Post by ramya475 on Sept 30, 2013 19:34:03 GMT 5.5
XXVIII Upakarma
(Annual redemption Ceremony)
This has to be observed both by Brahmacharis and family men. It consists of two parts . Upakarma(Redemption) and Uthsarjana(learning of Vedas). These help the already learnt Vedic chants shine with great vigour. .Any actions done with such strengthened Vedic chants , would give good and better results. Due to our using Vedic cants for various purposes as well as our not being in a position to follow all the rules, make such chanting of Vedas very weak. So it is necessary to do Upakarma and Uthsarjana every year.
1.Kathyayana:-
By the annual performance of Upakarma and Uthsarjana by the Brahmins, The power of the already learnt Vedic chants will increase.
2.Gargya:-
Krishna Yajur Vedis should do it in the Pournamasya of the month of Sravana(avani in Tamil and Chingam in Malayalam.It occurs during august September) , Rig Vedis in the Sravana Nakshatra of Sravana Masa . The day should not be the beginning of the month or eclipse. Upakarma should not be done if it is eclipse or first day of the month(Solar month)
3.Gobhila:-
Krishna Yajur Vedis, who have learned the Taithreeya branch of the Krishna Yajurveda should do Upakarma on the full moon day of the month of Sravana. Rig Vedis should do it in Sravana (Thiruonam) star and Sama Vedis should do it in Hastha star.
For Krishna Yajur vedis , the pournami Thidhi should be there from the morning till noon.This is called Oudhayakhi.
3.Smruthyanthara:-
If Pournami and Prathama join after 12 nazhigai after sun rise(called Sangha kala-4 hours 48 minutes) and before noon , that is the proper day for annual chant of Gayathri(Gayathri Japam) . If it joins before this time then previous day is Upakarma and next day Gayathri Samitha Dhanam.
4. Thidhi darpanam:-
Rig vedis should do Upakarma on the day when during sun rise Sravana star is there. Yajur vedis should do when Pournami extends beyond 4 hours 48 minutes . Sama Vedis should do it when Hastha Nakshatra extends beyond this time in month of Bhaadrapada(Purattasi/Kanni/September-October).
If the Simha Bhadrapada is not holy due to Moudya , then they (Sama Vedis) should do it in Kanya month during Krishna Paksha(waxing period of moon)
For Rik Vedis the lord of the Shaka(branch) is Guru, For Yajur vedis it is Shukra , for Sama Vedis it is Angaraka and for Atharva Vedis it is Bhudha. So they should do upakarma when the Lord of their Shakha is powerful.. If these planets are in Moudya(powerless) or when there is eclipse or when there is month beginning, Upakarma should not be performed on that day.
For Yajur Vedis, Pournami in Sravana month is important. If it is bad then they can do in Pournami of Aashada (AAdi/karkidaka/july-august) month . If that also is bad, then they should do in the Pournami of Sravana month after carrying out redemption rituals.
Rik Vedis should do Upakarma in Sravana star in the month of Sravana. If there is dosha during that period , they can do it instead on a day in the same month when Hastha star and Panchami Thidhi are together.
Shukla Yajur Vedis should do Upakarma on the full moon day of Sravana month.. If that has dosha they can do it on Sravana star of the same month or on the day when star Hastha and Panchami thidhi are together in the same month and if even that is unsuitable they can do it on the day when Hastha star is there in the Sravana month.They can also do it in the full moon day of the Bhadhra pada month. The decision has to be made based on the family custom.
Brahmacharis should do Upakarma after hair cutting. Yajur Vedis should start learning Vedas (Uthsarjanam) on a full moon day of the Pushya month. If this is not suitable they can do it in Magha(Maasi/Kumbha/ February-march) month also.
5.Sandilya:-
Upakarma should not be performed with wet cloths. If it is done , it is termed as Rakshasa. During Upakarma, a new sacred thread should be worn, That is Upakarma should be done with new cloths and new sacred thread by every one and in case of Brahmachari they should wear in addition a new belt, new deer’s skin and new staff.
