PavithrOthsavam: Part II

[Guest guest]

SrI:

 

Dear BhakthAs:

 

I posted an article on PavithrOthsavam in Oppiliappn List on Sep 19, 2003 .

I referred briefly there to ChathusthAna archanam( kumbham, MaNDalam,

Bhimbham, Agni poojA ) , the Homams on different days, ShOdasa NyAsams ,

Pavithra Maaa DhAraNam and other related observances to overcome the lapses

in AarAdhanam by the ArchakAs in the past year and asuddhi in the temple

since the last PavithrOthsavam at the Temple.

 

Today , I will translate the excellent Tamil article prepared at my request by Oppiliappan

Sannidhi SrI Varadha Bhattar, who is currently serving the Lord as His Archaka

at Pomona SrI RanganAtha Temple . He is an expert in PaancharAthra Aagamam besides

being a PoorNAdhikAri In Yajur Vedam and 4000 Divine Collect (Dhivya Prabahndham).

It is my pleasure to share his specially created article to get a deeper understanding of

the most important Vaidhic Festival of PavithrOthsavam at our temples. The material added in

paranthesis is my contribution in the spirit of adding explanations .

I have also taken the liberty of

translating the original Sanskrit slOkams from PaancharAthra Aagamam provided by

Sri Varadha Bhattar into English.

 

 

The Kinds of Uthsavams at the VishNu Aalayams (Temples)

**********************************************************************

In the consecrated temples of the Lord SrIman NaarAyaNa ,

there are three kinds of Uthsavams: NithyOthsavam ,

NaimithikOthsavamn and KaamyOthsavam.

 

NithyOthsavam

******************

Every month there are Pancha Parva Uthsavams that are

recognized as NithyOthsavams . These five Nithya Uthsavams

during each month are: (1)PerumAl's Thirunakshathram

(Revathi for SrI RanganAtha , SravaNam for Lord SrinivAsa) ,

(2) Two EkAdasis ( Sukla and KrishNa Paksha EkAdasis) ,

(3) First day of the Tamil Month ( Maasa PiRappu) ,

(4) AmAvasai ( New Moon Day).

 

NaimitthikOthsavam

*************************

This is a samprOkshaNa (Consecration ) Uthsavam , when any one

of these misfortunes happen: (1) The dhurbhiksham ( inauspiciousness)

caused to the community by Asubha graham combinations (2) Gathi

BhEdhams of the Moon and the Sun (3) the falling down of Gopuram ,

MaNtapams and temple structures (4) Epidemics and horrible diseases

( The Visha Jwaram at Thirupputtkuzhi Dhivya Desam during Swamy

Desikan's Times) , (5) the fracture of the consecrated images

( ThiruveLLUr Moolavar's hand , which was corrected by one of

the Azhagiya Singars, The shift in Peetam of ANDAL Uthsava

Vigraham at SrI PerumbhUthUr et al) and (6) Failure of rains

in the land. These are the NaimitthikOthsavams.

 

KaamyOthsavam:

*********************

This Uthsavam is to seek any one of the Four PurushArTams

(Dharma , Artha , Kaama and Moksham) from the Lord thru

prayers and observance of dedicated festivals ( Golden RaTa

Uthsavam at Oppiliappan Sannidhi).

 

PavithrOthsavam

********************

This is a specail annual Uthsavam for the purposes of the banishment

of all blemishes , lapses in the Year's aarAdhanams by ArchakAs and

to restore Saanidhyam for the Lord . This is hence a Sarva DhOsha

NivAraNa uthsam.

 

It is carried out during the time period between AavaNi month

and Kaarthikai month and is for the preethi of VishNu and for

chEthanam's Moksham . Sukla Paksham in these months are preferred

for the observance of this Sarva DhOsha NivAraNa Uthsavam .Prathamai ,

Thrutheeyai, Panchami , EkAdasi, Dasami ThrayOdasi , DhvAdasi , PourNami

thithis are to be selected for the start of this Uthsavam.

 

Regarding Nakshathrams , RohiNi ( Lord KrishNA's Birth star), Pushyam ,

Mrughaseersham , ChithrA , SravaNa , Revathi , Asvini nakshathrams are

preferred. From Sukla Paksha Prathamai to PourNami , the performance of

PavithrOthsavam on any one of the Nakshathrams are recommended .

It is Utthamam(most auspicious) to initiate this uthsavam on such days.

 

This PavithrOthsavam can have a duration of 5 or 7 or 9 days . At minimum ,

it must be performed for 5 days .On the day of completion of this Uthsavam,

TheerthavAri ( like avabhrutha SnAnam at the end of conclusion of a Yaj~nam)

in the temple tank or the river is to be done.

 

Why the word Pavithram is linked to this Uthsavam?

***************************************************************

Pavithram means Suddham and auspiciousness . Silk threads are

used to create the necklaces for the Lord. There are 5 different colored threads .

