Purascharana

Viyalaya Samhita defines Purascharana as the perfecting of the procedure of mulamantra as it has to be performed before the acts in which it is to be engaged. The Kularnava states that it is so called as by doing a Purascharana, the worshipped deity moves before the worshipper for granting him his desires. Purascharana of a mantra is composed of Dhyana, Puja, japa, homa, tarpana, abhiseka and brahmana-bhojana.

There are different forms of this rite and it depends on the nature of the devotee. The ritual of Purascharana deals with the time and place of performance, the measurements and decoration of the mandapa and of the altar. One has to follow certain rules before performing a Purascharana. The sadhaka should eat alternately boiled milk, fruits, or Indian vegetables or anything obtained by begging and should avoid all food that influences the passions. There are certain practices which have to be done for the destruction of sin. Three days prior to Puja is a worship of Ganesha and Kshetra-pala, Lord of the Place. The five products of the cow are eaten. The Sun, Moon, and Gods are summoned which is followed by the sankalpa. The ghata is then placed into which the Devi needs to be summoned.

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