Wednesday, December 20, 2006
BRAMMOPADESAM-SAMSKARA NO:8
UPA-NAYANAM-STARTING JOURNEY TOWARDS BRAHMAN.
Out of the 40 Samskarams ordained for us, Upa-Nayana Samskara is coming as the 8th Samskara. Samskara is nothing but the process of purifying and refining a person and making him fit for sadhana. Samskara literally means to do well. By Samskara we wanted to convert the prakruthi into Samskruthi and not as its opposite i.e Vikruthi . ( deformed/useless). Samskarams ( sacraments) purify and refine a human being making him fit for the life.
By Upa- Nayanam ( go nearer to )- it is generally understood that a guru leads the Vadu towards Brahman ( knowledge). It can also mean providing him with an additional eye i.e the eye of knowledge and wisdom. Some opine that by Upanayana - also mean the beginning of formal education. We know that like Brahmins, –Shaktriya , Vysya community people also perform this Upa-Nayana Karma.. It is stated that for the above three communities Upa-Nayana Samskara should be completed before the age of 8, 12, 16 respectively. Generally this samskaram should be completed before the sexual feelings enter the mind of the boy. It is stated that for all the other three varna aasrama people Brahmin is the Guru. For Brahmin Agni Deva is the guru.
During the function the Guru asks the Vadu ( the Brahmachari) to stand firm over a granite Stone (Asma Aarohanam). He then blesses him stating that :-
“ You should become firm like this stone. Your determination should be like a stone. Your body /health should be like this stone. If any body is creating difficulties in your anushtanas you should fight against him and should drive him away.”
“He also informs the Vadu that you have now become a Brahmachari and hence you should perform the Sandhya Vandanam and other duties as ordained.”
During the upanayana the great Gayathri Mantra is imparted to the Brahmachari.. As Gayathri mantra upadesam is considered as the greatest of all upadesams this is called “Brahmopadesam”.
As mentioned in scriptures a Brahmachari has to do follow certain regulations.
They are: He should not sleep during the day time. He should not use cosmetics and other perfume items. He should not closely mingle with ladies. He should not be interested in beautifying his body. He should not see dances etc. He should not show interest in unnecessary wordly pleasures and gossip. He should be calm and quite in his behaviour .He should be a very determined in his mind and should not be lazy. Sandhya Vandanam- Gayathri Japa- Upaakarma etc. are the ordained ANUSHTANAS- which would lead and take the Brahmachari to right path.
In Upanayana Samskara the following procedures are generally followed:
1. ANUKJNA- ( Permission from elders).
2. VIGNESWARA POOJA
3. SANKALPA
4. UDAKA SHANTHI - PUNYAKA VACHANAM- MANTRA JAPA
5. ANKURA ARPANAM ( Germination of seeds in the palikas)
6. PRADHI SARA BHANDAM ( Kankana Dharanam)
7. ABHYUDHAYA SRAADHAM ( NAANDHI)
( The above mentioned functions are usually done in the previous day- as-POORVANGA)
(UTTARANGA PRAYOGA):-
8. SEEKING PERMISSION FROM ELDERS TO PERFORM THE
KARMA
9. VIGNESWARA POOJA
10. UPANAYANA SANKALPA
11. PUNYAAHAM ( Purification function)
12. GRAHA PREETHI DHANAM ( for removal of all dhosha)
13. YAGNOPA DHAARANAM ( Wearing of Sacred thread)
14. KUMARA BHOJANAM ( Feeding the vadu ) Food prepared should be without salt and chillies – preferably rice mixed with dhal/ghee/milk etc.
15. VAPANAM ( Tonsuring of hair by the Kartha .Here the kartha prays to devathas like, Vayu, Adhithi, Varunan, Poosha, Brihaspathi, Agni etc to give poorna Ayu: to the vadu, along with name, fame, and all good fortunes
16. ASMA AAROHANAM ( Brahmachari is asked to place his right foot firm on the stone, while the guru prays for his well being.)
