What is Purascharana? Understanding Preparatory Rites for Mantra Japas
Purascharana (Purascharana) stands as a crucial facet of mantra japa practices. Delve into its significance, types, rituals, and key principles.
Table of Contents
Purascharana as Defined in the Vedas
Purascharana, derived from the words “puras” (first of all) and “ācharaṇa” (undertaking, practicing, performing), translates to “first preparatory rites.” This term is intrinsically linked with mantra japas, the repetitive chanting of sacred sounds or phrases. In this realm, Purascharana plays a pivotal role.
Understanding Preparatory Rites for Mantra Japas | Two Varieties of Purascharana Rites
Recitations with Rituals:
One form of Purascharana involves setting a specific count of mantra repetitions, followed by homa (fire offerings), tarpaṇa (ritual offerings to ancestors), mārjana (purification), and bhojana (feasting) at regular intervals.
Mantra Japa:
The second type focuses solely on mantra japa, where practitioners complete a designated number of rounds as prescribed by mantra śāstra-s (scriptures on mantras).
Permission from the Guru
Purascharana should only commence after obtaining explicit permission from the Guru who initiated the mantra. It is essential to pay reverence to the Guru both before and after the Purascharana. Dakṣiṇa, a token of gratitude, should also be offered to the Guru or, if unavailable, to their spouse or child.
Five Components of Mantra Japa
A mantra japa comprises five key elements: mantra repetition, homa, tarpaṇa, mārjana, and bhojana. These components form the foundation of the Purascharana process.
Selecting the Right Venue
Choosing an appropriate location for Purascharana is vital. Preferred sites include mountaintops, riverbanks, forests, temples, ocean shores, and one’s own home. It is crucial that the chosen place facilitates unhindered homa rituals. A dedicated shelter or shed should be erected for performing these rites, as open spaces are generally unsuitable, except in temples or one’s own house.
The Role of Pūjā in Purascharana
Pūjā (worship) is an integral part of the Purascharana ritual. It is emphasized that mantra japa should not be undertaken without performing pūjā.
Dietary and Lifestyle Restrictions
During Purascharana, practitioners are advised to adhere to specific dietary and lifestyle restrictions:
- Avoid sweet, astringent, oily, and spicy foods.
- According to the Kulārṇava Tantra, one should consume food prepared only by oneself.
- Abstain from napping and gossip.
- Sleep on the floor.
- Take three baths daily.
- Maintain silence.
- Practice celibacy.
- Guard against anger throughout the ritual.
Homa Practices
During homa, it is recommended to sleep close to the homa kuṇḍa (fire pit). These homa rituals can extend for several consecutive days, with the exception of a four-hour break around noon (typically from 11:30 to 15:30 hrs).
Adjustments for Unavailable Homa
If performing homa becomes unfeasible, 40% of the prescribed repetitions for Purascharana should be chanted as additional mantra japa.
Understanding Repetition Counts
While a general guideline suggests 100,000 repetitions for each akṣara (syllable) in a mantra, specific mantra śāstra-s dictate fixed repetition counts. For instance, the Chaṇḍi Navākṣarī mantra, with nine akṣara-s, prescribes only 400,000 repetitions. Similarly, the Mahāṣoḍaṣī mantra, with 28 akṣara-s, requires 900,000 repetitions, but for Purascharana, only 100,000 repetitions are mandated. This means that after completing 100,000 repetitions in Purascharana, an additional 800,000 repetitions are necessary.
The Daśāaṁśa Principle
The core principle of Purascharana is the “daśāaṁśa,” where 10% of mantra repetitions correspond to homa, 10% of homa to tarpaṇa, 10% of tarpaṇa to mārjana (self-purification), and finally, 10% of mārjana to bhojana. It is imperative that those invited for bhojana are knowledgeable in the Vedas or practice the same mantra for which Purascharana is being performed. In the case of a mantra belonging to a Devi (goddess), suvāsini pūjā (ritual honoring married women) should follow the completion of all other rites.
Purascharana in Details
Purascharana stands as a profound practice that requires dedication, discipline, and adherence to sacred rituals, ultimately leading to spiritual growth and realization.
The intricate steps of the Purascharana ritual
A sacred practice integral to mantra japa, aimed at realizing the full potential of a mantra.
1. Preparation and Sankalpa (Resolve)
Three days before initiating the Purascharana, select the chosen location and make a sankalpa, a solemn vow, to dedicate this place for the Purascharana.
2. Offering Bali (Sacrifices)
Invoke the blessings of kṣetrapāla (the guardian deity of the chosen place), aṣṭadikpālaka-s (guardians of the eight directions), and other relevant deities through various bali (sacrificial offerings).
