ŚRĪ VAIṢṆAVA

YAJUR VEDA UPAKARMA PRAYOGAḤ

Paṇḍit Srirama Ramanujacari

srimatham.com
09:08:2016
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śrīmate rāmāṇujāya namaḥ

Introduction

Upakarma  is  the  day  of  commencement  of  the  Veda  study  semester.  It  is      held  
on  the  full  moon  day  of  the  month  of  Shravana.  The  significance  of  this  day  is  that  
Lord  Vishnu  took  the  form  of  a  horse  and  restored  the  Veda  that  was  stolen    from  
Lord   Brahma   by   the   asuras.   As   lord   Vishnu   took   the   form   of   a   horse,   this  
incarnation     is  called  Hayagriva  or  “horse-­‐head”.    So  the  day  of  Upakarma  is  also  
celebrated  as  Hayagriva's  appearance  day.      
The  principal  duty  ordained  for  Brahmins  is  learning  and  teaching  (Adhyayana  
and  Adhyapana).  So,  learning  and  teaching  became  the  foremost  occupation  for  
Brahmins   in   the   early   days.   The   Upakarma   was   the   solemn   opening   of   the  
brahminical  school  term  or  semester  and  Utsarga  was  it’s  closing  or  valedictory  
function,   the   duration   of   the   term   being   four   and   half   months.   The   term  
‘Upakarma’   literally   means   things   to   be   done   before,   or   as   preliminary   or  
preparatory  to  a  main  event.    Nowadays  only  Upakarma  is  observed  and  that  too  
in   a   vestigial   form   and   ‘Utsarga’   has   been   totally   discontinued.   The   Upakarma  
was   an   annual   function   and   was   conducted   during   the   rainy   season   on   the   full  
moon  day  of  Sravana  month.    
With   the   onset   of   monsoon   over   greater   part   of   the   country,   the   weather  
becomes   pleasant   and   cool   during   this   season,   and   the   rains   severely   restrict  
movement.  Persons  of  other  ‘Varnas’  or  vocations  during  this  time  will  be  busy  
with  their  respective  occupations  like  agriculture,  cattle  grazing  etc.  All  these  are  
conducive  for  the  Brahmin  to  engage  himself  in  serious  study.    Also,  during  this  
time,  the  preceptors  would  be  in  their  Ashrams  observing  their  spiritual  retreat  
(Chaturmasya).   In   fact,   they   will   be   eagerly   awaiting   arrival   of   students   and  
some   even   perform   rites   to   attract   students   so   that   they   may   be   blessed   with  
students  who  are  good,  intelligent,  virtuous  and  prosperous,  and  in  a  continuous  
stream.    
The  purport  of  this  ceremony  is  for  the  absolution  of  all  sins  committed  during  
the  year  and  the  for     re-­‐affirmation  of  our  commitment  to  leading  a  Dharmic  life  
as  dvijas  and  to  seek  the  blessings  of  our  ‘mūla  gurus’  and  ‘rishis’.     Shastras  say  
that  it  is  not  only  for  personal  welfare  but  it  also  uplifts  the  society.  
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YAJUR VEDA UPAKARMA

• In the morning rise and perform nitya kriya [snāna, sandhya vandana, tarpana, brahma yajña.]

Guru-parampara dhyānam
1.a. periya jīyar taniyan (Teṅgalai)
śrī śailesa dayā-pātraṁ dhī-bhaktyādi guṇārnavam |
yatindra-pravaṇaṁ vande ramya-jāmātaraṁ munim ||
I pay my obeisance to the sage Manavallamamuni who is an ocean of virtues such as
intelligence and devotion and who received the mercy of his guru Sri Sailesa and is
so attached to Ramanuja.

1.b. vedānta deśikan taniyan (Vaḍagalai)

rāmānuja dayāpātram jñāna-vairāgya bhūṣaṇam |
śrīmat veṅkaṭa-nāthāryaṁ vande guruparamarām ||
I salute the lineage of preceptors and Vedanta Desikan who was the recipient of the
mercy of Ramanuja and is the ornament of knowledge and dispassion.

2. guru parampara taniyan

lakṣmī-nātha samārambhām nātha yāmuna madhyamām |
asmat ācārya paryantām vande guru paramparām ||
Beginning from the Supreme Lord, through Nathamuni and Yamunacharya, down to
our own acarya I salute the entire lineage of spiritual masters.

