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Thread: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

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    Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Sri Nannilam BrahmashrI Rajagopala GaNapAThigaL, editor of the magazine vaithikasri has published a book titled sandeha nivAraNI under four parts. I would like to share select answers from the book for the benefit of us all. Members may also contribute with their own selection from such books. (In the following selections any reference other than Sri Rajagolala GaNapAThigaL's books are given by name).

    Asanas (seats) for mantras/stotras/japa

    When doing pArAyaNam (reading/reciting) of mantras or stotras or when doing japam (litany), our scriptures prescribe certain Asanas (seats) for obtaining the best fruits of our efforts.

    सर्वान् कामानवाप्नोति मनुष्यःकम्बलासने

    sarvAn kAmAnavApnoti manuShyaHkambalAsane

    --a seat of white woolen cloth could fetch all that is sought by the recitation.

    कुशासने भवेत् ज्ञानम्

    kushAsane bhavet j~jAnam

    --a seat of Darbha grass can sure the defects in recalling the text and give the required knowledge for proper recital. This is the reason that brahmins symbolically place a pair of Dharbha grass leaves under their feet and squeeze a pair around the right hand ring fingure when doing ceremonies.

    आरोग्यं पत्र निर्मिते

    ArogyaM patra nirmite

    --a seat of leaves could give better health, free of diseases.

    पाषाणो दुःखमाप्नोति

    pAShANo duHkhamApnoti

    --sitting on the ground directly or on a rock for doing litany could bring sorrow.

    काष्ठे नानाविधान् गदान्

    kAShThe nAnAvidhAn gadAn

    --sitting on a plank made of bamboo or other wild wood could bring in diseases. (However, sitting on a household wooden plank with the legs folded on the ground can give good benefits.)

    वस्त्रे श्रियमवाप्नोति

    vastre shriyamavApnoti

    --spreading a cloth and sitting on it could bring in lasting wealth.

    These regulations apply to all kinds of mantra japas and pArAyaNas of all stotras such as Vishnu SahasranAmam, Lalita SahasranAmam and so on.

    The fruits will also differ according to the place of recital. For the amount of fruits obtainable by reciting at home,

    • two times of it for reciting near water bodies such as a river, pond or well;
    • a hundred times when recited in a cowshed;
    • more than a hundred times when recited near the agni after the performance of the homas;
    • a hundred crore times when recited in puNya kShetras (holy places), sannidhi (presence) of gods in the sacred temples;
    • infinite number of times for japas done in Sri MahaVishNu's sannidhi.

    *********

    Alaya pradakShiNam

    When doing pradakShiNam (going round clockwise) in temples, one should do it slowly, like a pregnant woman expecting her baby very shortly, with the full attention on the memory of God. Such a pradakShiNam could remove all the pApams (negative karmas) accumulated in our earlier births.

    As the saying goes:

    एकहस्त प्रणामश्*च एकञ्चाऽपि प्रदक्षिनम् ।
    अकाले दर्शनं विष्णोः हन्ति पुण्यं पुरातनम् ॥

    ekahasta praNAmash^cha eka~jchA&pi pradakShinam |
    akAle darshanaM viShNoH hanti puNyaM purAtanam ||


    these acts can reduce the accumulated merit of our earlier births:

    • doing only one pradakShiNam to any god except Ganesha;
    • bowing to gods raising a single hand/palm (as in the good morning gesture);
    • going to PerumAL temple and having darshan of Vishnu at odd times.

    Going round oneself is known as AtmapradakShinam. Such pradakShinam can be done only to the Sun god, or when doing sandhyA vandanam--not in temples or other places.

    Further, in accordance with the saying:

    एकं विनायके प्रोक्तं, द्वे सूर्ये, त्रीणि शङ्करे, चत्वारि महाविष्णोः,
    पञ्चास्तु देव्याः, सप्ताऽश्*वत्थ प्रदक्षिणम्

    ekaM vinAyake proktaM, dve sUrye, trINi sha~gkare, chatvAri mahAviShNoH,
    pa~jchAstu devyAH, saptA&sh^vattha pradakShiNam


    the number of pradakShiNas that should be done minimum for each god is as follows:

    • one pradakShiNam for Sri MahA Ganapati;
    • two for the pradakShiNam done towards the Sun god;
    • three for Sri Parameshvara (Siva);
    • four for Maha Vishnu;
    • five for mother or Mother Goddess;
    • seven for the peepul (arasa) tree.

