According to the
Vedic Tradition, there are literally thousands of Devas or expressions of the
Divine that are responsible for progress in virtually every specific area of
life. There are also certain days during the month or the year when particular
qualities of the Divinities listed above are most lively and Yagyas are most effective.
Please consult with a good Pandit, if you have a particular need or desire, who
may advise you which Pooja or Homa may be appropriate, and on which date.
Yagyas for Graha
Shanti (Gaining Benefic Influence from the Planets)
A second category
of Vedic Cerermonies is “Graha Shanti” performances for reducing the negative
effects of our past karma as expressed through the agency of our “cosmic
counterparts” in the form of the seven planets plus Rahu and Ketu.
Navagraha Shanti
Pooja and/or Homa
Genereally a
“Navagraha Shanti” Pooja and/or Homa is a performance that appeals to all nine
of these heavenly bodies, with special emphasis on the one or two planets that
may need special attention. These ceremonies are participatory. Although the
Pandit performs the Pooja, the sponsor is intimately involved in the Navagraha
ceremony, as he or she is in the other types of Vedic ceremonies. This Yagna
may last from two to four hours or more in length and may involve a homa as
well as a special Pooja.
A trained Jyotishi
will be able to identify which of the planets may be in need of remedial
measures and prescribe the appropriate measures.
In addition to
Graha Shanti Poojas, certain ceremonies for Ganesh, Durga, Vishnu or Siva may
also be appropriate to help alleviate the negative influence from a specific
planetary situation. A special “Narayanvali” ceremony to bring peace to one’s
ancestors, may also be helpful in certain situations.
Birthday Graha
Shanti Yagyas
On a person’s
birthday, it is traditional to start one’s personal “New Year” with a Navagraha
Shanti Pooja or Yagna, along with a Pooja to Ganesh and Mother
Divine to ensure support of Nature during the upcoming twelve months.
Inauguration Graha
Shanti Yagyas
When starting any
important endeavour, such as a business or going to school, a Navagraha
Shanti Yagna is traditionally performed, often accompanied by a Pooja to
Lakshmi, Ganesh or Saraswati, depending on the nature of the endeavour being
started.
Mool Shanti Yagyas
These special
Yagyas are performed to alleviate the negative effects of the natal Moon’s
position in Aswini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Moola or Revati. Depending on
the natal chart, they may be combined with Yagyas to Ganesha, Durga, Vishnu or
Siva, or with the Navagraha Shanti Yagna.
Naagvali Pooja
This specialized
Pooja is understood to nullify the effects of Kala Sarpa Yoga in the birth
chart (“the yoga of the Serpent of Time” which occurs when all planets move
towards Rahu or Ketu.)
Kumbha Vivaha
This specialized
ceremony for women is performed to neutralize certain Jyotish Yogas (such as
Vaidhavya Yoga) that indicate widowhood or divorce.
Poojas for Benefic
Influence on a New-Born Child
When a baby is born
a Graha Shanti Yagna is also performed to help clear the path of any
obstacles to the newborn’s evolution. In addition to the Graha Shanti
ceremonies there are also specific Yagyas to ensure the good health of a
new-born child whose birth chart has certain unfavourable combinations. These
ceremonies include Mool Shanti and the Naagvali Pooja to nullify
Kala Sarpa Yoga. These Yagyas may also be appropriate for adults with certain
planetary combinations.
Yagyas for
Important Life Transitions
There are also
Traditional Vedic Ceremonies to ensure smooth passage into virtually every new
important state of human life. These ceremonies are performed on specially
selected days that may precede the event or that may occur as an integral part
of the specific transition.
These ceremonies
for various life stages include:
1. Conception
2. Entering School
3. First Feeding of Grains (Annaprasan)
4. First Hair-Cutting (Chowla)
5. First Time Out-of-Doors for the Baby
6. Initiation into Vedic Studies (Upanayan)
7. Marriage Vedic Wedding Ceremony
8. Name-Giving (Namakaran)
9. Piercing the Ears (Karanchhedan)
10. Safe Delivery and Birth
11. Start of Study of Alphabet (Vidyaramba)
12. Strengthening the Unborn Child (Seemanta)
13. Vastu Shanti Ceremonies:
i) Ground-Breaking for House Building (Bhoomi & Vastu Pooja)
ii) Establishing Door Frame in New Building
iii) Entering a New Home or Building
14. Starting a Business
15. Wedding Anniversaries
16. Performance of Funeral Rites
Performance of
Rites to Honour the Deceased (Narayanvali).
Dr. Shanker Adawal
Profile: www.connectingmind.comResearch work and
articles on Bhrigu Nadi astrology: www.shankerstudy.com
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