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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Significance of Pitru Paksh, Shraaddh and Tarpan


Significance of Pitru Paksh, Shraaddh and Tarpan
T.N.Sethumadhavan

HINDU SAMSKARAS

Hinduism is a way of human life, a path of eternal spiritual discipline, the sanatan dharma. Recognizing the needs of human beings during their lifetimes, the ancient sages have put forward a fourfold ideal to be striven for by every member of the society. This is called the purusharthas or the ends to be achieved in life. They are dharma, artha, kama and moksha i.e. duty or righteousness, wealth, bodily desires and liberation from transmigratory existence respectively. Unless some higher norms and standards are prescribed there cannot be any fairness in playing the game of life to achieve these ends and as a consequence jungle law only will prevail. It is these rules or norms that go by the omnibus term “dharma” for which there is no English equivalent. For our purposes we will interpret this term as duty or responsibility or obligation. Thus dharma is made applicable to each member of the society according to the class or varna to which he belongs and according to his stage in life.

Hindism believes that a human being gets purified and refined by undertaking certain rites or rituals referred to as samskaras which are generally taken as sixteen in number (sodasa-sasamskaras). The Hindu scriptures do not consider birth as the starting point of life. It goes farther back since the incident of birth is primarily conditioned by heredity and parentage. Keeping this in mind, the samskaras for a person start from the time of his conception (Garbhadhana) and end with funeral rites (antyeshthi).

The antyeshthi stands for all the post-death ceremonies performed by the son of the deceased for his future welfare and to be freed from the debt or obligation he owes to his parents. These post-death rituals do not come to an end with the conclusion of the prescribed number of days of the mourning period immediately following the death but extends throughout the lifetime of the surviving son, though on a smaller scale.  

Apart from the ceremonies to be performed every month following the death culminating in the first anniversary of the death, Hindu Dharma prescribes that the forefathers should be worshipped thereafter also. When they leave this world it becomes the Vedic duty of their descendants (sons) to worship their departed souls on a daily basis apart from the specific days like New Moon day (amavasya), Eclipse Days (grihan), Parva Kala (Uttarayana, Dakshinayana), Pushkara Days, on the specific day (thithi) of their death, on visiting any Theertha Kshetras etc.

Among these rites the important ones to be undertaken by the son in honor of his deceased parents and forefathers are Tarpan on every newmoon day (Amavasya), Shraaddh on each anniversary of the deceased and most importantly the rites to be performed during the Pitrupaksh.

RUNA TRAYA: CONCEPT OF THREE DEBTS

A discerning person will naturally seek an answer to the question why at all these rituals are required to be performed. Hinduism answers this query when it says that every person who is born is under five runas or debts to his manes and others from whom he derives benefit as a member of the society.  They are called pancha maha runas (five great debts) to clear which he has to undertake pancha maha yajnas (five great sacrifices). They are 1. deva yajna (sacrifice to the gods), 2. pitru yajna (sacrifice to the manes or forefathers), 3. rishi yajna or brahma yajna (sacrifice to the sages learned in the Vedas), 4. nriyajna (feeding the visiting hungry human beings) and 5. bhuta yajna (feeding the animals). There were no schemes of loan waiver or writing off of the debt in those days.

It was considered that by performing these sacrifices daily, the householder is actually repaying the debts to the divine beings and the society from whom he has received help and sustenance. They also help him in offsetting the sins he might be committing knowingly or unknowingly during his daily life. 

Among these the first three types of debts viz.1. debt to the gods (deva runa), 2. debt to the forefathers (pitru runa) and 3. debt to the sages (rishi runa) are given priority which is called runa traya. The idea of three debts under which every human being is born has been found in the Rig Veda (8.32.16; 6.61.1), Taitriya Samhita (6.3.10.5) and the Satapatha Brahmana (1.7.2.11). The first type of debt is repaid by the performance of yajnas or Vedic sacrifices to the gods; the second by marrying according to dharma and begetting successors and doing shraaddhas to the deceased ancestors and the third by study of the Vedas.  We are concerned in this essay with the rituals relating to the deceased forefathers for clearing pitru runa.

PITRU LOKA

The Sanskrit word ‘pitr’ becomes ‘pita’ in the singular and ‘pitarah’ in the plural; the former means ‘father’, the latter is used in several senses like forefathers or ancestors occupying their own world called Pitruloka. The most common meaning as used in Shraaddhas is three generations of ancestors viz. father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In Hinduism, the pitrus (forefathers or manes) are always respected. Normally, once a year at least, the descendents are expected to pay homage to them through religious rites known as ‘Shraaddh’. It is believed that even as the descendents are eager to appease their forefathers, the pitrus too are eager to receive such appeasement. The Markandeya Purana describes such instances of eagerness on the part of the pitrus to get good food (in the Shraaddhas), to receive oblations of water during Tarpans and to get a Shraaddha performed at holy places like Gaya.  For these acts of offering them food etc. they, in turn, bless their descendents and are pleased if they become Vedic scholars and devotees of Vishnu. It is believed that during the performance of shraaddhas these pitrus accept the offerings by assuming the form of birds or by entering into the invitee brahmanas through their subtle bodies.

In this context the following verse from the Bhagavad Gita where Arjuna laments about the ancestors losing their status on account of their being deprived of offerings to them is relevant.

sankaro narakaayaiva kulaghnaanaam kulasya cha
patanti pitaro hyeshaam luptapindodaka kriyaah // 1.42 //
Admixture of castes leads the family and the slayers of the family to hell because the spirits of their ancestors fall, deprived of the offerings of rice and water.

We find from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita that the ancient Hindus believed in two paths by which the soul of a departed person could go either to the Brahma loka or to the Chandra loka. The former is called Devayana and the latter is known as pitruyana. The Rig Veda (10.14.2 and 7) mentions the pitruloka as a place where one’s departed ancestors live. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (6.2.16) considers Pitruloka as a station on the path of Pitruyana (the path of manes).

TARPAN

The word ‘tarpana’ means satiating or satisfying. It implies the rites relating to satisfying the departed souls particularly one’s forefathers. It consists of standing in water after bathing in a river or tank and offering water thrice taking it in the joined palms of hand, with appropriate mantras to all beings of creation from Brahma down to the blade of grass. Manusmriti (2.176) says that Tarpan to devas, pitrus and rishis is a compulsory part of the daily routine of every brahmacharin. The water may be mixed with gingelly seeds (til). Tarpana is said to satiate the gods, manes and sages to whom it is offered.


SHRAADDH

Hinduism considers death as a transition from one life to another. It believes that the disembodied soul badly needs help and succor from its descendents, not only during the period following the death of the physical body but also during its journey to the other worlds. It is here that comes the role of the various rites performed immediately after death and also other rites that are repeated every month for a year or even every year thereafter. These rites generally go by the name ‘shraaddh’; the literature on the subject of shraaddh is enormous.

