Post by sarmasastrigal on Jul 26, 2012 10:17:40 GMT 5.5
IMPORTANCE OF KUSHMANDA HOMA
-the homa found in the Vedas-
We may classify homas into two broad categories. One may be classified as Kaamyartha homa, to derive gain and fulfill certain wishes. The other one is Prayaschitta homa, to deliver us of the sins of our undesirable acts of omission and commission.
Kushmanda homa falls in the second category.
Difference between Yaga and Homa:
Yaga and Homa are not the same. Yagas are categorized as "srauta" karmas and are performed in "agnihotra" agnis. Homas are categorized as "smarta" karmas and are performed in "aupasana" agni.
Agnihotra Agni: This Agni has the characteristic of being a continuum. Yaga is performed by highly qualified Vedic scholars, who have to be Grahastas, well-versed in all the prayogas and Sastras as well, for universal benefit. Yagas such as Aswamedha, Soma and Vajapeya come under this category. Vedas speak about
Yagas, which come under the category of Srauta karmas.
Aupasana Agni: All Grahastas (married persons) have to perform Aupasana every day both in the morning and in the evening. Homas like Vastu and Sraaddha are done in Aupasana Agni. A few more examples of homas would be the Ganapati homa, Navagraha homa and Sudarshana homa which are done in laukika agni. These homas are referred to as Smarta karmas.
Homas have been codified, compiled and given to us by Sages with their divine powers. While the Vedas speak about Yagas, they contain no reference to homas - with the exception of one homa, i.e. Kushmanda Homa. The details of this powerful homa are found in the Yajur Veda (Second prasnam in Taitreeya Aaranyaka)
Why is it done?
The great Sengalipuram Anantarama Diskshitar has this to say: "...Further, this homa can be performed as a prelude to auspicious events (mangala karya) like Upanayana, Vivaha, etc. It gives one the confidence and qualification for the mangala karya. It is also the practice of some to observe this homa prior to doing the annual Pratyabdika Sraaddha."
Likewise, a person wishing to cleanse himself of a sin he may have unwiittingly committed, does this homa and gets cleared. Such is the power of Kushmanda Homa. The mantras in Kushmanda homa speak of certain sins people commit, and specifically clears them of the ill-effects of these sins upon doing the homa. Some of the sins referred to are:
1. Being casual or arrogant in Deva karmas
2. Lying in the course of day to day activities
3. Speaking ill of others
4. The hardship we cause to our mother during our presence in her garbha.
5. The mental anguish we cause to our parents with or without our knowledge.
6. Bad behaviour
7. Using impolite language while speaking to our elders, Purohits or Acharyas.
The mantras also clarify benefits that can accrue to the person doing Kushmanda homa. Some of the benefits:
1. If one has got into unmanageable debts, the homa helps to raise one's status and return the debts in one's own lifetime.
2. There are mantras that will give us sound health and a pure heart and make us better human beings.
3. Crossing the sea -- the only method of foreign travel in olden days -- was considered a sin, and even today some sticklers for ritual perform kushmanda homa after they return, to cleanse themselves.
How is Kushmanda Homa to be performed?
Kushmanda homa is surprisingly simple in terms of the process, and therefore it does not cost much. The number of Ritviks (Purohits) required is minimal. Apart from the Pradhana Acharya, one or two scholars are enough.
Of course one can invite more Purohits if one wishes to do the homa on a larger scale. Even the Homa dravyam, articles used for Homa, are very few.
While the material aspects of the homa are easy to observe, the rigours -- niyamas -- that have to be followed are quite stiff and demanding. The following aspects have been codified and have to be observed with total diligence and faith:
1) Diksha niyama (Ritualistic discipline) (at least for a fortnight)
2) Gayatri japa to the maximum extent (a minimum of 1,008 per day for the fortnight)
3) A ritualistic bath in line with the advice of the Purohit on the day of the homa
4) Naandi Sraaddha (this is not needed when the Kushmanda homa is done as a prelude to Pratyabdika Sraaddha)
No "Power of Attorney":
There is one more unique feature in the performance of this homa. In most homas, the usual practice is after the Sankalpa, the Purohit receives the "Power of Attorney" from the Karta and does the actual job, with the help of other Purohits present, with the karta a mute spectator.
In Kushmanda homa, the karta has to personally perform the Homa in his Aupasana Agni under the guidance of the Sastrigal, and chant all the mantras himself. In summary, this homa is one of immense significance and has
great value. It is a great remedy for absolution of a person's conscious and unconscious sins, if done with devotion and in complete consonance with the laid down procedure. The benefits that accrue from Kushmanda homa are many - the most important of which is peace of mind.
