krishna and rama avatar by SUDARSHANA

with my son during ceremonies

My son sudarshana inspires me a lot---he has a lot of enthusisasm for for keerthan and vedic ceremonies---

from Ayyangar's blog

Once again a new age god man hailing from Tamil Nadu but based near Bangalore is in the news for all the right reasons. He has been caught on camera indulging in love making with all possible sexual gestures with lady attender and disciple lying on his cozy bed. In fact, one of the disciples shown on TV channels is reported to be a film star from south. There is very little doubt that they have been doctored. As of now, the god man is reported to have gone to attend ‘Kumbh Mela’ and possibly washing his sins in the light of this expose.
As far as my memory goes, such a kind of merry making was started 4 decades back in Bhagwan Rajaneesh ashram at Pune. Hundreds of westerners and elite people from our own Bollywood used to throng Rajneesh ashram in search of inner peace. The disciple’s commune remained out of bound to outsiders and insiders were always tight lipped as to what happens inside. All that was reported in newspapers was nude dance inside the ashram in the presence of Rajneesh and traders in Charas, Ganja etc had thriving business outside the ashram. One of his books in Hindi sold like hot cakes those days was “Sambhog se Samadhi tak” (From ‘Sex to grave yard’ is a crude translation in English).
Many of such present day demi -gods live like a king in fort like surroundings, stay in all the comforts of wide spread ashrams and villas with five star facilities giving occasional ‘darshan’ to the public in a Hindi mythological filmy style sitting on a huge ornamental chair studded with gold , silver and may be jewels.
From time to time some or the other god man, spiritual guru or tantric is getting involved in these kind of scandals. Few years back in Tamil Nadu, a self styled Sri Lankan set up an ashram in Trichy, managed to lure many girls including minors in to his ‘free consciousness’ style of thinking. After several girls leveling rape charges against him, he was convicted and now cooling his heals in jail serving a double life term. Another god man from Gujarat is facing charges of killing 2 young boys. A very famous and powerful tantric during the regime of than Prime Minister, had an easy access to the PMO’s office in Delhi. He was involved in hawala transaction as well as unauthorized arms deal. A holy man from a mutt in south is facing a charge of conspiracy to murder! In the name curing or helping issueless women, many Sadhus and Tantriks have been caught in heinous sex crimes. The list of such unholy act by holy men is aplenty.
Thinking of all these, I suggest to the Government to categorize such ashrams and self styled god men as “A” on the lines of film censor board so that only adult devotees can join these ashrams voluntarily who are not ignorant of happenings inside so that again no more ashram rocks with expose like this in future!

Yagna

Yagya is derived from the verb - "Yaj" = Fire Sacrifice. Yagya is a combination of Traditional Vedic Rituals perfomed for getting nature support in a particular direction. In a YAGYA, 6 duties are performed - Bhakti (devotion), Puja (worship), Jap (recite of Vedic Mantra or Vedic Verses for a particular purpose), Hawan (fire sacrifice), Daan (donation) & Brahman Bhojan
When we say sacrifice that means we are sacrificing herbs, wood and fruits whatever literally we are offering to the Fire. We are sacrificing them to the Fire burning them up totally, taking away whatever prana is left in them. Thus the offerings are sacrificedthier Life) in Fire that becomes a Yagya.
In Bhagwat Gita Lord Krishna says: "Yagya Karmasu Kaushalam" It means doing the right karma at the right time is yagya. Yagya is also referred to as having the power of Kaamdhenu (the celestial cow possessed by Rishi vashisht) that it can give desired object to the person who performs this sacrifice.

Samskaras-Overview-2

Jatakarma was performed before the severing of the navel chord. This can change because of other factors like death in the family etc.
Namkarna is performed on tenth or twelth day after birth. There is again a wide option for the dates.
Each Rashi contain two and a half Nakhshatras. That is why when you go to a South Indian Temple, the priest wants to know your name, Gotra, and Nakshatra. This is more precise than Name, Gotra, and Rashi. Most of us know our Rashis but have no clue about the Nakhshatra. Ask your priest. This side discussion apart, the naming has a lot to do with the nakhshatra (Nakhetur in koshur).
Finally, I must again point out that ALL samaskaras among ALL Hindus are performed according to GrehaSutras. The details of Homas (havan), naming convention for Namkarna etc, are standard. The details vary according to the local traditions. For example, Kashmiris use Tantric symbols that are absent in all of South India. Kashmiris chant vedas in Sama (singing) style, whereas South Indians chant in very crisp measured style. The stuff they chant is exactly the same. The Dhrivyas (items for worship) are also local stuff. Naturally we use things we are used to, like walnuts and almonds, and Nabad (nabaat of persians). South Indians use coconut, palm leaves, etc. So, if you want to do any of these ceremonies here, go find a knowlegeable South Indian priest, tell him a few things about your own customs, and enjoy a genuine function. DO NOT ask them to use tantric signs they are taught to stay away from such stuff.
Background, texts, and rituals of the five major sets of Hindu samskaras: prenatal, natal, education, marriage and funeral. Also background on Hindu traditions.

samskar-overview

The Vedic Samskaras give expression to aspirations and ideals of the Hindus. They aim at securing the welfare of the performer and developing his personality. They go back to a hoary antiquity. The Vedas, the Brahmanas, the Grhyasutras, the Dharmasutras, the Smrtis and other treatises describe the rites, ceremonies and customs here and there but they do not present them in their historical evolution.
The present work is a systematic study of all the Samskaras enjoined to be performed at the various epochs in the life of an individual from conception to crematorium. The author has cited parallels in other religions to show that they are universal and have a recognised place in ancient cultures and are still represented within the limits of modern religion. He has also shown that the sacramental beliefs and practices, far from being an irrational priestcraft, are consistent and logical and have practical utility and intention.
This work discusses the source, meaning, number, purpose and the constituents of Samskaras grouped under five heads: prenatal, natal, educational, nuptial and funeral. Besides being a landmark in the Vedic culture, it presents patterns of life based on high ethical, spiritual and humanistic values.
The Samaskaras of childhood are:
1. Jatakarma (birth Ceremony) 2. Namakarana (Name-Giving) 3. Nishkramana (First Outing) 4. Anna-Prashana (First Feeding) 5. Chuda Karana (Mundan or Tonsure) 6. Karnavedha (Boring the ears)

VEDIC SAMSKARAS

Samskaras are traditional sacramental ceremonies performed by qualified priests -usually within temples. It is valuable to perform Vedic Sacraments in the Temple because the Lord is particularly present in His installed Murti, or Divine Form. However, some ceremonies are best performed at home, either for the comfort of family members, or to purify the dwelling.Vedic Sacraments are highly beneficial, sanctifying and increasing auspicious influences. They help one to progress peacefully in life to the ultimate goal -attaining the Absolute Truth- by smoothing the path of spiritual progress.Samskaras rectify and sanctify relationships between family and friends, parents and children, husband and wife. They drive away evil influences and attract the blessings of saintly Vaisnavas. Most importantly, Vedic Sacraments provide a ceremonial focus for the yuga dharma, the chanting of the names of God.Vedic Sacraments are performed at particular times during life and are considered rites of passage. They purify the body and soul and prepare one for devotional service to God by invoking auspicious qualities for those who perform them. They are performed for the benefit of both the individual and the family.