Ramanisblog

Tag: Upanishad

  • 19 Ganesha Veda Mantras For All Occasions

    Lord Ganesha is referred to as the Pranava Svaroopa, the Embodiment of OM.

     

    Ganesha Hindu God.
    Lord Ganesha

     

    Ganapati Upanishad speaks of Lord Ganesha.

     

    He is the Remover of Obstacles, both material and Spiritual.

     

    Sage Avvaiyar composed Vinayakar Akaval, which is a highly developed system of Yoga Siddhanta.

     

    I am posting very important Ganapati Mantras from the Vedas for all to suit all occasions and needs.

     

    Ganapathy
    Lord Ganesha

     

    1.Aum ekadantaya vidmahe
    vakratundaya dhimahi
    tanno dantih prachodayat

    We devote our thought to the one-tusked Lord.
    We meditate upon Him who has a curved trunk.
    May the tusked One guide us on the right path.

    Ganapati Upanishad

    2.Aum tatpurushaya vidmahe
    vakratundaya dhimahi
    tanno dantih prachodayat

    We devote our thought to that supreme person.
    We meditate upon Him who has a curved trunk.
    May the tusked One guide us on the right path.

    Narayana Upanishad

    3.Aum tat karataya vidmahe
    hasti mukhaya dhimahi
    tanno dantih prachodayat

    We devote our thoughts to the mysterious Lord.
    We meditate on His elephant face.
    May the tusked One guide us on the right path.

    Maitrayani Samhita 2.6-9

     Special Ganesha Mantras

    Ganesha mantras are siddhi mantras .

    Each mantra contains certain specific powers of Lord Ganesha.

    When chanted with the proper pranayama (rhythmic breathing) and sincere devotion, they will yield good results.

    In general, Ganesha mantras will ward off all evil and bless the devotee with abundance, prudence and success.

    Evil spirits dare not enter the home or the mind of the devotee where Ganesha mantras are recited.

    Those so mystically inclined and knowledgeable of the seven chakras below the muladhara use these powerful incantantions under the direction of the guru to close off these regions of the mind one by one and free consciousness from deep depression, confusion, jealousy, rage, lingering anger and fear. Some such mantras are given below for the spiritual benefit of the readers.

    One more point to remember is that one should bathe or wash the limbs before sitting for repetition of the mantra.

    Also, one should do three or more pranayama before beginning the mantra. The minimum repetition of the mantra should be one full mala, or 108 times.

    When this is done at a fixed hour and place regularly for 48 days, it becomes an upasana, which means intense meditation, that will yield siddhis, or spiritual powers.

    These powers should not be misused.

    Misuse of power may bring the curse of the asuras.

    Ganesha
    Ganesha Gif

    4.Aum gam ganapataye namah

    This is a mantra from Ganapati Upanishad.

    One may always use it before beginning a journey, a new course in school, new career or job, or before entering into any new contract or business so that impediments are removed and your endeavor may be crowned with success.

    5.Aum shri ganeshaya namah

    This mantra is usually taught to children for their good education.

    It increases their memory power, and they become successful in their examinations.

    6.Aum vakratundaya hum

    This is a very powerful mantra, as discussed in the Ganesha Purana.

    When something is not working properly, individually or universally, nationally or internationally, or when the minds of the people turn crooked, negative, depressed or discouraged, the attention of Ganesha may be drawn by this mantra to straighten their ways.

    The HUM symbolizes “Delay no more, my Lord, in straightening the paths of the crooked-minded ones.”

    This mantra is used many times in the Ganesha Purana to curb the atrocities of cruel demons.

    In addition, this mantra could also be used for healing any spinal deficiency, such as curvature of the spine or curved limbs. Dedicate 1,008 repetitions of this holy word to straighten and heal such deficiencies.

    7.Aum kshipra prasadaya namah

    Kshipra means instantaneous.

    If some danger or negative energy is coming your way and you don’t know how to get rid of that trouble, with true devotion, practice this mantra for quick blessing and purification of one’s aura.

    8Aum shrim hrim klim glaum gam
    ganapataye vara varada sarva
    janamme vashamanaya svaha

    This is used in Ganapati Homa.

