bhakteshvara viratam
(Told in bhaviShyottara purANam )
mantras to perform this pUja (pUja vidhAnam)
This vrata has been explained in the bhaviShyottara purANam. This vrata is told for the women without any caste creed restrictions to perform. This vrata could be started in the month of kArthikai (mid Nov to mid Dec). sUta paurANikar told the devout R^iShis assembled in the naimichAraNyam the greatness of this vrata.
Procedure
Once pArvatI requested The Greatest Divine Lord, to tell about an austerity, which would bring the boons of prosperity, fertility and health and good being of husband and offsprings. The Lord replied that bhakteshvara vratam would be the answer for that. The Merciful Lord further explained that the lady who wishes to observe this vrata, in consensus with the husband, should start on the waxing moon period (shukla paxam) of the month kArthikai. Having completed the morning duties and bathed early in the morning, well dressed up in colorful dress, wearing turmeric and tilak, should make the Ishvara out of sandal, pArvatI out of turmeric and nandi out of sand. These forms would have to be hailed with the shiva mantras. After the sunset, either at home or at a temple, in a place washed with cow-dung and nicely decorated, install these divines. Since the devotee worships the Lord out of sincere devotion, this vrata is called bhakteshvara (Lord of devotion) vrata. Perform the meditation - installing rituals (Please refer to the link above - pUjA vidhAnam, for the same). It is suggested that a perforated plate (jalladai) be made out of bamboo and wound 33 times with golden fiber. This has to be placed over the sweet pancake (appam) made of lentil (dhal), ghee, sugar and flour on the ground. Over the bamboo plate a dosa has to be kept, over which sugar and ghee to be put. Make a lamp out of raw rice flour and light with ghee and place it over the dosa. Offer this to the Supreme gaurI bhakteshvara svAmi with love. Later donate off this offering praying for the well being of the donor and the receiver. Similarly in the next month (mArkazi - mid Dec - mid Jan) perform the pUja, this time with two such dosa and two flour lamps. The following month with three such things. Thus this vratam to be done till 33 times.
Glory of this vratam
A king by name chandra pANdiyan was ruling from the city madhurai that stood on the bank of river kR^itamAla. He was a valorous and good-valued king and with his wife kumudvati. They had no offsprings. They did austerities staying in the forests, renouncing the sensual distractions, meditating on the Great yogi Lord shiva chanting the Holy Five Letters. The Gracious Lord shiva appeared with pArvatI and asked the king what boon he wanted. The king saluted the Lord and asked for a child. The Lord conveyed him that because of the bad deeds done in the previous births, he did not have an offspring. But the Lord Who does not withdraw blessing the devotees, provided him to choose a child either long living girl who would soon become a widow or a brilliant boy who would live for very short period. The king chose the second one. The Lord gave the boon. Soon the queen gave birth to a boy who was named Ishvara pANdiyan. The brilliant boy grew up learning well and was in the age well suited for marriage. There lived a king mitrasaha, a devotee of the Lord of matted hair, good in heart, who ruled from alahapuri. He and his wife got a girl kalyANi out of observing the bhakteshvara vratam. These two parents agreed for the marriage of their children and it happened in a ritualistic way. The brides parents along with the bride observed the bhakteshvara vratam before sending them off to the groom's place. At her husband's place, when the newly wedded girl was in the bed room, the death came to take away the life of her husband. The devoted girl was firm that she was living the life blessed by the boon of bhakteshvara vratam and pleaded to the mR^ity~njaya to save her husbands life. The Lord came out as a serpent from the light nearby and bit the death. The death fell off. The Lord blessed the devotee kalyANi and gave her husband a long life. Later on the pleading of devas the God resurrected the death. Coming to know about this marvel the parents of the groom felt very happy and they also started observing this great vratam.
About Me
- Adiyaarku-adiyen
- Five faces of shivam are Easanam,Thathpurusam, Agoram, Vamadheyam, Sathyojatham. Meikanda Shasthram says three types of worship. *Arupa {Niskala} - formless[empty]. *Rupa {Sakala} - means forms of worship,fully manifested[Natarajar]. *Rupa Arupa {Niskalasakala} -formless form[Sivalingam]. Sarvam Shiva Mayam
Showing posts with label Worship Procedures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Worship Procedures. Show all posts
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thirukarthigai Viratham
Thirukkarthigai Virtham
Thirukkarththikai is one of the auspicious vratas observed by the devotees. It comes in the kArththikai star in the month of kArththikai (mid November to mid December). Throughout the month lamps are lit in the front of the house in the evening and the morning. On the Thiruk kArththikai day the whole house is decorated with the oil lamps. ThiruvaNNA malai is famous for Thirukkarthigai.
Once Brahma and Vishnu due to the ego started arguing with each other " who is the greatest". Both claimed to be the greatest, instead of doing their duty. At that time the God appeared in the form of fire and told them whoever finds the top or bottom of the fire is the greatest. Brahma took the form of Annam (a bird) and tried to find the top of the file pillar. Vishnu took the form of VarAha( giant pig) and tried to see the bottom of the pillar. As the God has no limit in His size or power, both of them could not see either top or bottom of the fire. When their ego went down and they prayed the God, He appeared before them. The day in which the God appeared as a pillar of fire is Thiruk kArththikai.
This vradha indicates the non measurable infiniteness of the God and shows that the God is the light that will drive away our ignorance. Lamps are lit in the houses to pray His "Jyothi Swarupam".
kArthigai festival
Reference to kArthikai in thirumuRai:
வளைக்கை மடநல்லார் மாமயிலை வண்மறுகில்
துளக்கில் கபாலீச் சரத்தான்தொல் கார்த்திகைநாள்
தளத்தேந் திளமுலையார் தையலார் கொண்டாடும்
விளக்கீடு காணாதே போதியோ பூம்பாவாய். 2.47.3
Reference to kArthikai in sangam literature:
"..... மதி நிறைந்து,
அறுமீன் சேறும் அகல்இருள் நடுநாள்:
மறுகுவிளக் குறுத்து, மாலை தூக்கிப்,
பழவிறல் மூதூர்ப் பலருடன் துவன்றிய
விழவு..... " - akan^AnURu 141
"அருவி ஆன்ற உயர்சிமை மருங்கில்
பெருவிழா விளக்கம் போலப் " - akam 184
"நலமிகு கார்த்திகை நாட்டவர் இட்ட
தலைநாள் விளக்கின் தகையுடைய ஆகிப்" - karnarpathu
Thirukkarththikai is one of the auspicious vratas observed by the devotees. It comes in the kArththikai star in the month of kArththikai (mid November to mid December). Throughout the month lamps are lit in the front of the house in the evening and the morning. On the Thiruk kArththikai day the whole house is decorated with the oil lamps. ThiruvaNNA malai is famous for Thirukkarthigai.
Once Brahma and Vishnu due to the ego started arguing with each other " who is the greatest". Both claimed to be the greatest, instead of doing their duty. At that time the God appeared in the form of fire and told them whoever finds the top or bottom of the fire is the greatest. Brahma took the form of Annam (a bird) and tried to find the top of the file pillar. Vishnu took the form of VarAha( giant pig) and tried to see the bottom of the pillar. As the God has no limit in His size or power, both of them could not see either top or bottom of the fire. When their ego went down and they prayed the God, He appeared before them. The day in which the God appeared as a pillar of fire is Thiruk kArththikai.
This vradha indicates the non measurable infiniteness of the God and shows that the God is the light that will drive away our ignorance. Lamps are lit in the houses to pray His "Jyothi Swarupam".
kArthigai festival
Reference to kArthikai in thirumuRai:
வளைக்கை மடநல்லார் மாமயிலை வண்மறுகில்
துளக்கில் கபாலீச் சரத்தான்தொல் கார்த்திகைநாள்
தளத்தேந் திளமுலையார் தையலார் கொண்டாடும்
விளக்கீடு காணாதே போதியோ பூம்பாவாய். 2.47.3
Reference to kArthikai in sangam literature:
"..... மதி நிறைந்து,
அறுமீன் சேறும் அகல்இருள் நடுநாள்:
மறுகுவிளக் குறுத்து, மாலை தூக்கிப்,
பழவிறல் மூதூர்ப் பலருடன் துவன்றிய
விழவு..... " - akan^AnURu 141
"அருவி ஆன்ற உயர்சிமை மருங்கில்
பெருவிழா விளக்கம் போலப் " - akam 184
"நலமிகு கார்த்திகை நாட்டவர் இட்ட
தலைநாள் விளக்கின் தகையுடைய ஆகிப்" - karnarpathu
Rishaba Viratham
vRiShabha vratam
This is one of the eight great austerities. In the time when the Sun is in the R^ishhabha rAsi, that is in the month of vaikAsi (mid May to mid June), on the eigth moon day (ashhTami) in the growing lunar phase (shukla paxam) this vratam is observed.This vratam is described in the skandha purANam.
Getting up early in the morning, the devotee should think and salute the paramEshavara with His consort umA on the bull. Later taking bath being purified, on should start the worship. Could do the worship to the R^ishhabhArUDar(1) form made in gold or silver. The Lord should be anointed with the substances like panychAmR^itam and other holy things with the converging mind on the Lord. Offering to the Lord the rice and derived offerings like pAyasam on should pray to the God. Then to the kind hearted devotees of Lord shiva material should be donated. Worshiping the Lord in the Lord shiva temple and making offerings there should return home in that happiness. Later along with the devotees, eat the rice, sugar-rice, fruits and sweets without spoiling the intent of the austerity. Listen to the glories of Lord shiva until late evening and then sleep on the bare floor relaxedly. The following day after saluting the Lord, donate the idol to a sincere love hearted of Lord shiva.
One who observes this vratam flawlessly would get long life, wealth, wisdom, health and the eight great treasures. vishNu pleasing the paramashivam got lots of treasures and the garuDa(one in the eagle family) as his vehicle. Indra got the elephant called airAvatam, the dEva of fire got the goat, dEva of death the buffello, niruthi got human, dEva of water got crocodile, dEva of air got the deer, kubEra got airplane pushhpaka vimAnam, IshAnar got the ox that resembles the justice, sun got the chariot of one wheel and seven horses, moon got the special ruby airplane as their vehicles by observing the vrata worshiping the R^ishhabhArUDhar. The mahaR^ishhitold once to the king of maharAshhTra vishvasena the things that happened, happening and would happen. The astonished king asked how the mahaR^ishhi got to know these details. The sage told him that it was because of the glory of vR^ishhabha vratam. The king also observed the austerity and got to know these. The king santushhTa worshiping through this vratam got the eight great attainments (ashhTa mahA sidhdhi) and got the moxa. vidhrutha king roamed around with the body in the seven down worlds and the worlds of braHma, vishhNu and Indra, transpiring the knowledge of this vrata to his sons, observing this vratam for a long time, became shiva yOgi. Such glorious is this vratam.
ஆத்தமாம் அயனு மாலும்
அன்றிமற் றொழிந்த தேவர்
சோத்தமெம் பெருமான் என்று
தொழுதுதோத் திரங்கள் சொல்லத்
தீர்த்தமாம் அட்ட மிமுன்
சீருடை ஏழு நாளுங்
கூத்தராய் வீதி போந்தார்
குறுக்கைவீ ரட்ட னாரே. 4.50.2
This is one of the eight great austerities. In the time when the Sun is in the R^ishhabha rAsi, that is in the month of vaikAsi (mid May to mid June), on the eigth moon day (ashhTami) in the growing lunar phase (shukla paxam) this vratam is observed.This vratam is described in the skandha purANam.
Getting up early in the morning, the devotee should think and salute the paramEshavara with His consort umA on the bull. Later taking bath being purified, on should start the worship. Could do the worship to the R^ishhabhArUDar(1) form made in gold or silver. The Lord should be anointed with the substances like panychAmR^itam and other holy things with the converging mind on the Lord. Offering to the Lord the rice and derived offerings like pAyasam on should pray to the God. Then to the kind hearted devotees of Lord shiva material should be donated. Worshiping the Lord in the Lord shiva temple and making offerings there should return home in that happiness. Later along with the devotees, eat the rice, sugar-rice, fruits and sweets without spoiling the intent of the austerity. Listen to the glories of Lord shiva until late evening and then sleep on the bare floor relaxedly. The following day after saluting the Lord, donate the idol to a sincere love hearted of Lord shiva.
One who observes this vratam flawlessly would get long life, wealth, wisdom, health and the eight great treasures. vishNu pleasing the paramashivam got lots of treasures and the garuDa(one in the eagle family) as his vehicle. Indra got the elephant called airAvatam, the dEva of fire got the goat, dEva of death the buffello, niruthi got human, dEva of water got crocodile, dEva of air got the deer, kubEra got airplane pushhpaka vimAnam, IshAnar got the ox that resembles the justice, sun got the chariot of one wheel and seven horses, moon got the special ruby airplane as their vehicles by observing the vrata worshiping the R^ishhabhArUDhar. The mahaR^ishhitold once to the king of maharAshhTra vishvasena the things that happened, happening and would happen. The astonished king asked how the mahaR^ishhi got to know these details. The sage told him that it was because of the glory of vR^ishhabha vratam. The king also observed the austerity and got to know these. The king santushhTa worshiping through this vratam got the eight great attainments (ashhTa mahA sidhdhi) and got the moxa. vidhrutha king roamed around with the body in the seven down worlds and the worlds of braHma, vishhNu and Indra, transpiring the knowledge of this vrata to his sons, observing this vratam for a long time, became shiva yOgi. Such glorious is this vratam.
