Post by ramya475 on Nov 8, 2013 14:19:49 GMT 5.5
XX. Sandhyavandana Vidhi.
(rules of worship at dawn , noon and dusk)
1.Pithamaha:-
The period from fading of stars to sun rise is called dawn.
2.Daksha:-
The last 48 minutes of the last part of night is the beginning of dawn. When you see the suns rays upwards on the sky, it is dusk. Because Sandhya indicates a period of time in a day , the worship done during that period is called Sandhya Vandana.
3.Yoga Yagnavalkya:-
During Sandhya, we have to worship the Goddess of Sandhya. We should not do Sandhya Vandana in the evening after Sun has set. Similarly we should not do it after Sun rise. Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva worship Sandhya at the proper time. So a Brahmin should also definitely do it.
4.Samvartha:-
Learned people are of the opinion that Sandhya Vandana should be done thrice in a day-at dawn, noon and dusk.
6.Shankha:-
The dawn worship should be done when stars are still there, the noon worship after the noon bath and the dusk worship when Sun is still there.
7.Vyasa:-
Any Brahmin who does all other Dharmas except Sandhya Vandana undergoes untold sufferings.
He who because of the lack of wisdom , engages in only matters other than Sandhya Vandana should be banished from rituals by Vedic Pundits.
8.Yama:-
He who observes Sandhya steadfastly , gets rid of all is sins and attains the world of Brahma.
A Brahmin who commits sin by body, mind and word during the day, if he performs the Sandhya Vandana at dusk with devotion , gets rid of all sins.
A Brahmin who commits sin by body, mind and word during the night if he performs the Sandhya Vandana at dawn with devotion , gets rid of all sins.
Some elders are of the opinion that Argya (water offering) , Sandhya Dhyana (meditation) , Gayathri japa and Upasthana are the four important aspects of Sandhya Vandana.This is a confirmed truth. Other things like Prokshana are only branches.
Forty eight minutes before Sun rise is the most important time for Sandhya Vandana. One hour and 24 minutes after Sun rise is the Gowna ( average time ?) time for Sandhya Vandana .After that you are not supposed to do Sandhya Vandana
In the Gowna time above you can do Sandhya Vandana , only if there is revolt in the country, if water is scarce , if you are ill and if you are in danger Like that Sandhya Vandana can be performed in Gowna time during noon as well as dusk.
9.Athri:-
A man who is healthy and is not ill should do Sandhya Vandana at the proper time. If he does not do it, he is a great sinner who troubles the Sun God.
10.Brahma:-
Sandhya Vandhana performed in falling water is faulty, The Pithrus and Gods will not appreciate it.
11.Vyasa:-
After wearing the sacred thread and tying the hair properly and after doing Achamana twice, the Sandhya Vandana should be performed with great attention
You have take water in the cup made by both hands , and chanting Gayathri , face the Sun and offer Arghya (Water oblation) three times
12. Samgraha:-
You have to take water in the cup made of both hands and lift it to the height of a cow’s horn and then pour it.
Arghya should be done in water. If water is not available , you can clean a place and offer Argya there.
Arghya should be given standing in the dawn and at noon and should be given sitting at dusk.
13.Bharadwaja:-
After giving Arghya , you have to give Prayachitha Arghya(Arghya of redemption) , perform Achamana , do Athma Pradakshina with water(Throw water around your head in a circular fashion) , stand near a Durba grass in a clean place , wear Durba and meditate on the soul. Then we have to Tharpana to the nine planets and the twelve devathas starting with Kesava.
14.Shankha:-
The specification of the place where Japa(meditation) is to be done is described. If you get one effect for doing Japa at home, if you do it by the bank of the river you get two times, in the cattle shed 10 times, before homa fire one hundred times, In great temples and sacred waters and before God thousand times of one hundred crore times.
15.Brahaspathi:-
You should assume a comfortable seat and posture , control all your senses, recall the name of sage, Chandas(meter) and Devatha(God to whom it is addressed) and do Pranayama understanding its import silently.
16.Smruthi:-
You have to do Gayathri Japa after chanting ten times Gayathri with the seven Vyahruthis, You have to do Gayatri Japa after doing Pranayama ten times, during dawn, noon and dusk.
17.Yama:-
Brahma put all the Vedas in one part of the scale and Gayatri Manthra in the other part of the scale .Both were at par. That is Gayathri is equivalent to all the four Vedas together..
18.Manu:-
In the morning Gayathri Japa should be done standing till the Sun rises, In the evening it should be done sitting till the stars rise.
19.Samvartha:-
Daily the house holder and Brahma Chari should chant Gayatri 108 times during each Sandhya Vandana. Vana prastha and Kuteesika Sanyasi should chant 1008 times.
Gayathri should be chanted within the mind. Chanting with the movement of the face, toungue and other body parts without it being heard by others is considered Madhyama (medium) and chanting it with other people hearing is Adhama (bad)
20 Rathnavalya:-
Gayathri should be counted using phalnges of the fingers. This is done because Gayathri is the mother of the Vedas. This rule is not applicable to other Japas.
