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[sv-rituals] Achamanam-3

From the Bhakti List Archives

sadagopan iyengar • August 9, 2002 


                 Srimate SrivanSatakopa Sri Vedanta
Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama:

           Achamanam-3

This is an unintended sequel to the earlier two-part
posting on the subject, resulting from the
clarifications sought by various BhAgavatAs, which
enabled adiyen to research deeper into the Smritis and
Ahnika Granthas, especially the one by Prakritam
Srimad Azhagiasingar.
Is Achamanam prescribed for ladies too? Yes, it is.
The difference between the regular Achamanam and that
to be done by ladies is that the latter is to be done
without the pranava and the chaturtthi. That is, the
water is to be sipped thrice, once each with “Achuta,
Ananta, and Govinda” only and not “AchyutAya
Nama”.etc. Also, only these three namas are to be
uttered and not the other twelve beginning with
“Kesavaya Nama:”
How is the water to be sipped? Water is to be taken
for Achamanam via the Deva tIrttham (formed by the
joined finger-tips-this is especially when
Sandhyavandanam is performed in rivers or tanks), held
in the palm which should be in the form of a cowÂ’s
ear, and sipped via the Brahma Tirttham(that is, via
the bottom of the palm).This is indicated by the
Saccharitra Sudhanidhi vachanam “Brahma tIrtthEna
nissabdam mAsha magnam jalam pibEt”. This also implies
that the intake of water should be without any sound,
as occasioned by noisy sucking.
  This would necessitate the head to be in a slightly
raised position, not of course as raised as for
drinking water normally, so that the water comfortably
flows down the throat.
Incidentally, an Achamanam is supposed to be complete
only when the water sipped reaches the heart-it is not
enough if it stops with the tongue, palate or even the
throat.
(“apsu prAptAsu hridayam brAhmaNa; shuddim ApnuyAt”).
Though this appears difficult, it should be possible
with practice, correct posture of the head, sipping
the correct quantity of water, etc.
One more clarification sought was whether the practice
of Brihaspatis, not to advise Achamanam at the
commencement of various rituals, is correct. Adiyen
can only quote the HArIta Smriti-
“Shrouta SmArtEshu gArhyEshu kritEshu vidhivat budha:
  dvirAchAmEt tu sarvatra”
This pramANA enjoins upon all to perform two AchamanAs
at the beginning of all rituals of all descriptions. 
A few prescriptions regarding the water used for
Achamanam-
Achamanam should not be done using hot water, water
with bubbles or froth, mixed with mud or sand, with a
foul-smell, that emanating from dirty sources,
discoloured water, water perfumed with the addition of
cardamom, sandalwood paste, etc., water left over
after washing the feet, after Agni kAryam, etc., salty
or bitter water, etc.
 
Nor should Achamanam be done with seawater, because
the Shruti prohibits drinking of the same-“tasmAt
samudrasya na pibanti”.

Why should one touch the various body parts while
performing Achamanam? Replies Sage VyAsa-
All the DevAs are propitiated by the intake of water
with the Achuta, Ananta and Govinda nAmAs. Wiping the
lips pleases Ganga and Yamuna, while touching the eyes
pleases SuryA and Chandra. Similarly, the AswinI dEvAs
are propitiated by touching of the nose, Agni and Vayu
by the ears. When the heart is touched with the
Padmanabha mantra (which is also the mantra for
touching the navel) all the thirty-three crore dEvAs
are pleased and the Paramatma by touching the head.
The importance of Achamanam can be well understood,
when we find it prescribed even as a PrAyaschittam
(act of atonement) for all sins. Says Sri BodhAyana in
the PrAyaschitta PrakaraNa,
“AchamanAdEva sarvasmAt pApAt pramuchyatE”

The purpose of this piece is not to list so many doÂ’s
and donÂ’ts that people despair of performing this
correctly, but to emphasise the need for due care in
this regard, so that any ritual, to which Achamanam is
a prelude, is well-begun. And, as everybody knows,
well begun is half-done.
“Such a simple act, and so many rules for its
performance!”
One might wonder: but in view of the apparently
boundless benefits to be derived from a single
correctly done Achamanam, it is well worth our while
to observe the requirements to the maximum possible
extent. 
Srimad InjimEttu Azhagiasingar, the 42nd Pontiff of
Sri Ahobila Mutt, renowned for His erudition and
anushttAnam, was reputed to devote great care on every
Achamanam He performed, consuming quite a few minutes
for the act. And so have several other MahAns of
different SampradAyAs, highlighting the significance
they attached to this simple, but extremely effective
act.

Srimate SriLakshmINrsimha divya paduka sevaka
SrivanSatakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikaya
Nama:
Dasan, sadagopan.




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