ஆத்தமாம் அயனு மாலும்
அன்றிமற் றொழிந்த தேவர்
சோத்தமெம் பெருமான் என்று
தொழுதுதோத் திரங்கள் சொல்லத்
தீர்த்தமாம் அட்ட மிமுன்
சீருடை ஏழு நாளுங்
கூத்தராய் வீதி போந்தார்
குறுக்கைவீ ரட்ட னாரே. 4.50.2
SulaViratham
Sula viratam
sula viratam is one of the eight maha vratam. The day when the Sun shines in the makara rAsi that is the thai(pushya) month new moon day is called the shUla vratam day. On that day the observer of the austerity should pray the Lord holding three headed spear (sula) accompanied by Goddess shakti, after getting up. Then the worship of the God with anointment (abhishekam) and offerings (naivedyam) etc should be done with devotion. Then should worship in the abode of Lord shiva. Donating to the devotees of Lord shiva who wear rudraksha beads should be done. Only one time meal should be taken along with the devotees.
Observing this sula vratam would get one the victory over all the enemies, free from the terrific diseases, boon of having offspring and the prosperities. Finally the devotee would get the union in shiva. By observing this vratam mahavishnu killed the cruel daemon kalanemi. parashu rama killed karta viryarjuna after observing this vratam. maha vishnu got rid of a worst head ache because of glory of this vratam. brahma got relieved from his highly painful stomach pain. The highly powerful Lord virabhadra(2) explained the greatness of this vratam to bhanu kambha.
sula viratam is one of the eight maha vratam. The day when the Sun shines in the makara rAsi that is the thai(pushya) month new moon day is called the shUla vratam day. On that day the observer of the austerity should pray the Lord holding three headed spear (sula) accompanied by Goddess shakti, after getting up. Then the worship of the God with anointment (abhishekam) and offerings (naivedyam) etc should be done with devotion. Then should worship in the abode of Lord shiva. Donating to the devotees of Lord shiva who wear rudraksha beads should be done. Only one time meal should be taken along with the devotees.
Observing this sula vratam would get one the victory over all the enemies, free from the terrific diseases, boon of having offspring and the prosperities. Finally the devotee would get the union in shiva. By observing this vratam mahavishnu killed the cruel daemon kalanemi. parashu rama killed karta viryarjuna after observing this vratam. maha vishnu got rid of a worst head ache because of glory of this vratam. brahma got relieved from his highly painful stomach pain. The highly powerful Lord virabhadra(2) explained the greatness of this vratam to bhanu kambha.
Panguni Uthiram
kalyana vratam (panguni uththiram - Holi Festival)
kalyana vratam is one of the eight auspicious vratas. When the Sun is shining in the Pisces sign(mIna rAsi) that is in the month of paN^guni (mid of March to mid of April) on the uththara naxaththiram on the Moons growing face (shukla paxam), this vratam is observed. This is the day Shakthi married Lord Shiva after a great austerity in the Himaalayas, as the daughter of Himavaan. It is also observed as the auspicious day when Lord Muruga married devaseenaa. This vratam is explained in the skandha purANam.
In the morning after getting up, the observer of the vratam should meditate on the charming Lord shiva in the wedding posture with umA. After taking bath and through with other required deeds, should worship the Lord. The golden idol of the God and Goddess ( who can afford to) should be anointed devotionally with holy substances. Then decorating them should make the wedding ceremony of the Goddess with the God. Making the nice and sweet offerings to the divine Parents, should salute them. Inviting the spiritual people who think of good to all the creatures, who have learnt the vEdas and who are devotees of Lord shiva, along with their wives, should host them a feast. Later should go to the shiva temple, worship, circumambulate three times and prostrate in front of the Lord. In the night should dine along with the kind hearted devotees of Lord shiva and eat the sweet dishes like fruits and pAyasam. Should sleep on the dharbai grass. The next morning after regular deeds, should donate the golden idol of God and Goddess to disciplined love hearted people who are the devotees of Lord shiva. Should eat only once that day.
Observing this vratam will get one the great boon of shri Lord sha.nkara's delight. It would bring much joy and comfort in life, lead to the abode of Lord shiva and give the liberation. mahA vishNu got wedded to laxmi sincerely observing this vratam. brahma wedded saraswati, indra wedded indrANi, moon wedded the 27 stars, sage agastiya wedded lobhamudra observing this vratam. The two daughters of vishhNu namely amR^itavalli, saundaryavalli were married to the six faced Lord as devasEna and vaLLI. The daughter of vedAN^ga R^ishhi called sukesi got married to nandi devar.The two daughters of sage satyapUrNar pUrNa, pushhkaLai were wedded to mahA sAsthA. kAma got rathi, sIta got rAma, jAmbhavati got kR^ishhNa, sage saupari got many princess' and so many more benefitted all in the glory of this vratam. The man who observes this vratam will get the girl he likes and the woman gets beautiful man as her husband. The couple who observe this will get good offspring. Anybody who observes with devotion will get His grace.
This auspicious vrata of wedding of shrI pArvatI paramEshvara is celebrated as the festival of colors - Holi.(2) Just preceding this festival is kAmadahanam on which day kAma - the divine of desire/lust is burnt off by the Supreme, as the cupid tried to misadventure his lust inducement on the God Itself. On the request of divines and pArvatI Lord brought him back to life, during this celebration.
The story of this holi and panguni uttira kalyANa vrata is available Flash movie.
References to panguni uththiram in thirumuRai:
1. மலிவிழா வீதி மடநல்லார் மாமயிலைக்
கலிவிழாக் கண்டான் கபாலீச்சரம் அமர்ந்தான்
பலிவிழாப் பாடல்செய் பங்குனி யுத்திரநாள்
ஒலிவிழாக் காணாதே போதியோ பூம்பாவாய். 2.047.7
2. ஆராய்ந் தடித்தொண்டர் ஆணிப்பொன் ஆரூர் அகத்தடக்கிப்
பாரூர் பரிப்பத்தம் பங்குனி உத்திரம் பாற்படுத்தா
னாரூர் நறுமலர் நாதன் அடித்தொண்டன் நம்பிநந்தி
நீரால் திருவிளக் கிட்டமை நீணா டறியுமன்றே. 4.103.2
3. மத்தமா களியானை யுரிவை போர்த்து
வானகத்தார் தானகத்தா ராகிநின்று
பித்தர்தாம் போலங்கோர் பெருமை பேசிப்
பேதையரை யச்சுறுத்திப் பெயரக் கண்டு
பத்தர்கள்தாம் பலருடனே கூடிப் பாடிப்
பயின்றிருக்கு மூரேதோ பணீயீ ரென்ன
ஒத்தமைந்த உத்திரநாள் தீர்த்த மாக
ஒளிதிகழும் ஒற்றியூ ரென்கின் றாரே. 6.45.5
4. வேதம் ஓதிவெண் ணீறு பூசிவெண்
கோவணந் தற்ற யலே
ஓதம் மேவிய ஒற்றி யூரையும்
உத்திரம் நீர் மகிழ்வீர்
மோதி வேடுவர் கூறைகொள்ளும் முருகன்
பூண்டி மாநகர் வாய்
ஏது காரணம் எது காவல்கொண்
டெத்துக்கிங் கிருந்தீரெம் பிரானீரே. 7.49.7
5. வென்றி விடையார் மதிச் சடையார் வீதி விடங்கப் பெருமாள் தாம்
என்றும் திருவாரூர் ஆளும் இயல்பின் முறைமை திருவிளையாட்டு
ஒன்றும் செயலும் பங்குனி உத்திரமாம் திருநாள் உயர் சிறப்பும்
நின்று விண்ணப்பம் செய்தபடி செய்து அருளும் நிலைபெற்றார் 12.1885
6. செறி புன் சடையார் திருவாரூர்ப் திருப் பங்குனி உத்தரத் திருநாள்
குறுக வரலும் பரவையார் கொடைக்கு விழாவில் குறைவறுக்க
நிறையும் பொன் கொண்டு அணைவதற்கு நினைந்து நம்பி திருப்புகலூர்
இறைவர் பாதம் பணிய எழுந்து அருளிச் சென்று அங்கு எய்தினார் 12.3200
References in Sangam literature:
......உறந்தை ஆங்கண்,
வருபுனல் நெரிதரும் இகுகரைப் பேரியாற்று
உருவ வெண் மணல் முருகு நாறு தண் பொழிற்
பங்குனி முயக்கம் கழிந்த வழிநாள் அகம் 137
.....
.....
மதுரை ஆவணி அவிட்டமே, உறையூர் பங்குனி உத்திரமே,
கருவூர் உள்ளி விழாவே என இவையும்...... இறையனார் களவியல் உரை - நக்கீரர்
kalyana vratam is one of the eight auspicious vratas. When the Sun is shining in the Pisces sign(mIna rAsi) that is in the month of paN^guni (mid of March to mid of April) on the uththara naxaththiram on the Moons growing face (shukla paxam), this vratam is observed. This is the day Shakthi married Lord Shiva after a great austerity in the Himaalayas, as the daughter of Himavaan. It is also observed as the auspicious day when Lord Muruga married devaseenaa. This vratam is explained in the skandha purANam.
In the morning after getting up, the observer of the vratam should meditate on the charming Lord shiva in the wedding posture with umA. After taking bath and through with other required deeds, should worship the Lord. The golden idol of the God and Goddess ( who can afford to) should be anointed devotionally with holy substances. Then decorating them should make the wedding ceremony of the Goddess with the God. Making the nice and sweet offerings to the divine Parents, should salute them. Inviting the spiritual people who think of good to all the creatures, who have learnt the vEdas and who are devotees of Lord shiva, along with their wives, should host them a feast. Later should go to the shiva temple, worship, circumambulate three times and prostrate in front of the Lord. In the night should dine along with the kind hearted devotees of Lord shiva and eat the sweet dishes like fruits and pAyasam. Should sleep on the dharbai grass. The next morning after regular deeds, should donate the golden idol of God and Goddess to disciplined love hearted people who are the devotees of Lord shiva. Should eat only once that day.
Observing this vratam will get one the great boon of shri Lord sha.nkara's delight. It would bring much joy and comfort in life, lead to the abode of Lord shiva and give the liberation. mahA vishNu got wedded to laxmi sincerely observing this vratam. brahma wedded saraswati, indra wedded indrANi, moon wedded the 27 stars, sage agastiya wedded lobhamudra observing this vratam. The two daughters of vishhNu namely amR^itavalli, saundaryavalli were married to the six faced Lord as devasEna and vaLLI. The daughter of vedAN^ga R^ishhi called sukesi got married to nandi devar.The two daughters of sage satyapUrNar pUrNa, pushhkaLai were wedded to mahA sAsthA. kAma got rathi, sIta got rAma, jAmbhavati got kR^ishhNa, sage saupari got many princess' and so many more benefitted all in the glory of this vratam. The man who observes this vratam will get the girl he likes and the woman gets beautiful man as her husband. The couple who observe this will get good offspring. Anybody who observes with devotion will get His grace.
This auspicious vrata of wedding of shrI pArvatI paramEshvara is celebrated as the festival of colors - Holi.(2) Just preceding this festival is kAmadahanam on which day kAma - the divine of desire/lust is burnt off by the Supreme, as the cupid tried to misadventure his lust inducement on the God Itself. On the request of divines and pArvatI Lord brought him back to life, during this celebration.
The story of this holi and panguni uttira kalyANa vrata is available Flash movie.