    There are several bija (seed) mantras in this mantra .

    Among other things, it signals, “Shower Your blessings, O Lord. I offer my ego as an oblation.”

    9.Aum sumukhaya namah

    By meditating on this mantra, very pleasing manners and a beauty comes on you.

    Along with that comes peace, which constantly dances in your eyes; and the words you speak are all filled with that power of love.

    10.Aum ekadantaya namah

    For Concentration.

    11.Aum kapilaya namah

    Kapila (red) means that you are able to give color therapy.

    You are able to create colors around yourself and around others, bathe them in that color and heal them.

    As per the mantra you create, so will you create the colors.

    Another meaning is “wish cow,” the “cow of plenty.”

    It means that whatever you wish, that comes true. There is a wish-cow inside you. Whatever you wish, especially for healing others, comes true immediately.

    12.Aum gajakarnikaya namah

    The ears of Ganesha, the elephant, are constant fanning, which means people may talk a lot, but you are not receiving inside anything other than that which is important.

    It also means that you can sit anywhere and tune this cosmic television (the body) with seven channels (chakras) and all 72,000 nadis, to any loka and be able to hear ancestors, angels, the voice of God or the voice of prophets.

    That kind of inner ear you will develop through this mantra.

    13.Aum lambodaraya namah

    This means you feel that you are this universe.

    It means that all the universes are within you.

    For peace of Mind.

    14.Aum vikataya namah

    This means realizing this world as a dream or a drama.

    When you are in that high consciousness, this whole world looks like a dream.

    That consciousness comes to you by knowing this mantra.

    15.Aum vighna nashanaya namah

    This mantra invokes the Lord Ganesha to remove every impediment in you life.

    16.Aum vinayakaya namah

    Vinayaka is the name of Ganesha in the golden age.

    For comfortable work/professional life.

    17.Aum dhumraketuve namah

     For World Peace.

    18.Aum ganadhyakshaya namah

    For Group Healing.

    19.Aum bhalachandraya namah.

    For Mental Problems

     

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  • 108 Upanishads Complete List

    Upanishad means “sitting near by’

    This is the part of The Vedas, the unwritten Scripture of the Hindus, over 5000(Five Thousand) years old and transmitted by oral tradition, that contains the enquiry into the Nature of the World where were We, where we are and Where do We Go from Here’

    It is a Philosophical treatise that has to be practiced.

    Upanishads of Hinduism.
    The 108 Upanishads List. image credit. http://www.sohamyogastudio.org/images/veda2.png

    Click on the image to enlarge.

    Please read my posts on Vedas filed under Hinduism/Indian Philosophy for more details.

    Thee Upanishads are called  the end of all The Veda, Vedanta.

    They are 108.

    • 10 upaniṣads are associated with the Rigveda and have the shānti beginning vaṇme-manasi.
    • 16 upaniṣads are associated with the Samaveda and have the shānti beginning āpyāyantu.
    • 19 upaniṣads are associated with the Shukla Yajurveda and have the shānti beginning pūrṇamada.
    • 32 upaniṣads are associated with the Krishna Yajurveda and have the shānti beginning sahanāvavatu.
    • 31 upaniṣads are associated with the Atharvaveda and have the shānti beginning bhadram-karṇebhiḥ.

    “26-29. But by what means is the Kaivalya kind of Moksha got ? The Mandukya is enough; if knowledge is not got from it, then study the Ten Upanishads. Getting knowledge very soon, you will reach my abode. If certainty is not got even then, study the 32 Upanishads and stop. If desiring Moksha without the body, read the 108 Upanishads. Hear their order-

    –Muktika Upanishad
    Translated by Dr. A. G. Krishna Warrier
    Published by The Theosophical Publishing House, Chennai

    Citation.

    Mukthika Upanishad

    The List of 108 Upanishads.

