Rajaram Krishnamurthy <keyar...@gmail.com>: Jul 01 10:22AM +0530
सर्वे समुद्राः सरितस्तीर्थानि जलदा नदाः ।
आयान्तु यजमानस्य दुरितक्षयकारकाः ॥
sarve samudrah saritastirthani jalada nadah . aayantu yajamanasya
duritakshayakarakah ॥
All the seas, rivers, banks, clouds and streams.
Let the destroyers of evil come to the sacrificer.
Now the question --
How we define these terms: समुद्रः सरित् तीर्थम् जलदः नदः
(Is जलदः a separate body of water, or adjective of नदः) {NORTH INDIA}
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**Word Meanings and Significance:
** *Sarve samudrāḥ* (all oceans),
*saritaḥ* (rivers),
*tīrthāni* (holy pilgrimage sites),
*jaladāḥ* (clouds), [RAIN CLOUDS WITH WATER]
*nadāḥ* (great rivers),
*āyāntu* (may they come/arrive),
*yajamānasya* (of the *Yajamana*—the person performing the ritual),
*duritakṣaya-kārakāḥ* (destroyers of sins and afflictions).
**Significance:** "May all oceans, rivers, holy pilgrimage sites, clouds,
and great rivers—which are destroyers of all sins and afflictions—arrive in
the water of this
*Kalash* (ritual pot) for the well-being of the
*Yajamana* (the person performing the worship)."
**Where and how is this verse used?
** *Kalash Avahan* (Invocation of the *Kalash*):
A *Kalash* is installed at the beginning of any auspicious event,
*Yajna*, or ritual (such as *Satyanarayan Katha*, *Griha
Pravesh*—housewarming, or *Navaratri* worship).
**Presence of Holy Waters:
** While reciting this mantra and holding unbroken rice grains (*akshat*)
and flowers in hand, the *Yajamana* invokes all holy rivers (like the Ganga
and Yamuna) and oceans into the water of the *Kalash*. **Resolution and
Purification:
** The prayer seeks that the ordinary water in the *Kalash* becomes as
sacred as *Amrit* (nectar) through the arrival of these divine forces, and
that all physical, mental, and spiritual impurities (sins) of the
*Yajamana* are cleansed. This verse establishes the divinity of water in
*Sanatan Dharma* and the concept of the Divine presence within the five
elements of nature (specifically, water).
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{SAME IN SOUTH INDIA}
तदङ्गकलशाराधनं करिष्ये । कलशं गन्धपुष्पाक्षतैरभ्यर्च्य
कलशस्य मुखे विष्णुः कण्ठे रुद्रः समाश्रितः ।
मूले तत्र स्थितो ब्रह्मा मध्ये मातृगणाः स्मृताः ।।
कुक्षौ तु सागरास्सर्वे सप्तद्वीपा वसुन्धरा ।
ऋग्वेदो’थ यजुर्वेदः सामवेदो’ह्यथर्वणः ॥
अङ्गैश्च सहितास्सर्वे कलशांबुसमाश्रिताः।
आकलशेषु धावति ... भूर्भुवस्सुवराप ओम् (मन्त्रः)
गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति ।
नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जले’स्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु ।
आयान्तु श्रीमहागणाधिपतिपूजार्थं दुरितक्षयकारकाः । कलशोदकेन पूजाद्रव्याणि
देवम् अत्मानं च संप्रोक्ष्य ।
Tadanga kalasha radhanam karishye . kalasham Gandha puspaksha
tairabhyarchya kalashasya mukhe vishnuh kanthe rudrah samaashritah . mule
tatra sthito brama madhye matruganah smrutah .. kukshau tu sagaras sarve
sapta dvipaa vasundhara . rigvedo’th yajurvedah samvedo’hy atharvanah
॥ angaisch
sahitassarve kalasham busama ashritah. akalasheshu dhavati ...
bhurbhuvassuvarap om (mantrah) gange ch yamune chaiv godavari sarasvati .
narmade sindhu kaveri jale’smin sannidhim kuru . aayantu shrimahaganadh
ipatipujartham duritakshaya karakah . kalashodaken pujadravyani devam
atmanam ch samprokshya .
