In the personal worship of God in a form of one's choosing , the Shodasha Upachara forms an important minimum part of the Puja or Aaradhana .
The list of the 16 ritual offerings vary from text to text, but I give here a often used expanded list of 36 Upachaaras . .
1. Avahanam and praana prathista ( or invocation of the Deity to manifest himself / herself )
2. Aasanam ( offering of a seat )
3. Arghyam ( water offering to the deity to wash hands )
4. Padyam ( water offering to wash feet )
5. Achamaniyam ( water offering to drink )
6. Snanam ( ritual bath 0ffering )
7. Vastram ( offering of robes )
8. Yajnopavitam ( offering of the sacred thread)
9. Gandham ( perfume offering)
10. Tulasi patram / bilva patram ( offering of Tulasi ( basil - osmium sanctum ) leaves or Bilva leaves ) to Vaishnava / Saiva deities respectively .
11. Chandanam ( sandal wood paste)
12. Pushpam ( fragrant flowers )
13. Dhoopam ( incense )
14. Deepam ( offering of lighted lamps )
15. Kumkumam ( red vermilion)
16. Haridra Churnam ( turmeric powder)
17. Alankaram ( decoration)
18. Aabharanam ( Jewellry)
19. Darpanam ( Mirror)
20. Chatram ( umbrella)
21. Chamaram ( fly whisk )
22. Punar Arghyam
23. Padhyam
24. Achamaniyam
25. Neivedyam ( food offering )
26. Madhuparkam ( a sweet mix of milk , curd , honey , butter , and ghee)
27. Tambuphalam ( offering of betel leaf and areca )
28. Mantra Pushpam ( recitation from the vedas )
29. Vadhyam ( playing of musical intruments )
30. Sangeetham / sankirtan ( vocal singing in honour of the deity )
31. Ashtothara Shatha nama Archanam . ( recitation of 108 different names of the deity )
32. Dhyanam ( meditation on the deity )
33. Mantra Japam( recitation of an important mantra connected with the deity 108 times , like ashtakshara or panchakshara )
34. Pradhakshinam ( circumbulation )
35. Namaskaram ( salutation )
36. Shayanotsavam / Paryankasanam ( Deity is offered rest )
Basically the Deity is treated as the seniormost member of the family, and all affection , love , courtesy and respect is showered upon him / her .
Temple rituals are similarly structured and can be more elaborate .
Household Puja could be simpler in form than described above.
What matters is the sincerity with which it is done .
Variations in method occur from temple to temple, from household to household , and from individual worshipper to individual worshipper .
As Krishna says in the Gita ,he is pleased with a offering of a simple leaf , flower , fruit , or water
as long as it is offered with devotion .
The Puja and Aaradhana is considered important in the Bhakti Marga or the path of loving adoration ... which leads to surrender or Sharanagathi . This is considered the easiest of all paths , and purifies one gradually making one more and more sattvic and detached . Through the discipline of the Puja ritual , ones heart and mind turns away from the temporary worldly distractions and gets fixed on the ultimate goal of Moksha or liberation which is the permanent state of Ananda or true happiness .
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Where is God ?
The scriptures say that God encompasses everything in this universe. They further go on to say that all matter in the universe with its millions of galaxies stars and planets consist of only one quarter of God , the rest three fourths of God remains as energy .
However God also manifests specially in five different ways .
As " Para " God is Para Brahman , who encompasses everything , is present every where , pervades everything.
( Vishnu means the "Pervader ")
As " Vyuha " God manifests as various divine beings and demigods .
As " Vibhava " God manifests as Avataras or incarnations or spiritually uplifted beings in human form who come to guide humankind.
As "Antaryamin " God is present inside all living creatures .
And finally as " Archa " or in the form of duly consecrated Images in temples , where God is ritually invoked , who answers the prayers of devotees .
Friday, October 16, 2009
Deepavali
First Day of Karthika Maasa Vikram Samvat 2066
Deepavali (or Diwali in north India ) is perhaps the most important Hindu festival of the year .
It is celebrated by all hindus , Jains , sikhs etc .
Deepavali ( which means row of lights )
marks the victory of good over evil ,
the victorius return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya , marked by lighting of thousands of lamps ,
of the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakasura .
is celebrated by lighting lots of oil lamps ,lighting fire crackers ,
wearing new clothes , eating sweets , celebrating with friends and family , and prayer .
Its a three day festival , starting with Narakachaturdasi and ending with Balipadyami .
In the north , the first day is called Dhanteras and ends with Diwali on the third day .
In many parts of south India , people wake at 4 am ( 4 am to 6 am is the auspicious Brahma Muhurta )
take an oil bath with a few drops of water added from the river Ganga
and celebrate with lights and fire crackers before dawn .
The hindus have several calendars ...
Perhaps the most important is the Vikram Samvat , which began in 57 BC
when the celebrated Emperor of India Vikramaditya defeated the Sakas .
Deepavali marks the beginning of the new year in the Vikram Samvat calendar ,
the first day of the first month of Karthika .
Businessmen open their new account books on this day with Lakshmi Puja , and pray for prosperity .
Deepavali is a day of joy , of forgiveness , of starting afresh , of hope in the future .
It is a day of gratitude to the Gods and life itself .