    *********

    mantropadesham and mantra japam

    Mantras purify the mind and obtain the divine grace for us. For the mantrasiddhi (obtaining the fruit of the mantra), the guru's grace is vital. Only a guru can select a mantra that suits the abilities of his disciple and guide him/her in practice. The guru also bears the karmic burden of the disciple and prays for its dissolution. Therefore it is always best to be initiated into mantra japam by a guru.

    The best time for mantropadesham are the times of the solar and lunar eclipses. Receiving mantropadesham or doing japam for mantrasiddhi during the times of the eclipse could obtain the fruits early.

    As for the other best times, mantropadesham can be had on the day of sangramaNam (first day of a Hindu calendar month). The six months of the uttarAyaNam period (from the month of thai-pushya to Ani-Anusi), and the period of shukla pakSham (from the day following the Newmoon day until the next Fullmoon day) are auspicious times for mantropadesham.

    While all the mantras must be chanted with the correct and clear pronunciation, the Veda mantras should be chanted with the correct svaras (udAttam, anudAttam, svaritam).

    *********

    dhanur mAsa pUja

    In the calendar of the devas, where one year of our time equals one day, the month of mArgashIrSha-mArgazhi is the uShaH kAlam (dawn time) of the devas.

    As the shAstra says:

    उषः काले तु सम्प्राप्ते बोधयित्वा जगत्पतिम् ।
    समभ्यर्च्य भजेत् विष्णुम् जगतां दोष शान्तये ॥

    uShaH kAle tu samprApte bodhayitvA jagatpatim |
    samabhyarchya bhajet viShNum jagatAM doSha shAntaye ||


    the puja performed during the entire month of mArgashIrSha before sUryodayam (sunrise) at the uShaH kAlam for Maha Vishnu, with abhiShekam and tulasI archana, offering in nivedanam pongal prepared using payattam paruppu (greengram dhal) would bring welfare with all the doShas cured, for the village, the creatures and animals and people living in that area.

    Thus the dhanur mAsa pUja is done in all the temples for the welfare of the people at dawn time during the mArgashIrSha month. In addition, people also perform such pujas in their homes.

    कोदण्डस्ते सवितरि प्रत्यूषे पूजनात् हरेः ।
    सहस्त्राऽब्दाऽर्चन फलं दिनेन एकेन लभ्यते ॥

    kodaNDaste savitari pratyUShe pUjanAt hareH |
    sahastrA&bdA&rchana phalaM dinena ekena labhyate ||


    When the sun is in the dhanur rAsi, Sri Vishnu puja done during the uShaH kAlam for a single day could obtain the fruits of doing puja for a thousand years.

    *********
    रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
    ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Advice for Women

    • Women can very well do prANAyAmam as prescribed. For this, KausalyA Devi herself is pramANam (proof). It is mentioned in Srimad ValmIki Ramayanam, "प्राणायामेन पुरुषं ध्यायमाता जनार्दनम्"--"prANAyAmena puruShaM dhyAyamAtA janArdanam"--"Sri Rama's mother Kausalya performed prANAyAmam and prayed to her family deity SriRanganatha."

    • It is uttamam (best) that only women do the puja for Amman (AmbAL, mother Goddess) rather than men. That AmbAL much likes the puja and archanA done by women can be gathered from the nAmAvali text in Lalita Sahasranamam "सुवासिन्यर्चन प्रीता"--"suvAsinyarchana prItA". Therefore women have the preference in performing any Devi Puja.

    • To do pArAyaNam of the purANAs composed by Sri Veda Vyasa and Srimad Ramayana composed by Sri ValmIki, everyone is eligible, irrespective of the caste and religion. So women can very well read/recite Ramayana and Bhagavata and other puranas. However, receiving upadesham of the shrI rAmaShTakSharI or aShTakSharI from a suitable AchArya and then do the pArAyaNam with the blessings of the guru will fetch quicker fruits.

    • Women can very well get mantropadesham; there is no distinction as to men or women for getting mantropadesham. But then mantras should not be recited in japam looking up from the books or knowing it otherwise. They should be chanted in japam only by upadesham from a father or husband (who has enough AchAram) or from a Sadguru. To decide as to what mantra should be received in upadesham, the family kula AchAra (family traditions), horoscope or guru's advice may be considered.