The word ‘shraaddh’ is generally taken to mean after-death rites and subsequent ceremonies. ‘Shraaddh’ is performed by a competent descendent of the deceased ancestors with shraddha or faith. It is done for the benefit of three generations of ancestors viz. father, grandfather and great-grandfather. It has to be performed at the appropriate time (afternoon or aparahna) and place (preferably holy places like Gaya, Prabhasa, Prayag, Varanasi, Ujjain, Kurukhetra, Badrinath etc.) as determined by the sastras and family traditions. It may be accomplished by giving either cooked food or uncooked articles of food or gold or money to worthy brahmanas. Generally for the majority of the people pinda daana – offering cooked rice-balls to the pitrus is very important in this ritual. The entire ritual is then dedicated to Lord Narayana with a prayer for forgiveness for the faults that might have unknowingly crept in.

The original concept of performing the ritual of Shrāddha was conceived by Sage Atri, the son of Lord Brahma. Sage Atri narrated the ritual of Shrāddha, as laid down by Lord Brahma to Nimi, one of His descendants. This established ritual has continued till today. Manu was the first one to perform the ritual of Shrāddha. Hence he is called the deity of Shrāddha.

According to Ramayan when Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana were staying in the forest, Bharat met and appraised them about the death of their father. After hearing this sad news Lord Ram performed the ritual of Shrāddh for his deceased father.

Pinda Daana

Pindapradaana or simply pinda daana occupies an important place in the post-death ceremonies. Pindas are rice-balls prepared by mixing cooked rice with other articles of food left over in the cooking vessels after the invitee brahmanas have been fed. Three such balls are made which are kept on the ground on a banana leaf or a dried leaf covered with darbha or kusha grass and til and offered to the three generations of pitrus (who are believed to accept them by assuming the form of birds (crows) or animals such as cows or through water in the flowing rivers like Ganga or sacred tanks and lakes like Pushkar or brahmakund at Kurukshetra or brahmakapal at Badrinath).


Pitrupaksha

In the context of the question when the offerings to the departed ancestors as described above have to be made, pitru paksha or the fortnight dedicated to the forefathers assumes significance. The fifteen days of the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Bhadrapada (according to the lunar calendar) or the month of Ashwin (according to the solar calendar) roughly corresponding to September-October in the Gregorian calendar are called pitru paksha or mahalaya paksha and the new-moon day (amavasya) occurring in that period as Mahalaya Amavasya or Sarvapitru Amavasya. These days are considered to be extremely appropriate for performing the post-death rites (shraaddh, tarpan, daan etc,) to the departed forefathers.

The answer to the question why specifically this period has been chosen lies in the ancient story relating to the Mahabharata Hero, Karna. According to the legend, Karna could not get any food to eat when he went after his death to the higher regions, though he could get plenty of silver and gold there. This was because he had donated plenty of gold and silver but not food during his lifetime. Distressed much he prayed to Lord Yama, the god of death, and through his grace, returned to this earth during this paksha or the fortnight. He then gifted plenty of food to the hungry and reached back to his allotted higher plane. Hence annadaana or giving food to the hungry has become the central part of the rituals during these days. Yama also ordained that offerings made on these days would benefit all departed souls whether they were related to the donor or not.
On all the fifteen days, offerings are made to the departed manes, including those whose names or manner of death are not known. On these days tarpan, shraaddha and pinda daan are performed daily according to the procedures under the guidance of a priest. Although these rites are to be carried out daily in this fortnight, it is considered that to perform them on the last day i.e. on Mahalaya Amavasya or Sarva Pitru Amavasya is considered extremely important and highly sacred. Sarvapitri amavasya ("all fathers' new moon day") is intended for all ancestors, irrespective of the lunar day they died. It is the most important day of the Pitru Paksha Those who have missed performing shraddha for any unavoidable reason can do so on this day. A shraddha ritual performed on this day is considered as fruitful as one conducted in the holy city of Gaya, which is considered as a special place to perform these rites.
Persons who perform these rites observe certain basic disciplines or austerities like not having a shave, abstinence from pleasures etc. during this period. As these days are considered inauspicious for any new ventures, no new purchases or business commitments are undertaken. Feeding the priests and other invitee brahmanas with kheer or payasam during this period is considered to be highly pleasing to the pitrus or the manes.
It is called as Mahalaya because the word Maha’ means great or big or large and ‘Laya’ means destruction. Mahalaya therefore means great destruction caused during the war between Deities and Demons wherein large number of Devathas and Rishis had died in the hands of Rakshasas during the period starting from Bhadrapada Bahula Paadyami to Amavasya. These Deities and Rishis are like our forefathers and it is befitting to worship such departed souls during this fortnight that coincides with Mahalaya. Hence, this fortnight has become very sacred and celestial for performing sacred rites to forefathers.
It is believed that the departed souls will attain peace by the rituals and rites performed during Pitru Paksha and they will, in turn, give their blessings to the descendents who performed these ceremonies for their welfare and prosperity of their Vamsam or lineage. It is said that departed souls for whom these rituals are not performed wander aimlessly on the Earth. It is believed that performance of these rites to forefathers will work as a remedy for various mundane problems one may face day to day.

FINALE
Finally, shorn of all the rituals and myths, this is a fortnight of remembrances. and thanks giving. It reminds all of us to be grateful to our forefathers on this day and to pray for them who have left this world. Even if our rational mind, soaked in scientific ideas, may not justify the rationale behind these ceremonies, it might still be a good idea to just remember our forefathers and silently pay our obeisance to them.

In this connection the words of Maha Mahopadyaya Dr.P.V.Kane in his work “History of Dharma Shastra” Vol. IV (Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune) can be profitably recalled.

            “It is a good practice to set apart at least one day in a year for the remembrance of one’s near and dear relatives, friends and learned people that are no more, to invite relatives, friends and learned people to a dinner in memory of the dead and to bestow monetary gifts on poor but learned persons of character and devoted to the practice of plain living and high thinking. This will be in keeping with our past traditions and will also give a new orientation to and infuse new life into practices that have become lifeless and meaningless to many people”.  (Quoted in the “The Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism” Vol.3 published by Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore).





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Monday, July 2, 2012

Tharpana Sankalpam for 2012-2013


Dear Friends,
As has been my practice I have put the Tharpana Sankalams for the Nandana Varsha(2012-13) as given in the Acharyal Madathu Panchangam. In my web site
I have also included this time the time when Thidhi and Nakshatra changes so that people who are abroad can make modifications in the sankalpams as per their time. With best wishes, Ramachander



Tharpana Sankalpams for the year 2012-2013(Nandana Varsham)

Compiled by
P.R.Ramachander

(I have followed the details given in the Acharyal Madathu Panchangam. I have also given the time of change of Thithi and Nakshatra  so that people who are living abroad can also use it correctly. Bodhayana Amavasya was not given there. As son I get information about it, I will modify  this list. As per the Panchangam both lunar eclipses of the year  are not visible in India.  So I have not included it.)



