Coming June 4th.5th
and 9th.10th 2016 Sashtiabdhapoorthi Shanthi Vaibhavam
at our
Walajapet. Sri Danvantri Arogya Peedam .All are come and Blessings
of Sashtiabdhapoorthi couples.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
SASHTIABDHAPOORTHI
The word itself has its meaning as "Sashti" - 60,
"abhda" - years/life and "poorthi" -completion. There are
60 years in a Hindu calendar cycle. Each year has a name. When a person reaches
60 years of age, such person enters the second cycle. Historically, because the
husband would typically always be older than wife, Sashtiabdhapoorthi is
celebrated when the husband (as opposed to the wife) turns 60.
At sixty, man had crossed only 50% of his life because the
actual span of his life is 120 years according to Vedas. A 60th year, which is
just half the span of time originally given to man is considered a critical
period .According to the science of Hindu numerology, 6 happens to be an uneasy
number and therefore 60 is a time when the ruling planet of a person may have
an adverse effect on a man's life; He performs a religious Shanti, a measure
undertaken to ensure good health, peace and longevity.
One Samvatsara Cycle
consists of 60 years starting from Prabhava, Vibhava, etc. . . .In the cycle of
years the current year is called “Dhunmuki”(upto say 13th of April-2017 ) To
ward off from Bhootha- Pretha – Mruthyu Bhaya and to get rid of all sins
acquired till then - this Kaamyartha Sashti Abdha Poorthi karma should be
performed. During this shanthi one also seeks from the God- good health and
poorna Aayu: for himself as well as for his family members.
THE CONCEPT OF RUDHRA
EKADHASI:
The vedic tradition, the cultural richness, of our country
cannot be compared to any other country in the world. The Rishis and
Maha-purushas made it a star, a crest-jewel in the crown of the Universe.Sri
Rudram-Chamakam occupies a very important place in Vedic literature and in the
practice of Vedic Religion. It is the heart of Krishna Yajurveda.
Sivapanchakshari Mantram is enshrined in it. Among the Vidyas, the Vedas are
supreme; in the Vedas the Rudra Ekadasi is supreme; in the Rudram the
Panchakshari Mantra 'NAMASHIVAYA' is supreme; in the Mantra the two letters
'SHIVA' is supreme. As by pouring water at the root of a tree, all its branches
are nourished, so also by pleasing Rudra through Rudra Japa, all the Devas are
pleased. This is the best atonement (Prayaschittam) for all sins and the
foremost 'Sadhana' for attainment of cherished desires.
The importance: Rudra is Death and Homas are done to Him as
"Mrityave Swaahaa" meaning "I sacrifice unto the God of
Death". But He is also the "Mrityunjaya" meaning the
"Conqueror of Death, the Lord of Immortality". Rudra is also
"Aashutoshin"- one who is easily pleased. And the easiest method of
pleasing Him is by the Rudram.
A verse in the Vayu Purana says: “A person reciting and
applying daily the Namakam, Chamakam and the Purusha Sooktam is honoured in the
Brahma loka." The Namakam referred to in it is the Rudram, abounding in
the word 'Namah'.
The word Rudra has got 4 root
meanings: a) Dreadful, terrific angry.b) Great or large.c) Driving away evil.d)
Fit to be praised.
Sri Rudhram occurs in the middle of the Taittiriya Samhita
of Sri Krishna Yajur Veda (i.e.) in the 4th Kandam, 5th Prasnam, in 11 Anuvakas
of 169 mantras in total. It speaks of Lord Siva's several forms, His
omniscience, His omnipresence and omnipotence, in choice and sweet pada
renderings.
The Rudra Prasna as
well as chamaka prasna contains 11 paragraphs. We recite Rudram in multiples of
eleven. If Rudra is recited 121 times (112) it is known as "Rudra
Ekadasi". When chanted 1331 times (113) it is known as
"Maharudra". When chanted 14641 times (114) it is known as ATHI
RUDRAM. The Rithviks, who recite Sri Rudram are arranged in groups of eleven.
Each group comprising of eleven, is called one "Gana". There will be
eleven ganas comprising of 121 Rithviks reciting Sri Rudram for eleven days -
each day eleven times, preceded by Mahanyasam.
Eleven forms of Lord Siva worshipped in Sri Rudra Yajnas are
:
1. Mahadeva, 2.Siva, 3.Rudra, 4.Sankara, 5.Neelalohita,
6.Easana, 7.Vijaya, 8.Bhima, 9.Devadeva, 10. Bhavodhbhava and 11.Adityatmaka Rudra.
The following deities and
great souls and rishis are propitiated and worshipped:
Mrutyunjaya, Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Markandeya, Navagrahas,
Sapata Chiranjeevins (Aswathama, mahabali, Vyasa, Hanuman, Vibheeshana, Krupa
and Parasurama), Ayur Devata, Samvatsara Devatas, Nakshatra Devatas,
Ashtadikpalas, Saapthag Rishis.
All these devatas, great souls and rishis are pleased by the
repeated chanting of their mantras, offering pujas, homams in Agni with
appropriate samits and they bless the person celebrating 60th birth day.
