About 3 months back me and my wife were infected by Chikungunea. We were not able to move due to very painful swollen joints. We were not able to move out of our home even to get a glass of milk. Our dear daughter leaving her two little kids drove more than one hour every alternate day to cook us food and help us to procure the necessities. The courage in my mind melted down. I suddenly knew that I simply cannot afford to live far, far away from my only daughter and only grand daughters. Coincidentally my son and family became American citizens . So I decided to lease out my humble house for rent and move to a rented house near to my daughter’s. This decision was heart wrenching for me, for I loved Ramya(the house that I built) as much as I loved my children. One of my dreams was to die one day peacefully in the lap of my Ramya. I struggled . But there seemed to be no option. Then I remembered what I preach to everybody. We are too small people to question the decision of God. Suppose he wants me to move away from my Ramya, who am I to question it. So with bleeding heart and tearful eyes , I moved to a new rented house. Many of you may not know that among all the names for e-mail Id I chose, the name of Ramya as mine.
Inspite of all that I have settled down in the new home. I am finding it as comfortable as my Ramya. But I do not love the new house. Ramya was my home but the new house is a place that I live in.
Thoughts of a 79 year old retired Indian scientist , who is an astrologer, a translator of prayers and poems and a story teller to children.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
My little grand daughter Goldie is an artist
Here is a remarkable un assisted drawing by my 4 year old Grand daughter. Ofcourse , the title and verse at the top are mine. Raja Thatha
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Doors
Doors
By
Vasant Chendil
Reframed in to English,
By
P.R.Ramachander
(original appearedc in Kumudam Snehithi, Tamil Magazine Feb 2009, page 59)
When we knock at some doors,
Thinking that that they are locked,
A polite sweet voice chimes from within,
“Door is open, please step inside”.
When we push open some doors,
Thinking that they are kept open,
A gruff, and harsh voice shouts,
“door is locked, go away.”
The doors seldom reflect ,
The desire of the voices within.
By
Vasant Chendil
Reframed in to English,
By
P.R.Ramachander
(original appearedc in Kumudam Snehithi, Tamil Magazine Feb 2009, page 59)
When we knock at some doors,
Thinking that that they are locked,
A polite sweet voice chimes from within,
“Door is open, please step inside”.
When we push open some doors,
Thinking that they are kept open,
A gruff, and harsh voice shouts,
“door is locked, go away.”
The doors seldom reflect ,
The desire of the voices within.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Upakarma/Avani Avittam-Some religious rules
XXVIII Upakarma
(Annual redemption Ceremony)
This has to be observed both by Brahmacharis and family men. It consists of two parts . Upakarma(Redemption) and Uthsarjana(learning of Vedas). These help the already learnt Vedic chants shine with great vigour. .Any actions done with such strengthened Vedic chants , would give good and better results. Due to our using Vedic cants for various purposes as well as our not being in a position to follow all the rules, make such chanting of Vedas very weak. So it is necessary to do Upakarma and Uthsarjana every year.
1.Kathyayana:-
By the annual performance of Upakarma and Uthsarjana by the Brahmins, The power of the already learnt Vedic chants will increase.
2.Gargya:-
Krishna Yajur Vedis should do it in the Pournamasya of the month of Sravana(avani in Tamil and Chingam in Malayalam.It occurs during august September) , Rig Vedis in the Sravana Nakshatra of Sravana Masa . The day should not be the beginning of the month or eclipse. Upakarma should not be done if it is eclipse or first day of the month(Solar month)
3.Gobhila:-
Krishna Yajur Vedis, who have learned the Taithreeya branch of the Krishna Yajurveda should do Upakarma on the full moon day of the month of Sravana. Rig Vedis should do it in Sravana (Thiruonam) star and Sama Vedis should do it in Hastha star.
For Krishna Yajur vedis , the pournami Thidhi should be there from the morning till noon.This is called Oudhayakhi.
3.Smruthyanthara:-
If Pournami and Prathama join after 12 nazhigai after sun rise(called Sangha kala-4 hours 48 minutes) and before noon , that is the proper day for annual chant of Gayathri(Gayathri Japam) . If it joins before this time then previous day is Upakarma and next day Gayathri Samitha Dhanam.
4. Thidhi darpanam:-
Rig vedis should do Upakarma on the day when during sun rise Sravana star is there. Yajur vedis should do when Pournami extends beyond 4 hours 48 minutes . Sama Vedis should do it when Hastha Nakshatra extends beyond this time in month of Bhaadrapada(Purattasi/Kanni/September-October).
If the Simha Bhadrapada is not holy due to Moudya , then they (Sama Vedis) should do it in Kanya month during Krishna Paksha(waxing period of moon)
For Rik Vedis the lord of the Shaka(branch) is Guru, For Yajur vedis it is Shukra , for Sama Vedis it is Angaraka and for Atharva Vedis it is Bhudha. So they should do upakarma when the Lord of their Shakha is powerful.. If these planets are in Moudya(powerless) or when there is eclipse or when there is month beginning, Upakarma should not be performed on that day.
For Yajur Vedis, Pournami in Sravana month is important. If it is bad then they can do in Pournami of Aashada (AAdi/karkidaka/july-august) month . If that also is bad, then they should do in the Pournami of Sravana month after carrying out redemption rituals.
Rik Vedis should do Upakarma in Sravana star in the month of Sravana. If there is dosha during that period , they can do it instead on a day in the same month when Hastha star and Panchami Thidhi are together.
Shukla Yajur Vedis should do Upakarma on the full moon day of Sravana month.. If that has dosha they can do it on Sravana star of the same month or on the day when star Hastha and Panchami thidhi are together in the same month and if even that is unsuitable they can do it on the day when Hastha star is there in the Sravana month.They can also do it in the full moon day of the Bhadhra pada month. The decision has to be made based on the family custom.
Brahmacharis should do Upakarma after hair cutting. Yajur Vedis should start learning Vedas (Uthsarjanam) on a full moon day of the Pushya month. If this is not suitable they can do it in Magha(Maasi/Kumbha/ February-march) month also.
5.Sandilya:-
Upakarma should not be performed with wet cloths. If it is done , it is termed as Rakshasa. During Upakarma, a new sacred thread should be worn, That is Upakarma should be done with new cloths and new sacred thread by every one and in case of Brahmachari they should wear in addition a new belt, new deer’s skin and new staff.
These are taken from a book SamkshepaDharma Sasthra, Ramachander
(Annual redemption Ceremony)
This has to be observed both by Brahmacharis and family men. It consists of two parts . Upakarma(Redemption) and Uthsarjana(learning of Vedas). These help the already learnt Vedic chants shine with great vigour. .Any actions done with such strengthened Vedic chants , would give good and better results. Due to our using Vedic cants for various purposes as well as our not being in a position to follow all the rules, make such chanting of Vedas very weak. So it is necessary to do Upakarma and Uthsarjana every year.
1.Kathyayana:-
By the annual performance of Upakarma and Uthsarjana by the Brahmins, The power of the already learnt Vedic chants will increase.
2.Gargya:-
Krishna Yajur Vedis should do it in the Pournamasya of the month of Sravana(avani in Tamil and Chingam in Malayalam.It occurs during august September) , Rig Vedis in the Sravana Nakshatra of Sravana Masa . The day should not be the beginning of the month or eclipse. Upakarma should not be done if it is eclipse or first day of the month(Solar month)
3.Gobhila:-
Krishna Yajur Vedis, who have learned the Taithreeya branch of the Krishna Yajurveda should do Upakarma on the full moon day of the month of Sravana. Rig Vedis should do it in Sravana (Thiruonam) star and Sama Vedis should do it in Hastha star.
For Krishna Yajur vedis , the pournami Thidhi should be there from the morning till noon.This is called Oudhayakhi.
3.Smruthyanthara:-
If Pournami and Prathama join after 12 nazhigai after sun rise(called Sangha kala-4 hours 48 minutes) and before noon , that is the proper day for annual chant of Gayathri(Gayathri Japam) . If it joins before this time then previous day is Upakarma and next day Gayathri Samitha Dhanam.
4. Thidhi darpanam:-
Rig vedis should do Upakarma on the day when during sun rise Sravana star is there. Yajur vedis should do when Pournami extends beyond 4 hours 48 minutes . Sama Vedis should do it when Hastha Nakshatra extends beyond this time in month of Bhaadrapada(Purattasi/Kanni/September-October).
If the Simha Bhadrapada is not holy due to Moudya , then they (Sama Vedis) should do it in Kanya month during Krishna Paksha(waxing period of moon)
For Rik Vedis the lord of the Shaka(branch) is Guru, For Yajur vedis it is Shukra , for Sama Vedis it is Angaraka and for Atharva Vedis it is Bhudha. So they should do upakarma when the Lord of their Shakha is powerful.. If these planets are in Moudya(powerless) or when there is eclipse or when there is month beginning, Upakarma should not be performed on that day.
For Yajur Vedis, Pournami in Sravana month is important. If it is bad then they can do in Pournami of Aashada (AAdi/karkidaka/july-august) month . If that also is bad, then they should do in the Pournami of Sravana month after carrying out redemption rituals.
Rik Vedis should do Upakarma in Sravana star in the month of Sravana. If there is dosha during that period , they can do it instead on a day in the same month when Hastha star and Panchami Thidhi are together.
Shukla Yajur Vedis should do Upakarma on the full moon day of Sravana month.. If that has dosha they can do it on Sravana star of the same month or on the day when star Hastha and Panchami thidhi are together in the same month and if even that is unsuitable they can do it on the day when Hastha star is there in the Sravana month.They can also do it in the full moon day of the Bhadhra pada month. The decision has to be made based on the family custom.
Brahmacharis should do Upakarma after hair cutting. Yajur Vedis should start learning Vedas (Uthsarjanam) on a full moon day of the Pushya month. If this is not suitable they can do it in Magha(Maasi/Kumbha/ February-march) month also.
5.Sandilya:-
Upakarma should not be performed with wet cloths. If it is done , it is termed as Rakshasa. During Upakarma, a new sacred thread should be worn, That is Upakarma should be done with new cloths and new sacred thread by every one and in case of Brahmachari they should wear in addition a new belt, new deer’s skin and new staff.
These are taken from a book SamkshepaDharma Sasthra, Ramachander
TRansfer of my Stotra Web site
I am extremely glad to inform you that I have successfully transferred the entire contents of my web site
www.geocities.com/ramya475 (which is being terminated ) to
http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/
http://stotrarathna.blogspot.com/
This was possible due to the suggestions and advice given by the members of this forum,
www.geocities.com/ramya475 (which is being terminated ) to
http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/
http://stotrarathna.blogspot.com/
This was possible due to the suggestions and advice given by the members of this forum,
Monday, July 20, 2009
Yajur Vedi Avani Avittam Mathras-2009
Yajur Vedi Avani Avittam for the year 2009*
Avani Avittam 5-8-2009(Wednesday)
(Compiled by P.R.Ramachander)
1.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
( Manthra for wearing Poonal)
a.Aachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam………. Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo…………..Bhoorbhavaswarom
c.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri paameshwara preethyartham
Sroutha smartha vihitha sadachara nithya karmaanushtanaa yogyatha sidhyartham brhma teja abhivrudyartham yagnopaveetha dharanam karishye.
d.Yagnopaveetha dharana maha manthrasya
Parabrhma rishi(Touch forehead)
Trushtup chanda (touch below nose)
Paramathma devatha (touch heart)
e.Yagnopaveetha dharane viniyoga
Wear Poonal one by one by reciting(poonal should be held by both hands, the tie in the poonal being held above by the right hand facing upwards)
Yagnopaveetham paramam pavithram praja pathe,
Yat sahajam purasthad aayushyam
Agriyam prathi muncha shubram yagnopaveetham balamasthu theja.
f.After wearing all poonals one by one do Aachamanam
g.Remove the old poonals and break them to pieces by reciting
Upaveetham bhinna thanthum jeernam kasmala dooshitham, visrujami jale punarbrahman varcho deergayurasthu me.
h.Do aachamanam.
Summary meaning: I wear the white yagnopavitha that is purifying , which was born along with brahma, which is capable of increasing life .I am sure this would give glory and strength to me.I am destroying the dirty , soiled yasgnopavita .
2.Kamo karshet Japam (5-8-2009 morning)
a.Aaachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam…….Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo
c.Mamo partha--- Preethyartham
Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama
Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
Yogascha karanam chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadhya sri bagavatha mahaa purushasya Vishnor Agnaya , Pravarthamanasya , Aadhya brhmana , dweethiya parardhe, swetha varaha kalpe, , Vaivaswatha manvanthare, ashta vimsathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha kande, Mero dakshine parswe. Asmin varthamane , vyavaharike prabhavaadheenam sashti samvatsaranaam madhye , Virodhi nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Greeshma rithou, kataka mase, shukla pakshe, aadhya pournamasyam shubha thidou, Soumya vasara yukthayam, Uthrashada** nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam pournamaasyam shubha thidou, taishyaam pournamaasyam* adhyot sarjana akarana praayaschithartham , samvatsara praayaschithartham, cha ashtothara satha samkhyaa “kamo karsheth manyura karsheth” ithi maha manthra japam karishye.
d.Then chant “Kamo karsheth manyura karsheth namo nama” 108 times
e.Afterwards perform Aachamana and say”Kama manyu upastham karishye” , Om tat sat brahmaarpanam asthu.
*Pournami is for the whole day ** Uthrashada Nakshatra is up to 10.45 AM IST on 5/8/2009 according to the Panchanga.If in any country , you are performing the japam after that change Uthrashada to Sravana nakshtra yukthayam.This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA.This is also applicable to mantras of Maha Sankalpam given below.
Summary meaning:The Brahmin first prays God that the time of doing whatever it may be should become holy and this he is sure is achieved by prayer to God.Then he tells when he is doing this japa, for example which year, which season, which day and so on.And he says that this japa is being done as a repentance for his not perfornming various religious duties during the year that he ought to have performed.The main manthra is a prayer to pardon the lapses which were due to Kama(passion) krodha(anger) and lopa(avarice)
3.Maha Samkalpam
(5-8-2009 after Madhyaanikam and Brahma yagnam*)
a.Aachamanam
b.Shuklam baradharam……..
c.Om bhoo
d.Maha samkalpam
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama rama
Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
Yogascha karanam chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadya sri bhagawatha, Aadi vishno, Aadinarayanasya achinthyaya , aparimithaya, sakthyaa, briyamaanasya, mahaa jaloughasya madhye,
paribrhamatham aneka koti brhmaandanam madhye, eka thame, prithya aptejo vayvakaasaa ahankaradhi -mahada vyakthai-aavaranair- aavruthe- asmin mahathi bramanda-karandaka-madhye aadhara sakthi –koormaa nandathi ashta diggajopari prathishtithasya , athala-vithala-suthala-rasaathala-thalaa thala-mahaathala-pathalakyai loka sapthakasya upari thale, punya kruthaam nivaasabhuthe bhoor –bhuvar-suvar-mahar-janarr-thapa-satyaakhyai loka shatkasya adho bhage mahaa nalayamana phani raja seshasya sahasra phanaa mani mandala mandithe, dighdanthi-shunda dhanda-uttambhithe, panchasath koti yojana vistheerne, lokaloka –achalena valayithe lavaneshu-sura-sarpi-dhadhi-ksheera-udakaarnavischa parivruthe, jambhu-plaksha-saka-salmali-kusa-krouncha-pushkarakhya saptha dweepanaam madhye, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe, bharatha kande, prajaapathi kshetre dandakaaranya-chamapakaaranya-vindhyaaranya-veekshaaranya-vedaaranayaadhi, aneka punya aaranyaanam Madhya pradeshe, karma bhoomou, rama –sethu-kedharayoo madya pradaeshe , Bhaageerathi-Gouthami-Krishna veni-Yamuna-Narmadaa-Thungabadhraa-Triveni-Malaapahaarini-kaveri- ithyadi , aaneka punya nadhi viraajithe, Indraprastha-Yamaprastha-Aavanthikaapuri-Hasthinaapuri-Ayodhyaa puri-Maayaa puri-Kasi puri-Kanchi puri-Dwarakaa aadi aneka punya puree viraajithe Sakala jagat srushta, parardha dwaya jeevana, bramana dweethiya parardhe, Pancha sathabdhou, prathame varshe, prathame mase, prathame pakshe, prathame divasae, aahni, dweethiye yame, trithiye muhurthe, swayambhuva-swarochisha-uthama-thamasa-raivatha-chakshu shakheshu, shatsu manusha atheetheshu, sapthame vaivaswathe manvanthare, aashta vimsathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha kande, Mero dakshine parswe. Asmin varthamane , vyavaharike prabhavaadheenam sashtya samvatsaranaam madhye , Virodhi nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Greeshma rithou, Karkidaga mase, shukla pakshe, aadhya pournamasyam* shubha thidou, Soumya vasara yukthayam, Uthrashada** nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam pournamaasyam* shubha thidou,
anaadhya vidhya pravarthamane asmin mahathi samsara chakre vichitrabhi karma gathibhi vichitrasu yonishu puna puna anekadha janithwa kenapi punya karma viseshena idhaanimthana manushye dwijanma visesham prapthavatho mama jjanmabhyasa jjanama prabruthi ethath kshana paryantham , baalye, vayasi kaumare yowane vaardhake cha jagrath swapna sushupthya avasthamsu mano vak kaya karmendriya jnanendriya vyaparai kama-krodha-lobha-moha-madha-mathsaryaadhi sambhavithaanam iha janmani janmanthare cha jnana ajnana kruthaanam maha pathakanaam mahaa patathakanumanthratwadeenam , samapathakaanaam upapaathakaanaam malini karanaanam nindhitha dhana dhaano upa jeevanaadeenam aapathrikarananaam jathi bramsa karaanam vihitha karma thyaagaaadeenam jnanadha sakruth kruthanaam ajnanatha asakruth kruthaanam sarveeshaam papaanam sadhya aapanodhanartham
aswatha narayana sannidhou-deva brahmana sannidhou-tryaa trimsath koti devathaa sannidhou-sri visaalakshi sametha visweswara swami sannidhou-mahaa ganapathi sannidhou-seetha lakshmana bharatha sathrugna-hanumt samedha sri rama chandra swmai sannidhou-sri rukmani sathyabhama samedha sri gopala Krishna swami sannidhou-hari hara puthra swami sannidhou-sri lakshmi narayana swami sannidhou sraavanyaam pournamasyaam adhyopakrama karma karishye.Thadangam sravanee pournamasi punyakale sareera shudhartam shuddhodhaka snanam aham karishye
Athi krura maha kaya, kalpanthahanopama,
Bairavaya namasthubhyam anujnam dathu marhasi
*Pournami is for the whole day on 5/8/2009 and ** Uthrashada Nakshatra is up to 10.45 AM IST on 5/8/2009 according to the Panchanga.If in any country , you are performing the japam after that change Pournamyam to Prathmayam and Sravana to Sravishta nakshtra yukthayam.This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA..
Summary meaning:Here again apart from locating oneself with reference to time , one locates himself with reference to place also.We are supposed to live in Jambu Dweepa, Bharatha Kanda which is south of the great mountain Maha meru.Then again this Bhasratha Kanda is blessed with many holy rivers and holy places.Then prayer is done to God to pardon sins committed by word, thought and deed, because this was done inspite of his great grace which made us be born as human beings after several wheels of birth.Also the sins performed during several ages in life is highlighted.Some of the sins specifically mentioned are those done while earning money without conscience, giving money to improper people, actions which did not suit the caste we are born in, sins due to non performance of actions which ought to have been done and so on. We pray God and tell him that we would take bath in holy pure water and then start the veda parayanas which is our duty as Brahmin.
4.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
After bath again change poonal by reciting manthra as given in s.No.1.Please note that now a days very rarely people take bath after mahaa sankalpam but do prokshana snanam i.e bath by sprikling of water on the head.
5.Kanda Rishi Tharpanam
1,Aachamanam
2,Shklaama baradharam
3.Om bhoo
4.Mamo partha samastha durida kshya dwara sri parameshwata preethyartham sravanyaam pournamaasyam adhyoyapakrama karmangam kanda rishi tharpanam karishye.
Wear poonal as garland and do tharpanam using water mixed with thil (black gingely) and akshatha
Each manthra has to be chanted thrice and tharpanam done.
1.Prajapathim kanda rishim tharpayami
2,Somam kanda rishim tharpayami
3.Agnim kanda rishim tharpayami
4.Viswaan devaan kanda rishim tharpayaami
5.Saahinkeer devatha upanishadha tharpayami
6.Yagnigeer devatha upanishadha tharpayaami
7.Vaaruneer devatha upanishadha tharpayami
8.Brhamanagum swayubhuvam tharpayaami
9.Sadasaspathim tharpayami
wear poonal in the normal fashion and then do aachamana.
Summary meaning:Tharpanam means really satisfying.By this tharpanam we satisfy the rishi(sages) of Soma(moon), Agni(fire), Viswaan devan(all gods looking after earth), etc.
5.Vedarambham
Though these are essential part of Avani avittam , I am not giving this because Vedic manthraas are very diffcult to transliterate in to English and reading them wrongly would be counter productive.
6.Gaayathri japam (6-8-2009)
For Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedis
1.Aachamanam
2,Shuklaam baradharam
3.Om bhoo
4.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri parameshwara preethyartham Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama Shubhe Shobane muhurthe adya Brahmana dwiteeya paradhe , Swetha varaha kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Ashtavimsathi thame , Kali yuge, Prathame pade, Jambhu Dwipe, Bharatha Varshe,Bhartaha Kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Sakabdhe, Asmin Varthamane Vyavaharike, Prabhavadhi Sashti Samavathsaranaam Madhye, Virodhi nama Samvathsare , Dakshinayane, Greeshma Rithou, Karkidaga mase Krishna pakshe aadhya prathamaayam* shubha thidou Guru vaasara yukthayaam sravana ** nakshatra yukthaayam shubha yoga shubha karana evam guna viseshana visisishtaayam asyaam prathamaayam shubha thidou mithyaa theetha prayaschittartham ashtothara sahasra samkya gayatri maha manthra japam karishye.