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
from Nammalvar's Thiruvaymozhi
Instead of getting his praises
sung by the great poets...
he
comes here today ...
and gently ,
makes me over into himself ,
and gets me to sing
of him ,
my lord of paradise ....
---------Nammalvar , 8th Century , in Tamil .
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Guru
The Guru , or the Teacher , plays a crucial role in the Sanathana Dharma .
A spiritual aspirant finds his path far easier if he or she is guided by the right Guru .
Hinduism gives a very high status to the guru , he or she is only next to God , since the Guru leads us to Godhead .
I have been fortunate in having several good teachers .
My late Paternal Grandfather , who taught me the traditional Aradhana or the Puja as per our denominational traditions , and who also taught me the Sri Stuthi , the Sudarshana Ashtaka and the Hayagriva Stotra .
My late Maternal Grandfather who taught me the Vishnu Sahasra Nama and the Venkatesha Suprabhatha.
My late father in Law , who set a wonderful example and inspired me by the way he lead his life and by his constant equanimity , who reminded one of Siva Dakshinamurti , the divine Silent Teacher .
My weekend Gita Teacher who persuaded me to write the first two exams on the Bhagavad Gita .
My sanskrit teacher at school who taught me the basics of the sacred language , the most beautiful in the world .
My 82 year old Veda teacher ,
who formally taught me the basic fire sacrifices - the Agnihotra , the Aupasana , the Vichinna Aupasana , and the Sthali Paka Homa , and from the divine Vedas , the Pancha sukta , ( The Purusha Sukta , the Narayana Sukta , the Sri Sukta , the Bhu Sukta , and the Nila Sukta )
the Vishnu Sukta , the Pancha Shanti's , the Naasadiya Sukta , the Hiranyagarbha Sukta , and importantly from a philosophic point of view --- the Taitariya Upanishad from the Shukla Yajurveda .
And last but most importantly , my mother , who taught me all my basic prayers and slokas on her lap , who gently , but steadily , has reminded me of the importance of spiritual goals , and also of faith , of truth , of simplicity , of virtue , of detachment and so on .
( I am yet to make headway on the simplicity and detachment ).
Many many individuals, big and small, from PhD holders to our maid , have also taught me numerous little things by their actions , by their personalities , and their behaviour.
Last but not the least , I am profoundly grateful to the Supreme Being , the first Guru , who has shown me the right path .
For all my teachers , I am immensely grateful .
But I still have a very long way to go .......
However , I pray that I will continue to get guidance , directly or otherwise .
"Brahma praavaadhishma thanno maa haaseeth. "
"I have chanted the sacred Veda , may it not abandon me ."
A spiritual aspirant finds his path far easier if he or she is guided by the right Guru .
Hinduism gives a very high status to the guru , he or she is only next to God , since the Guru leads us to Godhead .
I have been fortunate in having several good teachers .
My late Paternal Grandfather , who taught me the traditional Aradhana or the Puja as per our denominational traditions , and who also taught me the Sri Stuthi , the Sudarshana Ashtaka and the Hayagriva Stotra .
My late Maternal Grandfather who taught me the Vishnu Sahasra Nama and the Venkatesha Suprabhatha.
My late father in Law , who set a wonderful example and inspired me by the way he lead his life and by his constant equanimity , who reminded one of Siva Dakshinamurti , the divine Silent Teacher .
My weekend Gita Teacher who persuaded me to write the first two exams on the Bhagavad Gita .
My sanskrit teacher at school who taught me the basics of the sacred language , the most beautiful in the world .
My 82 year old Veda teacher ,
who formally taught me the basic fire sacrifices - the Agnihotra , the Aupasana , the Vichinna Aupasana , and the Sthali Paka Homa , and from the divine Vedas , the Pancha sukta , ( The Purusha Sukta , the Narayana Sukta , the Sri Sukta , the Bhu Sukta , and the Nila Sukta )
the Vishnu Sukta , the Pancha Shanti's , the Naasadiya Sukta , the Hiranyagarbha Sukta , and importantly from a philosophic point of view --- the Taitariya Upanishad from the Shukla Yajurveda .
And last but most importantly , my mother , who taught me all my basic prayers and slokas on her lap , who gently , but steadily , has reminded me of the importance of spiritual goals , and also of faith , of truth , of simplicity , of virtue , of detachment and so on .
( I am yet to make headway on the simplicity and detachment ).
Many many individuals, big and small, from PhD holders to our maid , have also taught me numerous little things by their actions , by their personalities , and their behaviour.
Last but not the least , I am profoundly grateful to the Supreme Being , the first Guru , who has shown me the right path .
For all my teachers , I am immensely grateful .
But I still have a very long way to go .......
However , I pray that I will continue to get guidance , directly or otherwise .
"Brahma praavaadhishma thanno maa haaseeth. "
"I have chanted the sacred Veda , may it not abandon me ."
Friday, October 2, 2009
Hindu Temples
With the coming of the Ithihasas - the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and Puranas ( such as the Bhagavata Purana ), the Bhakti or devotional traditions began to emerge out of Vedic Hinduism about 2000 years ago.
With them began the construction of Temples dedicated to various popular forms of the divine , as per the Agamas ( scriptures detailing the construction of temples and methods of worship ).
The earliest temples built of wood etc did not stand the test of time . Soon stone became the preferred method .
