07 Annaprasan 9-10-2013

NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN BdeL flqa cfZ
Book 7
ANNAPRASAN i Afne
EhlLjh hev ja a
Purohit (priests)
Kanai L. Mukherjee
Bibhas Bandyopadhyay
General Editor
Aloka Chakravarty
Arunkanti
Banerjee
Publisher
Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants Nashville, TN 37205
First Edition, 2012 i
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)
Our Publications
Book Book Book Book Book Book 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: Saraswati Puja Lakshmi Puja Durga Puja Kali Puja Satyanarayana Broto (Katha) Hindu Marriage
Book
7: Annaprasan
Book 8: Sacred Thread Book 9: Grihaprabesh Book 10: Farewell to the soul
Publishers
Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants, USA Home Page: agiivideo.com October 4, 2013 (jqmu, Bne 17,1420)
ii
Book 7
ANNAPRASAN i Afne
EhlLjh hev jaj ajav zz

Purohit (priests)
Kanai L. Mukherjee
Bibhas Bandyopadhyay
General Editor
Aloka Chakravarty
Arunkanti
Banerjee
Publishers
Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants, USA
First Edition
iii
Reviewer
Bibha Mukherjee
Technical Assistants
Amitabha Chakrabarti, Shuvajit Das
Global Communication
Dilip Som Amitabh Chakravarthy
ILLUSTRATOR
Monidipa Basu
Global Communication
Dilip Som Amitabh Chakravarthy
iv
dedication
This book is dedicated to The Children of Bengali Immigrants The proud bearers of Indian heritage
vi
VOICE OF NEW GENERATION

