Upanayana or the wearing of the Sacred Thread ceremony is one of the most important duties of a Hindu.
Please read my posts on Samskaras, Upanayana.
Uapanayana
I received a call yesterday from reader in the US whether there is any procedure for performing the Upanayana Ceremony for the Blind and the Dumb and whether they are exempted from performing the Sandhyavandana.
In the earlier days the Blind and Dumb were exempted from Upanayana ceremony and consequently the Sandhyavandan.
Taking into consideration the importance of Upanayana and performance of Sandhyavandana, Sage Kapila has laid down rules for performing the Upanayana ceremony for the Blind and the Dumb.
All the procedure for Upanayana are to be followed for these handicapped.
But the father must chant the Mantras (for the Dumb) .
In the case of the Blind, the Samit must be placed by the Blind person.
The Blind must be made to write the Savitri with a Palasa stick in Water, Ghee, Milk and Curds.
The Dumb must perform Sandhyavandan by gestures.-Kapila Smriti 323-329
Brahmins have been set higher goals o reach and are expected to follow strict adherence to Religious practices.
Following are the six Duties enjoined upon Brahmins.
“Adhyaapanam Adhyayanam
Yajanam Yaajanam Tathaa
Daanam Pratigraham Chaiva
Brahmanaanaamakalpayaat”
Teaching the Vedas to others, Learning Vedas through out one’s Life,Performing Yagnas/Yaagas, have these performed for others, Accept Alms and Donate o others.
In addition , there are 13 additional duties/ codes of behaviour set forth for the Brahmins.
Capability to forgive
Kindness towards one and all
Holiness (External as well as Internal) & pure vegetarian
Lord Krishna says that control of mind, control of senses, undergoing hardships for sake of duty, purity (both internal and external), forgiveness, straightness of mind and body, belief in God, the scriptures and the world, knowledge of the sacred lore, knowledge of the God based on direct experience are the natural duties of Brahmin. (42nd Shloka, 18th Chapter)
The Sandhyas are the roots of the tree Brahma, four Vedas are branches and Karmas are its leaves, so roots must be cared always, means Sandhyas are must for Brahmin. LordBrahma has defined six essential duties to Brahmins;
Duty of A Brahmin is to pray for All.
Learn Vedas and inspire others for it, Yajna by self and inspire others.
Get donations and donate further to others.
Daily Routine of A Brahmin.
Get up two hours before the Sunrise (Five Nazhikais before the Sunrise,One Nazhikai=24 minutes).-Panca -panca-usatkale.
Cleans the teeth, take bathes in cold water and perform sandhyavandana and japa.
There are Mantras to be recited during cleaning the teeth(Danta Daavana Mantra), Bathing.
One must take Bath in a River 0r Pond a well at Home, the well water must be used only for Veda Kriyas.
Next, aupasana and agnihotra. the”devayajna”, sacrifices to the gods, followed by “Brahmayajna”, the daily study and chanting of the Vedas.
As part of this rite there are some tarpanas or libations to be offered. (For people following certain sutras these come later).
Then, the Brahmin must teach his disciples the Vedas, adhyapana, gather flowers himself for the puja he is to perform.
He must seek for his food (Bhikshai) and for the materials for the conduct of various sacrifices.
The Brahmin has the right to seek alms, but it is a restrictive, it means that he can take only the minimum needed for the upkeep and what is required for the performance of the rituals.
A considerable part of what he receives as gifts is to be paid as daksina to the priests officiating at the sacrifices he performs.
Of the six “occupations” of the Brahmin one is “pratigraha” or accepting gifts. Another is “dana”, making donations to others.
It is asked why Brahmins alone have the right to receive gifts.
The answer is that they are also enjoined to make gifts to others.
Indeed, the Brahmin accepts gifts for the purpose of the charity he has to render.
This apart, he has also to make gifts during the rites to be mentioned next, “atithya” and “bhutayajna”.
The Brahmin must bathe again and perform madhyahnika, followed by pitr-tarpana, that is he offers libations to the fathers.
This is followed by homa and puja.
Of the panca-mahayajnas, two remain- manusyayajna or honouring and feeding the guests and “bhutayajna” which includes bali to the creatures of the earth and feeding the poor (vaisvadeva).
Rice is offered in the sacrificial fire and as bali( that is without being placed in the fire).
In bali, food is placed in different parts of the house to the chanting of mantras food meant for outcastes, beggars, dogs, birds, etc.
In the manusya-yajna, guests are entertained and it is also known as atithya.
The Brahmin can eat only after going through these rites.
Until then he must not take anything except perhaps some milk or buttermilk, but never coffee or any snacks.
If he has any other sacrifices to conduct, paka, havir or soma, his mealtime will be further delayed.