References to panguni uththiram in thirumuRai:
1. மலிவிழா வீதி மடநல்லார் மாமயிலைக்
கலிவிழாக் கண்டான் கபாலீச்சரம் அமர்ந்தான்
பலிவிழாப் பாடல்செய் பங்குனி யுத்திரநாள்
ஒலிவிழாக் காணாதே போதியோ பூம்பாவாய். 2.047.7
2. ஆராய்ந் தடித்தொண்டர் ஆணிப்பொன் ஆரூர் அகத்தடக்கிப்
பாரூர் பரிப்பத்தம் பங்குனி உத்திரம் பாற்படுத்தா
னாரூர் நறுமலர் நாதன் அடித்தொண்டன் நம்பிநந்தி
நீரால் திருவிளக் கிட்டமை நீணா டறியுமன்றே. 4.103.2
3. மத்தமா களியானை யுரிவை போர்த்து
வானகத்தார் தானகத்தா ராகிநின்று
பித்தர்தாம் போலங்கோர் பெருமை பேசிப்
பேதையரை யச்சுறுத்திப் பெயரக் கண்டு
பத்தர்கள்தாம் பலருடனே கூடிப் பாடிப்
பயின்றிருக்கு மூரேதோ பணீயீ ரென்ன
ஒத்தமைந்த உத்திரநாள் தீர்த்த மாக
ஒளிதிகழும் ஒற்றியூ ரென்கின் றாரே. 6.45.5
4. வேதம் ஓதிவெண் ணீறு பூசிவெண்
கோவணந் தற்ற யலே
ஓதம் மேவிய ஒற்றி யூரையும்
உத்திரம் நீர் மகிழ்வீர்
மோதி வேடுவர் கூறைகொள்ளும் முருகன்
பூண்டி மாநகர் வாய்
ஏது காரணம் எது காவல்கொண்
டெத்துக்கிங் கிருந்தீரெம் பிரானீரே. 7.49.7
5. வென்றி விடையார் மதிச் சடையார் வீதி விடங்கப் பெருமாள் தாம்
என்றும் திருவாரூர் ஆளும் இயல்பின் முறைமை திருவிளையாட்டு
ஒன்றும் செயலும் பங்குனி உத்திரமாம் திருநாள் உயர் சிறப்பும்
நின்று விண்ணப்பம் செய்தபடி செய்து அருளும் நிலைபெற்றார் 12.1885
6. செறி புன் சடையார் திருவாரூர்ப் திருப் பங்குனி உத்தரத் திருநாள்
குறுக வரலும் பரவையார் கொடைக்கு விழாவில் குறைவறுக்க
நிறையும் பொன் கொண்டு அணைவதற்கு நினைந்து நம்பி திருப்புகலூர்
இறைவர் பாதம் பணிய எழுந்து அருளிச் சென்று அங்கு எய்தினார் 12.3200
References in Sangam literature:
......உறந்தை ஆங்கண்,
வருபுனல் நெரிதரும் இகுகரைப் பேரியாற்று
உருவ வெண் மணல் முருகு நாறு தண் பொழிற்
பங்குனி முயக்கம் கழிந்த வழிநாள் அகம் 137
.....
.....
மதுரை ஆவணி அவிட்டமே, உறையூர் பங்குனி உத்திரமே,
கருவூர் உள்ளி விழாவே என இவையும்...... இறையனார் களவியல் உரை - நக்கீரர்
kedara gauri viratham
Significance of kedara (gauri) vratam - Deepavali
History of deepavali
KedhAra Gowri vradham familiarly known as dIpAvaLi (Diwali) is celebrated throughout India in a grand manner. Without Caste creed, rich - poor differences people obeserve this festival. Infact very few people know that it is one of the important Saivite vratas. Brungi rishi is a great Shiva bhaktha. When he prays to Lord, he prays only to Lord Shiva and ignores Shakti. Angered by his act Shakti devi removed the energy from his body. He was not able to stand. He prayed to Lord Shiva. God gave him a stick to support his body. Shakti wanted to become part of Lord's body. She observed the kedhara virata, one of Gods favorite viratas. Pleased by Her austerities God gave the left part of His body to shakti and became ardha narishwara(1). The vrata is then called kedhara gauri virata since Gowri observed it.
When observed
This kedhara vratam is observed for twenty one days starting from shukla paxa aShTami (Eighth moonday in its growing phase) in the month of purattAchi (mid Sep to mid Oct). The final day (dIpAvaLi) also should be observed in great devotion.
How to observe this vratam
mantras to perform this pUja (pUja vidhAnam)
Install Lord kedhArIshvara svAmi in a filled pot (kalasham). Make a roof (manTapa) above the kalasham. Make vrata threads - 21 fibers having 21 knots. The 16 courtesy worship has to be done for 21 days starting from the purattAchi shukla paxa dasami to aipachi amarapaxa chaturdashi (dIpAvaLi) or amAvAsya. On the culmination day (21st) in a clean decorated area devotionally install the kalasham over the grains spread in a banana leaf and offer various food and fruits to the Lord as offering and donate to others.
Glory
The glory of this vratam is very splendid as shri gauri devi observed this vratam in full devotion and got to be in half the body of Lord Shiva !! viShNu became Lord of vaikunta observing this vratam. braHma got hamsa vehicle, the guards of the eight directions got rid of the bane they got from braHma, bhagyavati and puNyavati got lots of wealth all due to the glory of this vratam. One who observes this vratam with devotion pleases Lord shiva.
History of deepavali
KedhAra Gowri vradham familiarly known as dIpAvaLi (Diwali) is celebrated throughout India in a grand manner. Without Caste creed, rich - poor differences people obeserve this festival. Infact very few people know that it is one of the important Saivite vratas. Brungi rishi is a great Shiva bhaktha. When he prays to Lord, he prays only to Lord Shiva and ignores Shakti. Angered by his act Shakti devi removed the energy from his body. He was not able to stand. He prayed to Lord Shiva. God gave him a stick to support his body. Shakti wanted to become part of Lord's body. She observed the kedhara virata, one of Gods favorite viratas. Pleased by Her austerities God gave the left part of His body to shakti and became ardha narishwara(1). The vrata is then called kedhara gauri virata since Gowri observed it.
When observed
This kedhara vratam is observed for twenty one days starting from shukla paxa aShTami (Eighth moonday in its growing phase) in the month of purattAchi (mid Sep to mid Oct). The final day (dIpAvaLi) also should be observed in great devotion.
How to observe this vratam
mantras to perform this pUja (pUja vidhAnam)
Install Lord kedhArIshvara svAmi in a filled pot (kalasham). Make a roof (manTapa) above the kalasham. Make vrata threads - 21 fibers having 21 knots. The 16 courtesy worship has to be done for 21 days starting from the purattAchi shukla paxa dasami to aipachi amarapaxa chaturdashi (dIpAvaLi) or amAvAsya. On the culmination day (21st) in a clean decorated area devotionally install the kalasham over the grains spread in a banana leaf and offer various food and fruits to the Lord as offering and donate to others.
Glory
The glory of this vratam is very splendid as shri gauri devi observed this vratam in full devotion and got to be in half the body of Lord Shiva !! viShNu became Lord of vaikunta observing this vratam. braHma got hamsa vehicle, the guards of the eight directions got rid of the bane they got from braHma, bhagyavati and puNyavati got lots of wealth all due to the glory of this vratam. One who observes this vratam with devotion pleases Lord shiva.
Shiva Ratri Viratham
Shiva ratri vratam
Shiva rathri is one of the most auspicious vratas for the devotees of Lord shiva. The purANas explain the grand significance of this vrata.
History of shivaratri
Once when everything in all the worlds got reduced into Lord shiva, in that darkness of nothing present, the mother pArvati worshipped Lord shiva in the Agamic way with great devotion. The parameshwar pleased by Her prayer blessed Her. She asked for the benefit of all the creatures that in future whoever worships the Lord on the shiva rAtri day with devotion, they should be blessed and should be given the ultimate liberation. The pashupati granted that showing way for all of us to get blessed easily.
When Brahma and Vishnu fought between themselves as "who is the greatest", Lord Shiva appeared before them as a pillar of fire. They were not able to find the starting and end of that pillar. This day is Thirukkaarthikai.(1)
Then Brahma and Mahavishnu repented for their mistake and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiving their sin worshiping the shiva li.ngam which is the form of the flame. In the night of Shiva rathri Lord Shiva appeared before them and blessed them. Devotees pray the God throughout the night of Shiva rathri by performing Abisheka, chanting and other holy deeds.
Every month in Krishna paksha chathurdhasi (fourteenth moonday) is called masa Shiva rathri. The one that comes in the month of "Masi" (mid February to mid March) is called Maha Shiva rathri. This is considered as the most important vrata by the devotees.
There are many incidents told about the greatness of this day. Once a hunter in a jungle after searching throughout the jungle, was quite tired and could not get any animal. In the nightfall a tiger started chasing him. to escape from that he climbed a tree. That was a Bilva tree. The tiger sat under the tree waiting for him to come down. The hunter who sat on a branch of the tree was quite tense and didn't want to sleep. He was plucking the leaves and putting down as he was not able to be idle. Below the tree there was a Shiva lingam. The whole night went on like this. God was pleased with the Upavasa (hunger) and the Pooja the hunter and the tiger did even without knowledge. He is the peak of the grace. He gave the hunter and the tiger "Moksha".
In a Shiva temple on a Maha Shiva rathri day the lamp kept in the altar was very dim. That time a mouse which came take its prey touched the flame. Due to the heat it moved its head immediately. In the process it kindled the lamp and the altar was illuminated well. Lord Shiva, pleased by this deed made the mouse Mahabali, the renowned asura king.
There are many incidents like this told in our Puraanas. If we do the vrata with pure devotion and love there can be no doubt about getting the Grace of the Almighty.
When is shivaratri observed
ska.ndha purANam describes about four shiva rAtris. The first one is nitya shivarAtri (daily shivarAtri - every night). The second one is the mAsa shivarAtri which is observed on the kR^iShNa paxa chaturdasi (fourteenth moonday on the moons diminishing phase). The third one is the mAga prathamAdi shivarAtri which is observed for the thirteen days starting from prathama titi in the month mAga (mAsi) and on the chaturdasi night the Lord is worshiped throughout the night.
The fourth one is observed on the mAsi (mAga) month kR^iShNa paxa chaturdasi. This is the one observed in a widespread manner. It is also called mahA shivarAtri.
Way of observing shivaratri
Getting up early in the morning one meditates on the Infinitely Auspicious, ornated with thousands of splendid garlands, Who is in the form of the holy symbol of shiva(mahA li.ngam). Bathing and staying clean the worship of Lord shiva in the form of shiva li.ngam is done in the four jamas of the night (four equal time intervals of the night). (Note that the li.nga worship is explicitly mentioned for this vratam as this is the time the God out of Its grace for the benefit of pashus appeared in a formless-form that is a symbol (li.ngam) from Its true nature of formlessness.)
Shiva rathri is one of the most auspicious vratas for the devotees of Lord shiva. The purANas explain the grand significance of this vrata.
History of shivaratri
Once when everything in all the worlds got reduced into Lord shiva, in that darkness of nothing present, the mother pArvati worshipped Lord shiva in the Agamic way with great devotion. The parameshwar pleased by Her prayer blessed Her. She asked for the benefit of all the creatures that in future whoever worships the Lord on the shiva rAtri day with devotion, they should be blessed and should be given the ultimate liberation. The pashupati granted that showing way for all of us to get blessed easily.
When Brahma and Vishnu fought between themselves as "who is the greatest", Lord Shiva appeared before them as a pillar of fire. They were not able to find the starting and end of that pillar. This day is Thirukkaarthikai.(1)
Then Brahma and Mahavishnu repented for their mistake and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiving their sin worshiping the shiva li.ngam which is the form of the flame. In the night of Shiva rathri Lord Shiva appeared before them and blessed them. Devotees pray the God throughout the night of Shiva rathri by performing Abisheka, chanting and other holy deeds.
Every month in Krishna paksha chathurdhasi (fourteenth moonday) is called masa Shiva rathri. The one that comes in the month of "Masi" (mid February to mid March) is called Maha Shiva rathri. This is considered as the most important vrata by the devotees.
There are many incidents told about the greatness of this day. Once a hunter in a jungle after searching throughout the jungle, was quite tired and could not get any animal. In the nightfall a tiger started chasing him. to escape from that he climbed a tree. That was a Bilva tree. The tiger sat under the tree waiting for him to come down. The hunter who sat on a branch of the tree was quite tense and didn't want to sleep. He was plucking the leaves and putting down as he was not able to be idle. Below the tree there was a Shiva lingam. The whole night went on like this. God was pleased with the Upavasa (hunger) and the Pooja the hunter and the tiger did even without knowledge. He is the peak of the grace. He gave the hunter and the tiger "Moksha".
In a Shiva temple on a Maha Shiva rathri day the lamp kept in the altar was very dim. That time a mouse which came take its prey touched the flame. Due to the heat it moved its head immediately. In the process it kindled the lamp and the altar was illuminated well. Lord Shiva, pleased by this deed made the mouse Mahabali, the renowned asura king.
There are many incidents like this told in our Puraanas. If we do the vrata with pure devotion and love there can be no doubt about getting the Grace of the Almighty.
When is shivaratri observed
ska.ndha purANam describes about four shiva rAtris. The first one is nitya shivarAtri (daily shivarAtri - every night). The second one is the mAsa shivarAtri which is observed on the kR^iShNa paxa chaturdasi (fourteenth moonday on the moons diminishing phase). The third one is the mAga prathamAdi shivarAtri which is observed for the thirteen days starting from prathama titi in the month mAga (mAsi) and on the chaturdasi night the Lord is worshiped throughout the night.
The fourth one is observed on the mAsi (mAga) month kR^iShNa paxa chaturdasi. This is the one observed in a widespread manner. It is also called mahA shivarAtri.
Way of observing shivaratri
Getting up early in the morning one meditates on the Infinitely Auspicious, ornated with thousands of splendid garlands, Who is in the form of the holy symbol of shiva(mahA li.ngam). Bathing and staying clean the worship of Lord shiva in the form of shiva li.ngam is done in the four jamas of the night (four equal time intervals of the night). (Note that the li.nga worship is explicitly mentioned for this vratam as this is the time the God out of Its grace for the benefit of pashus appeared in a formless-form that is a symbol (li.ngam) from Its true nature of formlessness.)