As a child of Indian immigrants growing up in the United States, I had never considered myself to be particularly religious. I identified myself as a Hindu by default simply because of my family ties. However, I never felt comfortable expressing this openly to my friends and classmates. As one of very few non-white, non-Christian students in my school, my main goal was simply to fit in and feel as if I were the same as everyone else. While my father taught me some simple prayers to recite each morning and evening, I shied away from performing this ritual when classmates visited my home for dinner I did not want them to see me as different, and so I would try to hide this part of myself. The experience simply made me uneasy. Despite the fact that my late father was a Maharashtrian Brahmin a community known for its deep faith in the Hindu religion and my mother the daughter of a Bengali priest, my family never forced Hinduism on me in any great way. At most, I enjoyed the comics of Indian folk stories, as well as the videos produced by my grandfather that brought these stories to life. However, these stories served mainly as entertainment for me and I did not seek any deeper meaning. Indeed, while my family would attend temple functions and pujas, I was never sent to Sunday School nor forced to learn Indian languages. In fact, I did not receive the so-called Sacred Thread in the Upanayan ceremony at the age most Brahmin boys do. And so I proceeded through life without giving it much thought. While I would now celebrate the opportunity to expose others to my culture, at the time I had no such desire. However, when I was in ninth grade, my father was suddenly and unexpectedly diagnosed with malignant lung cancer. Over time, we learned he was beyond any medical treatment. Perhaps feeling a sense of spiritual duty before his passing, he made it priority only weeks before his death to arrange and perform the sacred thread ceremony for my brother and myself. He approached my grandfather, the author of this book, to assist with this process. Thus my brother and I received
vii
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) our sacred threads in a small, rushed ceremony. My father died only weeks later. While I was then officially inducted into the Brahmin fold, I still did not feel any specific change or desire to learn more about what had just happened. If anything, I was simply angry at everything that had happened; the seemingly unfair nature of my fathers passing. I still did not wear my sacred thread, for fear of seeming different from those around me. I continued to live as a typical suburban American child among my friends this was my culture. However, as I grew older and reflected on my past, I became increasingly curious about the purpose of that ceremony, and why my father had wanted it done so badly even though he had never pushed for it during the traditionally practiced time of adolescence. I hoped to find peace with the difficult events that transpired a way to come to terms with the past. At the same time, I grew increasingly interested in the religious practice of my grandfather whom so many people in the community respected. And perhaps most importantly, I began to ask him questions many, many questions. Spending long rides in the car with both of my grandparents, I would continually inquire about their past. These incredible individuals led multifaceted lives as both academics and as religious leaders in their community. Through these conversations, my thirst to learn more about my culture heightened exponentially. Once in college, I took a class on Indian mythology, but that still did not satisfy my desire to learn more about cultural practices, and more importantly the reasons for their existence and the origins of the ideas. I discovered a deep-seated desire to connect the philosophical underpinnings of Hinduism with the practiced rituals. Over time, I realized that when I was young I could not develop an interest in the practices because I did not understand their significance. With the benefit of some small degree of emotional, intellectual, and spiritual maturity, I then found myself to be quite fascinated with the philosophy and associated ceremonies. While I still take part in an academic and professional community where religion is a personal choice, I am now proud to share with my friends and colleagues the cultural background I possess and explain the
viii
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) underpinnings as much as I am able. Unfortunately, my own knowledge is limited, as are the resources available on the Internet and so my inquisitions of my grandfather continue. Every chance an opportunity presents itself; I spend time with him to learn as much as I can about my past, my culture, and where I come from. Sadly, I realize these opportunities will not last forever. For that reason I am grateful for his incredible commitment to produce this work. Never before has such a tremendous volume been constructed to explore the most important rituals in Hindu (or at least Bengali) culture. The line-by-line explanations, as well as the additional historical and philosophical context, offer an incredibly rich analysis of the ceremonies. I look forward with great anticipation to reading his entire works in particular that on the Upanayan, which planted the original seed of curiosity and I hope that you too will share in my admiration of my grandfather for this great feat.
September 12, 2012
Ashoke Khanwalkar
Proud Grandson of the Author
ix
PREFACE
A series of ten books are compiled for Bengali immigrants with the goal of explaining the history, significance, and meaning of the mantras used in common Hindu puja rituals. A book like this is desperately needed as both the language used in the rituals, Sanskrit, and the script in which the rituals are transcribed, Bengali, are often foreign to immigrants and their children. Unlike Hindu children growing up in India, children of Hindu origin growing up in the West are constantly challenged by their neighbors, peers, friends, and teachers to explain the basis of Hindu faith and belief. This problem I never faced when I was growing up in India in the 1920s. Hindu rituals had always been a part of life, no questions asked. Thus, I strongly feel I should share my thoughts with my beloved grandchildren who are growing up outside India, and more widely with all Bengali immigrants facing these challenges. Priesthood was our family trade. I learned all the rituals from my father, and started to perform puja rituals soon after receiving my sacred thread (Upanayan) at the age of twelve. But, like many other professional priests, I had no knowledge of Sanskrit, the language of Hindu puja rituals. We were trained to hear and remember (sruti and smriti) and stay away from explaining. In addition, my childhood days were spent under British rule when Sanskrit scholars remained obscure and learning Sanskrit was not considered progressive. So I studied science and technology for a better future. Yet, the spirit of my ancestors never left me, and I would perform pujas upon request from time to time. The community was satisfied to simply watch the Hindu rituals with devotion. However, Hindus of the twenty-first century are not satisfied with this. They demand explanations of the rituals they inherited. My grandchildren are among them, and they regularly asked both me and my late wife, Dr. Bibha Mukherjee, about the details of Vedic traditions. Rather than just mindlessly performing rituals, they want to understand the underlying meaning of their actions. I was overwhelmed by their enthusiasm. This book is the outcome of that call.
xi
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Spirituality has many facets that accept the natural diversity of the human mind. Now I am eighty-seven years old. I am not worried whether my grandchildren are believers, nonbelievers, agnostics, or atheists. But I feel immensely satisfied telling them my own story of how I came to depend on my Invisible Caretaker who was always beside me when I needed Him. I am thankful to the world community of open-minded spiritual seekers, Hindus and non-Hindus, who promoted this humble endeavor of mutual understanding. I have no words to express my gratitude for my coauthors and reviewers whose constant support made it possible to turn my dream into reality. In my advanced age and poor state of health, I could not correct the mistakes that I see in the final product. I am sure these will be fixed eventually by future generations. My soul will rest in peace if I see that this book enlightens the mind, promotes respect and brings solace to those who seek divine blessing. October 4, 2013 (jqmu, Bne 17,1420) Kanai L. Mukherjee The chief priest
xii
CONTENTS
Preliminaries Our publications, 2 Reviewers, iv Dedication, v Voice of new generation, vii Preface, xi Content, xi Part 1 Introduciton Vedic rituals, 1 Annaprasan , 2 Puja lay out, 4 Part 2 Ancestral worship: Basic Puja rituals, 7 Invocation prayers, 7 Gayatri prayer, 10 Gurupuja, 14 Worship of Saligram sheela, 17 Offering to sun god, 22 Part 3 Ancestral worship: For Annaprasan, 25 Resolution, 25 Seeking divine sanction, 26 Sanctification, 28 Welcome offer, 29 Offerings and removal of evil spirit, 30-31 Security knot, 32 Invocation of five basic Gods, 33 Reverence to nine planets, 41 Reverence to the Guardians of ten directions, 42 Offerings of ten incarnations of Vishnu, 43 Reverence to our divine backdrop, 43 Invocation of ancestral worship, 45 Offerings to Shaligram Sheela (Vishnu), 46 Worship of Shashthi and Markandeya, 55
xiii
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Reverence to sixteen facets of Mother Goddess, 58 Prayer for the holy river Ganges, 61 Pituli puja, 61 House worship, 63 Basudhara, 65 Hymn for long life of child, 68 Ceremonial good wish for life (Adhivas), 69 Resolution, 69 Blessing, 70 Tying of sacred thread, 74 Worship of ancestors, 75 Offerings to Kush Brahman (link to ancestors), 75 Bhojyadan, 82 Offering of cooked rice (pinda), 85 Hymn of continuity, 88 Prayers to ancestors, 90 Immersion of kush-brahman and pindas, Part 4 Havan for Annaprasan, 93 Benedictory prayers, 108 Ash marking, 114 Peace chant, 117 Part 5 Auspicious Annaprasan Turmeric bath, 112 Child feeding, 122 The pick of fortune, 126 Part 6 Addendum, 127 Team of editors, 135 New age grandparents, 138
xiv
Part 1
INTRODUCTION
VEDIC RITUALS Bibha Mukherjee The word ritual comes from the Latin ritus, meaning a custom which means worship reduced to a routine or habit. The process so systemizes the religious worship that religion becomes an abiding feature for the social life of the people almost, a social institution. Ritual and prayer are the two expressions in act and Bibha Mukherjee (1926-2007) word of mans sense of dependence on Pioneer of this project divine or supernatural powers and represent the practical aspect of religion, as distinguished from the theoretical one consisting of the body of beliefs held by men regarding these powers. Mans unceasing effort to win happiness and to keep off trouble takes the two forms - religion (philosophy) and magic (ritual), which are not always kept apart. The aim of the religious side of the Vedic ritual is to enlist the goodwill of divine powers by prayer and self sacrifice, so that they may fulfill the wish of the worshipper. The approach here is a reverential and propitiatory one. The magical side of the Vedic ritual is coercive; its aim is to mould the course of events on the basis of an assumed causal connection between the means (magic) employed and the effect to be produced. In the following series of articles we will try to elaborate five Vedic rituals, which are currently followed by the Indian immigrants, and part of the broader title Dashakarma. These rituals celebrate life in its entirety, from birth until settling down in a new house. Death does not come in this list and will be dealt separately.
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) The origin of these Vedic rituals are from the time of Rigveda, perhaps around 1500 B.C. As interpretation of Vedas turned towards the philosophizing aspect of religion through Aranyakas and Upanishads, so did the rituals, the magical aspect of the religion. For a householder, ritual seems to be befitting while hermits, ascetics and monks principally favor the esoteric way of knowledge or pure philosophy, pursued in an atmosphere of secrecy and seclusion, in virtual opposition to the exoteric way of ritual. In this review of Vedic ritual the former will be passed over. Hinduism celebrates the natural cycle of life from pregnancy to house building. Death does not come in this list of happy celebrations. This circumscribes ten different ceremonies called, Dashakarma.
Conception punsaban Shower or prebirth sadh Birth jatakarma Naming namakaran; First rice feeding annaprasan; First shaving churakaran Sacred thread or spiritual education upanayana Home coming after education pratyabartan Marriage bibaha House building (vastupuja).
ANNAPRASAN Annaprasan is one of the most important religious ceremonies in the life of a Hindu, part of the Dashakarma. Anna means rice or food and prasan means eating. Annaprasan is the first eating of the rice for the infant. It is usually held when the child is between six and nine months old, coinciding with teething. Annaprasan for girls is held in the odd months (seven or nine) where as for boys it is celebrated during the even months (six or eight). This may not always be strictly followed.
Part 1: Introduction There are four parts to the Annaprasan celebration: Ancestral worship or Bridhi Shradha (also called Nandi Mukh): This comprises of Worshipping the earth god (Basudhara). In this step seven dots are made on the wall from which melted butter (ghee) is poured down. This signifies overflowing with Gods precious gifts for the sustenance of life. Remembering the ancestors and seeking their blessings. Offering of rice pudding payas and turmeric paste. Ceremonal bath to the infant (Gayehalud): The infant gets a special bath for the occasion. She is first welcomed to a new life (from bottle to rice eating) through baran. Baran involves 3-5 women, led by the mother, giving the child a special offering with a plate containing symbolic things, like fire, cereal etc. Baran is followed by smearing of the turmeric paste on the child and then the great bath. Fire Worship (Kushandika): Fire is sanctified, and ghee is offered after the benediction. Fire is considered as a symbol of God, which made the most powerful impact in shaping human civilization. Offerigs are made with flower, ghee and incense. Part of the rice pudding is offered to the fire. Ceremonial feeding of rice pudding or payas (Annaprasan): This is the climax of the entire event. The baby is decorated with nice clothes, sandalwood paste on the forehead and wearing a head-dress (topor). She is given a special welcome through baran. Then she sits on the lap of her maternal uncle or grandfather and eats various solid food, including the sanctified payas as the dessert. After the eating ceremony the basbys face is washed. The plate of food is removed and a plate containing various things placed before the infant a sacred book (Gita), a pen, money, jewel, paddy, and earth. Folklore holds that what the baby touches first will predict his/her innermost interest money (business), household (jewel), knowledge (pen), religion (Gita), and 3
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) soil (farming). The grand finale is the blessing of the child; first by the priest, then by the mother. This is followed by others, sequenced from the eldest one. Puja Lay out Before starting the puja arrange the puja materials in the puja place. Following diagram may help. Searching for the materials when the priest calls for it interrupts the smooth flow of the puja process. In this distraction, the purpose of the puja gets lost. Hence, go over the entire script and check whether all materials will be available when called for. (Note: This elaborate list is modified according to ability. Your thought is more important that your materials. If nothing else, do the puja with a glass of water and imagine the rest of the offerings.)
Deity on display
8 9 11 A 4 19 12 7 13 20 15 18 5 6 14 21 3
10 2
16
17
1. Durga and her family on the dais (an image of Shiva should be displayed on the backdrop). 2. Offerings on display 3. Offerings on display 4. Seat for Tantradharak (assistant to priest or devotee) 5. Priests asan (seat)- a small patterned rug 6. Havan arrangement 4
Part 1: Introduction 7. Holy pitcher or Ghat: a pitcher filled with water placed on a bit of soil that symbolizes elements of life. Five types of grains (rice, wheat, barley, mashkalai or black lentils, black sesame) are scattered on the top of the earth (panchsashya). If five grains are not available, use rice. Five colored powders are sprinkled over the earth (yantra or pattern is recommended). Vermilion powder is mixed with a little oil to create a paste that is used to create the design on the potthe swastika (14) or Vastupurush (King of Earth, 15). Five leaves of fruit bearing tree (mango recommended) are inserted around the neck of the pot, and a fruit (usually a coconut) is placed on the opening of the pot (see picture on page 00). Put a garland over the pitcher. Use four sticks to mark the corners of a rectangle around the pitcher (you can use clay or Playdoh to keep the sticks upright). Wrap a red thread around the tops of the sticks to create a rectangle. 8. Lamp stand, incense (dhupbati) stand. In ancient times, the lamp was needed to see the diety. Literally, the incense provided a sweetsmelling fragrance. 9. Mashabhaktabali (yogurt) with few grains of mashkalai (black lentil). 10. Madhuparka (milk, yogurt, ghee, sugar and honey), a sweet offering. 11. Spare kosha and kushi for devotees 12. Puja bell: Heralds the progress of puja 13. Offerings First glass of water. 14. Second glass of water. 15. Priests water vessel (kosha-kushi) the water in this vessel is used for offering. 16. Swastika design. 17. Chediraj (Kig of earth). 18. Pushpa patra plate for holding flowers. Also contains: sandalwood paste (for fragrance), durba (a special grass with three leaves that represents nature), haritaki(seed)or supari (betel nut) (represents the growth of success), red thread (tied around wrists after puja for protection), mashkalai (black lentil, offering to spirits), wet rice and til (oily seed) (food offerings). 19. Paper towels for priest (hand drying and spills). 5
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) 20. Jalasankha (water-conch) 21. Tamrapatra: Plate to make offerings of water, rice, flower etc. Keep a stock of one jug of spring water or clean water in a kamandalu(pitcher with spout). As we use these items during the puja, we will try to explain the significance of these items and their symbolism.
Barandala Adhivas Platter of blessing
Part 2
Ancestral worship
Basic puja procedures As stated earlier that all Dashakarma rituals start with Ancestral worship. The ancestral worship (principle puja) has three components: 1. Basic puja procedures or preliminaries 2. Offerings to the ancestors 3. Seeking their blessing for the child (Adhibas) Before starting the main rituals of ancestral worship. Some invocational pujas must first be done which is described in the section. INVOCATION PRAYERS Prayer to Holy River Ganges gA pRNAm Ganga pranam The mythological story of River Ganges is associated with the fact that she brought to life the dead cousin brothers of Bhagirath who were burnt to ashes by sage Kapil. Thus She is considered as the great purifier of the soul. Hence, remembering her invokes purity. Sprinkle small amount of Ganges water from the pot over your head and chant(if Ganges water is not available, use any clean water): sdY: pAtk sQhI sEdYA du:KibnAiSnI| suKdA EmAxdA gA gb prmA git:| Om sadya pataka sanghrantri sodho dukho binashini; Suhkoda mokhodha Gangha Gangoibo parama goti.
In the name of that Almighty, Oh Holy Ganges! Who takes away all the sin, and miseries and brings happiness. You are the only way to attain salvation.
7
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Remembering Lord Vishnu ib>usrn Vishnu smaran Vishnu is our preserver. Two others in the trinity are Brahma, the creator, and Shiva, the destroyer. Thus, our life depends on Vishnu. This is why all Hindu prayers start with the obeisance to Lord Vishnu. The goal of this ritual is to purify the inside of the body with the sanctified water, the basic element of life, with the name of Lord Vishnu, our Preserver. All auspicious ceremonies start with the singing of the glory of Lord Vishnu. Sip water in the name of Vishnu BQje Achman Sipping water in the name of Vishnu: Take a spoonful of water in the palm of the right hand forming a dip like a boat. The amount of water is said to be sufficient to immerse a mustard seed. Sip the water three times and each time take the name of Vishnu and say this mantra. After the last sip, wipe your lips right to left, with your right thumb. Wash the fingers with little water allowing the washed water to get soaked into the padded paper kept on the right for this purpose. Then offer your sensory organs in His prayers. Join the four fingers of the right hand (exclude thumb) and touch the various organs with the fingertips in the following manner. First the right nostril and then the left (smell), right eye and then left eye (sight), right ear and then left ear (hearing). Finally touch the naval button (the starting point of your physical body) and wash the fingers again in the same way as described above. Wipe your right hand with a dry paper towel. Join the fingers again and touch your heart and right shoulder and then left shoulder. o^ ib>u ib>u, o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u Om Vishnu! Om Vishnu! Om Vishnu! Glory to Lord Vishnu 8
Part 2: Ancestral Worship (Preliminary puja)
o^ tdib>u prmQ pdm sdApSYi sury: idbIb cxurAttm| Jy hox, Jy hox, Jy hox z Om Tad-Vishnoh paramam padam Sada pashyanti soorayah dibi-iba cakshur-aatatam Om Vishnu - Om Vishnu - Om Vishnu As the widely open eyes can see the sky clearly without any obstruction, so the wise always see Lord Vishnu with their divine vision. Hail to Lord Vishnu. Then offer your sensory organs in His prayers. Join the four fingers of the right hand (exclude thumb) and touch the various organs with the fingertips in the following manner. First the right nostril and then the left (smell), right eye and then left eye (sight), right ear and then left ear (hearing). Finally touch the naval button (the starting point of your physical body) and wash the fingers again in the same way as described above. Wipe your right hand with dry paper towel. Join the fingers again and touch your heart and right shoulder and then left shoulder. Then with folded hands in front of your chest say nm: apib pibEA bA sAbAQ gEtAip bA| J: mErvpu&rIkAxQ s bahYAvAr: Suic| nEmA sml mlYQ bErNYQ brdQ vm| nArAyNQ nmtY s kmAiN kArEyq| o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u| Om apabitra pabitroba sarbabashan gatopiba jahsmaret pundarikaksha sa bajya antarasuchi. Namaha sarva mangala mangalyam varayenam baradam shubham Narayanam namaskritya sorvakarmani kaarayet Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu He who, impure or pure, remembers lotus-eyed lord Pundarikaksha, Vishnu, in all situations, becomes purified inside and out. We bow to Lord Narayana who is all auspicious, most adorable, beneficial and kind. Remembering His name we should begin all our work. 9
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Hail to Lord Vishnu nm: mA}EbA mA}EbA bAic, mA}EbA mA}EbA hid| mri jA}b: sE skAEJY>u mA}b:|| nm: mA}EbA, nm: mA}EbA, nm: mA}EbA| aymAr vAy vbtu| Namah Madhabo Madhabo bachi, Madhabo Madhabo hridi | Smaranti Madhabah sarbey sarbakarjeshu Madhabah|| Namah Madhaba, Namah Madhaba, Namah Madhaba | May I always talk of Madhaba (Visnhu), hold Him in my heart | Think of Madhabah all the time for all my actions Hail to Lord Madhaba May this be the auspicious beginning. Narayana (Vishnu, Madhaba) is the central deity in Annaprasan. This is because He takes care of our survival on this earth. Shalagram Sheela is the icon of Vishnu which the priest brings with him with great care and respect. He occupies the central place (See arrangement). Before the priest attends to the worship of his Salagram Sheela he completes his daily prayers or Sandhya which is given here for quick reference. It is a part of the General puja rituals (pdlZ fS fa). GAYATRI PRAYER Gayatri mantra is a highly revered mantra based on a Vedic Sanskrit verse from a hymn of the Rigveda, attributed to Visvamitra. Gayatri mantra is named for its Vedic gayatri meter. The main principle of Vedic meter is measurement by the number of syllables. The metric unit of verse is the pada (foot), generally of eight, eleven, or twelve syllables. Others Vedic meters are Jagati, Tristubh, Viraj, and Anustup. Each has its specific number of padas and syllables. Gayatri has 3 padas and 8 syllables. Chandas (C:) is the systematic study of Vedic meter. Gayatri verse is interpreted to invoke the deva Savitr (sun). Hence it is often called Savitri. Gayatri, however, has been referred in its 10
meditation ( }YAn) as a goddess. Thus some believe that the radiation energy of the sun is considered as goddess Gayatri. From a more scientific point of view, the energy is the basis of all creations and thus Gayatri is held on a high position in Hindu pantheon. Gayatri Mantra is repeated and cited very widely in Vedic literature, and praised in several well-known classical Hindu texts. The mantra is an important part of the upanayana ceremony for young Hindu Brahmin males as part of their daily rituals. Modern Hindu reform movements spread the practice of the mantra to include women and all castes and its use is now very widespread. Gayatri chant gAyIjp Gayatrijap Light is a symbol for knowledge and wisdom. Many would like to meditate on light as a formless symbol of the Supreme divine. Gayatri mantra helps in such a meditation. The following Gayatri prayer is mentioned in Rigveda and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. It is considered as the ultimate vaidic prayer. This is the short version of Sandhya or Gayatri prayer is presented here. The full version has been presented earlier Book 1). o^ vU vUb: :| tqsibtuErNYQ, vEgA EdbsY }Imih| i}EyA EyA n: pREcAdyAq o^| Om bhu bhurba shaa: tathsabitubarraynang bhargo dayboshya dhimoni: dhio yoo nah prochodayat om. Let us meditate on the glory of that effulgent reality, through which the whole universe is projected, May He enlighten our intellect.
11
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Say the entire sentence by touching your right hand thumb either in the spaces between the horizontal natural markings on your finger or the tip of the finger. Repeat the same ten times.
Start the first number with your right hand thumb touching on the ring finger inner aspect mid segment then go down to the next segment and so forth as outlined in the picture below: Elaboration of Gayatri prayer will be done later. o^ vUvub::, tq sibtUbErNYQ, vEgA EdbsY }Imih| i}EyA EyA n: pREcAdyAq o^|| Om Bhur-Bhuba-Svah, Tat savitur barenyam, bhargo devasva dhimahi. Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat Om! || Om( primordial sound that represents divinity)! In the three worlds the physical (bhur), the mental (bhuvah) and the spiritual (suvah) you that transcendental Paramatama, the adorable (barenyam) Sun (Savitur, creator of this world), destroy the darkness (bhargo, sin), with your divine effulgence (devasya). We meditate upon (dheemahi) Thee, Enlighten our intellect (dhiyo yonah pracodayat).Om. Prayer to Rudra, Shiva rEdApsAn Rudrapasthan With folded hands chant this prayer: VtimtYsY kAlAigrdRVi>p CEdA rEdRA EdbtA rEdRApAEn ibinEyAg:| i>-rnup Ritamityasya Kalagnirudra rishi anupstupa chando Rudhro devata rudrapasthaney viniyogah. In the name of the sage Kalagni Rudra, sung in Anustupa meter, and devoted to Lord Shiva sitting in His heavenly abode 12
o^ VtQ stYQ prQ bR pur>Q k<>iplQ| WErtQ ibrpAxQ, ibSBrpQ nEmA nm:| Om rtam satyam param Brahmah purusham krishnapingalam Urdhavaretam virupaksham, visvarupam namoh namah || Supreme Brahman, The Absolute Reality, who has assumed the form ofUmaamaheshvara, with dark blue and reddish brown in hue, absolutely chaste and possessing uncommon eyes.Salutations to Her in the form of the universe. (This verse is taken from Mahanarayan Upanishad). Now offer water with the spoon (kushi) in the names four divinities separately: o^ bREN nm:| o^ ib>Eb nm:| o^ rdRAy nm:| o^ brNAy nm:| Om Brahmaney namah, Om Vishnabey namah, Om Rudraya namah, Om Varunaya namah. Reverence to Brahmah, Vishnu, Rudra Shiva, and Varuna. Special offering to Sun God sJYAGY Suryargha Take the kushi (the small spoon that sits inside the kosha, water holder kept in front of the priest) with little water. Put in that a touch of red sandalwood paste and a red flower. Add a bit of rice (kept in the pushpapatra) into the kushi. Hold the kushi with narrower side pointing outward. Meditate on the rising sun coming in front of you and you are looking at it. Chant: o^ eih sJ shsAQESA EtEjArAES jgqpEt| anukpy mAQ vQ g<hANAGQ idbAkrm|| Om ehi surya sahasrangsho tejorashey jagatpatey. Anukampaya mam bhaktam grihanargham divakaram. Oh the Sun God! Oh the emitter of thousands of rays over the universe, blessme, your devotee, and receive my offering, Oh the day maker. 13
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Then offer your reverence to the Sun God by joining the hollowed palms and holding them on your chest: o^ jbAksm-skASQ kASYEpyQ mhAdYitQ| }AtAirQ spApGQ pNEtAim idbAkrQ|| idbAkrQ|| Om javakusuma sangkasham kashyapeyam mahadyutim. Dhwantarim sarbapapeghnam pranatoshmi divakaram. Like the red shoe flower (jbA), extremely bright like the hot copper, the killer of darkness, the remover of all sins, Oh the maker of the day! I am prostrating in front of you. Now offer a spoonful of water from your boat-shaped right palm uttering the mantras that appeal to Goddess Gayatri to excuse you from the errors you incurred during the ritual and fulfill it by her grace. o^ JdxrQ pirvRQ mAAhIn JEbq| pUNQ vbtu tq sQ tqpRsAdAq suErbir|| Jadaksharam paribhrashtam matraheenanc jadvabet. Purnam bhatu tat sarbam tatprasadat sureshwari. If I made any error in using the proper alphabet or pronouncing it, Oh the Goddess of all knowledge, complete it by your grace. GURUPUJA (Worship of Spiritual Teacher) rUp jA Gurupuja Guru has a high position in the development of an individual. He/ she is borned ignorant with the ability to learn with change of time. This is our natural process of evolution. It starts from the parents who teach us the basic of living. But the guru is the person who gives you a second life. He introduces his disciple to the Unknown. He/she is the spiritual teacher. So, he/she is respected like a God.
14
Literal meaning of the Sanskrit word guru: gu means darkness and ru means light. Guru is a person who represents the incandescent light of supreme consciousness which eradicates the darkness of ignorance. Prostration to Guru l fZj Gurupranam With folded hands, in front of your chest say these three mantras. aK&aK&-m&lAkArQ m&lAkArQ bYQ EJn crAcrQ tq pdQ diStQ EJn t SRIrEb nm:| Akhandamandalakaram vyaptam jena charachram; Tatpadm darshitam yena tasmai Shree Guruve namah. (My) Salutations to respected Guru, who showed me the stature whose form pervades the entire sphere of the universe. a@Ana@An-itimrAsY @AnAn@AnAn-SlAkyA| cxurnIiltQ EJn t SRIrEb nm:| Ajnaana-timirandhasya jnaananjanashalakaya; Chaksurunmeelitamam yena tasmai Shree Guruve namah. (My) Salutations to respected Guru, who opened the eyes of the one, who is blind due to darkness of ignorance with the flame of knowledge. rbA rib>u rEdb mEhbr r: sAxAq prQ bR t SRIrEb nm:| Gurur Brahma gurur Vishnuh gurur devo Maheswarah Guruh sakshat parama Barhma tasmai shreee Gurave namah. Salutations to the preceptor who is verily Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara and who personifies the Supreme Being
15
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Offerings to Guru pEApcAEr pjA Panchaupacharey puja Place a sandalwood dipped flower on the holy pitcher and chant: eEt gE puEp nm: SIrEb nm:| Eteh gandhapushpey namah Shri gurobey namah | I am offering this flower in reverence to my guru | Offer a small of water on the offering plate and chant: etd pAdYQ nm: SIrEb nm:| Eteh padyam namah Shri gurobey namah | I am offering this water for washing my gurus feet Offer a small of rice with doob grass on the offering plate. This symbolizes welcome to a respectable guest: e> aGYQ nm: SIrEb nm:| Eteh argham namah Shri gurobey namah | I am offering this argha (rice with doob grass) in jesture of welcomiing my guru Offer a small amount of water towards the incense sticks and chant: e> }UpQ nm: SIrEb nm:| Eteh dhupam namah Shri gurobey namah | I am offering this incense in the name of my revered guru | Offer a small amount of water towards the lamp and chant: e> dIpQ nm: SIrEb nm:| Eteh deepam namah Shri gurobey namah | I am offering this lamp in the name of my revered guru | Offer a small amount of water on the food platter (naivedya) and chant: 16
etd nEbEdYQ nm: SIrEb m:| Etehnaivedyam namah Shri gurobey namah | I am offering this food platter in the name of my revered guru | Offer a small amount on the glass of water placed as achmania: etd pAnIyjlQ nm: SIrEb nm:| Eteh paniya jalam namah Shri gurobey namah | I am offering this glass of water in the name of my revered guru | Gurumantra rm After the prayer one repeats the name of the guru several times to express respect. The process of counting is shown in Gayatri. jy r Jai Guru Hail my guru Following japa pay obeisence to the Guru by taking a small amount of water in the right palm and drop it off on the offering plate after chanting the mantra: hYAit hYEgApA tQ g<hANA q k<tQ jpQ| isivbt tqsQ tq psAdAq sErSr|| Gujyatigujyagopta twam grihana kritam japam. Sidhir bhabatu me deva tatprasadat Sureswara. Take away my ignorance with the completion of your name in repeats and I may succeed in my endeavor by your grace, Oh the learned. WORSHIP OF SALIGRAM SHEELA nArAyNpjA Narayanpuja The word Narayana comes from the union of two words, nara (man or in general the jiva or any living creature) and ayana which means 17
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) path. In other words, man is the culmination path of evolution who can realize Him. It is another name of Vishnu, the preserver of life. Narayana is the family deity for many Brahmins and is in the form of saligramsheela which is a shapeless black-colored stone. In all Dashakarma, presence of Saligram is considered to be auspicious. Hence a special puja is offered to Shalagram Sheela. Please note: When the Brahmin arrives at the house with Shaligram Sheela, he should be receive by washing and drying his feet by the lady of the house and then he proceeds to the puja place. This reverence is to the Shalagram Sheela (Narayana) that he is carrying. Bath An Snan
Narayan sheela
The sheela (stone) is first given a bath before putting it on its special throne and subjected to worship. Ring the bell while giving Narayana a bath. It is a very auspicious ceremony. Following are the mantras used during bathing chant the following mantras: o^ shsRSI>A pur>: shsRAx: shsRpAq| s vUimQ stQ pBA atYitdSAulQ ||1|| Om sahasra Shirsha Purushah sahasrakshah sahashrapat | Sa bhumim sarvatam spastwa atyatishtha dashangulam ||1|| With thousand heads of the Lord covering the land of thousand steps and yet leaves space for ten fingers (story related to Vamana Avatar of Vishnu || 1|| Alternate:The supreme Person exists enveloping the whole manifest Universe, cognizing through every mind, seeing through every eye and 18
working through every limb (sahashrapat) nay He exists transcending the Universe. o^ aigmIEl puErAihtQ J@sY J@sY Edbm<ijQ EhAtArQ rt}Atmm||2|| Om agni-meeday purohitam yagyasya devya mrtvijam hotaram ratna dhatamam||2|| Om! I call upon the attributes of that Self-effulgent Divinity, who is the upholder of universe from very eternity, the most bounteous and the great possessor of wealth and prosperity ||2||. o^ HE> EtBAE tBA bAyb: EdEbA b: sibtA pRApytu ESRtmAy km EN||3|| kmEN||3|| EN||3 Om! Ishey tworje twaa baayabah stha devo bah Sabita praarpayatu shresthatamaaya karmane ||3|| Om! We invoke you for the sake of food and energy as you are the vital breathing energy. May the Lord the Creator assigns you(the sacrificers) with best accomplishments ||3||. ||o^ AEnA hbYdAtEy inEhAtA sqis bihi>||4 ||o^ ag aA JAih JAih bItEy g<NAEnA Om Agna aa yaahi beetaye grinaano havyadaataye ni hotaa satsi barhisi ||4|| O Agni come here, sit with us as Hota (the special priest) on this holy grass for food and fun. We are offering oblations with fire ||4||. o^ SEA EdbIrvIy EdbIrvIy aAEpA vbu pItEy SQE>ArivsRbu n:||5 n:||5|| Om shanno devirabhistaya aapo bhavantu peetaye sham yo rabhisrabantu nah ||5|| O Lord, may these waters be useful to us for drinking and bring happiness;may the goddesses fulfil our desires. May their blessings shower on us form all directions ||5|| . After giving bath, wipe the Naryayana with the chant of Gayatri and then put a tulsi leaf dipped in sandalwood saying: etq scdntulsIpQ sIpQ o^ nmE brpAy ib>Eb prmAtEn AhA| o^ nEmA nArAyN nm:| Etat sachandana tulsi patram, Om namastey bahurupey paramatmaney swaaha| 19
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Om namah Narayanaya namah|| With my sandalwood tulsi leaf (read the story of tulsi in introduction) I prostrate to thee Oh the Supreme Lord who appears in so many ways. Then put the Narayana on his throne with a sandalwood-dipped placed at the bottom. Meditation hode Vishnudhyan Take a white flower, keep on your head and establish the image of Naryaya in your heart. Jy dux pc phajmjdh, eluZx plpSpephx z Lulhe LeLLmeh LlV, ql qlZuhfdanMQx zz Lu Om dheyah sada sabitri mandala madhyabarti Narayana sarasijasana sannibishtha | Keyurabana kanakakundalaban kiriti Hari hiranmaya bapu dhrita shankha chakrah || I meditate on the solar orbit with Narayana in the middle, wearing armlets, golden earnings and necklace. His head is covered with a crown and he holds the conch and discuss in his hands while His body shines with a golden color. Now place sandalwood touched flower (white preferred) on the head of Naryana Shila, uttering the following six mantras: Ha Nff eEt gpuEp o^ ibGnASAy nm:, eEt eEt gpuEp o^ iSbAidpEdbtYEvYA nm:, eEt gpuEp o^ aidtYAidnbgREhEvYA nm:, eEt gpuEp o^ Hd AiddSidkpAElEvYA nm:, HdAiddSidkpAElEvYA eEt gpuEp o^ mqsYAidmqsYAid-dSAbtAErEvYA dSAbtAErEvYA nm:, eEt gpuEp o^ nArANAy nm:| Etey gandhapushpey Om vignabinashaya namah; 20
Etey gandhapushpey Om Shivadipanchadevatavyo namah; etey gandhapushpey Om Adityadinavagrahevyo namah; etey gandhapushpey Om Indradidashadikapaleyvyo namah; etey gandhapushpey Matsyadidashavatarevyo namah; etey gandhapushpushpey Om namah Narayanaya namah. Here I offer the (sandalwood) scented flower to the obstacle remover; to Shiva with five gods and goddesses in the group (Shiva-Ganesha-Narayana-Surya-Durga); Aditya and other nine planets Aditya-Soma-Mangala-Budha-Brihaspti-Sukra-Sani-Ravi and Ketu) After establishing the Narayana and offering reverence to various gods and goddesses, offer the following five things to Narayana. With each offering take the name of Narayan: water, rice, incense, lamp, raisin and sugar candy (misri). As cooked rice is not available in daily puja, offering of cheera (flat dry rice) can be done instead. Offerings to Narayana (Vishnu) ffQl fS Panchapochareypuja Make offering of five things (minimum): etq pAdYm o^ nm: nArAyNAy nm: Etat padyam (water) Om Namah Narayanaya namah I am offering this water to wash your feet, Oh Narayana Similarly repeat for argham (rice), dhupam (incense), deepam (lamp), falam (fruit, like raisin), mistanyam (sweet candy or misri) and annam (flat rice in place of cooked rice), achmanium (glass of drinking water) and punarachmanium (second glass of drinking water).
21
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Special offering of Tulsi The story of Tulsi is described under Satyanarayana. Offer Tulsi three times and place on the top of the Saligram Shila, uttering the following mantra Jy ej hlfu hoh fljae q Om namastey vahurupaya Vishnabey parmatmaney swaha || Pay reverence with folded hand placed on the heart: o^ nEmA bRNYEdbAy NYEdbAy EgAEgA-bRANN-ihtAy c| jgitAyS jgitAySIk<>Ay EgAibdAy nEmA nm:| Om namo Brahmanya devaya go brahmanaya hitaya ca. Jagaddhitaya Shri Krishnaya Govindaya namo namah I offer my respectful obeisance to the Supreme Lord, who is the wellwisher of the cows and the Brahmanas, as well as all living entities in general. I offer my obeisance to the Lord of the Universe, known as Krisna and Govinda. o^ ElAkYpUijt SRImn sdA ibjybn| SAi kr gdApAEN nArAyN nEmAhuEt|| Om trailokya-pujitah Sriman sadaa Vijaya-vardhanah Shaantim kuru gadaapaney, Naaraayana Namah-astu tey. You are worshipped in all the three worlds underworld, earth and heaven. You always bring victory to us, You shower peace, Oh the holder of mace, I bow to you Oh Narayana. Offering to Sun God sJYAGY Suryargha The Sun is one of the primary gods of Hinduism and receives offerings at the very beginning of most rituals. He enlightens our soul. 22
Pick up the kushi (spoon) with little water. Put in this a flower (preferred red in color) or dip the flower in red sandalwood paste and put in that a little rice from the pushpapatra. Holding the kushi, pointing side out, chant, while meditating on the rising sun: Jy ejx hha hZ ia hoaSp SNv ph pQu ph Ljcue, CcjOw iNha npk k u ejx z Hq pox pqpwn aSln SNvfa z AeLfu jw iw NqZOw chLlj zz HoqOx iNha npku ejx zz Om namah bibsaswatey Brahman bhyasate | Vishnu tejashey jagata sabitrey suchayey sabitrey karmadainey | Idam argham bhagabatey Shri Surjaya namah || Ehi Surjyo sahasrangsho tejorashey jagatpatey | Anukampaya mang bhaktam grihanargham divakaram | Esha argham bhagabatey Shri Surjaya namah || Oh, the illuminator of the universe, who carries the energy of Lord Vishnu (the preserver), who inspires people to work, allow me to offer my reverence to you. Oh the Sun, the emitter of thousands of rays of light, the reservoir of energy, the lord of the universe, I am offering my reverence to thee, please accept it, Oh Lord, the Sun God. Then offer your reverence to the Sun God by joining the hollowed palms and holding them on your chest: o^ jbAksm-skASQ kASYEpyQ mhAdYitQ| }AtAirQ spApGQ pNEtAim idbAkrQ idbAkrQ|| || Om javakusuma sangkasham kashyapeyam mahadyutim. Dhwantarim sarbapapeghnam pranatoshmi divakaram. Like the red shoe flower (jbA), extremely bright like the hot copper, the killer of darkness, the remover of all sins, Oh the maker of the day! I am prostrating in front of you. 23
Nandimukh - Briddhi Shraddha (Ancestral worship)
24
Part 3 ANCESTRAL WORSHIP FOR ANNAPRASAN Resolution pwLf Sankalpa Take the kushi with water, flower, durba, little rice, a flower and haritaki on left hand. Cover the kushi with your right hand and declare the goal of the worship. After completion of the resolution, turn over the kushi in the offering plate (tamrapatra), ring the bell that declares the beginning of the worship ritual. ib>uErAm tdsq adY ------------mAEs ------------mAEs ------------pEx ------------pEx-----------pEx------------ itEF vAkEr ----------- EgA SRI--------------------------- EdbSmN: tsY pu ----------- EgA SRI------------- EdbSm EdbSmN: / (knYA-(knYA-- ------------------------Eg ------------------------EgAA EgAA SRImit--------mit---------------- EdbI enAQ knYAQ) vv-apRASn kmin E>A#S mAt<kA pUjA bsu}ArA Aiptm jEp aAvuYdAiyk b<iSRAkmQ ahm kir>YA kir>YAim| o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u Vishnurom tadsat adya --- mashey --- pakshey ---- tithou bhaskarey (auspicious) --- gotra ---- Shri devasharma/ --- devi ( father/mother) ---tasya putra/kanya --- gotra ---- Kumar/Kumari Shubha Annaprshana karmani Shorasha matrika puja Basudhara sthapita mantra japey Abhyudayik bridhishradha karmam aham karishyami || Om Vishnu! Om Vishnu! Om Vishnu! In the name of Lord Vishnu, on the auspicious occasion of today ---- month ---- fortnight (of lunar calendar) I ----- (name, Mr. Mrs) of ---- gotra (family identification) resolve to perform the ritual For my son (prince) --- /daughter (princess) --Of auspicious annaprasan, worship of sixteen forms of the mother Goddess 25
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Worship of the earth and ancestral worship. Glory to Lord Vishnu Resolution Hymn pwLfp Sankalpa sukta Sprinkle rice over the kushi which is in turned over position in the tamrapatra. After completing the mantra pick up the kushi and place it back into the kosha. Jy ch h hZcx fZw hhpQj z E pd-jf h fZd, jc ch Jqa zz Oh God Agni, who grants us wealth, bless us with the sincerity and knowledge in our heart, Seek His blessing and He will fulfill our wishes. Seeking Divine Sanction sAxYm Sakhya mantra With folded hands, looking up towards the sky, pray: o^ sUJY: EsAm Jm: kAl: sEYvUtANYtA xpA| pbEnA idkpit pit vUimrAkASQ KcrA mrA:| bRAQ SAsnmAAy k}imh sii}m| o^ tqsq| o^ aymAr vAy vbtu| Om Surjuo somo Yahmo kalah sandhaye-bhutahnata khapa; Pabano dikpatir bhumir akashang khachara mara.Bhramang shasanomasthayo kalpadhamihaa sannidhim.Om tatsot. Om ayomarambho shubahayo vhabhatoo. The spirits in all the planets, all the visible and invisible Gods and Goddesses, whereever they are, no matter what time it is now I pray everybodys presence now. Let the holy occasion begin). 26
Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan
Blessing Of Assemblage itbAcn Sprinkle some water around you taken from the kosha in front of you by dipping a small flower in the pot while chanting: o^ bit n HEA b<SRbA: bit n: pU>A ibbEdbA:| o^ bit, o^ bit, o^ bit| Om sasthi no Indro bridhroshroba sasthi no Pusha bishodeva. Om Sasthi, Om Sasthi, Om Sasthi. Let lord Indra and sage Pusha give me blessings for this occasion. Let there be sanctity everywhere. Take rice in your hand and offer it to the names of various Gods controlling the environment, appealing to them to bring success in the completion of your puja offering. While chanting the matra throw the rice three times in the offering plate, coinciding with the last mantra (Om swasti). Jy pjw lSew hlZjNjlijq, Bcaw how pow hZ hqfaj zz Jy ex Cc hnhx Jy ex fo hnhcx z er Alejx, e hqfax cda zz Jy , Jy , Jy zz Om somam rajanam Varuna Agnim ambara bhamahe, Adityam Vishnum Surjyam Brahmananca Brihaspatim || Om swasti nah Indro Bridhashrava swasti nah Pusha Viswavedah | Swasti nastarkshyo arishtanemih swasti no Brihaspatih dadhatu || Om swasti, Om swasti, Om swasti || I offer my praises to the glory of Moon (Som), Varuna, Agni, Sun, Vishnu, Brahma and Brihaspati; with my prayers to mighty Indra, learned Pusha, undefeated Taksha, and the care taker of Gods, Brihaspati, seeking their blessings on us. 27
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) SANCTIFICTION Sanctification of Water Calling for Sacred Rivers to sanctify the water in kosha tIFAbAhn Tirtha abahan Dip your right hand index finger into the water of the sanctified water vessel (kosha) and chant the following mantras for its sanctification. o^ gE c JmuEn cb EgAdAbir srit, nmEd isu kAEbir, jEl ain sii}Q kur| Om Gangey cha Yamunaye chaiba Godabori Sarawati; Narmadaye, Sindnu, Kabaeri jalaye asmin sannidhim kuru. Let all the holy rivers (seven) Ganges, Jamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaberi, merge into this water to sanctify. Sanctification of seat aAsn i Asanasudhi Holding a flower with your right hand thumb, index and middle finger and touch your seat (asan) with the flower and chant this mantra. eEt gpuEp hRIQ aA}ArSEy kmlAsnAy nm:| aAsnmsY Emrp< Vi> sutlQ Cd: kUEmA EdbtA, aAsEnApEbSn aAsEnApEbSn ibinEyAg:|| Eteye gandhapushpaye hring adharshaktaye kamalasanaya namaha | Ashasamantrasya merupristha rishi suthalong chandho kurmoo devata, ashonoupobayshaney biniyogaha || With this flower I pay my reverence to the Universe that holds this seat of mine. This mantra of sanctification of seat was sung in sutalam chanda by sage Meruprishtha and dedicated to the Kurma Devata who is holding this earth. 28
May this seat be sanctified. Sanctification of Ground Now touch the ground and chant: o^ p<iFtyA yA }<tA ElAkA, Edib tQ ib>unA }<tA | t }Ary }Ary mAQ intYQ pibQ kur cAsnm || Om! Prithwitaya dhrita loka,debitwang Vishuna dritha | tancha dharaya mam nityam pobitram kuru chasanam || Oh Goddess Earth, you are holdingthis world of ours. You are held by Vishnu. Hold me securely and sanctify my seat for my worship. Welcome offer pjeO Samanyargha Argha is a special jesture of welcome. On the floor, in front of you, make a watermark with your middle finger after dipping it in the watervessel (kosha) kept in front of you. First draw a circle. Then within the circle draw a triangle. Place the kosha on the water mark. Then place a sandalwood-dipped flower, little durba or kush (dry grass) and a little rice on the edge of the kosha while chanting these mantras. eEt gpEp o^ aA}ArSEy nm:, o^ kumAy nm:,o^ anAy nm:| o^ piFbY nm:| o^ aQ ak m&lAy AdS klAEn nm:| akm&lAy o^ wQ EsAmm&lAy EsAmm&lAy E>ArS E>ArS klAEn nm:| o^ bQ bim&lAy dS klAEn nm:|| nm:|| Etey gandhapushpey Om adharashaktaye (foundation of universe) namaha, Om Kurmaya (turtle, holder of the earth) namaha, Om annataya (universe) namaha, Om Prithibai namaha. Om arkamandalaya (disc of the sun) dwadasha kalatmaney namah | Om ung Soma (moon) mandalaya shorasha kalatmaney namah | 29
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Om bang banhi (Vishnu) mandalaya dasha kalatmaney namah || I pay my reverence by offering this flower to the foundation of this Universe, to the divine turtle holding this earth, to the infinite cosmos, to the earth, to the sun in all its twenty folds, to the moon in all its sixteen phases, to Lord Vishnu in His ten-fold avatars. Offerings to Evil Spirits joi hm Mashabhakta bali
Special offerings are made to all invisible spirits. It is believed that invisible spirits, previously occupied the place of worship, need to be satisfied before you intrude in their domain. Show five welcome mudras as described before.
Jy iacu CqNRa, CqNRa, Cqaa, Cqaa, Cqpl Cqpldj Adew Lla, jj fSw Nqa z Om Bhutadaya iha gacata iha gacata Iha tishthata Iha tishthata Iha sannidhatta, iha sannirudhyam | Atradhisthanam kurutah mama puja grihnita Oh the spirits come, establish here, come close and stay close to me, rest here and accept my offerings. Take a flower (preferably red) and place it into the small container with a spoonful of yogurt and mashkalai (black lentil). This is called mashabhakta bali(joi hm). hw Haj joihmu ejx, Ha Nff Jy joihmu ejx, Ha Nff Jy Hacdfau Jy hoh ejx z Ho joi hmx Jy iaci ejx z Bang etashmai mashabhaktabalaye namah! Etey gandhapushpey! Om mashabhaktabalayey namah! Etey gandhapushpe etadhipatayeh Om Vishnabey namah! 30
Esha mashabhakta bali Om bhutadibhyo namah || Reverence to the mashabhaktabali (the container with yogurt, mashkalai and red flower dipped in sandalwood) as I offer the scented flower to the name of Vishnu and the invisible spirits. Looking up, with folded hands, pray to the spirits. At the end of the prayer touch the mashabhakata bali container.
Jy iax fax fnQQ k hp iam z k Nq ju c hmlo fpdax z fSa Ho joi hmx Jy iaci ejx z pa fSw fn jvLaj z Om bhuta preta pishachashcha jey basan tatra bhutaley Tey grinantu maya data baliresha prasadhitah Bhutodaya khamadhyam. Esha mashabhaktabalih Om bhutadibhyo namah || Those spirits who lived at the place may take this offering to satisfy them I am worshipping them with this mashabhaktabali preparation Removal of Evil Spirits vUtApsrn Bhhutapasaran Pick some white mustard seeds with your fingers and sprinkle them around the warship area while saying these mantras. Jy Afpf a ia k ia ih pwqa z k ia hOLl en nhu zz Jy hamQ fnQQ lrpQ plpfx z Afpf a ph QLZ asax zz Om apasarpantu tey bhuta je bhuta bhubi sansthita | Jey bhuta bignakartarantey nashyantu Shivagaya || Om betalascha pishachascha rakshashascha sarisripah | Apasarpantu tey sarbey chandika strena taritah || All the spirits who reside below this earth who may disturb our peace is guarded off in the name of Shiva. All the creatures, may they be ghosts, gobbling or reptiles are hereby driven away from this place in the name of Chandi, the goddess of evil destruction. 31