21.Pithamaha:-
After chanting Gayathri till sun rise , you have to complete it by chanting the mantra starting with “Uthame Shikare Devi”
22.Vyasa:-
Then you have to pray Sun god using the chants of the three Vedas in a standing posture (upasthana) . Similar Upasthana should be done all the three times.
23.Bharadwaja:-
After doing Upasthana, you have to salute the four devathas starting with Sandhya. The four devathas are Sandhya, Savithri, Gayathri and Saraswathi.
24.Then you have to salute east, south , west, north , up, down, environment and earth chanting the names of these directions/Gods in a perambulating way. Then you have to do Upasthana of Yama, Vishnu , Virupaksha and Savitha chanting the proper mantras and facing the proper directions. Sandhya Vandana should be done as per the customs of the family, Then the entire act should be dedicated to God.
XXI. Kamya Japani
(Desirous chants)
1.Bodhayana:-
Please know that After sprinkling with water chanted by cleansing mantras , if Rudram is chanted eleven times, then you get freedom from all sins.
2. Athri:-
It is definite that if we chant Rudram eleven times we get rid of the sins like great crimes.
3.Vishnu:-
After taking bath chant divine mantras which makes you get rid of sins. Specially chant Savithri and Purusha Suktha daily, There are no mantras equal to them.
4.Samvartha:_
He who chants Purusha Suktha observing celibacy and with controlled limited food for five to six months , will get rid of all sins.
5.Jaabaali:-
Chanting of Hari’s name is the greatest. We have to always meditate or sing or chant names of Hari. If we do that, we would become happy and would get solace.
6.Vasishta:-
A wise man by chanting the names of Lord Vishnu gets rid of all sins and becomes pure.
A devotee of Hari ,gets benefit equal to the conduct of Raja Sooya Sacrifice , by chanting the names of Rama and Krishna. But he has to do this after doing his daily duties.
Chanting the thirteen letter chant “ Sri Rama Jaya Rama , jaya jaya Rama” twenty one times , you can get rid of crores of the Brahma hathya sin.
7.Bhrugu:-
Even if crores of dangers which give fear toi man comes, if he chants “Rama Rama” , those dangers will vanish,
8.Narada:-
The Kali Purusha will not spoil the man who sings the six names of Shiva viz. Shiva, Shankara, Rudhra, Eesa, Neelakanda and Trilochana.
Those people are blessed who chant the Shiva’s names “ Mahadeva, Viroopaksha, Gangadhara, Mruda and Avyaya”
XXII.Durbha Prasamsa
(The appreciation of Durbha grass)
1.Gobhila:-
This is grown on the shores of Ganges. In its root resides Lord Brahma, in its middle resides Lord Vishnu and on its tip lives Lord Shankara. In all other areas all the devas reside. So it is important to use Durbha in rituals.
2. Haaritha:-
Any ritual or acts performed using the sacred purifying ring made of Durbha (Pavithram) like chants, meditation charity, taking of food would result in immeasurable benefits.
3.Koushika:-
A seat made of Durbha grass is very holy . This is the best seat for a Sanyasi. You would get victory in yoga, quickly if you use this seat.
4.Shankha:-
If you do not get Dhurbha, you can use Kasa grass(Naanal in Tamil) . This grass is equal to Durbha.
5.Vrudha Vasishta:-
Seven types of Dhurbha have been referred to. They are Viswamithra, Dhurbha, Kasa, Durva grass, paddy straw,. Balbhaja grass and Barley grass.
Dhurbha is dear to Brahma, Kasa grass to Rudhra, Dhoorva grass to sages, And Viswamithra to Lord Vishnu.
Viswamithra is so named because it is friendly to Brahmins for doing all their rituals and enemy to all the sins done by them,
If Kusa(Durbha) and Kasa are not available , the other types of Dhurbha can be used.
The Pavithras to be worn in the hand should be either made of Dhurbha grass, or silver or gold, They should be worn in right hand.
6.Shankha:-
Since there is a rule that you have to do Achamana wearing Pavithra, you should never do Achamana wearing Pavithra made of Kasa grass.
7.Haaritha:-
Dhurbha should be collected in the month of Maagha or Sravana. These are considered new always.
Dhurbha collected in other months can be used only for that month.
A Brahmin should use Dhurbha, flowers and Samith (Sticks) collected by himself and not use those collected by others.
XXIII .Homa Vidhaana
(Rules of fire sacrifice)
1.Pulasthya:-
All Vedic acts should be begun after bath, Sandhya Vandana , and sprinkling of all materials for Homa as well as for other things in the house by water brought after bath.
2.Haaritha:-
Brahmin should do Sandhya Vandhana properly, then do Surya Namaskara (salutations to Sun) and should do Homa both in the morning and evening in the fire started on the day of marriage.
