Post by Kanchi Periva on Sept 18, 2012 15:39:33 GMT 5.5
Here is an article sent to us by Sri Sarma Sastrigal, our respected moderator.
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Viraja Homa:
Viraja Homa is performed primarily to prepare vibhuti from pure cow dung. It is conducted every month on the Sivaratri Day generally. During this Homa some portions from the Maha Narayanopanishad are chanted with related prayogas as prescribed.
The mantras chanted are very powerful and comprise prayers for our atma-vicharana, atma-vidya and Brahma jnana. This homa is also part of the Sanyasa Deeksha Sweekarana (monastic initiation) rituals. Some parts of the mantras are recited by upasakas of Sri Vidya during their atma-puja and so on.
Vibhuti only out of cow dung:
It is a fact that the performance of Viraja Homa has become very rare these days, but we should strive to get the Vibhuti from pure cow dung only, even without the homa, instead of buying the counterfeit Vibhuti packets available in stores everywhere. Vibhuti has to be made only out of cow dung cakes completely burnt and converted to ash.
What passes for Vibhuti these days – with fragrances and chemicals added to boot – is not to be used as vibhuti. It is made out of flour and not burnt cow dung. This is unacceptable and should be rejected.
Agnihotra Bhasma:
While on the subject it is important to note that the Bhasma we get from Agnihotra Homa also is considered great and eminently suitable for our daily use as vibhuti.
Vibhuti is considered as a wealth – aishwarya. It plays an important role in our lives. To quote Sage Gnaana Sambandar: "Mandiramavadhu Thiruneeru" (“holy ash is a mantra in itself”).
Vibhuti - damp and dryly:
Generally vibhuti is to be worn damp, after making it into a paste. But when we get Swami Prasada in temples we should apply it as it is, dryly. Vibhuti that we bring from temples should not be mixed with the stock at home.
Important:
After applying vibhuti paste, you should not wash the hands but cleanse it by applying the remnant on other parts including legs and hands.
Vibhuti, sandalwood & saffron:
A doubt many people have is, after applying vibhuti paste on the forehead, can sandalwood paste and saffron also be applied? The answer is yes, but not over the vibhuti - the three lines of vibhuti should not be touched. Sandalwood and saffron can be applied as dots just below the vibhuti.
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Viraja Homa:
Viraja Homa is performed primarily to prepare vibhuti from pure cow dung. It is conducted every month on the Sivaratri Day generally. During this Homa some portions from the Maha Narayanopanishad are chanted with related prayogas as prescribed.
The mantras chanted are very powerful and comprise prayers for our atma-vicharana, atma-vidya and Brahma jnana. This homa is also part of the Sanyasa Deeksha Sweekarana (monastic initiation) rituals. Some parts of the mantras are recited by upasakas of Sri Vidya during their atma-puja and so on.
Vibhuti only out of cow dung:
It is a fact that the performance of Viraja Homa has become very rare these days, but we should strive to get the Vibhuti from pure cow dung only, even without the homa, instead of buying the counterfeit Vibhuti packets available in stores everywhere. Vibhuti has to be made only out of cow dung cakes completely burnt and converted to ash.
What passes for Vibhuti these days – with fragrances and chemicals added to boot – is not to be used as vibhuti. It is made out of flour and not burnt cow dung. This is unacceptable and should be rejected.
Agnihotra Bhasma:
While on the subject it is important to note that the Bhasma we get from Agnihotra Homa also is considered great and eminently suitable for our daily use as vibhuti.
Vibhuti is considered as a wealth – aishwarya. It plays an important role in our lives. To quote Sage Gnaana Sambandar: "Mandiramavadhu Thiruneeru" (“holy ash is a mantra in itself”).
Vibhuti - damp and dryly:
Generally vibhuti is to be worn damp, after making it into a paste. But when we get Swami Prasada in temples we should apply it as it is, dryly. Vibhuti that we bring from temples should not be mixed with the stock at home.
Important:
After applying vibhuti paste, you should not wash the hands but cleanse it by applying the remnant on other parts including legs and hands.
Vibhuti, sandalwood & saffron:
A doubt many people have is, after applying vibhuti paste on the forehead, can sandalwood paste and saffron also be applied? The answer is yes, but not over the vibhuti - the three lines of vibhuti should not be touched. Sandalwood and saffron can be applied as dots just below the vibhuti.