Start from Pravasya Rishi brahma…. followed by aayathith anuvagasya… and then chant the gaythri manthra 1008 times.
Complete with Abhivaadaye and then complete with
Kayena vacha…….
* Prathma is for the whole day from 6.26 AM IST of 6/8/2009
**Sravana is up to 1.42 PM , afterwards Dhanishta Nakshatra
Please compare the time when you are doing japam to IST and do corrections accordingly.
Appendix Brahma Yagnam.
1. Perform Achamanam
2. Face eastern direction and do “Shuklam baradaram….” Followed by pranayamam “om Bhoo…”
3. Mamopartha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri Parameshwara preethyartham Brahma Yagnam karishye. Brahma yagnena Yakshye.
4. Chant and clean the hands with water
Vidhyudasi paapmanam vidhya me paapmanam amruthath Sathya mupaime
And then chant
Om Bhooo tatsa vithurvarenyam
Om Bhuva Bhargo devasya Dheemahi
Ogum suva Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Om Bhooo Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Om Bhuva Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Ogum Suva Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo yona prachothayath
5. Chant Vedic manthras
Om Agnimeele purohitham Yagnasya Dheva mruthvijam, hotharam Rathna Dhathamam
Om Ishe Twoje Thwa vayavasthapayavastha Devo vassavitha prarpayathu sreshtathamaya karmane
Om Agna Aayahi veethaye grunano havyadathaye, ni hotha sadhsi bharhishi
Om sanno devirabheeshtaya Aapo peethaye sam yorabhisravanthu na
After this recite if possible vedic manthras that you know like Rudram, Chamakam etc
6. Sprinkle water round the head by reciting
Sathyam Thapa sradhayam juhomi
7. Recite three times with folded hands
Om namo brahmane namosthwagnaye nama pruthwyai nama oshadheebhya namo vaache namo vaachaspathaye namo vishnave bruhathe karomi.
8.Clean the hands again with water by reciting “vrushtirasi vruschame paapmanamamruthath sathyamupaaga”
Do aachamanam
8. Chant “shuklam baradaram….”
9. Do Pranayamam, “om Bhoo…”
10. Mamopartha samastha duritha kshaya dwara sri parameshwra preethyartham deva-rishi-pithru tharpanam karishye.
11. Touch water and clean your hands
12. Do deva tharpanam through the tip of fingers
1.Bramodaya ye deva thaan devaan tharpayami
2.Sarvaan devaan tharpayami
3. Sarva deva ganaan tharpayami
4.Sarva deva pathnis tharapayami
5.Sarva deva ganapathnis tharpayami
13, Do rishi tharpanam by wearing yagnopaveetha as garland and pouring out water from the liitle finger
1,Krishna dwaipayanaya ye rishaya thaan rishin tharpayami
2. Sarvaan risheen tharpayami
3.Sarva rishi ganaan tharpayami
4. Sarve rishi pathnis tharpayami
5,Sarva rishi gana pathnistharpayami
6. Prajapathim kanda rishim tharpayami
7. Somam kanda rishim tharpayami
8. Agnim kanda rishim tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
9. Viswan devan kanda rishin tharpayami
10. Samihithir devatha upanishada tharpayami
11. Yagnigir devatha upanishada tharpayami
12.Varuneer devatha upanishada tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham and pour water by towards the left
13. Havyavaham tharpayami
14.Viswaan devaan kanda rishin tharpayaami
Pour water by the bottom of the palm towards self
15.Brahmanam swayambhuvam tharpayami
16.Viswan devan kandarishin tharpayami
17.Arunan kandarishin tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
18.Sadasaspathim tharpayami
19.Rig vedam tharpayami
20.Yajur Vedam tharpayami
21. Sama Vedam tharpayami
22. Atharvana Vedam tharpayami
23. Ithihasa puranam tharpayami
24. Kalpam tharpayami
14.Only those who have lost their father (others go to step 15)do Pithru tharpanam wearing the yagnopaveetham on the right shoulder pouring water between the thumb. And index finger.
1.Soma pithruman yamo angiraswan agni kavyavahana ithyadaya ye pithara
thaan pithrun tharpayami,
2. Sarvaan pithrun tharpayami
3. Sarva pithru ganan tharpayami
4. Sarva pithru pathnistharpayami
5. Sarva pithru ganapanthnistharpayami
6.oorjam vahanthi amrutham grutham paya keelaalam parisruyatham
swadaastha tharpayatha me pithrun trupyatha, trupyatha, trupyatha
7.Aabrahma sthambha paryantham jagat trupyathu
15.Put the yagnopaveetha in the normal fashion
Pour water saying Om That sat Brahmarpanamasthu
And then do aachamanam.
Brahma yagnam(sacrifice to Brahma) is the oblation offered to satisfy Devas, Rishis(sages) and Pithrus(ancestors). It is supposed to be performed daily after Madhyannikam, But nowadays it is done mainly on avani avittam days.
Avani Avittam 5-8-2009(Wednesday)
(Compiled by P.R.Ramachander)
1.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
( Manthra for wearing Poonal)
a.Aachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam………. Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo…………..Bhoorbhavaswarom
c.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri paameshwara preethyartham
Sroutha smartha vihitha sadachara nithya karmaanushtanaa yogyatha sidhyartham brhma teja abhivrudyartham yagnopaveetha dharanam karishye.
d.Yagnopaveetha dharana maha manthrasya
Parabrhma rishi(Touch forehead)
Trushtup chanda (touch below nose)
Paramathma devatha (touch heart)
e.Yagnopaveetha dharane viniyoga
Wear Poonal one by one by reciting(poonal should be held by both hands, the tie in the poonal being held above by the right hand facing upwards)
Yagnopaveetham paramam pavithram praja pathe,
Yat sahajam purasthad aayushyam
Agriyam prathi muncha shubram yagnopaveetham balamasthu theja.
f.After wearing all poonals one by one do Aachamanam
g.Remove the old poonals and break them to pieces by reciting
Upaveetham bhinna thanthum jeernam kasmala dooshitham, visrujami jale punarbrahman varcho deergayurasthu me.
h.Do aachamanam.
Summary meaning: I wear the white yagnopavitha that is purifying , which was born along with brahma, which is capable of increasing life .I am sure this would give glory and strength to me.I am destroying the dirty , soiled yasgnopavita .
2.Kamo karshet Japam (5-8-2009 morning)
a.Aaachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam…….Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo
c.Mamo partha--- Preethyartham
Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama
Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
Yogascha karanam chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadhya sri bagavatha mahaa purushasya Vishnor Agnaya , Pravarthamanasya , Aadhya brhmana , dweethiya parardhe, swetha varaha kalpe, , Vaivaswatha manvanthare, ashta vimsathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha kande, Mero dakshine parswe. Asmin varthamane , vyavaharike prabhavaadheenam sashti samvatsaranaam madhye , Virodhi nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Greeshma rithou, kataka mase, shukla pakshe, aadhya pournamasyam shubha thidou, Soumya vasara yukthayam, Uthrashada** nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam pournamaasyam shubha thidou, taishyaam pournamaasyam* adhyot sarjana akarana praayaschithartham , samvatsara praayaschithartham, cha ashtothara satha samkhyaa “kamo karsheth manyura karsheth” ithi maha manthra japam karishye.
d.Then chant “Kamo karsheth manyura karsheth namo nama” 108 times
e.Afterwards perform Aachamana and say”Kama manyu upastham karishye” , Om tat sat brahmaarpanam asthu.
*Pournami is for the whole day ** Uthrashada Nakshatra is up to 10.45 AM IST on 5/8/2009 according to the Panchanga.If in any country , you are performing the japam after that change Uthrashada to Sravana nakshtra yukthayam.This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA.This is also applicable to mantras of Maha Sankalpam given below.
Summary meaning:The Brahmin first prays God that the time of doing whatever it may be should become holy and this he is sure is achieved by prayer to God.Then he tells when he is doing this japa, for example which year, which season, which day and so on.And he says that this japa is being done as a repentance for his not perfornming various religious duties during the year that he ought to have performed.The main manthra is a prayer to pardon the lapses which were due to Kama(passion) krodha(anger) and lopa(avarice)
3.Maha Samkalpam
(5-8-2009 after Madhyaanikam and Brahma yagnam*)
a.Aachamanam
b.Shuklam baradharam……..
c.Om bhoo
d.Maha samkalpam
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama rama
Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
Yogascha karanam chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadya sri bhagawatha, Aadi vishno, Aadinarayanasya achinthyaya , aparimithaya, sakthyaa, briyamaanasya, mahaa jaloughasya madhye,
paribrhamatham aneka koti brhmaandanam madhye, eka thame, prithya aptejo vayvakaasaa ahankaradhi -mahada vyakthai-aavaranair- aavruthe- asmin mahathi bramanda-karandaka-madhye aadhara sakthi –koormaa nandathi ashta diggajopari prathishtithasya , athala-vithala-suthala-rasaathala-thalaa thala-mahaathala-pathalakyai loka sapthakasya upari thale, punya kruthaam nivaasabhuthe bhoor –bhuvar-suvar-mahar-janarr-thapa-satyaakhyai loka shatkasya adho bhage mahaa nalayamana phani raja seshasya sahasra phanaa mani mandala mandithe, dighdanthi-shunda dhanda-uttambhithe, panchasath koti yojana vistheerne, lokaloka –achalena valayithe lavaneshu-sura-sarpi-dhadhi-ksheera-udakaarnavischa parivruthe, jambhu-plaksha-saka-salmali-kusa-krouncha-pushkarakhya saptha dweepanaam madhye, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe, bharatha kande, prajaapathi kshetre dandakaaranya-chamapakaaranya-vindhyaaranya-veekshaaranya-vedaaranayaadhi, aneka punya aaranyaanam Madhya pradeshe, karma bhoomou, rama –sethu-kedharayoo madya pradaeshe , Bhaageerathi-Gouthami-Krishna veni-Yamuna-Narmadaa-Thungabadhraa-Triveni-Malaapahaarini-kaveri- ithyadi , aaneka punya nadhi viraajithe, Indraprastha-Yamaprastha-Aavanthikaapuri-Hasthinaapuri-Ayodhyaa puri-Maayaa puri-Kasi puri-Kanchi puri-Dwarakaa aadi aneka punya puree viraajithe Sakala jagat srushta, parardha dwaya jeevana, bramana dweethiya parardhe, Pancha sathabdhou, prathame varshe, prathame mase, prathame pakshe, prathame divasae, aahni, dweethiye yame, trithiye muhurthe, swayambhuva-swarochisha-uthama-thamasa-raivatha-chakshu shakheshu, shatsu manusha atheetheshu, sapthame vaivaswathe manvanthare, aashta vimsathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha kande, Mero dakshine parswe. Asmin varthamane , vyavaharike prabhavaadheenam sashtya samvatsaranaam madhye , Virodhi nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Greeshma rithou, Karkidaga mase, shukla pakshe, aadhya pournamasyam* shubha thidou, Soumya vasara yukthayam, Uthrashada** nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam pournamaasyam* shubha thidou,
anaadhya vidhya pravarthamane asmin mahathi samsara chakre vichitrabhi karma gathibhi vichitrasu yonishu puna puna anekadha janithwa kenapi punya karma viseshena idhaanimthana manushye dwijanma visesham prapthavatho mama jjanmabhyasa jjanama prabruthi ethath kshana paryantham , baalye, vayasi kaumare yowane vaardhake cha jagrath swapna sushupthya avasthamsu mano vak kaya karmendriya jnanendriya vyaparai kama-krodha-lobha-moha-madha-mathsaryaadhi sambhavithaanam iha janmani janmanthare cha jnana ajnana kruthaanam maha pathakanaam mahaa patathakanumanthratwadeenam , samapathakaanaam upapaathakaanaam malini karanaanam nindhitha dhana dhaano upa jeevanaadeenam aapathrikarananaam jathi bramsa karaanam vihitha karma thyaagaaadeenam jnanadha sakruth kruthanaam ajnanatha asakruth kruthaanam sarveeshaam papaanam sadhya aapanodhanartham
aswatha narayana sannidhou-deva brahmana sannidhou-tryaa trimsath koti devathaa sannidhou-sri visaalakshi sametha visweswara swami sannidhou-mahaa ganapathi sannidhou-seetha lakshmana bharatha sathrugna-hanumt samedha sri rama chandra swmai sannidhou-sri rukmani sathyabhama samedha sri gopala Krishna swami sannidhou-hari hara puthra swami sannidhou-sri lakshmi narayana swami sannidhou sraavanyaam pournamasyaam adhyopakrama karma karishye.Thadangam sravanee pournamasi punyakale sareera shudhartam shuddhodhaka snanam aham karishye
Athi krura maha kaya, kalpanthahanopama,
Bairavaya namasthubhyam anujnam dathu marhasi
*Pournami is for the whole day on 5/8/2009 and ** Uthrashada Nakshatra is up to 10.45 AM IST on 5/8/2009 according to the Panchanga.If in any country , you are performing the japam after that change Pournamyam to Prathmayam and Sravana to Sravishta nakshtra yukthayam.This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA..
Summary meaning:Here again apart from locating oneself with reference to time , one locates himself with reference to place also.We are supposed to live in Jambu Dweepa, Bharatha Kanda which is south of the great mountain Maha meru.Then again this Bhasratha Kanda is blessed with many holy rivers and holy places.Then prayer is done to God to pardon sins committed by word, thought and deed, because this was done inspite of his great grace which made us be born as human beings after several wheels of birth.Also the sins performed during several ages in life is highlighted.Some of the sins specifically mentioned are those done while earning money without conscience, giving money to improper people, actions which did not suit the caste we are born in, sins due to non performance of actions which ought to have been done and so on. We pray God and tell him that we would take bath in holy pure water and then start the veda parayanas which is our duty as Brahmin.
4.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
After bath again change poonal by reciting manthra as given in s.No.1.Please note that now a days very rarely people take bath after mahaa sankalpam but do prokshana snanam i.e bath by sprikling of water on the head.
5.Kanda Rishi Tharpanam
1,Aachamanam
2,Shklaama baradharam
3.Om bhoo
4.Mamo partha samastha durida kshya dwara sri parameshwata preethyartham sravanyaam pournamaasyam adhyoyapakrama karmangam kanda rishi tharpanam karishye.
Wear poonal as garland and do tharpanam using water mixed with thil (black gingely) and akshatha
Each manthra has to be chanted thrice and tharpanam done.
1.Prajapathim kanda rishim tharpayami
2,Somam kanda rishim tharpayami
3.Agnim kanda rishim tharpayami
4.Viswaan devaan kanda rishim tharpayaami
5.Saahinkeer devatha upanishadha tharpayami
6.Yagnigeer devatha upanishadha tharpayaami
7.Vaaruneer devatha upanishadha tharpayami
8.Brhamanagum swayubhuvam tharpayaami
9.Sadasaspathim tharpayami
wear poonal in the normal fashion and then do aachamana.
Summary meaning:Tharpanam means really satisfying.By this tharpanam we satisfy the rishi(sages) of Soma(moon), Agni(fire), Viswaan devan(all gods looking after earth), etc.
5.Vedarambham
Though these are essential part of Avani avittam , I am not giving this because Vedic manthraas are very diffcult to transliterate in to English and reading them wrongly would be counter productive.
6.Gaayathri japam (6-8-2009)
For Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedis
1.Aachamanam
2,Shuklaam baradharam
3.Om bhoo
4.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri parameshwara preethyartham Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama Shubhe Shobane muhurthe adya Brahmana dwiteeya paradhe , Swetha varaha kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Ashtavimsathi thame , Kali yuge, Prathame pade, Jambhu Dwipe, Bharatha Varshe,Bhartaha Kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Sakabdhe, Asmin Varthamane Vyavaharike, Prabhavadhi Sashti Samavathsaranaam Madhye, Virodhi nama Samvathsare , Dakshinayane, Greeshma Rithou, Karkidaga mase Krishna pakshe aadhya prathamaayam* shubha thidou Guru vaasara yukthayaam sravana ** nakshatra yukthaayam shubha yoga shubha karana evam guna viseshana visisishtaayam asyaam prathamaayam shubha thidou mithyaa theetha prayaschittartham ashtothara sahasra samkya gayatri maha manthra japam karishye.
Start from Pravasya Rishi brahma…. followed by aayathith anuvagasya… and then chant the gaythri manthra 1008 times.
Complete with Abhivaadaye and then complete with
Kayena vacha…….
* Prathma is for the whole day from 6.26 AM IST of 6/8/2009
**Sravana is up to 1.42 PM , afterwards Dhanishta Nakshatra
Please compare the time when you are doing japam to IST and do corrections accordingly.
Appendix Brahma Yagnam.
1. Perform Achamanam
2. Face eastern direction and do “Shuklam baradaram….” Followed by pranayamam “om Bhoo…”
3. Mamopartha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri Parameshwara preethyartham Brahma Yagnam karishye. Brahma yagnena Yakshye.
4. Chant and clean the hands with water
Vidhyudasi paapmanam vidhya me paapmanam amruthath Sathya mupaime
And then chant
Om Bhooo tatsa vithurvarenyam
Om Bhuva Bhargo devasya Dheemahi
Ogum suva Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Om Bhooo Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Om Bhuva Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Ogum Suva Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo yona prachothayath
5. Chant Vedic manthras
Om Agnimeele purohitham Yagnasya Dheva mruthvijam, hotharam Rathna Dhathamam
Om Ishe Twoje Thwa vayavasthapayavastha Devo vassavitha prarpayathu sreshtathamaya karmane
Om Agna Aayahi veethaye grunano havyadathaye, ni hotha sadhsi bharhishi
Om sanno devirabheeshtaya Aapo peethaye sam yorabhisravanthu na
After this recite if possible vedic manthras that you know like Rudram, Chamakam etc
6. Sprinkle water round the head by reciting
Sathyam Thapa sradhayam juhomi
7. Recite three times with folded hands
Om namo brahmane namosthwagnaye nama pruthwyai nama oshadheebhya namo vaache namo vaachaspathaye namo vishnave bruhathe karomi.
8.Clean the hands again with water by reciting “vrushtirasi vruschame paapmanamamruthath sathyamupaaga”
Do aachamanam
8. Chant “shuklam baradaram….”
9. Do Pranayamam, “om Bhoo…”
10. Mamopartha samastha duritha kshaya dwara sri parameshwra preethyartham deva-rishi-pithru tharpanam karishye.
11. Touch water and clean your hands
12. Do deva tharpanam through the tip of fingers
1.Bramodaya ye deva thaan devaan tharpayami
2.Sarvaan devaan tharpayami
3. Sarva deva ganaan tharpayami
4.Sarva deva pathnis tharapayami
5.Sarva deva ganapathnis tharpayami
13, Do rishi tharpanam by wearing yagnopaveetha as garland and pouring out water from the liitle finger
1,Krishna dwaipayanaya ye rishaya thaan rishin tharpayami
2. Sarvaan risheen tharpayami
3.Sarva rishi ganaan tharpayami
4. Sarve rishi pathnis tharpayami
5,Sarva rishi gana pathnistharpayami
6. Prajapathim kanda rishim tharpayami
7. Somam kanda rishim tharpayami
8. Agnim kanda rishim tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
9. Viswan devan kanda rishin tharpayami
10. Samihithir devatha upanishada tharpayami
11. Yagnigir devatha upanishada tharpayami
12.Varuneer devatha upanishada tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham and pour water by towards the left
13. Havyavaham tharpayami
14.Viswaan devaan kanda rishin tharpayaami
Pour water by the bottom of the palm towards self
15.Brahmanam swayambhuvam tharpayami
16.Viswan devan kandarishin tharpayami
17.Arunan kandarishin tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
18.Sadasaspathim tharpayami
19.Rig vedam tharpayami
20.Yajur Vedam tharpayami
21. Sama Vedam tharpayami
22. Atharvana Vedam tharpayami
23. Ithihasa puranam tharpayami
24. Kalpam tharpayami
14.Only those who have lost their father (others go to step 15)do Pithru tharpanam wearing the yagnopaveetham on the right shoulder pouring water between the thumb. And index finger.
1.Soma pithruman yamo angiraswan agni kavyavahana ithyadaya ye pithara
thaan pithrun tharpayami,
2. Sarvaan pithrun tharpayami
3. Sarva pithru ganan tharpayami
4. Sarva pithru pathnistharpayami
5. Sarva pithru ganapanthnistharpayami
6.oorjam vahanthi amrutham grutham paya keelaalam parisruyatham
swadaastha tharpayatha me pithrun trupyatha, trupyatha, trupyatha
7.Aabrahma sthambha paryantham jagat trupyathu
15.Put the yagnopaveetha in the normal fashion
Pour water saying Om That sat Brahmarpanamasthu
And then do aachamanam.