    1. Isha Upanishad [1]
    2. Kena Upanishad [2]
    3. Katha Upanishad [3]
    4. Prashna Upanishad [4]
    5. Mundaka Upanishad [5]
    6. Mandukya Upanishad [6]
    7. Taittiriya Upanishad [7]
    8. Aitareya Upanishad [8]
    9. Chandogya Upanishad [9]
    10. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad [10]
    11. Brahmopanishad [11]
    12. Kaivalyopanishad [12]
    13. Jabalopanishad [13]
    14. Shvetashvatara Upanishad [14]
    15. Hamsopanishad
    16. Aruneyopanishad
    17. Garbhopanishad
    18. Narayanopanishad
    19. Paramahamsopanishad
    20. Amritabindu Upanishad
    21. Nada-bindupanishad
    22. Siropanishad
    23. Atharva-sikhopanishad
    24. Maitrayaniya Upanishad
    25. Kaushitaki Upanishad
    26. Brihaj-jabalopanishad
    27. Nrisimha-tapaniyopanishad
    28. Kalagni-rudropanishad
    29. Maitreyy-upanishad
    30. Subalopanishad
    31. Kshurikopanishad
    32. Mantrikopanishad
    33. Sarva-saropanishad
    34. Niralambopanishad
    35. Suka-rahasyopanishad
    36. Vajra-sucikopanishad
    37. Tejobindu Upanishad
    38. Nada-bindupanishad
    39. Dhyana-bindupanishad
    40. Brahma-vidyopanishad
    41. Yoga-tattvopanishad
    42. Atma-bodhopanishad
    43. Narada-parivrajakopanishad
    44. Trisikhy-upanishad
    45. Sitopanishad
    46. Yoga-cudamany-upanishad
    47. Nirvanopanishad
    48. Mandala-brahmanopanishad
    49. Dakshina-murty-upanishad
    50. Sarabhopanishad
    51. Skandopanishad
    52. Mahanarayanopanishad
    53. Advaya-tarakopanishad
    54. Rama-rahasyopanishad
    55. Rama-tapany-upanishad
    56. Vasudevopanishad
    57. Mudgalopanishad
    58. Sandilyopanishad
    59. Paingalopanishad
    60. Bhikshupanishad
    61. Mahad-upanishad
    62. Sarirakopanishad
    63. Yoga-sikhopanishad
    64. Turiyatitopanishad
    65. Sannyasopanishad
    66. Paramahamsa-parivrajakopanishad
    67. Malikopanishad
    68. Avyaktopanishad
    69. Ekaksharopanishad
    70. Purnopanishad
    71. Suryopanishad
    72. Akshy-upanishad
    73. Adhyatmopanishad
    74. Kundikopanishad
    75. Savitry-upanishad
    76. Atmopanishad
    77. Pasupatopanishad
    78. Param-brahmopanishad
    79. Avadhutopanishad
    80. Tripuratapanopanishad
    81. Devy-upanishad
    82. Tripuropanishad
    83. Katha-rudropanishad
    84. Bhavanopanishad
    85. Hridayopanishad
    86. Yoga-kundaliny-upanishad
    87. Bhasmopanishad
    88. Rudrakshopanishad
    89. Ganopanishad
    90. Darsanopanishad
    91. Tara-saropanishad
    92. Maha-vakyopanishad
    93. Panca-brahmopanishad
    94. Pranagni-hotropanishad
    95. Gopala-tapany-upanishad
    96. Krishnopanishad
    97. Yajnavalkyopanishad
    98. Varahopanishad
    99. Satyayany-upanishad
    100. Hayagrivopanishad
    101. Dattatreyopanishad
    102. Garudopanishad
    103. Kaly-upanishad
    104. Jabaly-upanishad
    105. Saubhagyopanishad
    106. Sarasvati-rahasyopanishad
    107. Bahvricopanishad
    108. Muktikopanishad
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  • Women Can Learn The Vedas Affirm Vedas

    The topic, “Can  women learn The Vedas”, the Scriptures of  the Hindus is very sensitive authentic material on this subject is scarce.

    One group maintains that women are barred from Learning the Vedas.

    Their arguments and references.

    They quote the Smritis which do not carry the weight and authority of The Vedas.

    ”

    There are clear injunctions in various smR^itis and purANas that prohibit women from learning the veda.