    • It is best to do japam of the panchAkShara mantra after the husband and wife as dampati (in pair) receive it in upadesham through a guru; where this is not possible, women can receive the upadesham on their own and do the japam.

    • Women periodically change the shrI-mAngalya cord. To wear the mAngalyam on a turmeric-smeared cord increases the lifetime of both the woman and her husband. This cord needs to be clean and pure at all times; no other article such as a small key, a safety pin or some rakSha should be added to it. When the cord becomes thin or dirty, it must be replaced with a new one.

    The cord can be replaced on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, in the morning before meals, sitting in the DeivaSannidhi facing east. The cord should not be replaced in the evening, night or during the time of RahukAlam or Yamakandam.

    • There is a mantra to be recited when wearing kumkumam. Kumkumam is the most important of the things that give beauty and prosperity to women. Sumangali women (having their husbands alive) and spinsters who always wear the kumkumam on their forehead would receive the blessings of Mahalakshmi. It also removes any dRShTi doSha (impure looks) of the beholders.

    The kumkumam should be worn in between the two eyebrows (for all women) and on the crown of the head (for married women), sitting or standing facing east and reciting the mantra: श्रीं श्रियै नमः शं शुभं भूयात्--shrIM shriyai namaH shaM shubhaM bhUyAt.

    *********
    रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
    ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Advice for Men

    • According to the Dharma Shastras, only gRuhastas (married men) should smear the sandal paste on their chest. The brahmachAris (bachelors) should not smear the sandal paste on any part of their body.

    • The Shaivites and Vaishnavites must wear the prasAdam of their deity on places such as foreheads: Vaishnavites wear Sri Vishnu's prasAdam which is the Urdhva puNDraH (tirunAmam), while Shaivites wear Shiva's prasAdam which is the vibhUti (bhasma puNDraH). Wearing the sectarian mark gives chittashuddhi (purity of mind), Arogyam (freedom from disease), deiva anugraham (God's grace) and all such benefits, says the Anhika kANDam, a Dharma Shastra book. In addition, the greatness of the vibhUti is elaborated in books like the Devi Bhagavatam.

    Veda mantras have immesurable power; so they must be learnt only from a guru. By chanting the Veda mantras such as the shrI rudram, puruSha sUktam from books or audio recordings, you run the risk of errors in the svaram, akSharam and pronunciation; and this can bring in fruits in direct opposition to the ones desired. Even people who are capable of proper chanting must learn from a guru, only then could they get the complete benefits.

    मन्त्रोहीनः स्वरतो वर्णतो वा मिथ्याप्रयुक्त्तो न तमर्थमाह ।
    स वाग्वज्रो यजमानं हिनस्ति यथेन्द्रशत्रुः स्वरतोऽपराधात् ॥

    mantrohInaH svarato varNato vA mithyAprayuktto na tamarthamAha |
    sa vAgvajro yajamAnaM hinasti yathendrashatruH svarato&parAdhAt ||


    If the mantra differs by intonation, letter or another way while chanting, that mantra will become VajrAyudham and torment the YajamAnan who chants the mantra, just as the wrong recital of the 'indrashatru' phrase did.

    There is a story about this in the Yajur Veda.

    Twaashtha wanted a Son to avenge the death of Trishira--his Son whom Indra adopted as a preceptor in the time Brihaspathi had left him due to the disrespect Indra had shown toward his Acharya. Indra found that Trishira had an Asura Mother and when he offered oblations into the Sacred Agni for the victory of the Devas, he also uttered the mantras for the victory of the Asuras with his other mouth (he had 3 mouths)--consequently the wars were stalemated. Indra in his anger killed Trishira with his Vajram and incurred Twaashtha's wrath.

    The mantra which Twaashtha chanted had the words "Indra shatru" in it. In this the Indra was to chanted with anudhaatam and the shatru with swaritam. Twaashtha made the mistake of chanting the word Indra with svaritam and the Shatru with anudhAtam--he consequently got a Son--Vritra--not one who would kill Indra--but one who would be killed by Indra. The meaning changed due to the incorrect swara and hence the term "Yajamaanam hinasti".
    (http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/ar...ep98/0069.html)

    • Some bachelors refuse to get married, which is not proper. Marriage is not only for the conjugal bliss, it is also a duty ordained by the Shastras: te become a householder by getting married, begetting children and thereby following the dharma for a householder.