3. Rāmānuja taniyan
yo nitya-acyuta padāmbuja yugma rukma
vyāmohas tad itarāni tṛṇāya mene |
asmat guror bhagavato’sya dayaika sindhoḥ
rāmānujasya caraṇau śaraṇaṁ prapadye ||
I seek refuge in the feet of Bhagavad Ramanuja, our teacher who is an ocean of
compassion, who considered everything apart from the precious lotus feet of Krishna
to be worthless.
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KĀMO 'KARṢĪN MANYUR AKARṢĪT JAPAM

Saṅkalpaḥ — hari oṁ tat sat | śrī govinda 3 | śubhe śobhane muhūrte adye śrī
bhagavato mahā- puruṣasya śrī viṣṇor ājñayā pravartamānasya ādya śrī brahma dvitīya
parārdhe śrī śveta varāha kalpe vaivasvata manvantare aṣṭāviṁśatīttame, kali yuge
prathama pāde jāmbu-dvīpe, mero dakṣiṇa dig-bhāge, hiraṇmaya varśe hiraṇmaya
deśe ________ deśe ___________ mahā nagari antargate vyavahārikānām prabhavādi
ṣaṣṭi saṁvatsarānāṁ madhye ___________ nāma saṁvatsare dakṣina ayane
_______ ṛtau, siṁha māse, śukla pakṣe, paurṇamāsyāṁ śubha tithau ___________
vāsara yuktāyāṁ ___________ nakṣatra yuktāyām, śrī viṣṇu yoge śrī viṣṇu karaṇe
śubha yoge śubha karaṇe, sakala graha guṇa viśeṣaṇa visiṣṭhāyām, bhagavad ājñayā
bhagavat kaiṅkarya rūpam —
Harih   om   tatsat.   Govinda,   Govinda,   Govinda,   with   the   sanction   of   the   Supreme   Being     Lord  
Vishnu,  in  this  period  during  the  second  half  of  the  life-­‐span  of  the  demiurge  Brahma,  during  the  
aeon  of  the  White  Boar,  during  the    universal  rule  of  Vaivasvata  Manu  in  the  28th  period,  during  
the     first   quarter   of   the   age   of   Kali,   on   the   planet   Earth   in   land   south   of   mount   Meru,   in   the  
Golden  Land,  in  the  country  of  ___________,  in   the  city    of  _____________,  in  the  year  ___________,  of  
the   60   year   Jovian   cycle,   during   the   _______   season,   in   the   month   of   Sravana   in   the   bright  
fortnight,   on   the   ___________,   lunar   day,   on   a   ________,   day   under   the   constellation   of   ___________,  
with  auspicious  conjunctions,  and  all  the  planets  being  benevolently  disposed;    
taiṣyām paurṇamāsyām adhyāyotsarjana akaraṇa prāyaścittārtham aṣṭhottara śata
saṅkhyayā — 'kāmo 'karṣīn manyur akarṣīt' — iti mahā-mantra japaṁ kariṣye.
In   order   to   atone   for   the   offence   of   not   performing   the   study   of   the   Vedas   I   now   recite   108   times    
the  mantra  —  desire  is  the  cause,  anger  is  the  cause.  
 

Sāttvika  tyāgam    
bhagavān eva sva-niyāmya sva-rūpa sthiti pravṛtti sva-śeṣataika rasena, anena ātmanā
kartrā svakiyaiś-copakaraṇai svārādhanaika prayojanāya, parama-puruṣa sarva śeṣī
śrīyaḥ-pati svaśeṣa-bhūtam, idaṁ kāmo 'karṣīn manyur akarṣīt' mantra japa karma
svasmai, svaprītaye svayam-eva kārayati ||
• ācamana x 2
• repeat the mantra at least 108 times.

kāmo 'karṣīn manyur akarṣīn namo namaḥ

• wear a pavitri on the right ring-finger, having taken a seat facing the east and having done
ācamanam, recite the saṅkalpam from the previous version.
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Pradhāna Saṅkalpaḥ
hariḥ oṁ tat sat ......................... bhagavad ājñayā bhagavat kaiṅkarya rupam:—