Uma maheswara Viratham
uma maheshvara viratam
When observed
This is one of the ashta maha vartams told in skandha puranam. It is observed on the full moon day when the sun is shining in the vruchchika rAsi that is in the month of kArthikai(Mid Nov to Mid Dec).
Way of observing
Getting up early in the morning on that full moon day, finishing the daily duties, one worships the form of shri umA maheshvara made of gold or silver, with various sacrad materials of worship and offerings. Later going to a temple one anoints the pArvati-paramEshvara with panychAmrutam (fruits mixed with sugar) and other substances, salute with offerings and tAmbUlam, pray the Lord making the gestures of salutations. Coming back home donating to the love hearted devotees of Lord shiva, one eats with them only once that day or may eat fruits and sweets along with them. The idol of the Lord umA maheshvara is given to a shivanyAni.
Glory
One who observes this vrata sincerely, would get the material benefits of the world. Afterwards would get the liberation too. A sightless muni called dhiraNabin^dhu observing this vrata got beautiful eyes. A lady by the glory of this vratam revived her dead husband, gave birth to a child and got to reach shivalOka. viShNu following this vratam in kR^iShNAvatAram got many children. braHmA got married to gAyatri, sAvitri, indra got the son jayantan, vaShiShTar received kAmadEnu for doing his yagnya, gautamar got the son sadAnanta mahaR^iShi, janaka got the daughter sIta. A dumb minded person called sudharman, mocked by the people about his stupidity, observed this vratam in devotion. By the Lord's blessing he got the grace of goddess sarasvati and he became a pundit. The king sindhusenan was chased away by the enemies. He observed this vratam as per the advise of saint agastiyar. On the Lord's order kubera won back the kingdom for him and handed over to him. This vratam gets to the observer the wealths and takes to the path of liberation.
When observed
This is one of the ashta maha vartams told in skandha puranam. It is observed on the full moon day when the sun is shining in the vruchchika rAsi that is in the month of kArthikai(Mid Nov to Mid Dec).
Way of observing
Getting up early in the morning on that full moon day, finishing the daily duties, one worships the form of shri umA maheshvara made of gold or silver, with various sacrad materials of worship and offerings. Later going to a temple one anoints the pArvati-paramEshvara with panychAmrutam (fruits mixed with sugar) and other substances, salute with offerings and tAmbUlam, pray the Lord making the gestures of salutations. Coming back home donating to the love hearted devotees of Lord shiva, one eats with them only once that day or may eat fruits and sweets along with them. The idol of the Lord umA maheshvara is given to a shivanyAni.
Glory
One who observes this vrata sincerely, would get the material benefits of the world. Afterwards would get the liberation too. A sightless muni called dhiraNabin^dhu observing this vrata got beautiful eyes. A lady by the glory of this vratam revived her dead husband, gave birth to a child and got to reach shivalOka. viShNu following this vratam in kR^iShNAvatAram got many children. braHmA got married to gAyatri, sAvitri, indra got the son jayantan, vaShiShTar received kAmadEnu for doing his yagnya, gautamar got the son sadAnanta mahaR^iShi, janaka got the daughter sIta. A dumb minded person called sudharman, mocked by the people about his stupidity, observed this vratam in devotion. By the Lord's blessing he got the grace of goddess sarasvati and he became a pundit. The king sindhusenan was chased away by the enemies. He observed this vratam as per the advise of saint agastiyar. On the Lord's order kubera won back the kingdom for him and handed over to him. This vratam gets to the observer the wealths and takes to the path of liberation.
Thiruvadhirai Viratham
Thiruvadhirai
Thiruvaadhirai is one of the famous vradhas celebrated. This is the thiruvaadhirai nakshaththram in the month of Maarkazi (Maargasira). Thiruvaadhirai is considered as the nakshaththram of Lord n^ataraja. Though the Lord never takes birth and hence no nakshaththram to celebrate, on Thiruvaadhirai He appeared to the holy saints pathanychali and vyaagra paadha.
Once when Mahaa Vishnu was lying down on the great serpent Adhi seesha, Adhi seesha felt Mahaa Vishnu was quite heavy that time. He asked Mahaa Vishnu what was the reason. Mahaa Vishnu said that he was remembering and enjoying the Dance of Lord Shiva. The answer developed the desire in Adhi seesha to see the Great Dance of Lord Shiva. He asked Mahaa Vishnu how his desire could be fulfilled. Mahaa Vishnu asked him to go to Chithamparam and do "tapas". Adhi seesha came to Chithamparam and prayed the Lord for a long time.
There was another muni and devotee of Lord Shiva in that place, called viyaagra paadha. He prayed to God to get the legs of tiger, so that he can pluck flowers early in the morning to offer to the God, before any bee touches the flower. He was also praying God to see His Great Dance for a long time.
Pleased with their prayer the God appeared on the Thiruvaadhirai day and danced in Chithamparam. The Nataraaja image of the Lord is prayed with great devotion this day. In Chithamparam and other temples it is celebrated as Arudraa dharshanam. In this festival abhisheeka (holy anointing) of Lord Nataraaja takes place early in the morning and then He comes around the town. A sweet called kaLi and multi vegetable thALakam are offered and eaten to celebrate this great joy of seeing the dance of the Lord.
When observed
ska.ndha purANam describes about this vratam. When the sun shines in the dhanur rAsi that is in the month of mArkazi, in the day of thiruvAdhirai for which rudra is the devata this vratam is observed.
Way of observing
In the morning of thiruvAdhirai one gets up early in the morning and salutes the Dancing Lord. After bathing goes to the abode of Lord shiva and there worshiping the Lord by abhishekam and offerings, lights up the ghee lamps to illuminate the abode. Fasting for the whole day, the next day saluting the Three-eyed Lord serving food for the devotees one has the food.
Glory
munychakEchar, vyAgrapAdhar and the serpant kArkOtakan observed this vratam and saw the blissful dance of the Lord. Saint vyagra pAdhar got austerous upamanyu as his son. A brahman called vipular observing this vratam went to kailash with the body by a splendid divine carrier and returned back. Later he got liberation. As the Lord is dancing blissfully and gracefully on this day this vratam is considered quite auspicious to please the God.
Glory of TiruvAtirai
References to Adhirai in thirumuRai:
பாடலன் நான்மறையன் படிபட்ட கோலத்தன் திங்கள்
சூடலன் மூவிலைய சூலம் வலனேந்திக்
கூடலர் மூவெயிலும் எரியுண்ணக் கூரெரிகொண் டெல்லி
ஆடலன் ஆதிரையன் ஆரூர் அமர்ந்தானே. 1.105.1
தாளால் அரக்கன்றோள் சாய்த்த தலைமகன்றன்
நாளாதிரை யென்றே நம்பன்றன் நாமத்தால்
ஆளானார் சென்றேத்தும் ஆமாத்தூர் அம்மானைக்
கேளாச் செவியெல்லாங் கேளாச் செவிகளே. 2.44.8
ஊர்திரை வேலை யுலாவும் உயர்மயிலைக்
கூர்தரு வேல்வல்லார் கொற்றங்கொள் சேரிதனில்
கார்தரு சோலைக் கபாலீச்சரம் அமர்ந்தான்
ஆதிரைநாள் காணாதே போதியோ பூம்பாவாய். 2.47.4
ஞாலத்தார் ஆதிரை நாளினான் நாடொறுஞ்
சீலத்தான் மேவிய திருமழ பாடியை
ஞாலத்தான் மிக்கசீர் ஞானசம் பந்தன்சொல்
கோலத்தாற் பாடுவார் குற்றமற் றார்களே. 3.28.11
ஆதியன் ஆதிரையன் னனலாடிய ஆரழகன்
பாதியோர் மாதினொடும் பயிலும்பர மாபரமன்
போதிய லும்முடிமேற் புனலோடர வம்புனைந்த
வேதியன் மாதிமையால் விரும்பும்மிடம் வெண்டுறையே. 3.61.1
ஊர்திரை வேலையுள் ளானும் உலகிறந் தொண்பொரு ளானுஞ்
சீர்தரு பாடலுள் ளானுஞ் செங்கண் விடைக்கொடி யானும்
வார்தரு பூங்குழ லாளை மருவி யுடன்வைத் தவனும்
ஆதிரை நாளுகந் தானும் ஆரூ ரமர்ந்தஅம் மானே. 4.4.6
முத்து விதான மணிப்பொற் கவரி முறையாலே
பத்தர்க ளோடு பாவையர் சூழப் பலிப்பின்னே
வித்தகக் கோல வெண்டலை மாலை விரதிகள்
அத்தன் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.1
நணியார் சேயார் நல்லார் தீயார் நாடோ றும்
பிணிதான் தீரும் என்று பிறங்கிக் கிடப்பாரும்
மணியே பொன்னே மைந்தா மணாளா என்பார்கட்
கணியான் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.2
வீதிகள் தோறும் வெண்கொடி யோடுவி தானங்கள்
சோதிகள் விட்டுச் சுடர்மா மணிகள் ஒளிதோன்றச்
சாதிக ளாய பவளமு முத்துத் தாமங்கள்
ஆதி ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.3
குணங்கள் பேசிக் கூடிப் பாடித் தொண்டர்கள்
பிணங்கித் தம்மிற் பித்தரைப் போலப் பிதற்றுவார்
வணங்கி நின்று வானவர் வந்து வைகலும்
அணங்கன் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.4
நிலவெண் சங்கும் பறையும் ஆர்ப்ப நிற்கில்லாப்
பலரு மிட்ட கல்ல வடங்கள் பரந்தெங்குங்
கலவ மஞ்ஞை காரென் றெண்ணிக் களித்துவந்
தலம ராரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.5
விம்மா வெருவா விழியாத் தெழியா வெருட்டுவார்
தம்மாண் பிலராய்த் தரியார் தலையான் முட்டுவார்
எம்மான் ஈசன் எந்தை எனப்பன் என்பார்கட்
கம்மான் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.6
செந்துவர் வாயார் செல்வன் சேவடி சிந்திப்பார்
மைந்தர்க ளோடு மங்கையர் கூடிம யங்குவார்
இந்திர னாதி வானவர் சித்தர் எடுத்தேத்தும்
அந்திரன் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.7
முடிகள் வணங்கி மூவா தார்கண் முன்செல்ல
வடிகொள் வேய்த்தோள் வான்அர மங்கையர் பின்செல்லப்
பொடிகள் பூசிப் பாடுந் தொண்டர் புடைசூழ
அடிகள் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.8
துன்பம் நும்மைத் தொழாத நாள்கள் என்பாரும்
இன்பம் நும்மை யேத்து நாள்கள் என்பாரும்
நும்பின் எம்மை நுழையப் பணியே என்பாரும்
அன்பன் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.9
பாரூர் பௌவத் தானைப் பத்தர் பணிந்தேத்தச்
சீரூர் பாடல் ஆடல் அறாத செம்மாப்பார்ந்
தோரூர் ஒழியா துலகம் எங்கும் எடுத்தேத்தும்
ஆரூ ரன்றன் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.10
மூவகை மூவர் போலும் முற்றுமா நெற்றிக் கண்ணர்
நாவகை நாவர் போலும் நான்மறை ஞான மெல்லாம்
ஆவகை யாவர் போலும் ஆதிரை நாளர் போலுந்
தேவர்கள் தேவர் போலுந் திருப்பயற் றூர னாரே. 4.32.5
ஏற்று வெல்கொடி ஈசன்ற னாதிரை
நாற்றஞ் சூடுவர் நன்னறுந் திங்களார்
நீற்றுச் சந்தன வெள்ளை விரவலார்
வேற்றுக் கோலங்கொள் வீழி மிழலையே. 5.12.2
வேத நாயகன் வேதியர் நாயகன்
மாதின் நாயகன் மாதவர் நாயகன்
ஆதி நாயகன் ஆதிரை நாயகன்
பூத நாயகன் புண்ணிய மூர்த்தியே. 5.100.1
பொடிநாறு மேனியர் பூதிப் பையர்
புலித்தோலர் பொங்கரவர் பூண நூலர்
அடிநாறு கமலத்தர் ஆரூ ராதி
ஆனஞ்சு மாடுமா திரையி னார்தாங்
கடிநாறு பூஞ்சோலை கமழ்ந்து நாறுங்
கழிப்பாலை மேய கபாலப் பனார்
மடிநாறு மேனியிம் மாயம் நீங்க
வழிவைத்தார்க் கவ்வழியே போது நாமே. 6.12.4
அரைசே ரரவனாம் ஆலத் தானாம்
ஆதிரை நாளானாம் அண்ட வானோர்
திரைசேர் திருமுடித் திங்க ளானாந்
தீவினை நாசனென் சிந்தை யானாம்
உரைசே ருலகத்தா ருள்ளா னுமாம்
உமையாளோர் பாகனாம் ஓத வேலிக்
கரைசேர் கடல்நஞ்சை யுண்டா னாகுங்
கண்ணாங் கருகாவூ ரெந்தை தானே. 6.15.7
மாதூரும் வாணெடுங்கண் செவ்வாய் மென்றோள்
மலைமகளை மார்பத் தணைத்தார் போலும்
மூதூர் முதுதிரைக ளானார் போலும்
முதலு மிறுதியு மில்லார் போலுந்
தீதூர நல்வினையாய் நின்றார் போலுந்
திசையெட்டுந் தாமேயாஞ் செல்வர் போலும்
ஆதிரை நாளாய் அமர்ந்தார் போலும்
ஆக்கூரில் தான்றோன்றி யப்ப னாரே. 6.21.6
பூதியனைப் பொன்வரையே போல்வான் றன்னைப்
புரிசடைமேற் புனல்கரந்த புனிதன் றன்னை
வேதியனை வெண்காடு மேயான் றன்னை
வெள்ளேற்றின் மேலானை விண்ணோர்க் கெல்லாம்
ஆதியனை ஆதிரைநன் னாளான் றன்னை
அம்மானை மைம்மேவு கண்ணி யாளோர்
பாதியனைப் பள்ளியின்முக் கூட லானைப்
பயிலாதே பாழேநான் உழன்ற வாறே. 6.69.3
தொண்டர்க்குத் தூநெறியாய் நின்றான் றன்னைச்
சூழ்நரகில் வீழாமே காப்பான் றன்னை
அண்டத்துக் கப்பாலைக் கப்பா லானை
ஆதிரைநா ளாதரித்த அம்மான் றன்னை
முண்டத்தின் முளைத்தெழுந்த தீயா னானை
மூவுருவத் தோருருவாய் முதலாய் நின்ற
தண்டத்திற் றலையாலங் காடன் றன்னைச்
சாராதே சாலநாள் போக்கி னேனே. 6.79.1
அங்கமே பூண்டாய் அனலா டினாய்
ஆதிரையாய் ஆல்நிழலாய் ஆனே றூர்ந்தாய்
பங்கமொன் றில்லாத படர்ச டையினாய்
பாம்பொடு திங்கள் பகைதீர்த் தாண்டாய்
சங்கையொன் றின்றியே தேவர் வேண்டச்
சமுத்திரத்தின் நஞ்சுண்டு சாவா மூவாச்
சிங்கமே உன்னடிக்கே போது கின்றேன்
திருப்புகலூர் மேவிய தேவ தேவே. 6.99.2
திங்களூர் திருவா திரையான் பட்டினமூர்
நங்களூர் நறையூர் நனிநா லிசைநாலூர்
தங்களூர் தமிழான் என்றுபா விக்கவல்ல
எங்களூர் எய்தமான் இடையா றிடைமருதே. 7.31.6
ஆதியன் ஆதிரை யன்அயன் மால்அறி தற்கரிய
சோதியன் சொற்பொரு ளாய்ச்சுருங் காமறை நான்கினையும்
ஓதியன் உம்பர்தங் கோனுல கத்தினுள் எவ்வுயிர்க்கும்
நாதியன் நம்பெரு மான்நண்ணும் ஊர்நனி பள்ளியதே. 7.97.1
ஆரார் வந்தார்? அமரர் குழாத்தில் அணியுடை ஆதிரைநாள்
நாராயணனொடு நான்முகன் அங்கி இரவியும் இந்திரனும்
தேரார் வீதியில் தேவர் குழாங்கள் திசையனைத்தும் நிறைந்து
பாரார் தொல்புகழ் பாடியும் ஆடியும் பல்லாண்டு கூறுதுமே. 9.திருப்பல்லாண்டு.12
References to thiruvadirai in sangam literature
ஆதிரை முதல்வனிற்கிளந்த நாதர் பன்னொருவர்" (பரிபாடல். 8:6-7)
அரும்பெறல் ஆதிரையான் கலி 150, 20
மன்னிய நாண்மீன் மதிகனலி என்றிவற்றை
முன்னம் படைத்த முதல்வனைப் - பின்னரும்
ஆதிரையான் ஆதிரையான் என்றென் றயருமால்
ஊர்திரைநீர் வேலி உலகு முத்தொள் க.வா.