    The most famous of these that is quoted by most AchAryas comes from bhagavAn bAdarAyaNa:(Bhadarayana)

     

    strIshUdradvijabandhUnAM tray Ina shrutigocharA |
    karmashreyasi mUDhAnAM shreya evaM bhavediha |
    iti bhAratamAkhyAnaM kR^ipayA muninA kR^itam ||

    “stri-sudra-dvijabandhunam trayi na sruti-gocara. Because woman class and
    less intelligent class, and these unworthy sons of the brahmanas and
    ksatriyas, they will not be able to understand the original Vedic
    literature,

    Kanchi Peryavar says thus,

    ”

    ஸ்த்ரீகள் படிக்க வேண்டியதைச் சொன்னமாதிரியே படிக்க வேண்டாததையும் சொல்லவேண்டும். இப்படி நான் சொன்னால் கன்னா பின்னா புஸ்தகங்கள் படிக்கக்கூடாது என்பதைத்தான் நான் சொல்கிறேன் என்று எதிர்பார்பீர்கள். அதுவும் வாஸ்தவந்தான். ஆனால் கன்னா பின்னாவே இல்லாத இன்னொன்று, எல்லாக் கன்னா பின்னாக்களையும் போக்குகின்ற இன்னொன்றும் ஸ்த்ரீகளுக்கு வேண்டாம் என்று சாஸ்த்ரம் சொல்லியிருப்பதால் அதையும் நான் தெரிவிக்க வேண்டியிருக்கிறது.

    வேதத்தைத்தான் சொல்கிறேன்.

    வேதத்தின் தாத்பர்யத்தைச் சொல்லும் பல புஸ்தகங்கள் இருக்கின்றன. அவற்றை ஸ்த்ரீகள் படித்துச் தெரிந்து கொள்ளட்டும். நேரே வேதத்தைப் படிப்பதும் அதிலுள்ள ஸூக்தங்களைப் பாடம் பண்ணுவதும், புருஷர்கள் மாதிரியே அத்யயனம் பண்ணுவதும் வேண்டாம்.”

     

    I am providing the Link at the end of the Post for those who know Tamil.

     

    The essence of what He says is that there might have been exceptions in the earlier Yugas and in KaliYug, Women are weak.

     

    They need not learn the Vedas.

     

    The Essene of the Vedas is present in the Dharma Sastras Ramayana and Mahabharata.

     

    If  women are sincere in learning the Vedas, they an follow the Dharma Sastras and the Ithihasas like Ramayana and Mahabharata.

     

    However the Sruthi is clear on Women learning the Vedas.

     

    Women a learn The Vedas,Veda References.

    ”

    1.      The “Brahma” in a yajna is the best trained
    purohit who can correct the others involved in the yajna. BRAHMAA VAA
    RITVIJAABHMISHAKTAMAHA – Shatapatha brahmana 1.7.4.19.


    “Thasyaadyo
    brahmanishtaha syaath tham brahmaanam kurveeth”.“Atha kena brahmtvam
    kreeyathe iti trayyaa vidyayethi, trayya vidyayeti ha brooyaath”
    (Aithareya 5.33).
    2.       A woman can be a brahma as mentioned in Rigveda (8.33.-19).
    “…sthree hi brahmaa vibhoovidhaha” .
    3.      “AachaaryadaNatvam”…Ashtaadhyaayi 4.3.2.49.“ACHHARYASYA STREE AACHAARYAANEE PUM YOGA ITHYEVA AACHAARYA SVAYAM VYAAKHYAATREE”-Siddhaanta koumudi.

    ( the woman who conducts the veda pravachana is called an Achaarya) .
    4.      Aachaarya lakshana :- “UPANEEYA TUM YAHA SHISHYA
    VEDAMADHYAAPAYED DWIJAHA, SAKALPA SARAHASYAM CHA THAMAACHAARYA
    PRACHAKSHATHE”.( The one who can conduct the upanayana samskaara and teaches the Vedas is called the Aachaarya).