Brahma yagnam(sacrifice to Brahma) is the oblation offered to satisfy Devas, Rishis(sages) and Pithrus(ancestors). It is supposed to be performed daily after Madhyannikam, But nowadays it is done mainly on avani avittam days.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Sama Vedi Upakarma Manthras 2009
Sama Veda Upakarma Prayoga for the year 2009
(23-8-2009)
(Compiled by P.R.Ramachander)
In the case of Sama Veda, The upa Karma prayogam is very extensive and differs very much from the Upakarma prayoga of Rig and Yajur Vedis.They always do it in Hastha Nakshtra of the Kanya Masa. It essentially consists of ten steps in the following order
1.Panchagavya sammelanam
2.Snana Mahasankalpam
3.Brahmayagnam
4.Punyaham
5.Rishipooja(Uthsarjan Karma)
6.Deva,rishi, Pithru Tharpanam (264+12)
7.Ghata Poojai
8.Yagnopaveethadhaaranam
9.Vedarambam
10.Kankanadharanam
Naturally these have to be done with the instruction of a Guru but in modern times when people are scattered all over the world and also because well learned Sama Vedi Purohithas are very scarce, many people are forced to do it in their home depending on some handouts. Since most of the above steps are lengthy and involve proper chanting of Sama Veda Mantras,they do only three steps of the above 10. They are
1.Snana maha Sankalpam,
2,Brahma Yagnam
3.Yagnopaveetha dharanam
English is a very inadequate language to type out Sanskrit manthras. But I have made an effort to present the needed mantras for the above steps for the year 2087 because I feel that our youngsters are more at home in English rather than in their mother toungue or Sanskrit. Since I am not a Sama Vedin I depend for the mantras on Book published by C.Sankara TRama Sastri(1956) Sama Veda Upakrama prayoga published by Sri Balamanorama press, Madras. I have also got my typing read through and to certain extent edited by Sri.P.A.Anantharaman.I am grateful to him,
Maha Samkalpam
(23-8-2009)
a.Aachamanam, wear Pavithram.
b.Shuklam baradharam……..
c.Om bhoo
d.Maha samkalpam
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama rama
Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
Yogascha karanam chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadya sri bhagawatha, Aadi vishno, Aadinarayanasya achinthyaya , aparimithaya, sakthyaa, briyamaanasya, mahaa jalou ghasya madhye,
Paribrhama maanaanam aneka koti brhmaandanam madhye, eka thame,avyaktha mahadahankara pruthivya aptejo vayvakaasaa ahankaradhii -aavaranair- aavruthe- asmin mahathi bramanda-karanda-madale- aadhara sakthi – aadhi koormaa nandathi ashta diggajopari prathishtithasya uparithale -Sathyadhi loka shadkasya adho bhage, mahaa nalayamana phani raja seshasya sahasra phanaa mani mandala mandithe, lolaalokachalena parivruthe-dighdanthi-shunda dhanda-uttambhithe, lavaneshu suraa sarpee dhadhee dugdha sudhodhakrnavii parivruthe , jambhu-plaksha-saka-salmali-kusa-krouncha-pushkarakhya saptha dweepa dheepithe, Indra dheepa kaseru thamra gabhasthi naga soumya gandharwa chaarana bharathakhya nava gandathmake -Maha meru giri karnakopetha maha saroruhayamana pancha sath koti yojana vistheerna bhoo mandale- sumeru nishadha hemakoota himachala malyavath pariyathraka gandhamadhana kailasa vindhyachaladhi, maha shailadhishtithe, Lavana Samudhra mudhrithe, Bharatha Kimpurusha Hari Ilavrutha Ramyaka Hiranmaya KuruBhadrascha Kethumalakhya nava varshopashobithe, , Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe, bharatha kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Karma Bhoomou - Swamyavanthii kuru kshethraadhi sama bhoo Madhya rekhaya poorva dig Bhage, Vindhachalasya Dakshina dig Bhage , Dandakaranye , Sakala Jagat Srushta parardha dwaya jeewino Brahmana Pradhame Parardhe Pancha sadhabdhathmike Aatheethe, Dwitheeya parardhe, Panchasadabdhou, Pradhame Varshe, Pradahme mase , Pradhame Pakshe, Pradhame divase, AAhani dwitheeye yame , tritheeye muhurthe, swayambhuva-swarochisha-uthama-thamasa-raivatha-chakshuhakheshu, shatsu manusha vyatheetheshu, sapthame vaivaswatha manvanthare, aashta vimsathi thame, varthamane kali yuge, prathame padhe, , Shalivahana shakabdhe, Chanrda savanna souradhi maana bramithe , prabhavaadheenam sashti samvatsaranaam madhye , Virodhi nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Varsha rithou, Simha mase, Shukla pakshe, aadhya tritheeyam * shubha thidou, bhanu vasara yukthayam, hastha ** nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam tritheeyam * shubha thidou, Sarva Papa Harana nipuna sri Parameswara preethyartham, Anaadhya vidhyaa vaasanaya pravarthamane , Asmin mahathi Samsara Chakre, Vichithrabh karma gathibhi- vichithrasu yonishu , puna punaranekadha janithwa, Kenaapi punya karma viseshena idhaaneentha maanushye dwija janma visesham prapthavatho mama, iha janmani poorva janmasu maya kruthaanam brahma hathyadhi -swarnaastheya –suraapana- guruthalpagamana,- maha pathaka chathushtaya, vyatheerikthaanaam , thath samsargaanaam, theshaam pathakanaam, nikshipthaya, saranaagathaaya, , pathivruthaya sangama nimithanam, nishidha sashtraabhi gamanaadheenaa, vidwad brahmana pankthi bhedhacharana , vaardhakee -vidhawa vesya vrushalyaadhi samsarga nimithaanaam, balye vaysi kaumare youvane vaardhake, jagrath swapna sushpthyavasthasu, mano vaak kaya karmendriya vyapaarai, jnanendriya vyapaaraischa, samsarga nimithaanaam, bhooyo bhooyo aabhyasthanaam, thathra thathra garbhothpathi nimithanaam, thath saha bhojana thad uchishta bhakshana, aswa yoni, paswadhi yoniretha skhalitha nimithaanam, govadha paswadhi prani vadha nimithaanam, sthree shoodhra vita kshatriya vadha nithaanaam, aayuktha lavana pakvanna madhu ksheera thila thaila maama moola phala ,
saaka raktha vasa suvarna, kambalaadhi vikraya nimithaanaam, aswadhi vahana , ikshu kanda dathana, paraapavaadana, bradhakadhyapana, asad prathi grahana, vrukshschedana, dhaanya roupya pasustheya, vaardushi karana shudhra seva, shudra preshya , heena jathi prathigraha, heena sakhya, pankthi bhedana, paka bhedana, paraa anna bhojana, asachasthra lapa, pramadhi kara, matadhikara, pourohithya, pareeksha paksha pathaka, thatakaarama vikraya, thataka vichedhanadhi sama paathakaanaam, jnantha sakruth kruthaanaam, aajnatha asakruth kruthaanaam, jnanatho aajanathaascha abhyashaanam, athyanthabhyasthaanam, nirantharabhyasthaanaam, sankari karanaanaam, malini karananaam, aapathri karanaanaam, jathi bramsa karanaanam, aavihitha karamaacharana, vihitha karma thyagaadheenaam, prakeernikaanaam upa pathakaanaam, maha pathakaanaam, aathi paathakaanaam, evam navaanam nava vidhaanaam, bahoonaam bahuvidhaanaam sarveshaam papa namapanodhana dwara, aayajya yaajanaasath prathi grahaa bakshya bhakshanaa bhojya bhojanaa peya paanaadhi samastha papa kshyartham,
aswatha narayana sannidhou-deva brahmana sannidhou-tryaa trimsath koti devathaa sannidhou-sri visaalakshi sametha visweswara swami sannidhou-mahaa ganapathi sannidhou-seetha lakshmana bharatha sathrugna-hanumat samedha sri rama chandra swmai sannidhou-sri rukmani sathyabhama samedha sri gopala Krishna swami sannidhou-hari hara puthra swami sannidhou-sri lakshmi narayana swami sannidhou
Mama samastha papa kshyartha proshta padhyam hastharshe adhya yoth sarjana karmangam maadhyahnika snaanamaham karishye, maadhyahnika snaanamaham karishye.
Aathi kroora maha kaya kalpantha dahanopama,
Bhairavaya namasthubhyam aanugnaam dhathu marhasi.
Durbhojana duraalaapa dush prathigraha sambhavam,
Paapam hara mama kshipram sahyakanye namosthuthe.
Triraathram jahnavi theere pancha rathram thu yaamune,
Sadhya punathu kaaveri papa maamaranthikam.
Ganga gangethi yo brooyaadh yo janaanaam shatai rapi,
Muchyathe sarva paapebhyo Vishnu lokam sa gachathi. (take bath thus)
After bath (Nowadays people only take Sankala Snanam by sprinkling water)
take Pancha Gavyam chanting
Yathavagasthi gatham papam dehe thishtathi maamake,
Praasanam pancha gavyasya dahathwagni rivendanam.
Take bath again, wear dry cloths, put on caste marks, do regular daily duties and then do Brahma Yagna.
*Up to 6.58 AM IST of 23/8/2008 Thritheeya , afterwards Chathurthi and ** up to 2.21 AM IST on the next day Hastham . .If in any country , you are performing the japam after 12.07 AM IST of 3/9/2008 that ,change Thritheeya to Chathurthi but the Upakarmam should be performed before “Hastham “ changes..This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA
Summary meaning:Here again apart from locating oneself with reference to time , one locates himself with reference to place also.We are supposed to live in Jambu Dweepa, Bharatha Kanda which is south of the great mountain Maha meru.Then again this Bhasratha Kanda is blessed with many holy rivers and holy places.Then prayer is done to God to pardon sins committed by word, thought and deed, because this was done inspite of his great grace which made us be born as human beings after several wheels of birth.Also the sins performed during several ages in life is highlighted.Some of the sins specifically mentioned are those done while earning money without conscience, giving money to improper people, actions which did not suit the caste we are born in, cutting of tree, spoiling a lake , trading of several banned commodities such as salt , blanket, meat, root , fruit etc, sins due to non performance of actions which ought to have been done and so on. We pray God and tell him that we would take bath in holy pure water and then start the veda parayanas which is our duty as a Brahmin.
2.Brahma Yagnam.
1. Perform Achamanam
2. Face eastern direction and do “Shuklam baradaram….” Followed by pranayamam “om Bhoo…”
3. Mamopartha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri Parameshwara preethyartham Brahma Yagnam karishye. Brahma yagnena Yakshye.
4. Chant and clean the hands with water
Vidhyudasi paapmanam vidhya me paapmanam amruthath Sathya mupaime
And then chant
Om Bhorbavassuva
Om tatsa vithurvarenyam.
Om Bhargo devasya Dheemahi
Om Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Om Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Om Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Om Bhoo, Om Bhuva, Om Suva, Om Sathyam,Om Purusha
Om Bhoo, bhoo., hoi bhoo, Hoi bhoo Haa aavu vaa a, suvarjyothi aa
Om Bhuvaa, Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa
Om Suvaa , Suva, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa
Om Sathyam , Sathyam, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa
Om Purushaa , Purusha, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa
Om Thatsa vithurvarenyam , bhargo devasya dheemahi, dhiyo yoo na Pracho aa, him , dhayo Aaa aa,
Om Agnimeele purohitham Yagnasya Dheva mruthvijam, hotharam Rathna Dhathamam
Om Ishe Tworje Thwa ,vayavasthapayavastha Devo vassavitha prarpayathu sreshtathamaya karmane
Om Agna Aayahi veethaye grunano havyadathaye, ni hotha sadhsi bharhishi
Om sanno devirabheeshtaya Aapo peethaye sam yorabhisravanthu na
5. Sprinkle water round the head by reciting
Sathyam Thapa sradhayam juhomi
6. Recite three times with folded hands
Om namo brahmane namosthwagnaye nama pruthwyai nama oshadheebhya namo vaache namo vaachaspathaye namo vishnave bruhathe karomi.
8.Clean the hands again with water by reciting “vrushtirasi vruschame paapmanamamruthath sathyamupaaga”
Devarshi Pithru tharpanam Karishye
9.Do deva tharpanam through the tip of fingers
1.Bramodaya ye deva thaan devaan tharpayami
2.Sarvaan devaan tharpayami
3. Sarva deva ganaan tharpayami
4.Sarva deva pathnis tharapayami
5.Sarva deva ganapathnis tharpayami
6.Sarva deva puthaam stharpayami
7.Sarva deva gana puthamstharpayami
10. Do rishi tharpanam(each twice) by wearing yagnopaveetha as garland and pouring out water from the little finger
1,Krishna dwaipayanaya ye rishaya thaan rishin tharpayami
2. Sarvaan risheen tharpayami
3.Sarva rishi ganaan tharpayami
4. Sarve rishi pathnis tharpayami
5,Sarva rishi gana pathnistharpayami
6.Sarva rishi puthramstharpayami
7.Srava rishi gana puthramstharpayami
11.Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
1.Rig vedam tharpayami
2.Yajur Vedam tharpayami
3. Sama Vedam tharpayami
4. Atharva Vedam tharpayami
5. Ithihasa puranam tharpayami
12.Only those who have lost their father (others go to step 13)do Pithru tharpanam wearing the yagnopaveetham on the right shoulder pouring water between the thumb. And index finger(thrice).
1.Soma pithruman yamo angiraswan agni kavyavahana ithyadaya ye pithara
thaan pithrun tharpayami,
2. Sarvaan pithrun tharpayami
3. Sarva pithru ganan tharpayami
4. Sarva pithru pathnistharpayami
5. Sarva pithru ganapanthnistharpayami
6.Sarva Pithru puthrastharpayami
7.Sarva pithru gana puthraastharpayami
8.oorjam vahanthi amrutham grutham paya keelaalam parisruyatham
swadaastha tharpayatha me pithrun
13.Put the Yagnopa Vita in the Normal fashion and do Aachamanam
Brahma yagnam(sacrifice to Brahma) is the oblation offered to satisfy Devas, Rishis(sages) and Pithrus(ancestors). It is supposed to be performed daily after Madhyannikam, But nowadays it is done mainly on avani avittam days.
3.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
( Manthra for wearing Poonal)
a.Aachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam………. Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo…………..Bhoorbhavaswarom
c.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri paameshwara preethyartham
Sroutha smartha vihitha sadachara nithya karmaanushtanaa yogyatha sidhyartham brhma teja abhivrudyartham yagnopaveetha dharanam karishye.
d.Yagnopaveetha dharana maha manthrasya
Parabrhma rishi(Touch forehead)
Trushtup chanda (touch below nose)
Paramathma devatha (touch heart)
e.Yagnopaveetha dharane viniyoga
Wear Poonal one by one by reciting(poonal should be held by both hands, the tie in the poonal being held above by the right hand facing upwards)
Yagnopaveetham paramam pavithram praja pathe,
Yat sahajam purasthad aayushyam
Agriyam prathi muncha shubram yagnopaveetham balamasthu theja.
f.After wearing all poonals one by one do Aachamanam
g.Remove the old poonals and break them to pieces by reciting
Upaveetham bhinna thanthum jeernam kasmala dooshitham, visrujami jale punarbrahman varcho deergayurasthu me.
h.Do aachamanam.
Summary meaning: I wear the white yagnopavitha that is purifying , which was born along with brahma, which is capable of increasing life .I am sure this would give glory and strength to me.I am destroying the dirty , soiled yagnopavita .
6.Gaayathri japam (6-8-2009)
For Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedis
1.Aachamanam
2,Shuklaam baradharam
3.Om bhoo
4.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri parameshwara preethyartham Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama Shubhe Shobane muhurthe adya Brahmana dwiteeya paradhe , Swetha varaha kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Ashtavimsathi thame , Kali yuge, Prathame pade, Jambhu Dwipe, Bharatha Varshe,Bhartaha Kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Sakabdhe, Asmin Varthamane Vyavaharike, Prabhavadhi Sashti Samavathsaranaam Madhye, Virodhi nama Samvathsare , Dakshinayane, Greeshma Rithou, Karkidaga mase Krishna pakshe aadhya prathamaayam* shubha thidou Guru vaasara yukthayaam sravana ** nakshatra yukthaayam shubha yoga shubha karana evam guna viseshana visisishtaayam asyaam prathamaayam shubha thidou mithyaa theetha prayaschittartham ashtothara sahasra samkya gayatri maha manthra japam karishye.
Start from Pravasya Rishi brahma…. followed by aayathith anuvagasya… and then chant the gaythri manthra 1008 times.
Complete with Abhivaadaye and then complete with
Kayena vacha…….
* Prathma is for the whole day from 6.26 AM IST of 6/8/2009
**Sravana is up to 1.42 PM , afterwards Dhanishta Nakshatra
Please compare the time when you are doing japam to IST and do corrections accordingly
(23-8-2009)
(Compiled by P.R.Ramachander)
In the case of Sama Veda, The upa Karma prayogam is very extensive and differs very much from the Upakarma prayoga of Rig and Yajur Vedis.They always do it in Hastha Nakshtra of the Kanya Masa. It essentially consists of ten steps in the following order
1.Panchagavya sammelanam
2.Snana Mahasankalpam
3.Brahmayagnam
4.Punyaham
5.Rishipooja(Uthsarjan Karma)
6.Deva,rishi, Pithru Tharpanam (264+12)
7.Ghata Poojai
8.Yagnopaveethadhaaranam
9.Vedarambam
10.Kankanadharanam
Naturally these have to be done with the instruction of a Guru but in modern times when people are scattered all over the world and also because well learned Sama Vedi Purohithas are very scarce, many people are forced to do it in their home depending on some handouts. Since most of the above steps are lengthy and involve proper chanting of Sama Veda Mantras,they do only three steps of the above 10. They are
1.Snana maha Sankalpam,
2,Brahma Yagnam
3.Yagnopaveetha dharanam
English is a very inadequate language to type out Sanskrit manthras. But I have made an effort to present the needed mantras for the above steps for the year 2087 because I feel that our youngsters are more at home in English rather than in their mother toungue or Sanskrit. Since I am not a Sama Vedin I depend for the mantras on Book published by C.Sankara TRama Sastri(1956) Sama Veda Upakrama prayoga published by Sri Balamanorama press, Madras. I have also got my typing read through and to certain extent edited by Sri.P.A.Anantharaman.I am grateful to him,
Maha Samkalpam
(23-8-2009)
a.Aachamanam, wear Pavithram.
b.Shuklam baradharam……..
c.Om bhoo
d.Maha samkalpam
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama rama
Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
Yogascha karanam chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadya sri bhagawatha, Aadi vishno, Aadinarayanasya achinthyaya , aparimithaya, sakthyaa, briyamaanasya, mahaa jalou ghasya madhye,
Paribrhama maanaanam aneka koti brhmaandanam madhye, eka thame,avyaktha mahadahankara pruthivya aptejo vayvakaasaa ahankaradhii -aavaranair- aavruthe- asmin mahathi bramanda-karanda-madale- aadhara sakthi – aadhi koormaa nandathi ashta diggajopari prathishtithasya uparithale -Sathyadhi loka shadkasya adho bhage, mahaa nalayamana phani raja seshasya sahasra phanaa mani mandala mandithe, lolaalokachalena parivruthe-dighdanthi-shunda dhanda-uttambhithe, lavaneshu suraa sarpee dhadhee dugdha sudhodhakrnavii parivruthe , jambhu-plaksha-saka-salmali-kusa-krouncha-pushkarakhya saptha dweepa dheepithe, Indra dheepa kaseru thamra gabhasthi naga soumya gandharwa chaarana bharathakhya nava gandathmake -Maha meru giri karnakopetha maha saroruhayamana pancha sath koti yojana vistheerna bhoo mandale- sumeru nishadha hemakoota himachala malyavath pariyathraka gandhamadhana kailasa vindhyachaladhi, maha shailadhishtithe, Lavana Samudhra mudhrithe, Bharatha Kimpurusha Hari Ilavrutha Ramyaka Hiranmaya KuruBhadrascha Kethumalakhya nava varshopashobithe, , Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe, bharatha kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Karma Bhoomou - Swamyavanthii kuru kshethraadhi sama bhoo Madhya rekhaya poorva dig Bhage, Vindhachalasya Dakshina dig Bhage , Dandakaranye , Sakala Jagat Srushta parardha dwaya jeewino Brahmana Pradhame Parardhe Pancha sadhabdhathmike Aatheethe, Dwitheeya parardhe, Panchasadabdhou, Pradhame Varshe, Pradahme mase , Pradhame Pakshe, Pradhame divase, AAhani dwitheeye yame , tritheeye muhurthe, swayambhuva-swarochisha-uthama-thamasa-raivatha-chakshuhakheshu, shatsu manusha vyatheetheshu, sapthame vaivaswatha manvanthare, aashta vimsathi thame, varthamane kali yuge, prathame padhe, , Shalivahana shakabdhe, Chanrda savanna souradhi maana bramithe , prabhavaadheenam sashti samvatsaranaam madhye , Virodhi nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Varsha rithou, Simha mase, Shukla pakshe, aadhya tritheeyam * shubha thidou, bhanu vasara yukthayam, hastha ** nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam tritheeyam * shubha thidou, Sarva Papa Harana nipuna sri Parameswara preethyartham, Anaadhya vidhyaa vaasanaya pravarthamane , Asmin mahathi Samsara Chakre, Vichithrabh karma gathibhi- vichithrasu yonishu , puna punaranekadha janithwa, Kenaapi punya karma viseshena idhaaneentha maanushye dwija janma visesham prapthavatho mama, iha janmani poorva janmasu maya kruthaanam brahma hathyadhi -swarnaastheya –suraapana- guruthalpagamana,- maha pathaka chathushtaya, vyatheerikthaanaam , thath samsargaanaam, theshaam pathakanaam, nikshipthaya, saranaagathaaya, , pathivruthaya sangama nimithanam, nishidha sashtraabhi gamanaadheenaa, vidwad brahmana pankthi bhedhacharana , vaardhakee -vidhawa vesya vrushalyaadhi samsarga nimithaanaam, balye vaysi kaumare youvane vaardhake, jagrath swapna sushpthyavasthasu, mano vaak kaya karmendriya vyapaarai, jnanendriya vyapaaraischa, samsarga nimithaanaam, bhooyo bhooyo aabhyasthanaam, thathra thathra garbhothpathi nimithanaam, thath saha bhojana thad uchishta bhakshana, aswa yoni, paswadhi yoniretha skhalitha nimithaanam, govadha paswadhi prani vadha nimithaanam, sthree shoodhra vita kshatriya vadha nithaanaam, aayuktha lavana pakvanna madhu ksheera thila thaila maama moola phala ,
saaka raktha vasa suvarna, kambalaadhi vikraya nimithaanaam, aswadhi vahana , ikshu kanda dathana, paraapavaadana, bradhakadhyapana, asad prathi grahana, vrukshschedana, dhaanya roupya pasustheya, vaardushi karana shudhra seva, shudra preshya , heena jathi prathigraha, heena sakhya, pankthi bhedana, paka bhedana, paraa anna bhojana, asachasthra lapa, pramadhi kara, matadhikara, pourohithya, pareeksha paksha pathaka, thatakaarama vikraya, thataka vichedhanadhi sama paathakaanaam, jnantha sakruth kruthaanaam, aajnatha asakruth kruthaanaam, jnanatho aajanathaascha abhyashaanam, athyanthabhyasthaanam, nirantharabhyasthaanaam, sankari karanaanaam, malini karananaam, aapathri karanaanaam, jathi bramsa karanaanam, aavihitha karamaacharana, vihitha karma thyagaadheenaam, prakeernikaanaam upa pathakaanaam, maha pathakaanaam, aathi paathakaanaam, evam navaanam nava vidhaanaam, bahoonaam bahuvidhaanaam sarveshaam papa namapanodhana dwara, aayajya yaajanaasath prathi grahaa bakshya bhakshanaa bhojya bhojanaa peya paanaadhi samastha papa kshyartham,
aswatha narayana sannidhou-deva brahmana sannidhou-tryaa trimsath koti devathaa sannidhou-sri visaalakshi sametha visweswara swami sannidhou-mahaa ganapathi sannidhou-seetha lakshmana bharatha sathrugna-hanumat samedha sri rama chandra swmai sannidhou-sri rukmani sathyabhama samedha sri gopala Krishna swami sannidhou-hari hara puthra swami sannidhou-sri lakshmi narayana swami sannidhou
Mama samastha papa kshyartha proshta padhyam hastharshe adhya yoth sarjana karmangam maadhyahnika snaanamaham karishye, maadhyahnika snaanamaham karishye.