IXXX Vivaha: -
(Marriage)
1.Vyasa:-
A brahmachari should live near his Guru, do service to him , learn Vedas, meaning of Vedas and Sasthras observe the Veda rituals of Prajapathya, Soumya, aagneya and Vaisvadeva , then give money and cows as fees to the teacher(If they are not capable of giving, they can simply take his permission), , do samavarthana(Preperatory changes from bachelorhood to Grahastha) and marry a Kanyaka(virgin woman) , If he is detached with the world, he can take Sanyasa.
There are two types of Brahmacharis viz Naishtika Brahmachari and Upakurvana Brhmachari. The former never gets married(this is prohibited in the Kali age) and the later completes his duties as brahmachari and gets married.
The one who does Samavarthana(preparation to get married) carries a bamboo stick, wears Panchakacha(A four yard white cloth worn with tucking in five places) and Uthareeya(Shoulder cloth) , holds a water pot, umbrella , wears a turban , wears two sets of sacred threads , wears slippers , Golden ear studs in the ears , shaves himself well, manicures himself well , wears a flower garland , chants Vedas, wears white cloths . They bathe without chanting any manthras before dressing up. This is not observed by every one but only by a few.
(most of these are prohibited for a Brahmachari. )
2.Daksha:-
Once a Brahmachari cuts his hair and wears the form described above , he should get married within a day time(12 hours) . This is because at that state he is neither a Brahmachari nor a Grihastha,. The Paradesi form in the iyer weddings are similar to the one described above.
3.Manu:-
Manu has mentioned eight types of marriage viz Brahma, Daiva, Aarsha, Prajapathya, Aasura, Gandharwa, Rakshasa and Paisacha. He describes the procedure in each case. In spite of this , in practice only Brahma marriage is in vogue. Among the above eight, the first four are termed as good type of marriage.
Brahma marriage is the one in which a Brahmachari who is adept in Vedas and Shasthras, who is born in a good family , and who shines due to his good qualities
is invited , worshipped , given new cloths and a well decorated virgin bride is given to him as Dhana(alms).
The son born out of Brahma Vivaha removes the sins of ten generations of ancestors before him , his generation and the ensuing ten generations. So this type of marriage is liked by our manes.
Daiva marriage is one in which at the end of a fire sacrifice, a girl is given along with Dakshina (fee) to the Brahmachari.(Possibly the fore runner of marriages with dowry)
In case of aarsha marriage , the bride’s father receives a cow and bull from the Brahmachari and gives his daughter in return (as cost) to him.
In case of Prajapathya marriage , the father of the bride worships a good groom and gives him his decorated girl with an oral request to him to lead a family life.(no ceremonies are performed)
Only the above four types of marriage are according to Dharma. The children born out of this type of marriages would be religious and would be praised by elders.
The children born due to the above four types of marriages would be strong, of good conduct, handsome , have wealth and fame, would enjoy fully the pleasures of family life , would be interested in doing charity and would have long life. So these four types of marriages are according to Dharma.
The other types of marriages are dear to the inter caste and inter racial marriages. The children born out of them would be cruel , tell lies and would hate ritualistic routine. So these marriages should not be performed.
4.Yagnavalkya:-
The Brahmacharya should be observed as per rules and then the Brahmachari should marry a virgin with good qualities. Good qualities of the girl are that
1.She should not have been possessed by any other man
2.She should be pleasing to the mind
3.She should not belong to our clan
4.She should be disease free
5.She should be born with brothers
6.She should not belong to one’s Gothra or Pravara
7. She should not be from past five generations of mother’s family and seven generations of father’s family.
5.Shaathaathapa:-
He who marries a girl with the voice like swan, colour like clouds, and eyes like honey would attain all comforts and would grow further.
6.Vishnu:-
A horse should be chosen based on his father, a girl based on her mother , land based on the grass growing there and a clan based on its practices.
7.Yama:-
The girl’s father should choose a boy based of good family, good character, good conduct , good body, age, education, relatives and wealth. What would happen in the future would be good and need not be bothered about much.
