Importance of Udaka (Sacred Waters) in our Nitya Karma Anushtana

[Guest guest]

Dear Saktha bandhu,

 

Given below is a short piece of information which elucidates why the water is

used as purificatory rites in our nitya karma.

 

When there is Creation of Universe, the Parama Pususha rupa Agni enters into

the Apah (the Sacred Waters) and creates the Cosmos. The Paramatma when thus

ready for Creation is called “APAH”. Since, the Parama Purusha rupa Agni bears

this APAH, he is called “APSUMAAN. It is this “APAH” that bears the entire seed

of creation. It is this Parama Purusha in the form of Udaka Devata that is

invoked in our Nitya Karmanushtana.

 

Apo vai Narayanah.. says the Sruthi. Lord Narayana takes the form of Waters

(Udaka) and creates the entire Cosmos. Making the ‘Nara’ / ‘Udaka’ as the

medium, creates the Universe and hence, he is called “NARAYANA”.

 

It is this APAH, the Sacred Waters that bears the seed of Creation, invoked

during the Kalasa Sthapana (Please refer the mantra “Apo Va Idam Sarvam, Vishwa

Bhutaan Apah…………”). This mantra says that this entire universe is of the form

of APAH.

 

Please refer the Yajurveda Mantra “Apo histha mayobhuvah taa na urje

dadhatana……….Apo Jana Yatha Chanah”. This is also used in Sandhya Anushtana.

 

Since, this Narayana rupa Paramapurusha in the form of APAH, is of the form of

Supreme Bliss, he is called as “Mayobhuvah”. Since, this Paramapurusha has

supreme energies, this energy is invoked in us as “Taa Na Urje Dadhatana”.

(Please refer Yajur Veda Rik “Apo Hista Mayobhuvah………..Apo Jana Yatha Chanah”).

It is this Udaka rupa Paramapurusha that is invoked to bless and nourish us with

His Rasa (Divine Energy) as Mother nourishes her children with Milk. The last

mantra of “Apo Histha..” denotes the Progeny (Apo Jana Yatha Chanah). This

Progeny is not to be misunderstood with Procreation of Children.

 

This implies “May we become Multitude and Transmit the Knowledge and Bliss in

All Directions”.

 

Please refer the Mantra “Hiranyavarnaah Shuchayah Pavakaah…… …Balam Ojo

Niddhatta” of Yajur Veda which is also used in Sandhya Anushtana.

 

Since, this Narayana rupa Udaka is also of the form of Agni, he is termed as

the “Resplendent / Effulgent / Luminent One”. And hence, “Hiranyavaraah”.

Since, he cleanses our entire sins, he is “Suchayah”. Since, he is of the form

of Bliss Divine, he is termed as “Madhuschyutah”. It is this Agni rupa

Paramatma that is invoked for Brahma Varchas or Brahma Tejas in the mantra “Huve

vo mayee varcho balam ojo Nidhatta”.

 

Please refer the Mantra “Dadhikravano Akarisham Jishno Ashvasya

Vaajinah………Tarishat” of Sandhya Mantra.

 

Dadhikraav is the Agni devata that presides over the Curd / Dadhi. During the

Ashwamedha Yajana, the Srauta Sutras ordain the Yajamana to purify their mouth

and teeth with Dadhi or Curd. It is this Agni rupa Paramapurusha again that is

invoked for Purity of Speech. Because, without Vaak Shuddhi or the Purity of

Speech, one is not entitled for Mantra Anushtana whether it is Gayatri mantra or

other mantras. And hence, this Dadhikraav is invoked for Vaak Shuddhi in the

Mantra “Surabhino Mukhakarat”.

 

“Ashwasya” denotes the Divine Strength. Some Vaishnava Scholars interpret

this Mantra in terms of “Hayagriva”.

 

When we sprinkle the Udaka on us saying that “Apavitah Pavitro Vaa……”, it is

this Pundarikaasha rupa Paramapurusha in the Udaka / The Sacred Waters that is

invoked for external and internal purity.

 

Hence, to conclude that “APAH” is not mere Waters but the Sacred “NARAYANA” or

“PARAMAPURUSHA” that bears the SEED OF ENTIRE CREATION. He is “APSUMAAN”. This

NARAYANA is the UDAKA DEVATA.

 

During the Kalasa Sthapana, Sandhya Anushtana, Punya Havachana, Vaidika

Karmanushtana, it is this AGNI / NARAYANA / PARAMA PURUSHA that is invoked as

Udaka Devata in APAH / The Sacred Waters.

 

With Regards,

Sriram

 

 

 

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