3. Formal Sankalpa for Purascharana
Take a formal sankalpa, reaffirming your commitment to carry out the Purascharana.
4. Initiate Mantra Japa and Rituals
Begin with mantra japa, the repetitive chanting of the chosen mantra, followed by other prescribed rites.
5. Homa (Fire Ritual)
During the homa (fire ritual), invoke the specific deity associated with the mantra into the homa fire. Different mantras require distinct offerings; for example, Mahāṣoḍaṣī mantra involves offering trimadhuram, a mixture of ghee, honey, and milk, as oblations. Ghee remains a constant in these offerings.
6. Tarpaṇa (Ritual Offering to Ancestors)
For tarpaṇa, water should be collected in a copper vessel (kalaśa) and infused with fragrant condiments. Invoke the relevant deity in the kalaśa. Using an uttaraṇi (spoon) in the left hand, offer water from the right palm. Hold two flowers between your ring and index fingers. Pour the water from the right palm into another vessel through the flowers. Conclude the mantra recitation with the deity’s name and “तर्पयामि नमः” (tarpayāmi namaḥ). Example:
- om śrīṁ hrīṁ klīṁ aiṁ sauḥ — ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ऐं सौः
- īṁ hrīṁ śrīṁ — ईं ह्रीं श्रीं
- ka e ī la hrīṁ — क ए ई ल ह्रीं
- ha sa ka ha la hrīṁ — ह स क ह ल ह्रीं
- sa ka la hrīṁ — स क ल ह्रीं
- sauḥ aiṁ klīṁ hrīṁ śrīṁ Śrī Lalitāmahātripurasundari Parābhaṭṭārikā tarpayāmi namaḥ —
- सौः ऐं क्लीं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री ललितामहात्रिपुरसुन्दरि पराभट्टारिका तर्पयामि नमः
7. Mārjana (Self-Purification)
Again, invoke the relevant deity in the kalaśa for mārjana. If the number of tarpaṇa-s is minimal, the same kalaśa water can be used for mārjana. Employ an uttaraṇi to transfer water from the kalaśa to the right palm, and sprinkle it on your head. Conclude the mantra recitation with the deity’s name and “मार्जयामि नमः” (mārjayāmi namaḥ). Example:
- om śrīṁ hrīṁ klīṁ aiṁ sauḥ — ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ऐं सौः
- īṁ hrīṁ śrīṁ — ईं ह्रीं श्रीं
- ka e ī la hrīṁ — क ए ई ल ह्रीं
- ha sa ka ha la hrīṁ — ह स क ह ल ह्रीं
- sa ka la hrīṁ — स क ल ह्रीं
- sauḥ aiṁ klīṁ hrīṁ śrīṁ Śrī Lalitāmahātripurasundari Parābhaṭṭārikā mārjayāmi namaḥ —
- सौः ऐं क्लीं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री ललितामहात्रिपुरसुन्दरि पराभट्टारिका मार्जयामि नमः
8. Inviting Vedic Scholars or Sādhaka-s for Bhojana (Feasting)
Extend invitations to Vedic Pandits or fellow practitioners of the mantra for a feast. Invoke the deity in all participants before offering the meal. Express gratitude by offering dakṣiṇa (a token of appreciation) according to your capacity.
9. Suvāsini Pūjā (For Female Deities)
If the deity associated with the mantra is female, perform suvāsini pūjā, a ritual honoring married women.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Purascharana
What is Purascharana (Purascharana)?
Purascharana is a sacred ritual associated with mantra japa (chanting of mantras). It involves a series of preparatory rites and rituals to maximize the efficacy of a mantra.
Why is Purascharana performed?
Purascharana is performed to achieve mantra siddhi, which signifies the realization of the mantra’s full potential. It is believed to enhance spiritual growth and fulfill specific desires.
What are the different types of Purascharana?
There are primarily two types: one involves setting a specific count of mantra repetitions followed by rituals like homa (fire offerings), tarpaṇa (ancestor offerings), and more. The other type focuses solely on mantra japa with specific repetition counts.
When should one perform Purascharana?
Purascharana should be initiated only after obtaining permission from one’s Guru, who initiated the mantra. It requires careful planning and should be performed with full devotion.
Where should Purascharana be conducted?
Preferred locations include mountaintops, riverbanks, forests, temples, ocean shores, or one’s own home. A conducive environment for homa rituals is essential, except in temples and one’s home.
What are the dietary and lifestyle restrictions during Purascharana?
Practitioners are advised to avoid sweet, astringent, oily, and spicy foods. They should practice celibacy, maintain silence, sleep on the floor, and take three baths daily, among other guidelines.