பரிபாடல்2:76-87
ஞாயிறு காயா நளி மாரிப் பின் குளத்து,
மா ஆருந் திங்கள் மறு நிறை ஆதிரை
விரிநூல் அந்தணர் விழவு தொடங்க,
புரி நூல் அந்தணர் பொலம் கலம் ஏற்ப,
‘வெம்பாதாக, வியல் நில வரைப்பு!‘ என 80
அம்பா ஆடலின் ஆய் தொடிக் கன்னியர்,
முனித் துறை முதல்வியர் முறைமை காட்ட,
பனிப் புலர்பு ஆடி, பரு மணல் அருவியின்
ஊதை ஊர்தர, உறை சிறை வேதியர்
நெறி நிமிர் நுடங்கு அழல் பேணிய சிறப்பின், 85
தையல் மகளிர் ஈர் அணி புலர்த்தர,
வையை! நினக்கு மடை வாய்த்தன்று.
மையாடல் ஆடல் மழ புலவர் மாறு எழுந்து,
பொய் ஆடல் ஆடும் புணர்ப்பின் அவர், அவர்
தீ எரிப் பாலும் செறி தவம் முன் பற்றியோ, 90
தாய் அருகா நின்று தவத் தைந் நீராடுதல்?
நீ உரைத்தி, வையை நதி!
மார்கழி மாதத்தில் திருவாதிரை நட்சத்திரம் அன்று வேதமோதும் அந்தணர்கள் சிவபெருமானிற்கு திருவிழா செய்யத் தொடங்கினர்.
முப்புரி நூல் அணிந்த அந்தணர் பொன்கலத்தை ஏந்தி சென்றனர்.
அம்பா ஆடல் செய்யும் கன்னிப் பெண்கள்- முதிய அந்தணப் பெண்கள் வழிகாட்ட அதிகாலையில் நீராடினர்.
அதிகாலையில் நீராடிய இளம்பெண்கள், மார்கழியின் குளிர் வாட்ட, கரையில் வேதமந்திரங்கள் கூறி வளர்த்த வேள்வி அக்னியின் அருகில் சென்று தங்கள் ஈர ஆடையை காயச் செய்தனர். அந்தணர் வேத வேள்விகளால் மழை தொடர வைகை நீ பெருகுகிறாய்.
இவை மார்கழி மாதத்தின் பாவை நோன்பின் தொன்மையையும் திருவாதிரை பண்டிகை கொண்டாடுதலின் வழமையையும் மெய்பிக்கின்றது.
Thiruvaadhirai is one of the famous vradhas celebrated. This is the thiruvaadhirai nakshaththram in the month of Maarkazi (Maargasira). Thiruvaadhirai is considered as the nakshaththram of Lord n^ataraja. Though the Lord never takes birth and hence no nakshaththram to celebrate, on Thiruvaadhirai He appeared to the holy saints pathanychali and vyaagra paadha.
Once when Mahaa Vishnu was lying down on the great serpent Adhi seesha, Adhi seesha felt Mahaa Vishnu was quite heavy that time. He asked Mahaa Vishnu what was the reason. Mahaa Vishnu said that he was remembering and enjoying the Dance of Lord Shiva. The answer developed the desire in Adhi seesha to see the Great Dance of Lord Shiva. He asked Mahaa Vishnu how his desire could be fulfilled. Mahaa Vishnu asked him to go to Chithamparam and do "tapas". Adhi seesha came to Chithamparam and prayed the Lord for a long time.
There was another muni and devotee of Lord Shiva in that place, called viyaagra paadha. He prayed to God to get the legs of tiger, so that he can pluck flowers early in the morning to offer to the God, before any bee touches the flower. He was also praying God to see His Great Dance for a long time.
Pleased with their prayer the God appeared on the Thiruvaadhirai day and danced in Chithamparam. The Nataraaja image of the Lord is prayed with great devotion this day. In Chithamparam and other temples it is celebrated as Arudraa dharshanam. In this festival abhisheeka (holy anointing) of Lord Nataraaja takes place early in the morning and then He comes around the town. A sweet called kaLi and multi vegetable thALakam are offered and eaten to celebrate this great joy of seeing the dance of the Lord.
When observed
ska.ndha purANam describes about this vratam. When the sun shines in the dhanur rAsi that is in the month of mArkazi, in the day of thiruvAdhirai for which rudra is the devata this vratam is observed.
Way of observing
In the morning of thiruvAdhirai one gets up early in the morning and salutes the Dancing Lord. After bathing goes to the abode of Lord shiva and there worshiping the Lord by abhishekam and offerings, lights up the ghee lamps to illuminate the abode. Fasting for the whole day, the next day saluting the Three-eyed Lord serving food for the devotees one has the food.
Glory
munychakEchar, vyAgrapAdhar and the serpant kArkOtakan observed this vratam and saw the blissful dance of the Lord. Saint vyagra pAdhar got austerous upamanyu as his son. A brahman called vipular observing this vratam went to kailash with the body by a splendid divine carrier and returned back. Later he got liberation. As the Lord is dancing blissfully and gracefully on this day this vratam is considered quite auspicious to please the God.
Glory of TiruvAtirai
References to Adhirai in thirumuRai:
பாடலன் நான்மறையன் படிபட்ட கோலத்தன் திங்கள்
சூடலன் மூவிலைய சூலம் வலனேந்திக்
கூடலர் மூவெயிலும் எரியுண்ணக் கூரெரிகொண் டெல்லி
ஆடலன் ஆதிரையன் ஆரூர் அமர்ந்தானே. 1.105.1
தாளால் அரக்கன்றோள் சாய்த்த தலைமகன்றன்
நாளாதிரை யென்றே நம்பன்றன் நாமத்தால்
ஆளானார் சென்றேத்தும் ஆமாத்தூர் அம்மானைக்
கேளாச் செவியெல்லாங் கேளாச் செவிகளே. 2.44.8
ஊர்திரை வேலை யுலாவும் உயர்மயிலைக்
கூர்தரு வேல்வல்லார் கொற்றங்கொள் சேரிதனில்
கார்தரு சோலைக் கபாலீச்சரம் அமர்ந்தான்
ஆதிரைநாள் காணாதே போதியோ பூம்பாவாய். 2.47.4
ஞாலத்தார் ஆதிரை நாளினான் நாடொறுஞ்
சீலத்தான் மேவிய திருமழ பாடியை
ஞாலத்தான் மிக்கசீர் ஞானசம் பந்தன்சொல்
கோலத்தாற் பாடுவார் குற்றமற் றார்களே. 3.28.11
ஆதியன் ஆதிரையன் னனலாடிய ஆரழகன்
பாதியோர் மாதினொடும் பயிலும்பர மாபரமன்
போதிய லும்முடிமேற் புனலோடர வம்புனைந்த
வேதியன் மாதிமையால் விரும்பும்மிடம் வெண்டுறையே. 3.61.1
ஊர்திரை வேலையுள் ளானும் உலகிறந் தொண்பொரு ளானுஞ்
சீர்தரு பாடலுள் ளானுஞ் செங்கண் விடைக்கொடி யானும்
வார்தரு பூங்குழ லாளை மருவி யுடன்வைத் தவனும்
ஆதிரை நாளுகந் தானும் ஆரூ ரமர்ந்தஅம் மானே. 4.4.6
முத்து விதான மணிப்பொற் கவரி முறையாலே
பத்தர்க ளோடு பாவையர் சூழப் பலிப்பின்னே
வித்தகக் கோல வெண்டலை மாலை விரதிகள்
அத்தன் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.1
நணியார் சேயார் நல்லார் தீயார் நாடோ றும்
பிணிதான் தீரும் என்று பிறங்கிக் கிடப்பாரும்
மணியே பொன்னே மைந்தா மணாளா என்பார்கட்
கணியான் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.2
வீதிகள் தோறும் வெண்கொடி யோடுவி தானங்கள்
சோதிகள் விட்டுச் சுடர்மா மணிகள் ஒளிதோன்றச்
சாதிக ளாய பவளமு முத்துத் தாமங்கள்
ஆதி ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.3
குணங்கள் பேசிக் கூடிப் பாடித் தொண்டர்கள்
பிணங்கித் தம்மிற் பித்தரைப் போலப் பிதற்றுவார்
வணங்கி நின்று வானவர் வந்து வைகலும்
அணங்கன் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.4
நிலவெண் சங்கும் பறையும் ஆர்ப்ப நிற்கில்லாப்
பலரு மிட்ட கல்ல வடங்கள் பரந்தெங்குங்
கலவ மஞ்ஞை காரென் றெண்ணிக் களித்துவந்
தலம ராரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.5
விம்மா வெருவா விழியாத் தெழியா வெருட்டுவார்
தம்மாண் பிலராய்த் தரியார் தலையான் முட்டுவார்
எம்மான் ஈசன் எந்தை எனப்பன் என்பார்கட்
கம்மான் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.6
செந்துவர் வாயார் செல்வன் சேவடி சிந்திப்பார்
மைந்தர்க ளோடு மங்கையர் கூடிம யங்குவார்
இந்திர னாதி வானவர் சித்தர் எடுத்தேத்தும்
அந்திரன் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.7
முடிகள் வணங்கி மூவா தார்கண் முன்செல்ல
வடிகொள் வேய்த்தோள் வான்அர மங்கையர் பின்செல்லப்
பொடிகள் பூசிப் பாடுந் தொண்டர் புடைசூழ
அடிகள் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.8
துன்பம் நும்மைத் தொழாத நாள்கள் என்பாரும்
இன்பம் நும்மை யேத்து நாள்கள் என்பாரும்
நும்பின் எம்மை நுழையப் பணியே என்பாரும்
அன்பன் ஆரூர் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.9
பாரூர் பௌவத் தானைப் பத்தர் பணிந்தேத்தச்
சீரூர் பாடல் ஆடல் அறாத செம்மாப்பார்ந்
தோரூர் ஒழியா துலகம் எங்கும் எடுத்தேத்தும்
ஆரூ ரன்றன் ஆதிரை நாளால் அதுவண்ணம். 4.21.10
மூவகை மூவர் போலும் முற்றுமா நெற்றிக் கண்ணர்
நாவகை நாவர் போலும் நான்மறை ஞான மெல்லாம்
ஆவகை யாவர் போலும் ஆதிரை நாளர் போலுந்
தேவர்கள் தேவர் போலுந் திருப்பயற் றூர னாரே. 4.32.5
ஏற்று வெல்கொடி ஈசன்ற னாதிரை
நாற்றஞ் சூடுவர் நன்னறுந் திங்களார்
நீற்றுச் சந்தன வெள்ளை விரவலார்
வேற்றுக் கோலங்கொள் வீழி மிழலையே. 5.12.2
வேத நாயகன் வேதியர் நாயகன்
மாதின் நாயகன் மாதவர் நாயகன்
ஆதி நாயகன் ஆதிரை நாயகன்
பூத நாயகன் புண்ணிய மூர்த்தியே. 5.100.1
பொடிநாறு மேனியர் பூதிப் பையர்
புலித்தோலர் பொங்கரவர் பூண நூலர்
அடிநாறு கமலத்தர் ஆரூ ராதி
ஆனஞ்சு மாடுமா திரையி னார்தாங்
கடிநாறு பூஞ்சோலை கமழ்ந்து நாறுங்
கழிப்பாலை மேய கபாலப் பனார்
மடிநாறு மேனியிம் மாயம் நீங்க
வழிவைத்தார்க் கவ்வழியே போது நாமே. 6.12.4
அரைசே ரரவனாம் ஆலத் தானாம்
ஆதிரை நாளானாம் அண்ட வானோர்
திரைசேர் திருமுடித் திங்க ளானாந்
தீவினை நாசனென் சிந்தை யானாம்
உரைசே ருலகத்தா ருள்ளா னுமாம்
உமையாளோர் பாகனாம் ஓத வேலிக்
கரைசேர் கடல்நஞ்சை யுண்டா னாகுங்
கண்ணாங் கருகாவூ ரெந்தை தானே. 6.15.7