Take some white mustard and throw into the offering plate with the sound:
gV Phat Go Adityam Vishnum Surjyam Brahmananca Brihaspatim || Om swasti nah Indro Bridhashrava swasti nah Pusha Viswavedah | Swasti nastarkshyo arishtanemih swasti no Brihaspatirdadhatu || Om swasti, Om swasti, Om swasti || With praises to the glory of Moon (Som), Varuna, Agni, Sun, Vishnu, Brahma and Brihaspati; and my prayers to mighty Indra, learned Pusha, undefeated Taksha, and the care taker of Gods, Brihaspati, we seek their blessings on us. Security Knot gRi-bn Granthibandhan
The thought behind this ritual is to bring the scattered mind into the focus of devotional thoughts. Tie a knot at the end of the cloth that you are wearing. Hold the knot and chant:
o^ miN}irbjiN mhApRitsEr rx rx hUQ fT AhA|| Manidharabajrani mahapratisarey raksha raksha hung phat swaha || I am tying this knot like a thunderbolt pulling my scattered mind into the focus of divinity. I pray the Lord (Mahapratisar) to protect me by standing on my mental gate and preventing the entry of all distracting thoughts.
32
INVOCATION OF FIVE BASIC GODS pEdbtA Panchadevata All Hindu puja rituals involve the worship of other Gods and Goddesses before focusing on the principle deity. These Gods and Goddesses regulate our lives in many ways. These incluee the group of five gods or Panchadevata (pEdbtA), the Guardians of the directions (Dashadikpal) and the nine planets (Navagraha) are revered and so also Vishnus various incarnations (Dashavatar) which connect to our process of biological evolution These five Gods (one is Goddess) are: Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva, Surya and Jagadhatri (Parvati). They are worshipped in three steps dhyan, offfering and pranam. You may not repeat the worship of those Gods whom you have already worshipped. Ganesha Ganesha is the God of wisdom and worshipped at the beginning. He removes all obstrucles. Meditation }YAn Dhyan Take a flower on your left palm. Hold it with the mudra for meditation (kurma). Imagine Ganesha in your mental screen, chant the mantra and place the place the flower on the holy pitcher, imagining that you are putting the flower on His feet.
o^ KQ ultnuQ gEjdRbdnQ lEAdrQ sudrQ pRsdndgg-lu-m}up-bYAElAlbYAElAl-g&lQ| dAGAtGAt-ibdAirtAiribdAirtAir-ri}r: isdur-ESAvAkrQ bEd SlsutAA-sutQ gnpitQ isipRdQ kAmdQ| es scdnQ pupAil nm: nm: gEnSAy nm:|
33
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Om kharba sthula tanum gajendrabadanam lambodaram sundaram | Prasanna ananda gandhalubdha madhupa balyola gandastalam Danta aghata bidari arirudhirai sindur shobhakaram Vandey shailasuta sutam Ganapati siddhipradam kamadam || Oh the short structured, heavy-bodied, elephant-headed beautiful God, with long trunk and happy face emitting fragrance ,who has strong cheek and whose task pierced open the enemys body and drippingblood, making it beautifully red. May I worship him, the son of the mountains daughter (Parvati, daughter of Hemabat), the leader of the people, may my wish be fulfilled. Offerings pjA Panchaupacharey puja Offer water to wash the feet of the Lord on the offering plate: eEt gE puEp o^ nm: gEnSAy nm:| Etey gandhapushpey Om namah Ganeshaya namah I am offering my flower with eference to Lord Ganesha Offer water to wash the feet etd pAdYQ nm: gEnSAy nm:| Etat padyam Om Ganeshaya namah | Offer rice as welcome jesture e> aGYQ nm: gEnSAy nm:| Esha argha namah Ganeshaya namah || Offer incense by sprinkling water at the base of the incense holder e> }UpQ nm: gEnSAy nm:| Esha dhupam namah Ganeshaya namah Offer the lamp by sprinkling little water at the base of the lamp stand: 34
e> dIpQ nm: gEnSAy nm:| Esha deepam namah Ganeshaya namah Offer the platter with fruits and sweets: etd nEbEdYQ nm: gEnSAy nm:| Etadnaivedyam namah Ganeshaya namah Offer the drinkingwater placed in the glass: etd pAnIyjlQ nm: gEnSAy nm:| Etadpaniya jalam namah Ganeshaya namah Prostration pNAm Pranam With folded hands seek His blessings: ekdQ mhAkAy lEA}dr gjAnnm| ibGnASkrQ EdbQ EhrQ pRNmAmYhm| Ekadantam mahakayam lambodara gajananam Vighnanashakaram debam herambam pranamamyaham || With one tusk, big in size, with long trunk, with elephant face | Remove all the hurdles, Oh the heroic Lord, I bow to you || As the worships of Ganesha and Vishnu have already been done before, we present here the worships of Shiva, Surya and Jagadhatri. Vishnu ib> Meditation }YAn (dhyan) Jy dux pc phajm jdh eluZ plpSpex ph Lulhe jLl LeL Lmhe LlVql qleu hfdax nMQx zz 35
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Om dhayam sada savitrimandal madhyabarti Narayana Sarasijasanah sannibishta Keyurban makarakankakundalaban kiritihari Hiranmaya bapu dhritah sankhacakra || I am meditating on Narayana the God who is in the center of the solar system. Seated on a lotus, wearing armlets and alligator-shaped earrings, whose body is golden and holding conch and disc (chakra) in His hands. Offerings pjA Puja This is explained earlier. Use the following mantra for offering each of the five things. eEt gE puEp o^ nm: ib>Eb nm: Etey gandhapushpey vOm namah Vishnabey namah I am offering my flower with obeisance to Lord Vishnu Prostration pNAm Pranam Jy ej hZ chu NhZ qau Q SNau nLou Nhcu ej ejx z Om namah Brahmanya devaya go brahmana hitayaca | Jagadhitaya Shri Krishnaya Govindaya namo namah || I bow to that Lord Almighty (Brahman) the well wisher of learned (Brahman) and bestower (cow). The keeper of the Universe, Oh the Krishna Oh the Govinda I prostrate to you repeatedly.
36
Shiva Meditation }YAn Dhyan Jy duaw jqnw lSa Nleiw QlQchawpw laLfmw fljNhliaqw fpw z fcpew pjvpaajjlNZhO Lw hpew, hncw hnhSw eMmiu qlw fhw ej zz Om dhyaayen-nityam Mahesham rajatagirinibham Charuchandra-abatangsam Ratnakalpojjvala-angam Parashu-mriga-bara-abheeti-hastam prasannam | Padmaasinam samantaat stutam-amaraganaihbyaaghrakrittim basaanam Viswaadyam viswabeejam nikhila-bhayaharam panchavaktram trinetram || Meditate constantly on the Mighty Lord, whose body is as white as silver mountain, who wears the beautiful crescent moon as a decoration, whose limbs are effulgent adorned with gems, who with his four hands holding axe and antelope and showering boons and protections, who is always content, who is seated on a lotus, and praised by the gods surrounding Him from, who wears the skin of a tiger, Who is the best in the Universe, which He created, the destroyer of all fears, and vision with five faces and three eyes. Offerings a flower and belpata, if available eEt gE puEp o^ nm: iSbAy nm: | Om namah Shivaya namah I make my offering of flower to Lord Shiva
37
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Offer all other items, as mentioned in Ganesha puja (padya, argha, dhoop, dweep and naivedya) in the same way but making them offered to Lord Shiva (o^ nm: iSbAy nm: |) Prostration pNAm Pranam ejx nhu nu LlZu qah z ehcuj Qaew aw Na fljnl zz Namah shivaya shantaya karana traya hetabey | Nibedayami chatmanam twam gati parameshwara || Obeisance to Lord Shiva! He is calm, the source of the three basic qualities (guna) of life truth/knowledge (sattva), greed/passion (raja and, dark/ignorance (tama), I am submitting to you Oh Lord, I am having no other choice. Surya (Sun) Meditation }YAn Dhyan Jy lSpe AnoZLAnoZL-pw z iew pjSNa Adfj iSj z fcu Aiuhle cdaw LljZLjmj AlZ lQw ej zz Om raktaambujaasanam ashesa-gunaika-sindhum Bhaanum samasta-jagataam-adhipam bhajaami | Padma-dwaya-abhayabaraan dadhatam karaabjaih Maanikyamalim-aruNaanga-ruchin trinetram || Sitting on red lotus with ocean of unlimited qualities, Oh the illuminating Sun God, you are the lord of the whole world. With one hand you are holding lotus and with another, offering boons of fearlessness. Your physical appearance is radiant like ruby and you have three eyes. I worship you. 38
Offering pjA Puja Offer a flower dipped in red sandalwood: eEt gE puEp nm: sUJYAy nm:| Om Shri Suryaya namah | Hail to the Sun God Surya Offer all other items, as mentioned in Ganesha puja (padya, argha, dhoop, dweep and naivedya) in the same way but making them offered to Lod Shiva (nm: sUJYAy nm:|| nm:||) Then offer a little rice on the holy pitcher or on the offering plate: o^ eihsUJY shsQESA EtjrAEs jgqpEt jgqpEt anukpAy mAQ vQ g<hAn aGYQ idbAkrQ| e> aGYQ nm: sUJYAy nm: zz Om ehisuryo sahasransho tejorashey jagatpatey Anukampaya mam bhaktam grihanarghyam divakaram Esha arghya namah suryaya namah || Oh the sun, whose million of rays enlighten the entire Universe Oblige your devotees by accepting their offering Here I am offering the welcome rice seeking your blessing. Prostration pNAm Pranam Pray with folded hands, imagining the rising sun in front of you: Jy jbA kum sQkASQ kASYEpyQ mhAdYuitQ| } AirQ spApGQ pRNEtAhim idbAkrQ|| }AirQ Om jaba kushma sankasam kashyapeyam mahadyutim | Dhyantarim sarbapapagna pranatoshmi divakaram|| Like the jaba flower (red colored Shoe flower), the son of Kashyap, 39
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) with brilliant illumination, destroyer of darkness, remover of all sins (ignorance), I bow to you the day-maker. Durga dgA Meditation }YAn Dhyan Jy Lmiw LVrllLmiucw jmhclMw, nw Q w ej zz Qw LfZwnMjfLllq ZwnMjfLllqw zz pwqdltw ihe jMmw aSpfluw z duc cNw SuMw cn cn flhaj phaw pLjx zz Om Kaala-abhra-abhaam kataakshaih-arikula-bhayadaam mauli-bali-baddha indurekhaam shankham chakram kripaaNam Trishikham api karaih-udbahantim trinetraam | Sinhaskandha-adhirooddhaan tribhubanam akhilam tejasaa poorayantim dhyaayed Durgam Jayaakhyaam tridasha-paribritaam sebitaam siddhikaamaih || One should meditate on Mother Durga whose name is Jaya, who has the complexion of deep dark cloud, whose mere glance can arouse fears to the enemies, tightly fastened in her crown is the shining crescent moon, who has three eyes, who is holding conch, disc, sword, and three-pointed weapon(trident) in her hands, Who is riding on a lion, who is energizing all three worlds with her brilliant light, who is always surrounded by gods, she is served by those who want success.
40
Offerings pjA Puja eEt gE puEp qw Jy cNu ejx ejx zz Etey gandhapushpey Hring Om Durgawai namah In the spirit of divinity (Hring, the primordial sound for Durga) I am offering this scented flower to you Oh Goddess Durga Offer all other items, as mentioned in Ganesha puja (padya, argha, dhoop, dweep and naivedya), in the same way but making them offered to Lod Shiva (Jy cNu ej:) Prostration pNAm Pranam pjm jm nh phb pdL z nlZ L Nl Nl eluZ ejqa zz Om sarvamangala mangaley Shivey sarbartha sadhikey | Smaraney trambhakey Gouri Narayani Namastutey || Oh the wife of Shiva, you are the benevolent peace giver of us, fulfiller of our wishes, I am seeking your protection Oh the three-eyed fair Goddess of wealth (Narayani). I offer my obeisance to you. Reverence to Nine Planets ehNq Nabagraha Naba is nine and graha is cosmic influencer of the living being on this earth (Bhumidevi). These include five planets Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brahaspati (Jupitor), Sukra (Venus), Sani (Saturn); Sun (Aditya, Rabi), Moon (som), as well as Moons orbital positions in the sky Rahu (north or ascending lunar node) and Ketu (south or descending lunar node). 41
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Note: Lunar nodes are the orbital nodes of the moon, that is, the points where the orbit of the moon crosses the ecliptic. The ascending node is where the moon crosses to the north of the ecliptic. The descending node is where it crosses to the south. Eclipses occur only near the lunar nodes. The mantra Adityadi (Aditya or sun and others) Navagraheybhyo namah takes care of all the nine planets. Worship of individual members of Nabagraha is done during Havan, described later. Make five offerings in the name of thenine planets: e> g: o^ aAidtYAid nbgEhEvYA nm: Esha Gandha Om Adityadi Nabagraheybhyo namah etq pp o^ aAidtYAid nbgEhEvYA nm: Etat pushpa Om Adityadi Nabagraheybhyo namah e> }p: o^ aAidtYAid nbgEhEvYA nm: Esha dhup Om Adityadi Nabagraheybhyo namah e> dIp o^ aAidtYAid nbgEhEvYA nm: Esha dwip Om Adityadi Nabagraheybhyo namah etd nEbdYQ o^ aAidtYAid nbgEhEvYA nm: Etat naivedyam Om Adityadi Nabagraheybhyo namah (Note: separate naivedya with five mounds of rice and a small fruit on each mound makes the nabagraha-naivedya). Reverence to guardians of ten directions cncLfm fS Dasdikpal Das means ten, dik is direction and pal is protection. Hence Dasdikpal means the protector of ten directions. The deities connected to the protection of the ten directions of this earth are: Indra (east), Agni 42
(south-east), Yama (south), Nairiti (south-west), Varun west), Vayu (north-west), Kuber (north), Isha (north-east), Brahma (upward) , Anant (downward). Show your respect by offering a little water or flower or rice in the name of each deity. eEt g pEp dSidkpAElEvYAnm: Etey gandhapushpey Om Dashadikapalebhyo namah Reverence to the ten directional gods Offerings to Ten Incarnations of Vishnu cnhal Dashavatar Ten incarnations (avatar) of Vishnu, which relate to the evolution of human, are listed here: Matsavatar, Kurmavatar, Barahavatar, Narsinghavatar, Vamanavatar, Parashuram, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Kalki. Pay your obeisance by offering a sandalwood-dipped flower to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. eEt g pEp dSAbtAErEvYAnm: Etay gandhapushpey Om Dashavatarebhyo namah Reverence to the ten incarnations of Vishnu Reverence to our divine backdrop pI[pujA Peethapuja Pay obeisance to the Gods that hold the base of our lives (peetha). With reverence offer flowers, dipped in sandalwood, in the name of different Gods listed here: eEt gE puEp| Etey gandhapushpey | I am offering this scented flower in the name of: o^ pI[AsnAy nm: nm:| Om pithasanaya namah | The gods of the background 43
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) o^ aA}ArSAy nm:|Om adharashaktaye namah | The holderof the universe o^ pRk<tY nm:|Om prakritwai namah | The nature o^ anAy nm:|Om anantaya namah | The endless universe o^ p<iFEbY nm:|Om prithibai namah | The earth o^ xIrsmudRAy nm:|Om khirasamudraya namah | Ocean of milk o^ EbtIpAy nm:|Om swetadwipaya namah | White island o^ minmpAy nm:|Om manimandapaya namah | Hall on crystals o^ kb<xAy nm:|Om kalpabrikshaya namah | The dream o^ minEbidkAy nm:|Om manivedikayai namah | Platform with jewels o^ rtisQhAsnAy nm:|Om ratnasinhasanaya namah | Seat with gems o^ agYAidEkANctuEy nm:|Om agnyadikonachatushtaye namah | Agni and other Gods of four directions o^ }mAy nm:|Om dharmaya namah | The truth o^ SRIQ kmlAsnAy nm:|Om kamalasanaya namah | The goddess of wealth (Lakshmi),our provider
44
INVOCATIONAL OF ANCESTRAL WORSHIP ecjM Nandimukh Introduction Ancestors are remembered in all oriental cultures. Hindus call it Shradhya which comes from the word Shradhya, n or offering respect.Ancestors are remembered through Shradhya ceremony. It could be done during happy occasions (which is called Briddhi Shradhya or Nandimukh) or performed under sad occasions like death Adhya shradhya and Batsarik shradhya. Bridhi Shradhya means remembering the ancestors in the expansion of the family (bridhi, h). This is a part of Dashakarma (See Book 1) which includes annaprasan, sacred thread, marriage and Grihaprabesh. Vishnu Smaran ib>u srn Vishnu smaran This is explained earlier. o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u, o^ tdib>u, prmQ pdm sdApSYi sury: idbIb cxurAttm| o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u ib>u Om Vishnu! Om Vishnu! Om Vishnu! Om Tad-Vishnoh paramam padam Sada pashyanti soorayah dibi-iba cakshur-aatatam Om Vishnu - Om Vishnu - Om Vishnu Glory to Lord Vishnu As the widely open eyes can see the sky clearly without any obstruction, so the wise always see Lord Vishnu with their divine vision. Hail to Lord Vishnu 45
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) nm: apib pibEA bA sAbAQ gEtAip bA | J: mErt pu&rIkAxQ sbhYAvAr: Suic| nEmA sml mlYQ bErNYQ brdQ vm | nArAyNQ nmtY s kmAiN kArEyq| o^ ib>, o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u || Om apabitra pabitro ba sarbabashan gatopiba jahsmaret pundarikaksha sa bajya antarasuchi. Namaha sarva mangala mangalyam varayenam baradam shubham Narayanam namaskritya sorvakarmani kaarayet. He who, impure or pure, remembers lotus-eyed lord Pundarikaksha, Vishnu, in all situations, becomes purified inside and out. We bow to Lord Narayana who is all auspicious, most adorable, beneficial and kind. Remembering His name we should begin all our work. Glory to Lord Vishnu Special offerings Shaligram sheela (Vishnu) SRISRInArAyN pujA Shri Shri Narayana puja As Annaprasan is a part of Dashakarma (Ten Celebration of Life), worship of Vishnu is repeated at the time of ancestral worship. Place a flower on the on holy pitcher in reverence to Lord Vishnu. eEt gpu gpuEp nm: nArAyNAy nm:| Etey gandhapushpey namah Narayanaya namah || Herewith I am offering the scented flower to Narayana with humility || Meditation }AYAn Dhyan Procedure and translationare described earlier. 46
Jy dux pc phajm jdh eluZ eluZ plpSpex ph Lulhe jLl LeL Lmhe LlVql qleu hfd ax nMQx zz Om dhayam sada savitrimandal madhyabarti Narayana Sarasijasanah sannibishta Keyurban makara kanka kundalaban kiritihari Hiranmaya bapu dhritah sankhacakra || I am meditating on Narayana the God who is in the center of the solar system. Seated on a lotus, wearing armlets and alligator-shaped earrings, whose body is golden and holding conch and disc (chakra) in His hands. Reverence To Vishnus Multiple Aspects Place another flower on the holy pitcher and take the names of the the various aspects of Vishnu. e>: sc scdn dn pupAil: nEmA sAAy, sbAhnAy, sbAhnAy, sSikAy, svAy, sEdbEdbI, rpAy nArAyNAy nm:| Esha schandana pushpanjali namo sangaya, sabahanaya, sashaktikaya, Sbhaktaya, sarbadevadevi, swaroopaya Narayanaya namah || Here is my offering of flower in the name of the associates, rides, all powers, All devotees, all Gods and goddesses and all forms of Narayana With my humble prostration Welcome to Narayana o^ vuv vb :vgbAn SRISRInArAyN Edb HhAgC HhAit HhsiE}ih, Hh sir}Y aAi}AnQ kur mm pUjAQ g<hAN| o^ AQ IQ ErA vb, JAbt pUjA kErAhQ mm:| o^ AQ IQ ErA vb, JAbt pUjA kErAhQ mm:| o^ AQ IQ ErA vb, JAbt pUjA kErAhQ mm| Om Bhurbhubaswarbhagavan Shri Shri Narayana deva ihagacha iha tishtha ihasannidhehi Iha sannirudhaswa atradhishthanam kuru mama pujam grihana || 47
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Stham sthim sthirobhabha, jabat puja karoham mama | (3) Oh the Lord of the three worlds (earth, cosmos and heaven) | You are cordially welcome, stay here and come close | As you get closer and get settled, get my oblations | Be here with me as long as I worship you || (3) Offerings Water for washing feet:Pour water from the kushi on the offering plate (tamprapatra) etd pAdYQ o^ nm: nArAyNu nm:| Etat padyam Om namah Narayanaya namah | I am offering this water to wash Thy feet, Oh Narayana Rice as welcome jesture: Offer rice on the copper plate (tamprapatra) or offering plate: e> aGYQ o^ nm: nArAyNu nmx| Esha argham Om namah Narayanaya namah | I am offering this rice in your welcome, Oh Narayana. Incense: Sprinkle little water at the base of the incense stick holder: e> }UpQo^ Qo^ nm: nArAyNu nm:| I am offering this incense to thy service, Oh Narayana Lamp to guide: Sprinkle little water at the base of the lamp stand. e> dIpQ o^ nm: nArAyNu nmx Esha deepam Om namah Narayanaya namah | I am offering this lamp in your honor, Oh Narayana Food platter for the service of the Lord: Sprinkle little water on the food platter. etd nEbdYQ nm: nArAyNu nm:| nEbdYQ o^nm: 48
I am offering this food planter(naivedya) for your service, Oh Narayana Water to drink: Sprinkle little wate on the glass holding water. etd pAnIyjlQ o^ nm: nArAyNu nm:| Etad paniajalam Om namah Narayanaya namah | I am offering this glass of water to Thy service, Oh Narayana. Sandal dipped tulsi (holy basil) etd scdnQ tulsI pQ Jy ej hlf fljae q | o^ nEmA nArAyNu nm: || Etad schandana tulasi patram Om namastey bahurupey paramatmaney swaha | I am offering herewith the sandalwood-dipped holy basal leaf, singing your grace in different forms, Oh Lord Narayana. Cloth Place a new coth on your left hand and place a flower on it: o^ btu smAJuQ p p suAid inimtm| bAEsA Edb suk g<hAN br biNn| o^ tusAn sQ ritQ rAgbunA| mhAEdb vjpRItQ bAsE pir}IytAm| etd bQ nEmA nArAyNu nm:| Namah, bahutantu samayuktam patta sutradi nirmitam | Baso devo susuklancha grihana parameshwari | Om tantusantana sammridham ranjitam ragabastuna | Mahadevi bhajapritim basantey paridhiatam | Etad bastram namah Narayanaya namah || Made out of many threads, this white cloth of yours, accept it Oh the supreme Goddess. Be pleased by wearing this long and rich cloth with many colors. Allow me to offer this clot to you with reverence. I bow to you Oh Lord Narayana. 49
Sacred thread etd wpbItm o^ nEmA nArAyNu nm:| Etad upabitam Om nano Narayanaya namah | Here is the sacred thread (pEt) Fruits o^ flmulAiN sbAiN gRAmYArNYAin JAin c| nAnAib} sugIin g< Edb mmAicrm mmAicrm| etAin flmulAin o^ nEmA nArAyNu nm:| Om falamulani sarbani gramyaranyani jani cha | Nanabidh sugandhini grihna deva mamachiram | Etani falamulani Om namah Narayanaya namah || Modaka (special ball of sweet) o^ EmAdkQ AdsQyuQ SkrAid ibinimtm| surmYQ m}urQ EvAjYQ Edb dQ pRitg<hYtAm| e> EmAdkQ o^ nEmA nArAyNu nm:|| nm:|| Om modakama swadsanjuktam sarkaradi binirmitam | Suramyam madhuram bhyojyam deva dattam pratigrijyatam | Esha modakam Om Namo Narayanaya namah || This ball of sweet, tasteful made with sugar With fragrance, well tasting, edible, Oh God I am offering to you, please accept | Here I offer with humility the ball of sweet to Thee, Oh Lord Narayana || Offering of rice pudding (paramanna) Offer the rice cooked for feeding the baby. o^ gbYsip: fukwnAnA m}urs sQJutj| ju ehcaw i fljw fNqaj z Hdm prmAQ o^nEmA nArAyNu nm:| 50
Om gavyasarpi payojuktam nana madhurasa samjutam | Maya niveditam bhaktya paramannam prgriyatam Idam paramannam Om namah Narayanaya namah || Made out of cows milk, added with many sweet things, I am offering this payas (rice pudding) to you with great devotion Accept this special rice preparation (paramanna) Oh Goddess Durga The process of Offering Paramanna pgRAs m Panchagrass mantra (The offering paramanna, is dedicated to the five vital breaths of the body) The offering is done with special gesture called, fNp j (Panchagras mudra) which is described in the following section. It is important that you set up in your mental picture that the deity is taking the food from your hand as you show the moving gesture. Take a small amount of water on your left palm. Move the fingers of your right palmfrom the consecrated food towards the Goddess. The five mantras refer to five kinds of air in our bodyto sustain our lives.The panchagras mudra (fNp j) is the same as the offering to the pranabayu, explained elsewhere. Get your left palm into the grassmudra (eating posture, Np j). In other words, depress the central section of the left palm. Put small amount of water on it.
51
Background information
These verses are normally chanted before eating and have great philosophical significance. According to Vedic tradition, every act eventually becomes an act of worship. Food is essential for our sustenance. The prayer offered before eating is dedicated to the all pervasive Supreme Brahman so that the energy derived from the food be used to serve Him. It is universally accepted that breath (ana) is the vital force behind life. Five vital breaths (ana) control the inner function of the body. Thus it manifests the power of the Supreme in the bodily plane. These vital breaths are responsible for different activities prana (principle breath that we inhale to supply oxygen to every cell of our body), apana (excretory activity), samana (digestive activity), udana (respiratory activity that we exhale), and vyana (circulatory activity). MUDRA The word Mudra is derived from the Sanskrit words Mud + Dhra, or bliss + dissolving meaning that which dissolves duality and brings together the deity and the devotee. Mudras are gestures performed with the hands and are used to convey various feelings, or expressions or meanings. The use of the Mudras is quite common in the Hindu Poojas, Tantric worships, Yoga and also in Classical Indian dances. In Hindu iconography, the deities are often depicted with their hands making various Mudras like the twin gestures of dispelling fears and granting boons. Various deities have several specific Mudras which are associated with them. They are used by the practitioner for various purposes like activating the various nerve centers, to convey a feeling or to appease a deity etc. Each finger represents one of the five elementsthe thumb is agni (fire), the forefinger is vayu (air), the middle finger is akash (ether), the ring finger is prithvi (earth) and the little finger is jal (water). Most commonly used mudras are available in the Internet: http://www.astrojyoti.com/mudras.htm Panchagras mudra (fNp j) Panchagras mudra is done by making the left hand shape like a bowl, pointing all the finger facing upwards. Then the fingers of the right hand are used to make the offerings to five vital breaths. The process is as follows: Touch the thumb to the little finger for make the first offer. Then move the thumb to the next one (ring, middle, and pointing fingers). Finally make the last or fifth offering by touching the pointing finger to the thumb.
52
1. Then join the thumb to the little finger and offer with the following mantra while moving your hand towards the deitya , imagining your dream to feed her: Jy fZu q Om pranaya swaha | Dedicated to the principle breath that I am inhaling 2. Then join the thumb with the ring finger and say, again move your right hand towards the deity, imagining your effort to feed her: Jy Afeu q Om apanaya swaha | Dedicated to my excretory system of the body 3. Then join the thumb with the middle finger and say, Jy pjeu q Om samanaya swaha | Dedicated to the digestive systemof the body 4. Then join the thumb with the pointing finger and say, Jy Eceu q, Om udanaya swaha | Dedicated to the respiratory activity of the body 5. Finally, join all fingers and say, Jy heu q zz Om vanaya swaha || Dedicated to the circulatory systemof the body o^ am<EtAp rNmis AhA| May this nectar (amrit) be distributed to all
53
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Benedictory Prayers of Vishnu Prostration fZj Pranam (prostration) Pay reverence with folded hand placed on the heart: o^ nEmA bRNYEdbAy EgAEgA-bRANN-ihtAy c| jgitAyS jgitAySIk<>Ay EgAibdAy nEmA nm:| Eh k krNAisu dInbEA jgqpEt| EgAEpSEgAipkAkA rA}AkA nEmAuEt|| Om namo Brahmanya devaya go brahmanaya hitaya ca | Jagaddhitaya Shri Krishnaya Govindaya namo namah || Hey Krishna karunasindhu deenabandhu jagatpatey Gopesha Gopikakanta Radhakanta namastutey I offer my respectful obeisance to the Supreme Lord, who is the wellwisher of the cows and the Brahmanas, as well as all living entities in general. I offer my obeisance to the Lord of the Universe, known as Krisna and Govinda. Oh Krishna (Narayana) you are ocean of kindness, savior of the needy, Lord of the Universe, You are the master of the cows, loved by all cow maids, and beloved of Radha I bow to you with reverence. o^ ElAkYpUijt SRImn sdA ibjybn| SAi kr gdApAEN nArAyN nEmAhuEt|| Om trailokya-pujitah Sriman sadaa Vijaya-vardhanah Shaantim kuru gadaapaney, Naaraayana Namah-astu tey. You are worshipped in all the three worlds underworld, earth and heaven. You always bring victory to us, You shower peace, Oh the holder of mace, I bow to you Oh Narayana.
54
Prayer for apology Take a little water in the kushi, chant the following and then discard it in the offering plate (tamrapatra). o^ JdxrQ pirvRQ mAAhIn JEbq| pUNQ vbtu tqsQ tqpRsAq suErbr|| Jadaksharam paribhrashtam matraheenanc jadvabet. Purnam bhatu tat sarbam tatprasadat sureshwara. If I made any error in using the proper alphabet or pronouncing it, Oh the Goddess of all knowledge, complete it by your grace. mhInQ iyAhInQ vihInQ suErbr| Jq pUijtQ myA Edb pirpUNQ tduEm| o^ kAEyn mnsA bAcA kmnA J k<tQ myA, tq sQ pirpUNQ td pRsAdv suErbr:| I do not know the ritual chant (manatra)nor the actions of the rituals, I do not even have the devotion to worship you | In whatever way I worshipped you, please fill in the void, I tried to express what I had in my heart, and acted accordingly By your grace, Oh Lord, please fill in all the mistakes that I incurred. WORSHIP OF SHASHTHI AND MARKANDEYA >Ir J mAkEr pUjA Shashthi is the Goddess of perpetuation. Wellbeing of the children comes from Her blessing. Markandeya, as a child,defied death by worshipping Shiva. Thus prayer to Markandeya assures the well being of the child. Shashthi puja >I pUjA Shashthi Puja Meditation >Ir }YAn o^ >IQ EgrbNAQ ivUjAQ laml ioaj z idbY b pir}AnAQ pRs bdnAQ bAm EA# aipt puikAQ| jgAiQ sblxn spnAQ pEdA wEpAibAQ|| wEpAibAQ|| Om shashthim gourabarnam dwibhujam ratnalankar bhushitam | 55
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Divya bastra paridhanam prasanna badanam bam krora arpita putrikam | Jagadhatri sarbalakshana sampannam padmo upabishtam || I meditate on you with fair complexion with two hands Decked with ornaments Wearing beautiful dress, and happy face, Holding a child on your left lap The goddess of the Universe, with numerous qualities, sitting on a lotus. Welcome Jy o ch CqNR CqNR, Cqa Cqa, Cqpcq, Cq pld, pld, Adew Ll, jj fSw NqZ zz Om shashthi devi ihagachcha ihagachcha, ihatishtha ihatishtha, iha sannirudhaswa, Atradhishthan kuru, mama puja grihana || Oh Mother Shashthi, you are welcome, come and stay with us, come close to us, After settling down, receive my oblation. Offering Flower Place a flower on the holy pitcher that corresponds to the offering to Markandeya and Shashthi: eEt gE puEp nm:>I EdbY nm:| Eteh gandhapushpey namah Sashthi Devai namah || I offer this flower to Shashthi Devi with reverence. Cloth b-dAn Hold the new sari on your left hand and put a flower on and chant the mantra. At the end place the sari on the dias near the feet of the idol. 56
o^ btu smAJuQ p p suAid inimtm| bAEsA Edib suL L g<hAN flEjhl jhl| o^ hpe sjQ Q ritQ rAgbunA| EdbI cN iS faw bAsE pir}IytAm| etd bQ nEmA o ch ejx| Om bahutantu samajuktam patta sutradi nirmitam | Baso devi sushuklancha grihana parameshwari || Om bahusantana samridham ranjitam ragabastuna | Devi Durgaey bhanja pritim basantey ragabastuna | Etad bastram namo Shashthi devai namah || Oh Great Goddess, this beautiful dress, made of many interwoven threads and other things for you to wear. It is long, rich, decorated with many colors, and may you be pleased in wearing it. I am offering this dress to you Oh Goddess Shashthi. Markandeya puja mAkEu pUjA Markandey puja Meditation jLl }YAn Hold Markandeys image in your heart while your hands are in Dhyanmudra: Jy iSw SVmw pjw phw QlShej z jLuw el i fSuv fuab zz Om dwibhujam jatilam soumam subridham chirajibanam | Markandeya naro bhakti pujayet prayatastatha || You are two handed with coplexcity, calm, well matured, ever yong,Oh Markandeya, You are human and yet by your devotion and austerity you won over death. I bow to you.
57
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Offering Then place a flower on the holy pitcher showing your reverence to the great sage: eEt gE puEp Jy ej jLuu ejx zz Eteh Gandhapushpey namah Markandeya namah | With this flower I offer my reverence to Sage Markandeya Reverence to sixteen facets of mother Goddess NkcosnjaL fS Gouryadishorashamatrika puja Addressing the holy pitcher show the five welcome signs (Book 1) and chant the mantra for the reception of Goddess Durga (Nl) and sixteen facets of Mother Goddess (osnjaL). After the reception make the five offerings. Jy pNZdf NkcosnjaL CqNRa, CqNRa, Cqaa, Cqaa, Cqpd, Cqpldj, Adew Lla, jjfSw Nqa zz Om saganadhip Gourjyadi shorashamatrika Ihagachata ihagacjata, ihatisthata, ihatisthata, Ihasannidhatta, ihasannirudhyam atradhishthan kuruta mama pujam grihnita || With all your subjects the multifacet forms of the Divine Mother You are welcome, come and stay here, come close to us And as you get settled, accept my sincere oblations. Offerings ffQl fS Panchopacharey puja fc, AO, df, cf, ehc Padya, argha, dhup, deep, naivedya Water, rice, incense, lamp and food platter Hav fcw pNZdf pNZdf NkcosnjaLi ejx 58
Hav AOw w pNZdf NkcosnjaLi ejx Hav dfj pNZdf pNZdf NkcosnjaLi ejx Hav cfj pNZdf NkcosnjaLi ejx Hav ehcj pNZdf NkcosnjaLi ejx Etat --- (padayam, argham, dhupam, deepam, naivedyam) saganadhipa Gourjadi shorasha matrikabhyo namah | I am herewith offering water to wash your feet, welcome gift of rice, Incense, lamp and food platter in your honor and reverence Reverence to many facets of mother Place a flower on the holy pitcher after addressing the Mother Goddess in her specific facet: Jy Nk j ejx, ejx, Jy fcu j ejx, ejx, Jy nQ j ejx Jy jdu j ejx, ejx, Jy ph j ejx, ejx, Jy hSuu j ejx Om ---(Gourjai, Padmawai, Shachai, Medhwai, Sabitrai, Vijaywai) Matrey namah I bow to Thee Oh mother in your numerous facets (beautiful, lotus-like, conscious, intelligent, productive, victorious) Oh the divine Mother. Jy Suu j ejx Om jayawai matrey namah | Reverence to triumphant mother Jy chpeu chpeu j ejxz ejxz Om devasenawai matrey namah | Reverence to my warrior mother, the General of the Army Jy du j ejx z Om swadhawai matrey namah | Reverence to my mother who takes my offerings to my ancestors Jy qu j ejx z Om swahawai matrey namah | 59
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Reverence to my mother who take my sacrificial offering Jy n j ejx z Om shantwai matrey namah | Reverence to my mother ho brings peace Jy f j ejx z Om pushtwai matrey namah | Reverence to my mother who feeds me (??) Jy da j ejx ejx z Om dhitrawai matrey namah | Reverence to my mother who hold me for my protection Jy a j ejx z Om tushtwai matrey namah | Reverence to my mother who brings happiness Jy Bachau j ejx z Om atmadevatawai matrey namah | Reverence to my mother who is my intimate Goddess Jy Lmchau j ejx z Om kuladevatawai matrey namah | Reverence to my mother who is the Goddess of the famiy Conclude your prayer by seeking apology for any mistake incurred: Jy pNZdf NkcosnjaL rjdj zz Om saganadhipa Gouryadi shorasha matrika khamadhwam || Oh my mother, the leader of the people, with sixteen facets, I beg apology for any mistake I might have committed.
60
Prayer for the Holy River Ganges gA pUjA Ganga puja Offer a flower on the holy pitcher in the name of the sacred river Ganges. Sprinkle a little of Ganges Water, if available. River Ganges is know revive the souls of the ancestors of Bhagirath, who brought Ganges from Heaven to the Earth. Hence worship of Ganges is an essential component of Nandimukh or ancestral worship. Take a flower and place it on the holy pitcher while chanting: eEt gE puEp gAQ gAy nm:| Eteygandhapushpey gang gangawai namah I am offering this scented flower to Holy Ganges with deep reverence (expressed through sound syllable of gam) Prostration fZj Pranam sdY: pAtk sQhI sEdYA du:KibnAiSnI| suKdA EmAxdA gA gb prmA git Om sadya pataka sanghrantri sodho dukho binashini; Suhkoda mokhodha Gangha Gangoibo parama goti.
In the name of that Almighty, Oh Holy Ganges! Who takes away all the sin, and miseries and brings happiness. You are the only way to attain salvation.
Pituli Puja ipTulI pUjA Worship of cereal wealth Pituli is a special decoration made on plate with the dough of rice powder. It is pyramidal-shaped, decorate by taste, sits on asmall plate, 61
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) soaked in oil to save from cracking. It is treated as Lord Ganapati (Ganesh). To some devotee, it represents cereal wealth. It might have originated from tribal culture in Bengal. Place a flower on the pituli and chant: eEt gE puEp nm: SRIgnptEy nm:| nm:| Etey gandhapushpey namah Shri Ganapataye namah | I am offering this scented flower to Lord Ganesh with reverence |
Baran dala (Blessing plate) and Pituli (symbol of Ganesh)
Sprinkle little water for washing the feet: etd pAdYQ nm: SRIgnptEy gnptEy nm:| Etat padyam namah Ganapataye namah | I am offering this water to wash the feet of Lord Ganesh | Offer little rice as welcome jesture (argha): e> aGYQ nm: SRIgnptEy nm:| Etat argham namah Ganapataye namah | I am offering this welcome rice to Lord Ganesh for His reception | Sprinkle little water on the incense: 62
e> }UpQ nm: SRIgnptEy nm:| Etat dhupam namah Ganapataye namah | I am offering this incense to Lord Ganesh for his pleasure | Perform little arati with the sound of the bell. Offer lamp by sprinkle little water at the base of the lamp stand: e> dIpQ nm: SRIgnptEy nm:| Etat depam namah Ganapataye namah | I am offering this lamp to Lord Ganesh to welcome him | Sprinkle little water on the food plate or naivedya: etd nEbEdYQ SRIgnptEy nm:| Etat naibedyam namah Ganapataye namah | I am offering this food platter as service to Lord Ganesh | Offer water to drink by pouring a little water into the drinking glass: etd pAnIyjlQ nm: SRIgnptEy nm:| Etat paniya jalam namah Ganapataye namah | I am offering this tumbler of water to Lord Ganesh for drinking pleasure | I am offering herewith (flower for reception, water to wash feet, welcome gift of rice, dhup, lamp to lead to my house, naivedya as food, and water to drink) with utmost humility to Lord Ganesh And to the God of my home. House worship bAu pUjA Bastapurush puja For a devoted Hindu, house is the God who gives us shelter and brings happiness to our daily life. If there is no peace in the house, it is considered as cursed. Hence, for all celebrations of life (dashakarma), worshipping the house is an integral part of the celebration. 63
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Repeat the same way as you have done with Chediraj worship. Place a sandalwood dipped flower at the corner of the room and chant. Alternatively, offer the flower on the offering plate. eEt gE puEp nm: bAu pur>Ay nm:| Eteh gandhapushpey namah Vastupurushaya namah | Here I offer sandalwood and flower tothe House God with reverence. etd pAdYQ nm: bAu pur>Ay nm:| Etad padyam namah Vastupurushaya namah | Here I offer water to wash the feet ofthe House God with reverence e> aGYQ nm: nm: bAu pur>Ay nm:| Esha argham namah Vastupurushaya namah | Here I offer welcome rice to welcome the House God with reverence Sprinkle a little water at the base of incense stand (signifying offer) and then pick up the incense stick and do arati, looking at the ceiling of the house. e> }UpQ nm: bAu pur>Ay nm:| Esha dhupam namah Vastupurushaya namah | Here I offer incense tothe House God with reverence. Offer the lamp by sprinkling a little water at the base of the lamp stand. e> dIpQ nm: bAu pur>Ay nm:| Esha deepam namah Vastupurushaya namah | Here I offerthe lamp to the House God with reverence. Sprinkle little water on the food platter: etd nEbEdYQ nEbEdYQ bAu pur>Ay nm:| Etad naivedyam namah Vastupurushaya namah | Here I offerthe food platter tothe House God with reverence etd pAnIyjlQ bAu pur>Ay nm:| 64
Etad paniyajalam namah Vastupurushaya namah | Here I offerthe food platter tothe House God with reverence. BASUDHARA bsu}ArA (Prayers & wall-markings symbolizing effluence) Basudhara (flow of ghee to the earth) symbolizes effluence. On the wall (eastside or north side), a Swastika or human figure is drawn. Both are considered as sacred icons. The human figure represents the human race, blessed by Lord Almighty. Below the icon, five dots are drawn with oil paste of turmeric or vermillion (sindur, pcl). The dots are placed on a straight line at the height of the naval spot of the householder. Chant the following mantra as you flow the melted butter (ghee) with the help of kushi or spoon starting from the marked spot down to the floor. Each line of flow should reach the ground. (Use aluminum foil to avoid permanent mark on the wall in western houses). kQ qlZp khQ Nhja z pap hZ hQe jw pwpSjp zz Jadarcha hiranyasya jadhobarcho gabamuta | Satasya Brahmhano barchstena mam srijamashi || Jadwarcho hiranasya jadbabarcho gabamuta | Satyasya Brahmano barchastena mam samsrijamashi || As I offer to this Golden Earth, the stream of ghee that came from the cow, I am trying to bring together the truth and His presence as painted on the wall.
65
Chediraj
Gritadhara (7)
Flowers offered to Chidiraj
Worship of the King of the land EcidrAj pUjA Chediraj puja Chedi was a powerful kingdom in the days of Mahabharata. Chediraj, the king of Chedi, took the wrong side of the Mahabharata war, fighting against Pandavas. He was thus cursed. When we worship the ancestors, we do not forget the ones who made mistakes and pray for their forgiveness and wish their salvation. Place a flower on the Holy pitcher in the name of Chediraj, paying obeisance: eEt gE puEp nm: SRIEcidrAj bsEb bsEb nmxz Etey gandhapushpey namah Shri Chediraj basabey namah | Here I offer the sandalwood and flower to Shri Chediraj the king of the land. Pour a little water with the kushi on the offering plate: etd pAdYQ nm: SRIEcidrAj bsEb bsEb nm:| Etad padyam Shri Chediraj basabey namah | 66
Here I offer the water to wash the feet of Shri Chedira the king of the land j. Offer the welcome rice; Take a little rice and place it in the offering plate: e> aGYQ SRIEcidrAj bsEb bsEb nm:| Esha argham Shri Chediraj basabey namah | Here I offer the rice to welcome Shri Chediraj the king of the land. Sprinkle littlewater at the base of the incense stand to signify its offer. Then perform a quick arati. e> }UpQ SRIEcidrAj bAsEb Esha dhupa Shri Chediraj basabey namah | Here I offerthe incense to Shri Chediraj the king of the land. Sprinkle little water at the base of the lamp to signify its offer: e> dIpQ SRIEcidrAj bAsEb nm:| Esha deepa Shri Chediraj basabey namah | Here I offerthe lamp to Shri Chediraj the king of the land. Sprinkle little water on the food platter to signify its offer: etd nEbEdYQ SRIEcidrAj bAsEb nm:| Etad naivedyam Shri Chediraj basabey namah | Here I offerthe food platter to Shri Chediraj the king of the land. Offer a glass of water to drink. Sprinkle a little water on the glass waiting to be offered: etd pAnIyjlQ SRIEcidrAj bAsEb nm:| Etad paniyajalam Shri Chediraj basabey namah | Here I offerthe glass of drinking water to Shri Chediraj the king of the land. Then pray with folded hands: Jy QclS ejiw nfN jqja z 67
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) rvffpec c QclS eja zz Om Chediraj namastabhyam shapgrashta mahamatey | Khustpipashanudey danta Chediraja namahstutey || I pay my reverence to you Oh Chediraj Oh the great one you are cursed Sufferin from hunger and thirst under restraint Accept my oblation. Jy QclS hp rj Om Chediraja baso khsamaswa Pardon for my faults Oh Chediraj Hymn for long life of child Buop Ayushyasukta Jy Buhnu hnw hnjulnjq z fSldedqj naw Shj nlc huw a zz Jy Buj j fh, hQp j fh, hcx fbh ch SeRZfqdx rl rlx z pj qcNu, jjuoh, jjhhQpu kSjep, Jc AiSa Ljlp (Lefr jc AiSa Ljkx) lSu zz Om aurbishwayu bishwam biswamaurshimahi| Prajantwasthardhinidheyhyasmai shatam jibem sharado bayam tey | Om aushmey me pabaswa, barchasey mey pabaswa, biduh prithibya dibo janitrachrinwantapohadhah ksharanti || Somo hodgaya mamayusheba mamabrahmabarchasaya jajamansyardhai madabhijata kumarsya (kanya: kumarjya) rajya || May you have the life of this universe | May your life store the happiness of the autuman | May your life blessed, may your words be blessed, May your image on this earth be devoid of all troubles May I the devotee (jajamana) seek your blessing Oh the Brahman, That he/she be beautiful like the moon, with long life, Bearing spiritual thoughts And stay close to me as I pray for my son/daughter || 68
CEREMONIAL GOOD WISH FOR LIFE ai}bAs Adhhivas Adhibas is the auspicious beginning of a happy occasion like Puja and Dashakarma. It symbolizes gifts and blessings from parents. A thatched platter is prepared, called barandala, on which various displays are placed, from stone to essence, all are considered sacred. Each item is offered to Vishnu and then touched to the forehead of the child. This is with the goal that Gift of God be blessed on the child as he/she grows up. This ends up with the ceremonial baran when the platter is touched to various parts of the childs body and the lamp used for having the touch of Gods warmth. The barana dala commonly includes the following: Lamp, earth from Ganges River, sandalwood, small piece of stone, paddy, flower, a fruit (supari or beetle nut), swastik (a leaf with swastik sign or a metal with the sign), kajal (black oil suit for eye brow decortion), conch, vermillion (sindur), yogurt, ghee, gold, silver, white mustard, turmeric (or rochana). Resolution pf Sankalpa Declaration of the goal or resolution (pf, Sankalpa) is the initial step of the Annaprasan ceremony. Take little water, few doop grasses, a flower, haritaki nut and a little rice in a kushi and declare the following: ib>uErAm tqsq tqsq adY ----- mAEs ------ pEx ----- itEF vAkEr ---- EgA SRI ---- EdbSmN: tsY pu ---- EgA Ljl n --- chnjZx (enAQ knYAQ ----- EgAA EgAA LjlSRImit ---- EdbI) vhQ kir>YAim| v-apRASn kmin ai}bAsn ai}bAsn kmAhQ Vishnurom tatsat ---- masey ---- pakshey ---- tithou bhaskarey 69
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) ---- gotra Shri --- debasharma (father) tasya putra --- gotra ---- kumar ---- debasharmanah (in case of daughter: enam kanyam --- gotra --- kumara shrimati --- debi) Shubha annaprasana karmani adhibasana karmaham karishyami || On this auspicious day of ---- month, ----- lunar fortnight ----in I, of gotra --- name ----, father of ---- (boy/girl) of gotra --Resolve to perform the Annaprasana and its integral component of Adhibasan (sacred blessing.) The child sits of the lap of the parent. Each item of Barandala (or the whole barandala) is offered to Naryana and touched to the forehead of the child. Mother covers the head of the girl with the end of her sari, while touching each item to the forehead and heart of the child after the completion of the chant. Blessing Pick up the sandalwood paste from the barandala (placed in a small bowl), offer it to the holy pitcher and then put the sandal wood paste on the foredhead of the child aEnn gEn Apx nje ---- (Rm) Ap nja ---- (ju) vu v-apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnmz Anena gandhena Asya Shriman --- (for boy) Asyaaa --- Shrimati (for girl) Shubha annaprasana karmani Ashibasanamastu || I am offering herewith the sandalwood paste on the occasion of Adhibas in Annaprasan Pick up a fewpaddy grains (dZ)withdoob grass from the baran dala and offer it to Narayana. Then put it on the head of the child. (Doob grass seeks immortality and rice represents wealth and prosperity). 70
anyA }ANYA (Rm) asY: nje ---(ju) Ap nja ---vv-apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnmu | Anaya dhanya Asya/Asya ---- (son/daughter) Shubha annaprasana karmani Adhibasanamastu || I am offering the paddy to Narayana and seeking His blessing during Adhibas ceremony For the well being of the childs life Ghee symbolizes prosperity. Pick up a little ghee from the bowl placed in barandala, offer to the holy pither (Narayana) and put on the forehead of the child. aEnn G<Etn asY: SRImAn---- (Rm)/ (Rm)/ Ap nja ---- (ju) vu v-apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnm| Anena ghreteyna Asya/Asya ---- (son/daughter) Shubha annaprasana karmani Adhibasanamastu || I am offering the ghee, wishing prosperity in the life of my child, on the occasion of auspicious Adhibas. Swastika represents divine protection in Vedic tradition. Pick the Swastika from the barandala, touch it to the holy pitcher and then touch to the forehead of the child. aEnn iEkn Ekn asY: SRImAn---- (Rm) Ap nja ---- (ju) vv-apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnmu | Anena swastikena Asya/Asya ---- (son/daughter) Shubha annaprasana karmani Adhibasanamastu ||
71
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) With Swastika in my hand I pray Lord Narayan to protect my child from all evils. Vermillion is the red colored powder which is used in the parting of married women. Its use recalls women power through Durga and Kali. It is offered to the Narayana and then placed on the forehead of the child. The vermillion is symbolic of protection from evil through the blessings of Goddesses Durga and Kali. aEnn aEnn isduErn asY: SRImAn ---- (Rm) Ap nja ---- (ju) vv-apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnmu || Anena sindurana Aasyah Shriman ---- (son) / asya Shrimati ---- (daughter) Shubha annaprasan karmani adhibasanamastu || I am putting the vermillion on the occasion of Adhibas in Annaprasan With prayers (from Goddesses Durga and Kali) to protect my child from all evils. The practice of putting the lamp soot on the eye brows and on the forehead of children bears the idea of barring the evil spirit to come near the child. It is age old tradition, now not practiced, but the rituals continues. The loving mother undertakes all protectionsfor her child even that falls beyond the realm of scientific reasoning. Pick up the soot container, offer it to the holy pitcher and than put a bit on the forehead. aEnn kEln asY: SRImAn ----- (Rm) (Rm) Ap nja ---- (ju) vv-apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnmu || Anena kajjalena asyah Shriman ---- (son)/asya Shrimati ---- (daughter) Shubha annaprasan karmani adhibasanamastu ||
72
I am putting this soot to the forehead of my child to bar all evils in his/her life time. Conch (sankha) is an integral part of all Hindu festivals. When one puts the conch on the ear, it gives a strange sound due to interaction of echoes. One can feel the primordial sound of the universe. Offering of the sankha seeks the divine blessing. After touching the holy pitcher and the forehead of the child, blow the conch to herald the occasion. aEnn SQEn asY: SRImAn ----- (Rm)/ (Rm)/Ap nja ---- (ju) vu v-apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnm| Anena sankhena asyah Shriman ---- (son)/ asya Shrimati ---- (daughter) Shubha annaprasan karmani adhibasanamastu || I am offering this conch to see the divine blessing of the Lord. The fire of the lamp has unlimited divine energy. The lamp on the barandala is picked up, it is shown to the Narayana, and then the warmth of the flame is given to the head, heart and cheeks of the child. The flame carries the warmth of the God in the form of energies of light and heat. aEnn dIEpn asY: SRImAn ImAn ---- (Rm)/ (Rm)/Ap nja ---- (ju) vu v-apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnm| Anena deepeyna asyah Shriman ---- (son)/asya Shrimati ---- (daughter) Shubha annaprasan karmani adhibasanamastu || I am offering this lamp to Lord in the name of my child With the hope of getting His enlightenment through his/her life Offer the bowl ofturmeric paste to Narayana and then put on the forehead of the child: Aeu ql asY: SRImAn ---- (Rm) 73
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Ap nja ---- (ju) vu v-apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnm| Anya haridra asyah Shriman ---- ( son)/ asya Shrimati ---- (daughter) Shubha annaprasan karmani adhibasanamastu || I am offering this turmeric (sanctifier) to Lord in the name of my child With the hope of getting His enlightenment through his/her life This turmeric paste will be used in Gayehalud which is done after the tying of the mangalasutra. Tying Sacred Thread mlsu Mangalasutra Pick seven strands of yellow thread (called sacred thread or mlsu) from the barandala. Offer it to Narayana by touching to the holy pitcher and then to the Narayana Sheela while chanting the following: Take a bunch of red thread from the barandala and tie on the hand of the child aEnn mlsuEn asY: SRImAn ---- (Rm)/ (Rm)/Ap nja ---- (ju) vu v-apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnm| Anena mangala sutrena asyah Shriman ---- (son)/asya Shrimati ---- (daughter) Shubha annaprasan karmani adhibasanamastu || While tying the thread, whole heartedly pray to Narayana to protect him/her throughout his/her life. After offering to Lord Vishnu tie on the wrist of the child. Note: For boy on the right wrist and for girl on the left wrist Mangalasutra acts as the security band that reminds the child of divine protection to face the inevidable adversities of life. nm: ElAEkY JAin vutAin AbrAin crAin c| 74
bRAA-ib>ib>-uiSb: sAQ rxAQ kubu tAin Em z| Namah trilokya jani bhutani sthabarani charanicha Brahama Vishnu Shibai Sadhyam raksham kurbantu tani mey || In the name of the divinity, this security thread may protect from all evils, fixed or moving, By the grace of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, who will protect the child always. Collective Good Wish The platter of good wish (barandala) may have many more things placed according to family and community tradition. Hence,before concluding the Adhibash, the entire barandala is held with both hands and five married ladies participate in doing baran to the child. anyA sbdRbYA asY: SRImAn --- (Rm) Ap nja ---- (ju) i apRASn kmiN ai}bAsnmu || Anya sarbadrabya (all materials in the platter) asyah Shriman ---- (son)/asya Shrimati ---- (daughter) Shubha annaprasan karmani adhibasanamastu || I offer rest of the things of the good wish platter to the name of the Lord Wishing the child all the best as he/she enters into his/her new life. After Adhibash, the child is taken for the Gaye Halud. WOSHIP OF THE ANCESTORS Offerings to Kush Brahman (A Link to Ancestors) Brahmin,for ancestral worship, is made from kush grass. It acts as a liason between the mortal world of ours and the world of spirits, the resting place of the souls of our ancestors. We bring our imagination to life while we seek blessing from them. 75
The process of making the Brahmin from the kush is as follows: Wet the kush overnight in order to make it soft for bending. Select three kush strands for each Brahmin. Line up the thick bottom and roll up like making rope. Cut the tip to about six inches length (do not use your nails, cut with a knife or edge of the kushi). Then make a two-and-half loop (aA#AH p^YAc) on the narrow end of the kush giving it the look of a human figure with the loop as the head and the end of the kush sticks out like the hair tail of the Brahmin. Resolution Take the kushi with little water and place it on left palm. Put in it little rice, a flower and the haritaki. After the completion of the resolution chant, turn over the kushi on the offering plate and sprinkle a little water on it. ib>uErAm tdsq adY ------------mAEs ------------mAEs ------------pEx ------------pEx-----------pEx------------ itEF vAkEr (fa) fa) -------- EgA SRI ------- EdbSmN: tsY pu ----- EgA ----- SRI ------- EdbSmN: (enAQ knYAQ knYAQ ----- EgAA SRImit ------ EdbI) EdbI) (ja a) SRImit ------ EdbI enAQ pu/knYAQ knYAQ vv-apRASnkmin nAidmuKsY iptA ----- EgA SRI ---- EdbSmn:, iptAmh ------ EgA SRI ---- EdbSmn:, pRiptAmh ----- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmn:| mAtA ----- EgAA ------- EdbI, mAtAmhI ---- EgAA ------ bAlA EdbI, pRmAtAmhI ----- EgAA ----- bAlA EdbI aAvuYdAiykSR dAiykSRA kEbY o^ dvmy bRAN ahQ ahQ kirE kirE>Y| On this auspocious day of the Lord, of --- month --- lunar fornight ---- day Of --- gotra Shri ---, his son/daughter kumar -----/ kumari --In the auspicious occasion of Annaprasan On the occasion of ancestral worship (Nandimukh) remembering my father ---76
Of Gotra ---- Gradfather ---- of Gotra ---, mother ---- of gotra ----, grandmother of --- gotra. Great grandmother ---- of gotra --- (continue with the names of maternal grandfather and maternal grandmother, and ancestory of mothers side of the child). On the occasion of ancestral worship I am performing my duty by making my offerings to the Brahmin made of doob grass. Note: In todays world, the ancestory of the child belongs equally to the father as well as to the mother. Hence, the ancestory of the mother must be declared, although not fully recognized in the scriptures. Worship of Kush Brahman bRAnfS Brahman puja Prepare three Brahmins for the worship The Gods line, the paternal line and the maternal line Edbpx, ipt<px, mAt<px. Bathing of the Brahmins Lay down the Brahmins on a plate and put sandalwood paste on them. Jy Nl cldow eafw LloZj z Dnlw piaew ajqfqu nuj z Om gahndha dwara duradharsham nityapushtam karishinim | Ishwarim sarbabhutanam tamihopahbhaye shriam || May this sandalwood ointment always enrich you And the presence of God in all forms is felt as I spread on you. Hold the kush-Brahmin between the pointing finger and thumb of the left hand and pour water from the Kamandalu on the Brahmin while chanting the mantra. Repeat this with two other Brahmins. o^ shsR SI>A: pur>: shsRAx shsRpAq | p ijw paha Aaacnmj zz etq AinEyAdkQo^ dvmy hZi ejx | Om sahasra Shirsha Purushah sahasrakshah sahashrapat | 77
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Sa bhumim sarvatam spastwa atyatishtha dashangulam ||1|| With thousand heads of the Lord covering the land of thousand steps and yet leaves space for ten fingers (story related to Vamana Avatar of Vishnu leaving only the length of ten fingers for the devotee to stand Here is the water for His bath. ||1|| Alternate: The supreme Person exists enveloping the whole manifest Universe, cognizing through every mind, seeing through every eye and working through every limb (sahashrapat) nay He exists transcending the Universe. Placement of Brahmin After bath the Brahmins are placed in a particular format which is shown on the figure. The seat of the Brahmin is designated by laying a few kush grasses. If the shradhakari (the person who performs the shradhdha) faces east, one Brahmin is placed opposite to him, on the east side. This is designated as the Brahmin who links the family to the God (devpaksha, ). Place a small tumbler on the right side of the seat. All offerings to the Brahmin will be made in the tumbler. Two other Brahmins represent the Paternal ancestory (petripaksha, ) and the Maternal ancestory (Matripaksha). The Brahmin linked with the paternal ancestory sits on the right (south side of the square)closest to the Brahmin sitting on the east. The Brahmin that represents the mothers side is placed below the former andclose to the Shraddhakari. Put the Brahmins on individual seat (kush laid on ground).
78
Then make the following offerings to individual Brahmin: Offer a flower:
eEt gpu gpuEp o^ dvmy bRAE EN nm:| Etey gandhapushpey Om darbhamaya Brahmaney namah | I herewith offer the flower with reverence to the Brahmin made of doob grass (dvmy). Pour littel water on the offering plate and chant: etd pAdYQ o^ dvmy bRAEN nm:| Etat padyam Om darbhamaya Brahmaney namah | I herewith offer the water to wash your feet. Offer a little welcome rice: e> aGYQ o^ dvmy bRAEN nm:| Esha argham Om darbhamaya Brahmaney namah | Here is the welcome rice for your honor, Oh the divine one(Brahmin made of doob grass (dvmy). Offer the incense by sprinkling a little at the base of the incense stand: e> }UpQ o^ dvmy bRAEN nm:| 79
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Here is the incense to your service Oh the divine one. Offer the lamp in the same way: e> dIpQ o^ dvmy bRAEN nm:| Esha deepa Om darbhamaya Brahmaney namah | I am offering the lamp to your service, Oh the divine one. Offer the food platter by sprinkling a little water on it: etd nEbEdYQ o^ dvmy bRAEE EEN nm:| I am offering the food platter to your service, Oh the Brahmin. Offer a glass of drinking water: etd pAnIyjlQ o^ dvmy bRAEN nm:| Etad paniyajalam Om darbhamaya Brahmaney namah | I offer this glass of drinking water as your service. Now take little water on the right palm and announce the following resolution. After completing the resolution pour it on the Brahmin on the location of Petripakhsha (the first one on the right). o^ ---- EgA nAidmuK iptA SRI ----- EdbSmn: ------ EgA nAidmuK iptAmh iptAmh SRI ----- EdbSmn: ---- EgA nAidmuK pR pRiptAmh SRI ---- EdbSmn: etE dvAsnQ o^ EJ cA tBAmnuJAQc tBmnu t Et nm:| Om ---- gotra nandimukh pita Shri ---- devasharmana ---- gotra nandimukh pitamaha Shri ---- devasharmana ---- gotra nandimukh prapitamaha Shri ---- devasharmana Etatey darbhasanam Om jey chatra twamanu jangscha twomanu tasmai tey namah || In the name of my paternalancesters (father, grandfather, great grandfather, identified by gotra and name) I am offering the durba grass as their representative To pay my oblations and reverence.
80
Take water in the same way and give it in reverence to your grandmother and others on the line (matripaksha). o^ ----- EgAA nAidmuiK iK mAtA ----- EdbI, o^ ----- EgAA nAidmu nAidmuiK mAtAmih ----- EdbI, o^ ----- EgAA nAidmuiK pRmAtAmih ----- EdbI etE dvAsnQ o^ EJ cA tBAmnuJAQc tBmnu t Et nm:| Om ---- gotra nandimukhi mata ---- devi Om ---- gotra nandimukhi matamahi ---- devi Om ---- gotra nandimukhi pramatamahi ---- devi Etatey darbhasanam Om jey chatra twamanu jangscha twomanu tasmai tey namah || In the name of my mother, grand mother, great grandmother (identified by give gotra and name) I am offering the durba grass as their representative To pay my oblations and reverence. The Brahmin below the petripaksha is offered for the ancestors of childs mother and her ancestors (maternal grandfather and maternal grandmother). Continue your offerings to the three Brahmins as follows: Take a sandalwood dipped flower in the kush and make your offering for sandalwood, flower, incence, lamp and the cloth and then place the flower in the offering plate: o^ bsusEt ibEbEdbAx etAin gg-pupp-df-cfcf aACdnAin nm:| EJ cA tBAmnu JAQc tBEt bRAEN nm:| Om basusatau vishwey devah etani gandha-pushpa-dhup-deepachadananai namah | Jey chatra twamanu janscha tasmaitey brahmaney namah || This earth is your creation Oh the Lord of the Universe, I am offering the sandalwood, flower, incense, lamp and the cloth To the Brahmin on your honor, to receive your grace For my family 81
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Cloth b-dAn Take the cloth, put a holy basil leaf on it (tulsi), and a flower: o^ btu smAJuQ p psuAid inimtm| bAEsA Edb suk g<hAnbr biNnA| tusAn sQ ritQ rAgbunA| dvmy bRAN vjpRItQ bAsE pir}IytAm| Om bahutantu samajuktam pattasutradi nirmittam | Basu deva sushuklancha grihanabara barnina || Tantusantana sannaddhwam ranjitam ragbastuna | Darbhamaya brahman bhajapreetim basantey paridhiyatam || Made with numerous threads made of cotton and other fibers, Oh the representative of God, accept this clean cloth for which I will be grateful Enriched with heavy threads, this colorful cloth I am offering to you to see you pleased. Uncooked Food Platter EvAjY-dAn Bhojyadan This is the most important part of Nandimukh where the Brahmins blessing is obtained by giving away the platter of raw food or Bhojya. If for some reasons full Nandimukh is not possible, take the name of the ancestors during the Bhojyadan, before feeding the child. Put a flower on the raw food platter (Bhojya) and make the following offering ib>uErAm tdsq adY ------ mAEs ------ pEx ------ itEF vAkEr ----- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmN: tsY pu/enAQ knYAQ (pu ----- EgA SRI -------- EdbSmN:) (knYA ----- EgAA SRImit ----- EdbI) EdbI) vv-apRASnkmin nAidmuKsY 82
iptA ----- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmn:, iptAmh ----- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmn:, pRiptAmh ----- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmn:| mAtA Imit -------- EdbI, mAtA ------ EgAA SRImit mAtAmhI ----- EgAA SRImit ---- EdbI, pRmAtAmhI ---- EgAA SRImit -------EdbI -------EdbI axy gkAm HdQ sG<t wpkrn aAmA EvAjYAQ SRIib>uEdbtAQ JFA sb EgAnAEm bRAnAyQ ddAim| Vishnurom tadsat adya --- mashey --- pakshey --- tithou bhaskarey --- gotra Shri --- devasharmana tasya putra/anam kanyam Putra: ---- gotra and Shri ---- devasharma Kanya: ---- gotraa Shrimati ---- devi Shubha annaprasana karmani nandimukhasya Pita, pitamaha, prapitamaha (--- gotra, Shri ----) Mata, matamahi, pramatamahi (--- gotraa, Shrimati ----) Akshay swargakama Idam sagrihta upakarana amannya bhojyam Shri Vishnu devatam Jatha sambhaba gotranamney brahmanayam dadami || On this auspicious day of --- month, --- lunar fortnight --- day I of gotra --- name ---- offering this platter on the occasion of The ancestral worship, a part of the auspicious Annaprasan ceremony for my son/daughter of ----gotra --- name Kumar/Kumari ----In the name of my father ----, grandfather ---- and great grand father Mother, grandmother and great grand mother For their eternal stay in heaven, I am offering this Food platter with ghee and other materials In the name of Lord Vishnu With all the names of gotra, as best as I could, to the Brahmin representing the Divinity. Repeat the above on the third Brahmin that is sitting closer to the shradhakarta.Repeat everything as done with the fathers family except take the names of the maternal parents and grandparents. ib>uErAm tdsq adY ------ mAEs ------ pEx ------ itEF vAkEr 83
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) ----- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmN: tsY pu/enAQ knYAQ (pu ----- EgA SRI -------- EdbSmN:) (knYA ----- EgAA SRImit ----- EdbI) EdbI) vv-apRASnkmin nAidmuKsY iptA ----- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmn:, iptAmh ----- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmn:, pRiptAmh ----- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmn:| mAtA mAtA ------ EgAA SRImit -------- EdbI, mAtAmhI ----- EgAA SRImit ---- EdbI, pRmAtAmhI ---- EgAA SRImit -------EdbI -------EdbI axy gkAm HdQ sG<t wpkrn aAmAEvAjYAQ SRIib>uEdbtAQ JFAsbEgAnAEm JFAsbEgAnAEm bRAnAyQ ddAim| For their eternal stay in heaven, I am offering this Food platter with ghee and other materials in the name of Lord Vishnu With all the names of gotra, as best as I could, to the Brahmin representing the Divinity.
84
Special note:
One of key factors that allowed Hinduism to survive through time is its inherent nature to adapt itself with change of time. The goal of the New Age Purohit Darpan is to recognize this unique feature of Hinduism and bring forth much needed changes. Todays children are equally loved by their patermal and maternal grandparents. Hence, they need to seek the blessing of both and thus the maternal grandparents should not be ignored during Nandimukh (ancestral worship) as described in the old script. Thus the author has modified the old format and used two Brahmins as representatives of paternal side (petripaksha) and maternal side (matripaksha). The central Brahmin (devapaksha), however, takes the primary role of communicating with God. The paternal-Brahmin sits next to the Devapaksha-Brahmin and receives the offerings meant for the ancestors of the fathers side, irrespective of their gender. In the same way, the Brahmin representing the ancestors of the mothers side is recognized, irrespective of their gender and receives the obeisance in the same way as it is done with the paternal ancestors.
Offering of Cookeed Rice adAn/fce Annadan/Pindadan The scriptures describe the ancestral worship with or without pinda, depending on the situation. It is described here in case the devotee would like to perform it. Pinda is the ball of rice made for the offering to the ancestors. In early days the rice was cooked by the Shradhakari before making the offer. This is not possible in modern days because of changed conditons. 85
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Hence the alternative method is described here which you can call, Uncooked Pinda. Method 1: From rice 1. Take three handful of rice for three pindas to make deva, pitri and matri. 2. Put just enough over ripe banana to roll into a ball. 3. Add to the rice honey, barley and til (sesame seed) 4. Make three balls and set aside for their use when needed. Method 2: With rice powder 1. Make a dough of rice powder. Note: Add water slowly so that the dough is tight and will not fall apart. 2. Add honey and til as you are preparing the dough. 3. Make into three smaller balls for offeing. Offering of pinda fce Pindadan Put some barley seeds () on the pinda. (Note: Til is placed when the pinda is offered for deceased, meaning unhappy occasion). Now offer the first pinda, with barley, to the Brahmin of Deva Paksha. Place it on a leaf or plate. o^ HdmAQ HmA aAp: HdQ hib: etAin wpkr wpkrnAiN JFA suKQ bAgJtA dt| Om idamannam ima apah idam habim etani upakaranani jatha sukham bagjata swadat | Herewith I am offeriing the pinda along with other things for your happiness and blessing. Then offer the second pinda to the paternal Brahmin taking the names of paternal grandparents o^ ib>uErAm nAidmuK 86
ahm ---- EgA iptA --------- EdbSmN: ---- EgA nAidmu nAidmuK iptAmh ---------EdbSm ---------EdbSmn:, ----- EgA nAidmu nAidmuK pRiptAmh ---------- EdbSmN: Om! Vishurom nandimukha aham --- gotra (pita) ---- debasharmana --- gotra (pitamaha, prapitamaha) ---- debasharmana e> ip: EsApkrN: sJbEdAkQ tuvYQ nm:| Esha pindah sopakaranah sajabadokam tubham namah | ib>uErAm o^ ------ EgAA nAidmu nAidmuiK mAtA ------- EdbI, ib>uErAm o^ --------EgA --------EgAA EgAA nAidmuiK mAtAmih ----------- EdbI ib>uErAm o^ ----------- EgAA nAidmu nAidmuiK pRmAtAmih ------ EdbI Vishurom Om --- gotra nandimukhi (mata , matamahi pramatahmahi) --- debi e> ip: EsApkrN: sJbEdAkQ tuvYQ nm:| Esha pinda sopakaranah sajabadokam tubhyam namah || Finally give the third panda to the maternal Brahmin taking the names of maternal (childs mother, your wife) grandparents as done in case of the paternal (childs father, you) grandparents. Praying For Forgiveness jl dAn Jaladan Pour little water from the kamandalu in the tumbler of the DebapakshaBrahmin while chanting the reconciliatory prayer: o^ jhInQ iyAh iyAhInQ ibi}hI ibi}hIn JdvEbq, tqsb aiCdRmu | Om mantrhinam kriyahinam bidhihinam jatbhabet, tatsarba achidramastu | I neither know the mantras, nor the actions nor the rituals which are to be performed, Please forgive me for my ignorance 87
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) CONCLUSION Take a little water on your right palm, chant the following and then discard it in the tumbler of the Petripaksha-Brahmin. ib>uErAm o^ -------- EgA nAidmu nAidmuK iptA --------- EdbSmN: ------- EgA nAidmu nAidmuK iptAmh ---------EdbSm ---------EdbSmn: ----- EgA nAidmu nAidmuK pRiptAmh --------- EdbSmN: Vishnurom Om ---- gotra nandimukha (pita, pitamaha, prapitamaha) ---- debasharmana | In the name of Vishnu I pay my revence to my ancestors (give gotra, name and relationship) pRtYbEnjnQ tuvYQ nm:| Pratyabaneyjam tubhyam namah || Remembering my ancestors I pay my reverence to the invisible soul o^ ib>uErAm ------- EgAA EgAA nAidmuiK mAtA -------- EdbI, ------- EgAA EgAA nAidmuiK mAtAmih mAtAmih --------------- EdbI, ------------------ EgAA nAidmu nAidmuiK pRmAtAmih --------EdbI --------EdbI Vishnurom Om ---- gotra nandimukha (mata, matamaha, pramatamaha) ---- debi | pRtYbEnjnQ tuvYQ nm:| Pratyabaneyjam tubhyam namah || In the name of my paternal ancestors, I offer my reverence to the invisible soul. Repeat the same with the Matri-paksha Brahmin where you will take the name of maternal ancestory of the child. Hymn Of Continuity nhj Shrabyamantra Jy kE@nl qh pjLh iqhua qllnlq z avpdecfk avpdecfk pc lrwp noZ plwQ p zz zz 88
Jy kNnlw k@hw pwfS jeuqhbn bn | hZnjalZw e hq djenoax zz zz Jy je hoqla kh khneqlx z jjf pwhx Laue hqfa zz zz flnl hp nM mMa cr Naj z na af hnQ hnQ djn fkSLx zz zz Jy aox fljw fcw pc fn plux z chh Qrlaaj zz zz Om jogeswaro havya samastakabya bhoktahbyatma Haririshwarotra | Tat sanni dhanadapayantu sadyo rakshamsya sheshanya suramshcha sarbey || Jogishwaram jagyabalkam sampujya munayohbruban | Barnashrameta ranam no bruhi dharmansheshatah || Om manwatri Vishnuharita Yabalkoshanohangirah | Mamapstamba sambartah Katyana Brihaspati || Parashara Vyan Shankha likhita Daksha Goutamou | Shatatapo Vashishshashthacha dharmshashtra prjojakah | Om tad Vishnu paramam padam sada pashyanti suraya | Dibiba chakshuratatam || In accordance with the wishes of the Lord, the souls of our ancestors under the care of Lord Vishnu, stayed close to us and were protected by Him. To keep the continuity of our race with its casts and orders Great sages took birth, like Jagabalkya, Angira, who maintained our unique culture. Thus came Katyana, Brihaspati, Parashara, Vyasa, Daksha, Goutama Who wrote our scripturesAnd came Vashishtha who after meditation for many years Documented his spiritual experience And they always saw Lord Vishnu like the clear bright sky. Jy ckde jeju jq jqjx x LZx nLep nM z cxnpex ffgm pj, jmw lS dalqjeo zz Jy kdl djju A Ae ijpeqp ijpeqp nM z j pa ffgm pj, jmw Lo h Q hZQ zz Om Duryodhana manyumayo mahadrumah skandah karna shakunistya shakha | 89
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Dushashana pushpafaley samridhye, mulam raja dhritarashtrahamanishi || Om Judhishthio dharmamayo Arjuno Bhimsenohasya shakha | Madri sutou pushpafaley samridhey, mualm Krishney Brahmah cha Brahmanascha || In this ancestral link also comes Duryodhan, Manu, Great Druma, Skandha, Karna, Shakuni and their branches Dushashana flourished with prosperity, Raja Dhritarashtra received reverence, Judhishthira the emblem of Dharma, Arjuna, Bhima and his associates and extensions And the children of Madri (Kauravas) who flourished and expanded Under the divine eyes of Krishna and Brahma and the Brahmin, the care-taker of the society. With folded hands offer your prayers to the souls of your ancestors: Jy chaix faiQ jqkNi HhQ z ejxf qu eajh iha a zz Devatavya pitribhyaschya mahajogibhya eba cha | Namah pushthai swahawai nityameba bhabasthiti || Oh my divine ancestors Bless us and be with us always. Jy hni chi ejx zz Om Vishevya devebhyo namah || My oblations are to the Gods spread over the Universe Prayers to Ancestors pRNAm Pranam o^ iptA g iptA }m iptAih prmQ tp:| iptir pRIitmApE itmApE pRIyE sb EdbtA| jnnI jnvUimc gAdip giry>I| crEnE EvYA o^ ipt< crEnE crEnEvYA vYA nm:, o^ iptAmh crEnE crEnEvYA vYA nm:, o^ pRiptAmh crEn vYA nm:| 90
o^ mAt< crEnE crEnEvYA vYA nm:, o^ mAtAmhI crEnE crEnEvYA vYA nm:, o^ pRmAtmhI crEnE crEnEvYA vYA nm:| o^ ibEbEvYA EdEbEvYA nm:| Om! Pita swargah pita dharmah pita hee paramam tapah| Pitari pritimapanney priyantey sarbadevatah|| Janani janmabhumischa swargadapi gariyashi | Om --- (pitri, pitamaha, prapitamaha charanebho namah | Om --- (matri, matamahi, pramatamahi) charanebho namah | Om bisheybhyo debebhyo namah || My father is my heaven, my father is my religion, he is my ultimate salvation of life If he is happy, it pleases all Gods. My mother and my birthplace are dearer to me than the heaven I bow to my father, grandfather, great grandfather, Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, I bow to all Gods of the Universe. Immersion of Kush-Brahmins hZ hpe Brahman bisarjan Touch all the Brahmins with a kush, chant the following: Jy hS hSqha hSe hSe e, deo hf Aja Gax Gax z Ap jdx fha jcud jcudw, a ka fbichkex zz Om bajey bajeyhabat bajino no, dhaneshu bipra amrita ritagnyanah | Asya madhwa pivata madayadhwam tripta jata pathibhirdebajanaih || Oh the Brahmin, you are the icon of my ancestors You are the carrier of the divine elixir (amrita) You turn everything to sweet as honey You satisfied the soul on my ancestors who were guided to heaven. Take little water in your right palm and clockwise spread the water around the Kush-Brahmins, a jesture that corresponds to their immersion. Chant the following as the Brahmins are immersed. Jy B j hSp fph SNj, cj chfbh hnlf z B j Nw fal jal khj j pj Ajaae Njv zz 91
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) After completing the rituals on this mortal earth May you proceed towards your heavenly abode Like my father and mother (ancestors) proceeded towards immortality. Then immerse the Brahmin in a small bowl of water: EdbtAvY: ipt<vYc mAt<vYc mhAEJAigvY eb c| nm: }Ay AhAy intYEmb vbuit| tBiy jEl smpyAim| Om devatabhya pitribhyascha matribhyascha mahajogibhya aba cha | Namah swadhawai swahawai nityameba bhabastuti | Twai jaley samarpayami || You are my God, Father and Mother. You are the great sage of all time. Bless me with prosperity and peace. I am immersing you in the water. Immersion of Pindas f ibsn Pindavisarjan Place the three pindas in a bowl of water or pour water over them. o^ E>>AQ SRAQ k<timdQ tEyA rxAy t<Ey | pAiymQ tBiy jEl smpyAim |z Om shesham shradham kritamidam tayo rakshawai triptaye Patriyamannam twai jaley samarpayami After the completion of my ancestral worship, for the satisfaction of my ancestors, I am discarding the pindas into the water as they reach the eternity.
92
Part 4
HAVAN FOR ANNAPRASAN