anādi-avidyā-vāsanayā pravartamāne, asmin mahati saṁsāra cakre vicitrābhiḥ,

karma gatibhiḥ, vicitrāsu yoniṣu, punaḥ puṇar anekadhā janitvā, kenāpi puṇya karma
viśeṣeṇa, idānīntana mānuṣye dvija janma viśeṣaṁ prāptavato mama [asmākam], iha
janmani pūrva janmasu mayā [asmābhiḥ] kṛtānāṁ, mahā pātakāṇāṁ, niṣiddha śāstra-
abhigamana-ādīnāṁ, veśyādi saṁsarga nimittānāṁ, bālye vayasi kaumāre yauvane
vārdhake, jāgrat svapna suṣupti āvasthāsu, mano vāk kāya sarvendriya vyāpāraiśca
saṁsarga nimittānāṁ, bhūyo bhūyo'bhyasthānāṁ, tatra tatra garbhotpati nimittānāṁ,
tat saha-bhojana tad ucchiṣtha bhakṣaṇa nimittānāṁ, vṛkṣa-cchedana dhānya-raupaya
asacchāstrālāpa grāmādhikāra maṭhādikāra paurohitya parīkṣā pakṣa-pātaka, sama-
pātakānāṁ, jñānataḥ sakṛt-kṛtānāṁ, ajñānataḥ asakṛt-kṛtānāṁ, jñānato ajñānataś
cābhyastānāṁ, atyanta-abhyasthānāṁ nirantara-abhyastānāṁ, saṅkarī karaṇānāṁ,
malinī karaṇānāṁ, apātrī karaṇānāṁ, avihita karmācaraṇa, vihita karma tyāgādīnāṁ,
prakīrṇakānāṁ, mahā-pātakānāṁ, ati-pātakānāṁ, evaṁ navānāṁ nava vidhānāṁ,
bahūnāṁ bahu vidhānāṁ, sarveṣāṁ pāpānāṁ apanodana dvārā, ayājya yājana asat-
pratigahā abhakṣya bhakṣaṇa, abhojya bhojana, apeya pānādi, samasta pāpa-
kṣayārthaṁ, śrī-bhū nīlā sameta śrīman nārāyaṇa svāmi sannidau, trayas-triṁśat koṭi
devatā sannidhau, brāhmaṇāḥ śrīvaiṣṇavāḥ sannidhau, mama [asmākam] samasta
pāpa kṣayārthaṁ śrāvaṇyām paurṇamāsyām adhyāyana upakarma kariṣye,
[kariṣyāmaḥ] tad aṅgaṁ kāṇḍa ṛṣi tarpaṇaṁ kariṣye [kariṣyāmaḥ] - tad aṅga
yajñopavīta dhāraṇaṁ kariṣye [kariṣyāmaḥ] |

With   the   sanction   of   the   Supreme   Being,   and   as   service   alone,   due   to   ignorance   from   time  
immemorial,   we   are   wandering   about   in   this   great   ocean   of   Samsara,   impelled   by   our   diverse  
karmas;  becoming  involved  in  diverse  circumstances,  and  being  born  again  and  again  in  various  
species.   At   last,   due   to   some   specific   act   of   great   merit,   we   have   been   born   as   human   beings,   and  
moreover  we  have  been  granted  the  great  privilege  of  becoming  dvijas.  In  this  birth  and  in  our  
previous  births,  we  have  committed  a  great  number  of  offences,  which  have  caused  us  to  become  
degraded;  major  offences,  acts  that  have  been  forbidden  by  Shastra;  during  childhood,  youth  and  
adulthood;  in  the  various  levels  of  consciousness,  while  awake  and  while  dreaming;  wittingly  and  
unwittingly,   and   in   delusion;   by   our   actions,   speech   and   mind;   through   all   our   senses   and  
through  our  acts  of  daily  living;  an  enormous  number  of  sins  have  been  committed  such  as  eating  
with  the  unsuitable  people,  eating  contaminated  food,  destruction  of  trees  and  plants,  discussion  
of   unbeneficial   literature,   disrespecting   elders,     community   leaders   and     priests,   and   failing   to  
remain   neutral   and   balanced,   committing   transgressions   knowingly   once   and   unknowingly  
many   times,   offences   done   repeatedly,   deeds   that   have   spiritually   contaminated   us,   and   made   us  
unworthy   of   our   status   as   dvijas.   We   have   done   those   deeds   which   we   should   not   have,   and  
refrained  from  doing  what  we  should  have;  miscellaneous  sins,  major  sins  and  even  mortal  sins.  
For   the   absolution   of   all   the   nine   types   of   sins;   two   of   the   mind   —   believing   in   false   doctrines,  
thinking  badly  of  others,  three  of  speech:  lying,  slander  and  gossip  and  four  of  body:  taking  that  
which  was  not  given,  causing  injury  to  other  living  beings,  not  rendering  assistance  to  others  in  
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time  of  need  and  sexual  misconduct.  And  for  the  additional  offences  of  sacrificing  for  those  who  
were   unworthy   of   participating,   for   accepting   gifts   from   unworthy   donors,   eating   forbidden  
items,   for   enjoying   forbidden   pleasures,   drinking   forbidden   drinks,   for   the   absolution   of   all   these  
sins,  in  the  presence  of  all  the  33  devas,  in  the  company  of  Brahmins  and  Srivaishnavas  we  shall  
now   perform   this   Upakarma   rite   consisting   of   sanctification,   and   offering   of   libations   to   the  
Rishis  and  the  changing  of  the  sacred  thread.  

