Aśokāṣṭamī (Asokashtami) is the Śuklāṣṭamī (Suklashtami; the eight day of the full moon’s fortnight) of the month of Caitra. If one partakes of a bud of Aśoka flower with water, and takes a bath in Gaṅgā (Ganga), one may be relieved of śoka (soka; grief).