TALE OF KING VISHAL-
Lord Brahma then narrated a tale glorifying the significance of performing ‘Shraddh rituals’ at Gaya- ‘ O Vyas! Once upon a time there lived a trader who was sonless. One day, while he was on his pilgrimage, he met a restless ghost, who requested him to perform the rituals of Pinda daan at Gaya so that not only he became liberated from the pains and tortures of being a spirit but also he (Trader) went to heaven. The trader went to Gaya accompanied by his younger brother, as per the request of the Ghost and not only performed the rituals of ‘Pinda-daan’ for the ghost but also for his own ancestors.
As a result not only the ghost but all his ancestors became liberated. On account of his virtuous deeds, the trader was blessed with a son. He enjoyed a long life full of joy and contentment. After his death he was reborn as Vishal, in the princely state of Vishala. After growing up he got married but even after a long time he did not beget a son and this made him very sad. One day he asked the royal priests about the reason he did not beget a son. All the priests advised him to offer Pinda daan at Gaya as they felt that by doing so the king would definitely get blessed with a son and they were not wrong, as Vishal indeed was blessed with a son after he had offered Pinda daan at Gaya.’
One day while Vishal was having a walk in the royal garden he was amazed to see three entities descending down from the sky. After all three of them had landed on the ground, Vishal had a close look at them. One of them was fair while the second one’s complexion was reddish. The third and the most ferocious among them was of dark complexion. For a moment Vishal was dumbstruck by this mysterious sight but it did not take him long to gather his composure. He asked them as to who they were and was stunned by the answers he got.
Actually, these three entities were none other than the souls of his Father, Grand Father and Great Grand Father, all of whom had died long ago. They had come to thank Vishal, who by performing the rituals of Shraddh had helped them in getting liberated from all their sins. The entity appearing fair, who in fact was Vishal’s father said- Thank you for helping me attain to Indra loka. If it were not for you, I would have still been languishing in hell. The entity with reddish complexion is your Grand Father, who had committed grave sins while he was alive and as the consequences he went to the most ferocious hell named Avichi after his death. Even he has been liberated because of you. The third entity among us and having dark complexion is your Great Grand Father. He had committed heinous of sins while he was alive but even he has become liberated because of you. We have come to express our gratitude and to thank you for having liberated us from our miserable conditions. All three of us are now departing for heaven.’
Having said this all three of them disappeared in a moment. Vishal was extremely satisfied that he had been successful in fulfilling one of the major obligations towards his ancestors (pitra-rina) by helping them attain to heaven. He enjoyed a long life and after his death he too went to heaven.
PRAJAPATI RUCHI’S DISENCHANTMENT
Once, Sutji recounted the following tale to the assembled sages, which had been originally told by sage Markandeya to Kraunchki long ago- ‘Once, sage Ruchi became so disenchanted with the world that he decided to remain a bachelor, a decision which made his ‘Pitras'(ancestors) extremely worried. They tried to change his mind by citing numerous benefits of householder’s life and the yeomen service he does to the society.
They said- O Ruchi! The decision you have taken is most unfortunate. Perhaps you are not aware of the importance a ‘Grihasta’ holds in the society. But for his cooperation, not a single religious activity can take place. It’s your misconception that a ‘Grihasta’ can not attain salvation. On the contrary, he has numerous opportunities in his life to attain salvation. Different rituals and consecrations enable him to achieve this important goal of a man’s life.’ Pitras’ advises had great impact on Prajapati Ruchi and he agreed to get married.’
Thereafter a search for an ideal match began but even after best of his efforts he did not get any. Prajapati Ruchi then decided to please Lord Brahma by his austere penance. He commenced his penance, which continued for a very long period. Finally, Lord Brahma appeared and advised him to please his ‘Pitras’. Acting on the advice of Lord Brahma, Prajapati Ruchi eulogized his ancestors and performed the rituals of ‘Tarpan’ to pacify their souls. All his ‘Pitras’ appeared and blessed him.
PRAJAPATI RUCHI MARRIES MANINI
The blessings given by ‘Pitras’ fructified instantaneously as a beautiful ‘Apsara’ manifested herself from the river flowing nearby and said-‘ O great sage! I am Pramlocha. I would consider it as my good fortune if you give your consent to marry my daughter- Manini. Pushkar- son of Varun is her father. In course of time a son named ‘Rauchya’ will be born to you.’
