Samindhanam
Three sticks1 of equal length2 are offered to the fire with these four mantras3
With this mantra, place the first samidha into the fire:
Om ayant idhma aatmaa
jaata-vedas tene dhyasva
vardha-sva ched-dha vardhaya
chaas-maan prajayaa pashubhir
brahma varchase-na-annaa-dyena samedhaya svaahaa.4
Idam agnaye jaata-vedase, idanna mama.
After the next two mantras, place the second samidha into the fire:
Om sami-dhaa agnim duvas-yata
ghṛi-tair bodhaya taa-ti-thim
aasmin havyaa juhotana svaahaa.5
Idam agnaye, idanna mama.
Su-samid-dhaaya sho-chiṣhe
gṛitam teevram juhotana.
Agnaye jaata-vedase svaahaa.6
Idam agnaye jaata-vedase, idanna mama.
With this mantra, place the third samidha into the fire:
Tantvaa samid-bhir-aṅgiro
ghṛitena vardhayaa masi.
Bṛihachho-chaa yaviṣh-ṭhaya svaahaa.7
Idam agnaye aṅgirase, idanna mama.
- The symbolic 3 represents innumerable trinity in the world, for example (1) God, Soul, Matter (2) Father, Mother, Children; (3) Past. Present, Future; (4) Three syllables of Aum; (4) Body, mind, action (5) Thought, word, deed; (6) Young, middle and old ages; (7) Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, i.e., Creation, preservation and dissolution.
- The samidhas are of equal length, eight fingers long (placing fingers of both hands next to each other). The 8 measurements are generally summarised to represent: Noble Progeny, Harmony with all creations, Vitality (Strength), Prosperity, Long life, Wisdom, Bliss, Emancipation. In more detail, these represent the 8 types of physical wealth often referred to as ashtalakshmi: adilakshmi the overall well-being of prosperity; dhana-lakshmi – money, tangible wealth for trade; dhanya-lakshmi – the wealth of nature and good harvest from crops. Gaja-lakshmi – the wealth of power (likened to one who is worshipped by elephants/powerful beings); santana-lakshmi – the wealth of noble offspring; veera/dhairya lakshmi - wealth of courage and valor; jaya/vijaya-lakshmi – the wealth of victory over all hurdles; vidya-lakshmi - the wealth of knowledge of arts and sciences (physical know-how)
- Four mantras appear to be chanted to make these 3 offerings. The symbolism of the number 4 includes (a) The 4 directions; (b) the 4 purusharthas of life: Dharma, Artha, Kaama, Moksha (c) the 4 ashrams/stages of life: Brahmacharya, Grihasta, Vaanprastha, Sanyaasa; (d) the 4 different classifications of opposing directions: east/west, north/south; up/down and inside/outside. However, the 2nd and 3rd verses are actually one verse of the Yajur Veda 3.1
- Ashvalayana Grihyasutra 1.10.12
- Yajur Veda 3.1
- Yajur Veda 3.1
- Yajur Veda 3.3
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