3.Aapasthambha:-
In the stalipaaka done in fire , two hand full of rice , two hand full of barley should be offered to the fire. Some people are of the opinion that the first offering in the morning should be to the Sun God. Before and after the offering to the fire Parishechana (sprinkling water all round the fire telling mantras) should be done.
In the place where we intend to keep the fire, two sets of three lines, one ending in the east and another ending in the west should be drawn, water should be sprinkled on the place and the fire kept over it. The water remaining after sprinkling should be emptied either in the east or north and new water taken.
4.Vishnu:-
The householder should use the Oupasanagni lit on the day of marriage for performing acts like Sthalipakam and Sradham. The Vedic sacrifices should be done in Trethagni and all public rituals should be done in the normal fire and not in Oupasanagni of an individual.
If we are not able to observe Vedic rituals then the rituals of Smarthas should be done. Otherwise it is enough if we do bath, Sandhya Vandana, Meditation and worship.
5.Smruthyartha Sara:-
In the Homa performed in the Oupasana fire, the head of the family is the chief performer. Suppose due to some reasons he is not able to do it, then his wife or , daughter, priest, disciple, teacher, brother, nephew or son in law can do Homa instead of him. If the wife and daughter happen to do it, then they should not do parishechana (sprinkling water all round fire) but only Homa.
6.Garga:-
A married householder should never be without fire, If he does not have it, he is termed as debased or sinner.
7.Vyasa:-
The food offered by householder who does not have Oupasana fire , will not be eaten by wise people. He would be called Vithaapakan (He who cooks without reason).
8.Kathyayana:-
If we do not perform Oupasana for one year, then he should give in charity 6o measures of rice and three measures of ghee and restart the Oupasana fire.
9.Shaatchayanee:-
All the intended material for Homa , when you do not perform it for a long period should be given in charity to a Brahmin and then the fire lit again.
10,Bruhaspathi:-
Homa should not be stopped because of untouchability due to birth as well as death, weakness , eating of meals in the Sradha or going out of town. The Homa should be got done by others.
XXIV. Homa Kala:-
(The time of Homa)
1.Aapasthambha:-
The time when in the evening rays of Sun are on the top of a tree (Athi Vruksha Soorya) and the time when the sun’s start to light up the sky (Avissorya kala) are most suitable for Homa.
2. Graha parisishta:-
In the evening Homa should be performed before the sun sets and in the morning before Sun rises.
For the people who do Homa, the Sanghava kala following sun rise and three hours and 36 minutes after Sun set is the Agnihothra time(Time to worship fire) ,After that is the Gownava kala. If you happen to do agnihothra then , you should do redemptive ritual for delay and do Agnihothra.
3.Gobhila:-
After completing the Sandhya Vandana, lit the Oupasana fire, using fuel such as the cow dung cake and after flames raise, we have to perform the Oupasana Homa. If the man performing does not get material for Homa, the offering of the morning can be extended up to evening, . Similarly the evening offering can be extended till next day morning. If the entire month’s Stalipaka is left out , it can be carried out till Amavasya(new moon) . Similarly the Darsa Sthalipaka can be carried out till Pournamasya (full moon). By doing this you do not have the sin of being late. But understand that is the Gowna period and the proper period is Prathama,
4. Bharadwaja:-
The morning Oupasana can be done up to evening and the evening Oupasana can be done up to morning.
XXV, Homarhasamidha:-
(the holy sticks suitable for Homa)
1.Smruthpaedhasara:-
Palasa, Khadeera(Karumkali) Aswatha (Peepul tree) Shamyu (Vanni) , Bharaja (athi-fig) sticks and grasses like Apamarga (Nayuruvi) Arka (Yerukku), Dhoorva(Arugam pul) and Dhurbha can be used for Homa.
(Since I do not know the English equivalents of these plants, I am reproducing the Tamil equivalents from the book)
All the sticks (samith) should be covered with bark , straight, soft and similar looking. The length of ten or twelve inches is ideal. They should be slightly wet, dry , properly cut, as thick as the index finger, not split , without branches and without insect attack.
The Samith (stick) , Pavithra and Veda should be the length of the thumb. Idhma should be double that , Paridhi thrice that length. (these are for Vedic rituals). In the domestic rituals Idhma should be the size of the thumb and Paridhi twice that.
The names of trees which should not be used as fuel are listed. Kovidha Ravi ( Malai Agathi ) , Bheethaka(Thanee ) , Kapitha ( Vilaa ) , Aamalaka(gooseberry) , Raja Vruksha(Konnai) , Shakadhruma(palai) , Neepa(kadambu) , Nimbha(neem tree) , Karanja(Pongamia-punugu) , Thilaka(mullilavu—silk cotton) , Shalmali(naruvili ), Sleshma should not be used for Homa. Using dried sticks of Thulasi (Ocimum) would give great strength to us.
