Sashtiabdhapoorthi

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SASHTIABDHAPOORTHI:

Ø  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.


Ø  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.


Ø  One Samvatsara Cycle consists of 60 years starting from Prabhava, Vibhava, etc. . . .In the cycle of years the current year is called “VIRODHI”(upto say 13th of April-2010 ) 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 shaanthi 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:


ü  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.


ü  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.


ü  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.


ü  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'.


ü  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.


ü  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.


ü  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.


ü  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.


Ø  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.




Ø  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 vastram, thus, signifies the clothing of Him. The water that is held in the kodam is very holy for the same reason.




Ø  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.


Ø  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.


Ø  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.


Ø  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.


Ø   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.


Ø  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. Vastram (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.


Ø  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 MAANGALYA POOJA:


Finally maangalya 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)”.

TRIP TO KANCHIPURAM

This post is about my enjoyable to Kanchipuram which made me to remember always some persons who got introduced to me during then.
    This trip was for participating in the symposium of Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Viswa Maha Vidyalaya(SCSVMV) university at Enathur, Kanchipuram. The paper which I just sent along with my classmate friend Krishnan.G got selected due to the blessings of God. We were supposed to present our paper there on 9th October 2009.
    I got permission from hostel for getting holiday for 3 days and we both started on 8th October morning at 09:00 to Tiruchirapalli. We got into the unreserved coach of Nagercoil-Mumbai Express (for getting details about trains between stations click here) which departed at 13:00 (late by 40 minutes) from there. Anyhow in the rush we both got seat to sit and had our lunch. Meanwhile in the train, we prepared for presentation for the next day!!  In that heavy rush also, one group entertained us very much. The train reached Kanchipuram at 18:50. Krishna’s uncle Mr.Giridharan.T.N.E.B came to pick us up and he caught an auto for sending us to the university. After a few minutes, auto got breakdown in a very dark lonely area which made me and Krishnan to get frightened much. Our good time, we got another auto in that dark place and arrived at the university.
    There in college, we were given a warm welcome and Mr.Suresh, 2nd yr MCA of that university guided us and he became our close friend. We were given a big hall to stay where the other teams also stayed. All who stayed with us said that they had already done paper presentation in various colleges and this is not new for them like us. We all had nice dinner guided by Suresh which we cannot expect in any other college (this is my opinion). We were treated like their hostel students with much care.
    On the dawn of 9th October, we woke up by praying God for a good day ahead. We got hot water there for bathing which is one of the rare things to get in a hostel. Hot water is available there all the time. Then, we finished the breakfast along with Mr.Suresh and with the persons who stayed with us. Then we were guided by Suresh to the hall for presentation and we went there by 09:00. Presentation started by 10:30 and the first presentation was by one of our seniors from my college. He did extremely well and we expected him to win the prize. But, he didn’t get prize. Our turn came by 11:00 and we both went to stage with confidence and Krishnan started first and he continued for more than eight minutes. Then, I continued. As he took much time I had to hurry up at the end and I did the same. Judges there said that our presentation was good and the concept of GREEN IT was also a different one unlike others. Now only there came the ‘aappu’ time. Judges started asking questions to us. Though we did our best for answering their questions, we were not able to give them the very apt answer for one of the questions they asked. So, then itself we decided about our prize!
We had to wait there till evening for getting the certificates. At the middle, Suresh took us for afternoon lunch and brought us cool drinks. When we were talking with some staffs there, they talked to us keenly as SASTRA is one of the best universities. Especially one professor of MCA department talked to us much about SASTRA and its fame. He also added that one of his friends is working in our college. Thus, though we didn’t win the contest, we are very happy and very much impressed by their care to other college students. I want to mention one thing here that they didn’t collect any money from us. They also provided one way T.A for those who stayed for two days. But, we didn’t. Evening around 17:00 we got the participation certificates and we left SCSVMV after having a samosa and tea.
As we came out, fortunately we saw a car of that university. We enquired to a person inside that car and asked whether he could drop us at the bus stand. Immediately he said yes and we came to bus stand comfortably free of cost! From bus stand, we got a mini bus and got down at ‘sirukaveripaakkam’. We came here for staying in Krishnan’s uncle’s home about whom I mentioned earlier. In that home, five members are there which included him, maami, uncle’s mother and his daughters Madhumitha and Preethi who are studying 6th and 3rd standard respectively. I hesitated before for going to their home but after the compulsion of Krishnan and his parents I agreed to go there. Really I am very happy for meeting all the persons there. They gave us a warm welcome and treated me equally with Krishnan. (Note: The real fact is that we cannot stay in a home happily only if the family head likes us. Here I’m meaning giri mama. But, mainly including his wife, i.e.maami everyone in that home must be interested in our stay. Then only all will be happy) in that way, maami and paatti were also very kind with me. The kids were also entertaining which I am going to explain soon. Night around 19:30, mama took us to Kamakshi amman temple there which is a very well known famous temple. As that day was Friday, we were lucky to see amman in chariot which run inside the temple premises. Mama planned to go inside temple on Saturday, as it is not advisable to see amman inside when chariot is running outside. Then, we returned to home and had dinner which they asked me to eat without shy and we slept off.
    Early morning around 02:00, on 10th October, I heard some sound in the course of my sleep. After waking up at the morning and having coffee, we came to know that mama went to the nearby town as his uncle passed away that night. Paatti cried much after hearing this news and no one was able to console her. Krishnan was planning then to go there with paatti. Then, I decided to return alone by cancelling all the plans. But, mama called and told paatti not to come as she was very weak both mentally and physically.
Meanwhile, Preethi was showing me many photo albums of their tour and many functions at their home and gradually she became close to me due to her childish words. Maami told us not to worry and she added that Preethi will guide us to all places. Madhumitha had half day school on that day and Preethi had holiday. After getting ready, we three (me, Krishnan, Preethi) had breakfast and started from home at 09:00 by a share auto to sankara mutt. Click here to know about this mutt.After entering into mutt, Preethi guided us to all places there in order and we also did the same. She said, “One tulsi plant will be there. Go and see it.” During then only, there happened a miracle. As we went into that small lane for seeing that plant, we saw Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal there. Suddenly, he called me and Krishnan and asked about from where we are. We also told the same and also added why we were there. He was very aware about the symposium at SCSVMV University. When we came out, people who gathered there asked us, ‘Do you know him already?’, ‘Have you got any permission to meet him?’ and such similar questions. We simply said no and added that he just talked to us without any reason. He directed the manager there to give us a form regarding vedha and to get it back filled. Thank God and thank Preethi!!!! After visiting all the places in the mutt, when we were about to leave from there, the manager asked us to stay for seeing the abhishekam which was about to start soon. We told him about our plan and left mutt half minded.
Then, we went to Kamakshi amman temple where we found a long queue waiting for dharshan. As we were thinking about what to do, Preethi went to the place where people were coming out after dharshan and told something in the ears of the security person there. Immediately, he opened the gate and let us to go inside. In the next stage entrance also she did the same thing and finally we went very nearby to amman sannadhi. Only very few are permitted to this place after getting special permission. We had a very nice and peaceful dharshan inside. After coming out, one of her known friend uncle praised her for how she got us inside easily. I came to know later that she simply said ‘nadana anna’ who is one of the notable persons there at temple. We then went to ‘ulagalandha perumal’ temple and I gave ‘mutta pori’ with Preethi to the fishes there in a pond. Then, we three had juice and brought Preethi her favourite eatables and also for Madhumitha. Then, we returned to home at 13:00 after picking up Madhumitha from school. Then, after having lunch, me and Krishnan conveyed bye to them and started at 14:00 from there to Chengalpattu. Preethi asked me to come with my parents to her home when I am coming for the next time.
After reaching Chengalpattu junction by bus, we got into unreserved coach of Pallavan superfast Express by 16:20. We managed to get to seat as before and it reached ariyalur by 19:30. Then, we hurried up by jumping on the track and got into the only one bus waiting there. Then after having dinner at Thanjavur new bus stand, I returned to college at 22:30. Krishnan went to home by getting down near old bus stand. Thus, this was a very happy and unforgettable trip for me. I can’t forget Mr.Suresh, Giri mama and mainly Preethi. I talked to Giri mama once after coming to college and he wished me on the day of New Year of 2010.       