apRASn-EhAm| Annaprasan-Hom Introduction and preparation Fire worship is perhaps as old as human civilization. Since fire was put into use during Early Stone Age, 70000 years ago, humans dominated over other animals in many ways. Its ferocious face when uncontrolled and the friendly use in our daily lives, made the fire or Agni as the leading God of Hindu pantheon. Offerings to the fire found a direct link with the Lord Almighty. Thus fire worship becomes an essential component of many Puja rituals. One other point need to be mentioned here. The authors of this book deliberately changed the format of Havan in a foreign land in order to avoid open fire hazard. Open fire is illegal in residential quarters or public places. Hence open fire is replaced by using canned fuel (Sterno). The fuel-gel is taken out with a spoon and placed on the sand layer spread on the havan kunda. Decorative sticks are used to offer in the fire after dipping in ghee. The thin stick does not allow soaking of excess ghee and thus the fire is fully under control. All procedures a traditional Havan is followed except the fire does not have a flame until the ghee-dipped stick is offered. No Havan Samigri is offered on the flame. Previous arrangement If available, use havan (or hom) kunda and spread on it a layer of sand. Keep ghee (concentrated butter) in a metal pot and pack of sticks for the offering. Keep one glass overflowing with rice on a plate with a supari and a A (purnapatra). coin at the top. This is called pNp 93
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Put a cover on head (cap, turban, gamcha or red towel tied on head) and tilak mark on the forehead. The devotee/priest must take simple vegetarian food on the previous night.
Note: In Bengalis, Annaprasan Havan is seen more in Brahmins although the scriptures do not prohibit the non-Brahmins from doing Havan. It also may be mentioned here that traditional Hindu rituals do not allow the women to perform the Havan but the author has not definite proof in support of this tradition.
Glass with rice (Purnapatra) Havan with wood or can of fuel Coin Havan kunda oo Kamandalu Tamrapatra Kosha-kushi Havan kunda Water conch oo Overflowing rice Offering sticks Ghee Offering sticks Tamrapatra Ghee Flower plate pushpapatra) Paper towel Supari
Script Priests seat
Havan arrangement
94
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan INVOCATION PRAYERS (Fire worship) Dedication ib>umrn Vishnu smaran Pray with folded hands: o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u, o^ tdib>u, prmQ pdm sdApSYi sury: idbIb cxurAttm| o^ apib pibEA bA sAbAQ gEtAip bA| J: mErq pu&rIkAxQ s bAhYAvYr: Suic| nm: sml mlYQ bErNYQ brdQ vm| nArAyNQ nArAyNQ nmtY s kmAiN kArEyq| o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u| aymAr vAy vbtu| Om Vishn - Om Vishn - Om Vishnu| Om Tad-Vishnoh paramam padam| Sada pashyanti soorayah dibi-iba chakshur-aatatam|| Om apabitra pabitroba sarbabashan gatopiba| jahsmaret pundarikaksha sa bajya antarasuchi| Namaha sarva mangala mangalyam varayenam baradam shubham| Narayanam namaskritya sorvakarmani kaarayet|| Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu Ayamarambha shuvaya bhabatu || In the name of Lord Vishnu! As the widely open eyes can see the sky clearly without any obstruction, so the wise always see Lord Vishnu with their divine vision. He who, impure or pure, remembers lotus-eyed lord Pundarikaksha, Vishnu, in all situations, becomes purified inside and out. We bow to Lord Narayana who is all auspicious, most adorable, beneficial and kind. Remembering His name we should begin all our work. Hail to Lord Vishnu| Here I start with His blessing || 95
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Resolution pf Sankalpa Take the kushi with water, flower, durba, little rice, a flower and haritaki on left hand. Cover the kushi with your right hand and declare the goal of the fire worship. After completion of the resolution, turn over the kushi in the offering plate (tamrapatra), ring the bell that declares the beginning of the fire worship ritual. ib>uErAm tdsq adY ------------mAEs ------------mAEs ------------pEx ------------pEx-----------pEx------------ itEF vAkEr ----------- EgA SRI--------------------------- EdbSmN: tsY pu ----------- EgA SRI------------- EdbSmN: / (knYA-(knYA-- ------------------------Eg ------------------------EgAA EgAA SRImit--------mit---------------- EdbI enAQ knYAQ) vv-apRASnaivt EhAm kmiNahm Nahm kir>YA kir>YAim| o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u, o^ ib>u Vishnurom tadsat adya --- mashey --- pakshey ---- tithou bhaskarey (auspicious) --- gotra ---- Shri devasharma/ --- devi ( father/mother) ---tasya putra/kanya --- gotra ---- Kumar/Kumari Shubha Annaprshana angibhuta homa karmani aham karishey Om Vishnu! Om Vishnu! Om Vishnu! In the name of Lord Vishnu, on the auspicious occasion of today ---- month ---- fortnight (of lunar calendar) I ----- (name, Mr. Mrs) of ---- gotra (family identification) resolve to perform the ritual For my son (prince) --- /daughter (princess) --As a part of the auspicious Annaprasan, the fire worship, I am now performing Glory to Lord Vishnu Marking the fire place Traditionally the Havan kunda is prepared, filled with sand and its borders are marked with the ring finger while the thumb touching the ring finger. These markings describe the color of the fire. Make four marking on the four sides of the havan kunda, on the 96
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan sand, and one in the center (see ankusha mudra). o^ ErEKyQ p<FIEdbtAkA pItbNA| Om rekheyam prithvidevataka peetabarna | In the name of divine (Om)! This line is for the earth-God yellow in color o^ ErEKyQ aigEdbtAkA ElAihtbNA| Om rekheyam Agnirdevataka lohitabarna | Om! This line I am drawing in the name of Lord Agni, the God of red in color | o^ ErEKyQ pRjApitEdbtAkA k<>bNA| Om! Rekheyam Prajapatir devataka krishnabarna This line I am drawing in the fame of Prajapati, the Lord of the Universe, who is of dark-blue color. o^ ErEKyQ HdREdbtAkA nIlbNA| Om! Rekheyam Indradevataka neelbarna | This line is for Lord Indra of pale blue color. o^ ErEKyQ EsAmEdbtAkA kbNA Om! Rekheyam Somadevataka shuklabarna This line I am drawing in the name of the moon with white color. Now take out a pinch of the sand and throw out side the havan kunda with a kush while chanting the following mantra: o^ pRjApitVi> aigEdbtA wqkr inrsEn ibinEyAg:| o^ inr: prAbsu| Prajapati rishir Agnir devata Utkar nirasaney viniyoga | Om! Nirastah parabasu || In the name of sage Prajapati and the Fire God Agni, I am throwing off this sand with the kush grass | In my attempt to remove all the bad spirits from this place of worship || 97
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Establishing the fire Using three sticks bring the fire from the burning lamp. Put the fire on the fuel can or on the pile of woods. o^ pRjApit Vi> anup u CEdYA aigEd dbtA aigsQkAEr QkAEr ibinEyA:| o^ hcNw pRihEnAim dUrQ JmrAjQ gCtu irpRbAh: Ah:| Prajapatirishir anupstupa chanda Agnir devata Agnisamskarey biniyogah | Om! Krabyadagnim prahinomi duram Yamarajyam gachatu riprababha || As chanted by sage Prajapati in Anustupa meter, in the name of Lord Agni, I am lighting this fire | May the ill-fire (kramdagni) that bring destruction, go to Yamaraj (death) Leaving this land pure and happy || Circle the sticks counterclockwise (anticlockwise) while chanting the following: o^ pRjApit b<hit CEdA pRjApit EdbtA aigApEn ibinEyAg:| o^ vUvUb: ErAm| Prajapati rishi Brihatichanda Prajapatirdevata Agnisthapaney viniyogah, Om bhurbhubaswarom || In the words of Rishi Prajapati, in the Brihatichanda, I am dedicating this fire to Lord Prajapati while establishing this fire and dedicating it to the Universe. Then pray to the burning fire with folded hands: Jy Cqhujal Sahc chi qhw hqa fSee z Jy phax fZfcx phaqrnljMx z hnlf jqeNx fZax phLjp zz Om! Ehaibayamitaro jatabeda debevy habam bahuta prajanana | Om! Sarbatah panipadantah sarbatohkhishiromukha | Vishwarup mahaagni pranetah sarbakarmasu || 98
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan Oh our well wisher knowledgeable fire (different from ill-spirited Agni), who carries our oblations to Gods. His hands, legs, head and mouth are spread everywhere, That universally spread out Agni, accept our oblations in all occasions. At this time the fire is given a specific name to correspond to the occasion. Naming the Fire Note: In early days fire was kept burning in the house and was available for any occasion. This avoided creating the fire each time when needed. But for each occasion different names are given. For example, in marriage the name Yoyaka is given signifying union. Similarly in Annaprasan it is Suchi (pure), in any happy occasion it is Shobhanah, for peacehavan it is Baradah and for pujas (like Satyanarayana) Balada. Give the name of Suchi to the burning fire by throwing a stick into the fire: o^ aEgtB tQ B QnAmAis| Om Agne twam Suchinamasi Om! Oh the new Fire by the name of Suchi (pure), accept my humble reverence. Welcome and Worship Pray to the newly named Agni (Q) Q after the former welcome, showing the five welcome signs. o^ vv-apRASn QnAmAEg HhAgC HhAgC HhAit HhAgC Hh siEdih Hh sir}Y aAiAnQ kur mm pUjAQ g<hAN|
99
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Throw a flower into the fire: o^ QnAmAEg nAmAEg nm:| Pay reverence by meditation on the fire with folded hands: Jy fnn Lnrx feSWlqlZx z RNx prpqNx pQx ndlLx zz Om pingabhrushma keshakshah penanga jatha aroharunah Chagastham sakhsha sutrohagni saptarchi shaktidhrakah || Whose brows are like the bow, who has scattered hairs hungry stomach With great humility (lamb) I am bowing the fire which has such great power || Then, welcome the new fire by showing the five welcome mudras: o^ QnAmAEg HhAgC HhAgC, HhAgC, HhAit HhAit HhAit, it, Hh siEdih, siEdih, Hh sir}Y,aAiAnQ hAN| sir}Y,aAiAnQ kur mm pUjAQ g<hAN| Om! Suchinamagney ihagacha ihagacha, iha tishtha iha tishtha, iha sannidhehi, iha sannirudhyascha atradhistanam kuru, mam pujam grihana || Oh Baladagni, come here come here, stay here stay here, come near, after coming close settle here and receive my oblations. Offer five things (minimum) to the fire by sprinkling a little water on each item: o^ QnAmAEg nm:|(prostrate) etd pAdYQ o^ QnAmAEg nm:| (water) e> aGYQ nEmA o^ QnAmAEg nm:| (rice) etd ppQ o^ QnAmAEg nm:| (flower) e> }UpQo^ QnAmAEg nm:| (incense) etd dIpQo^ QnAmAEg nm:| (lamp) etd nEbEdYQ o^Q QnAmAEg nm:|(food platter) etd pAnIyjlQo^ QnAmAEg nm:|(glass of water)
100
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan Esha gandha Om Baladagnaye namah, Etat pushpa Om Baladagnaye namah etc. Here is the sandalwood offered in the name of Baladagney, here is the flower in the name of Baladagney, here is the incense (dhoop) in the name of Baladagney, here is the eatable platter in the name of Baladagney, in the name of the divinity I am offering ghee (swaha) to Baladagney fire. Creating water boundary wdkAl Esk Udikanchala sek Sit on your knees and create a water-marked boundary around the havan kunda (fire place) with the help of kamandalu (water vessel with spout). Chant the mantra while making the mark. The four mantras are for the four sides of the fire place. The idea (in sense of early days) is to prevent the fire from spreading out. o^ pRjApit Vi> anup u CEdYA sibtA EdbtA aig pJuxEn ibinEyAg| pRjApit Vi> Vi> aiditr EdbtA wdkAil EsEk ibinEyAg| pRjApit Vi> anumit EdbtA wdkAil EsEk ibinEyAg| pRjApit Vi> srtI EdbtA wdkAil EsEk ibinEyAg| Jy pla Aeje z I herewith in the name of, Sage Prajapati, singing in Anustupa meter, I am purifying this place of Havan with water, In the names of Sabita, Aditi, Anumati and Saraswati. I see your permission Oh Saraswati! Sanctification of Ghee Oapwl Gritasamskar Take the pot of sacrificial ghee. Put in that a kush in it. Move the kush in the center, chanting: 101
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) fSfaG oNuRc BSw cha BSfhe heuNx z faGoN In the name of sage Prajapati, singing in Gayatri meter, this God of melted (or clarified) Ghee, I am placing here for its offer. Then,throw a little ghee with the kush into the fire, chanting. Jy chavf chavfeaRZ fhZ hpx pkp lnix q zz By the grace of God, this sanctified butter is sprinkled over the fire with the kush, may this be as pure as the rays of the sun. Establising Brahma As Witness h fe Brahma sthapan Place few kush grasses on the floor beside the Havan kundu: fSfaGolNcha aZelpe heuNx z Jy el flhpx zz Prajapati rishir agnirdevata trinanirashaney binyogah | Om! Nirastah parabasu || In the name of sage Prajapati and the Fire God Agni, I am laying this kush grass Requesting all the bad spirits to leave this place of worship || Then place a kamandalu with a flower in it on the grass you spread out. (alternatively, put a glass of water with a kush grass and a flower in it). The Kamandalu represents Brahma who is looking over the Havan ceremony. fSfaGolNcha hfhne heuNx z Jy Bhpx pce pc z Prajapati rishi agnirdevata Brahma upabeshaney viniyogah | Om abaso sadaney seeda || Following the directions of sage Prajapati, in reverence to the Fire God (Agni devata), 102
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan I have the task of establishing Brahma here. Offerings to Nine Planets nbgh EhAm Nabagraha Hom Planets are believed to influence the life on this earth. Thus reverence to the planets is important during the fire worship. Make your fire offerings (ghee-dipped sticks) to the nine planets: (rib, (rib, Sun) o^ vUbnAin pSYn pSYn AhA, Om Bhubanani pashyan swaha Arrive before us with your divine brightness (EsAm, cdR, Moon, Soma) o^ vbA bAjsY sE sEF AhA Om bhaba bajashya sangathey swaha Bring (rain) more yield to our crops (ml, (ml, Mars) o^ apAQErtAQis ijnBit AhA Om apam retamshi jinwati swaha Your emitted energy brings life to the seeds on this earth (bu}, Mercury) o^ WJ u EdbAQ AhA WJ} Usharbudha debam swaha Oh Budha you bring the inspired Gods of the morning (b<hpit, pit, Jupitor) o^ jymAk Em}YibtA Em}YibtA rFAnAQ AhA Om jayanasmak mdhyabeta rathanam swaha Bring victory over our enemies and joy to us. (, (, Venus) o^ pu>ih rAit r ru AhA Om pushanniha rati rastu swaha Shower your divine blessing on the earth (Sin, (Sin, Saturn) o^ SQEJArivsRbu n: AhA 103
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Om sanyorabhusrabantu nah swaha Make us free from illness by your blessing (rA, (rA, Ascending/North lunar node) o^ kyA SicyA b<t AhA Om kaya sachistaya brita swaha What good deeds could we do to receive your favor (Ektu,Descending/South lunar node) o^ smu>irjAy irjAyFA AhA| Om samusharvir jayatha swaha You enlighten the ignorance Offerings To Directional Gods idkpAl EhAm Dikpal Hom Offer ghee-dipped stick in the name of ten directional gods. o^ HdRAy AhA, o^ agEy AhA, o^ JmAy AhA, o^ nVtAy AhA , o^ brnAy AhA ,o^ bAyEb AhA, o^ kuEbrAy AhA, o^ ~SAnAy AhA, o^ bREn AhA, o^ anAy AhA| Om Indraya swaha (and continue in the same way): Agnaye, Yamaya, Nairitaya, Barunaya, Bayabey, Kuberaya, Ishanaya, Brahmanye, Anantaya In the name of all directional Gods, Indra, Agni, Yama etc. I am offering the habir (oblation of ghee to fire || Offerings To The Great Saying (Gayatri) mhAbYAhit EhAm Mahavyariti Hom Offer ghee in the name of the three great sayings: vuvub:: :: that covers the entire Universe. o^ pRjApitVi> i> gAyI CEdYA aig EdbtA bY sm mhAbYAhit vv-apRASn EhAEm ibinEyAg: z o^ vu AhA|z 104
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan Prajaptirrishi Gayatri chchando Agni devata byasta samasta Mahabyahriti shubha annaprasana homey biniyogah | Om Bhuh swaha || o^ pRjApitVi> i> ri>k CEdYA bAyuEdbtA bY sm mhAbYAhit vv-apRASn EhAEm ibinEyAg: o^ ib: b: AhA| Prajaptirrishi Rushnika chchandyo Vayur-devata byasta samasta Mahabyahriti shubha annaprasana homey biniyogah Om Bhubah swaha As sung by sage Prajapati in Rushnika meter, in the name of the Wind God, I am engaged in performing this home of Great Utterance (Mahabyahriti) And dedicating it to my mental world o^ pRjApitVi> i> anup u CEdYA sUJY EdbtA bY bY sm mhAbYAhit vv-apRASn EhAEm ibinEyAg: o^ : AhA| Prajaptirrishi Anustupa chchandyo Surya devata byasta samasta Mahabyahriti shubha annaprasana homey biniyogah Om swah swaha And sung by the sage Prajapati in Anupstupa meter, in the name of Sun God, and I am engaged in performing this home of Great Utterance (Mahabyahriti) And dedicating it to my spiritual world o^ pRjApitVi> i> b<htI CEdYA pRjApit EdbtA bY sm mhAbYAhit vv-apRASn EhAEm ibinEyAg: o^ vu-vub::-: AhA| Prajaptirrishi Brihati chchandyo Prajapati devata byasta samasta Mahabyahriti shubha annaprasana homey biniyogah Om Bhur-Bhubah-Swah swaha || And sung by the sage Prajapati in Brihati meter, in the name of the Lord of the Universe (Prajapati), 105
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) I am engaged in performing this home of Great Utterance (Mahabyahriti) And dedicating it to my mental and spiritual world Annaprasan Hom AfnZ qj Annaprasan hom Make four offerings of ghee to the fire sanctifying the rice that the child is about to take o^ pRjApitV i> gAyICd: ApitVi> gAyICd: aAidEtYA EdbtA flodfaLjp QafbqN aAidtYAivmuK sYAjYEhAEm ibinEyAg:| o^ aQ bA ekCdsYmnQ EhYkQ vUEtvYCdyit AhA||1|| AhA||1|| Om Prajapatir rishi gayatrichchandah Adityo devata puroshadhipatya kamasya Chatuspatheyhaagnou Adityabhimukh syajyahome viniyoga | Om annam ba ekachchndasyamanam hyokam bhutebhyaschandayanti swaha ||1|| As sung by sage Prajapati, in Gayatri meter, on the cross of the humans Keeping Lord Agni, Aditya and others as witness I am offering this ghee to divinity This cooked rice keeps the single goal to satisfy all beings of all times ||1|| o^ pRjApitV i> gAyICd: aAidEtYA EdbtA flodfaLjp ApitVi> QafbqN BidtYAivmuK sYAjYEhAEm ibinEyAg:| o^ SRI e>A Jq stBAEnA ibErAcEnA miy stBmbd}Atu AhA||2|| AhA||2|| Om Prajapatir rishi gayatrichchandah Adityo devata puroshadhipatya kamasya Chatuspatheyhaagnou Adityabhimukh syajyahome viniyoga | Om shrirbba esha jat satwano birochano mayi stwambadadhatu swaha ||2|| As sung by sage Prajapati, in Gayatri meter, on the desired cross roads of all humans 106
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan Keeping Lord Agni, Aditya and others as witness I am offering this ghee to divinity Let this universal truth enlighten us by offering this ghee in order to adhere to the righteous path o^ pRjApitVi>ihtICd: aAidEtYA EdbtA flodfaLjp odfaLjp QafbqN BidtYAivmuK sYAjYEhAEm ibinEyAg:| o^ asY G<tEmb rsEj: spqkAEmA juEhAim AhA||3|| AhA||3|| Om Prajapatirishir- Brihatichchandah Adityo devata purushadhipatya kamasya Chatuspathey Adityabhimukh syajyahome viniyoga | Om annasya gritameba rasastejyo sampatkamo juhomi swaha ||3|| As sung by sage Prajapati, in Gayatri meter, on the desired cross roads of all humans Keeping Lord Agni, Aditya and others as witness I am offering this ghee to divinity This cooked rice with ghee that provides the energy for our sustenance May that lead to Lords service || o^ pRjApitV i> xuEbtA b<YibiCiApitVi> YibiCi-kAmsY sAyQ pRAt: rj ibinEyAg| o^ xuE} AhA||4|| AhA||4|| Om Prajapatirrishi khshudevata brittyabichchitikamasya Sayam pratah khuddomey viniyogah | Om khudey swaha ||4|| As sung by sage Prajapati, addressed to the God of Hunger I dedicate this offering to that passion that drives us night and day My oblation of ghee is in reverence to the God of hunger. o^ pRjApitV i>: gAyICd: xuqippAEs EdbtA b<YibiCiApitVi>: YibiCi-kAmsY sAyQ sAyQ PARAt: rj ibinEyAg:| o^ xuqippAsAvYAQ AhA||5|| AhA||5|| Om Prajapatirrishi Gayatrichchandah khutpipasey devata brityabichchitti kamasya sayam pratah khuddomey viniyogah | Om khutpipasabhyam swaha ||4|| As sung by sage Prajapati, in Gayatri meter, dedicated to the God of Hunger, I dedicate this offering to that passion that drives us night and day My oblation of ghee is in reverence to the God of hunger and thirst. 107
Takethe cooked rice and offer it to the five vital breaths: o^ pRANAy AhA, apAnAy AhA, smAnAy smAnAy AhA, wdAnAy AhA, bYAnAy AhA| o^ am<EtA prNmis AhA| Om pranaya swaha, apanaya swaha, samanaya swaha, udanaya swaha, byanaya swaha Om amrito pastarnamasi swaha || I am making my offering to the five vital breaths of the body, prana, panan, samana, udana and vyana as the food turns into the divine blessing.
Reverence to deities in view ptxEdbtA Pratakhya devata Now offer ghee (dipped in stick) for all the deities displayed Ganesh, Lakshmi, Vastudeva etc. SIgENSAy sAhA, o^ nArAyNAy AhA AhA, , o^ l{Y AhA, o^ dugAy AhA, o^ bAtEdbAy AhA, AhA,o^ iSbAy AhA, o^ kAiEky AhA, o^ gAy AhA,o^ srtY AhA, o^ >Y AhA, o^ SItlAy AhA , o^ mnsA EdbY AhA || 108
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan Shri Ganeshaya swaha, Narayanaya swaha, Lakshmayi swaha, Durgawai swaha, Vastudevaya swaha, Shivayai swaha, Kartikeywai swaha, Gangawai swaha, Saraswatwai swaha, Shashthai swaha, Shitalawai swaha, Monosha dewai swaha I am offering my fire oblations to the deities in front of me, Shri Ganesh, Shri Lakshmi and others. BENEDICTION wdIcY-km Udicya karma Sprinkle water around the havan kunda with the following chant: fSfaGol Aca Acac cha EcLm pL heuNx heuNx z o^ aidEth anmQA: Prajapati rishi Aditi devata udikanjali sekey viniyogah | Om Aditeha nwamang stah || In the name of sage Prajapati, Oh the mother of all Gods (Aditi) I am offering this water to you. As I sought your favor to start thus fire worship, you will grant me its success. New Name Of Fire Before Extinguishing (Mriragni, m<#Aig) The fire is given a new name (Mriragni, m<#Aig)before it is turned off. Mrirah means ocean that gave birth to this earth that came out of ocean. Welcome the new fire along with the five mudras for the welcome: Jy jsejN ejN ejx z Cq NR Cq NR, Cqa Cqa, Cq pcq, pcq, Cqpld, Cqpld, Adew Ll, jj fSw NqZ z Om Mriranamagney 109
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Eha gacha eha gacha, eha tishtha, ehatishtha, eha sannidehi, eha sannidehi, Eha sannirudhaswa, atradhishtam kuru, mam pujam grihana || Oh the fire with the name of Mrirah (ocean) you are cordially welcome, come close to me, stay close to me and after establishing, accept my oblations. Then put flower on the base of the Havan Kunda with each offering (or sprinkle water or rice): Ho Nx Jy jsejN ejN ejx Ho AO Jy jsejN ejN ejx Hav ff Jy jsejN ejN ejx Ho dfx Jy jsejN ejN ejx Ho cfx Jy jsejN ejN ejx Esha gandha Om Mriragney namah, etat pushpam Om Mriragney namah, esha dhupa Om Mriranamagney namah | esha deepa Om Mriranamagney namah | I am offering sandalwood,welcome grain, flower, incense and lamp To the fire with the name of Mrirah Then put a little ghee with the spoon or on the stick chanting: Ho qhehcj hcj Jy jsejN ejN ejx Etat habir naivedyam Om Mriranamagney swaha || I am puttiing the ghee as the naivedya to your honor, Oh Mriragney. I am offering consecrated butter or ghee (habir) and the food-platter (naivedya), Please accept my offering. Final Offering pNAit Purnahuti The jajaman (host) and his wife, along with the priest, stand up and give their last offering to the fire. This is called pNAit (purnahuti). 110
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan While standing, pour a spoonful of ghee on the fire while chanting the following: pRjApit Vi>irAT gAyI CEdA HdREdbtA JSkAmsY JjnIy pEyAEg ibinEyAg:| o^ pUNE hAmQ JSEs juEhAim, EJAhs juEhAit brms ddAit, brQ b<EN, JSsA vAim ElAEk AhA| Prajapati rishi Birarah Gayatri chanda Indra devata jashakamashya jajaneya prayogey viniyogaha | Om Purnahomam jashashey juhomi, johashmai juhoti baramashmai dadati, Baram briney, jashasha bhami lokey swaha || As written by Prajapati rishi in the meter of Brirah-Gayatri, in the name of Lord Indra, I am offering this oblation to the fire for my fame | In this final oblation to the fire I seek your blessing, I seek your boon to grant me good name in this terrestrial world. Offering Purna Patra (Bhojya) fZfce Purnapatradan After offering the purnahuti, sit down and take the purnapatra (Purnapatra: A tumbler placed on a plate and is overfilled with rice. On the top plsvr a coin and a supari. Put a ripe banana on the side. Hold the Purnapatra on your left hand and put a flower on it, sprinkle a little water and chant. After completing the chant give the plate to the Brahmin (priest) who will offer the content of the Purnapatra to the fire. It helps to extinguish the fire which is fully turned off by the yogurt. eEt g puEp etmY pUNp A anuk EvAjYAy nm:| eEt g puEpet petdi}ptEy etdi}ptEy SRIib>Eb nm:| eEt g puEp etd spRdAnAy bREN nm:| Etey gandhapushpey etashmai purnapatra anukalpa bhojaya namah | Etey gandhapushpey etatadhipataye Shri Vishnabey namah || Etey gandha pushpey atad sampradanaya Brahmaney namah|| 111
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) With the scented flower (dipped in sandalwood) I sanctify this raw food for the dinner. I am offering this, with the scented flower, to my Lord Shri Vishnu with humility, I am offering this, with this scented flower, to the Brahmin with humility. ib>ErAm tqsddY amEkmAis amEkpEx amkAQitEF amkEgA: amkEdbSmA (name and identification of host) amkEgA: amkEdbSmA (hZ) (name and identification of the priest/Brahmin) etd spRdAnAy bREN nm:| Etat sampradanaya Om Brahmaney namah || Vishnurom tatsat adya ___ (identification of day) ___ (identification of the person offering) to ____ (identification of the Brahmin) Offering this bhojya (raw food for dinner) in the name of Lord Almighty. The Brahmin, together with the devotee, will empty the purnapatra on the fire (that also helps in its extinguishing), along with the coin, banana and supari. Extinguishing the fire aigibsjn Agni bisarjan Pick up the kamandalu (Brahma), sprinkle some water around the fire and beg apology for any mistake incurred. Jy he rj OmBrahmana khamashya Pardon me Oh Brahman (Lord of the Universe) Then beg apology to the mother earth that endured the heat of the fire during its worship: 112
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan
Jy kil cqjax ANcqe qe fsa z avpj dl dl ch fb aw nam ih zz Om yagyabhara dahamatah agnidapiritah | Tatsmasta dharey devi pritwi twam shitala bhaba || Oh the earth you have endured the weight of the fie place And tolerated the pain of heat, May you rest in peace after the entire fire ceremony || Finally pour the rice of the purnapatra. Along with supari, banana, flower and coin, on the fire which helps in turning it off without smoke and fire splatter. Note: Before the rice is poured on the fire, take out a little ash for tilak in a small aluminum bowl that contains small amount of ghee so that the ash sticks to the forehead. After pouring the rice sprinkle a little water (careful, do not splatter the fire which is caused by its sudden outburst). This is followed by pouring yogurt on the fire and make sure that the fire is totally put off. o^ aEgtQ B smQ gC| Agney twam samudram gacha || Oh Agni may you now go to the ocean || Finally extinguish the fire by pouring yogurt over it (repeat three times) o^ p<iFB tBQ SItlA vb| Om prithwi twam shitala bhaba || Oh earth! May you cool down. Rewarding the Brahmin for the Havan dixNA Dakshina Then take the coin and give in his hands: Laav qjLj qjLjZx pabw crZjcw fZfe eLfiSj fiSj nhochaj z hZ Aqw pfcc zz Kritaitat homakarmanah sangatartam dakshinamidam 113
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) purnapatra anukalpa bhyoyam Shri Vishnuur daivatam Brahmaney aham sampradadey. After completing the fire worship (homakarma,) I herewith offering the reward (dakshina) along with the raw food for dinner (bhojya) in the name of Lord Vishnu. Please note: During the process of havan use few pieces of wood to produce ash. Offering of wood at the final offering will yield ash which needs to be mixed with the little havan ghee to make it slightly pasty in order to give bhasma tilak. Ash Marking ij amLLlZ Tilakkaran Following the Havan Ceremony the members of the family and the attendees receive Markings of ashes on Forehead, neck, shoulders and heart (ij amLLlZ) as sign of blessing protection from the Fire God. Make a little paste of the ash taken out of Havan with small amount of ghee in a plate and put the ash-paste on the forehead, neck, two shoulders and heart of the devotees. Say the following mantras while putting the bhasma (ash). On the forehead: Jy Lnfp uoj z Om Kashyapashya trausham || Like rishi Kashyam wish you have a long life || On the neck: Jy SjcN SjcNuoj zz Om Jamadagney trausham || Wish you attain the power of Jamadagni (one of the great sages of ancient India, 114
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan father of Parashuram, who was one of the incarnations of Vishnu) || On the shoulders: Jy khew khew uoj zz Om jadevanam trayusham || Wish you for divine characters || On the heart: Jy aq aq uoj Om tateyhastu trayusham || Wish you for youthfulness with long life || Prayer of Forgiveness xmAivxA Kshamabhiksha After the Havan, the conclusion of the Annaprasan is made by the precedure of standard Benedictory prayers.
Human mistakes are inevitable. Hence before closing the puja one includes the prayer of forgiveness in the benedictory prayers. Take little water in your right hand chant the following and discard it in the offering plate: o^ JdxrQ pirvRQ mAAhIn JEbq| pUNQ vbtu tqs tqsQ tqpRsAq suErbr:|| mhInQ iyAhInQ vihInQ suErbr:| Jq pUijtQ myA Edb pirpUNQ tduEm| o^ kAEyn mnsA bAcA kmnA J k<tQ myA, tq sQ pirpUNQ tq pRsAdAq suErbr:| Om jadaksharam paribhrashtam matrahinanca jadbhabet | Purnam bhabatu tatsarbam tatprasadat sureshwara | Mantraheenam kriyaheenam bhaktiheenam Sureshwarah | Jat pujitam maya Devi paripurnam tadastumey || Om kayena manasabaca karmana jat kritam maya | 115
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Tat sarbam paripurnam tad prasadat Sureshwarah || All the mistakes I incurred in reading the script, Oh Goddess Kali make them perfect by your grace. I do not know the mantras, the rituals or even I do not have the devotion to perform them right, yet what I did, Oh Goddess Kali, make them right. I could not bring in words what I wanted to say, but I did what I could, please fill in the void and bless me. Offer little water in the offering plate while chanting: Pour some water in Kushi in front Holy Pot and say this o^ pUNmd: md: pUNAimdm pUNAq pUN mudQEt | pUNsY pUNmAdAy pUNEmbA aibiS>YEt aibiS>YEt || Om purna madaha purnamidam purnat purna mudyachyatey | Purnasya purna madaya purnameba abishishyatey || You are perfect here, you are perfect there, and When we take out the perfect from the perfect, the perfect still remains perfect. In other words:
You are perfect in every possible way.