17. BRAHMACHARYA AASRAMA VASTRA DHARANAM- KUTTA VASTRAM MADE OF COTTON- MEKHALA MADE OF DHARBA GRASS- ( GIRDLE MADE OF MUNJA GRASS TIED ROUND THE WAIST-(Mounjibandhana) KRISHAAJINAM- SKIN OF BLACK ANTELOPE. (wearing as upper cloth) (Wearing of the above are done by asking the vadu to stand on the stone Here again the guru prays for the well being health, long life for the the Vadu)
18. BRAHMACHARI- IS ASKED TO STAND ON DARBA GRASS AND
THE KARTHA IS HANDS OVER THE VADU THROUGH TO DEVATHAS LIKE AGNI, SOMA, SAVITHA,SARAWATHI, MRUTHYU,YAMA, GADAN, JALA , EARTH, VAISWANARA, OUSHADHI DEVATHAS etc. HE ALSO PRAYS FOR PROTECTION OF THE VADU TILL HE COMPLETES BRAHMACHARYA AASRAMA.
19.. VADU SEEKS MANTRA UPADESA – GURU -VADU QUESTION ANSWER SESSION FOLLOWS..GURU SEEKS THE BLESSINGS OF SUN GOD AND PRAY FOR PROTECTION OF THE VADU.
20. UPANAYANA HOMAM- ( in this homa the guru and Vadu both pray the devathas like Agni, Varunan, Angirasar, Saptharishees, Prajapathi etc seeking life to the vadu till his son begets grand children. Here Prayer is also made for acquisition of knowledge, removal of dhosha, for achievement of all desires. Etc.
21. JAYATHI HOMA: ( This homa is performed for completion and fulfillment of all desires and attainment of good results from the karma)
22. BHAHMMOPADESA- MUHURTHA- TAKING UP OF PALASA DHANDA
PLEDGE TO PROTECT VEDAS. VADU ALSO TAKES VARIOUS OTHER PLEDGES RELATING TO BRAHMACHARYA AASRAMA-( DO’S AND DON’TS.)( Vadu Seeks SAVITHREEM BHO ANU BRUHI
Gayathri mantra consists of Omkara- Vyakruthees, and Savithri Mantra)
23. GURU DAKSHINA- SOORYA DARSANAM - WITH MANTRA-GURU ACCEPTS THE VADU AS HIS SISHYA.
24... SAMITHA DHAANAM ( homa in the Agni with Samith)
25... BHIKSHA AACHARANAM
26. GURU’S ORDER TO FOLLOW DO’S AND DON’T IN BRAHMACHARYA VRATHAM- AND SISHYA’S PLEDGE AND ACCEPTANCE.
27. MAHA AASIRVADAM.
28. AARATHI- SWASTHI VACHANAM
29.. FOURTH DAY AFTER THE FUNCTION PRANAVA SRADHAA-MEDHAA POOJA- (VIGNEWARA POOJA- PUNYAAHM- NOOTHANA VASTRA DHAARANAM-GIVING THE OLD ONE TO THE GURU- CHANGING OF YAGNOPAVEETHAM AND LEARNING OF SRADHAA AND MEDHAA SOOKTHA JAPAM..
30. PAALIKA VISARJANAM AT AN AUSPISIOUS TIME.
============================================================
NOTE: To be eligible to learn veda one has to complete the samskara of upanayana. Borne to a mother is called first life. After Mounjee Dhaaranam that is after handing over the vadu to veda matha his second life starts. For the ladies in the upanayana place, marriage has been equated.
For Anukura arpanam the following seeds are usually used. Paddy, Green Gram, Tor gram, Karamani, Mocha-Avara muster seeds( other seeds are optional)
Snaanam Sandhya Japo Homa: Devathanam cha poojanam
Aadithyam Vaiswadevam cha Shad Karmarni Dine Dine.
(Purification of the body and mind by taking bath, doing Sandhya japa, performing homa as ordained for the particular aasrama dharma, worship of God, doing adhithi Sat Kara, and performing baliharana are considered as 6 daily duties )
What we receive by understanding , and listening with concentration - the veda mantras - is removal of darkness from the mind.
For a pious persons life would be protected by truthfulness equated to mother, knowledge ( as father) Dharma ( as brother) kindness ( as friend) peace and tranquility ( as wife) patience ( as his son)
For Yajur veda Sakha followers Venus should not be setting while choosing the Muhurta for Upanayana, Marriage etc. as Venus is considered as Yajur Veda Sakha Adhipathi..
