SANAISCARA STOTRAM

The following SanaiScara stotrams can be recited to get the blessings of SrI SanaiScara BhagavAn:

nilAnjana samAbhAsam raviputram yamAgrajam !
chayA mArtAnda sambhUtam tam namAmi SanaiScaram !!

sUrya putro dIrgha deho viSAlAksha: Sivapriya: !
mandacAra: prasannAtma pIdAm haratu me Sani: !!

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE TERM "SVADHYAYA " APPEARING IN TAITTIRIYOPANISHAD?

TaittirIya Upanishad declares "svAdhyAya pravacane ca" . This means that one should undertake both learning of Vedas (Veda adhyayanam) and teaching of Vedas (veda ahyApanam) besides doing brahma yajnam.

Thus "svAdhyAya" refers to learning of Vedas (Veda adhyayanam).

Meaning of the term "svAdhyAya pravacane ca" .
svAdhyayo adhyayanam !
pravacanam adhyApanam brahmayajno vA !

SRI RAMA CARAMA SLOKA

sarvAbhayapradAtAram SaraNAgata vatsalam !
sItAsupriyabhartAram satyaRAmam namAmyaham !!

Bestower of total safety, lover of those who surrender
Most beloved husband of SrI sItA , my obeisance to SrI satyaRAma .

SrI RAma's assurance is known as SrI RAma carama sloka, which is as follows:

sakrudeva prapannAya tavAsmIti ca yAcate !
abhayam sarva bhUtebhyo dadAmyetad vratam mama !!

One who seeks refuge in SrI RAma by stating just once that he belongs to SrI RAma is given assurance of total safety against all types of beings . This is the vow of SrI RAma.

BHAGAVAN SRI LAKSHMI VARAHA CARAMA SLOKA

sarvaiSvarya pradAtAram sarvavyAdhi vinASakam !
sarvavedasvarUpam tam satyakolam namamyaham !!

Bestower of all wealth, Destroyer of all diseases
Embodiment of all Vedas, my obeisance to Sri LakshmI VarAha .

BhagavAn SrI LakshmI varAha has assured as follows, which is known as varAha carama Sloka :

sthite manasi susvasthe SarIre sati yO nara: !
dhAtusAmye sthite smartA viSvarUpam ca mAmajam !!
tatastam mriyamANam tu kAshtha pAshANa sannibham !
aham smarAmi madbhaktam nayAmi paramAm gatim !!

Whomsoever worships BhagavAn SrI LakshmI varAha when he is healthy, is fondly remembered by BhagavAn Himself during his last moment of departure from this world and is escorted by His divine grace to SrI Vaikuntha , His Supreme abode.

SRI DATTATREYA JAYANTI

SrI DattAtreya JayantI will be celebrated this year on Friday the 9th December, 2011.

SrI DattAreya was born to SrI anasUyA devI - atri maharishi. He represents trimUrtis in the form of brahMA, VishNu and sadASiva .

Adau brahmA madhye vishNurante deva: sadASiva: !
MUrtitraya svarUpAya dattAtreya namostu te !!

WHAT ARE THE TWENTY FIVE TYPES OF VIMANAS?

There are twenty five types of vimanas as follows which are propelled by the power of Mantras:

pushpaka, ajamukha, bhraajasvat, jyotirmukha, kowshika, bheeshma, shesha, vajraanga, dyvata, ujvala, kolaahala, archisha, bhooshnu, somaanka, panchavarna, shanmukha, panchabaana, mayoora, shankara, tripura, vasuhaara, panchaanana, ambareesha, trinetra and bherunda.

“Pancha-vimshan Maantrikaaha Pushpakaadi Prabhedena”

YAJNAVALKYA SMRUTI

As per tradition, it is the same YAjnavalkya Maharishi who propagated the SUkla Yajur Veda is the Author of the YAjnavalkya smruti .

Let us remember the opening verse of YAjnavalkya smruti :

YogISvaram YAjnavalkyam sampUjya munayo abruvan !
varNASrametarANAm no bruhi dharmAnaSeshatah !!

After properly worshipping YAjnavalkya Maharishi , the best among the Yogis, the Sages asked him to explain them fully the dharmas pertaining to VarNA , ASrama and others.

Om namah parama Rishibhyo nama: parama Rishibhya:!