Today there are over a half a million hindu temples in worship around the world . about 4,50,000 are in India the rest in Nepal , Bali etc .
About 10% of them ( almost all of them in India ) or about 50,000 temples are very ancient , and of historical , archeological , architectural, cultural , religious and social importance .
About 3000 of the biggest temples in North India were razed to the ground during the 500 years of Islamic rule between the 13th and 18th centuries .
For that reason , north india does not have large ancient temples standing except in remote areas and forests .
Most are new, built in the last 300 years .
South India however ,has many huge beautiful ancient temples still standing , since the south escaped much of the devastation of the north .
Many have been in continous un-interrupted worship for 2000 years with the ancient daily rituals preserved intact .
Two pics have been added , one - a birds eye view of the temple complex of Arunachaleswara in south India and the other of a temple corridor in Rameshwaram also in south india .
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Hindu Diaspora
Hindus presently form a majority in 5 nations .
India , Nepal , Mauritius , Fiji , and Guyana .
Nepal was a traditional Hindu Kingdom , Guyana , Fiji and Mauritius have populations of Hindus who migrated in the 19th , 20th centuries .
At one time Hindu culture was dominant thruought SE Asia : Cambodia and other nations had Hindu civilisations .
Malaysia which is now muslim , uses substantial Sanskrit in the Malay language , for instance they refer to native Malays as Bhumi Putras ( sons of the soil ) .
The present King of Thailand is Bhumipol Adulyatej ( In sanskrit - Bhumi Pal Atulya Tej - Ruler of the Earth and of Incomparable Radiance ). The Ramayana is an important part of Thai folklore.
Cambodia has the worlds largest Hindu Temple measuring several sq km- Angkor Wat , dedicated to Vishnu .
The hindu island of Bali which is part of presently muslim Indonesia , has all its native population following ancient hinduism with devotion.
Hindus also live in 195 of the worlds 200 nations ,with substantial populations in the USA (nearly 2 million ), Canada , UK etc .
In India they officially form 79% of the population in 2009 , but acutally its closer to 65 %.
Officially the split is Hindus 79% , Muslims 15 %, christians 4% , others 2%. ( 2009).
Actually its Hindus about 65 % , muslims about 18%, christians about 6%, tribal beliefs about 7 % , and other religions about 4 %. ( sikh , buddhist , jain, etc)
The reason for this difference is that
1. Illegal muslim immigrants from bangaladesh are not counted in the official version .. .and they number about 2% offcially and 3 % unofficially . .
2. Tribals with their own unique beliefs are also officially counted as Hindus .
3. Poor christian converts from socially backward sections of society continue to call themselves Hindus on government records to avail of substantial sops given to socially backward Hindu groups .
The Hindus , basically being a non-violent , broad-minded and tolerant people , have lost much ground thruought history . SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan etc was lost to Buddhism - a sister religion , Indonesia and Malaysia to Islam .
Large parts of India and its hindus were invaded and occupied at various points of time by
1. the Greeks -(Alexander)
2. Huns
3. Mongols
4. Turks
5. Afghans
6. and presently the chinese having occupied Tibet , are now nibbling at India .
Hindus in their traditional homeland - India ( from the Hindukush and the Himalayan mountains in the north to the Indian ocean of the south ) have lost the fertile Indus river valley to Pakistan and the fertile Ganga Brahmaputra delta to Bangladesh , the kabul river valley ( Gandhara ) to Afghanistan , ----three islamic states .
- recently Nepal, a part of traditional hindu culture, has gone to chinese sponsored Maoists - etc ,
....all totalling nearly a third of the area of traditional India .
In the remaining part of present day India , hindus are still on the retreat . As per the official census figures ..held every 10 years ,
hindus officially constituted
in 1961 - 84%
in 1971- 83%
in 1981- 82 %
in 1991- 81 %
in 2001 - 80 %
in 2009 - 79%( est )
Muslims in the same period have official figures as follows
in 1961- 10%
in 1971 -11%
in 1981- 12%
in 1991- 13%
in 2001- 14%.
in 2009 - 15% ( est )
these are official figures .
As per statistical analysis , unoffcially , Hindus are expected to become a minority ( less than 50 % ) in India in about 15 decades ie in about 150 years .
Yet , one is confident that the Santhana Dharma which has faced many challenges in the past , and has survived 500 years of islamic rule and 200 years of british rule ... will live on in some form or the other , somewhere or the other.
The worlds most ancient path of wisdom cannot be extinguished .
India , Nepal , Mauritius , Fiji , and Guyana .
Nepal was a traditional Hindu Kingdom , Guyana , Fiji and Mauritius have populations of Hindus who migrated in the 19th , 20th centuries .
At one time Hindu culture was dominant thruought SE Asia : Cambodia and other nations had Hindu civilisations .
Malaysia which is now muslim , uses substantial Sanskrit in the Malay language , for instance they refer to native Malays as Bhumi Putras ( sons of the soil ) .
The present King of Thailand is Bhumipol Adulyatej ( In sanskrit - Bhumi Pal Atulya Tej - Ruler of the Earth and of Incomparable Radiance ). The Ramayana is an important part of Thai folklore.
Cambodia has the worlds largest Hindu Temple measuring several sq km- Angkor Wat , dedicated to Vishnu .