    Siddhaanta Koumudi edited by Mahamahopaadhyaaya pandit Shivadatta sarma says,

    5.      “ITI VACHANENAAPI STREENAM VEDAADHYANAADIKAARO    DHVANITHAHA”.(THIS MAKES IT CLEAR THAT WOMEN HAS VEDAADHIKAARA) .
    6.      Rigveda 10.159-2.3″THADVIDAHA�….UTAAHAMASMI SAM JAYAA…UTTAMAM”.(May I get a good husband…..Because of Vedas, I will become tejasvi and a
    powerful spokes person…
    May my daughter shine well because of her good
    character) .
    7.      Taandya brahmana (5-6-8) advises that women have to chant
    saamaved along with veena when a yajna is being conducted.
    8.      The Mantra 5.5.29 ordains that the women have to circumambulate the yajna kunda
    chanting the veda mantras.
    .
    9.      .The kumari Gandharva grahathaa story in
    Eithareya proves that the women had all rights for Vedas.
    .
    10.  Laatyayana
    shrouthasootra, Shaankaayana shroutha sootra etc., also confirms the
    rights of women for Vedas.
    There are several other authorities advising women to chant veda mantras. .
    11.  Yajurveda23-23, 25-27, 29;
    12.  Shatapatha brahmana 1-9-2-2-1, 1.9.2.22.23;
    13.  Taittareeya samhitha 1.1.10,
    14.  Aaswalaayana grihya sootra 1.1.9,
    15.  Kaataka grihyasootra 3.1.30, 27-3,
    16.  Paaraskara grihyasootra 1.5.1,2. ,
    17.  Yajurveda 36-24
    “tacchakshurdeva sahitam…” is to chanted only by a woman.
    18.  Rigveda  10-85.48 has to be chanted by husband and wife together.
    19.  Some Names of women who chanted Vedas:-  Ghoshaa, godaa, vishvavaraa, apaalaa, adithi, jahu, indraani, vedavathi, Oorvashi, shachee, shrithaavathi, Siddhaa,
    Shreemathi, Shivaa, Sulabhaa, Svadhaa, Vapunaa, Dhaarini, Romashaa,
    Lopaamudraa, Yamee, Shaashvathee, Idaa, Gaargi, Maithreyi…….
    20.  Some more Authorities for women chanting veda mantras:- Examples of women
    mantradrashtaaras: Ghoshaa, godhaa, vishvavaraa, Apaalaa, Upanishad,
    Jahu, Indraani, saramaa, Romashaa, Oorvashi, Lopaamudraa, Yamee,
    Shaashvathee, Sooryaasavithree,….etc.,
    21.  Rigveda 10-134, 10-39,
    10-40, 8-91, 10-95, 10-109, 10-154, 10-159, 10-189, 5-28, 8-91 ..etc.,
    are from women.
    22.  Taittareeya brahmana 2-3-10..”..
    23.  Tam trayee vedaa anya
    srijantha….vedan pradadow”(Three vedas were given to the woman
    Seetaa-savitri through Soma).
    24.  Manu’s daughter Idaa is described in
    Taittareeya Brahmana( 1-1-4) as Yajnaprakaashinee meaning Yajna tatva
    prakaashana samarthaa.
    (This can be continued…)
    25.  To cite examples of mention in Mahaakavyas:-
    Mahabharata:-
    Udyogaparva 190-18: “Atra siddhaa shivaa naama braahmNee veda paaragaahaa..”
    (A brahmin lady by name Shivaa was a scholar of vedas and she got
    Moksha).
    26.  A non brahmin lady Droupadi was a scholar of vedas.
    Achaarya
    27.  Madhva in his Mahabharata tatparya nirnaya says, “Vedaaschapyuttama
    streebhihi krishnaattaabhirihaakhilaaha.
    ( Good women should learn Vedas like Droupadi).
    28.  Valmiki Ramayana:-
    Sundarakaanda53-26:
    Vaidehi shokasantaptaa hutaashanmupaagatam.
    ( The sad Seeta did homa to Agni)
    29.  VR 5-15-48:- “Sandhyaakaale …..Sandhyaartham varavarninee”.
    (Seetha would certainly come to the river to perform sandhya with pure water).
    30.  Valmikiramayana 4-16-12, 2-20-15 indicate that Kousalya and Kaikeyi also
    were doing agnihotra etc.,
    31.  Vaali’s wife Tara chanted
    swastimantras.