Aathi kroora maha kaya kalpantha dahanopama,
Bhairavaya namasthubhyam aanugnaam dhathu marhasi.
Durbhojana duraalaapa dush prathigraha sambhavam,
Paapam hara mama kshipram sahyakanye namosthuthe.
Triraathram jahnavi theere pancha rathram thu yaamune,
Sadhya punathu kaaveri papa maamaranthikam.
Ganga gangethi yo brooyaadh yo janaanaam shatai rapi,
Muchyathe sarva paapebhyo Vishnu lokam sa gachathi. (take bath thus)
After bath (Nowadays people only take Sankala Snanam by sprinkling water)
take Pancha Gavyam chanting
Yathavagasthi gatham papam dehe thishtathi maamake,
Praasanam pancha gavyasya dahathwagni rivendanam.
Take bath again, wear dry cloths, put on caste marks, do regular daily duties and then do Brahma Yagna.
*Up to 6.58 AM IST of 23/8/2008 Thritheeya , afterwards Chathurthi and ** up to 2.21 AM IST on the next day Hastham . .If in any country , you are performing the japam after 12.07 AM IST of 3/9/2008 that ,change Thritheeya to Chathurthi but the Upakarmam should be performed before “Hastham “ changes..This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA
Summary meaning:Here again apart from locating oneself with reference to time , one locates himself with reference to place also.We are supposed to live in Jambu Dweepa, Bharatha Kanda which is south of the great mountain Maha meru.Then again this Bhasratha Kanda is blessed with many holy rivers and holy places.Then prayer is done to God to pardon sins committed by word, thought and deed, because this was done inspite of his great grace which made us be born as human beings after several wheels of birth.Also the sins performed during several ages in life is highlighted.Some of the sins specifically mentioned are those done while earning money without conscience, giving money to improper people, actions which did not suit the caste we are born in, cutting of tree, spoiling a lake , trading of several banned commodities such as salt , blanket, meat, root , fruit etc, sins due to non performance of actions which ought to have been done and so on. We pray God and tell him that we would take bath in holy pure water and then start the veda parayanas which is our duty as a Brahmin.
2.Brahma Yagnam.
1. Perform Achamanam
2. Face eastern direction and do “Shuklam baradaram….” Followed by pranayamam “om Bhoo…”
3. Mamopartha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri Parameshwara preethyartham Brahma Yagnam karishye. Brahma yagnena Yakshye.
4. Chant and clean the hands with water
Vidhyudasi paapmanam vidhya me paapmanam amruthath Sathya mupaime
And then chant
Om Bhorbavassuva
Om tatsa vithurvarenyam.
Om Bhargo devasya Dheemahi
Om Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Om Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Om Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Om Bhoo, Om Bhuva, Om Suva, Om Sathyam,Om Purusha
Om Bhoo, bhoo., hoi bhoo, Hoi bhoo Haa aavu vaa a, suvarjyothi aa
Om Bhuvaa, Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa
Om Suvaa , Suva, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa
Om Sathyam , Sathyam, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa
Om Purushaa , Purusha, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa
Om Thatsa vithurvarenyam , bhargo devasya dheemahi, dhiyo yoo na Pracho aa, him , dhayo Aaa aa,
Om Agnimeele purohitham Yagnasya Dheva mruthvijam, hotharam Rathna Dhathamam
Om Ishe Tworje Thwa ,vayavasthapayavastha Devo vassavitha prarpayathu sreshtathamaya karmane
Om Agna Aayahi veethaye grunano havyadathaye, ni hotha sadhsi bharhishi
Om sanno devirabheeshtaya Aapo peethaye sam yorabhisravanthu na
5. Sprinkle water round the head by reciting
Sathyam Thapa sradhayam juhomi
6. Recite three times with folded hands
Om namo brahmane namosthwagnaye nama pruthwyai nama oshadheebhya namo vaache namo vaachaspathaye namo vishnave bruhathe karomi.
8.Clean the hands again with water by reciting “vrushtirasi vruschame paapmanamamruthath sathyamupaaga”
Devarshi Pithru tharpanam Karishye
9.Do deva tharpanam through the tip of fingers
1.Bramodaya ye deva thaan devaan tharpayami
2.Sarvaan devaan tharpayami
3. Sarva deva ganaan tharpayami
4.Sarva deva pathnis tharapayami
5.Sarva deva ganapathnis tharpayami
6.Sarva deva puthaam stharpayami
7.Sarva deva gana puthamstharpayami
10. Do rishi tharpanam(each twice) by wearing yagnopaveetha as garland and pouring out water from the little finger
1,Krishna dwaipayanaya ye rishaya thaan rishin tharpayami
2. Sarvaan risheen tharpayami
3.Sarva rishi ganaan tharpayami
4. Sarve rishi pathnis tharpayami
5,Sarva rishi gana pathnistharpayami
6.Sarva rishi puthramstharpayami
7.Srava rishi gana puthramstharpayami
11.Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
1.Rig vedam tharpayami
2.Yajur Vedam tharpayami
3. Sama Vedam tharpayami
4. Atharva Vedam tharpayami
5. Ithihasa puranam tharpayami
12.Only those who have lost their father (others go to step 13)do Pithru tharpanam wearing the yagnopaveetham on the right shoulder pouring water between the thumb. And index finger(thrice).
1.Soma pithruman yamo angiraswan agni kavyavahana ithyadaya ye pithara
thaan pithrun tharpayami,
2. Sarvaan pithrun tharpayami
3. Sarva pithru ganan tharpayami
4. Sarva pithru pathnistharpayami
5. Sarva pithru ganapanthnistharpayami
6.Sarva Pithru puthrastharpayami
7.Sarva pithru gana puthraastharpayami
8.oorjam vahanthi amrutham grutham paya keelaalam parisruyatham
swadaastha tharpayatha me pithrun
13.Put the Yagnopa Vita in the Normal fashion and do Aachamanam
Brahma yagnam(sacrifice to Brahma) is the oblation offered to satisfy Devas, Rishis(sages) and Pithrus(ancestors). It is supposed to be performed daily after Madhyannikam, But nowadays it is done mainly on avani avittam days.
3.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
( Manthra for wearing Poonal)
a.Aachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam………. Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo…………..Bhoorbhavaswarom
c.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri paameshwara preethyartham
Sroutha smartha vihitha sadachara nithya karmaanushtanaa yogyatha sidhyartham brhma teja abhivrudyartham yagnopaveetha dharanam karishye.
d.Yagnopaveetha dharana maha manthrasya
Parabrhma rishi(Touch forehead)
Trushtup chanda (touch below nose)
Paramathma devatha (touch heart)
e.Yagnopaveetha dharane viniyoga
Wear Poonal one by one by reciting(poonal should be held by both hands, the tie in the poonal being held above by the right hand facing upwards)
Yagnopaveetham paramam pavithram praja pathe,
Yat sahajam purasthad aayushyam
Agriyam prathi muncha shubram yagnopaveetham balamasthu theja.
f.After wearing all poonals one by one do Aachamanam
g.Remove the old poonals and break them to pieces by reciting
Upaveetham bhinna thanthum jeernam kasmala dooshitham, visrujami jale punarbrahman varcho deergayurasthu me.
h.Do aachamanam.
Summary meaning: I wear the white yagnopavitha that is purifying , which was born along with brahma, which is capable of increasing life .I am sure this would give glory and strength to me.I am destroying the dirty , soiled yagnopavita .
6.Gaayathri japam (6-8-2009)
For Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedis
1.Aachamanam
2,Shuklaam baradharam
3.Om bhoo
4.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri parameshwara preethyartham Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama Shubhe Shobane muhurthe adya Brahmana dwiteeya paradhe , Swetha varaha kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Ashtavimsathi thame , Kali yuge, Prathame pade, Jambhu Dwipe, Bharatha Varshe,Bhartaha Kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Sakabdhe, Asmin Varthamane Vyavaharike, Prabhavadhi Sashti Samavathsaranaam Madhye, Virodhi nama Samvathsare , Dakshinayane, Greeshma Rithou, Karkidaga mase Krishna pakshe aadhya prathamaayam* shubha thidou Guru vaasara yukthayaam sravana ** nakshatra yukthaayam shubha yoga shubha karana evam guna viseshana visisishtaayam asyaam prathamaayam shubha thidou mithyaa theetha prayaschittartham ashtothara sahasra samkya gayatri maha manthra japam karishye.
Start from Pravasya Rishi brahma…. followed by aayathith anuvagasya… and then chant the gaythri manthra 1008 times.
Complete with Abhivaadaye and then complete with
Kayena vacha…….
* Prathma is for the whole day from 6.26 AM IST of 6/8/2009
**Sravana is up to 1.42 PM , afterwards Dhanishta Nakshatra
Please compare the time when you are doing japam to IST and do corrections accordingly
Rig Vedi Avani Avittam 2009 manthras
Rig Vedi Avani Avittam for the year 2009*
Avani Avittam 6-8-2009(Thursday)
(compiled by P.R.Ramachander)
1.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
( Manthra for wearing Poonal)
a.Aachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam………. Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo…………..Bhoorbhavaswarom
c.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri paameshwara preethyartham
Sroutha smartha vihitha sadachara nithya karmaanushtanaa yogyatha sidhyartham brhma teja abhivrudyartham yagnopaveetha dharanam karishye.
d.Yagnopaveetha dharana maha manthrasya
Parabrhma rishi(Touch forehead)
Trushtup chanda (touch below nose)
Paramathma devatha (touch heart)
e.Yagnopaveetha dharane viniyoga
Wear Poonal one by one by reciting(poonal should be held by both hands, the tie in the poonal being held above by the right hand facing upwards)
Yagnopaveetham paramam pavithram praja pathe,
Yat sahajam purasthad aayushyam
Agriyam prathi muncha shubram yagnopaveetham balamasthu theja.
f.After wearing all poonals one by one do Aachamanam
g.Remove the old poonals and break them to pieces by reciting
Upaveetham bhinna thanthum jeernam kasmala dooshitham, visrujami jale punarbrahman varcho deergayurasthu me.
h.Do aachamanam.
Summary meaning: I wear the white yagnopavitha that is purifying , which was born along with brahma, which is capable of increasing life .I am sure this would give glory and strength to me.I am destroying the dirty , soiled yasgnopavita .
2.Kamo karshet Japam (6-8-2009 morning)
a.Aaachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam…….Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo
c.Mamo partha--- Preethyartham
Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama
Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
Yogascha karanam chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadhya sri bagavatha mahaa purushasya Vishnor Agnaya , Pravarthamanasya , Aadhya brhmana , dweethiya parardhe, swetha varaha kalpe, , Vaivaswatha manvanthare, ashta vimsathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha kande, Mero dakshine parswe. Asmin varthamane , vyavaharike prabhavaadheenam sashti samvatsaranaam madhye , Virodhi nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Greeshma rithou, Kadaka mase, Krishna pakshe, aadhya Prathamayam * shubha thidou, Guruvasara yukthayam, shravana nakshatra** yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam Pournamasyam* shubha thidou, taishyaam Prathamayam * adhyot sarjana akarana praayaschithartham , samvatsara praayaschithartham, cha ashtothara satha samkhyaa “kamo karsheth manyura karsheth” ithi maha manthra japam karishye.
d.Then chant “Kamo karsheth manyura karsheth namo nama” 108 times
e.Afterwards perform Aachamana and say”Kama manyu upastham karishye” , Om tat sat brahmaarpanam asthu.
*Pournami is up to 6.26 AM IST on 6/8/2009 and ** Sravana Nakshatra is up to 1.42 PM IST on 6/8/2009 according to the Panchanga.If in any country , you are performing the japam after that change Pournamyam to Prathmayam and Sravana to Sravishta nakshtra yukthayam.This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA.This is also applicable to mantras of Maha Sankalpam given below.
Summary meaning:The Brahmin first prays God that the time of doing whatever it may be should become holy and this he is sure is achieved by prayer to God.Then he tells when he is doing this japa, for example which year, which season, which day and so on.And he says that this japa is being done as a repentance for his not perfornming various religious duties during the year that he ought to have performed.The main manthra is a prayer to pardon the lapses which were due to Kama(passion) krodha(anger) and lopa(avarice)
3.Maha Samkalpam
(6-8-2009 after Madhyaanikam and Brahma yagnam*)
a.Aachamanam
b.Shuklam baradharam……..
c.Om bhoo
d.Maha samkalpam
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama rama
Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
Yogascha karanam chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadya sri bhagawatha, Aadi vishno, Aadinarayanasya achinthyaya , aparimithaya, sakthyaa, briyamaanasya, mahaa jaloughasya madhye,
paribrhamatham aneka koti brhmaandanam madhye, eka thame, prithya aptejo vayvakaasaa ahankaradhi -mahada vyakthai-aavaranair- aavruthe- asmin mahathi bramanda-karandaka-madhye aadhara sakthi –koormaa nandathi ashta diggajopari prathishtithasya , athala-vithala-suthala-rasaathala-thalaa thala-mahaathala-pathalakyai loka sapthakasya upari thale, punya kruthaam nivaasabhuthe bhoor –bhuvar-suvar-mahar-janarr-thapa-satyaakhyai loka shatkasya adho bhage mahaa nalayamana phani raja seshasya sahasra phanaa mani mandala mandithe, dighdanthi-shunda dhanda-uttambhithe, panchasath koti yojana vistheerne, lokaloka –achalena valayithe lavaneshu-sura-sarpi-dhadhi-ksheera-udakaarnavischa parivruthe, jambhu-plaksha-saka-salmali-kusa-krouncha-pushkarakhya saptha dweepanaam madhye, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe, bharatha kande, prajaapathi kshetre dandakaaranya-chamapakaaranya-vindhyaaranya-veekshaaranya-vedaaranayaadhi, aneka punya aaranyaanam Madhya pradeshe, karma bhoomou, rama –sethu-kedharayoo madya pradaeshe , Bhaageerathi-Gouthami-Krishna veni-Yamuna-Narmadaa-Thungabadhraa-Triveni-Malaapahaarini-kaveri- ithyadi , aaneka punya nadhi viraajithe, Indraprastha-Yamaprastha-Aavanthikaapuri-Hasthinaapuri-Ayodhyaa puri-Maayaa puri-Kasi puri-Kanchi puri-Dwarakaa aadi aneka punya puree viraajithe Sakala jagat srushta, parardha dwaya jeevana, bramana dweethiya parardhe, Pancha sathabdhou, prathame varshe, prathame mase, prathame pakshe, prathame divasae, aahni, dweethiye yame, trithiye muhurthe, swayambhuva-swarochisha-uthama-thamasa-raivatha-chakshu shakheshu, shatsu manusha atheetheshu, sapthame vaivaswathe manvanthare, aashta vimsathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha kande, Mero dakshine parswe. Asmin varthamane , vyavaharike prabhavaadheenam sashtya samvatsaranaam madhye , Sarvadhari nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Greeshma rithou, Kadaka mase, Krishna pakshe, aadhya Prathamayam* shubha thidou, Guru vasara yukthayam, Sravana nakshatra yukthayam**, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam Prathamyam * shubha thidou,
anaadhya vidhya pravarthamane asmin mahathi samsara chakre vichitrabhi karma gathibhi vichitrasu yonishu puna puna anekadha janithwa kenapi punya karma viseshena idhaanimthana manushye dwijanma visesham prapthavatho mama jjanmabhyasa jjanama prabruthi ethath kshana paryantham , baalye, vayasi kaumare yowane vaardhake cha jagrath swapna sushupthya avasthamsu mano vak kaya karmendriya jnanendriya vyaparai kama-krodha-lobha-moha-madha-mathsaryaadhi sambhavithaanam iha janmani janmanthare cha jnana ajnana kruthaanam maha pathakanaam mahaa patathakanumanthratwadeenam , samapathakaanaam upapaathakaanaam malini karanaanam nindhitha dhana dhaano upa jeevanaadeenam aapathrikarananaam jathi bramsa karaanam vihitha karma thyaagaaadeenam jnanadha sakruth kruthanaam ajnanatha asakruth kruthaanam sarveeshaam papaanam sadhya aapanodhanartham
aswatha narayana sannidhou-deva brahmana sannidhou-tryaa trimsath koti devathaa sannidhou-sri visaalakshi sametha visweswara swami sannidhou-mahaa ganapathi sannidhou-seetha lakshmana bharatha sathrugna-hanumt samedha sri rama chandra swmai sannidhou-sri rukmani sathyabhama samedha sri gopala Krishna swami sannidhou-hari hara puthra swami sannidhou-sri lakshmi narayana swami sannidhou sraavanyaam pournamasyaam adhyopakrama karma karishye.Thadangam sravanee pournamasi punyakale sareera shudhartam shuddhodhaka snanam aham karishye
Athi krura maha kaya, kalpanthahanopama,
Bairavaya namasthubhyam anujnam dathu marhasi
*Pournami is up to 6.26 AM IST on 6/8/2009 and ** Sravana Nakshatra is up to 1.42 PM IST on 6/8/2009 according to the Panchanga.If in any country , you are performing the japam after that change Pournamyam to Prathmayam and Sravana to Sravishta nakshtra yukthayam.This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA.This is also applicable to mantras of Maha Sankalpam given below.
Summary meaning:Here again apart from locating oneself with reference to time , one locates himself with reference to place also.We are supposed to live in Jambu Dweepa, Bharatha Kanda which is south of the great mountain Maha meru.Then again this Bhasratha Kanda is blessed with many holy rivers and holy places.Then prayer is done to God to pardon sins committed by word, thought and deed, because this was done inspite of his great grace which made us be born as human beings after several wheels of birth.Also the sins performed during several ages in life is highlighted.Some of the sins specifically mentioned are those done while earning money without conscience, giving money to improper people, actions which did not suit the caste we are born in, sins due to non performance of actions which ought to have been done and so on. We pray God and tell him that we would take bath in holy pure water and then start the veda parayanas which is our duty as Brahmin.
4.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
After bath again change poonal by reciting manthra as given in s.No.1.Please note that now a days very rarely people take bath after mahaa sankalpam but do prokshana snanam i.e bath by sprikling of water on the head.
5.Kanda Rishi Tharpanam
1,Aachamanam
2,Shklaama baradharam
3.Om bhoo
4.Mamo partha samastha durida kshya dwara sri parameshwata preethyartham sravanyaam pournamaasyam adhyoyapakrama karmangam kanda rishi tharpanam karishye.
Wear poonal as garland and do tharpanam using water mixed with thil (black gingely) and akshatha
Each manthra has to be chanted thrice and tharpanam done.
1.Prajapathim kanda rishim tharpayami
2,Somam kanda rishim tharpayami
3.Agnim kanda rishim tharpayami
4.Viswaan devaan kanda rishim tharpayaami
5.Saahinkeer devatha upanishadha tharpayami
6.Yagnigeer devatha upanishadha tharpayaami
7.Vaaruneer devatha upanishadha tharpayami
8.Brhamanagum swayubhuvam tharpayaami
9.Sadasaspathim tharpayami
wear poonal in the normal fashion and then do aachamana.
Summary meaning:Tharpanam means really satisfying.By this tharpanam we satisfy the rishi(sages) of Soma(moon), Agni(fire), Viswaan devan(all gods looking after earth), etc.
5.Vedarambham
Though these are essential part of Avani avittam , I am not giving this because Vedic manthraas are very diffcult to transliterate in to English and reading them wrongly would be counter productive.
6.Gaayathri japam (6-8-2009)
For Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedis
1.Aachamanam
2,Shuklaam baradharam
3.Om bhoo
4.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri parameshwara preethyartham Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama Shubhe Shobane muhurthe adya Brahmana dwiteeya paradhe , Swetha varaha kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Ashtavimsathi thame , Kali yuge, Prathame pade, Jambhu Dwipe, Bharatha Varshe,Bhartaha Kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Sakabdhe, Asmin Varthamane Vyavaharike, Prabhavadhi Sashti Samavathsaranaam Madhye, Virodhi nama Samvathsare , Dakshinayane, Greeshma Rithou, Karkidaga mase Krishna pakshe aadhya prathamaayam* shubha thidou Guru vaasara yukthayaam sravana ** nakshatra yukthaayam shubha yoga shubha karana evam guna viseshana visisishtaayam asyaam prathamaayam shubha thidou mithyaa theetha prayaschittartham ashtothara sahasra samkya gayatri maha manthra japam karishye.