The hindu island of Bali which is part of presently muslim Indonesia , has all its native population following ancient hinduism with devotion.
Hindus also live in 195 of the worlds 200 nations ,with substantial populations in the USA (nearly 2 million ), Canada , UK etc .
In India they officially form 79% of the population in 2009 , but acutally its closer to 65 %.
Officially the split is Hindus 79% , Muslims 15 %, christians 4% , others 2%. ( 2009).
Actually its Hindus about 65 % , muslims about 18%, christians about 6%, tribal beliefs about 7 % , and other religions about 4 %. ( sikh , buddhist , jain, etc)
The reason for this difference is that
1. Illegal muslim immigrants from bangaladesh are not counted in the official version .. .and they number about 2% offcially and 3 % unofficially . .
2. Tribals with their own unique beliefs are also officially counted as Hindus .
3. Poor christian converts from socially backward sections of society continue to call themselves Hindus on government records to avail of substantial sops given to socially backward Hindu groups .
The Hindus , basically being a non-violent , broad-minded and tolerant people , have lost much ground thruought history . SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan etc was lost to Buddhism - a sister religion , Indonesia and Malaysia to Islam .
Large parts of India and its hindus were invaded and occupied at various points of time by
1. the Greeks -(Alexander)
2. Huns
3. Mongols
4. Turks
5. Afghans
6. and presently the chinese having occupied Tibet , are now nibbling at India .
Hindus in their traditional homeland - India ( from the Hindukush and the Himalayan mountains in the north to the Indian ocean of the south ) have lost the fertile Indus river valley to Pakistan and the fertile Ganga Brahmaputra delta to Bangladesh , the kabul river valley ( Gandhara ) to Afghanistan , ----three islamic states .
- recently Nepal, a part of traditional hindu culture, has gone to chinese sponsored Maoists - etc ,
....all totalling nearly a third of the area of traditional India .
In the remaining part of present day India , hindus are still on the retreat . As per the official census figures ..held every 10 years ,
hindus officially constituted
in 1961 - 84%
in 1971- 83%
in 1981- 82 %
in 1991- 81 %
in 2001 - 80 %
in 2009 - 79%( est )
Muslims in the same period have official figures as follows
in 1961- 10%
in 1971 -11%
in 1981- 12%
in 1991- 13%
in 2001- 14%.
in 2009 - 15% ( est )
these are official figures .
As per statistical analysis , unoffcially , Hindus are expected to become a minority ( less than 50 % ) in India in about 15 decades ie in about 150 years .
Yet , one is confident that the Santhana Dharma which has faced many challenges in the past , and has survived 500 years of islamic rule and 200 years of british rule ... will live on in some form or the other , somewhere or the other.
The worlds most ancient path of wisdom cannot be extinguished .
Friday, September 18, 2009
Sacred Waters
Oh Sacred Waters you are the one that brings life .
You give us norishment and strength . ....
We rejoice at your existence ....
We drink you with joy , as babies drink their mother's milk ....
And when we swallow you we recieve love - as babies do from their mothers ...
You give birth to us and you give us life in the service of God ..
You keep us happy and healthy in the service of God ...
May God always be our help and our preserver ..
You are the ruler of all ..
When we are sick you cure us ..
You are our armour protecting us from illness ..
We pray that we shall continue to see the sun rise for many years ..
Oh Sacred waters , carry away my sins and failures ...
all that has been bad in my life ..
Clense me of of deceit and malice ,
of broken promises ..
I seek you today ..
I shall plunge into your wetness ..
drown me in your splendour !!!
Rig Veda 10-9, 1-5, 7-9
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Puja , Aradhana
As mentioned earlier , the Bhakti Marga or the Way of Devotion ( to a personal Deity ) is considered the easiest way to the goal and that appeals to most . Christianity and Islam also resemble, in some ways , Bhakti Marga . However the fear of retribution by a vexed God , a belief that is part of other mainstream religions, does not form a crucial part of Hinduism or Bhakti Marga .
A Personal Deity , could be a Kula Devata ( family deity ), or a Grama Devata ( deity of the Village or locality ) , or a Ishta Devata ( a deity or personal choice ) .
or permutations of the above . All of the above could be different or represent the same deity .
One can also direct ones devotions to a variety of deities at the same time .
Worship or Puja or Aradhana can be done mentally with simplicity or with elaborate ritual .
Popular forms or aspects of devotion are
1. Aradhana or Puja ( worship ritual usually done daily or weekly with more elaborate rituals for special occasions or festivals )
2. Nama Japa ( chanting of the holy name )
3. Mantra Japa ( Chanting of a special Mantra or sacred phrase recieved by initiation )
4. Dhyana ( meditation on the chosen deity )
5. Stotra Paata ( recitation of sacred compositions in praise of that particular deity )
6. Archana ( Ashtothara or Sahasranama , recitation of 108 or 1008 different names in praise of the deity )
7. Sankirtana ( singing of Bhajans or songs in praise )
8. Parayana ( reading selections of scriptural writings from the Puranas or the Ramayana Bhagavata etc relevant to the Deity .)