In the middle of the threads , there are knots (granthis) . Prathishtai (Consecration)

is done to these colored silk necklaces(garlands) thru invocation of the power of

the dhivya aabharaNams and Jewelery of the Lord ( SrI Vasthram /PeethAmbharam ,

Kireetam/Crown , Kousthubham , Vana Maalai , Sudarsanam et al) . PrANa prathishtai

is next performed to make them fit for the Lord to wear these Pavithra Maalais.

As an integral part of the PavithrOthsavam , the traditional observances such as

Bhagavath PrArTanai, Sankalpam , PuNyAhavAchanam , Mrudh SangarahaNam ,

Vaasthu Saanthi karmAs should be done. The special Yaaga Saalai should be

constructed . DhvAra PoojA is performed for the Yaaga SaalA and PerumAL should

be requested to take His place in the Yaaga SaalA through Chathus-SthAnArchanam

for performing worship during the Uthsavam days.

 

The Four SthAana archanam

***********************************

Kumbham, MaNDalam , Bhimbham and Agni are the four SthAnams

(Focus sites) for the archanai (worship) of the Lord .

 

Kumbham

************

In the YaagasAlai Vedhikai , nine Kumbhams ( Copper vessels adorned with

threads) are established to invoke VaasudEvan , SankarshNan , Pradhyumnan ,

Aniruddhan , Purushan , Sathyan , Ananthan , Achyuthan and Sudarsanan

for AarAdhanam.In the Kumbham , sacred waters from Ganga, Cauvery et al

are requested to be present and these theertha Svaroopa DevathAs are

invoked for dhana dhAnya abhivrutthi.

 

MaNDalam

*************

MaNDalam is BhagavAn's Chakra Aayudham that is drawn as Yanthram (Bhimbham)

and Lord Sudarsana is invoked there . ( In the MaNDalam , Sudarsana MahA Purushan

has Sudarsana JwAla, Nemi , Aram , Naabhi and aksham ). There are also six adhvAs

in the MaNdalam (Shadadhvan NyAsam) : (1) TathvAdhvA (JeevAdhi Tatthvams) ,

(2)BhuvanAdhvA ( the 14 universes starting from ataLa ), (3) VarNAdhvA ( BheejAkAksharams of

Manthrams) ,(4) KalAdhvA (64 Kalais) , (5) ManthrAdhvA ( Moola

Manthram , Moorthy Manthram ,

Phala manthram , Nrusimha Manthram) and (6) PadhAdhvA ( KesavAdhi upavyUha Moorthys ) .

 

In the petals and also in the angles (kONams like AgnEyam ) , SrIvathsam , Sankham ,

ChaNDAdhi DevAs (dwaara PaakakAs ) , VisvaksEnar , VynathEyar (Garudan) are to be

invoked and worshipped.

 

This MaNDala AarAdhana rules (Vithi) are found especially in PaancharAthra Aagamam.

When Sudarsanar is invoked in MaNDalam directly , He removes all fears (Bheethi)

and confers auspiciousness.He burns away all blemishes . MaNDala aaraadhanam is

done to grace the BhakthAs and make dhushtAs powerless.

 

BhimBhArAdhanam

***********************

PerumAl is brought to Yaaga SaalA and invoked for worship there.

The misfortunes in the land and that of the rulers are removed through

this Chathus-sTAna AarAdhanam .

 

Agni AarAdhanam

**********************

The YaagAgni Kuntams are constructed in the Yaaga Saalai as instructed by

the Aagmams. BhagavAn is invoked there in the middle of Agni in the Kuntam.

Homam is performed with PradhAna Manthrams. For consecration of'

the Agni used in the Yaaga Saalaa , GarbhAdhAna and Jaathakarma

ceremonies have to be done for the Agni , In AagamAs , Agni Prathishtai

is classified under three Categories: BaalAgni, VruddhAgni and YouanAgni.

For SamprOkshaNam , Dheekshai and other Saanthi KarmAs , BaalAgni

is used. For Uthsavams such as PavithrOthsavam , BrahmOthsavam ,

VruddhAgni is to be used. BaalAgni is created by rubbing a special kind

of wood ( araNikkattai) against a holder and Agni is churned out(maTanam).

VruddhAgni is the Agni present with AgnihOthris or it is brought from

the Madapalli (Kitchen of the Lord).

 

Agni has seven tongues (Saptha JihvA) : KaaLI, KarALI, SumanA , lOhitha,

DhUmrA , Sphulingini and Visvaroopa. Each of them have a specific location

in the Agni Kuntam . KaaLI is in the middle , KarALee is in Poorva dhig

and the others are in the AagnEya dhig, VaaruNa dhig, West , North , Vaayu Dhig ,

and North East (IsAnyam) . For dhOsha Nivrutthi , Only offerings thru Agni or water

has to be made to other DevathAs that ultimately reaches their antharyAmi , SrIman NaarAyaNan.