20-5-2012 Sarva Amavasya
   Nandana nama samvathsare ,utharayane , vasantha rithou, Rishabha   mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya Amavasyam   punya thidhou , Bhanu vasara yukthayam, Apa Bharani nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Amavasya is up to 5.18 AM next day (afterwards Prathama) and Apabharani  is up to 9.41 AM (afterwards Kruthiga))


19-6-2012  Sarva Amavasya

   Nandana nama samvathsare ,utharayane , greeshma rithou, mithuna  mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya amavasyam   punya thidhou , Bhouma  vasara yukthayam, Mruga seersha nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye.
(Amavasya is up to 8.33 Pm, afterwards Prathama, Mruga seersha  star is up to  12.27  Am that night  , afterwards Arudhra )


16-7-2012 Dakshinayana punya kalam
   Nandana nama samvathsare ,Dakshinayane , greeshma rithou, Kadaga  mase , Krishna   pakshe, Trayodasyam    punya thidhou , Indu  vasara yukthayam, Mrugaseersha  nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam Trayodasyam   punya thidhou, dakshinayana  punyakale, kadaga ravi sankramana  sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Tryodasi  up to 7.51 Am  next day (Afterwards Chathurdasi ) and Mrugaseersha  up to  6.00  Am next day  (afterwards  Arudhra nakshatram))


18-7-2012 Sarva  Amavasya
   Nandana nama samvathsare ,dakshinayana , greeshma rithou, kadaga  mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya amavasyam  punya thidhou , sowmya  vasara yukthayam, Arudra nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Amavasya after  9.9  Am (before Chathurdasyam ) and Arudra  up to  9.21 AM and Punarvasu up to  12.3 Pm  next day)

17-8-2012  Sarva Amavasya
     Nandana nama samvathsare ,dakshinayane , varsha  rithou, simha  mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya Amavasyam     punya thidhou , brugu  vasara yukthayam, aslesha nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Amavasi  up to 9.29  Pm(afterwards Prathama ) Aslesha Nakshatra up to  7.27  Pm (afterwards Maka Nakshatra)

15-9-2012  Sarva Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya)
     Nandana nama samvathsare ,dakshinayane , varsha  rithou, simha  mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya Amavasyam   punya thidhou , sthira  vasara yukthayam, Poorva  phalguni nakshatra yukthayam,  shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(amavasya after 9.41 Am  (Before that Chathurdasi ) , Poorva Phalguni up to 2.41 AM (afterwards Uthara Phalguni  nakshatra))

15-10-2012  Amavasya
     Nandana nama samvathsare ,dakshinayane , varsha   rithou, kanya   mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya amavasyam    punya thidhou , Indu  vasara yukthayam, hastha  nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam Amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Amavasya up to  5.33 Pm (afterwards Prathama) and Hastha  nakshatra  up to 9.9 AM(Afterwards Chithra))


17-10-2012 Thula ravi Sankramanam
     Nandana nama samvathsare ,dakshinayane , Sarad  rithou, thula mase , shukla  pakshe, dweethiyaam    punya thidhou , Soumya  vasara yukthayam, Visakha  nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam panchamyam    punya thidhou, thula ravi   punyakale, thula ravi sankramana sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Dwitheeya  up to 10.59 Am  (afterwards Tritheeya )and Vishaka  up to next day 1.41 Am next day afterwards Anusha nakshatram)


13-11-2012 Amavasya
        Nandana nama samvathsare ,dakshinayane , sharad   rithou, thula  mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya Amavasyam    punya thidhou , Bhouma vasara yukthayam, Swathi  nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Amavasya from 7,15 AM  up to  3.39  Pm (Afterwards Prathama ) and Sawthi  up  3.7 Am next day)


10-12-2011 Lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahanam)
      (To be done at 8.00 Pm. This Tharpana need not be done in countries where the eclipse is not visible.It should be done when the eclipse is about to end. If people living in other countries inform me when it is leaving, I would inform them about the Nakshatra and Thidhi)

          Nandana nama samvathsare ,dakshinayane , sarad  rithou, vruschiga  mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya sashtyam    punya thidhou , brugu vasara yukthayam,  makaa nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam sahtyam   punya thidhou, somoparaga  punyakale, uparaga sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye



13-12-2012 Sarva  Amavasya
          Nandana nama samvathsare ,dakshinayane , Sharad  rithou, Vruschiga   mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya Amavasyam   punya thidhou , guru  vasara yukthayam, Jyeshta  nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam Amavasya  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye

(Amavasya up to 2,12  Am next day  (afterwards Prathama)  and Jyeshta Nakshtra up to 5.49 PM  and afterwards Moola nakshtram)


11-1-2013 Amavasya
          Nandana nama samvathsare ,Utharayane , hemantha  rithou, dhanur   mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya Amavasyam  punya thidhou , brugu  vasara yukthayam, poorvashada nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Amavasya up to 1.40 Am (Afterwards Prathama ) and Poorvashada Nakshtra up to11.33  PM(Afterwards Uthrashada Nakshatra)

14-1-2013 Uthrayana Punya kalam
               Nandana nama samvathsare ,Utharayane , hemantha  rithou, makara  mase , Shukla   pakshe, tritheeyayaam   punya thidhou , Indu   vasara yukthayam, sarvishta   nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam tritheeyaam   punya thidhou, utharayana  punyakale, makara  ravi sankramana  sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Tritheeya  up to 5.9 PM Am  (afterwards Chathurthi ) and Sravishta  Nakshtra up to 5.53 PM(Afterwards Sathabishak  Nakshtra))


9-2-2013 Amavasya
          Nandana nama samvathsare ,Utharayane , hemantha   rithou, makara   mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya amavasyam  punya thidhou , sthira   vasara yukthayam, sravana nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye

(Amavasya up to       next day and Sravana Nakshtra up to  5.35  Am next day(afterwards Sathabishak))

11-3-2013 Amavasya
          Nandana nama samvathsare ,Utharayane , Shishira  rithou, khumba    mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya amavasyam  punya thidhou , Indu  vasara yukthayam, Sathabhishak  yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Amavasya up to 1.23 AM  next day (afterwards Prathama) and Sathabishak up to  12.20 PM  AM and afterwards Poorva proshtapada Nakshtra)


10-4-2013 Amavasya
          Nandana nama samvathsare ,Utharayane , Shishira  rithou, meena     mase , Krishna  pakshe, adhya amavasyam  punya thidhou , soumya  vasara yukthayam, Revathi  yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubhaKarana evam guna viseshena, visishtayam asyam amavasyam  punya thidhou, amavasya  punyakale, darsa sradham , thilatharpana roopena adhya karishye
(Amavasya up to 3.6 PM  (afterwards Prathama) and Revathi  up to  9.30  PM and afterwards  Aswathi Nakshtra)

Sama Vedi Avani Avitta Manthras 17-9-2012


Sama Veda Upakarma Prayoga for the year 2012
                         (17-9-2012)
                   (Compiled by P.R.Ramachander)
   (There is some difference of opinion on the correct date  of Sama Upakarma.  While 17th September  is mentioned in Drik Panchangas , it is 24th july  in Vakya panchangams. I have  followed  the Madathu Panchangam)

In the case of Sama Veda, The upa Karma prayogam is very extensive and differs very much from the Upakarma prayoga of Rig and Yajur Vedis.They always do it in Hastha Nakshtra of  the Kanya Masa. It essentially consists of ten steps in the following order

1.Panchagavya sammelanam
2.Snana Mahasankalpam
3.Brahmayagnam
4.Punyaham
5.Rishipooja(Uthsarjan Karma)
6.Deva,rishi, Pithru Tharpanam (264+12)
7.Ghata Poojai
8.Yagnopaveethadhaaranam
9.Vedarambam
10.Kankanadharanam
           Naturally these have to be done with the instruction of a Guru but in modern times when people are scattered all over the world and also because well learned Sama Vedi Purohithas are very scarce, many people are forced to do it in their home depending on some handouts. Since most of the above steps are lengthy and involve proper chanting of Sama Veda Mantras,they do only three steps of the above 10. They are