9. Attending Satsanga or Pravachana , or Kalakshepa ( religious gatherings , discourses , etc )
10. Visiting Devastanas or Mandirs ( temples )
11. Tirtha Yatra ( Visiting sacred ancient pilgrimage spots , that may have temples , rivers , springs ,mountains etc )
12. and Last but not the least , Paropakara , ( serving the needy ).
The daily ritual Puja or Aradhana may consist of various permutations and combinations of the subsequent forms of Bhakti .
A Personal Deity , could be a Kula Devata ( family deity ), or a Grama Devata ( deity of the Village or locality ) , or a Ishta Devata ( a deity or personal choice ) .
or permutations of the above . All of the above could be different or represent the same deity .
One can also direct ones devotions to a variety of deities at the same time .
Worship or Puja or Aradhana can be done mentally with simplicity or with elaborate ritual .
Popular forms or aspects of devotion are
1. Aradhana or Puja ( worship ritual usually done daily or weekly with more elaborate rituals for special occasions or festivals )
2. Nama Japa ( chanting of the holy name )
3. Mantra Japa ( Chanting of a special Mantra or sacred phrase recieved by initiation )
4. Dhyana ( meditation on the chosen deity )
5. Stotra Paata ( recitation of sacred compositions in praise of that particular deity )
6. Archana ( Ashtothara or Sahasranama , recitation of 108 or 1008 different names in praise of the deity )
7. Sankirtana ( singing of Bhajans or songs in praise )
8. Parayana ( reading selections of scriptural writings from the Puranas or the Ramayana Bhagavata etc relevant to the Deity .)
9. Attending Satsanga or Pravachana , or Kalakshepa ( religious gatherings , discourses , etc )
10. Visiting Devastanas or Mandirs ( temples )
11. Tirtha Yatra ( Visiting sacred ancient pilgrimage spots , that may have temples , rivers , springs ,mountains etc )
12. and Last but not the least , Paropakara , ( serving the needy ).
The daily ritual Puja or Aradhana may consist of various permutations and combinations of the subsequent forms of Bhakti .
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Fire Sacrifices or Yajnas
Note -
I have also put this information on Wikipedia since I found that it is very diffcult to obtain information on the following .
Yajnas in the Vedas
There are 400 Yajnas or fire sacrifices described in the Vedas . Of these, the first is called Aupasana , which is to be performed by all , twice daily . This is in a category by itself . 21 more are compulsory for the Dvijas or "Twiceborn " communities .The 1+21 are called Nitya Karmas . (The 21 complusory yajnas also form part of the 42 compulsory samaskaras or sacraments which are compulsory for all dvijas.) The rest of the yajnas are optional, which are performed as "Kamya Karma " i.e. for particular wishes and benefits. "Nitya" does not mean that all 22 rituals are to performed daily. Only the Aupasana and the Agnihotra are to be performed twice daily, at dawn and dusk. The remaining ones have certain allotted frequencies over the course of the year.
The more complicated the Yajna, the lesser the frequency. The largest ones need to be performed only once in a lifetime. The first seven yajnas are called Paka Yajnas, the second seven Havir Yajnas, and the third seven are called Soma Yajnas. Yajnas such as Putrakameshti (for begetting sons), Ashvamedha (to rule 'the earth'), Rajasuya (royal consecration), etc. are among the 400 which are not compulsory.
The Grhyagni or Aupasanagni is used in the Paka Yajnas; such rituals are described in the Grhyasutras, such as in the Ekagni Kanda of the Apastambha Sutra. Normally this fire is located in the north of the hall which accommodates the sacred fires . This fire may be circular or square .The rituals pertaining to the three Srautagnis are described in the Shrauta Sutras. Their performers are called Srautin. Fourteen of the 21 compulsory sacrifices are performed in the Srautagnis. They are called Garhapatya, Ahavaniya and Dakshinagni and collectively called the tretagni. The Garhapatya is circular in shape and is situated in the west of the offering ground. Fire is taken from the Garhapatya ( which is to be kept alive throughout ones life )and kindled in the remaining two fires as and when required for a particular sacrifice. The Dakshinagni is semicircular (halfmoon-shaped), is situated in the south and is used for certain rituals, mainly for offerings to the forefathers. The Ahavaniya is square, situated in the east, and is used as the main offering fire of most Srauta sacrifices. The last three Havir Yagnas and all the seven Somayajnas are performed in a specially built Yajnashala, since they are too elaborate to be performed at home . In such a situation, fire is taken from the Garhapatya , kindled in the Ahavaniya as required and then from there transferred to the specially built Altar at the Yajnashala.The individual's last rites and cremation are done with fire taken from the Dakshinagni , after which the sacred fires are extinguished .
Pakayajnas
Pakayajnas are minor sacrifices and are performed at home in the aupasanagni or grhyagni . These are seven in number .They are Ashtaka , Sthalipaka , Parvana , Sravani , Agrahayani , Chaitri , Ashvayuji. The sthalipaka is to be performed on every Prathama (first day of the lunar fortnight) "Sthali" is the pot in which rice is cooked; it must be placed on the aupasana fire and the rice called "Charu" cooked in it must be offered into the same fire. The Parvana is to be performed every month . The other five are to be performed once a year .