2.Aapasthmbha:-
The sticks which are offered in the fire should be sprinkled with water (prokshana) before putting them in the fire.
XXVI. Homa dravyani:-
(materials for Homa)
1.Kathyayana:-
There are three types of offerings to the fire. They are Krutha(refined), Kruthakrutha (partially refined) and Akrutha (raw).
Cooked rice and rice flour are examples of Krutham, , rice , barley etc examples of kruthakrutham , and Paddy is an example of Akrutham
2.Aapasthambha:-
He who desires cows should offer milk in Homa and similarly he who wants to satiate his senses should do Homa with curds, he who wants increase in friends and relatives with gruel, he who likes to have food with cooked rice, he who wants power with uncooked rice, , he who wants fame with meat, he who wants knowledge of Brahman with Soma juice, and he who wants power with aajyam(ghee).
Daily Homa with milk would give good results. It is mentioned as one which leads to strength.
3.Vyasa:-
He who does Homa with the milk of a black cow , would be able to break open the sun and reach perennial state of Brahmam.
The same material which was used in the evening for Homa should be used next morning also.
4.Smruthyarth sara:-
The rice of Red paddy, ragi , neevara, white paddy , wheat and barley are suitable for Homa. The germ of barley , Priyanku , Neevara , Paddy , wheat , and samba paddy and Barley can be also used as such for Homa offering. Similarly gingelly (sesame) also can be used for Homa.
The Homa article which is liquid should be taken by a ladle and offered o the fire. All solids should be taken by hand and offered to the fire.
Milk, curd, gruel , ghee, cooked rice , rice, Soma, meat , oil and water are suitable for Agnihothra(Fire offering)
Similar to Agnihothra, even in case of the Oupasana fire , Homa can be lit without chanting of mantra but spraying(prokshana) three times. But we should not offer meat in Oupasana fire.
In case of Agnihothra the most important is milk. If this is not available we can offer either paddy or barley as Homa offering. We can also offer medicinal herbs. But we should not use black gram, wild beans , ragi and Nai thinai(English equivalent not known).
One measure( Padi) of grain is sufficient for 64 offerings. In case of gingelly half measure and in case of Ghee quarter measure is sufficient.
5.Bhodhayana:-
100 numbers of paddy or barley is one offering. In case of cooked rice , it is double the quantity , which would be same size as egg of a pea hen. The equivalent of a hen’s egg is called Pinda. Avadhana is equal to the size of one phalange of thumb and Swishtakruth is bigger than that and is equal to four phalanges of the thumb.
Oupasana Homa has to be done by the tip of the fingers, It is written that it should be done by the northern side of the fingers.
With the open palm , holding the offering (havis) by the folded thumb and the four fingers , Homa should be done silently.
Smrithi says that fire should not me made to burn by use of cloth , leaf , hand , chaff, mouth , stick and fan.
It should be made to burn by a pipe., grass and stick by blowing by the mouth, You should also blow directly by the mouth ,. It is told that the fire should be made to burn by the face.
Homa should be done in the fire raised by dried sticks , which does not have smoke and where the fire is of small size.
6. Aapasthambha:-
The embers of the fire join with the thin ashes giving out blue flame. Performing Homa at such a time is equivalent to Performing Homa to the Brahmam.
The fire sacrifice should be done according to the Grihya Suthras applicable to our family.
7.Vyasa:
If you talk when you are taking bath , Varuna will steal your beauty. If you talk while doing Homa., Agni will steal your wealth. If you talk while eating you would be attacked by God of death. So these three actions should be performed silently.
8.Aapasthamba:-
The oupasanagni (oupasana fire) should always kept alive. If the fire gets out due to some reason , it can be started again by churning wood or borrowing fire from the fire in the home of a householder.
Even if fire is alive , if Homa is not done for 4 days , it becomes ordinary fire.
9. Sounaka:-
If the fire goes out or if Homa is not performed twice or if the couple goes out of the home together, the fire becomes ordinary fire. That is , it is not suitable for Homa.
10.Bharadwaja:-
If the oupasana fire becomes ordinary fire , for 12 days we can do Homa after redemptive fire offering. But after 12 days, the fire has to be relit.
11.Bhodhayana:-
If the oupasana fire is put out , for three days we should do Homa chanting the Rik “Ayase Agnaye”, then for six days chanting the Rik “Thanthumathi” and from 7th to 12th day by chanting the Rik “Manojjyothi”. After that only it becomes the sacred fire. But in several clans this procedure is not followed.
You have to do it according to the practice of the family.
If the oupasana fire goes out it can be lit in wooden sticks, in oneself and in sticks of the banyan tree(samith). The self raising of fire should be done by oneself. The other two can be got done by Rithviks(Vedic Pundits)
12.AAngeeras:-
The benefit (punya) of maintaining Oupasana fire is equal to giving away the entire world as well as the Golden mountain of Meru in charity.