1.Snana maha Sankalpam,
2,Brahma Yagnam
3.Yagnopaveetha dharanam
   
         English is a very inadequate language to type out Sanskrit manthras. But I have made an effort to present the needed mantras for the above steps for the year 2087 because I feel that  our youngsters are more at home in English rather than in their mother toungue or Sanskrit. Since I am not a Sama Vedin I depend for the mantras on Book published by  C.Sankara TRama Sastri(1956) Sama Veda Upakrama prayoga published by Sri Balamanorama press, Madras. I have also got my typing read through and to certain extent edited by Sri.P.A.Anantharaman.I am grateful to him,

Maha Samkalpam
       (17-9-2012)



a.Aachamanam, wear Pavithram.
b.Shuklam baradharam……..
c.Om bhoo
d.Maha samkalpam
     Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam  paapam  , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama rama
                Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
                 Yogascha karanam chaiva  sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
                  Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadya sri bhagawatha, Aadi vishno, Aadinarayanasya achinthyaya , aparimithaya, sakthyaa, briyamaanasya, mahaa jalou ghasya madhye,
 Paribrhama maanaanam  aneka koti  brhmaandanam madhye,  eka thame,avyaktha mahadahankara pruthivya  aptejo  vayvakaasaa ahankaradhii -aavaranair- aavruthe- asmin mahathi bramanda-karanda-madale- aadhara sakthi – aadhi koormaa nandathi  ashta diggajopari prathishtithasya uparithale -Sathyadhi loka shadkasya adho bhage, mahaa nalayamana phani raja seshasya sahasra phanaa mani mandala mandithe,  lolaalokachalena parivruthe-dighdanthi-shunda dhanda-uttambhithe,  lavaneshu  suraa sarpee dhadhee dugdha  sudhodhakrnavii parivruthe  , jambhu-plaksha-saka-salmali-kusa-krouncha-pushkarakhya saptha dweepa dheepithe, Indra dheepa  kaseru  thamra gabhasthi naga soumya gandharwa chaarana bharathakhya nava gandathmake -Maha meru giri karnakopetha maha saroruhayamana  pancha sath koti yojana vistheerna bhoo mandale- sumeru  nishadha hemakoota himachala malyavath pariyathraka  gandhamadhana kailasa vindhyachaladhi, maha shailadhishtithe, Lavana Samudhra mudhrithe, Bharatha Kimpurusha Hari Ilavrutha Ramyaka Hiranmaya KuruBhadrascha Kethumalakhya nava varshopashobithe, , Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe, bharatha kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Karma Bhoomou - Swamyavanthii kuru kshethraadhi  sama bhoo Madhya  rekhaya  poorva dig Bhage, Vindhachalasya  Dakshina dig Bhage , Dandakaranye , Sakala Jagat Srushta parardha dwaya jeewino Brahmana Pradhame Parardhe  Pancha sadhabdhathmike  Aatheethe, Dwitheeya parardhe, Panchasadabdhou, Pradhame Varshe, Pradahme mase , Pradhame Pakshe, Pradhame divase, AAhani  dwitheeye yame , tritheeye muhurthe, swayambhuva-swarochisha-uthama-thamasa-raivatha-chakshuhakheshu, shatsu  manusha vyatheetheshu, sapthame vaivaswatha manvanthare, aashta vimsathi thame, varthamane kali yuge, prathame padhe, , Shalivahana shakabdhe, Chanrda savanna  souradhi maana bramithe , prabhavaadheenam sashti samvatsaranaam madhye , Nandana  nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Varsha rithou, Kanya  mase,    Shukla    pakshe, aadhya  prathamaayam         * shubha thidou,    Indu  vasara yukthayam,  hastha      **  nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna,  viseshana visishtaayam, asyam  prathamaayaam   * shubha thidou, Sarva Papa Harana  nipuna sri Parameswara preethyartham,  Anaadhya vidhyaa vaasanaya  pravarthamane , Asmin mahathi Samsara Chakre, Vichithrabh karma gathibhi- vichithrasu  yonishu , puna punaranekadha janithwa, Kenaapi punya karma  viseshena idhaaneentha maanushye  dwija janma  visesham prapthavatho mama, iha janmani poorva janmasu maya kruthaanam  brahma hathyadhi -swarnaastheya –suraapana- guruthalpagamana,- maha pathaka chathushtaya, vyatheerikthaanaam , thath samsargaanaam, theshaam pathakanaam, nikshipthaya,  saranaagathaaya, , pathivruthaya sangama nimithanam,  nishidha sashtraabhi gamanaadheenaa, vidwad brahmana pankthi bhedhacharana , vaardhakee -vidhawa vesya  vrushalyaadhi samsarga nimithaanaam, balye vaysi  kaumare  youvane vaardhake, jagrath  swapna sushpthyavasthasu, mano vaak kaya  karmendriya vyapaarai,  jnanendriya vyapaaraischa,  samsarga nimithaanaam, bhooyo bhooyo aabhyasthanaam, thathra thathra  garbhothpathi nimithanaam, thath saha bhojana  thad uchishta bhakshana, aswa yoni, paswadhi yoniretha  skhalitha nimithaanam, govadha  paswadhi  prani vadha nimithaanam, sthree shoodhra  vita kshatriya  vadha nithaanaam, aayuktha  lavana pakvanna madhu ksheera  thila thaila  maama moola phala ,
saaka raktha  vasa suvarna, kambalaadhi vikraya nimithaanaam, aswadhi vahana  , ikshu kanda dathana, paraapavaadana, bradhakadhyapana, asad prathi grahana, vrukshschedana, dhaanya roupya pasustheya, vaardushi karana  shudhra seva, shudra preshya , heena jathi prathigraha, heena sakhya, pankthi bhedana, paka bhedana, paraa anna bhojana, asachasthra lapa, pramadhi kara, matadhikara, pourohithya, pareeksha paksha pathaka, thatakaarama vikraya, thataka vichedhanadhi  sama paathakaanaam, jnantha sakruth kruthaanaam, aajnatha asakruth kruthaanaam,  jnanatho  aajanathaascha abhyashaanam,  athyanthabhyasthaanam, nirantharabhyasthaanaam,  sankari karanaanaam, malini karananaam, aapathri karanaanaam, jathi  bramsa karanaanam, aavihitha  karamaacharana, vihitha karma thyagaadheenaam, prakeernikaanaam upa pathakaanaam, maha pathakaanaam, aathi paathakaanaam, evam navaanam nava vidhaanaam, bahoonaam bahuvidhaanaam sarveshaam  papa namapanodhana dwara, aayajya  yaajanaasath  prathi grahaa bakshya  bhakshanaa bhojya  bhojanaa peya paanaadhi samastha papa kshyartham,
aswatha narayana sannidhou-deva brahmana sannidhou-tryaa trimsath koti devathaa sannidhou-sri visaalakshi sametha visweswara swami sannidhou-mahaa ganapathi sannidhou-seetha lakshmana bharatha sathrugna-hanumat samedha sri rama chandra swmai sannidhou-sri rukmani sathyabhama samedha sri gopala Krishna swami sannidhou-hari hara puthra swami sannidhou-sri lakshmi narayana swami sannidhou 
Mama samastha papa kshyartha  proshta padhyam  hastharshe  adhya yoth sarjana karmangam  maadhyahnika snaanamaham karishye, maadhyahnika snaanamaham karishye.

