Kalsa

“KALASHA’STHAAPANA – INSTALLING THE POT OF FERTILITY.”  Pt Roop Sukhram.

The origin of Kalasha, also known as Kumbha can be traced back to the “Ksheera-Saagara Manthana (Samudra Mathan) – Churning of the Milky Ocean (Churning of the Milky Way or Churning of the Galaxy)” when the Lord in the form of “Dhanvantari - Celestial Physician,” appeared with the “Mrityunjaya Kumbha – Pot of Immortal Nectar” that held the “panacea” to all humans’ afflictions.

The origin of the Kalasha is amplified in the following Mantra that eulogized Vishvakarma – The Principal Architect of the Universe (another feature of Lord Shiva): “Kalam kalam griheetvaa cha Dévaanaam Vishvakarmanaa. Nirmitö yah surairyasmaat Kalashsténa uchyaté.”

Translation:

“Upon collecting the qualities of all the Dévatas, the Lord as Vishvakarma – The Principal Architect of the Universe, created the Kalasha as a vessel to hold the essence of the Dévatas.”

In fact, one of the principal mantra that eulogizes the Kalasha endorses the importance in the following words: “Öm Kalashasya mukhé Vishnuh kanthé Rudrah samaashritah. Mülé tvasya sthitö Brahmaa madhyé maatri ganaah smritaah.”

Translation:

“Bhagavan Vishnu embodies the mouth and Lord Shiva embodies the neck. Brahma, the Creator is the root, while the Great Mother in all forms resides in the middle.”

The following is another version of the above-mentioned mantra with equal meaning as above: “Kalashaanam mukhé Brahmaa greevaayaam Shamkarah sthitah. Mülé tu samsthitö Vishnur madhyé Maatri ganaah sthitah.”

Hence, the Sacred Kalasha earned its way at the center of all “Püjaa Sthaana - Altar or Place of Püjaa.”

There are several names or references to the Kalasha, contingent upon the type of Püjaa observed. However, “Pürna-Kalasha” is the principal term used in Rig Veda in reference to the establishment of the Kalasha. It is within this sacred pot that the elements of Bhagavan – God in the forms of the Dévataa – Nature’s Forms are installed (Primarily, the Five Elements: Prithivee – earth, Agni – fire, Aapa – water, Marut – air, Vyöman – ether).

“Kalasha’sthaapana - Installing the Pot of Fertility” is not as simple as it may seem, and any error during establishing or installing it will render the Püjaa useless (a total waste of time and money). One may argue that “Bhakti - devotion” is all that is required, but if such is the case, then sit at home, do not go to work and see the result. Let me put it this way, if you want to make bread, but you have no flour, what are you making? Sure you will be making “something,” but it will not be bread. The lack of one single ingredient will determine the end result of what you will eat. Equally, the great Rishis of Sanaatan Dharma were no fools; hence, if specific mantra and specific steps were not necessary, there would be no need for Püjana.

The Kalasha vessel is generally made of earth, but it can also be made of metals such as copper, brass or silver. It is a pot with a large base and a small flared opening, as shown in the photo of this article that I prepared and took at my Püjaa Sthaana - the altar in my home.

During the ritual, specific mantras are uttered to install the Kalasha, which is then filled with water and other things, and five types of leaves are placed in the Kalasha. Often, if these five types of leaves are not available, five Aamra - mango or Ashöka leaves are generally used. Then, a cocoanut with the tuft is wrapped in a red cloth and placed on the mouth of the Kalasha. Contingent upon the type of Kalasha Püjana being done, the entire Kalasha can be wrapped in the red cloth. However, whenever, Pürnaa-Kalasha Püjana is done, only the cocoanut is to be wrapped in a piece of red cloth with a portion of the tuft left exposed, as shown in the photograph. The wrapped cocoanut is then placed on the Kalasha with the tuft pointing upwards.