Haviryajnas
The haviryajnas are more elaborate (with the exception of the Agnihotra), though not as large in scale as the somayajnas. The haviryajna performed on every Prathama day ( every fifteen days )is "darsa-purna-isti", "darsa" meaning the new moon and "purna" the full moon. The two rituals are also referred to merely as "isti". The Darsapaurnamasa isti is the prakrti (archetype) for the haviryajnas. The first four haviryajnas - adhana, agnihotra, darsa-purna-masa and agrayana - are performed at home. The last three haviryajnas - caturmasya, nirudhapasubandha and sautramani - are performed in a yajnasala.The Agnihotra is to be performed twice daily at sunrise and sunset immediately after the aupasana .Though it is a Havir Yajna it is quite simple .The other five Havir yagnas are to be performed once a year , or at least once in a life time .The last two havir yagnas have animal sacrifice ( traditionally goats) as part of the ritual . However nowadays , packets of flour or butter etc are used as symbolic substitutes .
Somayajnas
The name somayajna is called after the juice of the Soma plant, said to be relished by the devas, that is offered as an oblation. In these sacrifices, Samans from the SamaVeda are sung, and all Shrauta priests - the hotar, adhvaryu, udgatar and the brahman as well as their 12 helpers take part: each priest is assisted by three others. with a total complement of 16 priests . The Agnistoma, the first of the seven somayajnas is the prakrti (archetype) for the six others that are its vikrti. These six are: atyagnistoma, uktya, sodasi, vajapeya, atiratra and aptoryama. Vajapeya is often regarded as particularly important. When its yajamana (sacrificer) comes after the ritual bath (avabhrtha snana) at the conclusion of the sacrifice, the king himself holds up a white umbrella for him. "Vaja" means 'prize of a race' (but is nowadays also taken as rice, food) and "peya" means a drink, thus 'drink of victory'. This sacrifice consists of the offering of soma-rasa (juice), pasu-homa (offering of 23 animals) and anna- or vaja-homa. The sacrificer is "bathed" in the rice that is left over. Since the rice is "poured over" him like water, the term "vajapeya" is apt.Animal sacrifices are part of the ritual offerings in the soma yagnas . However , nowadays as and when they are rarely performed , substitutes made of flour butter etc are used instead of sacrificing live animals .
The Vedic sacrifices begain to decline soon after the Islamic rule in India began in the 13th Century ., especially the more public and elaborate and expensive ones .Today , a few of the basic ones are kept alive on important occasions like Weddings and so forth .However , by and large ,the Vedic Sacrifices are close to extinction . of nearly 200 million hindu families , the Aupasana is performed daily only in a few thousand families .Less than a hundred families perform the remaining 21 sacrifices as required and keep the sacred fires continously alive . Priests who are qualified to guide one through all the 21 sacrifices number less than a few dozen . Priests or scholars to guide one through any of the remaining 378 Vedic Sacrifices can be counted on ones fingers .It is a great loss to the Sanathana Dharma if ultimately no one remembers how these were performed .
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The sacred fires
This information is not easily available , hence to make it more easily accessible I have also put it on Wikipedia under Yajna .
The sacred fire of a man is lit from his fathers fire at the time of his wedding .
It is then divided into two fires by a ritual called the Agniyadhana .
The two fires thus obtained are called the Gruhyagni (or Aupasanagni ) and the Srautagni.
They are to be preserved throughout ones life .
The Srautagni is further divided into three fires called the Garhapatya , the Ahavaniya and the Dakshinagni , collectively called the tretagni.
The Gruhyagni and the Garhapatya fires are kept alive continously , fire is taken from the Garhapatya (one of the tretagni's ) to kindle the remaining two as and when necessary .
The four fires are located as follows .
The Ahavaniya ( square in shape ) to the east , the Dakshinagni ( semi circular in shape) to the south , the Garhapatya ( circular in shape ) to the West, and the Aupasanagni ( may be circular or square ) to the north .
The sacred fire of a man is lit from his fathers fire at the time of his wedding .
It is then divided into two fires by a ritual called the Agniyadhana .
The two fires thus obtained are called the Gruhyagni (or Aupasanagni ) and the Srautagni.
They are to be preserved throughout ones life .
The Srautagni is further divided into three fires called the Garhapatya , the Ahavaniya and the Dakshinagni , collectively called the tretagni.
The Gruhyagni and the Garhapatya fires are kept alive continously , fire is taken from the Garhapatya (one of the tretagni's ) to kindle the remaining two as and when necessary .
The four fires are located as follows .
The Ahavaniya ( square in shape ) to the east , the Dakshinagni ( semi circular in shape) to the south , the Garhapatya ( circular in shape ) to the West, and the Aupasanagni ( may be circular or square ) to the north .
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Humility
" Only men who -
live by the Vedas
( and ) qualify ...
can wear your feet
on their heads ..
O Lord ,
of blue black body ,
and eyes like lotuses ...
But you know ,
when the town's cattle moo
coming home ,
the blind one moos too ....
So I too speak of you ..
How else ? "
Nammalvar , mystic tamil poet saint , 8th century, in Thiruvaymozhi , divya prabandham .
live by the Vedas
( and ) qualify ...
can wear your feet
on their heads ..
O Lord ,
of blue black body ,
and eyes like lotuses ...
But you know ,
when the town's cattle moo
coming home ,
the blind one moos too ....
So I too speak of you ..