Jan 1 2010

In the very first post in my blog page, I am going to tell about how happily I spent the New Year day of 2010 with my friends.
The day of New Year began with lot of wishes among friends here in hostel and a few phone calls. Morning at 06:15, along with my friends Vignesh,Gowrishankar,Vijayabharathi and Harish, I started from college in a very cool climate to thanjavur. After reaching the railway station we all had our coffee and little snacks. Then we got into Tiruchirapalli-Nagore passenger which departed at 07:55. It reached Thiruvarur at 09:20. (The distance travelled by train was 55 km with the fare of 9 INR!) We had our favorite Tiffin as breakfast and got a bus and got down at poonthottam for going to saraswathi amman temple at koothanur.
The temple is very nearer at a walk able distance. People from many areas are coming here to get the blessings of saraswathi. (For little more details about this temple click here ) We all bought the pens for keeping it near amman to incorporate the blessings into the pen. After standing in a short queue for a few minutes, we had a very nice and peaceful dharshan and got our pen back from god. After coming out, gowri asked for going to sadhalabathi which is about 3 km from koothanur. Men there said we cannot walk that much distance and also it is not approachable by bus. They also gave an idea that we can go there easily by taking a cycle for rent.
Cycle shop owners of that village refused to give a cycle for rent to the outstation persons. As we got very much interested to get a ‘vaadagai cycle’ we enquired at many shops and finally got it by giving our (gowri’s) college ID card. Then, after cycling for some 15 minutes, we reached sadhalabathi. This place is famous for ‘aadhi vinayakar’ i.e. The God is here before getting tusks!! This place is also called ‘thila tharpana puri’ where Lord Rama did tharpanam here during when he was in vanavaasam. (For little more details about this temple click here) Finally we came back to poonthottam after having gulfi, playing in a sarukkumuram, taking photos, getting our legs wet in arasalaaru and making gowri’s cycle chain correct. We returned back the cycle by paying 4 INR rent per cycle. Then we got into bus for going to my home.
We reached my home at Mayiladuthurai around 14:00. The lunch which included the items ordered already by my friends were ready. We all had it and both my parents and my friends and I are happy about this trip to my home. After lunch, we all took rest and at 17:00 we conveyed bye to my parents and went to my favorite vallalar koil. Please click here to know about this famous temple.
We got into Mysore Express at 17:55 at Mayiladuthurai junction. It reached thanjavur by 19:10 and after having our dinner there itself we came to college at 20:30. Thus we travelled a total of around 225 km on the New Year day and it will be one of the unforgettable days!!