YAJÑOPAVĪTA DHĀRAṆA KRAMAḤ

Saṅkalpaḥ — pūrvokta guṇā viṣeśaṇa visiṣṭhāyām asyām śubha tithau bhagavat

ājñayā bhagavat kaiṅkarya rūpeṇa — śrauta smārta vihita nitya karma anuṣṭhāna
yogyatā siddhyarthaṁ, brahma-tejas abhivṛdhyarthaṁ yajñopavīta dhāraṇaṁ kariṣye;
In   order   to   invoke   the   grace   of   the   Supreme   Lord,   as   service   to   Him,   in   order   to   observe   the  
injunctions  of  the  sacred  law  and  to  obtain  the  right  to  perform  my  daily  obligatory  duties,  in  
order  to  increase  my  spiritual  learning  I  shall  now  don  the  sacred  thread.  

• Hold the sacred thread with the left hand over the pañcapātra and the right hand palm
upwards towards the ceiling and recite the mantras;

yajñopavīta dhāraṇa mantrasya;

brahma ṛṣiḥ (touch the forehead) |
anuṣṭup chandaḥ (touch the mouth) |
vedās trayo devatāḥ (touch the heart) |
yajñopavīta dhāraṇe viniyogaḥ |

• Sit in kukuta āsana facing the east or north and say;

yajñopavītaṁ paramaṁ pavitraṁ prajāpater yat sahajaṁ purastāt |

āyuṣyaṁ agṛyaṁ pratimuṇca śubhraṁ yajñopavītaṁ balaṁ astu tejaḥ ||
This   sacred   thread,   supremely   holy,   born   with   Prajapati   of   yore,   conducive   to   long   life,   and  
excellent,    wear  this  pure  sacred  thread;  may  it  conduce  to  strength  and  vigour.  
• Wear the new thread
• Perform ācamanam
• Gṛhastha should repeat the performance with a second thread.

Saṅkalpaḥ — asyām śubha tithau śrauta smārta vihita nitya karma anuṣṭhāna
yojñatā siddhyarthaṁ gārhasthyārthaṁ dvitīya yajñopavīta dhāraṇaṁ kariṣye;
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On   this   auspicious   day,   with   the   Sanction   of   the   Lord   and   in   His   Service,   in   order   to   fulfill   the  
daily  duties  as  laid  down  in  the  Scriptures,  in  order  to  fulfill  my  duties  as  a  householder  I  now  
don  the  second  sacred  thread.  
• don the second thread.
• repeat ācamanam
• repeat the following sloka and then remove the old thread.
upavītaṁ chinna tantum jīrṇaṁ kaśmala dūṣitam |
visrajāmi jale brahmaṇ varco dīrghāyur astu me ||
I   now   again   discard   this   sacrificial   thread,   thread-­‐bare,   worn,   and   stained,   may   I   attain  
spiritual  radiance  and  longevity  O  Brahma.  

• repeat acamanam twice.

• replace pavitri on the finger.

TARPANAM

The hand is divided into four sections Brahma Tīrtha

and each section is used for different
water libations. The Brahma tīrtha is at
the base of the palm, the Deva tīrtha at Pitru Tīrtha Riṣi Tīrtha
the tips of the fingers, the Riṣi tīrtha at
the base of the little finger and the Pitru
tīrtha between the thumb and the base of Deva Tīrtha
the index finger

• Facing north, perform tarpanam with water containing sesame & akṣata. If possible it should
be done while standing in a river or in the sea, but if not it can be done pouring the water
into trays.
• Wear the yajñopavītam around the neck like a garland [nivītam] - grasp it with the thumbs
and offer the water with the palms cupped and dropping the water from between the palms.
• [if using a panchapatra hold the yajñopavītam with the thumb of the right hand and pour the
water into the right hand with the left.]
• Offer from the ṛṣi tirtha — each 3 times.