    Only marriage and the resultant male offspring can deliver a man from his duties to his pitrus (deceased parents).

    SannyAsis and BrahmachAris have no right to cook their own food: only the householders should provide them with the bhikShA (offered food).

    We learn from the Puranas that many men observed naiShThika brahmacharyam (bachelor for life) and remained without getting married. This way of living is barred for the Kaliyuga by the Shastras.

    *********
    रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
    ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    hariḥ oṁ
    ~~~~~

    Quote Originally Posted by saidevo View Post
    Veda mantras have immesurable power; so they must be learnt only from a guru. By chanting the Veda mantras such as the shrI rudram, puruSha sUktam from books or audio recordings, you run the risk of errors in the svaram, akSharam and pronunciation; and this can bring in fruits in direct opposition to the ones desired. Even people who are capable of proper chanting must learn from a guru, only then could they get the complete benefits.

    मन्त्रोहीनः स्वरतो वर्णतो वा मिथ्याप्रयुक्त्तो न तमर्थमाह ।
    स वाग्वज्रो यजमानं हिनस्ति यथेन्द्रशत्रुः स्वरतोऽपराधात् ॥

    mantrohInaH svarato varNato vA mithyAprayuktto na tamarthamAha |
    sa vAgvajro yajamAnaM hinasti yathendrashatruH svarato&parAdhAt ||

    If the mantra differs by intonation, letter or another way while chanting, that mantra will become VajrAyudham and torment the YajamAnan who chants the mantra, just as the wrong recital of the 'indrashatru' phrase did.

    Namasté saidevo (et.al)

    One must ask the value of learning from a compitent guru. Let me offer this POV.

    The wise ( ṛṣi-s) of the Veda had the intuitive knowledge to understand that divine beings (devatā) can be invoked by the uttering (manāmahe) of their auspicious (cāru) names (nāma).

    This vision or cognition was put to meter (chandas). This chandas is of great import. If we look to the Chāndogya Upaniṣad 1.4.2, it tells us that the deva-s covered themselves with chandas. Because they covered themselves with it, chandas is called so.
    We know that chandas is meter or metrical methods, yet this chandas also means 'roof' , a covering. Note also chad छद् means to conceal, hide, keep secret, a root of chandas. This chad छद् also means delight, to be pleased with.

    What is this telling us? It suggests the deva reside within the meter, between, in the gaps (as my teacher said). This is the 3 fold knowledge that the wise possess, it is called trayī-vidyā (3 fold knowledge).
    What is the 3 fold knowledge ? Every hymn in praise of the devatā in the rig veda i.e. the uttering (manāmahe) of their auspicious (cāru) names (nāma), has the ṛṣi, devatā, and chandas called out.

    It is the proper formulaic approach that is brought by the guru, the pandita, etc. that was designed by ṛṣi that is of such great value.

    praṇām

    words
    • manā मना- devotion , attachment , zeal , eagerness
      maha मह - sacrifice, lustre , brilliance; as noun great deed
    • cāru चारु- agreeable , approved , esteemed , beloved , endeared , pleasing, lovely
    • nāma नाम- named, or by name, called;
      devatā देवता - the deva-s देव - or illumined beings; divine beings. Creative impulses of creation;
    • chandas छन्दस्- meter such as gāyatrí and triṣṭúbh; I know of 7 , called out in the rig veda 10.130.4; they are characterized by the number of syllables in the mantra; gāyatrí has 24, triṣṭúbh has 44, etc. ;
    • chandas छन्दस् - also means 'roof' , a covering, to conceal; also to delight.
    Last edited by yajvan; 05 January 2009 at 05:07 PM. Reason: read-ability
    यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Deepavali: shAstriya taila snAnam

    One should never take an oil bath before sunrise. However, only on the day of Deepavali, since goddess Mahalakshmi resides in the sesame oil and goddess Ganga resides in the jalam (water), one should get up before sunrise, brush teeth, rub sesame oil on the head and limbs and take bath, not in cold but warm water.