Aathi kroora maha kaya kalpantha dahanopama,
Bhairavaya namasthubhyam aanugnaam dhathu marhasi.

Durbhojana duraalaapa  dush prathigraha sambhavam,
Paapam hara  mama kshipram sahyakanye namosthuthe.

Triraathram jahnavi theere pancha rathram thu yaamune,
Sadhya punathu  kaaveri papa maamaranthikam.

Ganga gangethi  yo brooyaadh yo janaanaam  shatai rapi,
Muchyathe sarva paapebhyo  Vishnu lokam sa gachathi. (take bath thus)

After bath (Nowadays people only take Sankala Snanam by sprinkling water)

take Pancha Gavyam chanting

Yathavagasthi gatham papam dehe thishtathi maamake,
Praasanam pancha gavyasya dahathwagni rivendanam.

Take bath again, wear dry cloths, put on caste marks, do regular daily duties and then do Brahma Yagna.

*Up to 7.04 Am  it is Prathama  and after wards Dwitheeya   and   ** up to 6.22 Am  and up to  11.22  Pm of   17-9-2012  it  is Hastha Nakshathra .SAma Vedis should perform the ritual only in Hastha Nakshatra..This would be for example applicable in many parts of USA

Summary meaning:Here again apart from locating oneself with reference to time , one locates himself with reference to place also.We are supposed to live in Jambu Dweepa, Bharatha Kanda which is south of the great mountain Maha meru.Then again this Bhasratha Kanda is blessed with many holy rivers and holy places.Then prayer is done to God to pardon sins committed by word, thought and deed, because this was done inspite of his great grace which made us be born as human beings after several wheels of birth.Also the sins performed during several ages in life is highlighted.Some of the sins specifically mentioned are those done while earning money without conscience, giving money to improper people, actions which did not suit the caste we are born in, cutting of tree, spoiling a lake , trading of several banned commodities such as  salt , blanket, meat, root , fruit etc, sins due to non performance of actions which ought to have been done and so on. We pray God and tell him that we would take bath in holy pure water and then start the veda parayanas which is our duty as a Brahmin.


2.Brahma Yagnam.

  1. Perform Achamanam
  2. Face eastern direction and do “Shuklam baradaram….” Followed by pranayamam “om Bhoo…”
  3. Mamopatha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri Parameshwara preethyartham Brahma Yagnam karishye. Brahma yagnena Yakshye.
  4. Chant and clean the hands with water
Vidhyudasi paapmanam vidhya me paapmanam amruthath Sathya mupaime
And then chant
Om Bhorbavassuva
      Om  tatsa vithurvarenyam.
      Om  Bhargo devasya Dheemahi
      Om  Dhiyo yona prachodayath
      Om Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya dheemahi
      Om  Dhiyo yona prachodayath

Om Bhoo, Om Bhuva, Om Suva, Om Sathyam,Om Purusha

Om Bhoo, bhoo., hoi bhoo, Hoi bhoo Haa aavu vaa a, suvarjyothi aa

Om Bhuvaa,  Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa

Om Suvaa , Suva, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa

Om Sathyam  , Sathyam, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa

Om Purushaa , Purusha, Hoi Bhuva, Hoi Bhuva, Haa aavu vaa a,suvarjyothi aa

      Om Thatsa vithurvarenyam , bhargo devasya dheemahi, dhiyo yoo na Pracho aa, him , dhayo Aaa aa,

              Om Agnimeele purohitham Yagnasya Dheva mruthvijam, hotharam Rathna      Dhathamam
Om Ishe Tworje Thwa ,vayavasthapayavastha Devo vassavitha prarpayathu sreshtathamaya karmane
Om Agna Aayahi veethaye grunano havyadathaye, ni hotha sadhsi bharhishi
Om sanno devirabheeshtaya Aapo peethaye sam yorabhisravanthu na

  1. Sprinkle water round the head by reciting
                           Sathyam Thapa sradhayam juhomi

  1. Recite three times with folded hands
Om namo brahmane namosthwagnaye nama pruthwyai nama oshadheebhya namo vaache namo vaachaspathaye  namo vishnave bruhathe karomi.

      8.Clean the hands again with water by reciting “vrushtirasi vruschame paapmanamamruthath sathyamupaaga”

Devarshi Pithru tharpanam Karishye



9.Do deva tharpanam through the tip of fingers
               1.Bramodaya ye deva thaan devaan tharpayami
                2.Sarvaan devaan tharpayami
                3. Sarva deva ganaan tharpayami
                4.Sarva deva pathnis tharapayami
                5.Sarva deva ganapathnis tharpayami
                6.Sarva  deva puthaam stharpayami
                7.Sarva deva gana puthamstharpayami

       10. Do rishi tharpanam(each twice) by wearing yagnopaveetha as garland and pouring out water from  the little finger
               1,Krishna dwaipayanaya ye rishaya thaan rishin tharpayami
               2. Sarvaan risheen tharpayami
               3.Sarva rishi ganaan tharpayami
               4. Sarve rishi pathnis tharpayami
               5,Sarva rishi gana pathnistharpayami
               6.Sarva rishi puthramstharpayami
               7.Srava rishi gana puthramstharpayami

11.Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
                    1.Rig vedam tharpayami
                    2.Yajur Vedam tharpayami 
                    3. Sama Vedam tharpayami
                    4. Atharva Vedam tharpayami
                    5. Ithihasa puranam tharpayami

12.Only those who have lost their father (others go to step 13)do Pithru tharpanam wearing the yagnopaveetham on the right shoulder pouring water between the thumb. And index finger(thrice).
                   1.Soma pithruman yamo angiraswan agni kavyavahana ithyadaya ye pithara                                     
                       thaan pithrun tharpayami,
                   2. Sarvaan pithrun tharpayami
                   3. Sarva pithru ganan tharpayami
                   4. Sarva pithru pathnistharpayami
                   5. Sarva pithru ganapanthnistharpayami
                     6.Sarva Pithru puthrastharpayami
                     7.Sarva pithru gana puthraastharpayami
                    8.oorjam vahanthi amrutham grutham paya keelaalam parisruyatham
                        swadaastha  tharpayatha me pithrun
13.Put the Yagnopa Vita in the Normal fashion and do Aachamanam

Brahma yagnam(sacrifice to Brahma) is the oblation offered to satisfy Devas, Rishis(sages) and Pithrus(ancestors). It is supposed to be performed daily after Madhyannikam, But nowadays it is done mainly on avani avittam days.
3.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
         ( Manthra for wearing  Poonal)
a.Aachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam……….      Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo…………..Bhoorbhavaswarom
c.Mamo patha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri paameshwara preethyartham
    Sroutha smartha vihitha sadachara  nithya karmaanushtanaa yogyatha sidhyartham  brhma teja abhivrudyartham yagnopaveetha dharanam karishye.

d.Yagnopaveetha  dharana maha manthrasya
   Parabrhma rishi(Touch forehead)
  Trushtup chanda (touch below nose)
  Paramathma devatha (touch heart)

e.Yagnopaveetha dharane viniyoga

        Wear Poonal one by one by reciting(poonal should be held by both hands, the tie in the poonal being held above by the right hand facing upwards)
Yagnopaveetham paramam pavithram  praja pathe,
Yat sahajam purasthad aayushyam
Agriyam prathi muncha shubram yagnopaveetham balamasthu theja.

f.After wearing all poonals one by one  do Aachamanam

g.Remove the old poonals  and break them to pieces by reciting

 Upaveetham bhinna thanthum jeernam kasmala dooshitham, visrujami jale punarbrahman varcho deergayurasthu me.

h.Do aachamanam.
  