SRI YAJNAVALKYA JAYANTI

SrI YAjnavalkya Jayanti will be celebrated on KArtika MAsa , Sukla Paksha DvAdaSI which falls on Monday the 7th November 2011. This day is also known as YogISvara dvAdaSI. It is very important for all those who believe in Vedic tradition to remember with gratitude this great Rishi par excellence . With the direct blessings of SUrya Deva, he propagated SuKla Yajur Veda which contains the ISAvAsyopanishad. He along with his two dharma Patnis MaitreyI and KatyAyanI are referred to in BrihadAraNyaka Upanishad. His debate with GArgI, the daughter of VAcaknu stimulates the intellect. The philosophical expositions of SrI YAjnavalkya in the Assembly of Emperor Janaka are deep- rooted in spiritual knowledge which transcend time and place.

Om namah parama Rishibhyo nama: parama Rishibhya:!

GOPASHTAMI

GopAshtamI ( GoshtAshtamI) is celebrated on KArtika MAsa Sukla Paksha ashtamI ( 3rd November 2011). On this auspicious day, One shall worship the Cows, offer Grass and Water and be blessed by the Supreme.

kArtike yAshtamI SuklA jneyA GOpAshtamI budhai: !
tatra kuryAt gavAm pUjAm gogrAsam go pradkashiNam !!

WHETHER SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGION ARE DIFFERENT?

Modern people think that spirituality is different and that it begins only when religion ends. This is due to wrong understanding of the principles of sanAtana dharma. According to us both are complimentary and not contradictory.

As our Religion is based on the foundation of dharma, there is no disjoint between religion and spirituality. In fact, the path of karma yoga representing rituals as ordained in the Scriptures followed in the spirit of selflessness without getting attached to the results and offered as dedication to the Supreme purifies the TrikaraNas constituting the mind, speech and action.

Only when the vAsanas get extinguished and the sway towards rajas and tamas gets corrected , one can achieve tranquility. The day to day practice of dharma plays a pivotal role in shaping the inner core of the person and lifts him up from the terrestial to the transcendental plane , from physics to metaphysics and from entertainment to enlightenment.

Thus there is no dichotomy between religion and spirituality.

Also certain people think that those who practice dharma are inferior to those who talk about spiritual pursuits. This assumption is also wrong as a religious person who follows dharma SAstras can attain the abode of the Supreme by his steadfastness, dedication and devotion.

DEEPAVALI FESTIVAL

I. Caturdasi

(i)Early Morning GangA snAnam

By doing dIpAvali- GangA snAnam in the early morning during naraka caturdaSi , one does not see yamaloka.

Taile lakshmIrjale gangA dIpAvalyAScaturdaSIm !
PrAta: snAnam ya: kuryAt sa: yamalokam na paSyati !!

Oil – Lakshmi Water – GangA

II. Amavasai

(i)Damodara pUjA
Recite dAmodarAshtakam and perform dAmodara pUjA


(ii)KetAra GaurI Vratam

SUlam damarukam caiva dadhAnam hasta yugmake !
ketAra devamISAnam dhyAyet tripura ghAtinam!!

Ayusca vidyAm ca tathA sukanca saubhAgya vriddhim kuru deva deva !
samsAra ghorAmbunidhau nimagnam mAm raksha kedAra namo namaste!!

(iii)Evening Lighting dIpam

Lighting Dipam in the house and temples, one gets rid of naraka bhayam and enjoys happiness

Datto dIpaScaturdaSyAm narakaprItaye mayA !
Caturvarti samAyuktah sarva pApAnuttaye!!

(iv)Evening Lakshmi kubera pUjA


Pradosha samaye lakshmIm pUjayitvA tata: kramAt !
dIpa vrukshASca dAtavyA: SaktyA deva gruheshu ca !!
svalankrutena bhoktavyam sita vastropa SobhinA !!

WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS BHAVAS WHILE WORSHIPPING SRI KRISHNA?

There are many BhAvas with which a person can worship SrI KrishNa. The main among them are as follows:

(a) SAnta bhAva (Serene Relationship) reflecting an attitude of peace and tranquility towards the Supreme.

(b) DAsya bhAva (Master - Servant Relationship) representing that of a faithful servant respectfully serving his master .

(c) sakhya bhAva (Friend- Friend Relationship) denoting a feeling of a person towards his dear friend.

(d) VAtsalya bhAva (Parent-Child Relationship) presented in terms of a person towards his affectionate child.

(e) MAdhurya bhAva (Lover-Beloved Relationship) expressed as selfless and unconditional intimate love. This is known as premabhakti and is considered to be supreme.