    तैले लक्ष्मीः जले गङ्गा दीपावल्याश्*चतुर्दशीम्

    taile lakShmIH jale ga~ggA dIpAvalyAsh^chaturdashIm

    Before applying the oil, one should sit facing east, recite this shlokam:

    अश्*वत्थामा बलिर्व्यासः हनुमान् च विभीषणः ।
    कृपः परशुरामश्*च सप्तैते चिरजीविनः ॥

    ash^vatthAmA balirvyAsaH hanumAn cha vibhIShaNaH |
    kRupaH parashurAmash^cha saptaite chirajIvinaH ||


    dip the right hand ring finger in the oil and make seven dot marks on the floor. Then one should rub oil from head to toe all over the body, take bath in warm water, wear new vastram (cloth), prostrate to the elders and get their blessings.

    *********

    akShaya tRutIyai: Buying gold

    kShayam means shortfall or decay; so akShayam is fullness and that which is without decay ever. The shukla pakSha tRutIya tithi (third day after newmoon) in the month of vaiShAkhaH/vaikAsi (May/June) is known as the akShaya tRutIyai.

    Whatever beneficial act is done on that day, it would prosper. This is why the shAstras enjoin us to take up divine worship, puja, homam, anna dAnam (free feed) which would bring us the fullness of meritorious deeds. Buying a little gold on that day and giving it to the young in blessing would make the family weath prosper.

    However, more than buying gold, chariable acts such as anna dAnam to the poor, setting up free drinking water or buttermilk stalls, etc. would bring better merits says the shAstras.

    *********

    shrI rAma navami: garbhotsavam and jananotsavam

    shrI Rama was born on the navami tithi (9th day) of shukla pakSha (waxing fortnight) of the chaitra mAsam (April/May).

    The celebrations that start nine days before and last till the previous day of shrI rAma navami are known as garbhotsavam. These celebrations include daily puja to shrI Rama, shrImad rAmAyana pArAyaNam, kathA pravachanam and bhajans.

    The celebrations done in the same manner from the day of shrI rAma navami for the next nine days are known by the name jananotsavam.

    *********
    रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
    ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    rAtrow dAnaM: charity acts done in the night

    • Charities done with the noble purpose to just help others (without seeking any merits for the self) can be generally done anytime--day and night; and these bring in a good amount of puNya.

    • However, for the dAnaM done in kAmyam (to fulfil a desire), it is uttamam (best) to do it when there is sun--that is, during the time of the day.

    • The dAnaM done on these occations are done at night: lunar eclipse, weddings conducted at night, sangramaNam (first day of a Hindu calendar month), going on a trip at night, times of emergency that happen in the night, when listening to lectures on Srimad Ramayanam, Mahabharatam.

    गृहणोद्वाह सङ्क्रान्ति यात्राऽऽर्ति प्रसवेषु च ।
    श्रवणे चेतिहासस्य रात्रौ दानं प्रशस्यते ॥

    gRuhaNodvAha sa~gkrAnti yAtrA&&rti prasaveShu cha |
    shravaNe chetihAsasya rAtrau dAnaM prashasyate ||


    *********

    ekAdashI vrataM: fasting on ekAdashI

    People from eight to eighty years of age should observe the ekAdashI vow and fasting. ShAstras exempt pregnant women and sickly people from observing the ekAdashI vrataM.

    Fasting for the whole day without taking aything--even water--is called nirjala upavAsam or shuddhopavAsam. People who can't observe shuddhopavAsam may take water or watery food like milk. Those who can't do even that may take fruits.

    This ekAdashI vrataM is one which is capable of earning great puNya. It can be started anytime of the year.

    vaikuNTa ekAdashI is known as mukkOTi ekAdashI because on that day all the 33 crore devas worship God Vishnu.

    Some links:
    Ekadashi Vrata:-Fasting with the phases of the moon
    http://www.seraph.ie/Ekadashi%20Vrat...ort%20text.htm

    A slideshow presentation
    http://www.swaminarayanmandir.org.uk...toEkadashi.pdf

    ekAdashI vrata katha
    http://www.indif.com/nri/kathas/default.asp

    *********

    Sleeping till the time of sunrise

    The time before sunrise is called uShaH kAlam (dawn time). It is the time when the devas and Goddess Mahalakshmi do saMchAra (go on a trip) of the world. If we are awake at that time and meditate on them, we are sure to get their blessings.