8.Aapasthambha:-
The wealth of the groom are his relations, good conduct , education and freedom from disease
9.Vishnu:-
For a Brahmin his clan/family is more important than his education or wealth. And so in case of choosing a groom or in case of Sradha education is not an important criterion.
10. Samvartha:-
A girl who is eight years old is called Gouri. A girl who is nine years old is called Rohini and a girl who is ten years old is called Kanya. All girls above ten years are called Rajaswala. Giving a Gouri in marriage would get you Swarga loka, and those giving a Rohini in marriage would get Brahma loka. And those who give in marriage a Rajaswala (above 10 years of age) would go to hell.
11.Yama:-
For giving sacred thread to the boy or giving a girl in marriage 8 years(including one year spent in the womb) is the proper age. If the girl does not get married then, they are not suitable to any religious duties.
Those responsible for a girl’s marriage (father, mother and elder brother) would attain hell if girls are not given in marriage at the proper time. A girl who has attained puberty should be given in marriage after a redemption ceremony is conducted.
XXX. Agadheega Rithumathi Vivaha Prayachitham.
(redemption ceremony for marriage of a mature girl)
1.Sounaka:-
The father of the girl giving her in marriage after she attains puberty should count the number of periods , she underwent before marriage and give the same number of cows as Dhana .If he cannot afford, and he should at least give one cow. . If he cannot afford that , he should give sufficient monetary gift to Brahmins and feed them.
The girl who is marrying after attaining puberty should starve for three days before the marriage and give a red gem to a girl below five years. And the groom marrying such a girl should perform Koosmanda homam after Sama varthanam,
2.Samskara rathna mala:-
Before marrying such a girl Koosmanda Homa should be performed, Then only the groom gets the right to marry such a girl. And no dosha will get attached to him (Vrushnee pathithva dosha). If such a homa is performed after the marriage , it is of no use.
XXXI Vivahe Sadharana Dharma
(General rules of a marriage)
1,Garga:-
Two siblings born to the same mother should not get married in the same year. But such marriages can be performed with six month difference(in a different solstice of the Sun) If it becomes inevitable , the marriages should be done in different villages. They should never be performed in the same house.
Some sages are of the opinion that such marriages can be performed in different months and some feel that they can be performed in different lagnas of the same day.
But such performances should always be based on the practices of the family/clan.
2.Aathri:-
Marriages and sacred thread ceremonies should not be performed in one’s own birth star, birth month and birth day of the week. For the eldest daughter or eldest son such celebrations should not be performed in the Jyeshta (aani/Mithuna/June-july) month.
3.Vyasa:-
Between the months of Ashada(Aadi/Karkidagam/July-august) to Karthika (vruschigam, November-december) , God Vasudeva sleeps and so marriages or sacred thread ceremonies should not be performed. Other festivals also should not take place.
4.Devala:-
No ceremonies in the house should be performed after the festival of Gods of the village start , till it ends.
5.Skanda:-
After repeating the name of Gothra and the names of the groom and the bride , facing east, One should give as Dana a girl to the groom who is facing north. The girl should be younger to the groom.
6.Sangraham:-
If during marriage the fire of Oupasana goes out , then the marriage should be performed again. But after marriage if the fire of the Oupasana goes out , it can be relit after doing redemption.
The fire of Oupasana should be lit at night after doing Agneypakam. The time difference should not be more than 9 Nazhiga (3 hours 36 minutes). The marriage ceremony should be observed for four days. The pravisya Homa , before the marriage should be performed in the groom’s house. Then after 4 day marriage ceremonies , the Sesha homa should be again performed there in the later part of night in the groom’s house . The Sthali pakam ( fortnightly offerings made to the family fire) should be done in the same fire.
If the girl matures before doing Sthalipaka (two months) , then the oupasana fire would get polluted. In that case the Poornima Sthalipka should be done again, followed by Darsa Sthalipaka, Both should be done in the Prathama of Krishna and Shukla paksha prathama thithis.
7.Garga:-
When the elder brother remains unmarried the younger brother should not marry. Similarly aadhana should not be performed.
