar month are the 7th and 19th days.
Eleventh Lunar Month:
This month the Nagas are preparing for their winter season. If you make offerings to them on a teb day, you will enjoy peace and happiness. If you make offerings to them on a dok day, they will feel disgusted by your offering and flee.
This month has three best days to perform offering ceremonies: the 1st, 9th, and 21st. Never make offerings on the 15th (full moon).
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Twelfth Lunar Month:
At this time, Nagas are guarding and holding their treasures. If you make offerings to them on a teb day, they will come under your command and will grant you all your wishes. If you make offerings to them on a dok day, then no matter how good you offering is, they will think it is bad. There is no result.
During the last month of the year, the best days to make offerings to the Nagas are the 10th (Guru day) and the 16th. There are many days to avoid, particularly the 18th.
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Addition considerations:
If you have a double month, then the tebs, doks and badens are repeated. If there is a double day, check to see if there has been any missing days prior to this. If there has been, then the second double day is the one to count.
If an important day is missing, such as the 15th (full moon), then if there has not been any missing days up until then, then treat the 16th day as the 15th. If there were missing days before, then treat the 14th day as the 15th. In other words, if you are doing ceremonies such as Sojong on the 15th of every month and you have a month where the 15th is missing. Check to see if there have been any missing days during that month prior to the 15th. If there have not, then do the Sojong ceremony on the 16th. If there have been missing days, then do the Sojong ceremony on the 14th.
Phub Dorji Wang
Reference:
Du-Khor Be-kar( Naga days according to the astrology of the Kalachakra, which is based on the Yajurved).