How else ? "
Nammalvar , mystic tamil poet saint , 8th century, in Thiruvaymozhi , divya prabandham .
Friday, February 13, 2009
She
She is Lakshmi , Saraswati , Amba.
She is Bhudevi of the mother earth , Neeladevi of the blue sky and Sridevi of prosperity .
She is Kamakshi at Kanchi , Meenakshi at Madurai , Vishalakshi at Kashi .
She is the Mata ,mother at Vaishnodevi , Padmavati at Trichanur .
She is the sacred waters of the Ganga at Gangotri and Kaveri at Talakaveri .
She has her own independent temples without male protection .
She is Shakti , Parvati, Durga , Bhuvaneshwari , Bhavani , Lalitha Tripurasundari .
She is Kali at Kolkata , Kanyakumari at the southern tip of India .
She is Sharada at Sringeri and Mookambika at Kollur .
She is Bhagavati at Kerala and Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur.
She is Rukmini at Dwaraka and Sita at Bhadrachalam and Andal at Srivilliputtur.
She is Gayatri of the sacred Mantra.
She is Annapoorneshwari at Horanadu who feeds thousands every day .
She is Devi .
She comprises the Ashtalakshmis- the eight Lakshmis and Nava Durgas -the nine Durgas .
She rules the festival of the nine nights- Navaratri .
She is grace and compassion incarnate .
I am fortunate to see her every day for nearly four decades in my own mother .
She is the Divine Mother ......
She is Bhudevi of the mother earth , Neeladevi of the blue sky and Sridevi of prosperity .
She is Kamakshi at Kanchi , Meenakshi at Madurai , Vishalakshi at Kashi .
She is the Mata ,mother at Vaishnodevi , Padmavati at Trichanur .
She is the sacred waters of the Ganga at Gangotri and Kaveri at Talakaveri .
She has her own independent temples without male protection .
She is Shakti , Parvati, Durga , Bhuvaneshwari , Bhavani , Lalitha Tripurasundari .
She is Kali at Kolkata , Kanyakumari at the southern tip of India .
She is Sharada at Sringeri and Mookambika at Kollur .
She is Bhagavati at Kerala and Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur.
She is Rukmini at Dwaraka and Sita at Bhadrachalam and Andal at Srivilliputtur.
She is Gayatri of the sacred Mantra.
She is Annapoorneshwari at Horanadu who feeds thousands every day .
She is Devi .
She comprises the Ashtalakshmis- the eight Lakshmis and Nava Durgas -the nine Durgas .
She rules the festival of the nine nights- Navaratri .
She is grace and compassion incarnate .
I am fortunate to see her every day for nearly four decades in my own mother .
She is the Divine Mother ......
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Gods and Gods part 3
By the first Century AD most educated hindus were eihter Vaishnavas or Saivas , but they lived amicably side by side, since both Siva and Vishnu are both only aspects of Brahman . Amongst the Trimurti , the worship of Brahma the secondary creator never became popular , instead , with the coming of the Agamas ,or ritual temple worship guides, three important broad divisions evolved . Saiva , Vaishnava and Sakta . The followers of the Sakta cult worship God in the female form , as Sri or Lakshmi , Saraswati , Sharada , Kali , Durga etc all considered aspects of the divine mother , the attributeless Brahman in the female form .
Adi Sankara in the eighth century approved of the worship of God ( Brahman ) in 6 different categories /aspects .
1. As Vishnu , Narayana , Kesava , Rama , Krishna ,Narasimha etc and other avatars of Vishnu ;
2. As Siva , Rudra , Nataraja , Dakshinamurti , Iswara etc , aspects of Siva .
3. As Lakshmi , Sharada , Saraswati ,Durga , Kali , Parvati , Bhavani , etc as the Divine mother .
4. As Surya , the Sun .
5. As Ganesha the elephant headed God , the son of Siva and Parvati .
6. As Subramanya /Skanda /Muruga etc , also the son of Siva and Parvati , popular in south india .
Collectively known as Shanmatham , or the six systems of beliefs .
The Vedic gods did not dissappear completely since hinduism doesnt suppress any beliefs but merely adds new ones .
Today Vedic fire sacrifices are still a formal part of temple ritual and various domestic sacraments in most hindu denominations on the occasion of weddings and so on .
Adi Sankara in the eighth century approved of the worship of God ( Brahman ) in 6 different categories /aspects .
1. As Vishnu , Narayana , Kesava , Rama , Krishna ,Narasimha etc and other avatars of Vishnu ;
2. As Siva , Rudra , Nataraja , Dakshinamurti , Iswara etc , aspects of Siva .
3. As Lakshmi , Sharada , Saraswati ,Durga , Kali , Parvati , Bhavani , etc as the Divine mother .
4. As Surya , the Sun .
5. As Ganesha the elephant headed God , the son of Siva and Parvati .
6. As Subramanya /Skanda /Muruga etc , also the son of Siva and Parvati , popular in south india .
Collectively known as Shanmatham , or the six systems of beliefs .
The Vedic gods did not dissappear completely since hinduism doesnt suppress any beliefs but merely adds new ones .
Today Vedic fire sacrifices are still a formal part of temple ritual and various domestic sacraments in most hindu denominations on the occasion of weddings and so on .
