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| |Shraddha for Ancestors | | |Shraddha for Ancestors |
| |Once a month | | |Once a month |
− | |On Parva day (Amavasya) the full moon day of the month especially in Bhadrapada masa (September) (page 161) | + | |On Parva day (Amavasya) the new-moon day of the month especially in Bhadrapada masa (September) (page 161) |
| |- | | |- |
| |4 | | |4 |
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| |Bali to snakes | | |Bali to snakes |
| |Once a year | | |Once a year |
− | |Paurnami or Fullmoon day of Sravana masa (August) after sunset | + | |Purnima or Fullmoon day of Shravana masa (August) after sunset |
| |- | | |- |
| |7 | | |7 |
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| The grhyagni is set up primarily by a prospective grhastha at the time of his wedding (दारकाले) or at the time of division of the ancestral property, individually, by the sons (दायाद्यकाल). Upon the death of the father, in a joint family, the eldest of the brothers should set up the grhyagni. Usually it is kindled using the [[Agnyadhana (अग्न्याधानम्)|Agnyadhana]] procedure on an Amavasya or new moon day at an auspicious time. | | The grhyagni is set up primarily by a prospective grhastha at the time of his wedding (दारकाले) or at the time of division of the ancestral property, individually, by the sons (दायाद्यकाल). Upon the death of the father, in a joint family, the eldest of the brothers should set up the grhyagni. Usually it is kindled using the [[Agnyadhana (अग्न्याधानम्)|Agnyadhana]] procedure on an Amavasya or new moon day at an auspicious time. |
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− | The homa is performed uttering the "Svaha" to be constantly pronounced at the end of each mantra. Pakayajna is the name of that which is performed in Ekagni. Here the Rtvik is not to perform but oneself has to perform the morning and evening homa on his own. <blockquote>स्वाहान्ता मन्त्रा होमेष १९ पाकयज्ञ इत्याख्या यः कश्चैकाग्नौ २० तत्रर्त्विग्ब्रह्मा सायंप्रातर्होमवर्जम् २१ स्वयं हौत्रम् २२ (Khad. Grhy. Sutr. 1.1.19-22)<ref>Khadira Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Full Text])</ref></blockquote>Although there is little unanimity among the Grhyasutras regarding the names of deities to who the ahutis are given, the following deities are mentioned by most of the texts: Agni, Soma, Prajapati, Dhanvantari, Visvedevas, Agni Svishtakrit, Anumati, Brahman. | + | The homa is performed uttering the "Svaha" to be constantly pronounced at the end of each mantra. Pakayajna is the name of that which is performed in Ekagni. Here the Rtvik is not to perform but oneself has to perform the morning and evening homa on his own. <blockquote>स्वाहान्ता मन्त्रा होमेष १९ पाकयज्ञ इत्याख्या यः कश्चैकाग्नौ २० तत्रर्त्विग्ब्रह्मा सायंप्रातर्होमवर्जम् २१ स्वयं हौत्रम् २२ (Khad. Grhy. Sutr. 1.1.19-22)<ref>Khadira Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Full Text])</ref></blockquote>Although there is little unanimity among the Grhyasutras regarding the names of deities to who the ahutis are given, the following deities are mentioned by most of the texts: Agni, Soma, Prajapati, Dhanvantari, Visvedevas, Agni Svishtakrit, Anumati, Brahman.<ref name=":0" /> |
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| == Brief Description of Pakayajnas == | | == Brief Description of Pakayajnas == |
| There is overlapping and few are interrelated activities between the different Pakayajnas varying according to the grhyasutras. A few of the minor yajnas are briefly described here. Some others like Ashtaka, Vaishvadeva, Shraddha are rendered more elaborately. | | There is overlapping and few are interrelated activities between the different Pakayajnas varying according to the grhyasutras. A few of the minor yajnas are briefly described here. Some others like Ashtaka, Vaishvadeva, Shraddha are rendered more elaborately. |
| + | |
| + | === श्रावणम् ॥ Shravana === |
| + | ''Also called Shravana-karma (श्रवणाकर्म), Sarpabali (सर्पबलिः)'' |
| + | |