SRI RADHA AND SRI GODA

SrI RAdhA is MahAlakshmi in the form of NIlA Devi. She is worshipped with intense bhakti bhAva by AlvArs and AndAl (GodA) as Nappinnai. She is also fondly adored as Pinnai.

Along with chanting of TiruppAvai , chanting of SrI RAdhA KrupA katAksha Stava helps one to gain the bliss of Krishna katAksha and His divine association.

SrIgovindapriyAm rAjnIm brundAvana manoharIm !
KrupAsvarUpiNIm divyAM RAdhA DevIm namAmyaham !!

I offer my respectful obeisances to the Goddess Sri Radha Devi, Sri Krishna’s beloved Queen, the source of the beauty of Brindavan, who is auspicious and is of the form of mercy.

SrIRAdhikAkruPAPAtrAM VishNucittasutAm sudhAm !
SrIKrishNapremamagnAm tAm GodA Devim namAmyaham !!

I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Goda Devi (AndAl) who is blessed by Sri Radha Devi (in the form of Nila Devi), the nectar like daughter of Sri Vishnu citta (Perialvar), immersed in Sri Krishna Prema Bhakti.

Jay Jay SrI RAdhe !

WHO ARE THE ASHTA MANJARIS?

The following are the eight Manjaris who are engaged in the divine service of SrI RadhA KrishNa:

(1) RUpa Manjari
(2) Rati Manjari
(3) Lavanga Manjari
(4) RAsa Manjari
(5) GuNa Manjari
(6) ManjulAli Manjari
(7) VilAsa Manjari
(8) Kausturi Manjari

WHO ARE THE VARA GOPIS?

The following are the eight exalted Gopis who are engaged in the divine service of SrI RAdhA KrishNa:

(1) KalAvati
(2) SubhAngadA
(3) HiraNyAngi
(4) RatnalekhA
(5) SikhAvati
(6) Kandarpa Manjari
(7) PhullakAlikA
(8) Ananga Manjari

WHO ARE THE VARISHTA GOPIS?

The following are the eight varishta Gopis who are considered to be topmost in the divine service of SrI RAdhA KrishNa:
(1) LalitA devi
(2) VisakhA devi
(3) CampakalatA
(4) CitrA
(5) TungavidyA
(6) IndulekhA
(7) Rangadevi
(8) Sudevi

RADHASHTAMI - SOME INFO

SrIgovindapriyAm rAjnIm brundAvanamanoharIm !

krupAsvarUpiNIm divyAm RAdhA DevIm namAmyaham!!

1) RadhAshtami is celebrated with great festivity to mark the auspicious birth day of SrI RadharANi.

(2) It is celebrated on the Sukla paksha ashtami (noon) of bhAdrapada month.

(3) This Year RadhAshtami is celebrated on 5th September, 2011.

(4) RadhAshtami is being celebrated in a grand manner especially in BarsAna , the birth place of SrI RadharANi. and in Brindavan for a very long time.

(5) SrI RadharANi 's beloved father is VrushabhAnu and mother is Kirtida

HAPPY RADHASHTAMI - SRI RADHA-KRUPA-KATAKSHA-STAVA-RAJA- STOTRAM

Happy RAdhAshtami
5th September 2011
SrIgovindapriyAm rAjnIm brundAvanamanoharIm !
krupAsvarUpiNIm divyAm RAdhA DevIm namAmyaham!!

I pray to the Goddess Sri Radha Devi, SriKrishna’s beloved Queen, the source of the beauty of Brindavan, who is auspicious and is of the form of mercy.

Sri Radha is none other than Sri Mahalakshmi, who out of great compassion, facilitates the individual Self to get the divine grace of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the glorious Yogesvara. According to the Scriptures, the best way to approach Sri Krishna is through obtaining the grace of Sri Radha. Let us not miss this opportunity today to offer our humble and sincere prayers. On this most auspicious Radhashtami day, may Sri Radha Krishna shower blessings on all.