    32.  Puranas :-
    Vishnupurana (1-10) and (18-19);
    Markandeyapurana (52); Brahma vaivarta purana (14-65) etc., may be seen.’

    Shri.Ramanujacharya, Founder of Visishtadvaita, affirms that women an lear the Vedas.

    But Ramanuja thinks that any person wishing to pursue
    the knowledge of Brahman must first learn to chant the
    Vedas (swadhyayam).     He thinks that learning Vedas is a
    Samskaara (refinement or exaltation of excellence) and
    Swadhyaaya forms the object of Samskaara. Taittriya
    upanishad     is quoted to substantiate this"

    Professor Bhatnagar.

    “Prof . Bhargava tell us that in Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 6.4.17, there is a ritual “for parents desirous of a daughter who would shine with learning.

    ” The Upanayana ceremony was common to boys as well as to girls.

    The Atharvaveda 9.15.18  says that a girl gets a young and eligible husband only when she has passed a period of brahmacarya.

    The rg Veda mentions women performing yajnas alone and the satapaha brahmana tells us that the Patnikarma of women chanting SamaVeda was later taken over by udgatrs.”

    Harita smR^iti discusses two categories of women:

    1. brahmavAdinI: She is the true brahmachAriNI who can undergo upanayana and agni homa, study the scriptures and live on bhikShA.
    2. sadyo vadhu: Undergo upanayana but enter matrimony early on without the study of scriptures.

     

     

    While venerable commentators point out various technicalities in accepting this pramANa, there is no room for doubt regarding the need for upanayana samskAra if a woman needs to study shruti, if at all such an adhikAra is accepted.

     

    One can find a clear reference to a brahmachAriNI in the gR^ihya sUtra when AshvalAyana talks about the samAvartana samskAra:

     

    ashmanastejo.asi shrotraM me pAhIti maNikuNDale AbadhnIta anulepena pANI pralipya mukhamagre brAhmaNo.anulimpet | bAhU rAjanyaH | agre.anulimpet | udaraM vaishyaH | pUrvavat | upasthaM strI | tadvat ||”

     

    Kalidasa, the Divine Poet affirms this hen he speaks of Goddess Parvati.

    ”

    Kalidasa’s description of bhagavatI parvatI performing agnihotra can be somewhat accepted as reflecting the society in those days:

     

    kR^itAbhiShekAM hutajAtavedasaM tvaguttarAsa~NgavatIM adhItinIm || [kumArasambhava]

    sItA is described as performed sandhyA in rAmAyaNa:

    sandhyAkAlamanAH shyAmA dhruvameShyati jAnakI |
    nadIM chemAM shubhajalAM sandhyArthaM varavarNinI ||’

    To sum up.

    There are some injunctions on women prohibiting them from learning the Vedas.

     

    Kanhi Periyavar says that women in Kali Yuga are weak and hence need not learn the Vedas.

     

    His advice is to learn the Dharma sastra and he does not say learning  the Vedas is prohibited .

     

    His Concern seems more on the the rigorous  practice and Discipline needed to learn the Vedas and that being weak, women need not learn the Vedas.

     

    He does no say the Vedas proscribe women learning the Vedas.

     

    Sruthi is the Highest authority, Smrtis take a backseat, so also  the Purana and The Ithihasas, when compared with the Vedas.

     

    I feel on the strength of the Sruthi, Vedas can be learned by women by following the procedure laid by The Vedas to learn them.

     

    Citations.

    http://jayasreesaranathan.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/should-women-not-chant-vedas-part-1/

    http://jayasreesaranathan.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/should-women-not-chant-vedas-part-3/

    http://www.kamakotimandali.com/misc/womenveda.html

    https://ancientindians.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/can-women-learn-the-veda/

    http://mahaperiyavaa.wordpress.com/2014/03/12/%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%A4-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%A3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D/

    * This post is intended to Highlight this issue and My views are not the final authority.

