Re:Shodasa Upacharas

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends

Pooja is the first step to impart training to the mind to concentrate

and involve physically and mentally while performing worship.

 

It is important to understand the meaning of " MANTRAS " and actions

required to be performed. In the absence of this understanding the

worship or Pooja is a futile exercise.

 

" Shodasa Upacahar " is a complete process of perfuming the rituals of

pooja, the worship. Upachar means service; there are 16 upachars to

be executed for worship. It is expected that one should chant the

slokas of Vedic verses and feel it is performed by oneself.

Alternately one should close the eyes and perform the service on

oneself mentally. The later one is of higher degree. All these

Upachars are enumerated below step by step to make the reader more clear.

 

1)Dhyana: Think of the God or Goddess with full form in mind by

chanting the Vedic verse give in there in.

 

2)AAWahan: Inviting the GOD or Goddess by chanting the Vedic verse.

Behave mentally as though you are inviting a loveable guest

in side your home.

 

3) AAsan: After inviting a guest to your house you would offer

a comfortable seat for him to relax. In similar fashion imagine this

situation by chanting the Vedic verse.

 

4)Paadyam: As per our tradition, the guest is offered water to wash

his feet after he relaxed for adequate time. (It is the principal of

Hygiene). Imagine you are washing the delicate, lotus feet of Lord.

 

5) Arghyam: It is said one should not offer water immediately when

one enters your home, dodge a little and then offer him a tumbler full

of water. This is similar to it. Feel that you are offering water

(Potable) for the Lord for him to drink. All these services or Upachar

are performed by chanting the concerned Vedic verse.

 

6) Snana: It again the practice of the tradition that the guest is

given comfortable (Luke warm) water for talking bath. After bath the

food is to be offered. Feel this service is being perfomed to the Lord.

 

7) Vastra: As a principle of hygiene, a washed and clean cloth is

given to the guest before he is offered food. Here in you offer a new

par of clothes to the LORD. (VASTR YUGMAM= Pair of Clothes)

 

8) Yagnopaveetam: In olden days the old people used to make

" Yagnopaveeta " daily in their houses for offering to the guest. It is

presumed that the guest had traveled for a long distance

before he reach your house, during the course he had to take bath in

the Rivers/streams and may lose his " Janevu " or " Jandem "

 

It is also important to note " Yagnopaveeta " used to be worn by both

men and women immaterial of the sex. You might have noticed the

statues of Goddesses shown wearing " Janevu " in museums. So whether you

worship God or Goddess you have to offer " Janevu "

 

9) CHANDANAM/GANDHAM " After getting dressed and

wearing " Yagnopaveeta " the host offer good smelling sandal wood paste

(Not the one which was made a week back or so). " Sugandham "

(Good Smelling), " Manoharam " (Should steal the heart) is the quality

of Sandal wood paste narrated by Vedic verse. It is expected to

apply the sandal wood pate gently on the neck (Larynx side). It is not

expected to sprinkle or throw it on the Deity.

 

10) PUSHAM: After you have offered the sandal wood pate, fresh

flowers shall be offered to the Lord. Do not throw them instead nice

decorate them with love and affection. This gives you a

good feeling and nice going on the forward path. The type of flowers

and its colurs are narrated in Vedic verses like " Japa Kusum "

(Hibiscus) etc;

 

11)DHOOPAM: You are trying to make the surroundings more pleasant to

impress upon the guest by Sandal wood paste, Flowers of beautiful

colours and smells. In continuation to it you are lighting incense

sticks to make it more welcoming.

 

12) DEEPAM: It is not expected to make your guest to sit in dark. In

olden days when electric power was not in use, lamps were

used to be kept on stands slightly away from the place where people

used to dine.

 

13) NAIVEDYAM: After all the above services or arrangements are

accomplished, it is time to offer food to the guest. Here the quality

and type of food to be offered is narrated depending on the Deity

follow the version of the Vedic verse. It is similar to the members of

your own family that all do not like same dish.

 

14) TAMBOOLAM: After delicious food, it is the practice to offer Pan

for proper digestion. The quality of Pan is narrated in the verses.

" Pooghiphala (Beetle nut) Samayuktam, Nagavalli

dalairyatam (Japatri petals) karpoora churna (Edible Karpoor powder)

samuktam, tamboolam " . Do not offer dried leaves and coloured wood.

 

15)NEERAJANAM: It is again customary that in every auspicious occasion

AArati is shown to the hero/heroin of the event. Similar way treat

this important and auspicious occasion as Lord himself has come to you

home, with utmost devotion offer " Aarati " to him/her. After it is

offered put a drop of water in it and show it

to the people around. Put you both hands above (Not to burn) and put

them on your head follwed by covering your eyes as a mark of respect

and reverence.

 

16) MANTRA PUSHPAM/PUSHPANJALI: The guest had given his valuable time

to you, so you have to say thanks to him by saying pleasant words is

the meaning of " Mantra Pushpa " By holding the

flowers either yellow or white in colour, chant Vedic verse , place

the on his lotus feet with utmost devotion and dedication.

 

These Upachara or services forms the complete activities of Shodasa

Upachara. Some of the saints having the authority added some more

ritual to it in due course of time. They are in the order of the

serial numbers shown above are depicted below.

 

1a PRANA PRATISHTA: Energizing Lord by chanting Vedic verse. It is

expected to hold flowers with the tips of fingers (Right Palm) forming

a cow head. The hand shall be held up till the verse is completed.

Thus energized flowers shall be placed on Lord's lotus feet.

 

5b AACHAMANAM: Offering water (Potable) to the Lord.

 

5c PANCHAMRITA SNANAM It is like applying oil and flour to the body

(Generally on week end or Fridays by ladies in home) to clear

the dust and dirt from the body. Similar way a paste is formed by

mixing Milk, Curd, cow Ghee (Animal fat), crystal sugar, and honey.

Feel that you are applying this paste to the Lord's body and help him

in taking bath. This is followed by bath with fresh water.

 

9b AABHARANA: Offering jewelry to the Lord. Feel that you adore the

Lord with every ornament by yourself.

 

17 AATMA PRADAKSHINA: Revolving round you and saluting the Lord with

in yourself.

 

18 PRARDHAN NAMASKARAM: Giving vote of thanks once again.

 

19 KSHMA PRADHANA: To beg apology for any mistake you did in offering

the services.

 

These are otherwise called " DEVOPACHARA "

 

In addition there are " Rajopachara " like To Held Umbrella on Lord,

Weaving fan, Singing a song to please him, Dancing before him to give

him entertainment, Playing orchestra, Showing Mirror to him, Providing

horse and elephant ride etc;

 

Variations: There are certain variations in Shodasa Upachar, some of

them are,

 

S.No 4 and 5 are interchanged.

 

11a ACHAMANAM; water is offered to LORD to drink after lighting the lamp.

 

Due to some inconvenience or in case of lack of time due to any

reason an exception is provided. Instead of Shodasa Upachara one can

restrict to " PANCHOPACHAR " They are,

 

1) CHANDANA/ GANDHAM: Sandal wood powder pate offering.

 

2) PUSPAM: Offering Flowers

 

3) DEEPAM: Lighting a lamp before Lord

 

4) Naivedyam: Offering Specified dishes to Lord.

 

5) TAMBOOLAM

 

Warn Regards,

 

KS Rao