Sri Radha Krupa Kataksha Stava Raja Stotram bestows the divine grace of Sri Radharani and the ever blissful association of Sri Radha Krishna.
Jaya Jaya SrI RAdhe.
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SrI RAdhA-krupA-katAksha-stava-rAja-stotram

1
munIndra-vrinda-vandite triloka-Sokha-hAriNi
prasanna-vaktra-pankaje-nikunja-bhU-vilAsini
vrajendra-bhAnu-nandini- vrajendra-sUnu-sangate
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

2
aSoka-vriksha-vallari vitAna-mandapa-sthite
pravAla-vAla-pallava-prabhArunAnghri-komale
varAbhaya-sphurat-kare- prabhUta-sampadAlaye
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

3
ananga-ranga-mangala- prasanga-bhangura-bhruvAm
sa-vibhramam- sa-sambhramam- driganta-bAna-pAtanaih
nirantaram- vaSI-kruta-pratIta-nanda-nandane
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

4
tadit-suvarNa-campaka- pradIpta-gaura-vigrahe
mukha-prabhA-parAstakoti-SAradendu-maNdale
vicitra-citra-sancarat- cakora-SAva-locane
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

5
madonmadAti-yauvane- pramoda-mAna-maNdite
priyAnurAga-ranjite- kalA-vilAsa-paNdite
ananya-dhanya-kunja- rAjya- kAma-keli-kovide
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

6
aSesha-hAva-bhAva- dhIra hIra-hAra-bhUshite
prabhUta-SAtakumbha-kumbha –kumbhi- kumbha-sustani
praSasta-manda-hAsya-cUrNa -pUrNa-saukhya-sAgare
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

7
mriNAla-vAla-vallari taranga-ranga-dor-late
latAgra-lAsya-lola-nIla-locanAvalokane
lalal-lulan-milan-manojna -mugdha-mohanASrite
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

8
suvarNa-mAlikAncita -trirekha-kambu-kaNthage
tri-sUtra-mangalI-guna-tri-ratna-dipti-dIdhiti
salola-nIla-kuntala-prasUna-guccha-gumphite
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

9
nitamba-bimba-lambamAna -pushpa-mekhalA-guNe
praSasta-ratna-kimkiNI -kalApa-madhya-manjule
karIndra-SuNda-dandikA- varoha-saubhagoruke
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

10
aneka-mantra-nAda-manju -nUpurArava-skhalat
samAja-rAja-hamsa-vamSa- nikvaNAti-gaurave
vilola-hema-vallari- vidambi-cAru-cankrame
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

11
ananta-koti-vishNu-loka -namra-padmajArcite
himAdrijA-pulomajA-virincijA-vara-prade
apAra-siddhi-riddhi-digdha -sat-padAngulI-nakhe
kadA-karishyasIha- mAm- krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam

12
makheSvari- kriyeSvari- svadheSvari- sureSvari
triveda-bharatISvari - pramAna-SAsaneSvari
rameSvari- kshameSvari - pramoda-kAnaneSvari
vrajeSvari- vrajAdhipe- SrI-rAdhike- namo'stu- te

13
itItamadbhutam- stavam – niSamya- bhAnu-nandini
karotu- santatam- janam - krupA-katAksha-bhAjanam
bhavet- tadaiva- sancita-trirUpa-karma-nASanam
bhavet- tadA- vrajendra-sUnu-maNdala-praveSanam

WHETHER IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO QUOTE FROM SCRIPTURES ?

We need not necessarily quote from Scriptures all the time. As long as our practice is not in variance with the dharma, we can always go by it and explain it in general terms. If a genuine practitioner of dharma says something it carries full conviction.

Dharma is of two types, sAmanya dharma and viSesha dharma . In order to properly understand the intricacies of dharma for practical appliication in a specific situation, we may have to refer to the Scriptures as they constitute the root of dharma.

One word of caution. While rationalizing one should not contravene the Scriptures.
Rationalization manifests as a poem while Scriptures constitute the prosody.

WHETHER IN THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER YAJUR UPAKARMA, 1008 GAYATRI JAPAM HAS TO BE DONE AS PART OF SANDHYA VANDANAM ?

gAyatrI japam has to be performed after doing the normal prAtah SandhyA vandanam with a separate sankalpa as "mithyAdhIta samvatsara prayascittArtham doshavatsu apatanIya dosha nirharaNArtham astottara sahasra sanhkyayA gAyatrI mahAmantra japam karishye."
PraNavasya Rishi brahma -----
AyAtu ityanuvakasya --- savitA devatA
upasthAnam

SRI HAYAGRIVA

SrImahA vishNu took the avatAr of SrI HayagrIva and destroyed the demons Madhu and kaitabha and restored the glory of the Vedas. He graciously taught the Vedas to Brahma . Therefore, SrI HayagrIva is the foundation of all vidyAs.
One who worships SrI HayagrIva is bestowed with proper knowledge.

veda SAstra purANAnAm viSeshArtha prakASakam !
sarva vidyA svarUpam tam hayagrIvam namamyaham !!