       Summary meaning: I wear the white yagnopavitha that is purifying , which was born along with brahma, which is capable of increasing life .I am sure this would give glory and strength to me.I am destroying the dirty , soiled yagnopavita .


6.Gayathri japam (2-8-2012)
                  For Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedis

1.Aachamanam
2,Shuklaam baradharam
 3.Om bhoo
 4.Mamo patha samastha duritha kshya dwara  sri parameshwara preethyartham Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
              Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam  paapam  , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama Shubhe Shobane muhurthe  adya Brahmana dwiteeya paradhe , Swetha varaha kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Ashtavimsathi thame  , Kali yuge, Prathame pade, Jambhu Dwipe, Bharatha Varshe,Bhartaha Kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Sakabdhe, Asmin Varthamane  Vyavaharike, Prabhavadhi Sashti Samavathsaranaam Madhye, Nandana nama Samvathsare , Dakshinayane, Greeshma Rithou, Kadaka mase  Krishna pakshe  aadhya prathamaayam*  shubha thidou  guru  vaasara yukthayaam  sravana  ** nakshatra yukthaayam  shubha yoga shubha karana  evam guna viseshana visisishtaayam  asyaam prathamaayam  shubha thidou  mithyaa theetha prayaschittartham  ashtothara sahasra samkya  gayatri maha manthra japam karishye.
     Start from Pravasya Rishi brahma….  followed by aayathith anuvagasya… and then chant the gaythri manthra 1008 times.
 Complete with Abhivaadaye  and then complete with
     Kayena vacha…….
* Prathma is from 8.58  AM  of 2-8-2012 up to 7.22 AM IST  next day.Afterwards change to Dwitheeyam shubha thidhou
**Sravana Nakshatra is up to 9.17 PM  on 2/8/2012 IST , afterwards Sravishta  Nakshatra yukthayam .
        Please compare the time when you are doing japam to IST and do corrections accordingly.

Rig Vedi Avani Avitta manthras 2-8-2012


 

 Rig  Vedi Avani Avittam for the year 2012*

     (This year  Avani avittam and Gayathri japam   comes on same day for Rig Vedis.  Do Gayatri japa     after  Avani avittam.)

                           Avani Avittam 2-8-2012(Wednesday )
                            (Compiled by P.R.Ramachander)
1.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra
         ( Manthra for wearing  Poonal)
a.Aachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam……….      Santhaye
b.Om Bhoo…………..Bhoorbhavaswarom
c.Mamo patha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri paameshwara preethyartham
    Sroutha smartha vihitha sadachara  nithya karmaanushtanaa yogyatha sidhyartham  brhma teja abhivrudyartham yagnopaveetha dharanam karishye.

d.Yagnopaveetha  dharana maha manthrasya
   Parabrhma rishi(Touch forehead)
  Trushtup chanda (touch below nose)
  Paramathma devatha (touch heart)

e.Yagnopaveetha dharane viniyoga

        Wear Poonal one by one by reciting(poonal should be held by both hands, the tie in the poonal being held above by the right hand facing upwards)

Yagnopaveetham paramam pavithram  praja pathe,
Yat sahajam purasthad aayushyam
Agriyam prathi muncha shubram yagnopaveetham balamasthu theja.

f.After wearing all poonals one by one  do Aachamanam

g.Remove the old poonals  and break them to pieces by reciting

 Upaveetham bhinna thanthum jeernam kasmala dooshitham, visrujami jale punarbrahman varcho deergayurasthu me.

h.Do aachamanam.
  
       Summary meaning: I wear the white yagnopavitha that is purifying , which was born along with brahma, which is capable of increasing life .I am sure this would give glory and strength to me.I am destroying the dirty , soiled yasgnopavita .

2.Kamo karshet Japam (2-8-2012 morning)

      a.Aaachamanam:Shuklaam Bharadharam…….Santhaye
       b.Om Bhoo
        c.Mamo patha--- Preethyartham
            Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
              Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam  paapam  , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama
                Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
                 Yogascha karanam chaiva  sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
                  Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadhya sri bagavatha mahaa purushasya  Vishnor Agnaya , Pravarthamanasya , Aadhya brhmana  , dweethiya parardhe, swetha varaha kalpe, , Vaivaswatha manvanthare, ashta vimsathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha kande, Mero dakshine parswe. Asmin varthamane , vyavaharike prabhavaadheenam sashti samvatsaranaam madhye ,  Nandana  nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Greeshma rithou, Kadaka mase, shukla pakshe, aadhya prathamaayam *  shubha thidou, guru vasara yukthayam, Sravana ** nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna,  viseshana visishtaayam, asyam prathamaayam   shubha thidou, taishyaam prathamayam * adhyot sarjana akarana praayaschithartham , samvatsara praayaschithartham, cha ashtothara satha samkhyaa “kamo karsheth  manyura karsheth” ithi maha manthra japam karishye.
    d.Then chant “Kamo karsheth manyura karsheth ” 108 times
e.Afterwards perform Aachamana and say”Kama manyu upastham karishye”   , Om tat sat brahmaarpanam asthu.

 * Prathma is from 8.58  AM  of 2-8-2012 up to 7.22 AM IST  next day.Afterwards change to Dwitheeyam shubha thidhou
**Sravana Nakshatra is up to 9.17 PM  on 2/8/2012 IST , afterwards Sravishta  Nakshatra yukthayam .
        Please compare the time when you are doing japam to IST and do corrections accordingly.