If he has a sraddha to perform also he will have to eat later than usual. A sraddha ceremony must be commenced only in the “aparahna”:
Rites meant for the gods may be performed only after the completion of the sraddha.
After his meal, the Brahmin must read the Purans.
Then teach members of other castes their hereditary vocations, arts and crafts.
He does not have a moment for rest or relaxation.
Take evening bath, sandhyavandana, sacrifices and japa.
Vaisvadeva has to be performed at night also before the Brahmin has his meal and retires to bed.
On most nights he takes only light food consisting of fruits, milk.(Pakahaara)
Or as an exception , he can take fresh food prepared out of Rice, like Idli, Dosa or Upma
The sastras thus impose on him a life of hardship and austerity, a life of utter physical and mental discipline.
Even today Brahmins who work in offices or other establishments must try to live according to the sastras.
They must get up at 4 a. m. (Brahma muhurta), perform aupasana, agnihotra, Brahmayajna, etc, in the traditional manner.
They may perform puja and madhyahnika during the sangava time (8. 24 a. m. to 10. 48 a. m. ).
“Madhyahnika” as the name suggests is a midday rite but, making allowances for present-day life, it may be performed during the sangava kala.
In the evening , the rites may be gone through in the sastric manner.
Even those who are on the morning shift and have to rush to their places of work must perform the rites as best they can.
In the evening the Gayatri-japa be extended to compensate for non-performance in the morning.
If it is morning shift for a week, will it not be mid-shift or night shift in the subsequent weeks?
There could be adjustments made to suit these timings.
Brahmins must feel repentant if they fail to perform the rites they are duty-bound to perform.
They must devote the years of their retirement to the pursuit of their dharma instead of feeling sorry for not going out to work.
There are rare cases —perhaps one in a lakh—of people who have learned the Vedas during their retirement and lived the rest of their life according to the tenets of the sastras.
The rites of our religion go back to a time when no other faith was prevalent.
We must make every effort to ensure that they do not cease to be performed.
They are not meant for our sake alone [as individuals] but for the welfare of all mankind.
Citation .
The Speeches of Kanchi Mahaperiyava.
“Kanyakubja Vanshawali” written by Pandit Manni Lal Misra, Chowk, Kanpur. 123
Publisher: Sri Krishna Pustakalaya, Chowk Kanpur, Year 1966
Gayatri is the Mother of all Meters,, Gayatrrem Chandasaam Maata,
Devi Gayatri
”
May we meditate on the Glory of the Lord, the Remover of pains and sorrows, the Bestower of happiness, Who has created the universe, and Who is the embodiment of knowledge and light. May the Lord, enlighten our intellect in the right direction by destroying all our sins and ignorance.
Meaning of each letter in mantra:
——————————— OM = Almighty God
BHOOR = Embodiment of vital or spiritual energy
BHUVAHA = Destroyer of suffering
SWAHA = Embodiment of happiness
TAT = That (indicating God) SAVITUR = Bright, luminous, like and sun
VARENIYAM = Supreme, best
BARGO = Destroyer of sins
DEVASYA = Divine
DHEEMAHI = May receive
DHIYO = Intellect
YO = Who
NAHA = Our
PRACHODAYAT = May inspire.
“May we meditate on the Glory of the Lord, the Remover of pains and sorrows, the Bestower of happiness, Who has created the universe, and Who is the embodiment of knowledge and light. May the Lord, enlighten our intellect in the right direction by destroying all our sins and ignorance.”
This can be translated: Aum. Let us contemplate the spirit of the divine of the earth, the atmosphere and heaven. May that inspire our minds. Savitri is the Sun and this mantra is recited at the three junctions or twilight of the day. Here is described how the mantra Aum hums in the base or Muladhara chakra, and moves through seven stages to the chakra above the head Sahasrara.
Maha Vishnu describes Aum as consisting of the following. Bhur is existence, Bhuvah is the elements, Svah is the Atma of everything, Maha is greatness and light, Tat is Brahman (the absolute). Tapah is all knowledge, Satyam is supremacy and internal wisdom. This tantra connects the three letters of Aum to the seven worlds.
Tat, refers to the first cause of all substance, as fire in the circle of the sun and is supreme Brahman. Savituhu is the source of all living beings. Varenyam is the excellent one who receives adoration.
Bharga destroys sin. Devasya means it is full of light, while Dheemahi refers to knowledge being golden and always within the sun. Dhiyo means Buddhi. Yo stands for energy (tejas).
The mantra is divided into three sections of eight letters and four sections of six letters.
A dhyana (meditation) – Gayatri as having four faces, which are white, yellow, red and black.
Yet the tantrik tradition has different views of the Gayatri. For example, in the Matrikabhedatantra, there is a couplet, which says a person who knows the Brahman (the absolute) is a Brahmin.