13.Manu:-
The Homa done in fire reaches the Sun God. From Sun we get rain. From rain the earth produces food. And people are happy because of that. So the man who does Homa
(rules of worship at dawn , noon and dusk)
1.Pithamaha:-
The period from fading of stars to sun rise is called dawn.
2.Daksha:-
The last 48 minutes of the last part of night is the beginning of dawn. When you see the suns rays upwards on the sky, it is dusk. Because Sandhya indicates a period of time in a day , the worship done during that period is called Sandhya Vandana.
3.Yoga Yagnavalkya:-
During Sandhya, we have to worship the Goddess of Sandhya. We should not do Sandhya Vandana in the evening after Sun has set. Similarly we should not do it after Sun rise. Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva worship Sandhya at the proper time. So a Brahmin should also definitely do it.
4.Samvartha:-
Learned people are of the opinion that Sandhya Vandana should be done thrice in a day-at dawn, noon and dusk.
6.Shankha:-
The dawn worship should be done when stars are still there, the noon worship after the noon bath and the dusk worship when Sun is still there.
7.Vyasa:-
Any Brahmin who does all other Dharmas except Sandhya Vandana undergoes untold sufferings.
He who because of the lack of wisdom , engages in only matters other than Sandhya Vandana should be banished from rituals by Vedic Pundits.
8.Yama:-
He who observes Sandhya steadfastly , gets rid of all is sins and attains the world of Brahma.
A Brahmin who commits sin by body, mind and word during the day, if he performs the Sandhya Vandana at dusk with devotion , gets rid of all sins.
A Brahmin who commits sin by body, mind and word during the night if he performs the Sandhya Vandana at dawn with devotion , gets rid of all sins.
Some elders are of the opinion that Argya (water offering) , Sandhya Dhyana (meditation) , Gayathri japa and Upasthana are the four important aspects of Sandhya Vandana.This is a confirmed truth. Other things like Prokshana are only branches.
Forty eight minutes before Sun rise is the most important time for Sandhya Vandana. One hour and 24 minutes after Sun rise is the Gowna ( average time ?) time for Sandhya Vandana .After that you are not supposed to do Sandhya Vandana
In the Gowna time above you can do Sandhya Vandana , only if there is revolt in the country, if water is scarce , if you are ill and if you are in danger Like that Sandhya Vandana can be performed in Gowna time during noon as well as dusk.
9.Athri:-
A man who is healthy and is not ill should do Sandhya Vandana at the proper time. If he does not do it, he is a great sinner who troubles the Sun God.
10.Brahma:-
Sandhya Vandhana performed in falling water is faulty, The Pithrus and Gods will not appreciate it.
11.Vyasa:-
After wearing the sacred thread and tying the hair properly and after doing Achamana twice, the Sandhya Vandana should be performed with great attention
You have take water in the cup made by both hands , and chanting Gayathri , face the Sun and offer Arghya (Water oblation) three times
12. Samgraha:-
You have to take water in the cup made of both hands and lift it to the height of a cow’s horn and then pour it.
Arghya should be done in water. If water is not available , you can clean a place and offer Argya there.
Arghya should be given standing in the dawn and at noon and should be given sitting at dusk.
13.Bharadwaja:-
After giving Arghya , you have to give Prayachitha Arghya(Arghya of redemption) , perform Achamana , do Athma Pradakshina with water(Throw water around your head in a circular fashion) , stand near a Durba grass in a clean place , wear Durba and meditate on the soul. Then we have to Tharpana to the nine planets and the twelve devathas starting with Kesava.
14.Shankha:-
The specification of the place where Japa(meditation) is to be done is described. If you get one effect for doing Japa at home, if you do it by the bank of the river you get two times, in the cattle shed 10 times, before homa fire one hundred times, In great temples and sacred waters and before God thousand times of one hundred crore times.
15.Brahaspathi:-
You should assume a comfortable seat and posture , control all your senses, recall the name of sage, Chandas(meter) and Devatha(God to whom it is addressed) and do Pranayama understanding its import silently.
16.Smruthi:-
You have to do Gayathri Japa after chanting ten times Gayathri with the seven Vyahruthis, You have to do Gayatri Japa after doing Pranayama ten times, during dawn, noon and dusk.
17.Yama:-
Brahma put all the Vedas in one part of the scale and Gayatri Manthra in the other part of the scale .Both were at par. That is Gayathri is equivalent to all the four Vedas together..
18.Manu:-
In the morning Gayathri Japa should be done standing till the Sun rises, In the evening it should be done sitting till the stars rise.
19.Samvartha:-
Daily the house holder and Brahma Chari should chant Gayatri 108 times during each Sandhya Vandana. Vana prastha and Kuteesika Sanyasi should chant 1008 times.
Gayathri should be chanted within the mind. Chanting with the movement of the face, toungue and other body parts without it being heard by others is considered Madhyama (medium) and chanting it with other people hearing is Adhama (bad)
20 Rathnavalya:-
Gayathri should be counted using phalnges of the fingers. This is done because Gayathri is the mother of the Vedas. This rule is not applicable to other Japas.