VedAs declare that the Lord is in the form of Agni ( Yaj~nO vai VishNu:). Even the Yaj~nam

is VishNu Mayam.

 

In Yaj~na Kuntam , PerumAL is invoked and homam is performed with

Moola Manthram, PanchOpanishad Manthram , Pancha VaaruNika manthrams .

At the end PoorNahUthi is done for the day. These homams are done thrice ,

five times or 7 times during the day and on the last day ShOdasa Tathtva NyAsa

Homam and Saanthi hOmam are performed to conclude the PavithrOthsavam.

 

ShOdasa Tathva NyAsa Homam

***************************************

The first Tathva Homam involves PrANAdhi Dasa Vaayu NyAsam , PrANa PrathishtA

Homam , Moola Manthra Homam , Aayudha NyAsa Homam and BhUshaNa NyAsa

Homam ( All the Aayudhams and AabharaNams represent different MahA Tatthvams).

 

The 16 (ShOdasa) NyAsams are :

 

1) PraNava NyAsam (2) VyAhrudhi NyAsam (3) Akshara NyAsam

4) Nakshathra NyAsam (5) Gruha NyAsam (6) Kaala NyAsam

(7) BrAhmaNAdhi VarNa NyAsam (8) ThOya NyAsam (9) Nigama NyAsam

(10) DevathA NyAsam (11) VairAjan NyAsam (12) Krathu NyAsam

(13) GuNa NyAsam (14) Moorthy NyAsam (15) Sakthi NyAsam

and (16) Shad GuNa NyAsam .

 

Each of these homams are done and the residue (samphAdham ) from

the Agni Kuntam is collected and applied to the Lord's limbs from

the sacred feet upto Siras (head).

 

Saanthi Homam

**********************

Chathur VyAhruthi Manthra ( BhU SvAhA , Bhuva: Sva: BhUrbuhva: SvAhA )

homam are performed 108 times with honey , milk , Curd and ghee .The SampAdham

from this Saanthi Homam is applied from the sacred feet , Stomach, Face and the Siras

of the Lord.Thereafter , Jaggery, Honey , Ghee are used to the accompaniment of

VishNU Gaayathri (108 times) and oblations are offered; at the end the SamphAdham

from this Homam is applied to all the limbs of the Lord.

 

PrANAhUthi follows ; PrAyascchittha Homam is done with PanchOpanishad

manthrams. The Sakthi from the Kuntam is transferred to the Kumbam and the Kuntam

is returned to yathA sTAnam . DhvAra Devathais are sent back to their homes

(yathA sTAnam) with reverential prayers. Then, the Sakthi in the ManDalam

is transferred to Kumbham . It is followed by Kumbha YaadhrA dhAnam and

the Kumbham is taken in procession to Moolavar sannidhi with all upachArams .

Kumbha Sakthi is now transferred to Moolavar (Dhruva bhEram) .All saanidhis are

sprinkled (prOkshaNam) with the water from Kumbham . TheerthavAri is carried out

and ChakratthAzhwAr is immersed in the waters by the archakAs . At the Moolavar

Sannidhi , JithanTE sthOthram is recited and is followed by the grand SaaRRumuRai

with Vedam, Upanishads, IthihAsams and Dhivya Prabhandhams . PrasAdam is

presented . Theertham , SatAri, Ghoshti ViniyOgam of Bhagavad PrasAdham

conclude this annual PavithrOthsavam Festival at VishNu Temples.

 

ArchakA's Mnthra Bhalam keeps the Sannidhyam of the consecrated Images

of the Lord at the Temples. ArchakA has to serve the Lord without anticipating

any gains (Aathmartha AarAdhanam) . Such an AarAdhanam will grant soubhAgyams

to the devotees. When the Archaka is not performing such aarAdhanam , he is

called an amanthraka archakan and the Lord runs away from him like a human

being confronting a Cobra and the animals of the forest , when they see a lion.

Archaka and the devotees have to recognize the consecrated ArchA images of

the Lord as SaakshAth BhagavAn and not as some image made of stone, metal or

wood. Those who consider that way will surely suffer in narakam.

 

The Archakan , who uses the prescribed AarAdhana Manthrams daily

causes the Saannidhyam of the Lord to grow in the Consecrated Bhimbhams

of Him.When Archaka is blessed to perform such AarAdhanam without

expecting any returns , he reaches VishNu Padham at the end of his life on

this earth.This is what PaancharAthra Aagamam texts state.The Manthra

Veeryam (potency) of the archaka results in Saanidhyam (presence) of the Lord

at His sannidhis and PavithrOthsavam banishes any dimmunition in the Lord's

presence in His consecrated images at the VishNu Aalayams due to lapses

in AarAdhanams according to the prescribed aagamic rules .

 

Let us enjoy the upcoming PavithrOthsavams at the Temples during

this season and appreciate the significance of these ancient rites.

 

LokAs-SamasthAs-sukhinO Bhavanthu

 

Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri SadagOpan