Let there be peace everywhere to the core of the earth. May there be peace all over the Universe. Let the vegetation be in peace, may His blessing shower on us, let there be peace everywhere My peace prevails by the blessing of Lord Shiva. May all sins be removed and we enjoy the righteous world. etd sbQ kmflQ SRInArAyN crEN smpyAim| All the fruits of this ceremony is dedicated to Thy Feet Oh Narayana !! The credit of my work is nothing but reflection of spirit inside of me. Continue prayer with folded hands: 116
o^ asEtA asEtA mA sq gmy z tmEsA mA EjAtIg my z AtIgmy m<tuYr mA am<tYQ Nju| Jy nx, Jy nx, Jy nx zz Om asato maa sadgamaya Tamaso maa jyotirgamay Mrityor maa amritam gamaya Om Shanti! Om Shanti! Om Shanti! Oh Almighty God! Lead me from unreal (illusion) to the real, From darknessto the light, From the fear of death to the knowledge of immortality. Moving the Holy pitcher GT cAlnA Ghat chalana The sacred holy pitcher was used for all offerings. Moving of the holy pitcher heralds the completion of the puja rituals. The priest or Shradhakari holds the holy pitcher with both hands and move it, symbolizing the end of the Annaprasan ritual ceremony of ancestral worship. At this time all puja related sounds are pitched in Sankha, drums, metal beat and others. o^ gC gC prm AnQ sBAnQ prEmbrI prEmbrI, pujA}Arn kAEl c punrAgmnAyc| Om gacha gacha param stanam swasthanam parameshwari Pujadharana kaley cha punaragmanaya cha || Go, go to your heavenly abode, Oh Lord but when I do your puja again, please come back.
117
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Peace Chant SAijl Shantijal Hold the holy water pitcher on the palm of your left hand. Take out the leaves and dip into the holy water. Then shake the dripping holy water on the heads of the attending devotees. Keep chanting the following mantras. Peace Chant pjhcu nj Shantijal or shantipath (samavedya) Hold the holy water pitcher on the palm of your left hand. Take out the leaves and dip into the consecrated water. Then shake the dripping holy water on the heads of the attending devotees. Keep chanting the following mantra while sprinkling. kyA ni HitVkysY jqhjchGo jqhjchGohlsx NuRc Cc Cc cha n LjZ Sf Sf heuNx heuNx z Kaya naschitra iti riktrayasya Mahabama devya rishir birar Gayatri chanda Indro devata Shanti karmani japey viniyoga | This peace chant is written by sage Mahabamadeva in Gayatri chanda and addressed to Indra, the King of the Devas. Always victorious in numerous ways and friendly to us all, and whose (Lord Indra)protection surrounds us all. Jy Lu nQ Bihca pc hdx pM z Lu nQu ha z Jy L pa pa jcew jwq jwq jvpcpx z cY QclS QclS hp z Jy Aio Zx pMejla Slaej z naw ihx pau au zz Om kaya naschitra ah bhubaduti sada bridhah sakha | Kaya sachisthaya brita | Om kasta satyo madanam mamhistho matsadhandasah |Drirha chidarujey basu | Im abhishunah sakhinambita jaritrinam | Shatam bhabah swutaye || 118
Jy ex C Cc c hnhx ex fo hnhcx hcx z eAr Alejx, Alejx, e hqfacda zz Jy , Jy , Jy zz Om swasti nah Indro bridhdhashravah, swasti nah Pusha Viswavedah | Swastinan Trakshyo arishtanemi swastino Brihaspatirdadhatu | Om swasti, Om swasti, Om swasti || Tell me how you (Lord Indra) were inspired to defeat your enemies with confidence. Bless us with that valor of yours, Oh Indra, you are the protector of your friends and devotees and you appear in numerous forms before us. Let your blessing shower on us. Oh illustrious Indra, Oh all-knowledgeable Pusha, Oh Traksha with infinite speed, and Brihaspati, the caretaker of the Gods, shower on us your divine blessings. o^ EdY: SAi: arIxQ SAi: p<iFbI SAirAp: SAi rA>}y: SAi: | bnpty: SAiibESEdbA: SAi SAi: sQ SAi: || SAibSAi SAiErb SAi: sA mA SAiEri} | Om daushanti antariksha shanti pribishanti shantirapah shantirodha shantih Banaspataye shanti Vishwadeva shanti Brahmashanti sarba shantih | Shantireba shanti sa ma shantiredhi || (Rigveda) There is peace in the sky, there is peace on earth, and there is peace in the heavens. There is peace in the world. There is peace in the water, there is peace on land. There is peace in nature (plant, animals, flowers, insects, and herbs) There is peace in the Universe. There is peace with Brahma, the Creator, May this all pervading peace enter into us and permeate us to the very core of our being. o^ SAir iSbA ibnSYt v Jq | Jt ebAgtQ pAp tb pitgCtu AhA || 119
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Om shantirastu Shivanchastu binasyata shubhancha jat | Yata ebam gatam papam tatraiba pratigachatu swaha || By the grace of Lord Shiva, peace will prevail. May He destroy all the evil to establish peace. We pray that our ignorance be removed and permanently stay away from us. Reward to Brahmin dixNA Dakshina Put a coin on the floor. Place a flower on it and sprinkle little water while chanting etjk^AnmUlYu nm:| etdAi}ptEy SRIib>Eb nm:| I am dedicating this coin to the name of Lord Vishnu May this be sanctified. Then give the coin to the Brahmin after completing the chant: ---------- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmN: (fa) tsY pu ---------- EgA SRI ----- EdbSmN: (Abh ) tsY knYA -------- EgAA SRImit --------------- EdbI vv-apRASn tFA ai}bAs kmAin, E>A#S mAt<kA pujA, A, tFA bsu}ArA Aipt m jEp aAvuYdAiyk SRA kmn: ac Aia qj Lj sAtAFQ dixnA HdQ kAnmUlYQ SRIib>udbtQ EgAnAEm bRNAy tuvYmhQ ddAim| ---- gotra ---- debasharmanah (father) Tasya putra --- gotra ---- shri --- (Or) Tasya putri --- gotra Shrimati ---- debi Shubha annaprashan tatha adhibas karmani, shorasha matrika puja, Tatha basudhara sthapik mantra japey abhyudayika shraddha karmanah Tad angibhuta homa karma sangatartham Dakshina idam kanchanamulyam Shri Vishnudaivatam gotranamney 120
Part 4: Havan for Annaprasan Brahmanaya tubhyamaham dadami || On the occasion of the Annaprasan of ---- (name, boy/girl) Son/daughter of -------, for the completion of blessing ceremony, worship of divine mothers, Worship of the earth and house, completion of ancestral worship and havan, I am herewith rewarding the Brahmin of gotra --- and name ---- with humility.
121
122
Part 5
AUSPICIOUS ANNAPRASAN v apRASn (jM ia)