By which act or Karma an Acharya draws a Sishya towards him for imparting knowledge of Veda is called upanayana.
Gayathri is mother of all vedic mantras. It contain 3 feet, of 8 syllables with 24 letters. Nijruth Gayathri contain only 23 letters. ( Tripada Gayathri)
Gayathri Mantra :Omkaram -Vyakruthees -Savithri Mantra
Period : Morning- Noon -Evening
Kanamal- Konamal -Kandu
(before sun rise) (straight above the head) ( before sunset)
Devathas for different periods:Gayathri Savithri Saraswathi
Vishnu Brahma Siva
Who are eligible :Brahmana- Skhatriya -Vysya
Rik Veda Yajur Veda SamaVeda
For Rik , Yajus, Samavedees Gayathri is the same. For Atharva vedees there is a separate Gayathri. To Chant that Gayathri or to learn Atharva veda one has to go through separate upanayana function. The Three strands stand for the three Vedas- thereby reminding us that one has to study them and incorporate their message in his life.
The Three strands also represent purity and control of Body, Speech and Mind/
The Word Savita means God the creator. He is the supreme Lord residing in the heart of the sun. The Savitri Mantra was revealed to he sage Visvamitra for the first time in the Vedic metre known as the GAYATHRI. Hence this mantra is popularly known as Gayathri Mantra.
The rishi for the mantra is sage Viswamitra.
The Sacred thread is a thread with three strands and each strand containing three threads. Thus the nine threads represent nine deities i.e Earth, Water, Agni, Air, Aakasa, prana,Aatman, Antarathman, and Paramatman. The three strands are bind by a knot which symbolize pranavam ( AUM) or Brahma Knot.
Wearing of this holy thread has a purificatory effect and is reported to have come along with the Brahma. Long life, Success in every field, Knowledge, Wisdom, Tejas, Strength etc etc. can be obtained by wearing this holy thread and following the dharma as ordained.
Four Veda Vrathas are stipulated in the Brahmacharya Aasrama- they are Prajapathyam, Soumyam, Aagneyam, Vaiswadevam. These four forms part of the forty Samskaras. ( i.e 9 to 12)
( Subham Asthu)
.
Out of the 40 Samskarams ordained for us, Upa-Nayana Samskara is coming as the 8th Samskara. Samskara is nothing but the process of purifying and refining a person and making him fit for sadhana. Samskara literally means to do well. By Samskara we wanted to convert the prakruthi into Samskruthi and not as its opposite i.e Vikruthi . ( deformed/useless). Samskarams ( sacraments) purify and refine a human being making him fit for the life.
By Upa- Nayanam ( go nearer to )- it is generally understood that a guru leads the Vadu towards Brahman ( knowledge). It can also mean providing him with an additional eye i.e the eye of knowledge and wisdom. Some opine that by Upanayana - also mean the beginning of formal education. We know that like Brahmins, –Shaktriya , Vysya community people also perform this Upa-Nayana Karma.. It is stated that for the above three communities Upa-Nayana Samskara should be completed before the age of 8, 12, 16 respectively. Generally this samskaram should be completed before the sexual feelings enter the mind of the boy. It is stated that for all the other three varna aasrama people Brahmin is the Guru. For Brahmin Agni Deva is the guru.
During the function the Guru asks the Vadu ( the Brahmachari) to stand firm over a granite Stone (Asma Aarohanam). He then blesses him stating that :-
“ You should become firm like this stone. Your determination should be like a stone. Your body /health should be like this stone. If any body is creating difficulties in your anushtanas you should fight against him and should drive him away.”
“He also informs the Vadu that you have now become a Brahmachari and hence you should perform the Sandhya Vandanam and other duties as ordained.”
During the upanayana the great Gayathri Mantra is imparted to the Brahmachari.. As Gayathri mantra upadesam is considered as the greatest of all upadesams this is called “Brahmopadesam”.
As mentioned in scriptures a Brahmachari has to do follow certain regulations.
They are: He should not sleep during the day time. He should not use cosmetics and other perfume items. He should not closely mingle with ladies. He should not be interested in beautifying his body. He should not see dances etc. He should not show interest in unnecessary wordly pleasures and gossip. He should be calm and quite in his behaviour .He should be a very determined in his mind and should not be lazy. Sandhya Vandanam- Gayathri Japa- Upaakarma etc. are the ordained ANUSHTANAS- which would lead and take the Brahmachari to right path.