    I have references from the Vedas,and to me Vedas are the Authority.

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  • Death Rites Sons Duties Hinduism Pretha Karma

    Son is considered to prevent parents from entering a horrible type of Hell, ‘Puth’: hence son is called as ‘Puthra’ in Sanskrit.

    What do the Puranas say about the duties of the son?

    For every child, devotion to parents is the primary Duty.

    So much so ,the Upanishad says, Mathru Devo Bhava,Pitru Devo Bhava’,Devote yourself to Mother ,Father.

    This, during the parents’ lifetime.

    After Death?

    Last and ensuing rites after death is to be performed by the son, and by the father for the son.

    These Karmas are to be performed with the Sacred Thread worn on the Left shoulder(Pracheena Veedhi)

    The Last rites are to be performed only by the eldest son That is the rites performed immediately after death.

    But after the Thirteenth day all the Rites, including Srardha is to be performed by all the sons.

    There is a view that if the elder son performs the Srardha, other sons need not perform.

    If all the brothers stay in one house and perform the Srardha the eldest can do and the others can be by his side.

    If they stay separately then every one has to perform separately.

    Other than the sons of the wife married in the Vedic way, sons of the deceased may perform the last rites, if

    The son was born to a Man who married without paying the parent’s of the girl ,

    of a Concubine.

    On death, all the relatives must bathe the dead body ,dress it up with only Dhoti,or Saree apply Vibhuthi,Thiruman or Kumkum and adorn with Garland.

    No ornaments, even if it is Rudraksha has to be removed and the body’s head should face the South.

    All the relatives must take part in this.

    Daughter of the deceased must bathe the body and wash the place where the body was kept initially and keep the washed body there.

    As soon as one is dead, a smoking fire is to be kept outside the House.

    None should eat till the body is set afire.

    After the Pretha(Body)Karmas are done with and the body burnt in the Ghat, people should enter the house after washing their feet and take bath with their clothes.

    Should sleep on the floor till the twelfth day.

    Till the thirteenth day food can be taken only once in the morning and Pinda, a Rice ball, is to be placed for the dead.

    The Karmas are to be performed at Home.

    A small hole, Kuzhis, is to be made , just outside the house,within the compound, and covered.

    The Kuzhi Tharpana is to be performed by the Paternal side relatives till the tenth day.

    Should take bath outside the village or town, offer Tharpana and donate Dhoti,Angavastra or Saree and Blouse bit on the First,Third, Seventh and ninth day of the death.

    Asthi Sanjayan, the dissolving of ashes is to be done on the Fourth day.

    (The Current practice is performing this Karma on the second day, Vishnu Purana says it should be done on the Fourth day)

    After twelfth day one can sleep on he bed.

    But till the thirteenth day no intimate relations with husband or wife is allowed.

    During this period, all the three varnas, Brahmana,Kshatriya and Vaisya should not recite Vedas, Engage in Dhaana or Dharma nor should one accept any thing from the others..

    For more on this read my posts on Srardha and Srardha Samayal

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  • Ganesh Upanishad

    Of the reported 1008 Upanishads ,only 108 are in vogue.

    Sri Adi Shankaracharya has commented on the Ten Principal Upanishads.

    These are ,
    Volume 1 – Isa, Kena & Mundaka Upanishads

    Volume 2 – Katha & Prasna Upanishads

    Volume 3 – Chandogya Upanishad – Part 1

    Volume 4 – Chandogya Upanishad – Part 2

    Volume 5 – Aitareya & Taittiriya Upanishads

    Brihadaranyaka Upanishad – Swami Madhavananda 

    Mandukya Upanishad & Karika – Swami Nikhilananda

    There are lesser known Upanishads.

    Ganapathi Upanishad is one of them.

    On the Ganesha Chuturthi Day, I am posting the text and Video of the Ganapathi Upanishad.

    Om ! O Devas, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious;

    May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship !

    May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas,

    Praising them with our body and limbs steady !

    May the glorious Indra bless us !

    May the all-knowing Sun bless us !

    May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us !

    May Brihaspati grant us well-being !

    Om ! Let there be Peace in me !