Start from Pravasya Rishi brahma…. followed by aayathith anuvagasya… and then chant the gaythri manthra 1008 times.
Complete with Abhivaadaye and then complete with
Kayena vacha…….
* Prathma is for the whole day from 6.26 AM IST of 6/8/2009
**Sravana is up to 1.42 PM , afterwards Dhanishta Nakshatra
Please compare the time when you are doing japam to IST and do corrections accordingly
Please Note Gayatri Japam has to be performed in the morning before Madhyahneekam.
Appendix Brahma Yagnam.
1. Perform Achamanam
2. Face eastern direction and do “Shuklam baradaram….” Followed by pranayamam “om Bhoo…”
3. Mamopartha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri Parameshwara preethyartham Brahma Yagnam karishye. Brahma yagnena Yakshye.
4. Chant and clean the hands with water
Vidhyudasi paapmanam vidhya me paapmanam amruthath Sathya mupaime
And then chant
Om Bhooo tatsa vithurvarenyam
Om Bhuva Bhargo devasya Dheemahi
Ogum suva Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Om Bhooo Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Om Bhuva Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Ogum Suva Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo yona prachothayath
5. Chant Vedic manthras
Om Agnimeele purohitham Yagnasya Dheva mruthvijam, hotharam Rathna Dhathamam
Om Ishe Twoje Thwa vayavasthapayavastha Devo vassavitha prarpayathu sreshtathamaya karmane
Om Agna Aayahi veethaye grunano havyadathaye, ni hotha sadhsi bharhishi
Om sanno devirabheeshtaya Aapo peethaye sam yorabhisravanthu na
After this recite if possible vedic manthras that you know like Rudram, Chamakam etc
6. Sprinkle water round the head by reciting
Sathyam Thapa sradhayam juhomi
7. Recite three times with folded hands
Om namo brahmane namosthwagnaye nama pruthwyai nama oshadheebhya namo vaache namo vaachaspathaye namo vishnave bruhathe karomi.
8.Clean the hands again with water by reciting “vrushtirasi vruschame paapmanamamruthath sathyamupaaga”
Do aachamanam
8. Chant “shuklam baradaram….”
9. Do Pranayamam, “om Bhoo…”
10. Mamopartha samastha duritha kshaya dwara sri parameshwra preethyartham deva-rishi-pithru tharpanam karishye.
11. Touch water and clean your hands
12. Do deva tharpanam through the tip of fingers
1.Bramodaya ye deva thaan devaan tharpayami
2.Sarvaan devaan tharpayami
3. Sarva deva ganaan tharpayami
4.Sarva deva pathnis tharapayami
5.Sarva deva ganapathnis tharpayami
13, Do rishi tharpanam by wearing yagnopaveetha as garland and pouring out water from the liitle finger
1,Krishna dwaipayanaya ye rishaya thaan rishin tharpayami
2. Sarvaan risheen tharpayami
3.Sarva rishi ganaan tharpayami
4. Sarve rishi pathnis tharpayami
5,Sarva rishi gana pathnistharpayami
6. Prajapathim kanda rishim tharpayami
7. Somam kanda rishim tharpayami
8. Agnim kanda rishim tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
9. Viswan devan kanda rishin tharpayami
10. Samihithir devatha upanishada tharpayami
11. Yagnigir devatha upanishada tharpayami
12.Varuneer devatha upanishada tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham and pour water by towards the left
13. Havyavaham tharpayami
14.Viswaan devaan kanda rishin tharpayaami
Pour water by the bottom of the palm towards self
15.Brahmanam swayambhuvam tharpayami
16.Viswan devan kandarishin tharpayami
17.Arunan kandarishin tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
18.Sadasaspathim tharpayami
19.Rig vedam tharpayami
20.Yajur Vedam tharpayami
21. Sama Vedam tharpayami
22. Atharvana Vedam tharpayami
23. Ithihasa puranam tharpayami
24. Kalpam tharpayami
14.Only those who have lost their father (others go to step 15)do Pithru tharpanam wearing the yagnopaveetham on the right shoulder pouring water between the thumb. And index finger.
1.Soma pithruman yamo angiraswan agni kavyavahana ithyadaya ye pithara
thaan pithrun tharpayami,
2. Sarvaan pithrun tharpayami
3. Sarva pithru ganan tharpayami
4. Sarva pithru pathnistharpayami
5. Sarva pithru ganapanthnistharpayami
6.oorjam vahanthi amrutham grutham paya keelaalam parisruyatham
swadaastha tharpayatha me pithrun trupyatha, trupyatha, trupyatha
7.Aabrahma sthambha paryantham jagat trupyathu
15.Put the yagnopaveetha in the normal fashion
Pour water saying Om That sat Brahmarpanamasthu
And then do aachamanam.
Brahma yagnam(sacrifice to Brahma) is the oblation offered to satisfy Devas, Rishis(sages) and Pithrus(ancestors). It is supposed to be performed daily after Madhyannikam, But nowadays it is done mainly on avani avittam days.
Avani Avittam 6-8-2009(Thursday)
(compiled by P.R.Ramachander)
1.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
( Manthra for wearing Poonal)
a.Aachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam………. Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo…………..Bhoorbhavaswarom
c.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri paameshwara preethyartham
Sroutha smartha vihitha sadachara nithya karmaanushtanaa yogyatha sidhyartham brhma teja abhivrudyartham yagnopaveetha dharanam karishye.
d.Yagnopaveetha dharana maha manthrasya
Parabrhma rishi(Touch forehead)
Trushtup chanda (touch below nose)
Paramathma devatha (touch heart)
e.Yagnopaveetha dharane viniyoga
Wear Poonal one by one by reciting(poonal should be held by both hands, the tie in the poonal being held above by the right hand facing upwards)
Yagnopaveetham paramam pavithram praja pathe,
Yat sahajam purasthad aayushyam
Agriyam prathi muncha shubram yagnopaveetham balamasthu theja.
f.After wearing all poonals one by one do Aachamanam
g.Remove the old poonals and break them to pieces by reciting
Upaveetham bhinna thanthum jeernam kasmala dooshitham, visrujami jale punarbrahman varcho deergayurasthu me.
h.Do aachamanam.
Summary meaning: I wear the white yagnopavitha that is purifying , which was born along with brahma, which is capable of increasing life .I am sure this would give glory and strength to me.I am destroying the dirty , soiled yasgnopavita .
2.Kamo karshet Japam (6-8-2009 morning)
a.Aaachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam…….Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo
c.Mamo partha--- Preethyartham
Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama
Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
Yogascha karanam chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadhya sri bagavatha mahaa purushasya Vishnor Agnaya , Pravarthamanasya , Aadhya brhmana , dweethiya parardhe, swetha varaha kalpe, , Vaivaswatha manvanthare, ashta vimsathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha kande, Mero dakshine parswe. Asmin varthamane , vyavaharike prabhavaadheenam sashti samvatsaranaam madhye , Virodhi nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Greeshma rithou, Kadaka mase, Krishna pakshe, aadhya Prathamayam * shubha thidou, Guruvasara yukthayam, shravana nakshatra** yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam Pournamasyam* shubha thidou, taishyaam Prathamayam * adhyot sarjana akarana praayaschithartham , samvatsara praayaschithartham, cha ashtothara satha samkhyaa “kamo karsheth manyura karsheth” ithi maha manthra japam karishye.
d.Then chant “Kamo karsheth manyura karsheth namo nama” 108 times
e.Afterwards perform Aachamana and say”Kama manyu upastham karishye” , Om tat sat brahmaarpanam asthu.
*Pournami is up to 6.26 AM IST on 6/8/2009 and ** Sravana Nakshatra is up to 1.42 PM IST on 6/8/2009 according to the Panchanga.If in any country , you are performing the japam after that change Pournamyam to Prathmayam and Sravana to Sravishta nakshtra yukthayam.This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA.This is also applicable to mantras of Maha Sankalpam given below.
Summary meaning:The Brahmin first prays God that the time of doing whatever it may be should become holy and this he is sure is achieved by prayer to God.Then he tells when he is doing this japa, for example which year, which season, which day and so on.And he says that this japa is being done as a repentance for his not perfornming various religious duties during the year that he ought to have performed.The main manthra is a prayer to pardon the lapses which were due to Kama(passion) krodha(anger) and lopa(avarice)
3.Maha Samkalpam
(6-8-2009 after Madhyaanikam and Brahma yagnam*)
a.Aachamanam
b.Shuklam baradharam……..
c.Om bhoo
d.Maha samkalpam
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama rama
Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
Yogascha karanam chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadya sri bhagawatha, Aadi vishno, Aadinarayanasya achinthyaya , aparimithaya, sakthyaa, briyamaanasya, mahaa jaloughasya madhye,
paribrhamatham aneka koti brhmaandanam madhye, eka thame, prithya aptejo vayvakaasaa ahankaradhi -mahada vyakthai-aavaranair- aavruthe- asmin mahathi bramanda-karandaka-madhye aadhara sakthi –koormaa nandathi ashta diggajopari prathishtithasya , athala-vithala-suthala-rasaathala-thalaa thala-mahaathala-pathalakyai loka sapthakasya upari thale, punya kruthaam nivaasabhuthe bhoor –bhuvar-suvar-mahar-janarr-thapa-satyaakhyai loka shatkasya adho bhage mahaa nalayamana phani raja seshasya sahasra phanaa mani mandala mandithe, dighdanthi-shunda dhanda-uttambhithe, panchasath koti yojana vistheerne, lokaloka –achalena valayithe lavaneshu-sura-sarpi-dhadhi-ksheera-udakaarnavischa parivruthe, jambhu-plaksha-saka-salmali-kusa-krouncha-pushkarakhya saptha dweepanaam madhye, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe, bharatha kande, prajaapathi kshetre dandakaaranya-chamapakaaranya-vindhyaaranya-veekshaaranya-vedaaranayaadhi, aneka punya aaranyaanam Madhya pradeshe, karma bhoomou, rama –sethu-kedharayoo madya pradaeshe , Bhaageerathi-Gouthami-Krishna veni-Yamuna-Narmadaa-Thungabadhraa-Triveni-Malaapahaarini-kaveri- ithyadi , aaneka punya nadhi viraajithe, Indraprastha-Yamaprastha-Aavanthikaapuri-Hasthinaapuri-Ayodhyaa puri-Maayaa puri-Kasi puri-Kanchi puri-Dwarakaa aadi aneka punya puree viraajithe Sakala jagat srushta, parardha dwaya jeevana, bramana dweethiya parardhe, Pancha sathabdhou, prathame varshe, prathame mase, prathame pakshe, prathame divasae, aahni, dweethiye yame, trithiye muhurthe, swayambhuva-swarochisha-uthama-thamasa-raivatha-chakshu shakheshu, shatsu manusha atheetheshu, sapthame vaivaswathe manvanthare, aashta vimsathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha kande, Mero dakshine parswe. Asmin varthamane , vyavaharike prabhavaadheenam sashtya samvatsaranaam madhye , Sarvadhari nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Greeshma rithou, Kadaka mase, Krishna pakshe, aadhya Prathamayam* shubha thidou, Guru vasara yukthayam, Sravana nakshatra yukthayam**, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam Prathamyam * shubha thidou,
anaadhya vidhya pravarthamane asmin mahathi samsara chakre vichitrabhi karma gathibhi vichitrasu yonishu puna puna anekadha janithwa kenapi punya karma viseshena idhaanimthana manushye dwijanma visesham prapthavatho mama jjanmabhyasa jjanama prabruthi ethath kshana paryantham , baalye, vayasi kaumare yowane vaardhake cha jagrath swapna sushupthya avasthamsu mano vak kaya karmendriya jnanendriya vyaparai kama-krodha-lobha-moha-madha-mathsaryaadhi sambhavithaanam iha janmani janmanthare cha jnana ajnana kruthaanam maha pathakanaam mahaa patathakanumanthratwadeenam , samapathakaanaam upapaathakaanaam malini karanaanam nindhitha dhana dhaano upa jeevanaadeenam aapathrikarananaam jathi bramsa karaanam vihitha karma thyaagaaadeenam jnanadha sakruth kruthanaam ajnanatha asakruth kruthaanam sarveeshaam papaanam sadhya aapanodhanartham
aswatha narayana sannidhou-deva brahmana sannidhou-tryaa trimsath koti devathaa sannidhou-sri visaalakshi sametha visweswara swami sannidhou-mahaa ganapathi sannidhou-seetha lakshmana bharatha sathrugna-hanumt samedha sri rama chandra swmai sannidhou-sri rukmani sathyabhama samedha sri gopala Krishna swami sannidhou-hari hara puthra swami sannidhou-sri lakshmi narayana swami sannidhou sraavanyaam pournamasyaam adhyopakrama karma karishye.Thadangam sravanee pournamasi punyakale sareera shudhartam shuddhodhaka snanam aham karishye
Athi krura maha kaya, kalpanthahanopama,
Bairavaya namasthubhyam anujnam dathu marhasi
*Pournami is up to 6.26 AM IST on 6/8/2009 and ** Sravana Nakshatra is up to 1.42 PM IST on 6/8/2009 according to the Panchanga.If in any country , you are performing the japam after that change Pournamyam to Prathmayam and Sravana to Sravishta nakshtra yukthayam.This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA.This is also applicable to mantras of Maha Sankalpam given below.
Summary meaning:Here again apart from locating oneself with reference to time , one locates himself with reference to place also.We are supposed to live in Jambu Dweepa, Bharatha Kanda which is south of the great mountain Maha meru.Then again this Bhasratha Kanda is blessed with many holy rivers and holy places.Then prayer is done to God to pardon sins committed by word, thought and deed, because this was done inspite of his great grace which made us be born as human beings after several wheels of birth.Also the sins performed during several ages in life is highlighted.Some of the sins specifically mentioned are those done while earning money without conscience, giving money to improper people, actions which did not suit the caste we are born in, sins due to non performance of actions which ought to have been done and so on. We pray God and tell him that we would take bath in holy pure water and then start the veda parayanas which is our duty as Brahmin.
4.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
After bath again change poonal by reciting manthra as given in s.No.1.Please note that now a days very rarely people take bath after mahaa sankalpam but do prokshana snanam i.e bath by sprikling of water on the head.
5.Kanda Rishi Tharpanam
1,Aachamanam
2,Shklaama baradharam
3.Om bhoo
4.Mamo partha samastha durida kshya dwara sri parameshwata preethyartham sravanyaam pournamaasyam adhyoyapakrama karmangam kanda rishi tharpanam karishye.
Wear poonal as garland and do tharpanam using water mixed with thil (black gingely) and akshatha
Each manthra has to be chanted thrice and tharpanam done.
1.Prajapathim kanda rishim tharpayami
2,Somam kanda rishim tharpayami
3.Agnim kanda rishim tharpayami
4.Viswaan devaan kanda rishim tharpayaami
5.Saahinkeer devatha upanishadha tharpayami
6.Yagnigeer devatha upanishadha tharpayaami
7.Vaaruneer devatha upanishadha tharpayami
8.Brhamanagum swayubhuvam tharpayaami
9.Sadasaspathim tharpayami
wear poonal in the normal fashion and then do aachamana.
Summary meaning:Tharpanam means really satisfying.By this tharpanam we satisfy the rishi(sages) of Soma(moon), Agni(fire), Viswaan devan(all gods looking after earth), etc.
5.Vedarambham
Though these are essential part of Avani avittam , I am not giving this because Vedic manthraas are very diffcult to transliterate in to English and reading them wrongly would be counter productive.
6.Gaayathri japam (6-8-2009)
For Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedis
1.Aachamanam
2,Shuklaam baradharam
3.Om bhoo
4.Mamo partha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri parameshwara preethyartham Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama Shubhe Shobane muhurthe adya Brahmana dwiteeya paradhe , Swetha varaha kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Ashtavimsathi thame , Kali yuge, Prathame pade, Jambhu Dwipe, Bharatha Varshe,Bhartaha Kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Sakabdhe, Asmin Varthamane Vyavaharike, Prabhavadhi Sashti Samavathsaranaam Madhye, Virodhi nama Samvathsare , Dakshinayane, Greeshma Rithou, Karkidaga mase Krishna pakshe aadhya prathamaayam* shubha thidou Guru vaasara yukthayaam sravana ** nakshatra yukthaayam shubha yoga shubha karana evam guna viseshana visisishtaayam asyaam prathamaayam shubha thidou mithyaa theetha prayaschittartham ashtothara sahasra samkya gayatri maha manthra japam karishye.
Start from Pravasya Rishi brahma…. followed by aayathith anuvagasya… and then chant the gaythri manthra 1008 times.
Complete with Abhivaadaye and then complete with
Kayena vacha…….
* Prathma is for the whole day from 6.26 AM IST of 6/8/2009
**Sravana is up to 1.42 PM , afterwards Dhanishta Nakshatra
Please compare the time when you are doing japam to IST and do corrections accordingly
Please Note Gayatri Japam has to be performed in the morning before Madhyahneekam.
Appendix Brahma Yagnam.
1. Perform Achamanam
2. Face eastern direction and do “Shuklam baradaram….” Followed by pranayamam “om Bhoo…”
3. Mamopartha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri Parameshwara preethyartham Brahma Yagnam karishye. Brahma yagnena Yakshye.
4. Chant and clean the hands with water
Vidhyudasi paapmanam vidhya me paapmanam amruthath Sathya mupaime
And then chant
Om Bhooo tatsa vithurvarenyam
Om Bhuva Bhargo devasya Dheemahi
Ogum suva Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Om Bhooo Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Om Bhuva Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Ogum Suva Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo yona prachothayath
5. Chant Vedic manthras
Om Agnimeele purohitham Yagnasya Dheva mruthvijam, hotharam Rathna Dhathamam
Om Ishe Twoje Thwa vayavasthapayavastha Devo vassavitha prarpayathu sreshtathamaya karmane
Om Agna Aayahi veethaye grunano havyadathaye, ni hotha sadhsi bharhishi
Om sanno devirabheeshtaya Aapo peethaye sam yorabhisravanthu na
After this recite if possible vedic manthras that you know like Rudram, Chamakam etc
6. Sprinkle water round the head by reciting
Sathyam Thapa sradhayam juhomi
7. Recite three times with folded hands
Om namo brahmane namosthwagnaye nama pruthwyai nama oshadheebhya namo vaache namo vaachaspathaye namo vishnave bruhathe karomi.
8.Clean the hands again with water by reciting “vrushtirasi vruschame paapmanamamruthath sathyamupaaga”
Do aachamanam
8. Chant “shuklam baradaram….”
9. Do Pranayamam, “om Bhoo…”
10. Mamopartha samastha duritha kshaya dwara sri parameshwra preethyartham deva-rishi-pithru tharpanam karishye.
11. Touch water and clean your hands
12. Do deva tharpanam through the tip of fingers
1.Bramodaya ye deva thaan devaan tharpayami
2.Sarvaan devaan tharpayami
3. Sarva deva ganaan tharpayami
4.Sarva deva pathnis tharapayami
5.Sarva deva ganapathnis tharpayami
13, Do rishi tharpanam by wearing yagnopaveetha as garland and pouring out water from the liitle finger
1,Krishna dwaipayanaya ye rishaya thaan rishin tharpayami
2. Sarvaan risheen tharpayami
3.Sarva rishi ganaan tharpayami
4. Sarve rishi pathnis tharpayami
5,Sarva rishi gana pathnistharpayami
6. Prajapathim kanda rishim tharpayami
7. Somam kanda rishim tharpayami
8. Agnim kanda rishim tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
9. Viswan devan kanda rishin tharpayami
10. Samihithir devatha upanishada tharpayami
11. Yagnigir devatha upanishada tharpayami
12.Varuneer devatha upanishada tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham and pour water by towards the left
13. Havyavaham tharpayami
14.Viswaan devaan kanda rishin tharpayaami
Pour water by the bottom of the palm towards self
15.Brahmanam swayambhuvam tharpayami
16.Viswan devan kandarishin tharpayami
17.Arunan kandarishin tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
18.Sadasaspathim tharpayami
19.Rig vedam tharpayami
20.Yajur Vedam tharpayami
21. Sama Vedam tharpayami
22. Atharvana Vedam tharpayami
23. Ithihasa puranam tharpayami
24. Kalpam tharpayami
14.Only those who have lost their father (others go to step 15)do Pithru tharpanam wearing the yagnopaveetham on the right shoulder pouring water between the thumb. And index finger.
1.Soma pithruman yamo angiraswan agni kavyavahana ithyadaya ye pithara
thaan pithrun tharpayami,
2. Sarvaan pithrun tharpayami
3. Sarva pithru ganan tharpayami
4. Sarva pithru pathnistharpayami
5. Sarva pithru ganapanthnistharpayami
6.oorjam vahanthi amrutham grutham paya keelaalam parisruyatham
swadaastha tharpayatha me pithrun trupyatha, trupyatha, trupyatha
7.Aabrahma sthambha paryantham jagat trupyathu
15.Put the yagnopaveetha in the normal fashion
Pour water saying Om That sat Brahmarpanamasthu
And then do aachamanam.