மாதூரும் வாணெடுங்கண் செவ்வாய் மென்றோள்
மலைமகளை மார்பத் தணைத்தார் போலும்
மூதூர் முதுதிரைக ளானார் போலும்
முதலு மிறுதியு மில்லார் போலுந்
தீதூர நல்வினையாய் நின்றார் போலுந்
திசையெட்டுந் தாமேயாஞ் செல்வர் போலும்
ஆதிரை நாளாய் அமர்ந்தார் போலும்
ஆக்கூரில் தான்றோன்றி யப்ப னாரே. 6.21.6
பூதியனைப் பொன்வரையே போல்வான் றன்னைப்
புரிசடைமேற் புனல்கரந்த புனிதன் றன்னை
வேதியனை வெண்காடு மேயான் றன்னை
வெள்ளேற்றின் மேலானை விண்ணோர்க் கெல்லாம்
ஆதியனை ஆதிரைநன் னாளான் றன்னை
அம்மானை மைம்மேவு கண்ணி யாளோர்
பாதியனைப் பள்ளியின்முக் கூட லானைப்
பயிலாதே பாழேநான் உழன்ற வாறே. 6.69.3
தொண்டர்க்குத் தூநெறியாய் நின்றான் றன்னைச்
சூழ்நரகில் வீழாமே காப்பான் றன்னை
அண்டத்துக் கப்பாலைக் கப்பா லானை
ஆதிரைநா ளாதரித்த அம்மான் றன்னை
முண்டத்தின் முளைத்தெழுந்த தீயா னானை
மூவுருவத் தோருருவாய் முதலாய் நின்ற
தண்டத்திற் றலையாலங் காடன் றன்னைச்
சாராதே சாலநாள் போக்கி னேனே. 6.79.1
அங்கமே பூண்டாய் அனலா டினாய்
ஆதிரையாய் ஆல்நிழலாய் ஆனே றூர்ந்தாய்
பங்கமொன் றில்லாத படர்ச டையினாய்
பாம்பொடு திங்கள் பகைதீர்த் தாண்டாய்
சங்கையொன் றின்றியே தேவர் வேண்டச்
சமுத்திரத்தின் நஞ்சுண்டு சாவா மூவாச்
சிங்கமே உன்னடிக்கே போது கின்றேன்
திருப்புகலூர் மேவிய தேவ தேவே. 6.99.2
திங்களூர் திருவா திரையான் பட்டினமூர்
நங்களூர் நறையூர் நனிநா லிசைநாலூர்
தங்களூர் தமிழான் என்றுபா விக்கவல்ல
எங்களூர் எய்தமான் இடையா றிடைமருதே. 7.31.6
ஆதியன் ஆதிரை யன்அயன் மால்அறி தற்கரிய
சோதியன் சொற்பொரு ளாய்ச்சுருங் காமறை நான்கினையும்
ஓதியன் உம்பர்தங் கோனுல கத்தினுள் எவ்வுயிர்க்கும்
நாதியன் நம்பெரு மான்நண்ணும் ஊர்நனி பள்ளியதே. 7.97.1
ஆரார் வந்தார்? அமரர் குழாத்தில் அணியுடை ஆதிரைநாள்
நாராயணனொடு நான்முகன் அங்கி இரவியும் இந்திரனும்
தேரார் வீதியில் தேவர் குழாங்கள் திசையனைத்தும் நிறைந்து
பாரார் தொல்புகழ் பாடியும் ஆடியும் பல்லாண்டு கூறுதுமே. 9.திருப்பல்லாண்டு.12
References to thiruvadirai in sangam literature
ஆதிரை முதல்வனிற்கிளந்த நாதர் பன்னொருவர்" (பரிபாடல். 8:6-7)
அரும்பெறல் ஆதிரையான் கலி 150, 20
மன்னிய நாண்மீன் மதிகனலி என்றிவற்றை
முன்னம் படைத்த முதல்வனைப் - பின்னரும்
ஆதிரையான் ஆதிரையான் என்றென் றயருமால்
ஊர்திரைநீர் வேலி உலகு முத்தொள் க.வா.
பரிபாடல்2:76-87
ஞாயிறு காயா நளி மாரிப் பின் குளத்து,
மா ஆருந் திங்கள் மறு நிறை ஆதிரை
விரிநூல் அந்தணர் விழவு தொடங்க,
புரி நூல் அந்தணர் பொலம் கலம் ஏற்ப,
‘வெம்பாதாக, வியல் நில வரைப்பு!‘ என 80
அம்பா ஆடலின் ஆய் தொடிக் கன்னியர்,
முனித் துறை முதல்வியர் முறைமை காட்ட,
பனிப் புலர்பு ஆடி, பரு மணல் அருவியின்
ஊதை ஊர்தர, உறை சிறை வேதியர்
நெறி நிமிர் நுடங்கு அழல் பேணிய சிறப்பின், 85
தையல் மகளிர் ஈர் அணி புலர்த்தர,
வையை! நினக்கு மடை வாய்த்தன்று.
மையாடல் ஆடல் மழ புலவர் மாறு எழுந்து,
பொய் ஆடல் ஆடும் புணர்ப்பின் அவர், அவர்
தீ எரிப் பாலும் செறி தவம் முன் பற்றியோ, 90
தாய் அருகா நின்று தவத் தைந் நீராடுதல்?
நீ உரைத்தி, வையை நதி!
மார்கழி மாதத்தில் திருவாதிரை நட்சத்திரம் அன்று வேதமோதும் அந்தணர்கள் சிவபெருமானிற்கு திருவிழா செய்யத் தொடங்கினர்.
முப்புரி நூல் அணிந்த அந்தணர் பொன்கலத்தை ஏந்தி சென்றனர்.
அம்பா ஆடல் செய்யும் கன்னிப் பெண்கள்- முதிய அந்தணப் பெண்கள் வழிகாட்ட அதிகாலையில் நீராடினர்.
அதிகாலையில் நீராடிய இளம்பெண்கள், மார்கழியின் குளிர் வாட்ட, கரையில் வேதமந்திரங்கள் கூறி வளர்த்த வேள்வி அக்னியின் அருகில் சென்று தங்கள் ஈர ஆடையை காயச் செய்தனர். அந்தணர் வேத வேள்விகளால் மழை தொடர வைகை நீ பெருகுகிறாய்.
இவை மார்கழி மாதத்தின் பாவை நோன்பின் தொன்மையையும் திருவாதிரை பண்டிகை கொண்டாடுதலின் வழமையையும் மெய்பிக்கின்றது.
somavara viratam
somavara viratam
One of the name of Lord shiva is soma - saha uma. For the Lord someshvara Who wears the soma, the moon crescent on the matted hair, on the somavara day (Monday), this festival is observed.
When observed
Though all Mondays can be observed as vrata there are speacial mondays when it is much more emphasised to observe like the shravana somvar and karthikai somavaram. According to skandha purana, on the Mondays of the month kArthikai (mid Nov to mid Dec) this vrata is observed.
Way of observing
Getting up at the dawn one meditates on the Supreme shiva. After taking bath and having done the morning twilight salutation, praying the Auspicious and Graceful Lord shiva, worships the couples who are devotees of the Lord, chaste and loveful as the Divines couple pArvati-paramEshawara themselves. Saluting those couples, offering them feast, the observer of this vratam eats only one time food that day. If unable to do the worship, then one would go to the temple and salute and pray the umA-maheshwara. Anointing the Lord with panychAmR^itam and other pleasent substances, hailing the Lord offering bilva leaves, not being money-minded offering the nice food materials to the Lord, sharing the food with the kind hearted devotees one eats the food. One may fast also completely.
Glory
One who observes this vratam would get to enjoy many pleasures in this world and finally would reach the kailAsham. The moon observed this vratam and got his "moonness". He saluted the Lord gauri- shankara and requested that this vratam be called soma vAra vratam (One of the names of the moon is soma. One of the name of Lord shiva with goddess umA is also soma) and whoever follows this vratam should get their wishes materialised by the grace of the Lord and finally should get the liberation. God granted the boon.
Long ago a princess called simanthini was observing this vratam regularly. Then two young boys cunningly came as if they were a married couple. The princess worshiped them. The young boys really became male and female couple ! The austerous sage vashishta got the chaste arunthadhi as his wife. One gets blessed by the shiva-shakti on observing this vratam sincerely.
பைங்கண்வாள் அரவணை யவனொடு பனிமல ரோனுங்காணா
அங்கணா அருளென அவரவர் முறைமுறை யிறைஞ்சநின்றார்
சங்கநான் மறையவர் நிறைதர அரிவையர் ஆடல்பேணத்
திங்கள்நாள் விழமல்கு திருநெல்வே லியுறை செல்வர்தாமே. 3.92.9
One of the name of Lord shiva is soma - saha uma. For the Lord someshvara Who wears the soma, the moon crescent on the matted hair, on the somavara day (Monday), this festival is observed.
When observed
Though all Mondays can be observed as vrata there are speacial mondays when it is much more emphasised to observe like the shravana somvar and karthikai somavaram. According to skandha purana, on the Mondays of the month kArthikai (mid Nov to mid Dec) this vrata is observed.
Way of observing
Getting up at the dawn one meditates on the Supreme shiva. After taking bath and having done the morning twilight salutation, praying the Auspicious and Graceful Lord shiva, worships the couples who are devotees of the Lord, chaste and loveful as the Divines couple pArvati-paramEshawara themselves. Saluting those couples, offering them feast, the observer of this vratam eats only one time food that day. If unable to do the worship, then one would go to the temple and salute and pray the umA-maheshwara. Anointing the Lord with panychAmR^itam and other pleasent substances, hailing the Lord offering bilva leaves, not being money-minded offering the nice food materials to the Lord, sharing the food with the kind hearted devotees one eats the food. One may fast also completely.
Glory
One who observes this vratam would get to enjoy many pleasures in this world and finally would reach the kailAsham. The moon observed this vratam and got his "moonness". He saluted the Lord gauri- shankara and requested that this vratam be called soma vAra vratam (One of the names of the moon is soma. One of the name of Lord shiva with goddess umA is also soma) and whoever follows this vratam should get their wishes materialised by the grace of the Lord and finally should get the liberation. God granted the boon.
Long ago a princess called simanthini was observing this vratam regularly. Then two young boys cunningly came as if they were a married couple. The princess worshiped them. The young boys really became male and female couple ! The austerous sage vashishta got the chaste arunthadhi as his wife. One gets blessed by the shiva-shakti on observing this vratam sincerely.