1. oṁ prajāpatiṁ kāṇḍa ṛṣīṁ tarpayāmi

2. oṁ somaṁ kāṇḍa ṛṣīṁ tarpayāmi
3. oṁ agniṁ kāṇḍa ṛṣīṁ tarpayāmi
4. oṁ viśvān devān kāṇḍa ṛṣīṁ tarpayāmi
5. oṁ sāgaṁhitīr devatā upaniṣadas tarpayāmi
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6. oṁ yājñikīr devatā upaniṣadas tarpayāmi
7. oṁ vāruṇīr devatā upaniṣadas tarpayāmi
• offer from the brahma tirtha — base of the palms
8. oṁ brahmānaṁ svayaṁbhuvaṁ tarpayāmi
• offer from the devata tirtha — tips of fingers
9. oṁ sadasaspatiṁ tarpayāmi
• Return to upavītam

PITṚU TARPAṆAM
• Only done by those who have lost a parent.
• Wear the sacred thread over the right shoulder (prācīnavīti).
• Allow the water to trickle from the pitr tīrtam of the right hand.

1. somaḥ pitṛmān yamo angirasvān agniḥ kavya-vāhanaḥ

ityādayo ye pitaras tān pitṛuṁ tarpayāmi |
2. sarvān pitṛuṁ tarpayāmi |
3. sarva pitṛ-gaṇāṁ tarpayāmi |
4. sarva pitṛ-patnīs tarpayāmi |
5. sarva pitṛ-gaṇa-patnīs tarpayāmi |
I   gratify   all   the   Manes   commencing   with   Soma.   Pitrman,   Angirasan,   Agni     Kavyavahana   and  
others    by  these  libations  of  water.  I    gratify  all  the  Manes    by  these  libations  of  water.  I  gratify    
all  the    host  of  the  Manes    by  these  libations  of  water.  I  gratify  all  the    wives  of  the  Manes    by  
these  libations  of  water.  I  gratify  all  the    wives  of  the  host  of  Manes    by  these  libations  of  water.  

ūrjaṁ vahantīr amṛtaṁ ghṛtaṁ payaḥ kīlalaṁ pari-srutaguṁ

svadhāstha tarpayata me pitṛun | tripyata tripyata tripyata |
Bearers   of   vigour   and   immortal   abundance,   essence,   sweet   beverage   and   foaming   drink,   you   are  
a  refreshing  draught,  bring  delight  to  my  ancestors.       VS.3.34  

• repeat ācamanam
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VEDĀRAMBHA

Saṅkalpam — śrī bhagavad ājñayā bhagavad kaiṅkarya rupeṇa śrāvaṇyām

paurṇamāsyām svādhyāya upakarma kariṣye | brahma yajñena yakṣye ||
ārambha mantra — kṛtañca kariṣyāmi bhagavan nityena bhagavat kainkarya rūpeṇa
mahā vibhūti cāturātmyā brahma-yajñena bhagavantaṁ vāsudevam arcayiṣyāmi ||
I  am  engaged  in  doing  that  which  has  already  been  done;  it  is  the  daily  rite;  the  service  of  the  
Supreme  Person  Sri  Krishna;  I  shall  now  adore  the  Divine  Vasudeva  through  this  rite  of  Brahma-­‐
yajna.  
• Wash the hands while reciting;
vidyu̍dasi̱ vidya̍ me pā̱pmān a̍nṛ̱tāt sa̱tyam upai̍mi
O  Lord  you  are  the  Supreme  Light;  make  me  mindful  of  my  transgressions,  by  this  may  I  reach  
the  Truth.  
• Repeat ācamanam silently, wipe mouth and then wash hands.
• Touch water and then touch each of the following parts of the body.
Head - all fingers.
Eyes - ring finger.
Nose - index finger.
Ears - little finger.
Chest - palm of the hand.
• Wash hands again, spread darbha and be seated thereupon.
• Place pavitris on both hands and then do three prāṇāyāmas.
• Sit with the right leg above the left one and clasp the brahmānjali then recite;