Brahma yagnam(sacrifice to Brahma) is the oblation offered to satisfy Devas, Rishis(sages) and Pithrus(ancestors). It is supposed to be performed daily after Madhyannikam, But nowadays it is done mainly on avani avittam days.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Mile Stone 400
Dear Friends,
I retired in the year 2000 and one of my hobbies as soon as I retired was to translate stotras written in Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi in to English. With the blessings of God as on today, I have completed the translation of 400 such stotras- 363 Sanskrit stotras, 12 Tamil Prayers, 13 Hindi prayers and 12 Malayalam prayers. These were initially put in my web site www.geocities.com/ramya475, which is a free web site. I understand that this web site is going to be closed in October 2009. Fortunately the material of these translations have been replicated in
www.celextel.org
http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Stotra
http://stotraratna.awardspace.com/stotras.html
Due to my request many important web sites concerning Hindu religion have also replicated many of my translations.
By the grace of God these translations contain almost all the important known stotras and very many very rare ones also. A brief review of what has been done is given below:-
I Vishnu
A total of 56 prayers have been translated. Among the most important is the Vishnu Sahasranamam, Venkatesa Suprabatham , Thiruppavai , stotras addressed to Mathsyavathara, Varahavathara, Parasuramavathara and rare stotras written by Vedantha Desika, Vadi Raja Theertha, Parasara Bhatta and Jayadeva.
II.Rama
There are 18 stotras in this category. There are stotras written by Ahalya, Jatayu, Devendra, Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Thulasidas.
III.Krishna
There are 30 translations of prayers addressed to Lord Krishna. The entire Bhaja Govindam, Mukunda Mala, Gopika Gita besides the very rare Guruvyurappa Suprabatham are available here. Some rare stotras written By Indra, Vasudeva and Chaithanya Maha Prabhu are also included here. Krishna Sthava Raja and Krishna Manasa pooja are the rare stotras.
IV. Shiva
Translations of 50 stotras addressed to Lord Shiva are included. Shiva Sahasranama, Thiruvembavai , Shiva Thandava Stotra by Ravana, Shivananda Lahari by Adhi Shankara, rare stotrams like Shivashtakam by Chaithanya Maha Prabhu and Viswanatha Suprabatham besides Shiva Kavacham and Shiva Manasa pooja are also included.
V.Goddess
Translations of 86 great stotras are included in this section. Some of the great ones are Lalitha Sahasranamam, Lalitha Trishathi, Soundarya Lahari, Kamakshi Suprabatham, Annapurnashtakam, Mahishasura Mardini stotram , Shyamala Dandakam , Varahi Anugrahashtakam, Sri Pada Sapthathi of Meppathur, Vamsa vrudhikara Durga Kavacham and Shakthi Mahimna stotram written by sage Durvasa .Some of the great Tamil works translated are Abhirami Andathi and Mariamman Thalattu.
VI.Ganesa
Twenty great stotras addressed to Ganesa are translated. Some of the rare ones are Ganesa Manasa Pooja, Ganesa Bahya pooja, Ganapathi Atharva Seersha and Vinaygar Agaval from Tamil.
VII.Subrahmanya
Fourteen stotras addressed to Lord Subrahmanya which include Shankara’s Subrahmanya Bhujangam are available in this section. This section also has the translation of Kandar Anubhuthi, Skanda Sahti Kavacham, Shanmuga Kavacham , (all from Tamil) and Karthigeya Karavalamba stotram written in Malayalam.
VIII. Ayyappa
Six prayers addressed to Lord Ayyppa have been translated. Among them is the famous Ayyappa Suprabatham written in Malayalam and the famous Hariuvarasanam.
IX. Planets
Twenty seven prayers addressed to planets which include the famous Adhithya Hrudayam, prayers addressed to individual planets as well as Kavachams addressed to individual planets.
X. Rivers
Five prayers addressed to river Ganga and one addressed to Yamuna are translated in this section.
XI. Hanuman
Ten prayers addressed to Hanuman which includes the famous Hanuman Chalisa written by Saint Thulasi das are included here.
XII. Philosophical prayers
Eighteen prayers with philosophival import like The Nirvana triology of Shankara, Aparokshanubhuthi of Shankara, Vijanana Nauka of Shankara , the Bharata Savithri etc have been translated under this heading. Also I have translated the entire Jnanappana of Poonthanam in to English.
XIII.Model daily prayer
An omnibus collection of different prayers that are to be recited from morning to night including stotras addressed to several Ishta Devathas are included here.
IXV. Vedic Hymns
The first great prayers of Hindus are found in Various Vedas. Seventeen such prayers have been translated and given under this heading. These include Rudram, Chamakam, Manthra Pushpam, Shree Suktham, Medha Suktham etc.
XV.Other prayers
Thirty two prayers addressed to various other Gods are given under this heading. These include ones addressed to Garbha Rakashambikai, Kala Bhairava , Garuda, Shirdi Sai, Sathya Sai, Thulasi etc.
XVI. Parayana material
Seven great books have been translated under this heading. This include the entire Sundara Kandam., Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi) , Bhagwad Gita in to English verse , Sri Ramodantham and the famous Pasurappadi Ramayanam.
I realize that I could not even make a very feeble attempt to do these translations except with the grace of God. I was but his fingers typing according to His dictates. Nearing seventy, I really do not know how long I would be able to continue what I am doing. I realize that any thing that I put in the web may vanish from there. Two options to preserve them are left with me:-
1. Take a print out of all that I have done and present it to some Hindu libraries like Kanchi and Sringeri mutt. I simple cannot afford to do this.
2. Copy all my translations in to computer CD and encourage religious people to sell it at a nominal price so that they can make money for the religious/social cause.
Can some of you help me in this regard?
With best wishes,
P.R.Ramachander
I retired in the year 2000 and one of my hobbies as soon as I retired was to translate stotras written in Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi in to English. With the blessings of God as on today, I have completed the translation of 400 such stotras- 363 Sanskrit stotras, 12 Tamil Prayers, 13 Hindi prayers and 12 Malayalam prayers. These were initially put in my web site www.geocities.com/ramya475, which is a free web site. I understand that this web site is going to be closed in October 2009. Fortunately the material of these translations have been replicated in
www.celextel.org
http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Stotra
http://stotraratna.awardspace.com/stotras.html
Due to my request many important web sites concerning Hindu religion have also replicated many of my translations.
By the grace of God these translations contain almost all the important known stotras and very many very rare ones also. A brief review of what has been done is given below:-
I Vishnu
A total of 56 prayers have been translated. Among the most important is the Vishnu Sahasranamam, Venkatesa Suprabatham , Thiruppavai , stotras addressed to Mathsyavathara, Varahavathara, Parasuramavathara and rare stotras written by Vedantha Desika, Vadi Raja Theertha, Parasara Bhatta and Jayadeva.
II.Rama
There are 18 stotras in this category. There are stotras written by Ahalya, Jatayu, Devendra, Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Thulasidas.
III.Krishna
There are 30 translations of prayers addressed to Lord Krishna. The entire Bhaja Govindam, Mukunda Mala, Gopika Gita besides the very rare Guruvyurappa Suprabatham are available here. Some rare stotras written By Indra, Vasudeva and Chaithanya Maha Prabhu are also included here. Krishna Sthava Raja and Krishna Manasa pooja are the rare stotras.
IV. Shiva
Translations of 50 stotras addressed to Lord Shiva are included. Shiva Sahasranama, Thiruvembavai , Shiva Thandava Stotra by Ravana, Shivananda Lahari by Adhi Shankara, rare stotrams like Shivashtakam by Chaithanya Maha Prabhu and Viswanatha Suprabatham besides Shiva Kavacham and Shiva Manasa pooja are also included.
V.Goddess
Translations of 86 great stotras are included in this section. Some of the great ones are Lalitha Sahasranamam, Lalitha Trishathi, Soundarya Lahari, Kamakshi Suprabatham, Annapurnashtakam, Mahishasura Mardini stotram , Shyamala Dandakam , Varahi Anugrahashtakam, Sri Pada Sapthathi of Meppathur, Vamsa vrudhikara Durga Kavacham and Shakthi Mahimna stotram written by sage Durvasa .Some of the great Tamil works translated are Abhirami Andathi and Mariamman Thalattu.
VI.Ganesa
Twenty great stotras addressed to Ganesa are translated. Some of the rare ones are Ganesa Manasa Pooja, Ganesa Bahya pooja, Ganapathi Atharva Seersha and Vinaygar Agaval from Tamil.
VII.Subrahmanya
Fourteen stotras addressed to Lord Subrahmanya which include Shankara’s Subrahmanya Bhujangam are available in this section. This section also has the translation of Kandar Anubhuthi, Skanda Sahti Kavacham, Shanmuga Kavacham , (all from Tamil) and Karthigeya Karavalamba stotram written in Malayalam.
VIII. Ayyappa
Six prayers addressed to Lord Ayyppa have been translated. Among them is the famous Ayyappa Suprabatham written in Malayalam and the famous Hariuvarasanam.
IX. Planets
Twenty seven prayers addressed to planets which include the famous Adhithya Hrudayam, prayers addressed to individual planets as well as Kavachams addressed to individual planets.
X. Rivers
Five prayers addressed to river Ganga and one addressed to Yamuna are translated in this section.
XI. Hanuman
Ten prayers addressed to Hanuman which includes the famous Hanuman Chalisa written by Saint Thulasi das are included here.
XII. Philosophical prayers
Eighteen prayers with philosophival import like The Nirvana triology of Shankara, Aparokshanubhuthi of Shankara, Vijanana Nauka of Shankara , the Bharata Savithri etc have been translated under this heading. Also I have translated the entire Jnanappana of Poonthanam in to English.
XIII.Model daily prayer
An omnibus collection of different prayers that are to be recited from morning to night including stotras addressed to several Ishta Devathas are included here.
IXV. Vedic Hymns
The first great prayers of Hindus are found in Various Vedas. Seventeen such prayers have been translated and given under this heading. These include Rudram, Chamakam, Manthra Pushpam, Shree Suktham, Medha Suktham etc.
XV.Other prayers
Thirty two prayers addressed to various other Gods are given under this heading. These include ones addressed to Garbha Rakashambikai, Kala Bhairava , Garuda, Shirdi Sai, Sathya Sai, Thulasi etc.
XVI. Parayana material
Seven great books have been translated under this heading. This include the entire Sundara Kandam., Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi) , Bhagwad Gita in to English verse , Sri Ramodantham and the famous Pasurappadi Ramayanam.
I realize that I could not even make a very feeble attempt to do these translations except with the grace of God. I was but his fingers typing according to His dictates. Nearing seventy, I really do not know how long I would be able to continue what I am doing. I realize that any thing that I put in the web may vanish from there. Two options to preserve them are left with me:-
1. Take a print out of all that I have done and present it to some Hindu libraries like Kanchi and Sringeri mutt. I simple cannot afford to do this.
2. Copy all my translations in to computer CD and encourage religious people to sell it at a nominal price so that they can make money for the religious/social cause.
Can some of you help me in this regard?
With best wishes,
P.R.Ramachander
Saturday, May 30, 2009
An old man bids adieu tearfully to Geocities
I retired from Government service in India in January 2000. At that time , just to spend time, I started translating Sanskrit Prayers in to English. I also started giving astrological consultation for matching horoscopes as my hobby. It was at this time that I started getting familiar with modern day computers and the world wide web. I happened to visit USA at that time and started giving astrological consultation for matching horoscopes over the internet. I also created a free web site on the” history of Kerala iyers “ under Honmestead. My connection with www was static at that stage for two more years.
In 2002 my daughter in law helped me in putting few of my translation in a small free web site .I again visited USA in 2002. I learnt little more on web site building as I was translating Hindu prayers at a furious pace. I started uploading my translations in my new free web site under geocities banner. I built my web site www.geocities,com/ramya475 during this time. By 2004 I had uploaded translations of 41 Stotras (prayers) in this web site. From day one, my web site became popular. This egged me to more work and as on today I HAVE UPLOADED 385 PRAYERS WITH TRANSLITERATIONS AS WELL AS TRANSLATIONS in my web site.These include translations of prayers written in Sanskrit, Malaalam , Tamil and Hindi . My web site has become so popular that about 200 people visit my web site daily.
In 2002, homestead withdrew my web site on Kerala Iyers as they started charging for it. But by that time I did lot of research on history of Kerala Iyers and my new web site www.keralaiyers.com was launched in 2001.This was paid for and managed by a young friend of mine. Because of this I was always apprehensive of the closure of the geocities web site. Fortunately for me two web sites www.celextel.org as well as www.hindupedia.com put all my 385 translations in them. Many other web sites put my chosen translations in their web site. The most important was www.chennaionline.com and www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/ramachander and www.shaivam.com . I also built another web site http://stotraratna.awardspace.com where all my work is preserved. So in spite of the impending closure of the geocities web sites , my translations are safe and would be handed over to the posterity.
I took recourse to a free web site due to two reasons:-
1.An old pensioner like me could not afford yearly payments.
2.One day I will kick the bucket and there would be no one to pay for those web sites, which would mean that my work meant for enlightening young Hindus about the great wealth of Hindu prayers would die along with me. I did not want this to happen.
Geocities helped me to achieve my aim partially. Due to their service, my work got lot of attention and my work is preserved in the celextel as well as Hindupedia web sites. I also have made a copy of my geocities web site using the Life boat of Jimdo. I would like to thank yahoo for their free web site offer and tearfully bid farewell to my geocities web site. God be with you, Geocities
In 2002 my daughter in law helped me in putting few of my translation in a small free web site .I again visited USA in 2002. I learnt little more on web site building as I was translating Hindu prayers at a furious pace. I started uploading my translations in my new free web site under geocities banner. I built my web site www.geocities,com/ramya475 during this time. By 2004 I had uploaded translations of 41 Stotras (prayers) in this web site. From day one, my web site became popular. This egged me to more work and as on today I HAVE UPLOADED 385 PRAYERS WITH TRANSLITERATIONS AS WELL AS TRANSLATIONS in my web site.These include translations of prayers written in Sanskrit, Malaalam , Tamil and Hindi . My web site has become so popular that about 200 people visit my web site daily.
In 2002, homestead withdrew my web site on Kerala Iyers as they started charging for it. But by that time I did lot of research on history of Kerala Iyers and my new web site www.keralaiyers.com was launched in 2001.This was paid for and managed by a young friend of mine. Because of this I was always apprehensive of the closure of the geocities web site. Fortunately for me two web sites www.celextel.org as well as www.hindupedia.com put all my 385 translations in them. Many other web sites put my chosen translations in their web site. The most important was www.chennaionline.com and www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/ramachander and www.shaivam.com . I also built another web site http://stotraratna.awardspace.com where all my work is preserved. So in spite of the impending closure of the geocities web sites , my translations are safe and would be handed over to the posterity.
I took recourse to a free web site due to two reasons:-
1.An old pensioner like me could not afford yearly payments.
2.One day I will kick the bucket and there would be no one to pay for those web sites, which would mean that my work meant for enlightening young Hindus about the great wealth of Hindu prayers would die along with me. I did not want this to happen.
Geocities helped me to achieve my aim partially. Due to their service, my work got lot of attention and my work is preserved in the celextel as well as Hindupedia web sites. I also have made a copy of my geocities web site using the Life boat of Jimdo. I would like to thank yahoo for their free web site offer and tearfully bid farewell to my geocities web site. God be with you, Geocities
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Temples of Kerala
Temples of Kerala
By
P.R.Ramchander
The so called God’s own country at present is the ribbon like green stretch of land which stretches from Trivandrum to the small town of Kasargode. Legend says that Parasurama gave as gift all the land he conquered from kings , as per the instruction of Lord Rama. Then he found that he did not have any place to live. So he came to place called Gokarna on Western Ghats and threw his axe in to the sea. The land recovered by him from the sea is Kerala. The straight translation of the name is “Garden of coconuts” but some people believe that the name came from Cherala (the garden of Cheras-the first kings of Kerala).
People believe that when Parasurama started living there he could not find any Brahmins among them. So he brought Namboodiris (who are the real Kerala Brahmins), and also consecrated 108 Shiva temples, 108 Bhagawathi temples and 18 Ayyappa temples. The list of such temples as founded by Parasurama is available in few songs.
The first known rulers of Kerala were Cheras and the first known language was Tamil. The first inscriptions were written in archaic scripts called Kolezhuthu and Vettezhthu. One of the greatest among the Chera kings was Cheran Chenguttuvan. His brother Elango wrote a great Tamil book called Silappadikaram. Kannagi was the heroine of the book (She has many temples in Kerala). After the Cheras, Kerala split in to several small principalities constantly at war with each other, for more and more land.
Of course this is a very brief introduction about Kerala. The first temples of Kerala were called Kavu (places of security/protection). Most of them were temples under some forest tree with no buildings and no roof. Similar temples exist all throughout Tamil Nadu. There are a very high percentage of cases; the gods consecrated were Guardian deity of the village (In some cases a hero who defended the village) or Mariamma (the goddess of Pox) and Lord Ganesa. But some how in Kerala most of these Kavus housed the temple of Goddess Parvathi or Kali .Slowly these Kavus became small temples. Side by side large number of Temples mushroomed up for Lord Shiva, and Lord Vishnu and his Avatharas. Unlike Tamil Nadu, though it was a mountainous country, temples devoted to Lord Subrahmanya were extremely few. There are large number of temples for Lord Ayyappa who was a prince of a small princely state called Pandalam and he was considered as an incarnation of Dharma Sastha (The son of Lord Shiva and Vishnu) whose temples were popular in the Thirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
Unlike temples in Tamil Nadu, most of the temples were not granite structures nor were they gigantic .In fact brick and cut laterite stones were used in building these temples. They were very small. The sanctum sanctorum called the “Sree Kovil” was either square or round. Mostly the roofs were of copper sheets or unbaked clay tiles. They were of the shape of pyramid in case of square temples and cone in case of round temples. Some temples have Kalasam at the end of the roof. A very high majority of temples did not have entrance gopurams or Vimanams over the deity like Tamil Nadu. Such temples are also found in the coastal Karnataka districts. Our building experts are of the opinion that these structures closely resemble the Himalayan temples. The Sree kovil was surrounded by a Prakaram (an enclosed space, sometimes with a small corridor). Just outside the Sree Kovil was the Namaskara Mandapam, which was used by the learned Brahmin males for reciting slokas and Vedas. In most of the cases, there was only one outlet from this enclosed space. On the south western corner normally a kitchen was housed, some temples have sub temples in this first Prakaram itself. Inside the prakaram there are several Bali peedams which represent deities like the Nava Grahas. Out side this Prakaram, there normally is a Dwaja Sthambham (flag pole) and a big Bali peetam (stone for sacrifice), and big temples will have several small sub temples out side the Prakaram. Some temples have a Koothambalam, where religious dramas used to be enacted .The outside walls of the Prakaram are normally fitted with several lamps called Vilakku Madam. The structure with the prakaram and the Sree kovil is called Nalambalam in Kerala. Very few temples have any sculptures. Some temples do have murals and small sculptures carved in wood.
The temple idol is normally made either of stone or wood, though in a very few cases idols are made of Panch aloha also. Unlike Tamil Nadu temples, there is no Uthsava Vigrahams which are taken out of the temples during festivals. Instead of that a Thidambu is taken out. Chariots or floats etc are rarely seen in Kerala. In most of the Kerala temples only One God is there inside the sanctum. For example it is either a Krishna Temple, or Parvathi temple or a Shiva temple.
Abhishekams (anointment) are performed only to the stone or metal statue. In case of wooden statues, the preferred wood was jack tree wood. Abhishekam is not performed for such statues but the statue is coated with saffron mixed in oil, (Chandattam). This ensures a very long life for the wooden statues. The preferred form of worship in Kerala temples is based on Thanthra. The priests who do worship are either Namboodiris (Kerala Brahmins) OR Embranthiris (Kannada Brahmins belonging to coastal Karnataka. They are also called Pothis). Since the worship is centered round Thanthra, and is very much different from the Agama of Tamil Nadu. A thanthri if he comes out of the sanctum has to take bath if he is to re enter it. Tamil iyers are not recruited as priests in Kerala temples. Ofcourse Tamil Iyers have built their own temples in Agraharams where they worship and live. In such temples Tamil iyers are priests. Uthralikkavu near Wadakkancheri is the only Kerala temple where Tamil Iyer is a Thanthri.
Most of the temple were owned by kings or noble families. With the coming of democracy, most of them are under the management of autonomous organizations called Devaswams which are part of the government. Most of these temples had huge landed property but with the enactment of Land Reforms act, most of them became very poor. It is strange but true that only a very, very small percentage of temples are dilapidated or neglected. This is because every temple is visited by the local populance in the morning after bath. The local people consider it their temple and wherever they are, they make it a point to attend the festivals of the temple and contribute to its upkeep. This fact is little strange because the major politicians of Kerala are a party which professedly does not believe in God.
Unlike other states of India, while the worship in the sanctum is done by Namboodiris and Embrandiris, the management is done by a rich land lord assisted by few Hindu castes called Ambalavasis. (People who live in the temples). They are normally strict vegetarians and have different roles to play in the upkeep of a temple. For example, the poduval is in charge of management, The Warrier in charge of looking after the garden of the temple and providing garlands for worship in the temple, the kurukkal in charge of supply of milk to the temple, the Marar is in charge of playing instruments in the temple, the Poduval and Nambeesan in charge of singing in front of the deity and Chakyar in charge of propagating the ancient stories about the temple. Castes with such delineation of responsibilities in temple affairs are not found outside Kerala.
Apart from Agama differences based on the thanthra several aspects of the temple activities are very much different in Kerala. In most of the temples Sribali (Seeveli) is the customary taking out of the Lord round the temple. In poor temples this is done on the head of the priest but in rich temples, this is done on the top of the elephant. Chariots are almost not present in Kerala temples except in those managed by Tamil Brahmins. However the God is taken out of the temple on the top of the elephant to the nearest river. There the deity has the ritual bath (called Arattu in Malayalam). Apart from this, most of the temples have festivals called Poorams and Vela. Both these are festivals held in honour of the deity by the local people. The population is normally divided on the basis of the locality they live and each locality takes a pooram or Vela to the temple. There is virtual competition of each locality to excel other localities. Most of them have seeveli on the top of elephants accompanied by an instrumental group called Pancha Vadhyam. It is not to be noted that the long pipe like Nadaswaram of Tamil Nadu or the Shenai of the other parts are absent from Kerala. In many temples tin the night there is a huge festival of bursting the crackers is one of the rituals done to please the God. In most of the temples of the Goddess, An oracle called Velichappadu exist. During festivals they get occupied by the Goddess and tell prophecy to people.