I shall worship that limb and urn. [KALASAM SEMBU]
Adorn the urn with fragrant flowers and unbroken grains
Lord Viṣṇu is seated at the mouth of the urn and
Lord Rudra at the neck.
Brahma is situated at the root and
the mothers are said to be in the middle [MOTHERS ARE ALL WATER IN EVERY
FORM]
In his abdomen are all the oceans and
the seven islands of the earth
The Ṛg Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Sāma Veda are the Atharva Vedas. All of
them with their limbs rested on a pitcher of water.
Running in the akala shes ...
Bhur bhuvas suvar apa Om (mantra)
The Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari and Sarasvatī rivers are also known.
Make your presence felt in the waters of the Narmada, Sindhu and Cauvery.
Let those who destroy evil come to worship the Lord of the blessed great
hosts.
After sprinkling the objects of worship with the water from the jug, one
should sprinkle the Lord and oneself.
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HOW KALASA WATER IS VIEWED AS PUNYA THEERTHA OR APA:
*Phase 1: Items Needed*
Before starting, gather these materials:
- *Pot:* Copper, brass, or clay Kalash.
- *Base:* A small pile of grains (wheat or rice).
- *Contents:* Clean water, a coin, a betel nut (*Supari*), and a pinch
of turmeric.
- *Leaves:* 5 or 7 mango or betel leaves.
- *Top:* A raw coconut wrapped in a red cloth or tied with holy thread (
*Mouli*).
-
------------------------------
*Phase 2: Step-by-Step Ritual & Mantras*
*Step 1: Prepare the Grain Base*
Place a small mound of rice or wheat grains on your altar. This represents
fertility and stable ground.
- *Action:* Smooth out the grains into a small pile.
*Step 2: Establish the Kalash (Bhumi Sparsha)*
Place the empty pot on top of the pile of grains.
- *Mantra:*
*Ā jighra kalaśaṃ mahyā tvā viśantv-indavaḥ |*
*Punar-ūrjā ni vartasva sā naḥ sahasraṃ dhukṣvoru-dhārā payasvatī punar-mā
viśatād-rayiḥ ||*
- *English Meaning:* "O Kalash, be established firmly on this earth. May
vital energies enter you. Grant us strength, nourishment, and abundance
flowing like a thousand streams."
*Step 3: Fill with Water (Jala Purana)*
Pour clean water into the Kalash while invoking the element of life.
*Mantra:*
*Varuṇasya-uttam-bhanam-asi varuṇasya skambha-sarjanī stho |*
*Varuṇasya ṛta-sadany-asi varuṇasya ṛta-sadanam-asi varuṇasya
ṛta-sadanam-āsīda ||*
- *English Meaning:* "This water is the support of Varuna (the Deity of
Waters). May Varuna seat himself here in truth and purity."
*Step 4: Add Sacrer Offerings (Chandan, Coin, Supari)*
Drop a pinch of sandalwood/turmeric, a coin, and a betel nut into the
water. This symbolises wealth and auspiciousness.
- *Mantra:*
*Gandhadvārāṃ durādharṣāṃ nityapuṣṭāṃ karīṣiṇīm |*
*Īśvarīgṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ tām-ihopa-hvaye śriyam ||*
- *English Meaning:* "I invoke Goddess Lakshmi (prosperity), who is
perceived through her divine fragrance, who is ever-abundant, and who rules
over all creation."
*Step 5: Place the Leaves (Patra Sthapana)*
Arrange the mango or betel leaves around the neck of the pot so their tips
point upward and outward.
- *Mantra:*
*Aśvatthe vo niṣadanam parṇe vo vasatiṣ-kṛtā |*
*Gobhāja it-kilā-satha yat-sanavatha pūruṣam ||*
- *English Meaning:* "May your seats be on sacred trees, and your
dwellings be in these leaves. May you protect the worshipper."