| + | As this ceremony is performed in the month of Shravana, specifically on the Purnima day, it is called Shravana as per most Grhyasutras. This should not be confused with the Shravanam or Upakarma ceremony related to study of Vedas, though both are performed on the same day. This ceremony is performed keeping the snakes or serpents in view. One may easily understand that Shravana masa corresponding to the month of August is the rainy season, when the rain water runs into the holes of the ground, due to which many burrowing animals come up to the surface. Fear of snakes entering the houses and snake-bite is a natural fear instinct. Snakes are worshipped and our ancients have taught us to offer prayers and bali not only on that day to seek protection. Manava GS, explicitly mentions about the fear of snakes and propitiation of powerful snakes. Baudhayana GS (3.10.2-6) states that Sarpabali should be performed every year, every season, or every ayana (six months) or every month, specifically in the rainy season under the Ashresha nakshatra. It gives a long list of deities which are to be propitiated on the occasion of the Sarpabali; some of the names include Dhritarashtra, Takshaka, Taarkshya, and Aahira. |
| + | |
| + | ==== Brief Procedure ==== |
| + | Paraskara GS describes this ceremony in detail and the procedure is similar to that described other grhyasutras. The grhastha cooks a Sthalipaka and Purodasa cake along with preparation of the fried grains and pounding them. He offers the pounded grains and performs the two Ajyabhagas with Svahakara and recitation of relevant mantras. |
| + | |
| + | स्थालीपाकस्य जुहोति विष्णवे श्रवणाय श्रावण्यै पौर्णमास्यै वर्षाभ्यश्चेति ६ |
| + | |
| + | धानावन्तमिति धानानाम् ७ घृताक्तान्सक्तून्सर्पेभ्यो जुहोति ८ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 2.14.6-8)<ref name=":3" /> |
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| === प्रत्यवरोहणम् ॥ Prayavarohana === | | === प्रत्यवरोहणम् ॥ Prayavarohana === |
− | Prayavarohana (प्रत्यवरोहणम्) which means to "descend again" is a rite which marks the ceremonial descent of the entire family from a high couch or cot, which was used from Sravana Purnima (fullmoon of Sravana maasa) due to increased presence of snakes at that time. It is also called Aagrahayani (आग्रहायणी) because it is performed on the Purnima day in the month of Margasira masa which is called as Agrahayana (अग्रहायणम्) masa.<ref name=":32" />
| + | ''Also called Aagrahayani (आग्रहायणी)'', ''Aagrahayani-karma (आग्रहायणीकर्म)'' |
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− | Shankhayana GS states the following that in the time of Margasir
| + | Prayavarohana (प्रत्यवरोहणम्) which means to "descend again" is a rite which marks the ceremonial descent of the entire family from a high couch or cot, which was used from Sravana Purnima (fullmoon of Sravana maasa) due to increased presence of snakes at that time. It is also called Aagrahayani (आग्रहायणी) because it is performed on the Purnima day in the month of Margashira masa which is called as Agrahayana (अग्रहायणम्) masa.<ref name=":32" /> |
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− | आग्रहायण्यां प्रत्यवरोहेद् १ (Shan. Grhy. Sutr. 4.17.1)<ref name=":5" /> <blockquote>सर्पदेवजनेभ्यः स्वाहेति सायं प्रातर्बलिं हरेदा प्रत्यवरोहणात् १४ (Ashv. Grhy. Sutr. 2.1.14)<ref name=":6" /></blockquote> | + | Shankhayana GS states that during Aagrahayana masa, Pratyavarohana rite is conducted. Paraskara GS states Aagrahayani karma instead of using the term Pratyavarohana. Ashvalayana GS state the sarpadevatas have to be offered bali in the morning and evening with Svahakara (स्वाहाकारः).<blockquote>आग्रहायण्यां प्रत्यवरोहेद् १ (Shan. Grhy. Sutr. 4.17.1)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>मार्गशीर्ष्यां पौर्णमास्यामाग्रहायणीकर्म १ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 3.2.1)<ref name=":3" /> </blockquote><blockquote>सर्पदेवजनेभ्यः स्वाहेति सायं प्रातर्बलिं हरेदा प्रत्यवरोहणात् १४ (Ashv. Grhy. Sutr. 2.1.14)<ref name=":6" /></blockquote> |
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| == References == | | == References == |
| <references /> | | <references /> |