-the homa found in the Vedas-
We may classify homas into two broad categories. One may be classified as Kaamyartha homa, to derive gain and fulfill certain wishes. The other one is Prayaschitta homa, to deliver us of the sins of our undesirable acts of omission and commission.
Kushmanda homa falls in the second category.
Difference between Yaga and Homa:
Yaga and Homa are not the same. Yagas are categorized as "srauta" karmas and are performed in "agnihotra" agnis. Homas are categorized as "smarta" karmas and are performed in "aupasana" agni.
Agnihotra Agni: This Agni has the characteristic of being a continuum. Yaga is performed by highly qualified Vedic scholars, who have to be Grahastas, well-versed in all the prayogas and Sastras as well, for universal benefit. Yagas such as Aswamedha, Soma and Vajapeya come under this category. Vedas speak about
Yagas, which come under the category of Srauta karmas.
Aupasana Agni: All Grahastas (married persons) have to perform Aupasana every day both in the morning and in the evening. Homas like Vastu and Sraaddha are done in Aupasana Agni. A few more examples of homas would be the Ganapati homa, Navagraha homa and Sudarshana homa which are done in laukika agni. These homas are referred to as Smarta karmas.
Homas have been codified, compiled and given to us by Sages with their divine powers. While the Vedas speak about Yagas, they contain no reference to homas - with the exception of one homa, i.e. Kushmanda Homa. The details of this powerful homa are found in the Yajur Veda (Second prasnam in Taitreeya Aaranyaka)
Why is it done?
The great Sengalipuram Anantarama Diskshitar has this to say: "...Further, this homa can be performed as a prelude to auspicious events (mangala karya) like Upanayana, Vivaha, etc. It gives one the confidence and qualification for the mangala karya. It is also the practice of some to observe this homa prior to doing the annual Pratyabdika Sraaddha."
Likewise, a person wishing to cleanse himself of a sin he may have unwiittingly committed, does this homa and gets cleared. Such is the power of Kushmanda Homa. The mantras in Kushmanda homa speak of certain sins people commit, and specifically clears them of the ill-effects of these sins upon doing the homa. Some of the sins referred to are:
1. Being casual or arrogant in Deva karmas
2. Lying in the course of day to day activities
3. Speaking ill of others
4. The hardship we cause to our mother during our presence in her garbha.
5. The mental anguish we cause to our parents with or without our knowledge.
6. Bad behaviour
7. Using impolite language while speaking to our elders, Purohits or Acharyas.
The mantras also clarify benefits that can accrue to the person doing Kushmanda homa. Some of the benefits:
1. If one has got into unmanageable debts, the homa helps to raise one's status and return the debts in one's own lifetime.
2. There are mantras that will give us sound health and a pure heart and make us better human beings.
3. Crossing the sea -- the only method of foreign travel in olden days -- was considered a sin, and even today some sticklers for ritual perform kushmanda homa after they return, to cleanse themselves.
How is Kushmanda Homa to be performed?
Kushmanda homa is surprisingly simple in terms of the process, and therefore it does not cost much. The number of Ritviks (Purohits) required is minimal. Apart from the Pradhana Acharya, one or two scholars are enough.
Of course one can invite more Purohits if one wishes to do the homa on a larger scale. Even the Homa dravyam, articles used for Homa, are very few.
While the material aspects of the homa are easy to observe, the rigours -- niyamas -- that have to be followed are quite stiff and demanding. The following aspects have been codified and have to be observed with total diligence and faith:
1) Diksha niyama (Ritualistic discipline) (at least for a fortnight)
2) Gayatri japa to the maximum extent (a minimum of 1,008 per day for the fortnight)
3) A ritualistic bath in line with the advice of the Purohit on the day of the homa
4) Naandi Sraaddha (this is not needed when the Kushmanda homa is done as a prelude to Pratyabdika Sraaddha)
No "Power of Attorney":
There is one more unique feature in the performance of this homa. In most homas, the usual practice is after the Sankalpa, the Purohit receives the "Power of Attorney" from the Karta and does the actual job, with the help of other Purohits present, with the karta a mute spectator.
In Kushmanda homa, the karta has to personally perform the Homa in his Aupasana Agni under the guidance of the Sastrigal, and chant all the mantras himself. In summary, this homa is one of immense significance and has
great value. It is a great remedy for absolution of a person's conscious and unconscious sins, if done with devotion and in complete consonance with the laid down procedure. The benefits that accrue from Kushmanda homa are many - the most important of which is peace of mind.
