Essentials of Hinduism - Vaishavadeva And Atithi Pujana

Essentials of Hinduism

Vaishavadeva And Atithi Pujana

Vaishvadeva is a Rite to be performed by a Grihasta (Married Household) prior to the eating and is a Nitya Karma. It is similar to Oupasana and it is done around noon time. Rite is done with Agni (Fire) or at least as tarpana with water. We are required to eat the same rice used for the Rites. The next thing to remember is, we should not eat rightaway. We are supposed to wait for few minutes to see if any Atithi is coming to the house to eat. It is Punya earned for the Host if he is able to feed Atithi for Lunch. Atithi should be treated with utmost respect and fed very well to his Satisfaction. Food is first offered to the Lord and what we consume is His Prasada, that is, what He has been Gracious to give us; it is His Leavings. Those who do not perform Vaishvadeva should make sure to perform Neivedhana to the Almighty before proceeding to Eat.

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Chapter Re-cap:

1) Vaishvadeva is also a Nitya Karma (just like Oupasana) to be performed by a Grihasta.

2) Before we eat our Lunch, we have to wait for few minutes or longer to make sure if any Atithi (Surprise Guest) is coming to eat with us.

3) According to the Taitriyo Upanishad: Atithi Devo Bhava – Atithi is the same as a Deva. Therefore, an Atithi should be fed very well to his utmost Satisfaction.

4) If we do have an Atithi to eat with us, we should consider ourself very fortunate, because, there is no Dana that can match Annadana.

PURVA – 40 SAMSKARAS

Naimittika Karmas are Karmas performed at various stages of Life. Samskara in simple term means the Rituals and sacrifices to be performed by a Hindu at all stages of his/her Life. Starting from the Womb to the Cremation, the performance of these Samskaras or Purification Ceremonies will make the Man shine in his best form Physically, Psychically and Spiritually. These Samskaras are called Purvas as these Karmas are Auspicious Ceremonies.

Below is a List of the 40 Samskaras that are all Naimittika Karmas. Of these 40, the details for the Principal Samskaras will be stated below.

40 Samskaras:

1) Garbadhana; 2) Pumsavana; 3) Seemanta; 4) Jatakarma; 5) Namakarana; 6) Annaprasna;

7) Choula; 8) Upanayana.

Four Veda Vratas:

9) Prajapatyavrata; 10) Soumyavrata; 11) Agneyavrata; 12) Vaishvadevavrata; 13) Vratasamavartana (Snana). 14) Vivaha; (Five Brahmayajnas: 15) Devayajna; 16) Rushiyajna; 17) Pitruyajna; 18) Bhutayajna; 19) Manushyayajna;) 20) Ashtaka; 21) Parvanna; 22) Shraadda; 23) Shravani; 24) Agrahayanni; 25) Chaittree; 26) Ashvayujee; (Seven Havir Yajnas: 27) Agnyadheya; 28) Agnihotra; 29) Darshapurnamasa; 30) Agrayana; 31) Chaturmasya; 32) Nirudapashubanda; 33) Soutramani;) (Seven Soma Yajnas: 34) Agnishtoma; 35) Atyagnishtomm; 36) Uktya; 37) Shodashi; 38) Vajapeya; 39) Atiratra; 40) Aptoryama.)

1) GARBADHANA:

Garbadhana can be called a Conception Ceremony. The Mantras uttered in this Samskara are Prayers offered to Paramatma to help the Bride conceive a Good child. The newly married Man prays that his child may be conceived well, live a healthy and full Life and attain Moksha. The child starts receiving the vibrations of the Mantras right from the Conception Stage. This is because of the belief that the couple has Divine approval to conceive Life.

2) PUMSAVANA:

This Ceremony is performed in the second to fourth month of pregnancy to pray for a healthy child inside the Mother. A Sanctified Thread is tied to the left wrist of the Mother for protection. The Mantras pray for well wishes and blessings.

3) SEEMANTA:

In the seventh month, Seemanta rituals are performed to remove undesirable shocks to the would-be Mother and for keeping her psychologically cheerful. May the child be sharp with Intellect. These veda mantras protect the Mother from bad vibrations and bestows health on the child. The main part of the Ritual is bathing the pregnant Mother with the Water that is sanctified with the Veda Mantras. Also, the Women gathered are requested to sing. It should be noted that these Rituals are done only for the first child. There is also another function associated with the Seemanta called Kankanadharana (Valaikappu )– the Pregnant Woman is made to wear several glass Bangles. The faith is, the glass bangles make a lot of pleasant tingling sounds that will please the child in the womb as well.

4) JATAKARMA and 5) NAMAKARANA:

The Jatakarma Ceremony is performed immediately after the birth of the child. The Father welcomes the child and prays for his or her good health and long Life and recognizes it as his own reflection. Ten days later, a Purification Ceremony is held with mantras to purify the atmosphere. An Astrologer checks and confirms the accuracy of the Horoscope. On this Namakarana Day, the new born baby is given a name. There is a custom wherein the boy gets parental grandfather’s name and a girl gets parental grandmother’s name.

6) ANNAPRASHANA:

This is the Ceremony for the first feeding of cooked rice for the baby. The object of this Samskara is to pray to the Gods with Veda Mantras to bless the child with good health, thoughts and talents.

8) UPANAYANA:

A Brahmin Boy undergoes the Sacred Thread Ceremony or Upanayana. After this Ceremony, the boy becomes eligible to perform Sandhyavandana and Gayatri Japa everyday for the rest of his Life. The Upanayana Ceremony is explained in detail in the chapter 4, Sandhyavandana.

14) VIVAHA:

Vivaha means Marriage. Marriage Ceremonies are very elaborate in Hinduism. Most important of all is the tying of the Mangalsutra (Thali - South India Name) by the Husband around his Wife’s neck. During the Vivaha Ceremony, the Couple walk seven sacred steps (Saptapadi) in the vicinity of the litted homa (Agni Deva) - The Wife proclaims that from now on I am your Friend, and I will remain so during good times and bad.

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Chapter Re-cap:

1) The 40 Samskaras are Naimittika Karmas to be done at different stages of Life.

2) In the Hinduism Religion, the 40 Samskaras are established for a Human to adopt for good reasons.

3) By understanding the Significance of each of these Samskaras, we develop faith in them and helps to perform the Rituals in a much better manner.

4) All these Samskaras are established to be performed at various Stages in Life to get God’s Blessings for Good Health, Wealth and Prosperity.

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.