oṁ bhūḥ | tat sa̍vi̱tur vare̎ṇyam |

oṁ bhuva̱ḥ | bhargo̍ de̱vasya̍ dhīmahi |
oṁ suva̱ḥ | dhiyo̱ yo na̍ḥ praco̱dayā̎t |
oṁ bhūḥ | tat sa̍vitu̱r vare̎ṇya̱m | bhargo̍ de̱vasya̍ dhīmahi |
oṁ bhuva̱ḥ | dhiyo̱ yo na̍ḥ praco̱dayā̎t |
oṁ suva̱ḥ tat sa̍vitu̱r vare̎ṇya̱m | bhargo̍ de̱vasya̍ dhīmahi̱ | dhiyo̱ yo na̍ḥ
praco̱dayā̎t |
oṁ bhūr bhuvas suvaḥ | tat sa̍vitu̱r vare̎ṇya̱m | bhargo̍ de̱vasya̍ dhīmahi̱ |
dhiyo̱ yo na̍ḥ praco̱dayā̎t |

• Recite the first verse of each of the Vedas;

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1. Rig Veda
agnimī̎ḷe pu̱rohi̍taṁ ya̱jñasya̍ de̱vam ṛ̱tvijam̎ | hotā̎ḥaṁ ratna̱ dhāta̍mam || 1 ||
I   praise   Agni   ,   the   chosen   Priest,     the   god,   the   minister   of   sacrifice,   the   Hotar   (priest)   the   giver   of  
ecstacy.  

2. Yajur Veda
i̱ṣe tvo̱rje tvā̍ vā̱yava̍s stha upā̱yavastha de̱vo vaḥ savi̱tā prārpayatu̱
śreṣṭhatamāya̱ karma̍ṇa | ā pyāya-dhvam aghniyā deva-bhā̱gam ūrjasvatī̱ḥ
paya̍svatīḥ pra̱jāvatīr anamī̱vā a̍ya̱kṣmā mā va̍s te̱na īśata̱ māghaśaguṁ so
ru̱drasya̍ he̱tiḥ pari̍ vo vṛṇaktu dhru̱vā a̱smin gopa̍tau syāta ba̱hvir-
yaja̍mānasya pa̱śūn pā̍hi || 2 ||
O   Palasha   branch   I   am   cutting   you     in   order   to   use   you   as   an   offering   to   the   gods.   O   Calves!  
Depart  from  your  mothers  to  the  forest  to  eat  grass  and  again  return  to  your  master's  house  in  
the  evening.  O  Cows  the  Supreme  Lord  that  is  within  you  impels  you  so  that  your  milk  may  be  
used  in  the  sacrifice.  

3. Sāma Veda
agna̱ āyā̍hi vī̱taye̍ gṛṇā̱no ha̱vya dā̍taye | nihotā̍ satsi ba̱rhiṣi || 3 ||
Agni   moves   and   arouses   the   desires   of   the   devotee   to   bestow   oblations.   He   presides   below   in  
existence  and  binds  us  with  desires  to  the  variegated  sense  activities.  

4. Atharvana Veda
śan-no̍ de̱vīr-a̱bhiṣṭa̍ya̱ āpo̍ bhavantu pī̱taye̎ | śaṁ yor-a̱bhisrava̍ntu naḥ || 4 ||
May  the  excellent  waters  be  helpful  to  us  for  our  bliss  and  our  drink.  May  they  flow  all  around,  
for  curing  our  ailments,  and  preventing  us  from  falling  prey  to  them.  

• After this the puruṣa sūkta is chanted by all the assembled brahmins.
• Time permitting other sūktas can also be recited.

Puruṣa Sūktam
śrī gurubhyo namaḥ hariḥ oṁ
taccha̱ṁyor āvṛ̍ṇīmahe | gā̱tuṁ ya̱jñāya̍ | gā̱tuṁ ya̱jña-pa̍taye | daivī̎ sva̱stir
a̍stu naḥ | sva̱stir mānu̍ṣebhyaḥ | ū̱rdhvaṁ ji̍gātu bheṣa̱jam | śaṁ no̍ astu
dvi̱pade̎ | śaṁ catu̍ṣpade || oṁ śānti̱ś śānti̱ś śānti̍ḥ | hariḥ oṁ ||
sa̱ha̍sra śīrṣā̱ puru̍ṣaḥ | sa̱hasrā̱kṣaḥ sa̱hasra̍ pāt |
sa bhūmi̍ṁ vi̱śvato̍ vṛ̱tvā | atya̍tiṣṭhad daśāṅgu̱lam || 1 ||
puru̍ṣa e̱vedaguṁ sarvaṁ̎ | yad bhū̱taṁ yac ca bhavyam̎ |
u̱tāmṛ̍ta̱tva syeśā̍naḥ | ya̱d anne̍nā ti̱roha̍ti || 2 ||
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etāvā̍n asya mahimā | ato jyāyāgu̍ś ca pūru̍ṣaḥ |

pādo̎’sya viśvā̍ bhū̱tāni̍ | tri̱pād a̍syā̱m ṛta̍m di̱vi || 3 ||
tri̱pād ū̱rdhva udai̱t puru̍ṣaḥ | pādo̎’sye̱hā’’bha̍vā̱t puna̍ḥ |
tato̱ viśva̱ṅ vya̍krāmat | sā̱śa̱nā̱na̱śa̱ne a̱bhi || 4 ||
tasmā̎d vi̱rāḍ a̍jāyata | vi̱rājo̱ adhi̱ pūru̍ṣaḥ |
sa jā̱to atya̍ricyata | pa̱ścād bhūmi̱m atho̍ pu̱raḥ || 5 ||
yat puru̍ṣeṇa ha̱viṣā̎ | de̱vā ya̱jñam ata̍nvata |
va̱sa̱nto a̍syāsī̱d ājyam̎ | grī̱ṣma i̱dhmaś śa̱rad-ha̱viḥ || 6 ||
sa̱ptāsyā̍san pari̱dhāya̍ḥ | triḥ sa̱pta sa̱midha̍ḥ kṛ̱tāḥ |
de̱vā yad ya̱jñam ta̍nvā̱nāḥ | aba̍dhna̱n puru̍ṣam pa̱śum || 7 ||
tam ya̱jñam ba̱rhiṣi̱ praukṣa̍n | puru̍ṣam jā̱tam a̍gra̱taḥ |
tena̍ de̱vā aya̍janta | sā̱dhyā ṛṣa̍yaś ca̱ ye || 8 ||
tasmā̎d ya̱jñāt sa̍rva̱ huta̍ḥ | sambhṛ̍taṁ pṛṣad ā̱jyam |
pa̱ṣūguṁs tāggaś ca̍kre vāya̱vyān̍ | ā̱ra̱ṇyān grā̱myāśca̱ ye || 9 ||
tasmā̎d ya̱jñāt sa̍rva̱ hu̱taḥ | ṛca̱ḥ sāmā̍ni jajñire |
chandāgu̍ṁsi jajñire̱ tasmā̎t | yaju̱s tasmā̍d ajāyata || 10 ||
tasmā̱d aśva̍ ayājanta | ye ke co̍bha̱yāda̍taḥ |
gavo̍ ha jajñire̱ tasmā̎t | tasmā̎j jā̱tā a̍jā̱ vaya̍ḥ || 11 ||
yat puru̍ṣaṁ vya̍dadhuḥ | ka̱ti̱dhā vya̍kalpayan |
mukha̱ṁ kim a̍sya kau bā̱hū | kā vū̱rū pādā̍ vucyete || 12 ||
brā̱hma̱ṇo̎’sya̱ mukha̍m āsīt | bā̱hū rā̍ja̱nya̍ḥ kṛ̱taḥ |
ū̱rū tad a̍sya yad vaiśya̍ḥ | pa̱dbhyāguṁ śū̱dro a̍jāyata || 13 ||
ca̱ndramā̱ mana̍so jā̱taḥ | cakṣo̱s-sūryo ajāyata |
mukhā̱d indra̍ś cā̱gniś ca̍ | prā̱ṇād vā̱yur a̍jāyata || 14 ||
nābhyā̍ āsīd a̱ntari̍kṣam | śī̱rṣṇo dyauḥ sama̍vartata |
pa̱dbhyāṁ bhūmi̱r diśa̱ś śrotrā̎t | tathā̍ lo̱kāguṁ a̍kalpayan || 15 ||
vedā̱ham e̱taṁ puru̍ṣaṁ ma̱hāntam̎ | ā̱di̱tya va̍rṇa̱ṁ tama̍sa̱s tu pā̱re |
sarvā̍ṇi rū̱pāṇi̍ vi̱citya̱ dhīra̍ḥ | nāmā̍ni kṛ̱tvā’bhi̱vada̱n yadāste̎ || 16 ||
dhā̱tā pu̱rastā̱d yam u̍dāja̱hāra̍ | śa̱kraḥ pravi̱dvān pra̱diśa̱ś-cata̍sraḥ |
tame̱vā vi̱dvān a̱mṛta̍ iha̱ bhavati | nānyaḥ panthā̱ aya̍nāya vidyate || 17 ||
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ya̱jñena ya̱jñam a̍yajanta de̱vāḥ | tāni̱ dharmā̍ṇi pratha̱mā-nyā̍san |