பைங்கண்வாள் அரவணை யவனொடு பனிமல ரோனுங்காணா
அங்கணா அருளென அவரவர் முறைமுறை யிறைஞ்சநின்றார்
சங்கநான் மறையவர் நிறைதர அரிவையர் ஆடல்பேணத்
திங்கள்நாள் விழமல்கு திருநெல்வே லியுறை செல்வர்தாமே. 3.92.9
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Temple Worship Procedures
Temple Worship Procedures
Temples are the connecting points of high importance in our religion and culture. The absolute necessity of the temple worship is stressed throughout by the great saints of the religion. It is not very difficult to realize the important role they play in cultivating the spiritualism in people. It is the place for collective worship. Given these significant roles of the temples it is required to have some discipline to be followed in the temples for having the real expected out of the worship. Here are a few one can follow to set that harmony. Most of these are in general applicable to all Hindu temples though a few are specific to shaivite temples.
- Going to the temple with a clean body. Legs and hands shall be cleaned at entering the temple.
- Going to the temple adorned with holy symbols like the Holy Ash, Rudraksham.
- Taking something to offer to the Lord. It is an offering out of devotion. It would be nice if the offering is the one required in the worship.
- Not to enter the temple with foot wear.
- Prostrating in front of the flag column (dwajastaMbham) (towards the North) on entering the temple.
- Not to prostrate anywhere else in the temple.
- not to prostrate to anybody else in the temple premises.
- Taking the permission of nandi dEvar mentally before entering His abode.
- Saluting the elephant headed Lord enter the Lord's abode.
- In Lord shiva's abode, engage the mind in the thinking of the God. Avoid any gossip. Temple is not the place for gossiping. Can sing or chant His names loudly and sweetly if it would not disturb others. Otherwise it could be done internally without making noise.
- The Holy ash given as the blessings should be worn saying "shivAya namaH". It should not be spilled on the ground or wasted.
- It is normally a procedure to offer something to the priest whose whole life should be in the service of the Lord.
- Circumambulating the Lord saluting the Goddess and the deities in the temple. The circumambulation would be done at least for three times. On special occasions like pradoshham the are special circumambulation methods like somasukta pradhaxinam are followed.
- While in the temple either the Holy five letters or any praise could be chanted.
- Before coming out of the temple go to the place of sandikeshwar and take permission for the materials which after worship are taken out of the temple as blessings. One must not take anything out in excess and things taken from the temple should be only as the mark of blessings. If nothing is taken it is the normal practice to wipe (rub) the hands together in his place.
- Should do something in the promotion of the temple physically or materially or whichever is convenient and required.
- On coming out of the temple, again prostrate in front of the flag column towards the north. Sit facing the north and meditate on the God chanting the Holy five letters.
- While inside the temple should not make the place dirty in any way or make any noise.
- Going to the temple at least once in a week with the family.
The mind should be focussed on the Lord like the dust of iron that stick to the magnet. A worship with such an orientation would have very good effect in us by the grace of the Almighty.
Pradhosha Mahima
Pradhosha Mahima
Pradhosha pooja is one of the most important among the poojas performed to the Graceful Lord Shiva. In Shukla Paksha (15 moon days from New moon to Full moon) and Krishna Paksha (15 moon days from Full moon to New moon) the evening of the trayodasi (thirteenth moon day) between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. is called Pradhosha. It comes once in fifteen moon days. Pradhosha time is especially meant for praying Lord Shiva. Praying in that time will free us from out sins and gives moksha finally (hence the name Pradhosha). During pradosha time a special type of circumambulating called somasutra pradaxinam is done.
Pradhosha Purana:
Once Dhevas and Asuras using the serpent Vasuki and the hill Mandhara were trying to get Amrutham (nector) from the Kseerabthi (milk ocean). Then the terrible poison Halahalam came up. All got frightened and pleaded to Lord Shiva for rescue. Being the peak of mercy Lord Shiva ate that poison. Then as per His order they resumed their effort to get Amrutham. They got it on Dhwadhasi (twelfth moon day). Without praying and thanking the God, by whom they got Amrutham, Devas started dancing and celebrating their victory.
On thrayodhasi (thirteenth moon day) they realised their sin of not praying the God and pleaded for forgiveness. The pleased graceful Lord Shiva forgave them and danced between the horns of the Nandhi (holy bull). That time is called Pradhosham. Whoever prays Lord Shiva in that time, Lord Shiva fulfills their wishes and give them mukthi.
During Prodhosha time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the following is considered fruitful.
Milk gives long life
Ghee gives Moksha state
Curd gives good children
Honey gives melodious voice
Rice powder frees from debts
Sugar cane juice gives good health
Panjamrutham gives wealth
Lemon removes fear of death
Sugar removes enmity
Tender coconut gives enjoyment
Cooked Rice(Annam) gives mejestic life
Sandal gives Lakshmi's grace
Anoint the Lord Shiva with Love, He would give Himself !!
Bilvam and flowers can be given for Shiva pooja. Please go to Shiva temple for every Pradhosham and live in His grace blissfully.
Somasutra pradaxinam
soma sutra pradaxinam
R C R G
R C G
R C R
R - RiShabham
C - chaNdIchar
G - gomukhi
During the pradhosham(1) time soma sutra pradaxinam is the suggested way of circumambulating the God. In some of the temples this is followed always. A point to note here is that the gomukhi is never crossed. gomukhi is the place where the water after anointing (abhiSheka tirtam) would be flowing northwards out. By doing this way of pradaxinam one does not step over this holy water.
As per the above marked symbols this pradaxinam is to be done. First saluting the Rishabha devar (Holy Bull) go anti-clockwise and salute sandikeshwar (not crossing the gomukhi). Now return in the clockwise manner salute Rishabham and continue clockwise till the gomukhi (not cross it again). Then return in anti-clockwise direction salute the Rishabham again and proceed towards sandikeshwar. From there return back clockwise without worshiping Rishabham and reach the gomukhi. Finally return back anti-clockwise from there to salute Rishabham and continue to sandikeshwar and return back to Rishabham and worship the shiva lingam (at the altar) by viewing through the space between the two horns of the Holy bull. This is one pradaxinam. Three such times pradaxinam to be done.
If you carefully observe the curve traced by doing the pradaxinam is very similar to the periphery of the crescent. Hence this way of circumambulating is called somasutra pradaxinam.Ten Deeds of Devotees
Ten Deeds of Devotees
In the old sayings and adages there are many references to the 10 deeds. thirun^Avukkarachar refers to the ten characteristic deeds of the slaves of the Lord. (paththu kolAm adiyAr cheykai thanE) . manikavaasagar also refers to these 10 great deeds in thiruvempavai. (paththudaiyIr ! Ichan pazavadiyIr !!).
One of the eighteen purANas ska.ndha purANam tells about the 10 explicit activities, 3 implicit activities of the devotees and also tells the 10 marks of the devotees.
Ten Explicit Activities
- Being adorned with Holy Ash and rudraksham
- Adoring the guide (guru)
- Praising and saluting the Lord Who holds the river ganga
- Chanting the names of Lord shiva
- shiva-worship
- Pilgrimage to abodes of Lord shiva
- Listening to the glories of Lord shiva (shiva puranams)
- Venerating the devotees of Lord shiva
- Eating in the homes of the devotees of Lord shiva
- Donating to the guru who is a devotee of Lod shiva
3 Implicit Activities
- japam (chanting - internal)
- Worshiping the God in the mind
- Realising and rejoicing the experiance of God
10 Marks of devotees
- Variations in the fervent voice
- Twitching of tongue
- Twitching of lips
- Body shivering
- Hair raising excitement
- Sweating
- Staggered walk
- Pour forth tears
- Weep
- Loosing self in the Supreme conscience
Sixteen upacharas
Sixteen upacharas
During the worship of the Lord 16 types of services/honourings are done to the Lord. Evidently these are the outpouring of love that are channalised and suggested by the Agamas.
- AvAhana - Welcome/installation
- Asana - Giving seat
- pAdya - Washing the leg
- arghya - Washing the hands
- Achaman - Water to drink
- madhuparka - Sweet (honey) mixture to eat
- snAna - Bathe
- vastra - Clothe
- upavIta - Offering holy thread
- gandha - Scenting
- pushpa - Floral decoration
- dhUpa - Incence smoke
- dIpa - Light decor
- nivedana - Offering (food)
- karpUra - Camphor light
- pradaxiNa namaskAra - circumambulation and salutation
six darshana
Six darshana
The darshanas are the philosophy schools. As against the philosophies that do not account the vedas like lokAyata, charvaka etc., these six accept the vedas. They are not necessorily contrdicting, but often extending from the one another.
- nyAya of gautama - Based on logic to explain the world and God.
- vaisheShika of kaNAda - Allied to nyAya and explains how the world is created.
- sAnkya of kapila - Lists down 25 tattvas (hence called so). Taken basis by the later mentioned philosophies.
- yoga of pata~nchali - Prescribes the yogic practices required to attain the final state.
- pUrva mImAsa of jaimini - It is kriya mArgar (path of action) based on the samhita, brahmana and Aranyakas of vedas.
- uttara mImAmsa of bAdarAyaNa - It is the philosophy school taking basis upaniShad also called as vedanta.
Rudraksha Significance
Rudraksha Significance
rudrAksh is one of the most important things for the devotees of Lord shiva. The word rudrAksha means the eye of Lord rudra (rudrAksha - rudra + aksha). The rudraksha beads are worn by the Lord and Its devotees. rudraxa beads proven to have very good positive effect in one who wears it properly is spiritually quite significant.
Puranic Importance of rudrAksham
On the request of the divines Lord shiva burnt the three daemon forts called tripurAsura who were into disruptive activities. God burnt them without even a weapon just by the smile itself ! Three daemons in those forts who were good and devotees of the Lord came out without any harm by the Lord's Grace ! At this point of time fromt he Three eyes of the Lord rudrAxas came out. Since it came from the aksha (eye) of Lord rudra (a role played by the Supreme shiva), it is called rudrAxa.
Glory of rudrAksha
skanda purANam (3) details the glory of this great ornament.
"Hearing or reading the glory of rudrAxam can drive away the sins of anybody. Be devoted or not, scholar or illiterate, whomsoever it be one who wears the rudrAxa will surely get rid of all the bad deeds. Philosophers call this as mahAvrata. There is no deed more virtuous than wearing rudrAxa. One who gets adorned in a sincere and proper way with thausand rudrAxas, all the divines will salute that person. If thausands are not available sixteen each in both the hands, one at the head top, each hand twelve, in the neck thirty-two, six each in the ears shall be worn. One who wears like that is worshipped by others as if they are Lord rudra. One who wears rudrAxas with pearl, ruby, spaTikam crystals, silver, gold, vaiDUryam (lapis lazuli), that person is rudra Himself ! One who wears the emblem of Lord rudra, the rudrAxam, them the sins do not approach as the darkness cannot approach the sun. The chanting (japa) with rudrAxa mala will yield lots of good result. The japa done without that will give the fruit only to the extent of its own glory. Thus very virtuous rudrAxa is not worn by anybody, their life gets wasted like that of the one who does not wear Holy Ash (2). The wise who keeps the rudrAxa at the head and bathes, gets the benefits of bathing in ganges, this is beyond doubt. Such rudrAxas even if only one beed is worn that person gets rid of the sin did in many births. One who anoints rudrAxa gets the benefit of anointing shiva linga (1). One, five and fourteen faced rudrAxas are adorable in all the worlds. Human who worships rudrAxa, even if he/she is very poor, will get all the wealth."
skanda purANa also refers to many stories that tell the glory of adorning one with shrI rudrAxam.
How to wear rudrakshas
rudrAxas are very Holy. One should wear them with respect and maintain their sanctity. Various ways are suggested by the scriptures on adorning oneself with them. Some of them are:
- Adorning with thausand rudraxas.
- 26 beeds on head, 50 over the chest, 14 on the shoulders, 12 on the wrist.
- 16 each in both the hands, 1 at the head top, 12 in each hands, 32 in the neck, 6 each in the ears.
- Garlands of 108, 50, 27 are boonful.
- A single beed.
Different Types of rudrakshas
rudrAxas are in three colors. Tawny reddish (kapila) color represent sun (sUrya), white represent moon (chandra) and black represent fire (agni) eyes of the Lord from which they originated.
rudrAxas come with different number of faces. Though all rudrAxas are emblems of the Lord shiva, each type has its additional significance. Some of them are given here.
- one face - shiva svarUpam
- two - devadevi (shiva shakti)
- three - agni
- four - brahma
- five - kAlAgni
- six - subrahmaNya
- seven - manmata
- eight - vinAyaka
- nine - bhairava
- ten - viShNu
- eleven - ekAdasharudra
- twelve - dvAdashAditya
- thirteen - shaNmukha
- fourteen - Lord shiva
More details on rudraksham
Trees giving rudrAxa beads grow in the himalayan regions of India and Nepal. Experienced do tests to confirm the originality of the rudrAxa beads.
upanishads that hail rudraksh
- bhasmajApAla
- jApAla (bR^ihajjApAla)
- rAmarahasya
- akshamAlika
- dakshiNAmUrti
- rudrAkshajApAla
Holy ash
Holy Ash (Thiruneer or Vibuthi)
The holy Ash is the substance the devotees wear on their bodies with adoration and respect. This along with the rudrAxa beads (1) shows up the devotees of the Simple but Supreme Lord shiva. The holy Ash has lots of spiritual sense. There are lots of hymns telling the glory of the holy Ash. ((2) - for example). Ash - the substance that is arrived when things are completely burnt off. In natural terms it is a final state. The state where it has nothing left to burn off ! This indicates the transience of the beings and the Permanence of the Supreme that smears in this ash. This also indicates the matured state of bliss the devotees would be heading towards which stands beyond perturbance - transformation (nothing to burn off).