MANTRA FOR WEARING VARALAKSHMI VRATAM SARADU BY GIRLS AND MARRIED WOMEN

The following Mantra to be recited by girls and married women while wearing the varalakshmI vratam saradu (yellow thread) in the right hand on completion of the varalakshmI pUja:-

navatantum samAyuktam navagranthi samanvitam !
badhnIyAm dakshiNe haste dorakam harivallabhe !!

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR YAJUR VEDA UPAKARMA ?

UpAkarma Procedure for Yajur Vedis is as follows:


1. Vapanam ( hair-cut ) only for BrahmacAri
2. snAnam
3. sandhyavandanam
4. samitAdhAnam only for BrahmacAri
5. AupAsanam for Gruhastha
6. KamokarishIt Mantra Japam ( Not applicable in the first year of upanayanam)
7. MAdhyAnikam
8. Brahma yajnam
9. snAna mahAsankalpam
10.snAnam
11.YajnopavIta dhAraNam
12.Maunji, ajina, danda dhAraNam only for BrahmacAri
13.Kandarishi tarpaNam
14.Upakarma homam
15.nAndI SrAddham ( only in the first year of upanayanam)
16.VedArambham
17.namaskAram

This year on 13th August 2011, Sukra maudya SAnti homam also to be performed.

Notes:
1. As there is no SandhyA vandanam without gAyatrI japam, gAyatrI japam should be chanted in prAtah / MAdhyAnika sandhyA vandanam .
2. No food is to be taken before fully completing the upAkarma as above.
3. vapanam ( hair-cut) only for BrahmacAri

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF USING MANGO LEAVES IN RITUALS?

Significance of using mango leaves in rituals and PUjas:

(1) Symbolic of MahAlakshmI

(2) Prevents negative energy

(3) Sign of Auspiciousness

(4) Helps against drushti dosham

(5) Full of Oxygen

(6) Promotes hygiene and health

(7) Symbol of fertility

WHETHER DHARMA SASTRAS CAN BE ALTERED TO SUIT MODERN TIMES?

In order to suit modern times, Dharma SAstras as applicable to Kali yuga should not be altered.

On the other hand, considering the modern age, total compliance with dharma SAstras is too difficult for many of us.

As an alternative, those who feel that they are not in a position to comply with certain stipulations of dharma SAstras should take the advice from those well-versed in dharma SAstras and act accordingly. Such guidance is valid only for that particular person as applicable to his case under certain circumstances. We should not generalise these guidelines and make them universally applicable in all other cases without any reference to the facts and circumstances involved. Such personal one to one advice has to be respected and should not be discussed in open Forums. I offer this suggestion only for those who are interested in following dharma SAstras as far as possible.

WHETHER A VIPRA CAN PERFORM BRAHMA YAJNA AFTER THE DEMISE OF HIS WIFE?

Brahma Yajna is a nitya karma which has to be performed just like sandhyA vandanam. Hence a vipra has to necessarily perform brahma yajna daily even after the demise of his wife. This is the correct position as per dharma SAstras.

PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED DURING CANDRA GRAHANAM ON 15-06-2011

Procedure for this candra GrahaNam on 15/06/2011 11.52 p.m to
16/06/2011 3.32 a.m. IST:

1.On Start of GrahaNam : snAnam
2.During GrahaNam : Mantra Japam / DEvatA ArAdhanam
3.Between 2.42 a.m. and 3.32 a.m. : Pitru TarpaNam
4. After 3.32 a.m. : vimocana snAnam

GrahaNa dosha parihAra Sloka
indro analo dandadharasca Ruksha: pASAyudho vAyu kubera ISA: !
kurvantu sarve mama janmarksha rASistha candra graha dosha SAntim !!

WHETHER UPANAYANAM CAN BE PERFORMED AT THE AGE OF FIVE?

We have to always keep in mind that in respect of any karma, dharma SAstras provide for multiple options .

According to Manu, a BrAhmaNa who is desirous of brahmavarcas can be performed Upanayanam at the age of five.

brahmavarcasa kAmasya kAryam viprasya pancame !
--- Manu

According to Angiras, a BrAhmaNa who is desirous of brahmaVarcas can be performed Upanayanam at the age of five.

brahmavarcasa kAmasya pancame abde agrajanmanah !!