This was the day Prajapati Ruchi was eagerly waiting for. He decided to get married then and there so he invited all the prominent sages and the marriage ceremony was solemnized in their presence. In course of time, a son named ‘Rauchya’ was born to them. He was a great sage after whom a Manvantar was named.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS CONSECRATIONS
While describing the significance of various consecrations, Lord Vishnu told Shiva that the union of man’s sperm and woman’s ovum results into the birth of a child. This union along with the whole process of foetus getting transformed into a baby is a lengthy affair during which it imbibes numerous impurities. Consecrations purify a man from all these impurities. Lord Vishnu said -‘ The mankind has been categorized into four prominent castes- Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. The former three castes are also known as ‘Dwijas’ (Twice born. The solemnization of a consecration named Yagyopavit is believed to be their second birth.) because only they are entitled to get consecrated into this particular ceremony. Right from his birth till he takes his last breath, a ‘Dwija’ has to undergo various consecrations.’
Giving the names of some prominent consecration ceremonies that a Dwija has to go through, Lord Vishnu said-
‘ Garbhadhan Sanskar is performed at the time of conception. The scriptures have clearly stated about the best time for a woman to conceive- twelve days after her menstruation has started, beginning from the fifth day as the first four days are not considered auspicious for this purpose. ‘Punsavan sanskar’ is performed in the third month after conception while ‘Seemantonayan sanskar’ is performed in the sixth or eighth month after conception. After the birth of a child the consecration named ‘Jaat karma’ is performed while ‘Naam karan sanskar’ is performed on the eleventh day after his birth whereby the new born baby is given a name. ‘Nishkraman sanskar’ is performed in the fourth month and ‘Annaprashan sanskar’ in the sixth month. The consecration named ‘Chudamani sanskar’ can be performed either in the first, third or fifth year of the child.’
UPANAYAN SANSKAR
Dwelling on length about the appropriate way of performing ‘Upanayan sanskar’ (Sacred thread ceremony) rituals, Lord Vishnu said-‘ A Brahmin child should get consecrated with the sacred thread in his eighth year while a Kshatriya child’s consecration should be performed when he has attained the age of eleven. ‘Upanayan sanskar’ of a Vaishya child should be performed in his twelfth year.’
A dwija, whose ‘Upanayan sanskar’ has been performed, must face southwards while relieving himself in the night whereas during daytime he should face northward. Subsequently, he should purify himself by properly washing his urinary organ with mud (soap) and water. He should also wash his hands and feet. The purification is believed to be incomplete until and unless the rituals of ‘Aachman’ (ritualistic rinsing of the mouth) have been performed. Next morning, after having a bath, he should do ‘Pranayam’ and chant the sacred Gayatri mantra facing east. In the evening he should chant Gayatri mantra facing south. After this the ritual of ‘Bhikshatan’ is performed whereby he seeks alms and donates everything that he gets to his Guru as a mark of respect to him.
This particular ritual is symbolic and emphasizes the absolute necessity of subduing one’s ego before acquiring knowledge from his Guru. A celibate is supposed to wear nothing but a Deer skin and a waist band made of long reeds on his person with a sacred thread hanging across his shoulder and carry a stick in his hand. The celibate whose Upanayan sanskar has been performed should stay at his Guru’s hermitage till he completes his education. It is also his duty to collect food grains from the neighbourhood to meet the food requirement of all the people living in the hermitage. A Brahmin celibate should chant ‘Bhavati bhiksham dehi’ while seeking alms whereas a Kshatriya celibate should chant the same mantra with a slight modification ‘ Bhiksham bhavati dehi’. Similarly, a Vaishya celibate should chant ‘Bhiksham dehi bhavati’ while seeking alms.’
KESHANT SANSKAR –
After finishing his education the celibate should shave his beards and moustaches for the first time. Strict guidelines have been laid down for each caste with respect to this particular consecration. A Brahmin should get consecrated with this ritual in his sixteenth year while a Kshatriya should get it performed in his twenty- second year. Similarly, a Vaishya should get consecrated with this ritual in his twenty-fourth year. The above mentioned age limits are also the maximum before which respective castes are supposed to get consecrated with the sacred thread ceremony failing which he becomes a religious outcaste.