Turmeric Bath of the Child Nu qmc Gayehalud After the Adhibas the child is taken out in the courtyard (if it is summer, or perform indoor) ointed with the consecrated turmeric and given a bath. Following the ceremonial bathing he/she is dressed to the occasion. Please note that ancestral worship (h n) continues while the child goes for his/her Gayehalud. N Q kje e Qh Nchl pla ejc c p Lhl Lhl Smje Smje pdw Ll zz Om Gange cha Yamuney chaiba Godavari Saraswati | Narmadey Sindhu Kaveri jaley-asmin sannidhim kuru || In this water, I invoke the presence of holy waters from the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri fa faQlZi ejx z Go chi ejx zz Pitri charaneybhyo namah. Rishi Deve Bhyo Nama., Salutations to the ancestors, salutations to the god and wise men. Child Feeding Ceremony iSr muEK a Shishur mukhey anna Serve the rice pudding in two bowls, one for the child and another for the snake and other evil spirits (nAgAidr jnY).
123
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Put a clean flower on the floor where the bowl of rice pudding to be fed to the child. eEt gg-puEp nm: ic nAmAgAy nm:| etd aQ hibnEbdYm ic nAmAgAy nm:| Etey gandha-pushpey namah Shuchi namagney namah | Etad annyam habir-naivedyam Shuchi namagnaya namah || I am offering this scented flower to the Suchi-namd fire (Agni)| Here is the cooked rice offered to the fire named Suchi with my reverence ||
Then take the pudding in hand and chant: hfZj h qhl hN heaj z hh h ae Nhw z h Lj pjde zz Brahmaparpanam Brahma havir Brahmagnau Brahmna hutam | Brahmaiva tena ganthavyam Brahmakarma samadhinaa || The act of offering is God The oblation (offering) is God By God into the fire of God God is That which is to be attained by him 124
Part 5: Annaprasan Feeding the the child (jM Who performs action pertaining to God. This prayer is taken from Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Verse 24
ia)
The whole creation is a gross projection of Brahman, the Cosmic Consciousness itself. So the food too is Brahman, the process of offering is Brahman, it is being offered to the fire of Brahman. He who thus sees Brahman in action, alone reaches Brahman. Aqj hnel ia fZew cqjnax z fZfe pjux fQjw Qahdw zz Aham vaishvanaro butya, Pranumam dehamashrita | Pranapana samayuktah, panchmannam chaturvidaham || Becoming the life-fire in the bodies of livng beings Mingling with subtle breaths, I digest the four kinds of food (solid, liquid, semifluid or chewed) I am the fire of digestion (Vaishwanara or Cosmic man) in the stomach of all living entitries. I join with the air of life, incoming and outgoing, and digest the four types of food (solid, liquid, semifluid or chewed) which they eat. This prayer is taken from Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 13. Then feed feed the child with this mantra: o^ am<EtA prNmis AhA| Om amritatop staranamasi swaha | May this food bring immortality as I consume it. Feed the after chanting the following mantra: o^ pRjApit Vi>ihtICEdAhpitEdbtA kumAr (kumArI) ArI)sYA I)sYA apRASEn SEn ibinEyAg:| o^ apEthsY nA EdhYEdhY-nbIbsYimn: pRdAtArQ tAir> WQ EnA E}ih ipEd ctupEd pEd AhA|| Then feed five times with each of the following mantra that offers the food to the five vital breaths of the body: 125
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) o^ pRANAy AhA, apAnAy AhA, smAnAy AhA, wdAnAy AhA, bYAnAy AhA| Om Pranaya swaha, apanaya swaha, samanaya swaha, udanaya swaha, byanaya swaha || I am offering this food to the five vital breaths of the body prana (life supporting), apana (excretory), samana (digestive), udana (respiratory) and byana (circulatory) The pick of fortune There is a social custom to place the following five things in a plate and then the plate is placed before the child for his/her pick: A book (Gita), gold, a piece of earth, a pen, coin The thing that the child picks first is said to be his/her basic character or career. Book (Gita): Religious peruit Earth: Farmer Gold: Business Pen: Education Coin: Business
126
PART 6 ADDENDUM
List of Requirements for Annaprasan gcjm