    Let there be Peace in my environment !

    Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !

    Auspiciousness to those who hear —- thus the Santi.

    1. Om Gam. I bow to Ganapati.

    2. You clearly are the tattva. You alone are the creator. You alone are the maintainer. You alone are the destroyer. Of all this you certainly are Brahman. You plainly are the essence.

    3. Always I speak amrta. The truth I speak.

    4. Protect me. Protect the speakers. Protect the hearers. Protect the givers. Protect the holders. Protect the disciple that repeats. Protect that in the east. Protect that in the south. Protect that in the west. Protect that in the north. Protect that above. Protect that below. Everywhere protect! Protect me everywhere!

    5. You are speech. You are consciousness. You are bliss. You are Brahman. You are being-consciousness-bliss. You are the non-dual. You are plainly Brahman. You are knowledge. You are intelligence.

    6. You create all this world. You maintain all this world. All this world is seen in you. You are earth, water, air, fire, ether. You are beyond the four measures of speech. You are beyond the three gunas. You are beyond the three bodies. You are beyond the three times. You are always situated in the muladhara. You are the being of the three Saktis. You are always meditated on by yogins. You are Brahma, you are Visnu, you are Rudra, you are Agni, you are Vayu, you are the sun, you are the moon, you are Brahma, bhur-bhuvah-svar.

    7 Ga is the first syllable, after that the first letter, beyond that m, then the half-moon all together. Joined with m, this is the mantra form.

    8 The letter ga is the first form, letter a the middle form, m the last form. Bindu the higher form, nada the joining together, samhita the junction. This is the vidya of Lord Ganesa.

    9 Ganaka is the seer, nricad-gayatri the metre, Sri Mahaganapati the devata. Om ganapataye namah.

    10 Let us think of the one-toothed, let us meditate on the crooked trunk, may that tusk direct us.

    11. One tusk, four arms, carrying noose and goad, with his hands dispelling fear and granting boons, with a mouse as his banner.

    12. Red, with a big belly, with ears like winnowing baskets, wearing red, with limbs smeared with red scent, truly worshipped with red flowers.

    13. To the devoted a merciful deva, the maker of the world, the prime cause, who at the beginning of creation was greater than nature and man.

    14. He who always meditates thus is a yogin above yogins.

    15. Hail to the lord of vows, hail to Ganapati, hail to the first lord, hail unto you, to the big-bellied, one-tusked, obstacle-destroyer, the son of Siva, to the boon-giver, hail, hail!

    16. He who studies this atharva text moves towards Brahma. He is always blissful. He is not bound by any obstacles. He is liberated from the five greater and the five lesser sins. Evening meditation destroys the unmeritorious actions of the night. At both evening and morning he is liberated from the bad and he attains dharma, artha, kama and moksa.

    17. This atharva text should not be given to those not pupils. If from delusion a person so gives, he is a bad person.

    18. He who wants something may accomplish it by 1,000 recitations of this. He who sprinkles Ganapati with this becomes eloquent. He who recites this on a fourth day becomes a knower of vidya. This is an artharva saying: ‘‘He who moves towards Brahmavidya is never afraid.’’ He who worships with fried grains becomes famous and becomes intelligent. He who worships with sweet-meat (modaka) gains the desired fruit. He who worships with samit and ghee by him all is attained, all is gained by him. He who makes eight brahmËnas understand this becomes like the sun’s rays. In a solar eclipse, in a great river, or in front of an image having recited (this) he gets accomplished in the mantra. He becomes liberated from great obstacles. He is freed from great misfortunes.

    Om ! O Devas, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious;

    May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship !

    May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas,

    Praising them with our body and limbs steady !

    May the glorious Indra bless us !

    May the all-knowing Sun bless us !

    May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us !

    May Brihaspati grant us well-being !

    Om ! Let there be Peace in me !

    Let there be Peace in my environment !

    Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !

    Here ends the Ganapati Upanishad, as contained in the Atharva-Veda.

    Source:

    http://www.astrojyoti.com/ganapatiupanishad.htm

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    Please read my Post Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja Mantra Details PatI and II.