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Gods Part 2
From the mundane viewpoint , Brahman as the supreme deity remains linked with empirical measurement , the number "one ", but from the transcendental point of view ( the state of unchanging eternal being ) Brahman is the limitless and aattributeles Absolute where all opposites are reconciled .
Hence speculative monoism has existed alongside ritualistic polytheism from Vedic times to the present day thereby emphasising that reality is inexhaustible , beyond name and form , pervading and transcending all existence and earthly knowledge .
The vedic Gods were thought to rely on humankind's sacrificial offerings which sustained them ,and also kept the world process moving . But neither the Vedic Gods nor the other Hindu Gods are solely concerned with human welfare (in distinction with other religions ) for , Man is only a part of nature , in common with all other living things.
As classical Hinduism evolved out of a synthesis of Aryan , Dravidian, tribal and aborginal cults the old Vedic Gods of nature became less important and other Gods like Vishnu and Siva became important , by the 3rd century AD .
The formless Brahman in his personal form with attributes became Iswara ( for the followers of Siva ) or Narayana ( for the followers of Vishnu ). Along with Brahma ( "the secondary creator") , the three divine aspects of Brahman came to be known as the Trimurti , Brahma being the Creator , Vishnu the Preserver and Siva the Destroyer of the world .
Brahma is believed to grant knowledge , Vishnu liberation from rebirth , and Siva all worldly boons .
Hence speculative monoism has existed alongside ritualistic polytheism from Vedic times to the present day thereby emphasising that reality is inexhaustible , beyond name and form , pervading and transcending all existence and earthly knowledge .
The vedic Gods were thought to rely on humankind's sacrificial offerings which sustained them ,and also kept the world process moving . But neither the Vedic Gods nor the other Hindu Gods are solely concerned with human welfare (in distinction with other religions ) for , Man is only a part of nature , in common with all other living things.
As classical Hinduism evolved out of a synthesis of Aryan , Dravidian, tribal and aborginal cults the old Vedic Gods of nature became less important and other Gods like Vishnu and Siva became important , by the 3rd century AD .
The formless Brahman in his personal form with attributes became Iswara ( for the followers of Siva ) or Narayana ( for the followers of Vishnu ). Along with Brahma ( "the secondary creator") , the three divine aspects of Brahman came to be known as the Trimurti , Brahma being the Creator , Vishnu the Preserver and Siva the Destroyer of the world .
Brahma is believed to grant knowledge , Vishnu liberation from rebirth , and Siva all worldly boons .
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Gods and Gods and more Gods Part 1
330 million, or 33 crores . Thats the official figure of the number of " Gods ".
" Gods " in the above context referring to the sum total of " Devas " or radiant ones ,lead by Indra , as well as various other categories of divine beings and spirits , like Gandharvas , Yakshas , etc . 33 Gods are described in the Rig Veda ( as in the iranian traditions )which are mainly personifications of the powers of nature , like the Sun , (Surya )the Wind (Vayu), Water ( Varuna ), Fire (Agni ) etc , but another passage says that they are all manifestations of the one Supreme Being .
Multiple levels of divine beings exist with varying powers . Humans can aspire to become one of the Devas through sufficent merit , which is a position held for a time till the merit is exhausted . Such aspiration is merely worldly and the real goal is to realise Brahman .
" Gods " in the above context referring to the sum total of " Devas " or radiant ones ,lead by Indra , as well as various other categories of divine beings and spirits , like Gandharvas , Yakshas , etc . 33 Gods are described in the Rig Veda ( as in the iranian traditions )which are mainly personifications of the powers of nature , like the Sun , (Surya )the Wind (Vayu), Water ( Varuna ), Fire (Agni ) etc , but another passage says that they are all manifestations of the one Supreme Being .
Multiple levels of divine beings exist with varying powers . Humans can aspire to become one of the Devas through sufficent merit , which is a position held for a time till the merit is exhausted . Such aspiration is merely worldly and the real goal is to realise Brahman .
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Dvaita
Dvaita ( Dualism ) is the third and last of the principal Vedanta doctrines , the chief exponent is Madhvacharya. ( 1197-1276 AD).
According to Dvaita , God and the individual souls are eternally different ( hence dualism ). God is eternal, and both immanent to the world and transcendental to it . The world and souls are also eternal but distinct from one and another and both are entirely dependent on God , who establishes their various states of liberation according to their Karma . Liberated souls perpetually adore God but never attain complete union with God .
Adi Sankara ( of Advaita ) hailed from Kaladi in Kerala , Ramanuja ( of Visistadvaita ) hailed from Sriperumbudur in present day Tamilnadu , and Madhva ( of Dvaita ) hailed from Udupi in coastal Karnataka , all in south India .
According to Dvaita , God and the individual souls are eternally different ( hence dualism ). God is eternal, and both immanent to the world and transcendental to it . The world and souls are also eternal but distinct from one and another and both are entirely dependent on God , who establishes their various states of liberation according to their Karma . Liberated souls perpetually adore God but never attain complete union with God .
Adi Sankara ( of Advaita ) hailed from Kaladi in Kerala , Ramanuja ( of Visistadvaita ) hailed from Sriperumbudur in present day Tamilnadu , and Madhva ( of Dvaita ) hailed from Udupi in coastal Karnataka , all in south India .
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