*Step 6: Place the Coconut (Nariyal Sthapana)*
Place the wrapped coconut securely on top of the leaves. The eye of the
coconut should ideally face the worshipper or point upwards.
- *Mantra:*
*Yāḥ phalinīr-yā aphalā apuṣpā yāśca puṣpiṇīḥ |*
*Bṛhaspati-prasūtās-tā no muñcantv-aṃhasaḥ ||*
- *English Meaning:* "May the plants that bear fruit and those that do
not, those that flower and those that do not, blessed by Brihaspati, free
us from all sins."
*Step 7: Invoke All Sacred Waters*
*(This is where your original mantra is chanted to finalise the divinity of
the pot).*
- *Action:* Touch the pot with your right hand and chant:
*Sarve Samudrāḥ Saritas-Tīrthāni Jaladā Nadāḥ |*
*Āyāntu Yajamānasya Durita-Kṣaya-Kārakāḥ ||*
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*Final Meditation (Dhyana)*
Bow down to the Kalash. Mentally view it not as a simple pot, but as a
mini-universe containing all the gods, goddesses, and holy rivers, ready to
radiate positive energy throughout your home.
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*The Kalash Deity Mantra*
Chant this while touching the Kalash with your right hand or offering
flowers (*Pushpa*) and rice grains (*Akshata*) to it.
*कलशस्य* *मुखे* *विष्णुः* *कण्ठे* *रुद्रः* *समाश्रितः* *।*
*Kalaśasya mukhe viṣṇuḥ kaṇṭhe rudraḥ samāśritaḥ |*
*मूले* *त्वस्य* *स्थितो* *ब्रह्मा* *मध्ये* *मातृगणाः* *स्मृताः* *॥*
*Mūle tvasya sthito brahmā madhye mātṛgaṇāḥ smṛtāḥ ||*
*कुक्षौ* *तु* *सागराः* *सर्वे* *सप्तद्वीपा* *वसुन्धरा* *।*
*Kukṣau tu sāgarāḥ sarve saptadvīpā vasundharā |*
*ऋग्वेदोऽथ* *यजुर्वेदः* *सामवेदो* *ह्यथर्वणः* *।*
*Ṛgvedo'tha yajurvedaḥ sāmavedo hyatharvaṇaḥ |*
*अङ्गैश्च* *सहिताः* *सर्वे* *कलशाम्बु* *समाश्रिताः* *॥*
*Aṅgaiśca sahitāḥ sarve kalaśāmbu samāśritaḥ ||*
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*English Translation & Breakdown*
- *Kalaśasya mukhe viṣṇuḥ:* At the opening (rim) of the Kalash, Lord
Vishnu resides.
- *Kaṇṭhe rudraḥ samāśritaḥ:* Around the neck of the Kalash, Lord Shiva
(Rudra) takes his seat.
- *Mūle tvasya sthito brahmā:* At the base of the Kalash, Lord Brahma
(the Creator) is established.
- *Madhye mātṛgaṇāḥ smṛtāḥ:* In the middle body of the pot, the Divine
Mothers (*Matrikas* and Goddesses) are remembered.
- *Kukṣau tu sāgarāḥ sarve:* Within the belly (interior water), all the
oceans dwell.
- *Saptadvīpā vasundharā:* Along with the Earth and its seven continents.
- *Ṛgvedo'tha yajurvedaḥ sāmavedo hyatharvaṇaḥ:* The four sacred Vedas
(Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda) reside here.
- *Aṅgaiśca sahitāḥ sarve kalaś**ाम्बु* *samāśritaḥ:* Along with all
their limbs (Vedangas), they all merge into the sacred water of this
Kalash.
-
------------------------------
*Ultimate Meaning*
Through this prayer, the Kalash ceases to be an object. It transforms into
a physical manifestation of the cosmos. The Holy Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu,
Shiva), the Divine Mother, the Earth, the Oceans, and all sacred knowledge
(Vedas) are brought together into a single point to bless your space.
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*1. Samudrāḥ (**समुद्राः**)*
- *Prefix:* *Saṃ-* (सम्) – meaning "together," "completely," or
"gathering."