8.Yagna valkya:-
By getting married the family will grow by getting sons and grand sons. So the Women should be respected and looked after carefully.,
(Annual redemption Ceremony)
This has to be observed both by Brahmacharis and family men. It consists of two parts . Upakarma(Redemption) and Uthsarjana(learning of Vedas). These help the already learnt Vedic chants shine with great vigour. .Any actions done with such strengthened Vedic chants , would give good and better results. Due to our using Vedic cants for various purposes as well as our not being in a position to follow all the rules, make such chanting of Vedas very weak. So it is necessary to do Upakarma and Uthsarjana every year.
1.Kathyayana:-
By the annual performance of Upakarma and Uthsarjana by the Brahmins, The power of the already learnt Vedic chants will increase.
2.Gargya:-
Krishna Yajur Vedis should do it in the Pournamasya of the month of Sravana(avani in Tamil and Chingam in Malayalam.It occurs during august September) , Rig Vedis in the Sravana Nakshatra of Sravana Masa . The day should not be the beginning of the month or eclipse. Upakarma should not be done if it is eclipse or first day of the month(Solar month)
3.Gobhila:-
Krishna Yajur Vedis, who have learned the Taithreeya branch of the Krishna Yajurveda should do Upakarma on the full moon day of the month of Sravana. Rig Vedis should do it in Sravana (Thiruonam) star and Sama Vedis should do it in Hastha star.
For Krishna Yajur vedis , the pournami Thidhi should be there from the morning till noon.This is called Oudhayakhi.
3.Smruthyanthara:-
If Pournami and Prathama join after 12 nazhigai after sun rise(called Sangha kala-4 hours 48 minutes) and before noon , that is the proper day for annual chant of Gayathri(Gayathri Japam) . If it joins before this time then previous day is Upakarma and next day Gayathri Samitha Dhanam.
4. Thidhi darpanam:-
Rig vedis should do Upakarma on the day when during sun rise Sravana star is there. Yajur vedis should do when Pournami extends beyond 4 hours 48 minutes . Sama Vedis should do it when Hastha Nakshatra extends beyond this time in month of Bhaadrapada(Purattasi/Kanni/September-October).
If the Simha Bhadrapada is not holy due to Moudya , then they (Sama Vedis) should do it in Kanya month during Krishna Paksha(waxing period of moon)
For Rik Vedis the lord of the Shaka(branch) is Guru, For Yajur vedis it is Shukra , for Sama Vedis it is Angaraka and for Atharva Vedis it is Bhudha. So they should do upakarma when the Lord of their Shakha is powerful.. If these planets are in Moudya(powerless) or when there is eclipse or when there is month beginning, Upakarma should not be performed on that day.
For Yajur Vedis, Pournami in Sravana month is important. If it is bad then they can do in Pournami of Aashada (AAdi/karkidaka/july-august) month . If that also is bad, then they should do in the Pournami of Sravana month after carrying out redemption rituals.
Rik Vedis should do Upakarma in Sravana star in the month of Sravana. If there is dosha during that period , they can do it instead on a day in the same month when Hastha star and Panchami Thidhi are together.
Shukla Yajur Vedis should do Upakarma on the full moon day of Sravana month.. If that has dosha they can do it on Sravana star of the same month or on the day when star Hastha and Panchami thidhi are together in the same month and if even that is unsuitable they can do it on the day when Hastha star is there in the Sravana month.They can also do it in the full moon day of the Bhadhra pada month. The decision has to be made based on the family custom.
Brahmacharis should do Upakarma after hair cutting. Yajur Vedis should start learning Vedas (Uthsarjanam) on a full moon day of the Pushya month. If this is not suitable they can do it in Magha(Maasi/Kumbha/ February-march) month also.
5.Sandilya:-
Upakarma should not be performed with wet cloths. If it is done , it is termed as Rakshasa. During Upakarma, a new sacred thread should be worn, That is Upakarma should be done with new cloths and new sacred thread by every one and in case of Brahmachari they should wear in addition a new belt, new deer’s skin and new staff.
