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Pramaadhi New Year
Worship Procedure
0546 hours GMT, April 14, 1999
Part 1 of 8
In the very first issue of AUMzine, we pointed
out the importance of timing and the nine lords.
Each maasam (month) is marked by the entry of
Sri Soorya
into one of the twelve raasis (signs).
Soorya's entry into the Mésha raasi marks the commencement of Chithirai maasam and
also a new varusham (year).
Each varusham generally starts in mid April.
As we remarked in the article on timing, the varushams repeat in a 60 year cycle.
The varusham (year) that commences at 0546 hours GMT on April 14, 1999 is called Pramaadhi varusham.
All spiritual aspirants must observe the commencement of each new year and month with solemn prayer and worship.
The worship procedure for welcoming the Pramaadhi new year is the subject of this article.
1. Invocatory Worship Procedures
a. Ganapathi Worship
The thithi at 0546 hours GMT, April 14, 1999
is Thrayodasi.
But this moment in time
corresponds to Tuesday is some parts of the world and to Wednesday in some other parts.
The thithis that span these two days are Dvaadasi, Thrayodasi and Chathurdasi.
Begin the worship procedure by saluting the specific Ganapathi moorthis who reign over these three thithis thus:
| - Om Sri Ganapathiyé Namaha |
| - Om Sri Lakshmi Ganapathiyé Namaha |
| - Om Sri Maha Ganapathiyé Namaha |
| - Om Sri Vijaya Ganapathiyé Namaha |
Recite these divine names three times each.
b. Kula Dévata Worship
Kula Dévata = Family Deity.
Next to Ganapathi worship is worship of the family deity.
For example, if Sri Ranganatha is your family deity, salute Him thus:
| - Om Sri Ranganaathaaya Namaha |
Meditating on and praying to one's family deity is a crucial part of all worship procedures.
c. Ishta Dévata Worship
Ishta Dévata = Personal Deity, the deity chosen by each human as his or her favorite personal deity.
Unlike the family deity who is handed down from generation to generation, the personal deity is chosen by each one of us
out of our own volition. Each and every one of us must choose and offer worship to a personal deity.
Worship of the personal deity is the third step in the invocatory part of any worship procedure.
For example, if Sri Muruga is your personal deity, salute Him thus:
| - Om Sri Murugaaya Namaha |
d. Invocation of Sri Ganapathi's Presence
The invocatory part of all worship procedures involves worship of Sri Ganapathi,
one's family and personal deities. Once this has been observed, we are ready
to request Sri Ganapathi's presence in our midst. Do it thus:
In your home shrine, place a betel leaf with the tip of the leaf pointing towards west or south.
In other words, the stem part of the leaf must be towards east or north.
While meditating on Sri Ganapathi, dab a few drops of water on a tablespoon of turmeric powder
and mould it into a pyramidal form using the fingers of your right hand.
Then request Sri Ganapathi's presence by saying:
| - Sri Maha Ganapathi Aavaahayaami or |
| - Sri Maha Ganapathi, Please bless us with Your presence. |
The moolika spiritual properties of turmeric are such that it can house the divine presence of Sri Ganapathi.
If we are faithful and sincere in our request to Sri Ganapathi, He will certainly grace us with His divine presence.
These four steps must be observed at the beginning of all worship procedures.
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An Agasthiar Nugget
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Want a good wife? Help out an orphanage that cares for girls.
Want a good husband? Help out an orphanage that cares for boys.
Want good children? Visit the homes of the elderly and help them out.
(A California billionaire is said to have remarked that he would gladly exchange his wealth
for one successful marriage. This is proof that wealth alone can not decide happiness in
family life. But follow Sri Agasthiar's advice and you'll get what you want.)
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Part 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8
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