- *Root:* *Udra* (उद्र) – derived from *Udan* (उदन्), meaning "water"
(cognate with the English word *hydro* and *water*).
- *Suffix:* *—* (Nominal masculine plural suffix).
- *Literal Meaning:* *"The gathering together of waters."*
Etymologically, it describes a massive geographic basin where individual
water bodies converge to form a boundless sea or ocean.
*2. Saritaḥ (**सरितः**)*
- *Root:* *Sṛ* (सृ) – meaning "to flow," "to run," "to glide," or "to
move swiftly."
- *Suffix:* *-it* (इत्) – a primary nominal suffix used to create an
agent noun.
- *Literal Meaning:* *"That which flows dynamically."* It refers to a
moving body of water, a stream, or a river that runs down a natural
gradient toward the sea.
- *3. Tīrthāni (**तीर्थानि**)*
- *Root:* *Tṝ* (तॄ) – meaning "to cross over," "to pass through," or "to
transcend."
- *Suffix:* *-tha* (थ) – a suffix indicating the location or tool
through which the action is performed.
- *Literal Meaning:* *"A ford or crossing place."* Originally, it meant
a safe physical shallow point to cross a river. Etymologically, it evolved
into a spiritual metaphor for holy pilgrimage sites, scriptures, or gurus
that help humanity cross the ocean of worldly existence (*Samsara*).
*4. Jaladāḥ (**जलदाः**)*
- *Base Word:* *Jala* (जल) – meaning "water."
- *Root/Suffix:* *Dā* (दा) – derived from the verbal root *Dā* (दा),
meaning "to give," "to bestow," or "to yield."
- *Literal Meaning:* *"The giver of water."* This compound specifically
means rain-bearing clouds (*Megha* or *Ghana*) that hold and distribute
water back down to replenish the earth.
*5. Nadāḥ (**नदाः**)*
- *Root:* *Nad* (नद्) – meaning "to roar," "to sound aloud," "to
thunder," or "to vibrate."
- *Suffix:* *-a* (अ) – to form a masculine noun.
- *Literal Meaning:* *"The roaring or sounding entity."* In Sanskrit
geography, a *Nada* refers specifically to grand, heavy-flowing male
rivers (such as the Indus or Brahmaputra) that make a loud, crashing sound
as they cut violently through mountains, as opposed to the gentler stream
of a female *Nadi*.
*6. Āyāntu (**आयान्तु**)*
- *Prefix:* *Ā* (आ) – a directional prefix denoting "toward" or "hither."
- *Root:* *Yā* (या) – meaning "to go" or "to move."
- *Suffix:* *-ntu* (न्तु) – Third-person plural ending in the Imperative
Mood (*Lot Lakara*), expressing a prayer, command, or request.
- *Literal Meaning:* *"May they all come toward us"* or "Let them
approach here."
*7. Yajamānasya (**यजमानस्य**)*
- *Root:* *Yaj* (यज्) – meaning "to worship," "to sacrifice," or "to
offer an oblation to the gods."
- *Suffix:* *-māna* (मान) – the present participle suffix used in the
reflexive/middle voice (*Atmanepada*), indicating that the action is
performed for one's own spiritual benefit.
- *Case Ending:* *-sya* (स्य) – Genitive singular case ("of" / "'s").
- *Literal Meaning:* *"Of the person who is currently causing a
sacrifice to be performed."* It identifies the active patron hosting the
ritual to achieve spiritual elevation.
*8. Durita kṣaya kārakāḥ (**दुरितक्षयकारकाः**)*
This is a three-part compound (*Bahuvrihi Samasa*):
- *Part A: Durita (**दुरित**)* – From *Duḥ* (bad/difficult) + *Ita*
(gone/coursed). It literally means *"wrongly gone"* or "misconduct,"
which translates contextually to sins, bad karma, or invisible spiritual
obstacles.
- *Part B: Kṣaya (**क्षय**)* – From the root *Kṣi* (क्षि),
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