Kalasha Püjana is one of the most important aspects of any Püjana. Hence, competence and knowledge is foremost required in performing the ritual. Sadly, on several occasions of being invited to a Püjaa that was done or officiated by another Pandit, I am often quite dismayed and disappointed at the conduct of the ritual, the gross lack of knowledge and incompetence exhibited by the officiating Puröhita. Not only was it reprehensible, but it was quite disturbing for me to endure the ordeal and sit there in silence, all because I did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings by speaking out. Thus, in this article, my aim is to help educate my fellow Pandits by providing the complete ritual and various steps required to correctly perform Kalasha’sthaapana - Installing the Pot of Fertility.” The following is the correct Vidhi - method of performing the Pürnaa- Kalasha’sthaapana.

1. Prithivee Sparsha - Touch the Earth, while the following mantra is uttered:

 

“Öm Bhümyai Namah. Öm Bhür’asi Bhümer’asi Aditir’asi Vishvadhaayaa Vishvasya Bhüvana’asya dhaatree Prithiveem yascchha Prithiveem dri-gum-ha Prithiveem-maahi-gum-seeh (Yajur Veda – Vaajasanéya Samhitaa 13.18).”

 

2. Göbar Sé Prithivee Gönthé - Rub Göbar or Haldee on Mother Earth:

 

At this point, if Göbar is available, you may use it to rub and “polish” the spot where the Kalasha will be installed. If Göbar is not available, you may use Haldee. Touch Mother Earth in adoration of Gauree Maa with the following mantra. Also, some schools teach that one may also rub the Göbar or Haldee on the Kalasha. Both methods are correct.

“Öm maa nas töké tan-yé maa na aayow. Maa nö göshu ma nö ashvéshu reerishah. Veeraan maa nö Rudra bhaamitö vadhir. havishmantah sadamit tvaa havaamahé (Rig Veda 1.114.08).”

3. Sapta Dhaanya Bikhéra Dé - Place 7 types of grains:

 

At this point, seven types of Dhaanya - Paddy (grains in the pod) should be sprinkled and spread where the Kalasha is to be placed. If seven types of Dhaanya are not available, the Pandit may use Rice Paddy and or uncooked white rice.

 “Öm dhaanyam’asi dhinuhi Dévaan praanaayatvö daanaayatvaa vyaanaayatvaa. Deerghaam’anuprasitim’aayushö-dhaandévö vah Savitaa Hiranyapaanih Prati gribhnaatvaa’cchhidréin paaninaa chakshashé. Tvaa mahinaam payö’asi (Yajur Veda – Vaajasanéya Samhitaa 1.20).”

4. Sthaan Par Kalasha Rakhadé – Place the Kalasha on top of the heap of rice:

After sprinkling the Paddy and/or rice, make a heap with a double handful of Paddy or rice and place the Kalasha on top of it (Paddy is the raw rice grain in the pod) with the following mantra.

“Öm Aajighra Kalasham mahyaa’tva vishantvindavah. Punrürjaa nivarttsva saa nah sahasram dhukshvö rudhaaraa. Payasvatee punarmaa vishataadrayih (Yajur Veda – Vaajasanéya Samhitaa 8:42).”

5. Kalasha Mé Jal Daalé (Pürayitavya) – Pour water in the Kalasha, filling it to the neck with the following mantra:

“Öm Varunasyöttam bhanam’asi Varunasya Skambha sarjanee-sthö Varunasy’aritasadany’asi Varunasy’aritasadanm’asi Varunasy’aritasadanma’aseeda (Yajur Veda – Vaajasanéya Samhitaa 4.36).”

It is in this manner that Kalasha Püjana should be done. However, because of space in this article, let me invite any of my fellow Pandits that would like to have the complete Kalasha Püjaa Vidhi, to contact me by simply posting a request on my home page. Additionally, I encourage all Pandits to please review the process of the ritual and make the necessary adjustments. Re-visit your Guru and re-check everything before commencing or even attempting to perform this sacred ritual. It is a serious transgression for anyone to conduct this ritual without due knowledge.

I fervently hope this article will be helpful, especially to aspiring Pandits and Puröhita, and in general, to the devotees of Sanaatan Dharma. Hari Öm.

Post 212 – Date: 05.21.2016: Om Namaha Shivaaya.