21.Pithamaha:-
After chanting Gayathri till sun rise , you have to complete it by chanting the mantra starting with “Uthame Shikare Devi”
22.Vyasa:-
Then you have to pray Sun god using the chants of the three Vedas in a standing posture (upasthana) . Similar Upasthana should be done all the three times.
23.Bharadwaja:-
After doing Upasthana, you have to salute the four devathas starting with Sandhya. The four devathas are Sandhya, Savithri, Gayathri and Saraswathi.
24.Then you have to salute east, south , west, north , up, down, environment and earth chanting the names of these directions/Gods in a perambulating way. Then you have to do Upasthana of Yama, Vishnu , Virupaksha and Savitha chanting the proper mantras and facing the proper directions. Sandhya Vandana should be done as per the customs of the family, Then the entire act should be dedicated to God.
XXI. Kamya Japani
(Desirous chants)
1.Bodhayana:-
Please know that After sprinkling with water chanted by cleansing mantras , if Rudram is chanted eleven times, then you get freedom from all sins.
2. Athri:-
It is definite that if we chant Rudram eleven times we get rid of the sins like great crimes.
3.Vishnu:-
After taking bath chant divine mantras which makes you get rid of sins. Specially chant Savithri and Purusha Suktha daily, There are no mantras equal to them.
4.Samvartha:_
He who chants Purusha Suktha observing celibacy and with controlled limited food for five to six months , will get rid of all sins.
5.Jaabaali:-
Chanting of Hari’s name is the greatest. We have to always meditate or sing or chant names of Hari. If we do that, we would become happy and would get solace.
6.Vasishta:-
A wise man by chanting the names of Lord Vishnu gets rid of all sins and becomes pure.
A devotee of Hari ,gets benefit equal to the conduct of Raja Sooya Sacrifice , by chanting the names of Rama and Krishna. But he has to do this after doing his daily duties.
Chanting the thirteen letter chant “ Sri Rama Jaya Rama , jaya jaya Rama” twenty one times , you can get rid of crores of the Brahma hathya sin.
7.Bhrugu:-
Even if crores of dangers which give fear toi man comes, if he chants “Rama Rama” , those dangers will vanish,
8.Narada:-
The Kali Purusha will not spoil the man who sings the six names of Shiva viz. Shiva, Shankara, Rudhra, Eesa, Neelakanda and Trilochana.
Those people are blessed who chant the Shiva’s names “ Mahadeva, Viroopaksha, Gangadhara, Mruda and Avyaya”
XXII.Durbha Prasamsa
(The appreciation of Durbha grass)
1.Gobhila:-
This is grown on the shores of Ganges. In its root resides Lord Brahma, in its middle resides Lord Vishnu and on its tip lives Lord Shankara. In all other areas all the devas reside. So it is important to use Durbha in rituals.
2. Haaritha:-
Any ritual or acts performed using the sacred purifying ring made of Durbha (Pavithram) like chants, meditation charity, taking of food would result in immeasurable benefits.
3.Koushika:-
A seat made of Durbha grass is very holy . This is the best seat for a Sanyasi. You would get victory in yoga, quickly if you use this seat.
4.Shankha:-
If you do not get Dhurbha, you can use Kasa grass(Naanal in Tamil) . This grass is equal to Durbha.
5.Vrudha Vasishta:-
Seven types of Dhurbha have been referred to. They are Viswamithra, Dhurbha, Kasa, Durva grass, paddy straw,. Balbhaja grass and Barley grass.
Dhurbha is dear to Brahma, Kasa grass to Rudhra, Dhoorva grass to sages, And Viswamithra to Lord Vishnu.
Viswamithra is so named because it is friendly to Brahmins for doing all their rituals and enemy to all the sins done by them,
If Kusa(Durbha) and Kasa are not available , the other types of Dhurbha can be used.
The Pavithras to be worn in the hand should be either made of Dhurbha grass, or silver or gold, They should be worn in right hand.
6.Shankha:-
Since there is a rule that you have to do Achamana wearing Pavithra, you should never do Achamana wearing Pavithra made of Kasa grass.
7.Haaritha:-
Dhurbha should be collected in the month of Maagha or Sravana. These are considered new always.
Dhurbha collected in other months can be used only for that month.
A Brahmin should use Dhurbha, flowers and Samith (Sticks) collected by himself and not use those collected by others.
XXIII .Homa Vidhaana
(Rules of fire sacrifice)
1.Pulasthya:-
All Vedic acts should be begun after bath, Sandhya Vandana , and sprinkling of all materials for Homa as well as for other things in the house by water brought after bath.
2.Haaritha:-
Brahmin should do Sandhya Vandhana properly, then do Surya Namaskara (salutations to Sun) and should do Homa both in the morning and evening in the fire started on the day of marriage.