The main aspect of celebration is Kumbha or Kalasa stapanam.
There are rules governing how and where these Kalasas are to be placed, and
this will be guided to the householder by the Vedic scholars conducting the
rituals and the sanctification process is religiously observed.
The kodam that is placed on the rice is like God Himself.
The rice platform acts like a throne for him. The wrapping of the kodam with a
vasthram, thus, signifies the clothing of Him. The water that is held in the
kodam is very holy for the same reason.
The following 11-mangala dravyas are to be
applied.
1. Gorochana: To be applied on the heads of Husband and wife
for longevity, health, fame, courage and prosperity.
2. Cow’s milk curd: smear a small quantity on their
foreheads (for prosperity, sweet, fragrance and comforts around forever).
3. Cow’s Ghee: Smear a little amount of cow's ghee on their
eyelids. (For brightness, good appearance and good conduct.)
4. Green grass: Keep few grasses on their heads (Longevity,
devoid of diseases and for very strong body).
5. Cow’s milk: A spoonful of cow's milk should be sprinkled
on their heads (for strength and longevity).
6. Fruits: Touch fruits with hands.
7. Flowers: wear flowers on the heads with veneration.
(Religious zeal)
8. Mirror: see the faces in the mirror (for disappearance of
poverty evil devatas and ugliness).
9. Lighted Lamp: See the lighted lamp (Let there not be
darkness, and lack of knowledge).
10. Earth soil: Touch the earth brought from beneath the
Tulsi plant.
11. Gold: Keep a gold coin or an ornament on the head. The
gold removes all sins and brings comforts.
In the Sooktha Japa Rakshogni Mantras, Paavamana Sooktha,
Varuna Sooktha, Thryambaka and Rudra Gayathri Mantras, Dik Palaka mantras,
Brahma Vishnu Rudra/Durga/Sree/Bhoo/Mruthyu/Ayushya/Baagya etc. sookthams are
chanted. Sri Rudram/Chamakam and Purusha Sooktham are also chanted This Japa
conclude with Nakshatra Sooktham, Grutha Sooktham, Pancha Shaanthi and Ghosha
Shaanthi. If possible, first panchathi from each of the 44 anuvakas from the
Yajur Veda Samhitha are also chanted.
Next to completion of the japam, Homam would be performed
with 108 aahuthees chanting Thrayambaka Mantras. .Samith, Ghee (Aajyam) Havis
(in some places til seed is also used). Homam is concluded with Swishta Krutha
and Jayanthi Homam.
After mangala dravyas are applied the couples take bath in
sanctified water from the Kalasa wherein rituals are already performed.
The water collected in the kodam has been now strengthened
by the vedas and is even more holy, powerful and all healing. So by showering
it onto my parents, it is like transferring the power and strength to them. A
little water is left behind for others too.
Phaladhanam is to be given to all the participants towards
mutual wish of gratitude. The giver pleases the receiver and the receiver
blesses the giver.
The Dasa Dhaanams (10 types
of gifts) that can be given to Vedic experts are as follows:
1. Cow Dhaana is given praying for peace/prosperity
etc. Generally substituted by a Coconut and Go Moolya (that is price of a cow-
Uttaranga Go Dhaana)
2. Bhoo Dhaana: Land for cultivation or dwelling should
be given.( Generally substituted by Sandal Wood piece).This Dhaana is given
praying for comfortable living.
3. Sesame in a copper vessel or iron vessel is given
praying for removal of all sins.
4. Hiranya (Gold) Dhaana is given again praying for
removal all acquired sins.
5. Ghee in a bronze Vessel for pleasing of all
devathas and praying for removal of all aarjitha papas.
6. Vasthram (Veshti-Uthareeyam) – Praying for good
health and prosperity.
7. Food grains (Paddy/Rice/Wheat etc) Praying for
Subhiksham in life.
8. Jaggery: To Please Goddess Lakshmi and seeking all
prosperity
9. Silver: To please piturs/ Maha Vishnu seeking
their blessings.
10. Lavanam (Salt) To Please Sri Rudra seeking good
health.
Some people give Pancha
Dhaana also (Gift of 5 items) apart from the above. They are Deepam, A
religious book, a bell, Vastram, and Udhaka Kumba
(Brass or Copper vessel with water). These Dhaanas are made
seeking the Blessings of all Devathas/purohits etc.
Bhoori Dhakshina
is given to all Scholars and other elders who have graced the occasion. Finally
Pala Dhaana to be given to one and all who has come for the function. The above
two Dhaanas are given seeking their good wishes.
THE MANGALYA POOJA:
Finally mangalya pooja is performed with chanting of mantra.
The wife is seated facing eastwards and the husband stand facing north. He ties
the “Thirumangaalyam’ around the neck of his wife with the blessings of all
Gods, Goddesses and Rishis. Function would be concluded by Maha Aashirvadams
from Vedic experts and the elders present there. Thus the celebration comes to
an auspicious end.
It’s a real blessing to see one's parents' wedding. :-)
80th. birthday is the
next milestone when he is felicitated for having seen “a thousand full -moons (Sahasra
Chandra Darshanam)
More Details;
phone -04172-230033.230274”.
