| Asuddhi/ nimittham |
Prayaschitthams |
(i) ASUDDHI |
| 1. Birth or death of human or quadrupled animals (like cow, bull, goat, buffalo, pig, deer, tiger, elephant, donkey etc) |
If they occur within maryaada, remove the corpse and conduct khananaadi-suddhi (removing of soil if possible), cleanse the area with water followed by Praasaada-punnyaaha, praasaada-suddhi, Bimba-suddhi, praayaschittha-homa, Saanthi-homa and Dravya-kalasa |
| (b) Smaller animals like dog, jackal, monkey, cat, toddy cat, pole cat, mungoose, rabbit etc |
(1) Within baahya-haara: As against l (a) above
(2) Outside baahya-haara: Remove the corpse and sprinkle the place with cowdung water. |
|
| 2. Appearence of bones, flesh of animals, fish, tortoise, rat etc |
Based on size, shape etc ascertain whether the bone relates to man or animal and decide the exipiatory rite. If they are .lying on sand remove the sand and then sprinkle cow-dung water. If within garbha-grha all rites against 1 (a) to be done except homas |
| 3. Fire of Praasaada, (Sreekovil, namaskara-
mandapa, balikkal-pura, thitappalli and kootthambalam) |
Pasudaana, Praasaada-punnyaaha (for
sreekovil and namaska'ara mandapa,
praasaada-suddhi, Dahana - praayaschittha-
homa, Saanthi-homa, Thathwa-homa and Dravya-kalasa, depending on serioussnes of damage |
| 4. Presence of blood, urine, excrements, vomit, phlegm, etc of human beings within the praasaadas (mentioned above) and also of tear drops, sweat, nail pieces and hair within the anthar-mandala |
All rites against 1 (a) except homa. If they are seen within sreekovil it may be necessary to conduct dravya-kalasa also after ascertaining views from the Thanthri. |
| 5. Entering of persons having pollution in family |
Praasaada-punnyaaha |
| 6. Dismemberment, decay or change of position of idol |
Repair the idol (except in case of very serious damage (like severing of head, breaking of idol in two or more parts etc)and install it at the same place with all expiatory rites associated with Naveekarana-kalasa or Dravya kalasa depending on the damage. |
| 7. Performance of pooja not applicable to the Devatha as per the sankalpa and using flowers not meant for the deity |
Rites associted with Praasaada-suddhi and Bimba-suddhi |
| 8. Entry of thieves and desecrating the idol. |
Praasaada-punnyaaha, Prasaada- suddhi Bimba-suddhi, Praayaschittha-homa and Chora-saanthi-homa etc. |
| 9. Entry of owl, vulture, dog donkey, pig, jackal, monkey rat-snake, etc inside garbha- graha |
Praasaada-punnyaaha and Praasaada-suddhi and bimba-suddhi |
| 10. Anointing the idol with impure sandal paste or other articles containing acids, chillies, mustards etc or touching the idol with blood |
Bimba-suddhi (To avoid further decay of sila-vigrahas
on it is better to use a separate panchaloha-archana-vigraha) |
| 11. Non-conduct of pooja in normal circumstances |
Kriya-lopa (pooja-lopa) praayaschittham |
| 12. Discontinuance of pooja and also conduct of pooja without the knowledge of a pollution that has already occured |
Praasaada-suddhi, bimba-suddhisaanthi-homa |
| 13. Falling of dwaja and its breakage etc. |
If there is no damage to the vaahana keep it by the side of the main idol. If the dwaja has fallen and if there is no damage to it then it can be re-installed
as per the prescribed rites. If the dwaja (pole) has broken swhskaara. kriyas (cremation rites) are done to the broken dwaja and a new one installed following the rites associated with it. |
| 14. Pollution of tanks and wells |
As decided by the Thanthri, depending on type of pollution |
| 15. Damage to Sree-bali vigraha |
Replace the vigraha by following the prescribed rites |
| 16. Damages to praasaada due to lightning, earthquakes, land slides etc |
Rectify defects followed by Praasaada-suddhi, bimba-suddhi if it has not affected the idol seriously. |
| 17. Eclipse |
During eclipse the idol has to be covered with a silk cloth after removing all the flowers etc. A darbha-koorcha (darbha-grass tied in conical shape) is then placed over it. After the eclipse koorcha is removed abhisheka done. Fresh flowers are then used for decoration and pooja |
(ii) NIMITTHAMS |
| 18. Formation of honey-comb mush-rooms, wasp's nest, etc in the peefha of the idol |
Praasaada-Suddhi and bimba-suddhi |
| 19. Laughing, crying and perspiration found in the idol |
Deva-prasna. and determine the rites |
| 20. Other nimitthams in mulayital, homam and kalasas |
As decided by Thanthri |
There may be slight variations in the determination of expiatory rites and their execution between one Thanthri and the other. The thanthri has a final say, provided he is pious and meticulous in doing rites in the temple. However, the above description will give a broad outline on the importance given to expiatory rites in relation to the power of the deity. The role of Daivanja and Deva-prasana which have been described at the beginning of the chapter have very great relevance in deciding the praayaschittha, especially if it is a grave one.