What is the significance of homa in Purascharana?
Homa is the fire ritual where the specific deity associated with the mantra is invoked into the homa fire. It involves offering prescribed oblations, often including ghee, as a key ingredient.
What is tarpaṇa, and why is it performed?
Tarpaṇa is a ritual offering to ancestors and guardian deities. It is done with water infused with fragrant condiments. Tarpaṇa is an essential part of Purascharana to honor and seek blessings from these entities.
How is mārjana (self-purification) carried out during Purascharana?
Mārjana involves invoking the relevant deity in water and then sprinkling this consecrated water on oneself. It serves as a purification process and typically follows tarpaṇa.
What happens if the mantra does not fructify after Purascharana?
If the mantra fails to fructify, the entire Purascharana process may need to be repeated. Mantra siddhi, or the fruition of the mantra, is often signaled by auspicious dreams during the ritual.
Who can guide me through the Purascharana process?
Your Guru, the spiritual teacher who initiated the mantra, is the ultimate authority on the procedures to be followed during Purascharana. Seek their guidance and wisdom throughout the ritual.
Is Purascharana specific to a particular mantra?
Yes, Purascharana is specific to the mantra you are practicing. Each mantra has its own prescribed rituals and repetition counts for Purascharana.
Purascharana is a profound and spiritually enriching practice that requires careful adherence to tradition and guidance from a qualified Guru.
Can Purascharana be initiated without a guru?
Answer: As I explained earlier, yes, one can initiate Purascharana without a guru. However, it’s advisable to have a guru, especially for mantras where phonetics are crucial. Correcting mistakes may require the guru’s presence.
Should the mantra be repeated a fixed number of times daily? What if there’s a variation in the count each day?
Answer: Purascharana is a revision exercise. There’s no fixed daily count for mantras until you attain complete knowledge and mastery. For example, the “Gayathri Mantra” is commonly chanted 108 times a day, but exceeding this count is fine. The focus should be on dedication and understanding, not the number.
What if one repeats the mantra without setting a daily count (sankalpa)?
Answer: “Sankalpa” is a dedication to a ritual’s purpose and deity. It helps create a meaningful connection to the practice. While you can repeat the mantra without it, setting a sankalpa adds depth to your spiritual journey.
Can the mantra be recited in any posture, circumstance, or place?
Answer: These factors are important for focused practice. Performing a lengthy ritual while standing or in unclean surroundings can hinder concentration. The rules exist for a reason. If physical limitations arise, create a clean, peaceful space at home for practice.
Should the speed of mantra repetition be uniform, or is clear pronunciation enough?
Answer: Clarity and phonetics are crucial for mantras. There’s no need to rush. Chant at a pace where you can maintain focus. Dedication to the process and devotion to the deity matter most.
Can one silently recall the mantra without speaking it aloud? Does this count?
Answer: You can recollect the mantra silently anytime. Counting isn’t essential. The knowledge and connection you build within yourself matter more.
If one unconsciously chants the mantra out of habit, does it count towards Purasacharana?
Answer: Whether consciously or unconsciously, revisiting and repeating what you’ve learned can be considered a form of “Punahcharana.”
Can one consume meat while practicing Purasacharana? Does this habit naturally fade at a certain stage?
Answer: Scriptures recommend a “Sathvik” diet for those engaged in Vedic practices, discouraging non-vegetarian food. Whether habits change naturally depends on one’s dedication and awareness of their dietary choices.
Conclusion: Realizing Mantra Siddhi
The ultimate aim of Purascharana (Purascharana) is to achieve mantra siddhi, the fructification of the mantra. Signs of mantra siddhi often manifest through auspicious dreams during the Purascharana period. If the mantra fails to fructify, the entire process may need to be repeated. A devoted approach, guided by your Guru’s wisdom, ensures the successful culmination of Purascharana, unlocking the manifold blessings of the mantra.
References
- Surendranath Dasgupta (1922). A History of Indian Philosophy. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 12. ISBN 978-81-208-0412-8.
- Friedrich Max Müller (1891). The Sacred Books of the East. Clarendon Press. p. xlii.
- Bhattacharya, A. (2006). Hindu Dharma: Introduction to scriptures and theology. pp. 8–14. ISBN 978-0595384556.
- Gonda, Jan (1975). Vedic Literature. Vol. Saṃhitās and Brāhmaṇas. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 978-3447016032.
- Flood, Gavin (1996). An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge University Press. pp. 35–37. ISBN 978-0521438780.
- See Shankara’s Introduction at Google Books to Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad, pages 1–5: