Sri Rama Amrutam is designed to enable people understand the methodology of performing pooja as per agamas in a proper manner. It also address the need and importance of each and every upachara (steps in pooja) followed, thereby bridge the gap between reasoning and ritual, this will ultimately result in aiding the devotee to attain the true goal of life (eternal bliss).
Every sunday the entire set required to conduct pooja alongwith the statutes of Sri Seeta-Lakshman-Hanumat sahita Sri Ramchandra Parabramha are brought to the desired devotee house and abhishekam is performed as per agamas in the devotees house. After abhishekam, Sri vishnu sahasranam, Sri Rama Raksha Stotram, Sri Hanuman chalisa, Sri Nama Ramayanam and Sri Rama Nama sankertana are sung in the praise of Lord.


The ideology behind this program is to enlighten the need and significance of performing pooja, the importance of agamas and sastras, the joy in reciting lord's leelas and thereby helping people to lead peaceful and contented life.

SRI RAMA RAKSHA SARVA JAGAT RAKSHA

LOKA SAMASTA SUKINO BHAVANTU


To participate in "Sri Rama Amrutam" or to perform "Sri Rama Amrutam" at your house call Sri Moksha at 9951539814 or email us at sriramaamrutham@googlegroups.com

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

PRADAKSHINAM - meaning, purpose and methods

Meaning -
PRA -  The letter "Pra" removes all fears and worries
DA -    The letter "Da" blesses with moksha / renunciation
KSHI- The letter "KSHI" removes all kinds of diseases (Sarva vyadhi nivarana)
NAM - The letter "NAM" blesses with allround prosperity and wealth.

Purpose -
It is one among the upacharas in Shodasoupachra (16 steps of prayer), it symbolizes complete surrender to the lord and seek his blessings for fulfillment of the truth of life.

Method of performing pradakshinam -
The Pradakshinas must be started from the Dhwajastamba in clockwise direction. While observing this seva, one must walk or roll slowly chanting the lord's name (the deity for whom you are offering the  seva). Don't hurry or rush yourself while making pradakshinam. Generally devotees offer a minimum of 3, 9,11,  21 or sometimes 108 pradakshinams  depending upon their vow for wish fulfillment. 
While doing these pradakshinams, one must hold both hands together, as we do Namasthe/Namashkar. 
While doing prdakshinas, our thoughts should be mainly on God, thus we chant Ashtotra or any short verses on the Deity. It is also advisable to hold Haldi stick (Pasupu kommu) or Betel nut or flowers (When you are making 108 pradakshinas, hold 108 flowers or haldi sticks or any auspicious materials) for easy remembrance of the count. Otherwise our thoughts go around counting the pradakshinams and there is no point in doing such seva. 
Don't forget to include Dhwajastambha in the pradakshinams. After completion of each pradakshina, make Namaskara holding both hands together near Dhwajasthambha and proceed further.  Once you are done with Pradakshinams, enter the temple from the right side of Dhwajasthambha. While exit, use left side of the Dhwajasthambha.

Types of Pradakshinam -
1. Atma Pradakshina
After completion of vrata or daily pooja, one must do atma pradakshinam while chanting this sacred text:

"Yanikanicha papani janmanthara kruthanicha, tani tani pranashyanthi pradakshina padhe padhe
papoham papa karmaanam papatma paapa sambhavah trahimam krupayaadeva, sharanagatha vatsala"

In this type of pradakshina, we go around ourselves, The significance is that the ego which goes round like a whirlwind must get destroyed, and must get absorbed in Atma. That is Atma Pradakshinam.
2. Pada Pradakshina
In this type of Pradakshina, devotees walk around the temple.

3. Danda Pradakshina
In this type of Pradakshina, devotees take a step do Sashtanga Pranama, again take another step and do Sashtanga Pranama (Sa ashta anga meaning Eight parts of the body touching the ground).

4. Anga Pradakshina
In this type of pradakshina, devotees lie prostrate and roll around the temple. Generally this pradakshina will be done with wet clothes. This is the most powerful pradakshinam for wish fulfillment. This tradition is practised at Tirumala, Mantralaya and many pilgrim places.

Sarvam Sri SeetaRamachandraparabramha aarpanamastu