The purANic events associated with the holy Ash show its significance. When the three daemons of impurities (tripura) were burnt down by the mere smile of the God, the ash that remained got settled on the Lord, Who danced there. Thus the tripurAri was smeared in the Ash that came out of burning out of the three impurities. When the cupid - the deva of lust, tried to fire his arrows on the yogic Lord, he was burnt by the Lord into a heap of ash. The unruffled Lord appeared decorated with that ash. At the times when everything reduces unto It, the Everexistant Lord wears that ash.
The devotees of the Lord, Who gives His form to the ardent worshipper, wear the same way the holy Ash on their body. This holy Ash is prepared in the ritual fire in a specified way (3) along with the chanting of the Holy Five Letters (4) and other vedic hymns. Thus obtained Holy Ash is worn on various specified places of the body including the forehead chanting the Holy Five Letters. (There are two broad categories of wearing the Holy Ash. One is uddUlanam that is sprinkling the Holy Ash on the body and the other is tripuNDram that is in three distinct bands)
Some of the upanishads that hail the glory of holy ash.
- kAlAgnirudram
- taitrIya
- yogatattva
- jApAli
- sanyAsa
- vAsudeva
- bhasmajApAla
- jApAla (bR^ihajjApAla)
- nArada parivrAja
- rAmarahasya
- chANDilya
- tripurAtApini
- atharvashira
Holy Ash - Some Information
Lord kAlAgni rudra teaches bhusu.ndi - earth came out of the sadyojAta face of the Lord. From this came the gray colored cow called nanda from the dung of which came vibhUti. From the vAmadeva face came the water, from that came the black colored cow bhadra giving bhasita. From the aghora face came the fire, from that the copper colored cow surabhi giving bhasma. From the tatpuruSha face came the gas/air, from which came shAnti and from that came the white colored cow sushIle giving xAra. From the IshAna face came the space, from which came the multi colored cow sumanA giving raksha.
The Holy Ash which is called by five names, when pronunced raises the spiritual power of the individual and hence is called vibhUti. Since it burns the sins to ashes it is called bhasita. Since it gives the wisdom to all it is called bhasmam. Since it neutralises the bad things it is called xAra. Since it protects the people from evil forces, it is called raxa.
Irrespective of caste, creed, sex and all other differences all the people shall wear the Holy Ash. It is an old adage the says the forehead without the ash is a ruined one. The Holy Ash having the powers of agni and soma refreshes the one who wears it. For the seekers of yoga this Holy Ash kindles the spirit and provides early fruit. When wearing the Holy Ash the mantra shivAya namaH(The Holy Five Letters(1)) is chanted or the sadyojAtAdi paJNcha brahma mantra(2) or the tryambakaM or mAno mahAntam from rudra sUktam(3).
The Holy Ash purifies the one who wears it. This purification (bath) is called Agneya snAna. In this the renouced ones would smear the ash in the remains of ritual fire from the leg to the head. Others would smear in the ash from the head to the leg.
ska.ndha purANam says that the Holy Ash would have to be worn at the following fifteen places in the body.
- Head
- Forehead
- Neck
- Chest
- Both sides of the belly
- Two arms
- Two Ankles
- Two wrists
- Two sides of the back
- Behind the neck
Periya puranam describes how to prepare holy ash
Muzhuniru poosiya munivar
The munis completly smeared in Holy Ash. The Lord who burnt the three forts by His graceful smile, who burnt the dhEvA of desire with a wink of His eye, who dances enjoying in the Self when the creations are reduced to ash before the regeneration that Lords holy blessing substance is the Holy Ash. The three adorable rated Holy Ash being kaRpam, an^ukaRpam, upakaRpam and unacceptable being akaRpam, one should accept the first three those purifies one from the flaws like desire.
When the cows that give the holy five substances for the Lord to get anointed are about to send out accepting that with the gomaya mantra , in the sacred fire grown for Lord shiva with the shiva mantra praised by the celestial bodies putting thus accepted cow dung saluting the Holy Feet of the Three-eyed Lord, the Holy Ash that results is the chaste kaRpam.
Bringing the dung that is dried in the forests, powdering it, wetting with the water of the cows, with the aththira man^dhiram casting it and then putting in the ritual fire and taking the properly burnt Holy Ash is the an^ukaRpam.
Other than ash from the forest fire, fire in the cow yard and a few such ashes, making balls out of the dung with the water of the cow chanting the holy mantras and then burning in the ritual fire and the Holy Ash thus obtained is called upakaRpam.
Thus taking the Sacred Ash humbly chanting the shiva mantra the slaves of the Lord adorn themselves. The Holy Ash the fame and fruit of which very big to explain and that makes good for the devotees who wear with respect kindles the spiritual progress. The munis wear this holy substance praising the God. Let the Holy Ash and its glory as found by the muzhu niru poosiya munivar stay in the mind.
Note:
This chapter in periya purANam describes in detail how to prepare the Holy Ash and how to wear it.
The application of Holy Ash
The Holy Ash, that decorates the bodies of Lord shiva and shaivites, is very sacred and there are prescriptions on how it needs to be adored and adorned. Here are few of those. The two ways of getting adorned with holy ash are tripuNDram, uddUlanam. The first is applying the holy ash in the form of three distinct bands and the second is sprinkling it on the part of the body.
Way 1
One simple way would be to chant thirun^IRRuppadhikam (1) while taking the Holy ash and while getting adorned with that chant the aghora pa~nchAxaram (The aghora Holy Five Letters) which is shivAya namaH.
Way 2
With clean hands take the Holy Ash chanting the sadyojAdAdi mantras and the mA no mahantam mantra from shrI rudram.
Way 3
Those who perform rituals, perform shiva pUja should first take the holy ash without adding water and sprinkle on their head, forehead, chest and two shoulders. Later using the right hand index, middle and the ring finger take the holy ash, keep in the left hand, close it with right hand and chant these mantras
panchakala mantram
om nivR^iti kalAyai namaH
om pratiShTA kalAyai namaH
om vidyA kalAyai namaH
om shAnti kalAyai namaH
om shAntyatIta kalAyai namaH
panchabrahma mantram
om IshAnAya namaH
om tatpuruShAya namaH
om aghorAya namaH
om vAmadevAya namaH
om sadyojAdAya namaH
Shahanga mantram
om hRidayAya namaH
om shirashe namaH
om shikAyai namaH
om kavachAya namaH
om netrAya namaH
om astrAya namaH
Then saying hRidayAya namaH, add water and saying kavachAya vauShaT, mix it. Chant the first four of the above said pa~nchabrahma mantram and apply (with the three fingers of the right hand mentioned above - index, middle and ring fingers) the holy ash paste on the first four places of the body. (See below for the list of places where to apply holy ash). Chant the fifth mantram when applying at the other parts of the body. While applying face up, so that the holy ash does not spill down on the ground. If by mistake the holy ash spills on the ground, clean that area with water.
The places to apply the holy ash on the body
vibhUti can be worn either in 32 places or 16 places or 8 places or five places.
32 Places
Head
Forehead
Two ears
Two eyes
Nose
Mouth
Neck
Two shoulders
Two elbows
Two wrists
Chest
Two ribs
Navel
Two sides of groin
Buttocks
Two UrUs
Two thighs
Two knees
Two ankles
Two feet
Total 32 Places
16 Places
Head
Forehead
2 ears
Neck
2 Shoulders
2 Elbows
2 Wrists
Chest
Navel
2 Ribs
Back
Total 16 places
8 Places
Head
Forehead
2 ears
2 Shoulders
Chest
Navel
Total 8 places
5 Places
Forehead
2 Shoulders
Chest
Navel
Total 5 places
One of the ways of taking bath as prescribed by vedas is known as Agneyam. It is defined as Agneyam bhasmasnAnam. That is Agneyam bath is nothing but bathing in the holy ash.
The holy ash has very good medicinal value. This could prevent/cure 81 diseases that are out of air (vAta), and 64 of diseases caused by bile(pittam), and 215 of phlegm (kapham).
The Holy Ash is the most ancient symbol. It is hailed in the vedas along with rudrAxam(2). Even the devotees of Lord viShNu used to wear this originally (kariyamEni michai veLiya n^IRu chiRidhEyidum periya kOlath thadaN^kaNNan, n^IRu chevvE idakkANil n^edumAladiyAr enROdum - divya prabhan^dham). The following scriptures talk about the glory of the Holy Ash.
The scriptures that hail Holy Ash
upaniShad
- rAmarahasya
- chANdilya
- jApAla
- bhR^ihadjApAla
- taitriya
- shvedAshvatara
- chApAli
- vAsudeva
smR^iti
- bharadvAja - sAtAtapa - parAchara
- gautama
- manu
purANa
- li~Nga
- shiva
- ska.nda
- gAruDa
- matsya
- Aditya
- brahmANDa
itihAsam
- rAmAyaNam
- mahAbhAratam
others
- shivarahasya parama itihAsam
thiruneetru thirupadhikam
thalam thiruAlavAy
paN gAn^dhAram
iraNDAm thirumuRai
thiruchchiRRambalam
man^dhira mAvadhu n^IRu vAnavar mEladhu n^IRu
chun^dhara mAvadhu n^IRu thudhikkap paDuvadhu n^IRu
than^dhira mAvadhu n^IRu chamayaththi luLLadhu n^IRu
chen^thuvar vAyumai paN^gan thiruAla vAyAn thirun^IRE
vEdhaththi luLLadhu n^IRu ven^thuyar thIrppadhu n^IRu
pOdhan^ tharuvadhu n^IRu punmai thavirppadhu n^IRu
Odhath thaguvadhu n^IRu uNmaiyi luLLadhu n^IRu
chIdhap punalvayal chUzn^dha thiruAla vAyAn thirun^IRE
muththi tharuvadhu n^IRu muniva raNivadhu n^IRu
chaththi yamAvadhu$(1)$ n^IRu thakkOr pukazvadhu n^IRu
paththi tharuvadhu n^IRu parava iniyadhu n^IRu
chidhdhi tharuvadhu n^IRu thiruAla vAyAn thirun^IRE
kANa iniyadhu n^IRu kavinaith tharuvadhu n^IRu
pENi aNipavark kellAm perumai koDuppadhu n^IRu
mANan^ thagaivadhu n^IRu madhiyaith tharuvadhu n^IRu
chENan^ tharuvadhu n^IRu thiruAla vAyAn thirun^IRE
pUcha iniyadhu n^IRu puNNiya mAvadhu n^IRu
pEcha iniyadhu n^IRu perun^thavath thOrkaLuk kellAm
Achai keDuppadhu n^IRu van^dhama dhAvadhu n^IRu
thEcham pukazvadhu n^IRu thiruAla vAyAn thirun^IRE
aruththama dhAvadhu n^IRu avalam aRuppadhu n^IRu
varuththan^ thaNippadhu n^IRu vAnam aLippadhu n^IRu
poruththama dhAvadhu n^IRu puNNIyar pUchumveN NIRu
thiruththagu mALikai chUzn^dha thiruAla vAyAn thirun^IRE
eyiladhu vaTTadhu n^IRu virumaikkum uLLadhu n^IRu
payilap paDuvadhu n^IRu pAkkiya mAvadhu n^IRu
thuyilaith thaDuppadhu n^IRu chuththama dhAvadhu n^IRu
ayilaip polidharu chUlath thAlavA yAnthiru n^IRE
irAvaNan mEladhu n^IRu eNNath thaguvadhu n^IRu
parAvaNa mAvadhu n^IRu pAvam aRuppadhu n^IRu
tharAvaNa mAvadhu n^IRu thaththuva mAvadhu n^IRu
arAvaNaN^ kun^thiru mEni AlavA yAnthiru n^IRE
mAlo DayanaRi yAdha vaNNamu muLLadhu n^IRu
mEluRai dhEvarkaL thaN^gaL meyyadhu veNpoDi n^IRu
Ela uDambiDar thIrkkum inban^ tharuvadhu n^IRu
Alama dhuNDa$(2)$ miDaRRem mAlavA yAnthiru n^IRE
kuNDikaik kaiyar kaLODu chAkkiyar kUTTamuN^ kUDak$(3)$
kaNTikaip pippadhu n^IRu karudha iniyadhu n^IRu
eNthichaip paTTa poruLAr Eththun^ thakaiyadhu n^IRu
aNDaththa varpaNin^ dhEththum AlavA yAnthiru n^IRE
ARRal aDalviDai yERum AlavA yAnthiru n^IRRaip
pORRip pukali n^ilAvum pUchuran nyAnacham pan^dhan
thERRith thennanuDa luRRa thIppiNi yAyina thIrach
chARRiya pADalkaL paththum vallavar n^allavar thAmE
thiruchchitrambalam
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
