Mahaganapathi homam update [FAQ-2]

 

> namaste,
>
> > So as per me this is the correct procedure to perform Shri Ganapthy Homam.So why we have to cut short the methods ?
>
> I believe this is answered in misconception #2 (found on page 4 of Sri
> Narasimha's document).
>
> Traditions are different in different places of the country. I have
> not heard of the installation of dik-palakas as part of
> ganapathi-homam before (it is customary to do archana to them since
> they adorn the homa-kunda as a part of any homa, and that is found in
> Sri. Narasimha's procedure as well). Please do give some details or
> how this is performed in ganapathi-homa in your native area.
>

> > takes place about 1 Hr.Minimum
>

> In my native place, the traditional homa only takes half that time,
> and it is not due to shortcuts.
>
> bhavadIyaH,
>
>        ajit

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr@charter.net>
Date: Jan 12, 2008 10:21 PM
Subject: [sohamsa] Re: Mahaganapathi homam update (short & super-short procedures)
To: vedic-wisdom@yahoogroups.com, sohamsa@yahoogroups.com

Dear Ajit,

 

> Traditions are different in different places of the country. I have
> not heard of the installation of dik-palakas as part of
> ganapathi-homam before (it is customary to do archana to them since
> they adorn the homa-kunda as a part of any homa, and that is found in
> Sri. Narasimha's procedure as well).

 

You are right - there are different traditions. I too have not seen the installation of dik-palakas as part of Mahaganapathi homam before. As you said, we pray to dikpalakas on the 8 or 10 corners of homa kundam as a part of every homa, but installing them before the homa is new.

 

However, installation of dikpalakas happens traditionally in some other homas such as Chandi homam. In a traditional Chandi homam, we install tens of deities including the ten dikpalakas, in separate kalashas on a big peetham before starting the homam. They are arranged in a specific way on a specific yantra drawn on rice with turmeric and vermilion. We pray to them and then do the fire ritual.

 

Though I know that I will ruffle some feathers with this, I must make a related point. The point of a homam is to call deities in fire (as fire is a purer and better medium to host their energy than an idol or a water pot) and offer mantras. Though there is some procedure before starting fire, care should taken so that one spends a majority of the time worshipping in fire. That is the basic idea of a homam. While some priests do that, I have seen some who miss the point and do a lot of the procedure before starting the fire and spend a minimal time with the fire. For the best results, maximize the time your spend with fire and offer more and more mantra to the deity in fire.

 

> In my native place, the traditional homa only takes half that time,
> and it is not due to shortcuts.
 

India's Kerala state (aren't you from there?) used to have a community of learned Brahmanas who would do an half hour Ganapathi homam every morning before leaving the house. What a great sadhana! Even if one is carrying a lot of bad karmas, such a powerful sadhana will eventually free one. Hopefully, such a community - spread across the entire world - will be created in the next 100 years.

 

This is Kali yuga. Bad karmas are accumulated very quickly. Even a pure soul who took birth with very few bad karmas accumulates enough of them by the age of 20 that it takes heavy sadhana thereafter to burn them! Then what of those who are *born* with many bad karmas?

 

Whether you do homam or something else, spiritual sadhana to burn karmas and overcome ego is a must for every thinking human being. Use the human birth to do your dharma, purify yourself and overcome ego. Kali does everything to make you forget your dharma, add impurities to your system and feed your ego further. That is the nature of Kali.

 

Best regards,
Narasimha
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