Phardha mala and other arrangements
Puja samagri Spring water, Dhup, Lamp (or candle). Puja utensils, flower etc. An Aluminum role: Heavy duty, 25ft - 35 feet length. Ghritadahara: Masking tape. Stick an aluminum foil on the east wall or north wall near puja place. This should be wide enough (2 feet; use two aluminum foil pieces) to stick to the wall that hangs down to the floor and extended. Melted ghee. The mouth sho Vessel big enough to hold a coconut or any fruit (or ask the Ghat: priest to provide). In an aluminum foil get a spoonful of soil from south side of the house (or from the front). Get a small twig from a tree that bears fruit (evergreens are OK). Garlands Two small size garlands, eight inch diameter, to be used for ghat and Naryana. Barandala and turmeric Little soil, a small rock, small ghat, paddy in a plate (very little), banana bunch, yogurt, sindur, small conch, barley, few flowers, durba, kajal lata, few ornaments, small mirror, yellow thread, chamar, small iron (may be a key). Ask for alternatives. If available. A Laddoo for Ganesh, sweet (5), fruits (5), Navagraha (nine mounds, Panchadevata (5 mounds), Disposable aluminum pie plates (a pack of three): Will be used for Naibidyas yogurt, milk, honey, ghee, sugar
Sree Naividya:
Panchamrita
127
Payas (rice pudding) Mashbhaktabali Pushpapatra
For offering and Annaprasan (mukhey bhat). A small bowl (may be a disposable aluminum cup cake). Flower (30), wet rice, supari (3), tulsi, haritaki, durba, sacred thread, few coins (3 quarters). Chandan (white). Asan 2, Raised platform (a bed table)
Arrangement
Kushandika Havan samagri (for Kushandika). Melted ghee, a spoon, Purnapatra (a small (Havan) glass filled with rice, sitting on a small plate, place a coin and a supari on the top). A banana. Bhojya A disposable container (e.g., aluminum roasting pot) with five vegetables (no onion), smallest available size of rice and dal, spice (McCormick Madras curry powder). A small bottle of ghee (you can use a small size disposable plastic container), a small bottle of oil, one small kitchen towel, a coin (quarter). A small salt container (salt sense, 30% less). Dress and topor or mukut Ornament, Garland, chandan, five ladies for baran. Barandala taken from Nandimukh. Place for bathing (four planted pots in place of banana saplings). Pindi (a small wooden plank or wooden cutting board wrapped with a gift wrap or decorated with white paint) Sanctified Anna (Payas, or rice pudding) A plate of cooked food (rice), 5 curries, 5 fried things and the sanctified payas. Geeta, soil, ornament, paddy (dhan), pen, money. Place these on a plate.
Arrangement of bathing ceremony (Gaye Halud):
Arrangement for Annaprasan pick Pick
128
PART 4: Addendum
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Diya
Kosha and kushi
Shankha (conch)
Pancha p radeep
Plate to offer ( tamrapatra)
Bell ( ghanta )
Karpoordani (for burning camphor
Water conch (Jala sankha)
Dhunuchi (for burning dhuna)
Arati plate
Seats for worship Asan
Lamp stand with 5 wicks
PUJA UTENSILS
129
Air (Element 3)
Cosmos (Element 5) Cloth on top (missing)
Flowers
Leaves (Energy, Elenent 4)
Fruit (coconut) Pitcher with water ( Element 2) Achmania (Water to drink)
Red mark (Om or swastika) Ghat (Holy pitcher) Earth (Element 1)
Punarachmania (second glass of water)
FIVE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF LIFE As represented by the Holy pitcher
Earth (1) Water (2) Air (3) Energy (solar energy in leaves, 4) Cosmos (5)
130
PART 4: Addendum
Holy pitcher and five great elements of life According to Hindu believe (1700 B.C.) life consists of pancha mahabhuta, or "five great elements". They are: Tej (energy), Ap (water), kshiti (earth), Marut (air), Vyom (cosmos). Human body is made of these five elements and after death the body dissolves into these elements of nature, may that be as ashes or by decay. Thus balancing cycle of nature. Because life depends on these five great elements Hindus relate them as Gods blessing. Now you can evaluate the incorrect claim of the west as quoted below. In the fifth century B.C. Greek philosopher Empedocles originated the concept of four elements of nature: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. These represent the realms of the cosmos within which, and of which, all things consist. These four elements were discussed in the writings of Plato, and the early Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen used them to describe the four humors of the body. A century later, Aristotle and the Pythagoreans added the fifth element, which they called Ether. This element represents the substance of the heavenly bodies, which is latent in all things. This element is also called Quintessence or Space. These same five elements are also found in Hinduism, which influenced the philosophy of Yoga. The time has come to awaken our new generation to appreciate the contribution of our ancestors and feel proud about them by understanding the significance of puja rituals. Authors
131
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) PUJA ARRANGEMENTS AND OFFERINGS
Continued to next page
132
PART 4: Addendum
133
134
OUR TEAM OF EDITORS