Another strange practice in Kerala temples is that all males are allowed entry in to the temple only if they do not wear a shirt or a vest .Most of them enter bare chested but those who want are allowed to cover the upper part of the body by a towel. Women have to wear sari, Mundu or Pavadai (petticoat). They are not allowed in side the temple with Chudidhar or jeans. Most of the temples do not allow non Hindus and photography of the idol in the sanctum is strictly prohibited.
Apart from the regular Hindu Gods there are very strange temples in Kerala. For example, there is temple for Snakes, Para Brahmam , the individual brothers of Lord Rama. There is a temple near Kottayam where the Goddess is considered to have periods. In Kodungallor , people believe that the Goddess would only be pleased by singing of very vulgar sexually explicit songs during the Kodungallore Bharani (a major festival).
Yet another interesting aspect of Kerala temple is the Ashta Mangalya Prasnam. This is done whenever the people want to find out the opinion of the God. For example suppose the temple wants to find out whether a new idol can be consecrated or have one more elephant than the usual or want to find out why there was a calamity in the temple, they call a group of very capable astrologers and Ashta Mangalya Prasnam is carried out. Both the people as well as the Devaswoms strictly follow the recommendation of the astrologers.
The temples of Kerala are different and I might have missed many important points. You may find the write up about nearly 64 temples in Kerala by me and my friends in my web site
http://stotraratna.awardspace.com/sruthi.html
as well as in www.hindupedia.com under temples
I once again request all of you to contribute a write up about the temple of your village so that others outside Kerala would know about this diversity of spiritual approach of Hindus of Kerala.
P.R.Ramachander
By
P.R.Ramchander
The so called God’s own country at present is the ribbon like green stretch of land which stretches from Trivandrum to the small town of Kasargode. Legend says that Parasurama gave as gift all the land he conquered from kings , as per the instruction of Lord Rama. Then he found that he did not have any place to live. So he came to place called Gokarna on Western Ghats and threw his axe in to the sea. The land recovered by him from the sea is Kerala. The straight translation of the name is “Garden of coconuts” but some people believe that the name came from Cherala (the garden of Cheras-the first kings of Kerala).
People believe that when Parasurama started living there he could not find any Brahmins among them. So he brought Namboodiris (who are the real Kerala Brahmins), and also consecrated 108 Shiva temples, 108 Bhagawathi temples and 18 Ayyappa temples. The list of such temples as founded by Parasurama is available in few songs.
The first known rulers of Kerala were Cheras and the first known language was Tamil. The first inscriptions were written in archaic scripts called Kolezhuthu and Vettezhthu. One of the greatest among the Chera kings was Cheran Chenguttuvan. His brother Elango wrote a great Tamil book called Silappadikaram. Kannagi was the heroine of the book (She has many temples in Kerala). After the Cheras, Kerala split in to several small principalities constantly at war with each other, for more and more land.
Of course this is a very brief introduction about Kerala. The first temples of Kerala were called Kavu (places of security/protection). Most of them were temples under some forest tree with no buildings and no roof. Similar temples exist all throughout Tamil Nadu. There are a very high percentage of cases; the gods consecrated were Guardian deity of the village (In some cases a hero who defended the village) or Mariamma (the goddess of Pox) and Lord Ganesa. But some how in Kerala most of these Kavus housed the temple of Goddess Parvathi or Kali .Slowly these Kavus became small temples. Side by side large number of Temples mushroomed up for Lord Shiva, and Lord Vishnu and his Avatharas. Unlike Tamil Nadu, though it was a mountainous country, temples devoted to Lord Subrahmanya were extremely few. There are large number of temples for Lord Ayyappa who was a prince of a small princely state called Pandalam and he was considered as an incarnation of Dharma Sastha (The son of Lord Shiva and Vishnu) whose temples were popular in the Thirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
Unlike temples in Tamil Nadu, most of the temples were not granite structures nor were they gigantic .In fact brick and cut laterite stones were used in building these temples. They were very small. The sanctum sanctorum called the “Sree Kovil” was either square or round. Mostly the roofs were of copper sheets or unbaked clay tiles. They were of the shape of pyramid in case of square temples and cone in case of round temples. Some temples have Kalasam at the end of the roof. A very high majority of temples did not have entrance gopurams or Vimanams over the deity like Tamil Nadu. Such temples are also found in the coastal Karnataka districts. Our building experts are of the opinion that these structures closely resemble the Himalayan temples. The Sree kovil was surrounded by a Prakaram (an enclosed space, sometimes with a small corridor). Just outside the Sree Kovil was the Namaskara Mandapam, which was used by the learned Brahmin males for reciting slokas and Vedas. In most of the cases, there was only one outlet from this enclosed space. On the south western corner normally a kitchen was housed, some temples have sub temples in this first Prakaram itself. Inside the prakaram there are several Bali peedams which represent deities like the Nava Grahas. Out side this Prakaram, there normally is a Dwaja Sthambham (flag pole) and a big Bali peetam (stone for sacrifice), and big temples will have several small sub temples out side the Prakaram. Some temples have a Koothambalam, where religious dramas used to be enacted .The outside walls of the Prakaram are normally fitted with several lamps called Vilakku Madam. The structure with the prakaram and the Sree kovil is called Nalambalam in Kerala. Very few temples have any sculptures. Some temples do have murals and small sculptures carved in wood.
The temple idol is normally made either of stone or wood, though in a very few cases idols are made of Panch aloha also. Unlike Tamil Nadu temples, there is no Uthsava Vigrahams which are taken out of the temples during festivals. Instead of that a Thidambu is taken out. Chariots or floats etc are rarely seen in Kerala. In most of the Kerala temples only One God is there inside the sanctum. For example it is either a Krishna Temple, or Parvathi temple or a Shiva temple.
Abhishekams (anointment) are performed only to the stone or metal statue. In case of wooden statues, the preferred wood was jack tree wood. Abhishekam is not performed for such statues but the statue is coated with saffron mixed in oil, (Chandattam). This ensures a very long life for the wooden statues. The preferred form of worship in Kerala temples is based on Thanthra. The priests who do worship are either Namboodiris (Kerala Brahmins) OR Embranthiris (Kannada Brahmins belonging to coastal Karnataka. They are also called Pothis). Since the worship is centered round Thanthra, and is very much different from the Agama of Tamil Nadu. A thanthri if he comes out of the sanctum has to take bath if he is to re enter it. Tamil iyers are not recruited as priests in Kerala temples. Ofcourse Tamil Iyers have built their own temples in Agraharams where they worship and live. In such temples Tamil iyers are priests. Uthralikkavu near Wadakkancheri is the only Kerala temple where Tamil Iyer is a Thanthri.
Most of the temple were owned by kings or noble families. With the coming of democracy, most of them are under the management of autonomous organizations called Devaswams which are part of the government. Most of these temples had huge landed property but with the enactment of Land Reforms act, most of them became very poor. It is strange but true that only a very, very small percentage of temples are dilapidated or neglected. This is because every temple is visited by the local populance in the morning after bath. The local people consider it their temple and wherever they are, they make it a point to attend the festivals of the temple and contribute to its upkeep. This fact is little strange because the major politicians of Kerala are a party which professedly does not believe in God.
Unlike other states of India, while the worship in the sanctum is done by Namboodiris and Embrandiris, the management is done by a rich land lord assisted by few Hindu castes called Ambalavasis. (People who live in the temples). They are normally strict vegetarians and have different roles to play in the upkeep of a temple. For example, the poduval is in charge of management, The Warrier in charge of looking after the garden of the temple and providing garlands for worship in the temple, the kurukkal in charge of supply of milk to the temple, the Marar is in charge of playing instruments in the temple, the Poduval and Nambeesan in charge of singing in front of the deity and Chakyar in charge of propagating the ancient stories about the temple. Castes with such delineation of responsibilities in temple affairs are not found outside Kerala.
Apart from Agama differences based on the thanthra several aspects of the temple activities are very much different in Kerala. In most of the temples Sribali (Seeveli) is the customary taking out of the Lord round the temple. In poor temples this is done on the head of the priest but in rich temples, this is done on the top of the elephant. Chariots are almost not present in Kerala temples except in those managed by Tamil Brahmins. However the God is taken out of the temple on the top of the elephant to the nearest river. There the deity has the ritual bath (called Arattu in Malayalam). Apart from this, most of the temples have festivals called Poorams and Vela. Both these are festivals held in honour of the deity by the local people. The population is normally divided on the basis of the locality they live and each locality takes a pooram or Vela to the temple. There is virtual competition of each locality to excel other localities. Most of them have seeveli on the top of elephants accompanied by an instrumental group called Pancha Vadhyam. It is not to be noted that the long pipe like Nadaswaram of Tamil Nadu or the Shenai of the other parts are absent from Kerala. In many temples tin the night there is a huge festival of bursting the crackers is one of the rituals done to please the God. In most of the temples of the Goddess, An oracle called Velichappadu exist. During festivals they get occupied by the Goddess and tell prophecy to people.
Another strange practice in Kerala temples is that all males are allowed entry in to the temple only if they do not wear a shirt or a vest .Most of them enter bare chested but those who want are allowed to cover the upper part of the body by a towel. Women have to wear sari, Mundu or Pavadai (petticoat). They are not allowed in side the temple with Chudidhar or jeans. Most of the temples do not allow non Hindus and photography of the idol in the sanctum is strictly prohibited.
Apart from the regular Hindu Gods there are very strange temples in Kerala. For example, there is temple for Snakes, Para Brahmam , the individual brothers of Lord Rama. There is a temple near Kottayam where the Goddess is considered to have periods. In Kodungallor , people believe that the Goddess would only be pleased by singing of very vulgar sexually explicit songs during the Kodungallore Bharani (a major festival).
Yet another interesting aspect of Kerala temple is the Ashta Mangalya Prasnam. This is done whenever the people want to find out the opinion of the God. For example suppose the temple wants to find out whether a new idol can be consecrated or have one more elephant than the usual or want to find out why there was a calamity in the temple, they call a group of very capable astrologers and Ashta Mangalya Prasnam is carried out. Both the people as well as the Devaswoms strictly follow the recommendation of the astrologers.
The temples of Kerala are different and I might have missed many important points. You may find the write up about nearly 64 temples in Kerala by me and my friends in my web site
http://stotraratna.awardspace.com/sruthi.html
as well as in www.hindupedia.com under temples
I once again request all of you to contribute a write up about the temple of your village so that others outside Kerala would know about this diversity of spiritual approach of Hindus of Kerala.
P.R.Ramachander
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Murder seems to be different in different places
Murder seems to be different in different places
Ramesh Chander*
Gregory Fernandes, a Goan, was killed in Britain. He died after he was brutally attacked by a group of about 20 teenagers on October 20, 2007, while their ship was anchored at a British port. While Fernandes died, his shipmate Vinod Pitchilnaviram suffered a broken shoulder. The attack has been termed a racist attack by misguided British youth. Gregory was all of 32 years old. But have you heard of Gregory Fernandes and Vinod Pitchilnaviram? Maybe so…..Maybe not.. Maybe you may not know Gregory by name, and just might have read a passing headline in the Page 6 of an Indian newspaper about a racial attack on an Indian, and the recent criminal proceedings against his perpetrators. Do you know how Gregory looked like? Do you know his parents sufferings? Probably not.
Scarlett Keelling, a British teenager was murdered in Goa in Feb 2008. Have you heard about her? Have you seen her photos? Do you know about her lifestyle, life-history and her mother? The answer to these questions is probably a resounding “Yes!!” and you might even be ready to tell me a Scarlett trivia “But do you know that Scarlett……….”
While the Scarlett Keeling murder created a tsunami in Indian and World press, Gregory Fernandes killing hardly created a ripple. The entire World media went on an overdrive detailing every minor issue, every silly rumor about the Scarlett case. Indian media did not lag far behind, providing wall-to-wall coverage and Indian television channels followed their British counter-parts, providing around-the-clock coverage on Scarleet Keeling case. “Is Goa safe for tourists” screamed the headlines around the world and in India. Did any media in India or abroad raise the question “Is Britan safe for Goans/Indians?” after the Gregory killing. In-fact Floriano Fernandes, father of Gregory said “Even I’ve been in England but it wasn’t like this before. I felt very safe, but now it seems to be a very unsafe place, especially for Indians. How can somebody kill in such a manner?” But probably you wouldn’t have seen this statement by Greogry’s father, because it was hardly played or quoted in the Indian media. But every statement and every movement of Scarlett’s mother, Fiona MacKeown, made for a new headline, a new “Breaking News Story”.
Why the enormous difference in press coverage? It is not a case of “dog biting a man is not news, while man biting a dog is news”. Both a Briton getting killed in Goa and a Goan getting killed in Britain are equally rear/ equally frequent. I don’t buy the P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing) argument either. Most of us don’t even know how Gregory looked like… and I am sure for his family members, Gregory must have been equally beautiful. Perhaps the mystery surrounding Scarlett’s death and her colorful lifestyle might explain some of the differences. But the enormity of the differences can only be explained by the fact that the Indian and Western media thinks it is a far greater tragedy, when there is a death of a Westerner. This case reiterates the point I had made in my earlier article regarding the “value of life”…a Western life is valued more by the global and Indian media, then the life of an Indian.
The British media coverage of Scarlett is understandable, because they value the lives of each and every one of their citizens and a loss of any life of their citizens fills them with sorrow. Whereas Indian media’s coverage of the Scarlett issue and not covering an equally brutal killings of Indians is pathetic. I hope Indian media would emulate their Western counter-parts, not by copying each and every headline from abroad, but by cherishing the lives of Indian citizens. Maybe it is time for us to write to our newspapers and TV channels and tell them to stop showcasing each and every crime and alleged crime made by Indians against Westerners. Or if they want to publish these articles, they should also publish about the crimes and alleged crimes committed by Westerners against Indians.
The crime against Scarlett in Goa was heinous. But so was the crime against Gregory was equally nefarious. An Indian life is no inferior or superior than a Western one.
* Though I have seen this happening over the last seventy years , it is worth high lighting this incident, Raja
Ramesh Chander*
Gregory Fernandes, a Goan, was killed in Britain. He died after he was brutally attacked by a group of about 20 teenagers on October 20, 2007, while their ship was anchored at a British port. While Fernandes died, his shipmate Vinod Pitchilnaviram suffered a broken shoulder. The attack has been termed a racist attack by misguided British youth. Gregory was all of 32 years old. But have you heard of Gregory Fernandes and Vinod Pitchilnaviram? Maybe so…..Maybe not.. Maybe you may not know Gregory by name, and just might have read a passing headline in the Page 6 of an Indian newspaper about a racial attack on an Indian, and the recent criminal proceedings against his perpetrators. Do you know how Gregory looked like? Do you know his parents sufferings? Probably not.
Scarlett Keelling, a British teenager was murdered in Goa in Feb 2008. Have you heard about her? Have you seen her photos? Do you know about her lifestyle, life-history and her mother? The answer to these questions is probably a resounding “Yes!!” and you might even be ready to tell me a Scarlett trivia “But do you know that Scarlett……….”
While the Scarlett Keeling murder created a tsunami in Indian and World press, Gregory Fernandes killing hardly created a ripple. The entire World media went on an overdrive detailing every minor issue, every silly rumor about the Scarlett case. Indian media did not lag far behind, providing wall-to-wall coverage and Indian television channels followed their British counter-parts, providing around-the-clock coverage on Scarleet Keeling case. “Is Goa safe for tourists” screamed the headlines around the world and in India. Did any media in India or abroad raise the question “Is Britan safe for Goans/Indians?” after the Gregory killing. In-fact Floriano Fernandes, father of Gregory said “Even I’ve been in England but it wasn’t like this before. I felt very safe, but now it seems to be a very unsafe place, especially for Indians. How can somebody kill in such a manner?” But probably you wouldn’t have seen this statement by Greogry’s father, because it was hardly played or quoted in the Indian media. But every statement and every movement of Scarlett’s mother, Fiona MacKeown, made for a new headline, a new “Breaking News Story”.
Why the enormous difference in press coverage? It is not a case of “dog biting a man is not news, while man biting a dog is news”. Both a Briton getting killed in Goa and a Goan getting killed in Britain are equally rear/ equally frequent. I don’t buy the P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing) argument either. Most of us don’t even know how Gregory looked like… and I am sure for his family members, Gregory must have been equally beautiful. Perhaps the mystery surrounding Scarlett’s death and her colorful lifestyle might explain some of the differences. But the enormity of the differences can only be explained by the fact that the Indian and Western media thinks it is a far greater tragedy, when there is a death of a Westerner. This case reiterates the point I had made in my earlier article regarding the “value of life”…a Western life is valued more by the global and Indian media, then the life of an Indian.
The British media coverage of Scarlett is understandable, because they value the lives of each and every one of their citizens and a loss of any life of their citizens fills them with sorrow. Whereas Indian media’s coverage of the Scarlett issue and not covering an equally brutal killings of Indians is pathetic. I hope Indian media would emulate their Western counter-parts, not by copying each and every headline from abroad, but by cherishing the lives of Indian citizens. Maybe it is time for us to write to our newspapers and TV channels and tell them to stop showcasing each and every crime and alleged crime made by Indians against Westerners. Or if they want to publish these articles, they should also publish about the crimes and alleged crimes committed by Westerners against Indians.
The crime against Scarlett in Goa was heinous. But so was the crime against Gregory was equally nefarious. An Indian life is no inferior or superior than a Western one.
* Though I have seen this happening over the last seventy years , it is worth high lighting this incident, Raja
Anil Kapoor-the unnecessary circus
Anill Kapoor- the unnecessary circus!
Ramesh Chander*
When Slumdog Millionaire won the Golden Globe awards, the MEP (Most Excited Person) in the room was also the MUP (Most Useless Person) in the movie – Mr. Anil Kapoor. He was jumping around when the movie won the award for “Best ScreenPlay”, had the biggest smile when the movie won “Best Director” and was among the first to run to the stage when the movie won the “Best Motion Picture”. The behavior was repeated in the Oscars. Someone seeing only the award ceremonies, would have assumed that Anil Kapoor had co-directed the movie or at least was the main hero of the movie.
Was Mr Anil Kapoor’s mirth due to his “role” or “excellent acting” in the movie “Slumdog Millonaire”? I thought the slum kids were the real star actors of the movie. They acted their hearts out, were very natural and deserved every praise they got and more. (In my humble opinion they perhaps should have won an Oscar too. ) Mr. Anil Kapoor’s role in the movie was pretty much comparable to Amrish Puri’s role in “Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom” A villainous role that required no special acting skills and mainly involved mumbling “one-liners”. A role that would have been handled by a “guest actor” if this was a Yash Chopra movie.
Was the happiness due to his behind-the-scenes contributions? Did he direct the movie? Did he produce it? Was he write the story? Did he score the music? Did he edit the movie? Was he involved in casting of any other actors? Did he scout the locations? The answer to all these questions is a resounding NO!! His role….. just a small supporting actor. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Was the smile due to some thing that he did that bettered the country? Did he better the plight of the poor in India? No. Did he persuade the director to invest a significant amount of the 300 million dollar the movie earned for betterment of Indian slums. No. Did the movie bring about any revolution in India or move the youth? No. In-fact the Wall Street Jounrnal, the premiere business newspaper in America had an article recently about how “Slumdog Millionaire” was adversely effecting the rapidly developing “Health tourism” in India. More Americans and Europeans, who could have come to India for their health needs, are staying put with Thailand because of the image of India created by this movie. This is inspite of health costs in India being half that of Thailand and Indian doctors better qualified and better skilled than their Thai counter-parts. The very slum dwellers who perhaps could have got small jobs in the “Helath tourism” industry and lifted themselves out of the slums are being effected. Thanks you “Slumdog Millionaire”. Thank you Mr Anil Kapoor.
Now Mr. Kapoor is smiling again, bragging about his role in American serial “24”. For people who are not aware of this serial, it is an American serial where an attack against America (usually by Islamic terrorists) is thwarted by America in 24 hours. This serial had evoked loud protests by the Islamic community for its stereotypical portrayal of brown-skin, “Arab-looking”, Islamic terrorists. In-fact Sendhil Ramamurhty (an Indian- American star in the serial “Heros”) refused a role in “24” because it promotes “brown-skin terrorists” stereotype. Is Anil Kapoor the first Indian to act in American serial? No… Parminder Nagra, Sendhil Ramamurhty and Naveen Andrews play significant starring role in currently running American serials. Is he even the first Indian actor in “24”. No. A bunch of Indian actors have appeared in mainly terrorists role in the serial “24”, most notably Kal Penn (a.ka. Kalpen Modi)
Mr. Anil Kapoor, please stop wagging your tails in front of Westerners, begging for every miniscule praise and every insignificant role. You had a great acting career in Bollywood. Acting in petty and stereotypical roles in Hollywood, will neither increase your reputation nor of the country you supposedly love.
When Slumdog Millionaire won, Anil Kapoor rushed to the stage as if it was his personal achievement. Now a small role in an American serial has the actor smiling and bragging all over again. Did he really do anything significant to justify this?
* This is a blog contributed by my son. I am one who does not see much pictures but I happened to see the awards ceremony.