    ShAstras say

    सूर्योदये चाऽस्तमये च शायिनं विमुञ्चति श्रीरपि शक्रपाणिनम्

    sUryodaye chA&stamaye cha shAyinaM vimu~jchati shrIrapi shakrapANinam

    Mahalakshmi will leave the person who sleeps during sunrise and sunset, even if he is Indra.

    *********

    Sleeping: which direction to rest the head

    The direction we rest our head while sleeping differs according to the place we sleep.

    स्वगृहे प्राक्*शिराः शेते ह्याऽऽयुष्यं दक्षिणशिराः ।
    प्रत्यक्*शिराः प्रवासे तु न कदाचित् उदक्*शिराः ॥

    svagRuhe prAk^^shirAH shete hyA&&yuShyaM dakShiNashirAH |
    pratyak^^shirAH pravAse tu na kadAchit udak^^shirAH ||


    • when sleeping at our own house on the east,
    • when sleeping at our father-in-law or his brother's house on the south,
    • during a journey or stay at another place on the west
    • but never on the north

    we should rest our head and sleep, says the ShAstra. The vAstu shAstram also confirms this.

    *********
    रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
    ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

  7. #7
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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Using a lotus leaf to eat food from

    People who are married should not keep food on the lotus or palAsha/purasa leaf and eat it. But then brahmachAris and sannyAsis can very well do it.

    *********

    Singing Veda mantras in janaranjana sangItam

    Veda mantras should NOT be sung in janaranjana sangItam (popular Karnatic music). Above all the other mantras, the Veda mantras have a unique power. To obtain that shakti in full, the Veda mantras should only be recited with certain niyamas (regulations).

    गीती शीघ्री शिरःकम्पी तता लिखित पाठकः ।
    अनर्थज्ञः अल्पकण्ठश्च षडेते पाठकाऽधमाः ॥

    gItI shIghrI shiraHkampI tatA likhita pAThakaH |
    anarthaj~jaH alpakaNThashcha ShaDete pAThakA&dhamAH ||

    --vyAsa shikShA

    The following six persons won't get the full power of Veda mantras:

    • One who sings the Veda mantras, setting them in sangItam;
    • one who chants them very fast;
    • one who nods his head while chanting them;
    • one who reads them from a book;
    • one who chants them without knowing their meaning;
    • one who does not have enough facility of voice to chant them.

    Of all these acts, Shastras say that singing the Vedas as songs would bring in opposite results. Veda mantras, recited with their own svara shuddham (purity of intonation), will be more enjoyable than music.

    *********

    Doing namaskAram to elders

    The purpose of the namaskAram is the expression that the person who receives it is superior to us. This namaskAram can only be done to people who are elder to us in age by at least three years. However, this rule is not applicable to the elder brothers and sisters born with us.

    *********

    Doing abhivAdanam

    After doing namaskAram, dvijas (people who wear the sacred thread) perform the pravaram of abhivAdanam (enunciated salute) by keeping the palms over ears, announcing their Rishi lineage, gotram, sUtram (family lineage), family Veda, and sharman (name), and then touching the feet of the elders they prostrated to. This is the general rule. But then

    देवान् नदीन् सभां वृक्षान् अग्निकार्यं तथा यतिम् ।
    दण्डवत् प्रणमेत् भूमौ न अभिवादन माच्रेत् ॥

    devAn nadIn sabhAM vRukShAn agnikAryaM tathA yatim |
    daNDavat praNamet bhUmau na abhivAdana mAchret ||


    For the namaskAram done

    • before deities,
    • in a sabhA (assembly),
    • to the trees such as peepul or palAsam,
    • before the agni in which rites such as samidAdAnam, aupAsanam were performed,
    • before the sannyAsis (ascetics),

    such namaskArams should be done falling like a daNDam (staff); and the abhivAdana pravaram should not be uttered on these occasions.

    *********
    रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
    ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

  8. #8
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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    hariḥ oṁ
    ~~~~~

    Namasté

    Saidevo writes,
    Singing Veda mantras in janaranjana sangItam

    ...Above all the other mantras, the Veda mantras have a unique power. To obtain that shakti in full, the Veda mantras should only be recited with certain niyamas (regulations).
    I wrote previously (post 4 above)
    The wise ( ṛṣi-s) of the Veda had the intuitive knowledge to understand that divine beings (devatā) can be invoked by the uttering (manāmahe) of their auspicious (cāru) names (nāma).