Gayatri is mother of Vedas. Sadhana of Gayatri mantra is the essence of all Vedas. Even God like Brahma mediates on and performs Jap of Gayatri at the time of twilight.
Gayatri Jap performed daily for three years realizes God and like air, acquires the power of going where the person wants to go.
Merely by offering water to the Sun and performing Jap of three thousand Gayatri mantra at the time of twilight, a person becomes adorable by God.
..
In Bhavanopanishad, one witness within oneself the effulgent figure of Divine Mother with the different phases of the waxing and waning Moon.
The Devi is to be meditated upon as of a ruddy complexion, with eyes expansive, as an ocean overflowing with waves of grace, with noose, goad, arrows of flowers and a twig of sugar- cane in her hand, surrounded by Anima and other deities and ultimately as one´s own self.
1. Complete faith unflinching loyalty backed by a clear heart towards the deity is required for Sadhana.
2. Do not start Mantra Shakti under any pressure. Trust in God, kindness and patience should be the virtues of a Sadhaka.
3. Avoid harsh speech, lust, anger, restless thoughts, evil company and egoism.
Do not get emotional.
Mantras on hearsay should be avoided, as they must be authentic.
4. Sadhana done without any specific aim bears fruits early.
In case you see any miracle, do not fear. Keep your WILL POWER strong and continue your Sadhana.
All troubles will vanish.
5. Brahmacharya or celibacy should be observed during Sadhana. In case of failure, do not lose heart. Try it again and again and you will be crowned with success.”
I will be posting the Text and Meaning of Bhavanopanishad in Tamil and English shortly.
For more details on Gayatri,Savitri, Sarasvati, please read my posts and the following Link.
பூர்புவஸ்ஸுவோ பூர்புவஸ்ஸுவஹ.
பூணல் இடம்: தர்பை கூர்ச்சம் தெற்கு நுனியாய் ஸம்ப்ரதாயப்படி போட்டு ஆள் காட்டி விரல் தவிர மற்ற விரல்களால் கருப்பு எள் எடுத்துகொண்டு ஆவாஹனம் செய்யவும் ..
மற்றொரு கூர்ச்சத்தில் அல்லது ஒரே கூர்ச்சத்தில் (ஸம்ப்ரதாய வழக்க படி) ……………
(அம்மா ஆத்து கோத்ரம்)………….ஸர்மனஹ வசு ருத்ர ஆதித்யஸ்வரூபான் அஸ்மத் ஸ பத்னீக மாதா மஹ மாதுஹு பிதாமஹ மாதுஹு
ப்ரபிதாமஹான் ஆவாஹயாமி. என்று “ ஆயாத பிதரச் என்ற மந்த்ரம் சொல்லி எள்ளு போட்டு ஆவாஹனம் செய்யவும்.
.
ஆஸன மந்த்ரம்: ஸக்ருதாச் சின்னம் பர்ஹி ரூர்னம் ருது ஸ்யோனம் பித்ருப்யஸ்த்வா பராம்யஹம் அஸ்மின் ஸீதந்துமே பிதரஸ்
ஸோம்யா:பிதாமஹா: ப்ரபிதாமஹா:ச அனுகை ஸஹ. என்று சொல்லி பித்ரு பிதாமஹ ப்ரபிதாமஹானாம் மாத்ரு பிதாமஹி
ப்ரபிதாமஹீனாம் சபத்னீக மாதாமஹ மாதுஹு பிதாமஹ மாதுஹு ப்ரபிதாமஹானாம் இதமாஸனம் என்று சொல்லவும்மூன்று
தர்ப்பத்தை கூர்ச்சம் பக்கத்தில் வைக்கவும்.
வர்கத்வய பித்ருப்யோ நமஹ என்று சொல்லி கருப்பு எள்ளு எடுத்து ஸகல ஆராதனைஹி ஸ்வர்சிதமென்று சொல்லி கூர்ச்சத்தில்
போடவும்
. இட து காலை முட்டி போட்டு கொன்டு தெற்கு முகமாய் ப்ராசீனாவீதியாய் தர்பணம் செய்யவும்.
1.1: உதீரதாம் அவர உத்பராஸ உன்மத்யமாஹா பிதரஹ ஸோம்யாஸஹ அசூம்ய ஈஉஹு அவ்ருகா ரிதக்ஞாஸ்தேனோ வந்து
Karomi Yath Thath Sarvam Sriman Narayanethi Samarppayami’
.
என்று சொல்லிக்கொண்டு ஜலம் விடவும். பவித்ரம் அவிழ்க்கவும். பூணல் வலம். ஆசமனம். செய்ய வேண்டும்.
ஶ்ரீவத்ஸ ஸோம தேவ ஸர்மா அமாவாசை தர்ப்பண விளக்கம் புத்தகம் 1956 ல் வெளி யிட பட்ட து
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