Ramesh Chander*
When Slumdog Millionaire won the Golden Globe awards, the MEP (Most Excited Person) in the room was also the MUP (Most Useless Person) in the movie – Mr. Anil Kapoor. He was jumping around when the movie won the award for “Best ScreenPlay”, had the biggest smile when the movie won “Best Director” and was among the first to run to the stage when the movie won the “Best Motion Picture”. The behavior was repeated in the Oscars. Someone seeing only the award ceremonies, would have assumed that Anil Kapoor had co-directed the movie or at least was the main hero of the movie.
Was Mr Anil Kapoor’s mirth due to his “role” or “excellent acting” in the movie “Slumdog Millonaire”? I thought the slum kids were the real star actors of the movie. They acted their hearts out, were very natural and deserved every praise they got and more. (In my humble opinion they perhaps should have won an Oscar too. ) Mr. Anil Kapoor’s role in the movie was pretty much comparable to Amrish Puri’s role in “Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom” A villainous role that required no special acting skills and mainly involved mumbling “one-liners”. A role that would have been handled by a “guest actor” if this was a Yash Chopra movie.
Was the happiness due to his behind-the-scenes contributions? Did he direct the movie? Did he produce it? Was he write the story? Did he score the music? Did he edit the movie? Was he involved in casting of any other actors? Did he scout the locations? The answer to all these questions is a resounding NO!! His role….. just a small supporting actor. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Was the smile due to some thing that he did that bettered the country? Did he better the plight of the poor in India? No. Did he persuade the director to invest a significant amount of the 300 million dollar the movie earned for betterment of Indian slums. No. Did the movie bring about any revolution in India or move the youth? No. In-fact the Wall Street Jounrnal, the premiere business newspaper in America had an article recently about how “Slumdog Millionaire” was adversely effecting the rapidly developing “Health tourism” in India. More Americans and Europeans, who could have come to India for their health needs, are staying put with Thailand because of the image of India created by this movie. This is inspite of health costs in India being half that of Thailand and Indian doctors better qualified and better skilled than their Thai counter-parts. The very slum dwellers who perhaps could have got small jobs in the “Helath tourism” industry and lifted themselves out of the slums are being effected. Thanks you “Slumdog Millionaire”. Thank you Mr Anil Kapoor.
Now Mr. Kapoor is smiling again, bragging about his role in American serial “24”. For people who are not aware of this serial, it is an American serial where an attack against America (usually by Islamic terrorists) is thwarted by America in 24 hours. This serial had evoked loud protests by the Islamic community for its stereotypical portrayal of brown-skin, “Arab-looking”, Islamic terrorists. In-fact Sendhil Ramamurhty (an Indian- American star in the serial “Heros”) refused a role in “24” because it promotes “brown-skin terrorists” stereotype. Is Anil Kapoor the first Indian to act in American serial? No… Parminder Nagra, Sendhil Ramamurhty and Naveen Andrews play significant starring role in currently running American serials. Is he even the first Indian actor in “24”. No. A bunch of Indian actors have appeared in mainly terrorists role in the serial “24”, most notably Kal Penn (a.ka. Kalpen Modi)
Mr. Anil Kapoor, please stop wagging your tails in front of Westerners, begging for every miniscule praise and every insignificant role. You had a great acting career in Bollywood. Acting in petty and stereotypical roles in Hollywood, will neither increase your reputation nor of the country you supposedly love.
When Slumdog Millionaire won, Anil Kapoor rushed to the stage as if it was his personal achievement. Now a small role in an American serial has the actor smiling and bragging all over again. Did he really do anything significant to justify this?
* This is a blog contributed by my son. I am one who does not see much pictures but I happened to see the awards ceremony.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
The feet of Rain by Thanjavur Kavi Rayar
The feet of Rain
By
Thanjavur Kavi Rayar
(Kalki 5-4-2009 )
Translated in to English
By
P.R.Ramachander
When the rain comes , suddenly with a song,,
You close all the windows of your home speedily,
And you start searching for Umbrellas
Throughout the house, in nooks and corners,
You rush here and there, if you are outside,
For a place where rain’s drizzles will not reach.
Would you do this , if your loving,
Uncles, aunts and cousins come from far off?
Would you not drench yourselves,
In the rain of their love again and again?
Rain is the symbol of the pardon,
Of God for the sins of men
People need not apply rain water and mud,
And dance in the streets , when it rains,
But please understand that the rain drop is not a ghost,
But is the feet of rain.
Hold it on your head like all the plants and trees do ,
And do not forget to get the blessings,
Of the gorgeous and godly feet of rain.
By
Thanjavur Kavi Rayar
(Kalki 5-4-2009 )
Translated in to English
By
P.R.Ramachander
When the rain comes , suddenly with a song,,
You close all the windows of your home speedily,
And you start searching for Umbrellas
Throughout the house, in nooks and corners,
You rush here and there, if you are outside,
For a place where rain’s drizzles will not reach.
Would you do this , if your loving,
Uncles, aunts and cousins come from far off?
Would you not drench yourselves,
In the rain of their love again and again?
Rain is the symbol of the pardon,
Of God for the sins of men
People need not apply rain water and mud,
And dance in the streets , when it rains,
But please understand that the rain drop is not a ghost,
But is the feet of rain.
Hold it on your head like all the plants and trees do ,
And do not forget to get the blessings,
Of the gorgeous and godly feet of rain.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
I need the Pied Piper of Hamelin
I need the Pied Piper of Hamelin
By
P.R.Ramachander
I am in search of that Pied piper of Hamelin,
So that he can play his pipe in my country,
And take away to the far , flung oceans,
The politician rats who are bleeding all of us,
So that they become immensely rich,
The merchant rats who by hoarding,
All that we need and make us shed tears of misery,
The government servant rats who to become rich,
Ask and get bribes even for them to smile,
The parent rats who beget pretty kids,
But leave them with an ayah so that they fulfill their dreams,
The husband rats who drink and make merry,
With the hard earned money, only to beat their wives.
The in law rats and other husband rats,
Who drive innocent girls to death , because of avarice for money,
The way side Johnny rats , who think that they are in love,
With every pretty jane that pass through their eyes,
The villain bull rats , who think it as their right,
To rape every woman who is vulnerable,
And the terrorist rats who kill in the name of religion,
But I am not sure , once he puts them all in the sea,
Whether the ocean will become so full,
That all its waters come to the shore.?
By
P.R.Ramachander
I am in search of that Pied piper of Hamelin,
So that he can play his pipe in my country,
And take away to the far , flung oceans,
The politician rats who are bleeding all of us,
So that they become immensely rich,
The merchant rats who by hoarding,
All that we need and make us shed tears of misery,
The government servant rats who to become rich,
Ask and get bribes even for them to smile,
The parent rats who beget pretty kids,
But leave them with an ayah so that they fulfill their dreams,
The husband rats who drink and make merry,
With the hard earned money, only to beat their wives.
The in law rats and other husband rats,
Who drive innocent girls to death , because of avarice for money,
The way side Johnny rats , who think that they are in love,
With every pretty jane that pass through their eyes,
The villain bull rats , who think it as their right,
To rape every woman who is vulnerable,
And the terrorist rats who kill in the name of religion,
But I am not sure , once he puts them all in the sea,
Whether the ocean will become so full,
That all its waters come to the shore.?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The butterfly park -A poem by Maithree
The butterfly park
By
Maithree Venkatesan
(This poet is only eight years old and is my grand daughter: Raja Thatha)
I once went to a butterfly park,
And was greeted by dogs, ready to bark,
With many pretty little butterflies,
Flittering around the sky.
Two little butterflies came and sat on me,
I laughed and smiled, shining with glee.
We watched a film, which told us about butterflies,
In which I learnt how butterflies fly.
Finally it was time to go,
The butterflies said “Hi” though!
I said ‘bye” and turned around the bend,
My little trip came to an end.
By
Maithree Venkatesan
(This poet is only eight years old and is my grand daughter: Raja Thatha)
I once went to a butterfly park,
And was greeted by dogs, ready to bark,
With many pretty little butterflies,
Flittering around the sky.
Two little butterflies came and sat on me,
I laughed and smiled, shining with glee.
We watched a film, which told us about butterflies,
In which I learnt how butterflies fly.
Finally it was time to go,
The butterflies said “Hi” though!
I said ‘bye” and turned around the bend,
My little trip came to an end.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
In search of an Indian Obama?
In search of an Indian Obama?
Rameshchander
After Obama won the US presidential elections, a lot of articles heralded Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati as an Indian Obama. Obama and Mayawati have lot of things to be compared on. Let's take a dispassionate look at these
Why Mayawati is like Obama?
The obvious: Obama and Mayawati are from a historically oppressed class in their respective countries.
Well-educated: Though she may not appear so, Mayawati is pretty well educated, with multiple BAs in education and law. Obama of course is a Harvard school graduate.
Oratory skills: Obama has enormous skills to move his audiences with speeches. Mayawati, too, elicits enormous response for her speech, especially among the downtrodden.
Good press: The press in both the India and America have large leftist leanings (or at least have been widely accused to have such leanings). Many people in the press feel that by elevating Obama or Mayawati, the country is setting right, decades of wrong. This has resulted in these two candidates getting enormous amount of good coverage in the press. The press largely ignores the questionable associations and corruption charges against these candidates – like Obama’s associations with Chicago underworld and Mayawati’s many corruption charges
Policies: Both Obama’s and Mayawati’s policies fall broadly in the left of the political spectrum. Both have promised or inspired hope among the lowest rung of the society, that their life will get better by electing them as leaders. Both speak for more equitable wealth distributions.
Why Mayawati is not like Obama?
Broad appeal: Obama’s first electoral victory was in Iowa, which is among the 'Whitest' of all the American states, in terms of populace. It would be an equivalent of Mayawati winning in Mylapore or some such constituency dominated by upper class. In the election, Obama won votes not only among Blacks but substantial votes among Whites, Latinos, Asians and every possible ethnic group. His message appeals to all groups both within the country and outside the country. Mayawati still gets her votes mainly from Dalits and a few other groups and mostly in a few Northern states.
Uniting people: Though much has been made of Mayawati’s coalition of Dalits and Brahmins, what she is doing is basically dividing the Indian populace, by pitting a group of people against another. Obama never tried forming a coalition of Blacks and Whites against Latinos or such similar groups.
Polish: Obama gives a more polished appearance and speech. Mayawati is more rustic in appearance and appeal. In fact, in this regard, Mayawati’s more apt comparison will be with Sarah Palin, rather than Obama.
International exposure and knowledge: Obama has wide international exposure by means of his origin, the place he grew up, the friends he had. He has enormous knowledge about world matters, thanks to his curiosity and education. Mayawati seems to be lacking in this department, unless there is a side of her, which we haven’t seen.
Debatable points:
Intelligence: Does Mayawati have as much intelligence as the Harvard educated Obama?
Love for the country: Mayawati loves the downtrodden and people of certain castes, but does she love the entire India as much as Obama loves America?
Corruption: Though Obama has some questionable associations, he has never been accused of corruption (like the Taj corridor case of Mayawati). Of course, generally Indian politicians are more corrupt than their American counterparts. So not sure if you can hold this against Mayawati.
Overall I feel that though there are similarities between Mayawati and Obama, looking beneath the surface there are also vast differences.
Rameshchander
After Obama won the US presidential elections, a lot of articles heralded Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati as an Indian Obama. Obama and Mayawati have lot of things to be compared on. Let's take a dispassionate look at these
Why Mayawati is like Obama?
The obvious: Obama and Mayawati are from a historically oppressed class in their respective countries.
Well-educated: Though she may not appear so, Mayawati is pretty well educated, with multiple BAs in education and law. Obama of course is a Harvard school graduate.
Oratory skills: Obama has enormous skills to move his audiences with speeches. Mayawati, too, elicits enormous response for her speech, especially among the downtrodden.
Good press: The press in both the India and America have large leftist leanings (or at least have been widely accused to have such leanings). Many people in the press feel that by elevating Obama or Mayawati, the country is setting right, decades of wrong. This has resulted in these two candidates getting enormous amount of good coverage in the press. The press largely ignores the questionable associations and corruption charges against these candidates – like Obama’s associations with Chicago underworld and Mayawati’s many corruption charges
Policies: Both Obama’s and Mayawati’s policies fall broadly in the left of the political spectrum. Both have promised or inspired hope among the lowest rung of the society, that their life will get better by electing them as leaders. Both speak for more equitable wealth distributions.
Why Mayawati is not like Obama?
Broad appeal: Obama’s first electoral victory was in Iowa, which is among the 'Whitest' of all the American states, in terms of populace. It would be an equivalent of Mayawati winning in Mylapore or some such constituency dominated by upper class. In the election, Obama won votes not only among Blacks but substantial votes among Whites, Latinos, Asians and every possible ethnic group. His message appeals to all groups both within the country and outside the country. Mayawati still gets her votes mainly from Dalits and a few other groups and mostly in a few Northern states.
Uniting people: Though much has been made of Mayawati’s coalition of Dalits and Brahmins, what she is doing is basically dividing the Indian populace, by pitting a group of people against another. Obama never tried forming a coalition of Blacks and Whites against Latinos or such similar groups.
Polish: Obama gives a more polished appearance and speech. Mayawati is more rustic in appearance and appeal. In fact, in this regard, Mayawati’s more apt comparison will be with Sarah Palin, rather than Obama.
International exposure and knowledge: Obama has wide international exposure by means of his origin, the place he grew up, the friends he had. He has enormous knowledge about world matters, thanks to his curiosity and education. Mayawati seems to be lacking in this department, unless there is a side of her, which we haven’t seen.
Debatable points:
Intelligence: Does Mayawati have as much intelligence as the Harvard educated Obama?
Love for the country: Mayawati loves the downtrodden and people of certain castes, but does she love the entire India as much as Obama loves America?
Corruption: Though Obama has some questionable associations, he has never been accused of corruption (like the Taj corridor case of Mayawati). Of course, generally Indian politicians are more corrupt than their American counterparts. So not sure if you can hold this against Mayawati.
Overall I feel that though there are similarities between Mayawati and Obama, looking beneath the surface there are also vast differences.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Slumdog: There's more to India than just poverty
Slumdog: There's more to India than just poverty
By
Ramesh Chander
’SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE’ won four Golden Globes and is on the way to the Oscars. Great. The underdog with an Indian connection has won. I am one of the biggest fans of Rahman and have heard his music for the film. Then I saw the movie. ‘Slumdog’, is no underdog.
Isn’t India poor?
India is a vast and diverse country and is a statistician’s dream. Figures can be twisted anyway. But the fact is that while the poverty rate in India was 40 per cent five years back, it was 60 per cent 25 years back. A 20 per cent jump translates to approximately 200 million people breaking out of poverty line. India has a 300 million strong middle class. While it is a fact that there is still unacceptable poverty in India a clear majority in India are not extremely poor as portrayed in the movie. Still showing extreme poverty is fine. But showing Indians as bloodthirsty, child-beating, eye-plucking people is outrageous.
Aren’t Indian slums are a living hell. Danny Boyle in his interview to an Indian publication has admitted that the slums in India are teaming with industries and entrepreneurs. But in the movie the only ’industry’ he has portrayed in the slums is begging, prostitution and shooting.
When a dollar isn’t a dollar
The most commonly quoted figure to paint India as an impoverished nation is quoting Indian salary in US dollars by using the exchange rate conversion. But a dollar-a-day isn’t really dollar-a-day in India; it is Rs 50-a-day. For many in US one dollar translates into one rupee. A doctor’s visit would be Rs 100 in Indian currency and at least $ 100 in America. Public transport, though very crowded and inefficient, works and a typical daily commute to and from work would be Rs 10 in India and $10 in America. Basic food items are highly subsidised for the poor people through a vast government network. Electricity is free in rural areas. Even the World Bank recognises the fallacies of using the exchange rate and has abandoned this in favour of Purchasing-Power-Parity. It is a pity that lot of publications, know about this and still use the raw exchange rate figures to make their point on poverty in India.
It is just a movie
“Just a movie” can change public perceptions. Even an over-the-top movie like ‘Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom’ was disastrous for changing the views of India for a generation of people. Kal Penn, the Indian American actor, said that after seeing the Indiana Jones movie, his American friends used to avoid him, thinking he eats monkey’s brains. The ‘Slumdog’ movie has been perceived as ‘real’ by the American and world media. Imagine the amount of profiling and impact this movie would have, especially on the lives of children of Indians abroad, who can’t defend themselves.
Do you remember the movie ‘Borat’. When it was released the Kazakistan Government immediately took out a full page ad in ‘New York Times’ talking about the good things that exist in their country. And that movie was just a comedy, which made more fun of Americans than Kazakistan. Why did they do that? Because they realised that it would be the first impression of their country for millions of people and wanted to set it right. From my experience an average American knows as much about India as we know about Kazakistan. Why do perceptions matter? They matter for the sake of our children, who should not hate India and for the sake of foreign investment. The poverty in India is decreasing because people are intelligent and also because of the foreign investment. However much you might lament about inequality of wealth in India, the fact is that in no democratic country in the world have so many people come out of poverty so soon. Of course, every person going hungry is a disgrace and in India there are still millions and millions of them.
One way to help such a huge number of people is by turning India into a communist country but communism has failed miserably or by trickle-down economics. The trickle-down economics has worked wonders in the last decade, despite all its imperfections. The last thing you want is something going wrong in top of the trickle-down economics. I have read lot of Americans saying that they don’t want to visit India after seeing the disgusting scenes.
Is that the way to help poor people?
Isn’t the author of this movie an Indian?
Indians have a long history of degrading themselves in literature and in media. Maybe because some are ‘ultra-liberal’, maybe it is due to age-old perceptions, maybe some feel that they have to dance to the tune of their ‘Western-masters’. But the fact is that many Indians in media and literature perceive (rightly or wrongly is debatable) that their work will be published/seen/recognised only if they write something degrading about India and Indians. I hope that American people can see India for its glorious diversities and not a one-dimensional hell as portrayed in the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. I hope that the Oscar committee would see this movie as a con job to satisfy the Western thirst of superiority and not as ‘rags-to-riches’ story or ‘real’ portrayal of India.
By
Ramesh Chander
’SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE’ won four Golden Globes and is on the way to the Oscars. Great. The underdog with an Indian connection has won. I am one of the biggest fans of Rahman and have heard his music for the film. Then I saw the movie. ‘Slumdog’, is no underdog.
Isn’t India poor?
India is a vast and diverse country and is a statistician’s dream. Figures can be twisted anyway. But the fact is that while the poverty rate in India was 40 per cent five years back, it was 60 per cent 25 years back. A 20 per cent jump translates to approximately 200 million people breaking out of poverty line. India has a 300 million strong middle class. While it is a fact that there is still unacceptable poverty in India a clear majority in India are not extremely poor as portrayed in the movie. Still showing extreme poverty is fine. But showing Indians as bloodthirsty, child-beating, eye-plucking people is outrageous.
Aren’t Indian slums are a living hell. Danny Boyle in his interview to an Indian publication has admitted that the slums in India are teaming with industries and entrepreneurs. But in the movie the only ’industry’ he has portrayed in the slums is begging, prostitution and shooting.
When a dollar isn’t a dollar
The most commonly quoted figure to paint India as an impoverished nation is quoting Indian salary in US dollars by using the exchange rate conversion. But a dollar-a-day isn’t really dollar-a-day in India; it is Rs 50-a-day. For many in US one dollar translates into one rupee. A doctor’s visit would be Rs 100 in Indian currency and at least $ 100 in America. Public transport, though very crowded and inefficient, works and a typical daily commute to and from work would be Rs 10 in India and $10 in America. Basic food items are highly subsidised for the poor people through a vast government network. Electricity is free in rural areas. Even the World Bank recognises the fallacies of using the exchange rate and has abandoned this in favour of Purchasing-Power-Parity. It is a pity that lot of publications, know about this and still use the raw exchange rate figures to make their point on poverty in India.
It is just a movie
“Just a movie” can change public perceptions. Even an over-the-top movie like ‘Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom’ was disastrous for changing the views of India for a generation of people. Kal Penn, the Indian American actor, said that after seeing the Indiana Jones movie, his American friends used to avoid him, thinking he eats monkey’s brains. The ‘Slumdog’ movie has been perceived as ‘real’ by the American and world media. Imagine the amount of profiling and impact this movie would have, especially on the lives of children of Indians abroad, who can’t defend themselves.
Do you remember the movie ‘Borat’. When it was released the Kazakistan Government immediately took out a full page ad in ‘New York Times’ talking about the good things that exist in their country. And that movie was just a comedy, which made more fun of Americans than Kazakistan. Why did they do that? Because they realised that it would be the first impression of their country for millions of people and wanted to set it right. From my experience an average American knows as much about India as we know about Kazakistan. Why do perceptions matter? They matter for the sake of our children, who should not hate India and for the sake of foreign investment. The poverty in India is decreasing because people are intelligent and also because of the foreign investment. However much you might lament about inequality of wealth in India, the fact is that in no democratic country in the world have so many people come out of poverty so soon. Of course, every person going hungry is a disgrace and in India there are still millions and millions of them.
One way to help such a huge number of people is by turning India into a communist country but communism has failed miserably or by trickle-down economics. The trickle-down economics has worked wonders in the last decade, despite all its imperfections. The last thing you want is something going wrong in top of the trickle-down economics. I have read lot of Americans saying that they don’t want to visit India after seeing the disgusting scenes.
Is that the way to help poor people?
Isn’t the author of this movie an Indian?
Indians have a long history of degrading themselves in literature and in media. Maybe because some are ‘ultra-liberal’, maybe it is due to age-old perceptions, maybe some feel that they have to dance to the tune of their ‘Western-masters’. But the fact is that many Indians in media and literature perceive (rightly or wrongly is debatable) that their work will be published/seen/recognised only if they write something degrading about India and Indians. I hope that American people can see India for its glorious diversities and not a one-dimensional hell as portrayed in the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. I hope that the Oscar committee would see this movie as a con job to satisfy the Western thirst of superiority and not as ‘rags-to-riches’ story or ‘real’ portrayal of India.
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