Essentials of Hinduism - Kamya Karmas

Essentials of Hinduism

Kamya Karmas

Kamya Karmas are also similar to Naimittika Karmas because they do not have to be done Everyday. However, because they do not have to done compulsorily they are not Naimittika Karmas. Kamya Karmas are the Karmas done with a Specific Purpose. Examples: if we want Rain, we do Varuna Japas; if we want a Baby Boy, we do Putra Kameshti. If we desire a Long Life, we perform Ayushya Homa. All these Karmas are Kamya Karmas performed only to achieve our Desire. Some of the Vratas too come under Kamya category, as they are done with a specific intent, for example performance of Sankatahara Chaturthi vrata ensures removal of any obstacle in completion of any job. Similarly performance of japa using certain mantras, performance of specific mode of parayanas too can be classified under kamya karma.

Chapter Re-cap:

1) Kamya Karmas are not Karmas that have to be performed compulsorily like the Nithya Karmas and the Naimittika Karmas.

2) Kamya Karmas are performed to achieve something that we desire.

NISHIDDHA KARMAS

Our Sastras enjoin (Instruct) that Nishiddha Karmas are sinful that causes injury to one’s Spiritual Personality. Nishiddha Karmas are bad karmas that should be completely avoided throughout our Life.

There are so many Nishiddha Karmas that we can provide as Examples: telling lies, stealing, greediness, anger and so on.

Chapter Re-cap:

1) In Accordance with our Sastras, Nishiddha Karmas are bad Karmas that should be completely avoided throughout our Life.

Ashtottaras, Thrishatis And

Laksharchanas

ASHTOTTARASHATA:

Ashtottarashata means a count of 108. To Praise our desired God, we can perform Namavali (chanting the God’s Name) by chanting 108 different Names. Example: Shivashtottara-shata- Namavali. We chant different Shiva’s Names which eulogises (praises) his various attributes and the various forms he has undertaken. We can offer Vilva Patra (Vilva Leaf) for Lord Shiva after chanting each name.

Almost every deity has a set of Ashtottarashata nama such as Sri Venkatesa-Ashtottara- Shata-Namavali, Sri Lakshmi-Ashtottara-Shata-Namavali, Sri Ganesa-Ashtottara-Shata- Namavali, Sri Hanumad-Ashtottara-Shata-Namavali etc.,

THRISHATIS:

Thrishati means a count of 300. To Praise our desired God, we can perform Namavali by chanting 300 different Names. Example: Shri Lalitha Thrishathi Strotraratna Namavali. We chant Lalitha’s different Names starting with Om Aim Hreem Shreem, Om Kakaararupayai Namaha, etc., and complete the 300 different Names.

LAKSHARCHANA:

Laksharchana means a count of 100,000 or one Lakh. On Special Occasions, we perform on a much Larger Scale where the sahasranama is repeated more than one hundred times to get a count of one lakh nama-s. This can be done either individually or collectively. During the performance of laksharchana, specific items such as Kumkuma, Bilva etc are used for specific benefits.

Chapter Re-cap:

When we go to the Temple and request the Priest to perform Archana to our desired God, the Priest will perform a Sankalpa and ask our complete details like Name, Gothra etc., and then perform archana by chanting Namavali to please the God. This Action done with Total Faith will result in the fulfillment of our Desires. This could be done as Ashtottaras, Thrishatis or Laksharchanas.

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.