Summary meaning:The Brahmin first prays God that the time of doing whatever it may be  should become holy  and this he is sure is achieved by prayer to God.Then he tells when he is doing this japa, for example which year, which season, which day and so on.And he says that this japa is being done as a repentance for his not perfornming various religious duties during the year that he ought to have performed.The main manthra is a prayer to pardon the lapses which were due to Kama(passion) krodha(anger) and lopa(avarice)

3.Maha Samkalpam
       (2-8-2012  after Madhyaanikam and Brahma yagnam@)
a.Aachamanam
b.Shuklam baradharam……..
c.Om bhoo
d.Maha samkalpam
     Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam  paapam  , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama rama
                Tidhir Vishnu, Tatha vaara, nakshatram Vishnu reva cha
                 Yogascha karanam chaiva  sarvam Vishnu mayam Jagat ,
                  Sri Govinda , Govinda, Govinda
Aadya sri bhagawatha, Aadi vishno, Aadinarayanasya achinthyaya , aparimithaya, sakthyaa, briyamaanasya, mahaa jaloughasya madhye,
 paribrhamatham  aneka koti  brhmaandanam madhye,  eka thame,  prithya aptejo  vayvakaasaa ahankaradhi  -mahada vyakthai-aavaranair- aavruthe- asmin mahathi bramanda-karandaka-madhye aadhara sakthi –koormaa nandathi  ashta diggajopari prathishtithasya , athala-vithala-suthala-rasaathala-thalaa thala-mahaathala-pathalakyai loka sapthakasya upari thale, punya kruthaam nivaasabhuthe  bhoor –bhuvar-suvar-mahar-janarr-thapa-satyaakhyai loka shatkasya adho bhage mahaa nalayamana phani raja seshasya sahasra phanaa mani mandala mandithe, dighdanthi-shunda dhanda-uttambhithe, panchasath koti yojana vistheerne, lokaloka –achalena valayithe lavaneshu-sura-sarpi-dhadhi-ksheera-udakaarnavischa parivruthe, jambhu-plaksha-saka-salmali-kusa-krouncha-pushkarakhya saptha dweepanaam madhye, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe, bharatha kande, prajaapathi kshetre  dandakaaranya-chamapakaaranya-vindhyaaranya-veekshaaranya-vedaaranayaadhi,  aneka punya aaranyaanam Madhya pradeshe, karma bhoomou,  rama –sethu-kedharayoo  madya pradaeshe , Bhaageerathi-Gouthami-Krishna veni-Yamuna-Narmadaa-Thungabadhraa-Triveni-Malaapahaarini-kaveri- ithyadi , aaneka punya nadhi viraajithe, Indraprastha-Yamaprastha-Aavanthikaapuri-Hasthinaapuri-Ayodhyaa puri-Maayaa puri-Kasi puri-Kanchi puri-Dwarakaa aadi aneka punya puree viraajithe Sakala jagat srushta, parardha dwaya jeevana, bramana  dweethiya parardhe, Pancha sathabdhou, prathame varshe, prathame mase, prathame pakshe, prathame divasae, aahni, dweethiye yame, trithiye muhurthe, swayambhuva-swarochisha-uthama-thamasa-raivatha-chakshu shakheshu, shatsu  manusha atheetheshu, sapthame vaivaswathe manvanthare, aashta vimsathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha kande, Mero dakshine parswe. Asmin varthamane , vyavaharike prabhavaadheenam sashtya samvatsaranaam madhye ,  Nandana  nama samvatsare, Dakshinaayane, Greeshma rithou, Kadaka  mase, shukla pakshe, aadhya prathamayam * shubha thidou, Guru   vasara yukthayam, Sravana  **  nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna,  viseshana visishtaayam, asyam prathamayam* shubha thidou,
  anaadhya vidhya pravarthamane asmin  mahathi samsara chakre  vichitrabhi karma gathibhi vichitrasu yonishu puna puna anekadha janithwa kenapi punya karma  viseshena idhaanimthana manushye  dwijanma visesham prapthavatho  mama jjanmabhyasa jjanama prabruthi  ethath kshana paryantham , baalye, vayasi kaumare  yowane  vaardhake cha jagrath swapna sushupthya avasthamsu  mano vak kaya karmendriya  jnanendriya vyaparai kama-krodha-lobha-moha-madha-mathsaryaadhi  sambhavithaanam iha janmani  janmanthare cha jnana ajnana kruthaanam maha pathakanaam mahaa patathakanumanthratwadeenam , samapathakaanaam upapaathakaanaam malini karanaanam nindhitha dhana dhaano upa jeevanaadeenam aapathrikarananaam  jathi bramsa karaanam vihitha  karma thyaagaaadeenam  jnanadha  sakruth kruthanaam ajnanatha  asakruth kruthaanam  sarveeshaam papaanam  sadhya  aapanodhanartham
aswatha narayana sannidhou-deva brahmana sannidhou-tryaa trimsath koti devathaa sannidhou-sri visaalakshi sametha visweswara swami sannidhou-mahaa ganapathi sannidhou-seetha lakshmana bharatha sathrugna-hanumt samedha sri rama chandra swmai sannidhou-sri rukmani sathyabhama samedha sri gopala Krishna swami sannidhou-hari hara puthra swami sannidhou-sri lakshmi narayana swami sannidhou  sraavanyaam pournamasyaam adhyopakrama karma karishye.Thadangam sravanee pournamasi punyakale sareera shudhartam  shuddhodhaka snanam aham karishye
                  Athi krura maha kaya, kalpanthahanopama,
                   Bairavaya namasthubhyam anujnam dathu marhasi

@ Brahma Yagna Manthras are given at the end.
* Prathma is from 8.58  AM  of 2-8-2012 up to 7.22 AM IST  next day.Afterwards change to Dwitheeyam shubha thidhou
**Sravana Nakshatra is up to 9.17 PM  on 2/8/2012 IST , afterwards Sravishta  Nakshatra yukthayam .
        Please compare the time when you are doing japam to IST and do corrections accordingly.



Summary meaning:Here again apart from locating oneself with reference to time , one locates himself with reference to place also.We are supposed to live in Jambu Dweepa, Bharatha Kanda which is south of the great mountain Maha meru.Then again this Bhasratha Kanda is blessed with many holy rivers and holy places.Then prayer is done to God to pardon sins committed by word, thought and deed, because this was done inspite of his great grace which made us be born as human beings after several wheels of birth.Also the sins performed during several ages in life is highlighted.Some of the sins specifically mentioned are those done while earning money without conscience, giving money to improper people, actions which did not suit the caste we are born in, sins due to non performance of actions which ought to have been done and so on. We pray God and tell him that we would take bath in holy pure water and then start the veda parayanas which is our duty as Brahmin.

4.Yagnopa veetha dharana manthra

     After bath again change poonal by reciting manthra as given in s.No.1.Please note that now a days very rarely people take bath after mahaa sankalpam but do prokshana snanam i.e bath by sprinkling of water on the head.

5.Kanda Rishi Tharpanam
    1,Aachamanam
     2,Shklaama baradharam
     3.Om bhoo
      4.Mamo patha samastha durida kshya dwara  sri parameshwata preethyartham sravanyaam  pournamaasyam  adhyoyapakrama  karmangam kanda rishi tharpanam karishye.
     Wear poonal as garland and do tharpanam using water mixed with thil (black gingely) and akshatha
      Each manthra has to be chanted thrice and tharpanam done.

1.Prajapathim kanda rishim tharpayami
2,Somam kanda rishim tharpayami
 3.Agnim kanda rishim tharpayami
4.Viswaan devaan kanda rishim tharpayaami
5.Saahinkeer devatha upanishadha tharpayami
6.Yagnigeer devatha upanishadha tharpayaami
 7.Vaaruneer devatha upanishadha tharpayami
8.Brhamanagum  swayubhuvam tharpayaami
9.Sadasaspathim tharpayami
  wear poonal in the normal fashion and then do aachamana.

Summary meaning:Tharpanam means really satisfying.By this tharpanam we satisfy the rishi(sages) of Soma(moon), Agni(fire), Viswaan devan(all gods looking after earth), etc.