--- Angiras

MARRIAGE HYMNS FROM RIG VEDA

1. Marriage Vow

Grbhnāmi te Saubhagatvāya hastam mayā patyā jaradashtir yathāsah !
Bhago aryamā savitā purandhir mahyam tvādur gārhapatyāya devāh !!
---- Rig Veda X-85-36
I take thy hand in mine for happy fortune that thou mayst reach old age with me thy husband.
Gods, Aryaman, Bhaga, Savitar, Purandhi, have given thee to be my household's mistress.

2. Prayer for Marital Unity

samañjantu viśve devāh samāpo hrdayāni nau !
sammātariśvā sandhātā samu deshtrī dadhātu nau !!
---- Rig Veda X-85-47

So may the Universal Gods, so may the Waters join our hearts.
May Mātariśvan, Dhātar, and Destri together bind us close.

Ihaiva stam mā vi yaushtam visvamāyur vyasnutam !
Krilantau putrair naptrubhir modamānau sve grhe !!

---- Rig Veda X-85-42

Be ye not parted; dwell ye here reach the full time of human life.
With sons and grandsons sport and play, rejoicing in your own abode.

CHANGING YUGA DHARMAS

As the yugas change, the yuga dharma also changes as determined by the great Rishis.
Accordingly, the major shift has happened as follows in the four yugas:

Kruta yuga = DhyAnam
TretA yuga = YAga
dvApara yuga = PUjA
Kali yuga = nAma sankIrtanam (keSava)

dhyAyan krute yajan yajnaih tretAyAm dvAparercayan !
yadApnoti tadApnoti kalau sankIrtya keSavam !!

-- vYAsa


YAvanna kIrtayet rAmam kalikalmasha sambhavam !
tAvattishthati dehesmin bhayam cAtra pravartate !!

---- Sivasarvasvam

SrutismrutipurANeshu rAma nAma samIritam !
tannAma kIrtanam bhUyas tApatrayavinASanam !!

---- cyavana smruti

sarvapApa prasaktopi dhyAyannimishamacyutam !
punastapasvI bhavati panktipAvana pAvanah !!
----- PaiThInasI

na tAvatpApamedhena yannAma hatam hareh !
atireka bhayAdAhuh prAyascittAntaram vrithA !!
------ YogayAjnavalkya

prAyascittAnyaSeshANi tapah karmAtmakAni vai !
yAni teshAmaSeshANAm krishNAnus smaraNam param !!
------ SrI vishNu purANa

One should not condemn the changing yuga dharmas and those dvijas who follow those, as the dvijAs are suited to the yuga concerned.

yuge yuge ca ye dharmAs tatra tatra ye dvijAh !
teshAm nindA na kartavYA yugarUpa hi te dvijAh !!
-------- parAsara

WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES TO BE DONE ON AKSHAYA TRUTIYA?

According to dharma SAstras, the following are to be done on Akshaya TruTIya :

1.Taking bath in holy rivers
2.Japam
3.Homam (AupAsanam)
4.Vedic recitation
5.pitru tarpaNam
6.DAnam

yasYAm SnAnam japo homah svAdhyAyah pitrutarpaNam !
dAnam ca kriyate kincit tat sarvam syAdihAkshayam !!

HOW TO PERFORM ACAMANAM?

Acamana vidhi contains a lot of niyamas to be followed. Some important aspects are covered below:

gokarNAkruti hastena mAshamagnam jalam pibet !
tannUnam adhikam pItvA surApAna samam bhavet !!

The inner right hand to be folded like cow ear and water to be consumed which is of the size of "MAsha" . If it is more or less, it is equivalent to consuming surApAnam .

apsu prAptAsu hrudayam brAhmaNaS SuddhimApnuyAt !
rAjamyah kaNThatAlU ca vaiSyaSSUdras tathA Striyah!!

The water consumed should reach hridayam for brAhmaNas ( in order to get purified), neck for kshatriyas, palate for vaiSyas, SUdras and women.

samhatAngulinA toyam grihItvA pAninA dvijah !
muktvAngushtha kanishthye tu SishtasyAcamanam caret !!

Use five fingers together while taking tIrtham. Then separate the thumb finger and little finger. Whatever water remains in the hand is to be used for Acamanam. { This is also interpreted as MAshamagnam tIrtham}

---- and so on ----

Asanam :
kukkutAsanam

Direction:
East ot North


PAtram:

While doing anushtAnam, a separate vessel is preferable for Acamanam as Acamana tIrtham is not be used for other purposes like prokshaNam.