te ha̱ nāka̍ṁ mahi̱māna̍s sacante | yatra pūrve̍ sā̱dhyās santi̍ de̱vāḥ || 18 ||
a̱dbhyas saṁbhū̍taḥ pṛthi̱vyai rasā̎cca | vi̱śva̍karmaṇa̱s sama̍varta̱tādhi̍ |
tasya̱ tvaṣṭā̍ vi̱dadha̍d rū̱pam-e̍ti | tat puru̍ṣasya̱ viśva̱m ājā̍na̱m agre̎ || 19 ||
vedā̱ham e̱taṁ puru̍ṣaṁ ma̱hāntam̎ | ā̱di̱tya va̍rṇa̱ṁ tama̍sa̱ḥ para̍stāt |
tam e̱vaṁ vi̱dvān a̱mṛta̍ i̱ha bha̍vati | nānyaḥ panthā̍ vidya̱te’ya̍nāya || 20 ||
pra̱jāpa̍tiś carati̱ garbhe̍ a̱ntaḥ | a̱jāya̍māno bahu̱dhā vijā̍yate |
tasya̱ dhīrā̱ḥ pari̍jānanti̱ yonim̎ | marī̍cīnāṁ pa̱dam i̍cchanti ve̱dhasaḥ || 21 ||
yo de̱vebhya̱ ātapa̍ti | yo̍ de̱vānā̎ṁ puro̱hi̍taḥ |
purvo̱ yo devebhyo̍ jā̱taḥ | namo̍ ru̱cāya̱ brāhma̍ye || 22 ||
ruca̍ṁ brā̱hmaṁ ja̱naya̍ntaḥ | de̱vā agre̱ tad a̍bruvan |
yas tvai̱vaṁ brā̎hma̱ṇo vi̱dyāt | tasya̍ de̱vā asa̱n vaśe̎ || 23 ||
hrīś ca̍ te la̱kṣmīś ca̱ patnyau̎ | a̱ho̱ rā̱tre pā̱rśve | nakṣa̍trāṇi rū̱pam | a̱śvinau̱
vyāttam̎ | i̱ṣṭaṁ ma̍niṣāṇa | a̱muṁ ma̍niṣāṇa | sarva̍ṁ maniṣāṇaḥ || 24 ||
• Taking water in the right hand sprinkle it around the head with;
oṁ satyaṁ tapaḥ śraddhāyāṁ juhomi |
• Repeat three times;

namo̱ brahma̍ṇe̱ namo̍’stva̱gnaye̱ nama̍ḥ pṛthi̱vyai nama̱ auṣa̍dhībhyaḥ |

namo̍ vā̱ce namo̍ vā̱cas-pata̍ye̱ namo̱ viṣṇa̍ve bṛha̱te ka̍romi ||
oṁ śānti̱ś śānti̱ś śānti̍ḥ ||
I  pay  my  obeisance  to  Brahma  and  to    you  O  Agni,  to  the  Earth  and  to  the  Herbs.      
To  Speech  and  the  Lord  of  Speech,  salutations  to  Vishnu,  this  I  do  for  the  Sacred  Vedas.        
 Om  Peace  Peace  

• Wash the hands;

vṛṣṭir asi̱ vṛśca̍ me pā̱pmān-a̍nṛ̱tāt sa̱tyam upāgām ||

O  Lord  Thou  art  the  cause  of  separation;  separate  me  from  sin.  From  untruth  I  have  reached  
the  Truth.  

• ācamanam.
 13
Dedication of merit.
• Take some water in the right hand, recite the following sloka and then pour the water into
the tray.

kāyeṇa vācā manasendriyair vā buddhyātmanā va prakṛtair svabhāvāt |

karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai nārāyaṇāyeti samarpayāmi ||
Whatever   I   achieve   through   action   or   speech,   by   thought   or   sense   organ,   by   intellect   or   Self  
or   through   my   natural   disposition,   all   that   I   dedicate   to   the   Supreme   Lord   Sriman  
Narayana.  

• Some people perform abhyudaya śrāddha

• punyāhaṁ.