5.Vedarambham

    Though these are essential part of Avani avittam , I am not giving this because Vedic manthraas are very diffcult to transliterate in to English and reading them wrongly would be counter productive.

6.Gayathri japam (2-8-2012)
                  For Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedis

1.Aachamanam
2,Shuklaam baradharam
 3.Om bhoo
 4.Mamo patha samastha duritha kshya dwara  sri parameshwara preethyartham Tadeva lagnam sudhinam tadaiva, tharaa balam chandra balam thadaiva , vidhya balam daiva balam tadaiva, Sri Lakshmi pathe aangriyugam smaramaami
              Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam  paapam  , karmanaa
Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya .Sree rama Rama Shubhe Shobane muhurthe  adya Brahmana dwiteeya paradhe , Swetha varaha kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Ashtavimsathi thame  , Kali yuge, Prathame pade, Jambhu Dwipe, Bharatha Varshe,Bhartaha Kande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Sakabdhe, Asmin Varthamane  Vyavaharike, Prabhavadhi Sashti Samavathsaranaam Madhye, Nandana nama Samvathsare , Dakshinayane, Greeshma Rithou, Kadaka mase  Krishna pakshe  aadhya prathamaayam*  shubha thidou  guru  vaasara yukthayaam  sravana  ** nakshatra yukthaayam  shubha yoga shubha karana  evam guna viseshana visisishtaayam  asyaam prathamaayam  shubha thidou  mithyaa theetha prayaschittartham  ashtothara sahasra samkya  gayatri maha manthra japam karishye.
     Start from Pravasya Rishi brahma….  followed by aayathith anuvagasya… and then chant the gaythri manthra 1008 times.
 Complete with Abhivaadaye  and then complete with
     Kayena vacha…….
* Prathma is from 8.58  AM  of 2-8-2012 up to 7.22 AM IST  next day.Afterwards change to Dwitheeyam shubha thidhou
**Sravana Nakshatra is up to 9.17 PM  on 2/8/2012 IST , afterwards Sravishta  Nakshatra yukthayam .
        Please compare the time when you are doing japam to IST and do corrections accordingly.
Appendix Brahma Yagnam.

  1. Perform Achamanam
  2. Face eastern direction and do “Shuklam baradaram….” Followed by pranayamam “om Bhoo…”
  3. Mamopatha samastha duritha kshya dwara sri Parameshwara preethyartham Brahma Yagnam karishye. Brahma yagnena Yakshye.
  4. Chant and clean the hands with water
Vidhyudasi paapmanam vidhya me paapmanam amruthath Sathya mupaime
And then chant
      Om Bhooo tatsa vithurvarenyam
       Om Bhuva Bhargo devasya Dheemahi
        Ogum suva Dhiyo yona prachodayath
        Om Bhooo Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya dheemahi
         Om Bhuva Dhiyo yona prachodayath
         Ogum Suva Tatsa vithurvarenyam Bhargo devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo yona         prachothayath

  1. Chant  Vedic manthras
Om Agnimeele purohitham Yagnasya Dheva mruthvijam, hotharam Rathna Dhathamam
Om Ishe Twoje Thwa vayavasthapayavastha Devo vassavitha prarpayathu sreshtathamaya karmane
Om Agna Aayahi veethaye grunano havyadathaye, ni hotha sadhsi bharhishi
Om sanno devirabheeshtaya Aapo peethaye sam yorabhisravanthu na
       After this recite if possible vedic manthras that you know like Rudram, Chamakam etc

  1. Sprinkle water round the head by reciting
                           Sathyam Thapa sradhayam juhomi

  1. Recite three times with folded hands
Om namo brahmane namosthwagnaye nama pruthwyai nama oshadheebhya namo vaache namo vaachaspathaye  namo vishnave bruhathe karomi.

      8.Clean the hands again with water by reciting “vrushtirasi vruschame paapmanamamruthath sathyamupaaga”
Do aachamanam
  1. Chant “shuklam baradaram….”
  2. Do Pranayamam, “om Bhoo…”
  3. Mamopatha samastha duritha kshaya dwara sri parameshwra preethyartham  deva-rishi-pithru tharpanam karishye.
  4. Touch water and clean your hands
  5. Do deva tharpanam through the tip of fingers
               1.Bramodaya ye deva thaan devaan tharpayami
                2.Sarvaan devaan tharpayami
                3. Sarva deva ganaan tharpayami
                4.Sarva deva pathnis tharapayami
                5.Sarva deva ganapathnis tharpayami
       13, Do rishi tharpanam by wearing yagnopaveetha as garland and pouring out water from  the liitle finger
               1,Krishna dwaipayanaya ye rishaya thaan rishin tharpayami
                2. Sarvaan risheen tharpayami
               3.Sarva rishi ganaan tharpayami
                4. Sarve rishi pathnis tharpayami
                 5,Sarva rishi gana pathnistharpayami
                 6. Prajapathim kanda rishim tharpayami
                 7. Somam kanda rishim tharpayami
                 8. Agnim kanda rishim tharpayami
 Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
                 9. Viswan devan kanda rishin tharpayami
                 10. Samihithir devatha upanishada tharpayami
                 11. Yagnigir devatha upanishada tharpayami
                 12.Varuneer devatha upanishada tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham and pour water by towards the left
                  13. Havyavaham tharpayami
                  14.Viswaan devaan kanda rishin tharpayaami
Pour water by the bottom of the palm towards self
                  15.Brahmanam swayambhuvam tharpayami
                   16.Viswan devan kandarishin tharpayami
                   17.Arunan kandarishin tharpayami
Put the Yagnopaveetham in normal fashion and pour water from the tips of fingers
                   18.Sadasaspathim tharpayami
                    19.Rig vedam tharpayami
                    20.Yajur Vedam tharpayami 
                    21. Sama Vedam tharpayami
                    22. Atharvana Vedam tharpayami
                    23. Ithihasa puranam tharpayami
                    24. Kalpam tharpayami
14.Only those who have lost their father (others go to step 15)do Pithru tharpanam wearing the yagnopaveetham on the right shoulder pouring water between the thumb. And index finger.
                   1.Soma pithruman yamo angiraswan agni kavyavahana ithyadaya ye pithara                                     
                       thaan pithrun tharpayami,
                    2. Sarvaan pithrun tharpayami
                    3. Sarva pithru ganan tharpayami
                    4. Sarva pithru pathnistharpayami
                    5. Sarva pithru ganapanthnistharpayami
                    6.oorjam vahanthi amrutham grutham paya keelaalam parisruyatham
                        swadaastha  tharpayatha me pithrun trupyatha, trupyatha, trupyatha
                     7.Aabrahma sthambha paryantham jagat trupyathu
15.Put the yagnopaveetha in the normal fashion
                Pour water saying Om That sat Brahmarpanamasthu
      And then do aachamanam.
Brahma yagnam(sacrifice to Brahma) is the oblation offered to satisfy Devas, Rishis(sages) and Pithrus(ancestors). It is supposed to be performed daily after Madhyannikam, But nowadays it is done mainly on avani avittam days.




* Taken from book on Sandhya Vandhana Bhashyam published by Ramakrishna mutt. Mylapore, Chennai, and Yajur upa karma prayoga published by R.S.Vadhyar , Kalapathy. Transliteration done by P.R.Ramachander