    This vision or cognition was put to meter (chandas). If we look to the Chāndogya Upaniṣad 1.4.2, it tells us that the deva-s covered themselves with chandas. Because they covered themselves with it, chandas is called so.
    We know that chandas is meter or metrical methods, yet this chandas also means 'roof' , a covering. Note also chad छद् means to conceal, hide, keep secret, a root of chandas. This chad छद् also means delight, to be pleased with.


    Now, it seems we can have an appreciation of why sanskrit, written sanskṛtam (also saṁskṛta = polished, well-formed ; saṁskṛti = purification) is the most recognized script ~alphabet of phonetics~ called devanāgarī. Devanāgarī has lineage to it, but will not be discussed here. What I thought interesting is the word devanāgarī and how it applies to the quotes offered above.

    Devanāgarī = Deva + nāgarī.
    Deva देव we know as divine and comes from 'div' - to shine, luminous ( among other things);
    nāgarī is the feminine version of nāgara नागर meaning belong to a city. It is offered in the feminine due to lipi i.e. writing , letters , alphabet , art or manner of writing was considered most cultured, as it was at a time called nāgarī lipi ( I am still studying this part and cannot go deeper as yet).

    Hence we have Deva + nāgarī i.e. the Divine, luminous beings, residing or belonging to the city. This then is understood as devanāgarī, the 'city' where the 'Divine' reside.

    This concurs nicely with the Chāndogya Upaniṣad 1.4.2 śloka offered above. It also compliments saidevo's saMskAra (saṁskāra संस्कार - correctness ,making sacred) offered in his post number 7. That is, proper chandas (meter), tone and accent are required to uncover the Divine living within the ṛk-s of the ṛgveda, the mantra-s of sāmaveda, somayāga, etc.


    praṇām
    Last edited by yajvan; 05 January 2009 at 06:14 PM.
    यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

  9. #9
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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    parihAram for things started getting stuck

    Some people experience obstacles in everything they start and the effort gets stuck in the middle. This parihAram (measure for remedy) can be of help to them.

    shrI MahAganapati is known as [i]vighnaharta[/b] (destroyer of obstacles). When Shiva started off on his chariot to do saMhAram (end the life) of TripurAsura, the axle of his chariot broke, causing an obstacle even at the start. At that time shrI Shiva who is father of MahAganapati, did stotram (worship with hymns) of his son with the Ganapati SahasranAma Stotram, got his obstacle removed and attained kAryasiddhi (task accomplishment), informs the Mudkala Purana.

    Therefore, doing pArAyaNam of MahAganapati SahasranAma Stotram daily in the early morning at dawn time for a period of one maNDalam (48 days) will ensure that all the obstacles are removed and things started will proceed smoothly to their fulfilment.

    Men, women and children--all the people--can do this pArAyaNam.

    Note: The shivasthalam Acharapakkam near Chingleput, Chennai is traditionally said to be the place where the axle of Shiva's chariot broke.

    *********

    parihAram for delay in marriage

    When the marriage of the boy or girl gets delayed unduly, for the marriage to take place early, pArAyaNam of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana can be conducted in vidhivat (according to rules) as navAham (for nine days).

    Alternatively, as mentioned in the UmAsamhita:

    कन्यार्थी च वटुः कन्याऽपि अनुरूप वरार्थिनी
    सीता विवाह सर्गं तु पठेत् प्रातः प्रयत्नः
    गव्यं निवेदयेत् क्षीरं सद्यो दुग्धं शुचि स्थले

    kanyArthI cha vaTuH kanyA&pi anurUpa varArthinI
    sItA vivAha sargaM tu paThet prAtaH prayatnaH
    gavyaM nivedayet kShIraM sadyo dugdhaM shuchi sthale


    Boys in order to get a suitable bride and girls to get a suitable groom, should do pArAyaNam of the seventy-third (sItA vivAha) sargam of the bAlA kANDam of Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam, everyday in the early morning for a period of one maNDalam (48 days), doing nivedanam of freshly milked cow's milk, the vivAham is certain to take place early.