IXXX Vivaha: -
(Marriage)
1.Vyasa:-
A brahmachari should live near his Guru, do service to him , learn Vedas, meaning of Vedas and Sasthras observe the Veda rituals of Prajapathya, Soumya, aagneya and Vaisvadeva , then give money and cows as fees to the teacher(If they are not capable of giving, they can simply take his permission), , do samavarthana(Preperatory changes from bachelorhood to Grahastha) and marry a Kanyaka(virgin woman) , If he is detached with the world, he can take Sanyasa.
There are two types of Brahmacharis viz Naishtika Brahmachari and Upakurvana Brhmachari. The former never gets married(this is prohibited in the Kali age) and the later completes his duties as brahmachari and gets married.
The one who does Samavarthana(preparation to get married) carries a bamboo stick, wears Panchakacha(A four yard white cloth worn with tucking in five places) and Uthareeya(Shoulder cloth) , holds a water pot, umbrella , wears a turban , wears two sets of sacred threads , wears slippers , Golden ear studs in the ears , shaves himself well, manicures himself well , wears a flower garland , chants Vedas, wears white cloths . They bathe without chanting any manthras before dressing up. This is not observed by every one but only by a few.
(most of these are prohibited for a Brahmachari. )
2.Daksha:-
Once a Brahmachari cuts his hair and wears the form described above , he should get married within a day time(12 hours) . This is because at that state he is neither a Brahmachari nor a Grihastha,. The Paradesi form in the iyer weddings are similar to the one described above.
3.Manu:-
Manu has mentioned eight types of marriage viz Brahma, Daiva, Aarsha, Prajapathya, Aasura, Gandharwa, Rakshasa and Paisacha. He describes the procedure in each case. In spite of this , in practice only Brahma marriage is in vogue. Among the above eight, the first four are termed as good type of marriage.
Brahma marriage is the one in which a Brahmachari who is adept in Vedas and Shasthras, who is born in a good family , and who shines due to his good qualities
is invited , worshipped , given new cloths and a well decorated virgin bride is given to him as Dhana(alms).
The son born out of Brahma Vivaha removes the sins of ten generations of ancestors before him , his generation and the ensuing ten generations. So this type of marriage is liked by our manes.
Daiva marriage is one in which at the end of a fire sacrifice, a girl is given along with Dakshina (fee) to the Brahmachari.(Possibly the fore runner of marriages with dowry)
In case of aarsha marriage , the bride’s father receives a cow and bull from the Brahmachari and gives his daughter in return (as cost) to him.
In case of Prajapathya marriage , the father of the bride worships a good groom and gives him his decorated girl with an oral request to him to lead a family life.(no ceremonies are performed)
Only the above four types of marriage are according to Dharma. The children born out of this type of marriages would be religious and would be praised by elders.
The children born due to the above four types of marriages would be strong, of good conduct, handsome , have wealth and fame, would enjoy fully the pleasures of family life , would be interested in doing charity and would have long life. So these four types of marriages are according to Dharma.
The other types of marriages are dear to the inter caste and inter racial marriages. The children born out of them would be cruel , tell lies and would hate ritualistic routine. So these marriages should not be performed.
4.Yagnavalkya:-
The Brahmacharya should be observed as per rules and then the Brahmachari should marry a virgin with good qualities. Good qualities of the girl are that
1.She should not have been possessed by any other man
2.She should be pleasing to the mind
3.She should not belong to our clan
4.She should be disease free
5.She should be born with brothers
6.She should not belong to one’s Gothra or Pravara
7. She should not be from past five generations of mother’s family and seven generations of father’s family.
5.Shaathaathapa:-
He who marries a girl with the voice like swan, colour like clouds, and eyes like honey would attain all comforts and would grow further.
6.Vishnu:-
A horse should be chosen based on his father, a girl based on her mother , land based on the grass growing there and a clan based on its practices.
7.Yama:-
The girl’s father should choose a boy based of good family, good character, good conduct , good body, age, education, relatives and wealth. What would happen in the future would be good and need not be bothered about much.
8.Aapasthambha:-
The wealth of the groom are his relations, good conduct , education and freedom from disease
9.Vishnu:-
For a Brahmin his clan/family is more important than his education or wealth. And so in case of choosing a groom or in case of Sradha education is not an important criterion.
