[Advaita-l] VIRAJA HOMAM

[KAMESWARARAO MULA]

Dear Members,                        The Viraja Homa is a Hindu Fire Sacrifice which is performed during the ceremonies whereby a Hindu monk takes up the vows of renunciation i.e SANNYASA. The Viraja Homa is thus part of the full Sannyasa Deeksha (monastic initiation). This Homa is also performed while preparing or making Vibhooti (Bhasma)from pure cow dung. This is also performed during the every month of  Shivaratri  day generally. During this Homa some portions from the Maha Narayanopanishad are chanted with related Prayogas as prescribed.

Viraja Homam:

While eating, we destroy so many organisms, while walking, we hurt and destroy so many organisms, while breathing, we inhale so many organisms and destroy them. As human beings, we are susceptible to many flaws, such as anger, hatred, jealousy and greed. All these form a part and parcel of our so-called petty ‘life’ on earth.


One cannot even imagine the heap of negative karmas that are accumulated everyday as a result of all our misdeeds. Similarly, we also perform so many good Karmas. Think of those compassionate deeds that you have done for others, some intentionally and some without your knowledge.

‘Karma’ also means action as well as the particular result or consequence of that action.

In order to liberate yourself from your Karmas, you must get rid of all your Karmas, positive and negative. Only then can you attain the pure blissful state and realize your true luminous Self (God). One such powerful way of getting rid of Karmas is to perform Yagya.

Every fire ritual/oblation into the fire (Yagya/Havan/Homam) that we perform in the external world is simultaneously being performed within our spiritual body. Until we remain ignorant, we are unable to see their internal spiritual effect on us, and so, we assume that all these are mere external rituals. Every ritual, every prayer, every chant is bringing an inner positive transformation within us.
Generally, Homams are performed to bring materialistic benefits to oneself by pleasing the different Hindu deities. But there is a fire ritual that can take us away from seeking materialistic pleasures. This fire ritual or Homam is known as the ‘Viraja Homam’. ‘Viraja’ is a Sanskrit word that means pure, or free from dust, and to be devoid of passion. The word is closely related to the Sanskrit word ‘Rajas’, which is one of the three Gunas (attributes) in man. Rajas or Rajasic Guna stands for passion and is the main driver for all our actions and desires. This Homam helps us reduce our Rajasic Gunas and removes the desires of a person and encourages him to renounce his actions and their consequences.
The ‘Tamasic Guna’ causes ignorance and darkness. This Homam gets rid of our Tamasic Gunas. Only, the Sattvik Gunas can help us transcend ourselves to a state of supreme consciousness, when one realizes that he/she is Gunateetha (devoid of any Gunas). This Homam helps us cultivate our Sattvik Guna.

This is why in Vedic tradition Viraja Homam is also known as the ‘ultimate’ or the ‘final’ fire oblation. This Homam is generally performed by Hindu monks (Sadhus/Sanyasis) who have taken an oath to renounce this world and take up Sanyasa (a life of total renunciation and asceticism). This Homam is an important step for those aiming for Sanyasa Deeksha (initiation to an ascetic life). It is also known as the ‘death rite’ because upon performing it, the spiritual aspirant is considered dead with regards to his previous life/lives and with regards to all his accumulated karmas. Once he is purified by means of this Homam, he is fit to offer himself as a sacrifice to his Supreme Self.

Due to its purifying nature, the Homam is also performed to make Vibhuthi (holy ashes) from cow dung. This Homam is typically performed on Shivaratri day each month including the Maha Shivaratri. It also contains sacred mantras from the Mahanarayanopanishad.

This Homam is not only meant for spiritual aspirants or monks who wish to renounce everything and take up Sanyasa. It can be performed by everyone. However, we need to be aware that it strengthens our Viveka (ability to discriminate between right and wrong) and Vairagya (ability to remove our senses from pleasures) and it produces Virakti (disinterest in temporary pleasures of this world). It is a sincere request to our Supreme Self to help us purify our body, mind and soul.

Below is the English translation of the mantras used in this Homam. Sit comfortably, close your eyes and breathe easily. Now, imagine a fire burning in your heart. Now chant the following verses.

May I be luminous and pure, devoid of Rajas (mode of passion) and Tamas (mode of darkness)!

1. I offer oblation to my Supreme Self (God who dwells within me) in the hope that my five vital forces of life, Prana, Apana, Vyaana, Udana and Samaana are purified!

2. I offer oblation to my Supreme Self so that my speech, mind, eyes, ears, tongue, nose, organs of procreation, intellect and thought are purified!

3. I offer oblation to my Supreme Self, so that my head, hands, feet, sides, back, belly, thighs, reproductive, procreative and secreting organs are purified.

4. I offer oblation to my Supreme Self, so that my sense organ of touch, skin, flesh, blood, bone and marrow are purified.

5. I offer the oblation to my Supreme Self, so that my hearing, touch, taste and smell are purified!

6. I offer the oblation to my Supreme Self, so that the five elements (water, earth, fire, air and ether) in me are purified!

7. I offer the oblation to my Supreme Self, so that the sheaths of food, life, mind, intellect and bliss in me are purified.

8. I offer oblation to my Supreme Self, so that there is gain of the Supreme knowledge!

9. I offer the oblation to my Supreme Self, so that my Self is pleased with the prayer that praises all its qualities.

10. O Supreme one! Please awaken in me! O the one with reddish-brown eyes kindly protect us! Please bestow upon us the transcendental knowledge about you that will make us luminous and pure!

11. May I become pure and devoid of Rajas and liberated from all flaws (through my sins being removed by God), and attain the world of Brahman (the abode of the Supreme Self), which is beyond the region of heaven (Svargaloka)!
12. I sacrifice my egoistic nature (Jivatma) to You, my Supreme Self (Paramatma), who is enclosed in the sacred syllable OM!SOurce: https://www.daiwikhotels.com/gratitude-for-your-gurus/https://www.daiwikhotels.com/gratitude-for-your-family/
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Sri Guru Padaravindarpana MastuKameswara