3.Aapasthambha:-
In the stalipaaka done in fire , two hand full of rice , two hand full of barley should be offered to the fire. Some people are of the opinion that the first offering in the morning should be to the Sun God. Before and after the offering to the fire Parishechana (sprinkling water all round the fire telling mantras) should be done.
In the place where we intend to keep the fire, two sets of three lines, one ending in the east and another ending in the west should be drawn, water should be sprinkled on the place and the fire kept over it. The water remaining after sprinkling should be emptied either in the east or north and new water taken.
4.Vishnu:-
The householder should use the Oupasanagni lit on the day of marriage for performing acts like Sthalipakam and Sradham. The Vedic sacrifices should be done in Trethagni and all public rituals should be done in the normal fire and not in Oupasanagni of an individual.
If we are not able to observe Vedic rituals then the rituals of Smarthas should be done. Otherwise it is enough if we do bath, Sandhya Vandana, Meditation and worship.
5.Smruthyartha Sara:-
In the Homa performed in the Oupasana fire, the head of the family is the chief performer. Suppose due to some reasons he is not able to do it, then his wife or , daughter, priest, disciple, teacher, brother, nephew or son in law can do Homa instead of him. If the wife and daughter happen to do it, then they should not do parishechana (sprinkling water all round fire) but only Homa.
6.Garga:-
A married householder should never be without fire, If he does not have it, he is termed as debased or sinner.
7.Vyasa:-
The food offered by householder who does not have Oupasana fire , will not be eaten by wise people. He would be called Vithaapakan (He who cooks without reason).
8.Kathyayana:-
If we do not perform Oupasana for one year, then he should give in charity 6o measures of rice and three measures of ghee and restart the Oupasana fire.
9.Shaatchayanee:-
All the intended material for Homa , when you do not perform it for a long period should be given in charity to a Brahmin and then the fire lit again.
10,Bruhaspathi:-
Homa should not be stopped because of untouchability due to birth as well as death, weakness , eating of meals in the Sradha or going out of town. The Homa should be got done by others.
XXIV. Homa Kala:-
(The time of Homa)
1.Aapasthambha:-
The time when in the evening rays of Sun are on the top of a tree (Athi Vruksha Soorya) and the time when the sun’s start to light up the sky (Avissorya kala) are most suitable for Homa.
2. Graha parisishta:-
In the evening Homa should be performed before the sun sets and in the morning before Sun rises.
For the people who do Homa, the Sanghava kala following sun rise and three hours and 36 minutes after Sun set is the Agnihothra time(Time to worship fire) ,After that is the Gownava kala. If you happen to do agnihothra then , you should do redemptive ritual for delay and do Agnihothra.
3.Gobhila:-
After completing the Sandhya Vandana, lit the Oupasana fire, using fuel such as the cow dung cake and after flames raise, we have to perform the Oupasana Homa. If the man performing does not get material for Homa, the offering of the morning can be extended up to evening, . Similarly the evening offering can be extended till next day morning. If the entire month’s Stalipaka is left out , it can be carried out till Amavasya(new moon) . Similarly the Darsa Sthalipaka can be carried out till Pournamasya (full moon). By doing this you do not have the sin of being late. But understand that is the Gowna period and the proper period is Prathama,
4. Bharadwaja:-
The morning Oupasana can be done up to evening and the evening Oupasana can be done up to morning.
XXV, Homarhasamidha:-
(the holy sticks suitable for Homa)
1.Smruthpaedhasara:-
Palasa, Khadeera(Karumkali) Aswatha (Peepul tree) Shamyu (Vanni) , Bharaja (athi-fig) sticks and grasses like Apamarga (Nayuruvi) Arka (Yerukku), Dhoorva(Arugam pul) and Dhurbha can be used for Homa.
(Since I do not know the English equivalents of these plants, I am reproducing the Tamil equivalents from the book)
All the sticks (samith) should be covered with bark , straight, soft and similar looking. The length of ten or twelve inches is ideal. They should be slightly wet, dry , properly cut, as thick as the index finger, not split , without branches and without insect attack.
The Samith (stick) , Pavithra and Veda should be the length of the thumb. Idhma should be double that , Paridhi thrice that length. (these are for Vedic rituals). In the domestic rituals Idhma should be the size of the thumb and Paridhi twice that.
The names of trees which should not be used as fuel are listed. Kovidha Ravi ( Malai Agathi ) , Bheethaka(Thanee ) , Kapitha ( Vilaa ) , Aamalaka(gooseberry) , Raja Vruksha(Konnai) , Shakadhruma(palai) , Neepa(kadambu) , Nimbha(neem tree) , Karanja(Pongamia-punugu) , Thilaka(mullilavu—silk cotton) , Shalmali(naruvili ), Sleshma should not be used for Homa. Using dried sticks of Thulasi (Ocimum) would give great strength to us.
2.Aapasthmbha:-
The sticks which are offered in the fire should be sprinkled with water (prokshana) before putting them in the fire.