10. Samvartha:-
A girl who is eight years old is called Gouri. A girl who is nine years old is called Rohini and a girl who is ten years old is called Kanya. All girls above ten years are called Rajaswala. Giving a Gouri in marriage would get you Swarga loka, and those giving a Rohini in marriage would get Brahma loka. And those who give in marriage a Rajaswala (above 10 years of age) would go to hell.
11.Yama:-
For giving sacred thread to the boy or giving a girl in marriage 8 years(including one year spent in the womb) is the proper age. If the girl does not get married then, they are not suitable to any religious duties.
Those responsible for a girl’s marriage (father, mother and elder brother) would attain hell if girls are not given in marriage at the proper time. A girl who has attained puberty should be given in marriage after a redemption ceremony is conducted.
XXX. Agadheega Rithumathi Vivaha Prayachitham.
(redemption ceremony for marriage of a mature girl)
1.Sounaka:-
The father of the girl giving her in marriage after she attains puberty should count the number of periods , she underwent before marriage and give the same number of cows as Dhana .If he cannot afford, and he should at least give one cow. . If he cannot afford that , he should give sufficient monetary gift to Brahmins and feed them.
The girl who is marrying after attaining puberty should starve for three days before the marriage and give a red gem to a girl below five years. And the groom marrying such a girl should perform Koosmanda homam after Sama varthanam,
2.Samskara rathna mala:-
Before marrying such a girl Koosmanda Homa should be performed, Then only the groom gets the right to marry such a girl. And no dosha will get attached to him (Vrushnee pathithva dosha). If such a homa is performed after the marriage , it is of no use.
XXXI Vivahe Sadharana Dharma
(General rules of a marriage)
1,Garga:-
Two siblings born to the same mother should not get married in the same year. But such marriages can be performed with six month difference(in a different solstice of the Sun) If it becomes inevitable , the marriages should be done in different villages. They should never be performed in the same house.
Some sages are of the opinion that such marriages can be performed in different months and some feel that they can be performed in different lagnas of the same day.
But such performances should always be based on the practices of the family/clan.
2.Aathri:-
Marriages and sacred thread ceremonies should not be performed in one’s own birth star, birth month and birth day of the week. For the eldest daughter or eldest son such celebrations should not be performed in the Jyeshta (aani/Mithuna/June-july) month.
3.Vyasa:-
Between the months of Ashada(Aadi/Karkidagam/July-august) to Karthika (vruschigam, November-december) , God Vasudeva sleeps and so marriages or sacred thread ceremonies should not be performed. Other festivals also should not take place.
4.Devala:-
No ceremonies in the house should be performed after the festival of Gods of the village start , till it ends.
5.Skanda:-
After repeating the name of Gothra and the names of the groom and the bride , facing east, One should give as Dana a girl to the groom who is facing north. The girl should be younger to the groom.
6.Sangraham:-
If during marriage the fire of Oupasana goes out , then the marriage should be performed again. But after marriage if the fire of the Oupasana goes out , it can be relit after doing redemption.
The fire of Oupasana should be lit at night after doing Agneypakam. The time difference should not be more than 9 Nazhiga (3 hours 36 minutes). The marriage ceremony should be observed for four days. The pravisya Homa , before the marriage should be performed in the groom’s house. Then after 4 day marriage ceremonies , the Sesha homa should be again performed there in the later part of night in the groom’s house . The Sthali pakam ( fortnightly offerings made to the family fire) should be done in the same fire.
If the girl matures before doing Sthalipaka (two months) , then the oupasana fire would get polluted. In that case the Poornima Sthalipka should be done again, followed by Darsa Sthalipaka, Both should be done in the Prathama of Krishna and Shukla paksha prathama thithis.
7.Garga:-
When the elder brother remains unmarried the younger brother should not marry. Similarly aadhana should not be performed.
8.Yagna valkya:-
By getting married the family will grow by getting sons and grand sons. So the Women should be respected and looked after carefully.,