Bibhas C. Bandyopadhyay Bibhas C. Bandyopadhyay, M.D. (Dr. Bandy) was born in Calcutta, India in 1941 in a middle class family with limited income. His parents were highly devoted and he grew in an atmosphere of Hindu faiths and believes. After receiving his high school diploma Bibhas went to Ramkrishna Mission in Belgharia, near Kolkata for his undergraduate education. While in college he became a disciple of Swami Shankarananda Maharaj in Belur Math and started doing daily worship service in Ramkrishna Mission. This gave the foundation of his later interest of becoming a Hindu Priest. Bibhas received his Medical Degree from Calcutta University in 1964 with a gold medal in pathology and honors in Medicine and Surgery. He came to United States in 1967 and joined Johns Hopkins Universiy with specialization in ENT (Ear-Throat-Nose) and then became an Associate Professor in same institution serving until 1977. Dr. Bandy finally settled down in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1977 and started his private practice in his specialty. During his 35 years of private practice he published many articles in Medical journals and raised a wonderful family. Working closely with Dr. Kanai L. Mukherjee for more than twenty five years, Dr. Bandy became a recognized priest of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area, including his association with the Washington Kali Temple. His experience of performing puja rituals in the capital of the USA makes him a forerunner on the subject. He has generously volunteered in writing the Bengali script, selection of the mantras, and general collaboration with the author at every step. He is highly motivated in performing all Hindu Puja rituals in an organized manner and presenting their significance to the younger generation with great enthusiasm. 135
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Arun Banerjee Dr. Arun Banerjee was a Principal Research Scientist in the Precision Pointingand Controls Group at the Lockheed Marin Advanced Technology Center at Palo Alto, before his retirement in 2010. He was born in1942 and educated at the Bengal Engineering College (BE,1962), Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (PhD, 1969), and the University of Florida (PhD, 1972). Except for teaching from 1964-1069 at the IIT, he had spent his entire career working in industry. This included work on the dynamics of shuttle booster recovery for Northrop, shuttle tethered satellite dynamics for MartinMarietta, and INSAT solar panel deployment for Ford Aerospace. From 1982 to 2010, he worked at Lockheed, where he created a flexible multi-body dynamics code that became a workhorse tool for the company. He received the Engineer of the Year award from AIAA, San Francisco Chapter, in 1990, and in recognition of his numerous publications was invited by the European Space Agency to deliver a lecture on the State of the Art in Multi-body Dynamics in 1992, at the ESA headquarters at Amsterdam. He was an Associate Editor of the AIAA Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, and an Associate Fellow of the AIAA. Dr. Banerjee joined the team of editors at the right time when we were desperately looking for some one to go through the voluminous work of Purohit Darpan. His knowledge of Sanskrit and Bengali proved to be an asset.
136
New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan) Aloka Chakravarty Dr. Aloka Chakravarty is the Director of Biometrics at US Food and Drug Administration. She holds a Master of Statistics from Indian Statistical Institute and a Ph.D. in Mathematical Statistics from Temple University. During her 20 year tenure at the Agency, she has been instrumental in bringing many well-known drugs to market. She has published and presented extensively and is recognized as an international thought leader in the area of surrogate marker methodology. This method is used to accelerate drug approval in areas of unmet medical need such as HIV and Oncology. In 2010 she was awarded the FDA Award of Merit, the highest scientific achievement recognition at the Agency. What sets Aloka apart from her academic and scientific accomplishments is her deep respect and understanding of Sanskrit language, Hindu religion and Puja rituals. She grew up in a progressive yet religious environment, learning the significance of the rituals from her grandmother and later from Drs. Mukherjee. She continues to be committed to this massive undertaking despite her heavy work-life commitments.
137
NEW AGE GRANDPARENTS

Kanai L. Mukherjee, Ph.D. Fulbright Professor, Professor Emeritus in Medical Technology Bibha Mukherjee, Ph,D. Professor Emeritus in Geography Professor Kanai Mukherjee, popularly known as Cyber Grandpa, was born in a priest family in Varanasi (July 4, 1926). As he was the eighth child, he was named after Krishna (Kanai). He learned his priesthood from his father Pandit Haribrahmo Bhattacharjee alias Mukherjee, and from his maternal uncle Professor Brahomadhab Bhattacharjee. (Note: Bhattacharjee is a title given to dedicated priests). His father became blind when Dr. Mukherjee was five years old. So he became his fathers blind mans dog and learnt the puja rituals by sitting next to his father until he took his sacred thread at the age of ten. After reaching his puberty he started doing the Hindu rituals to assist the family. When he reached his adulthood he was frustrated with the poor return of his family trade. Out of frustration he moved into science and married a non-Brahmin, Dr. Bibha Mukherjee (1954). His wife motivated him to relearn the priesthood as an academician. This book is the outcome of this unique combination. Dr. Mukherjee often refers his wife, with respect, as his guru who came into his life as Gods blessing. Dr. Mukherjee came to the west alone in 1959 and was later joined by his wife and three small children. Dr. Mrs. Mukherjee received her doctorate in Geography from the University of Iowa (1964). Both of them were teachers of long standing. After his immigration to USA, Dr. Mukherjee promoted the Bengali tradition of Hindu puja rituals in the Baltimore-Washington DC area and became deeply involved in explaining the significance of the rituals to local people, various educational institutions and churches. His weekend priesthood did not mask his professional career of medical technology. He was considered as an authority in his field and published many books with such renowned publishers as Mosby, McGraw Hill and American Medical Association. His three children and six grandchildren are his life beats. All of them are highly accomplished. He received his recognition as Cyber Grandpa from the International Community (India Abroad and India Today, 1986). The World Indian Community knows him as a great story teller. His homepage (agiivideo.com) contains 300 videos of Indian stories and now this book on Hindu Puja rituals. After his wifes death (2007) he moved to Nashville, TN and now lives with his eldest daughter, Dr. Anuradha Chakravarthy, Vanderbilt University.
138

07 Annaprasan 9-10-2013

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originalbeschreibung:

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

07 Annaprasan 9-10-2013

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN BdeL flqa cfZ

Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants Nashville, TN 37205

First Edition, 2012 i

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

EhlLjh hev jaj ajav zz

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

VOICE OF NEW GENERATION

September 12, 2012

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

Barandala Adhivas Platter of blessing

Part 2: Ancestral Worship (Preliminary puja)

Part 2: Ancestral Worship (Preliminary puja)

Part 2: Ancestral Worship (Preliminary puja)

Part 2: Ancestral Worship (Preliminary puja)

Part 2: Ancestral Worship (Preliminary puja)

Part 2: Ancestral Worship (Preliminary puja)

Part 2: Ancestral Worship (Preliminary puja)

Part 2: Ancestral Worship (Preliminary puja)

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

Nandimukh - Briddhi Shraddha (Ancestral worship)

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Baran dala (Blessing plate) and Pituli (symbol of Ganesh)

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

Flowers offered to Chidiraj

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

New Age Purohit Darpan (Book 7: Annaprasan)

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan

Then make the following offerings to individual Brahmin: Offer a flower:

Part 4: Ancestral worship for Annaprasan