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Achamana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Achamanam (achamana , achmana ) is one of the most important rituals in the Hindutradition. It is a male purification ritual that is believed to cure all physical and mental illnesses.[1] As such, it is performed prior to almost all other Brahmin rituals.
Contents [hide] 1 Times when necessary 2 Performance of Achamanam 2.1 Smriti and Smarta achamana 2.2 Purana achamana 3 When Achamanam is forbidden 4 References

Times when necessary

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Achamanam generally precedes all Brahmin rituals, as it is necessary to be purified for the performance of all other major rituals. However, various daily acts are also believed to invalidate one's purity in the Hindu tradition, and achamanam is to be performed in order to rectify this. These occasions include: Immediately after waking up in the morning After urination and other forms of excretion After brushing one's teeth Before and after a bath After wearing clothes Before and after a meal Before and after giving or accepting alms or donation After sneezing, shedding tears or blood Upon association or contact with ritually "impure" substances such as blood, semen, human hair, fire, cows, cats, mice, refuse, etc. After sexual contact with women.

Performance of Achamanam

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There are various forms of Achamanam depending on which set of Hindu beliefs one ascribes to and the context within which one is performing the ritual. The most common forms of Achamanam are the smriti and sruti achamana, and they are the most generally practiced. The next most common is the purana form, which is primarily practiced by Vaishnavites but is often appropriated by Shaivites and others as well.

Smriti and Smarta achamana

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The simplest versions of achamanam consist of swallowing(not sipping) water 3 times from the Brahma-Grantha (base of the right thumb) while reciting different mantras in praise of thelord. Water is first poured into the cupped palm of the right hand. One then recites the specific mantra and silently swallows the water from the base of the thumb. In the sruti achamanam, the three mantras are: 1. Achyutaya Namaha (In the Name of the Innumerable Lord) 2. Anantaya Namaha (In the Name of the Infinite Lord) 3. Govindaya Namaha (In the name of Lord Govinda) In the smriti form, one recites parts of the Gayatri mantra while swallowing water:
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Achamana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1. Tt savitr vreya 2. Bhrgo devsya dhmahi 3. Dhyo y na pracodyt These forms of achamanam are performed constantly throughout most major Hindu rituals. Important examples include marriages and upanayana.

Purana achamana

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As part of sandhyavandanam, some of the achamana are replaced by the longer purana achamana, which extends the sruti achamanam. First, the sruti is performed, and then it is extended to the purification of the chakras through the touching of certain fingers of the right hand to certain points on the face and body, along with mantras. These are: 1. Keshavaya Namaha - Thumb to touch the right cheek 2. Narayanaya Namaha - Thumb, left cheek 3. Madhavaya Namaha - Ring finger, right eye 4. Govindaya Namaha - Ring finger, left eye 5. Vishnave Namaha - Index finger, left side of the nose 6. Madhusudhanaya Namaha - Index finger, right side of the nose 7. Trivikramaya Namaha - little finger, right ear 8. Vamanaya Namaha - little finger, left ear 9. Shridharaya Namaha - third (middle) finger, right shoulder 10. Hrishikeshaya Namaha - third finger, left shoulder 11. Padmanabhaya Namaha - four fingers (hand with thumb folded inwards), navel 12. Damodaraya Namaha - four fingers, head. 13. Sankarshanaya namaha 14. Vasudevaya namaha 15. Pradyumnaya namaha 16. Anirudhaya namaha 17. Purushothamaya namaha 18. Adhokshajaya namaha 19. Narasimhaya namaha 20. Achyutaya namaha 21. Janardanaya namaha 22. Upendraya namaha 23. Hariye namaha 24. Sri krishnaya namaha These may be performed whether or not a ritual is to follow; its significance in ritual purification is as valid as "basic" achamanam, and vice versa.

When Achamanam is forbidden

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Achamanam is not to be done immediately after taking prasad, or swallowing tirtha - as these are holy and pure in itself and the symbolic act of purifying oneself through achamanam insults these articles' holiness.

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