Pravargyeishti performed at Athirathram in Kerala
April 7th, 2011 - 6:13 pm ICT by ANIPanjal (Kerala), Apr. 7 (ANI): Over one lakh people have so far visited Panjal Athirathram, a 5000-year old Vedic ritual and yagna performed at Panjal village near Trichur in the last four days. During this period, over 35,000 people have been provided Annadhanam (served free meals).
Athirathram is the world’s oldest surviving ritual and the most complex as per Vedic hierarchy, and is being performed to spread the message of peace, harmony and being one with nature. The Varthathe Trust has organised the event.
The highlight of the event has been Pravargyeisti, or the pouring and burning of ghee (rarified butter) in a Mahavira pot along with cow’s milk. This process results in a tall column of fire that can go has high as 30 feet. This rite is not to be seen by women, one of the reasons being that its fumes are not good for a woman’s health.
The other main ritual performed was Shianachitthi in which the first layer of the bird-shaped altar is laid out. This is the main altar for the Athirathram ritual. It is said that the Garuda-shaped altar houses positive energy.
Apart from Pravargyesthi and Shianachitthi, the other rituals performed were as follows:
Garhapathyachitthi or the preparation of the chitthi named garhapatya
Aahawaniyaagni in which the fire from the first three days of Athirathram is removed and fresh soil is laid on the chitthi and water purified by a mantra is sprinkled on the fresh soil.
Adhwaryu (main Yajur Veda Ritwik who assists the Yajaman) prepares the chitthi
After Praayaneeya Ishti (offerings to the new chitthi), Somasadanam follows where the Soma plant is kept in the aasana.
Padhagrahanam: A calf is brought in and takes seven steps. The area where the calf lays its seventh step is marked
Somakrayam: Purchase of soma from the cart
Adhitheishti: Somalatha is brought in the bullock cart and kept in the peedha
Sakhyam: The Ritwiks’ pledge to work as a team for the success of Athirathram
Upasath: Part of yajaman’s deeksha.
Subrahmanyaaahwaanam: The subrahmanya priest extends an invitation to Lord Indra
Vedikaranam and Kuzhipada: Arrangement of the vedi (platform for the yaga)
Pravargyeishti was repeated on Wednesday evening. (ANI)
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Tags: bullock cart, cow, free meals, harmony, hierarchy, mantra, offerings, pledge, positive energy, rituals, ritwik, seven steps, soil, soma, soma plant, tall column, trichur, vedic ritual, yagna, yajur veda