    It is uttamam (best) for the boy or girl who is to get married to do this pArAyaNam themselves daily, after receiving the Srimad Ramayana book from an elder.

    *********

    parihAram for the childless couple

    Some couples remain childless even long after marriage. This parihAram can be of help to them.

    पुत्रकामस्तु पुत्रीयां इष्टिं दशरथस्य ताम्
    आगर्भधारणं स्त्रीणां पायसेन पठेच्छुचिः
    निवेदयेत् प्रतिदिनं घृतमिश्रं तु पायसम्
    श्रावयेच्चाऽपि पत्नीं स्वां कुल्यां विम्शति वासरान्

    putrakAmastu putrIyAM iShTiM dasharathasya tAm
    AgarbhadhAraNaM strINAM pAyasena paThechChatiH
    nivedayet pratidinaM ghRutamishraM tu pAyasam
    shrAvayechchA&pi patnIM svAM kulyAM vimshati vAsarAn


    Thus those who remain childless due to pUrva janma karma (karma accumulated in earlier births), if they as mentioned in the UmAsamhita: remain pure and do pArAyaNam of the 15 and 16th sargam (the part covering Dasharatha's putrakAmeShTi yAgam and pAyasadAnam up to garbha dhAraNam, in the bAlA kANDam of Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam, everyday for twenty days, doing nivedanam of ghee pAyasam at the end, with the wife listening to the pArAyaNam in shraddhA (faith, trust, confidence), there would be putrabhAgyam (gift of a child) certainly by the kRupA (compassion) of shrI SitaRama.

    *********
    रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
    ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    parihAram for reunion of the separated couple

    The marraige that was performed according to the ShAstras in the proper manner is a powerful one. The mantras recited in the marriage would bring in their results at proper times. The couple may live separated from each other for some time due to their fate, but they can be reunited certainly through a parihAram.

    Ask your separated daughter to get upadesham of the RatividyA mahAmantra from a guru who is a qualified upAsaka for it and do japam with the mantra daily. This mantra is a most powerful one. It will reunite the separated couple early.

    In addition, doing pArAyaNam of the Valmiki Ramayanam Sundara KANDam in the sapta sarga routine (seven sargas a day), would also help in reuniting the separated couple.

    *********

    parihAram for children to listen to their parents

    Although parihAras are there to remove setbacks that happen to us, certain setbacks happen because we did not do what we needed to. For this, the only parihAram is to correct ourselves into the right path.

    If the son or daughter born to the parents does not listen to their words, the reason is only the shortfall of puNyam of the parents. The ShAstra says

    पुत्रे यशसि तीर्थे च नराणां पुण्य लक्षणम्

    putre yashasi tIrthe cha narANAM puNya lakShaNam

    That a person has done puNyam or pApam is known through the way their children behave towards him/her, what the others talk about the person and whether there is no scarcity of water in the place where the person resides.

    Even today we witness a son past 50 or 60 years of age listen to the words of his parents and serve them. This is only the puNyam of his parents.

    Therefore, the parihAram is to correct and involve ourselves in acts that generate puNyam.

    *********

    parihAram for acute indigestion

    If the food taken did not digest, the reason could be that the time of dining and the quantity and quality of food did not conform to the ShAstras. Digestion can be improved by adjusting these factors. However, there is a parihAram in the ShAstras for acute indigestion.

    आगस्तिः अग्निःर्बडबाऽनलश्च भुक्तं मयाऽन्नं जरयन्त्वशेषम् ।
    सुखञ्च मे तत् परिणाम सम्भवं यच्छन्तु अरोगं मम चाऽस्तु देहे ॥

    AgastiH agniHrbaDabA&nalashcha bhuktaM mayA&nnaM jarayantvasheSham |
    sukha~jcha me tat pariNAma sambhavaM yachChantu arogaM mama chA&stu dehe ||

    --Vishnu Purana

    May sage Agastiya, Agni, and the submarine fire BADabAgni effect the digestion of the food of which I have eaten; may they grant me the happiness which its conversion into nutriment engenders; and may health ever animate my form! (translation from http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp085.htm)

    Reciting this mantra and then gently rubbing the navel and the stomach with water could effect good digestion. We may also teach our children about this habit.

    *********
    रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
    ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

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