In Upanayana Samskara the following procedures are generally followed:
1. ANUKJNA- ( Permission from elders).
2. VIGNESWARA POOJA
3. SANKALPA
4. UDAKA SHANTHI - PUNYAKA VACHANAM- MANTRA JAPA
5. ANKURA ARPANAM ( Germination of seeds in the palikas)
6. PRADHI SARA BHANDAM ( Kankana Dharanam)
7. ABHYUDHAYA SRAADHAM ( NAANDHI)
( The above mentioned functions are usually done in the previous day- as-POORVANGA)
(UTTARANGA PRAYOGA):-
8. SEEKING PERMISSION FROM ELDERS TO PERFORM THE
KARMA
9. VIGNESWARA POOJA
10. UPANAYANA SANKALPA
11. PUNYAAHAM ( Purification function)
12. GRAHA PREETHI DHANAM ( for removal of all dhosha)
13. YAGNOPA DHAARANAM ( Wearing of Sacred thread)
14. KUMARA BHOJANAM ( Feeding the vadu ) Food prepared should be without salt and chillies – preferably rice mixed with dhal/ghee/milk etc.
15. VAPANAM ( Tonsuring of hair by the Kartha .Here the kartha prays to devathas like, Vayu, Adhithi, Varunan, Poosha, Brihaspathi, Agni etc to give poorna Ayu: to the vadu, along with name, fame, and all good fortunes
16. ASMA AAROHANAM ( Brahmachari is asked to place his right foot firm on the stone, while the guru prays for his well being.)
17. BRAHMACHARYA AASRAMA VASTRA DHARANAM- KUTTA VASTRAM MADE OF COTTON- MEKHALA MADE OF DHARBA GRASS- ( GIRDLE MADE OF MUNJA GRASS TIED ROUND THE WAIST-(Mounjibandhana) KRISHAAJINAM- SKIN OF BLACK ANTELOPE. (wearing as upper cloth) (Wearing of the above are done by asking the vadu to stand on the stone Here again the guru prays for the well being health, long life for the the Vadu)
18. BRAHMACHARI- IS ASKED TO STAND ON DARBA GRASS AND
THE KARTHA IS HANDS OVER THE VADU THROUGH TO DEVATHAS LIKE AGNI, SOMA, SAVITHA,SARAWATHI, MRUTHYU,YAMA, GADAN, JALA , EARTH, VAISWANARA, OUSHADHI DEVATHAS etc. HE ALSO PRAYS FOR PROTECTION OF THE VADU TILL HE COMPLETES BRAHMACHARYA AASRAMA.
19.. VADU SEEKS MANTRA UPADESA – GURU -VADU QUESTION ANSWER SESSION FOLLOWS..GURU SEEKS THE BLESSINGS OF SUN GOD AND PRAY FOR PROTECTION OF THE VADU.
20. UPANAYANA HOMAM- ( in this homa the guru and Vadu both pray the devathas like Agni, Varunan, Angirasar, Saptharishees, Prajapathi etc seeking life to the vadu till his son begets grand children. Here Prayer is also made for acquisition of knowledge, removal of dhosha, for achievement of all desires. Etc.
21. JAYATHI HOMA: ( This homa is performed for completion and fulfillment of all desires and attainment of good results from the karma)
22. BHAHMMOPADESA- MUHURTHA- TAKING UP OF PALASA DHANDA
PLEDGE TO PROTECT VEDAS. VADU ALSO TAKES VARIOUS OTHER PLEDGES RELATING TO BRAHMACHARYA AASRAMA-( DO’S AND DON’TS.)( Vadu Seeks SAVITHREEM BHO ANU BRUHI
Gayathri mantra consists of Omkara- Vyakruthees, and Savithri Mantra)