Procedure:

(1) Consume water three times saying Om acutAya namah, Om anantAya namah and Om govinDAya namah

(2) Use thumb finger to cleanse the closed mouth

(3) Cleanse the thumb finger with water

(4) Touch the twelve parts chanting the DvAdaSa namas starting with Om KeSavAya namah (each one at a time) and ending with Om dAmodarAya namah

Number of times

(1) Two times before homa, japa and one time at the end
(2) Two times before and after food



SrotrAcamanam

tasmAt AcamanAsambhave nAsikA karNa Sparsah kAryah !

If Acamanam cannot be done with water, by touching the tip of the nose and right ear, one gets the benefit of doing the Acamanam. It is known as SrotrAcamanam.

Brahma Yajna Acamanam

While doing brahma Yajnam one Acamanam is done in a different format without mantra.

AcamanIyam during devatArAdhanam

When arghya, PAdya and AcamanIyam are offered to BhagavAn, as part of devatArAdhana, it has to be shown with reverence. One should not consume the water so offered as AcamanIyam because the same is offered to BhagaVan with the bhAva that it is consumed by Him.


As regards a simple thing like Acamanam, there are subtler aspects, different interpretations and varied practices . Hence it would be advisable for those interested in karmAnushthAna to know these things personally in a traditional guru -sishya format.

WHETHER WHILE DOING SANDHYA VANDANAM ANGANYASA HAS TO BE DONE FIRST?

In traditional way of doing sandhyA vandanam, the karanyAsam is done first and thereafter the anganyAsam is done. This is the practice of those who are following dharma SAstras.

WHETHER VEDAS ARE AGAINST TEMPLE IDOL WORSHIP?

The Vedic statements “na tasya pratimA asti” from Sukla Yajur Veda and "na tasya pratimA syAt" from SvetAsvatara Upanishad are misquoted by some to prove that Vedas are against temple idol worship. Let us see why such interpretation is erroneous and baseless.

na tasya pratimA asti yasya nAma mahadyaSah! ---Sukla Yajur Veda samhitA XXXII-3

na tasya purushasya pratimA pratimAnabhUtam kincit vidyate ! yato yasya nAma mahadyaSa ityesha vedAntavidah pathanti hiraNyagarbha ityesha catur ruco anuvAkodUra viprakarsheNa hiraNyagarbham pratimAbhUtamAha !
---Uvata

Tasya purushasya pratimA pratimAnam upamAnam kincit vastu nAsti ! ata eva nAma prasiddham mahat yaSah yasyAsti! sarvAtirikta yaSA ityarthah !
---MahIdhara

Standard English translations like Griffith and Robert Ernest Hume also convey the same meaning as aforesaid.

The above proves that the Sukla Yajur Veda Mantra means that there is no comparison for the Supreme and it does not refer to idol worship by any stretch of imagination.

na tasya pratimA syAt !
---SvetASvatara Upanishad iv-19

na hi tasya iSvarasya pratimA upamA kAcit asti nishpratiyogikatvena brahmamAtratvAt !
---- SrI upanishad brahma yogI bhAshyam

Hence the translation of the word "pratimA" as "Idol worship" is erroneous as it is totally out of context. Thus there is no Vedic Statement which condemns Temple idol worship

WHAT ARE APASTAMBA AND BODHAYANA SUTRAS?

Apastamba and BodhAyana are the two prominent SUtras of those who are born in the family of KrishNa yajurvedis.

The SUtras are named after the great Rishis Apastamba and BodhAyana

Though both SUtras follow KrishNa Yajurveda texts, the two grihya SUtras are different in prayoga in certain respects.

As the SUtra is determined by birth, one has to follow the SUtra belonging to his family while performing the various Vedic karmas.

WHO ARE ALL THOSE WHO GET SATISFIED BY PERFORMANCE OF SRADDHAM?

Seven types of persons get satisfied by performance of SrAddham:

(1) Devas by homa done in agni
(2) Pitrus in svarga by brAhmaNa bhojanam
(3) Pitrus in pitruloka by pInda DAnam
(4) People by anna DAnam
(5) PiSachas by ucchishtha
(6) Those in naraka by vikira annam
(7) Unknown relatives by vAyasa piNda.

agnau hutena devAsca svargasthA vipra bhojanAh !
yamasthAh piNda dAnena mAnushA bhUri bhojanAt !!
!ucchishThena piSacAdyAh nArakAh vikireNa tu !
ajnAtAh kAkapiNdena SrAddhe trupyanti saptadhA !!

STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

According to Vedanta, three states of consciousness are there --- jAgrat, svapna and sushupti. The Atman is known as viSva, taijasa and prAjna in these three states respectively.The turIya is the fourth which is different from the three. According to Paingala Upanishad there are five states - Waking, dream, deep sleep,swoon and death.

There is a forward movement from one state to another which involves the intermediary stage.

Thus from waking to dream , there is an intermediary stage. This in my humble view has to be construed as belonging to the previous State of consciousness. Thus the intermediary stage between waking and dream experience should be considered as waking state.. Similarly the intermediary stage between dream and deep sleep experience should be considered as dream state

According to SAstras, in the state of deep sleep, there is total ignorance about the existence of the objects except the awareness that "I Exist." While the experience during waking and dreaming states is different for different people, the deep sleep state is same for all. The witness "I" exists in all the three states.

Considering the position of SAstras on this topic, if the meeting of one's departed ancestor has happened in the intermediary stage just before svapna, it has to be construed as jAgrat state. If it has happened in the intermediary stage just before deep sleep, it has to be construed as svapna state.

WHETHER THE USAGE "ABHOJANAM" IS CORRECT IN THE CONTEXT OF BHOJANA NIYAMA?

According to dharma SAstras, in the context of Bhojana niyama , "ApoSanam" is the correct usage and not "Abhojanam".

I

am giving a list of pramANam from dharma SAstras wherein the word "ApoSanam" is used.

ApOSanamakritvA tu yadyannam vistrutam bhavet !

tadannam MAmsa tulyam syAt bhuktvA cAndrAyaNam caret !!

---- Sangraham

ApoSanenoparishtA dadhastAccaiva bhunjatA !

----- YAjnavalkya

ApoSanam parIdhAnam pUrvamAcchAdanam param !

---- SAtAtapa

ApoSanam vAma bhAge surApAnasamam bhavet !

---- smrutyarthaSAra

ApoSanam tu ya: kuryAt vAmabhAge tathaiva ca !

---- Smrutiratnam

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT MODES OF WEARING YAJNOPAVITAM?

Different modes of wearing of YajnopavItam:

Deva tarpaNam - upavIti (Left shoulder)
Pitru tarpaNam - prACInAavIti (Right shoulder)
Rishi tarpaNam - nivIti (Garland)
Carrying the Sava(corpse) - nivIti (Garland)
Nature's call - Around the right ear

HOW TO KNOW THE PROPER PRACTICE IN CASE OF DIFFERING VIEWS IN DHARMA SASTRAS?

In the dharma SAstra texts, the views of various smrutis on a topic are presented. At times these differ from each other. Hence the best approach to be followed is to know the SishtAcAra from our elders who are well-versed in the practice of dharma. One has to act accordingly.

WHAT ARE THE DEFECTS IN VEDIC RECITATION ?

Vedas have to be properly recited by adhering to the svaras , matras and diction.
By not conforming to the injunctions (niyamas), one would get adverse effects.

There are six types of persons whose Vedic recitation is considered defective.


Six types of adhama pAthakas with reference to Vedic recitation:

(1) One who sings without following the svara niyamas
(2) One who chants very fast
(3) One who shakes the head while reciting
(4) One who recites the Vedas using a written text (book)
(5) One who does not know the meaning of Vedas
(6) One whose voice is not audible

gItI SIghrI Sirah kampI tathA likhita pAthakah!

anarthajnah alpakantasca shadete pAthakadhamah!!

WHAT IS THE REASON FOR BIRTH DEFECTS?

It is due to the prArabdha karma phala that one is born with deformity. Such a birth unfortunately one has to take in order to experience the sufferings.

According to Manu Smriti, one who does the karmas with whatever bhAvas, with the same type of SarIra, he experiences the fruits of his action .

yAdruSena hi bhAvena yadyatkarma nishevate!
tAdruSena SarIreNa tattatphalamupAsnute!!
--- Manu smruti

According to Sankha, one who kills a BrAhmaNa is born as a kushtha rogI, one who kills cow is born blind.

brahmahA kushthI ! goghnascAndhah !
--- Sankha

According to yAjnavalkya, one who steals annam gets afflicted with indigestion. one who steals oil is born as a cockroach.

annahartA AmayAvI syAt ! tailahrut tailapAyI syAt !
---- yAjnavalkya