XXVI. Homa dravyani:-
(materials for Homa)
1.Kathyayana:-
There are three types of offerings to the fire. They are Krutha(refined), Kruthakrutha (partially refined) and Akrutha (raw).
Cooked rice and rice flour are examples of Krutham, , rice , barley etc examples of kruthakrutham , and Paddy is an example of Akrutham
2.Aapasthambha:-
He who desires cows should offer milk in Homa and similarly he who wants to satiate his senses should do Homa with curds, he who wants increase in friends and relatives with gruel, he who likes to have food with cooked rice, he who wants power with uncooked rice, , he who wants fame with meat, he who wants knowledge of Brahman with Soma juice, and he who wants power with aajyam(ghee).
Daily Homa with milk would give good results. It is mentioned as one which leads to strength.
3.Vyasa:-
He who does Homa with the milk of a black cow , would be able to break open the sun and reach perennial state of Brahmam.
The same material which was used in the evening for Homa should be used next morning also.
4.Smruthyarth sara:-
The rice of Red paddy, ragi , neevara, white paddy , wheat and barley are suitable for Homa. The germ of barley , Priyanku , Neevara , Paddy , wheat , and samba paddy and Barley can be also used as such for Homa offering. Similarly gingelly (sesame) also can be used for Homa.
The Homa article which is liquid should be taken by a ladle and offered o the fire. All solids should be taken by hand and offered to the fire.
Milk, curd, gruel , ghee, cooked rice , rice, Soma, meat , oil and water are suitable for Agnihothra(Fire offering)
Similar to Agnihothra, even in case of the Oupasana fire , Homa can be lit without chanting of mantra but spraying(prokshana) three times. But we should not offer meat in Oupasana fire.
In case of Agnihothra the most important is milk. If this is not available we can offer either paddy or barley as Homa offering. We can also offer medicinal herbs. But we should not use black gram, wild beans , ragi and Nai thinai(English equivalent not known).
One measure( Padi) of grain is sufficient for 64 offerings. In case of gingelly half measure and in case of Ghee quarter measure is sufficient.
5.Bhodhayana:-
100 numbers of paddy or barley is one offering. In case of cooked rice , it is double the quantity , which would be same size as egg of a pea hen. The equivalent of a hen’s egg is called Pinda. Avadhana is equal to the size of one phalange of thumb and Swishtakruth is bigger than that and is equal to four phalanges of the thumb.
Oupasana Homa has to be done by the tip of the fingers, It is written that it should be done by the northern side of the fingers.
With the open palm , holding the offering (havis) by the folded thumb and the four fingers , Homa should be done silently.
Smrithi says that fire should not me made to burn by use of cloth , leaf , hand , chaff, mouth , stick and fan.
It should be made to burn by a pipe., grass and stick by blowing by the mouth, You should also blow directly by the mouth ,. It is told that the fire should be made to burn by the face.
Homa should be done in the fire raised by dried sticks , which does not have smoke and where the fire is of small size.
6. Aapasthambha:-
The embers of the fire join with the thin ashes giving out blue flame. Performing Homa at such a time is equivalent to Performing Homa to the Brahmam.
The fire sacrifice should be done according to the Grihya Suthras applicable to our family.
7.Vyasa:
If you talk when you are taking bath , Varuna will steal your beauty. If you talk while doing Homa., Agni will steal your wealth. If you talk while eating you would be attacked by God of death. So these three actions should be performed silently.
8.Aapasthamba:-
The oupasanagni (oupasana fire) should always kept alive. If the fire gets out due to some reason , it can be started again by churning wood or borrowing fire from the fire in the home of a householder.
Even if fire is alive , if Homa is not done for 4 days , it becomes ordinary fire.
9. Sounaka:-
If the fire goes out or if Homa is not performed twice or if the couple goes out of the home together, the fire becomes ordinary fire. That is , it is not suitable for Homa.
10.Bharadwaja:-
If the oupasana fire becomes ordinary fire , for 12 days we can do Homa after redemptive fire offering. But after 12 days, the fire has to be relit.
11.Bhodhayana:-
If the oupasana fire is put out , for three days we should do Homa chanting the Rik “Ayase Agnaye”, then for six days chanting the Rik “Thanthumathi” and from 7th to 12th day by chanting the Rik “Manojjyothi”. After that only it becomes the sacred fire. But in several clans this procedure is not followed.
You have to do it according to the practice of the family.
If the oupasana fire goes out it can be lit in wooden sticks, in oneself and in sticks of the banyan tree(samith). The self raising of fire should be done by oneself. The other two can be got done by Rithviks(Vedic Pundits)
12.AAngeeras:-
The benefit (punya) of maintaining Oupasana fire is equal to giving away the entire world as well as the Golden mountain of Meru in charity.
13.Manu:-
The Homa done in fire reaches the Sun God. From Sun we get rain. From rain the earth produces food. And people are happy because of that. So the man who does Homa