23. GURU DAKSHINA- SOORYA DARSANAM - WITH MANTRA-GURU ACCEPTS THE VADU AS HIS SISHYA.
24... SAMITHA DHAANAM ( homa in the Agni with Samith)
25... BHIKSHA AACHARANAM
26. GURU’S ORDER TO FOLLOW DO’S AND DON’T IN BRAHMACHARYA VRATHAM- AND SISHYA’S PLEDGE AND ACCEPTANCE.
27. MAHA AASIRVADAM.
28. AARATHI- SWASTHI VACHANAM
29.. FOURTH DAY AFTER THE FUNCTION PRANAVA SRADHAA-MEDHAA POOJA- (VIGNEWARA POOJA- PUNYAAHM- NOOTHANA VASTRA DHAARANAM-GIVING THE OLD ONE TO THE GURU- CHANGING OF YAGNOPAVEETHAM AND LEARNING OF SRADHAA AND MEDHAA SOOKTHA JAPAM..
30. PAALIKA VISARJANAM AT AN AUSPISIOUS TIME.
============================================================
NOTE: To be eligible to learn veda one has to complete the samskara of upanayana. Borne to a mother is called first life. After Mounjee Dhaaranam that is after handing over the vadu to veda matha his second life starts. For the ladies in the upanayana place, marriage has been equated.
For Anukura arpanam the following seeds are usually used. Paddy, Green Gram, Tor gram, Karamani, Mocha-Avara muster seeds( other seeds are optional)
Snaanam Sandhya Japo Homa: Devathanam cha poojanam
Aadithyam Vaiswadevam cha Shad Karmarni Dine Dine.
(Purification of the body and mind by taking bath, doing Sandhya japa, performing homa as ordained for the particular aasrama dharma, worship of God, doing adhithi Sat Kara, and performing baliharana are considered as 6 daily duties )
What we receive by understanding , and listening with concentration - the veda mantras - is removal of darkness from the mind.
For a pious persons life would be protected by truthfulness equated to mother, knowledge ( as father) Dharma ( as brother) kindness ( as friend) peace and tranquility ( as wife) patience ( as his son)
For Yajur veda Sakha followers Venus should not be setting while choosing the Muhurta for Upanayana, Marriage etc. as Venus is considered as Yajur Veda Sakha Adhipathi..
By which act or Karma an Acharya draws a Sishya towards him for imparting knowledge of Veda is called upanayana.
Gayathri is mother of all vedic mantras. It contain 3 feet, of 8 syllables with 24 letters. Nijruth Gayathri contain only 23 letters. ( Tripada Gayathri)
Gayathri Mantra :Omkaram -Vyakruthees -Savithri Mantra
Period : Morning- Noon -Evening
Kanamal- Konamal -Kandu
(before sun rise) (straight above the head) ( before sunset)
Devathas for different periods:Gayathri Savithri Saraswathi
Vishnu Brahma Siva
Who are eligible :Brahmana- Skhatriya -Vysya
Rik Veda Yajur Veda SamaVeda
For Rik , Yajus, Samavedees Gayathri is the same. For Atharva vedees there is a separate Gayathri. To Chant that Gayathri or to learn Atharva veda one has to go through separate upanayana function. The Three strands stand for the three Vedas- thereby reminding us that one has to study them and incorporate their message in his life.
The Three strands also represent purity and control of Body, Speech and Mind/
The Word Savita means God the creator. He is the supreme Lord residing in the heart of the sun. The Savitri Mantra was revealed to he sage Visvamitra for the first time in the Vedic metre known as the GAYATHRI. Hence this mantra is popularly known as Gayathri Mantra.
The rishi for the mantra is sage Viswamitra.
The Sacred thread is a thread with three strands and each strand containing three threads. Thus the nine threads represent nine deities i.e Earth, Water, Agni, Air, Aakasa, prana,Aatman, Antarathman, and Paramatman. The three strands are bind by a knot which symbolize pranavam ( AUM) or Brahma Knot.
Wearing of this holy thread has a purificatory effect and is reported to have come along with the Brahma. Long life, Success in every field, Knowledge, Wisdom, Tejas, Strength etc etc. can be obtained by wearing this holy thread and following the dharma as ordained.
Four Veda Vrathas are stipulated in the Brahmacharya Aasrama- they are Prajapathyam, Soumyam, Aagneyam, Vaiswadevam. These four forms part of the forty Samskaras. ( i.e 9 to 12)
( Subham Asthu)
.
# posted by sapthagiri. @ 10:02 AM 
