Om Namasivaya Nama:
An Introduction to the Akshara Abhyasam/Vidhya Arambam.
From time immemorial, Bharatheeya Sanathanee has adopted a supreme method of Vidya initiation for the desired pupil. I would like to give a full picture of this divine function.
There are four Navarathries being celebrated by the Devi Upasakaas, viz. Maha Navarathri (Makaram Maasam), Vasantha Navarathri (Meena Maasam), Aashada Navarathri (Mithuna Maasam) and Sarada Navarathri (Kanya Maasam). Here, Sarada Navarathri is of immense importance because the lord of Knowledge/Education, Budha Graha (Planet Mercury), is exalted in his own house, Kanya Raasi / Badrapadha. This means Mercury is very happy to bless the highest knowledge for the child who gets initiated during Kanya month. Moreover, it is a period of the Sarada Navarathri occasion. Goddess Sarada Devi is the significator and giver of primary to highest knowledge to the people. Therefore, taking this importance into consideration, Mahathmaas have unanimously decided to conduct the knowledge-imparting auspicious time (Vidhyaramba Muhoortham) during this particular Navarathri, that too on a Sukla Paksha Vijaya Dasami Thidhi Day in Brahma Muhoortham (Preferred).
There is a difference between Vidhyarambam and Aksharaabhyaasam. Nowadays, people are mixing both and calling it Vidhyarambam. Never mind; no spiritual activities will go to waste. However, it is our duty to know the importance of these two functions since we are seeking knowledge.
Vidhya is a boon, but it must be earned through self-effort. However, every seeker must have a Master or Spiritual Guru or Aacharyan to get initiated and enter the world of knowledge. Any knowledge we get through an experienced, selfless master will definitely produce better results in our life. Now let us learn Vidhyarambam and Asktharabhyasam in detail. Both are almost the same but different too. Anyway, both have to be started one day or the other; hence, ideally, if it is on an auspicious day, then it will be not only useful to the person but also for the entire world.
What are Aksharabhyaasam and Vidhyarambam?
Akshara means language syllables or non-perishable, and Abhyasam means practising or training. Aksharabhyaasam is teaching a person to identify Vidhya and Avidhya. Vidhya will ensure the person achieves all knowledge, including gross and subtle (Sthoolam and Sookshmam), and also spiritual understanding. Whereas, Avidhya will teach us only the knowledge to achieve material success, comfort, and bread-winning tactics. Avidhya's main motive is to ensure material comforts without achieving spiritual growth; such knowledge will push a person into the transmigration system.
Whereas, Vidhya will ensure all material comforts along with Moksham (liberation), free from the birth and death life cycle. The purpose of human birth is to attempt and achieve Moksham, in the meanwhile enjoying all the comforts provided by the Prakruthi allowed by the individual's fate. Therefore, the Aksharaabhyaasam will help the person to learn and differentiate between Vidhya and Avidhya.
Vidhyaarambam is initiated to learn the absolute truth and achieve wisdom through divine knowledge, whereas Aksharabhyaasam is initiated to learn what Vidhya and Avidhya are.
Q. When to start Aksharabhyaasam?
Ans. The ideal age is between 3 and 5 years old. There is no specific Muhoortham required as long as it is conducted on a Vijaya Dasami Day. Ideally, before sunrise on a Sukla Paksha Dasami of the Sarada Navarathri period (Brahma-Muhoortham 2 hours before Sunrise).
Q. When to start Vidhyaarambam?
Ans. Naturally, a specific day and time are required depending upon the Vidhya one is choosing. Each Vidhya has a specific significator, either from Divine bodies, Nava Grahas, or Human Saints. Please note that all Vidhyas belong to Goddess Saraswathi/Sarada Devi or Mathangi Devi. It is better to obtain their blessings before the initiation of a particular Vidhya. The Muhoortham (elective time) is selected based on a particular Vidhya's nature, its characteristics, and its relative planet position.
The next day of Vidhyarambam day is known as "Anvarambam", meaning the 2nd day of Vidhyarambam day is re-celebrated under the guidance of an initiator or trainer or Guru or Aacharya or Parents or experts of the field. Whatever was taught on the Vidhyaarambam day must be practised in front of the masters. This is a mandatory practice to ensure that the learned Vidhya is being practised without a break. Every student must have only one motive: to learn things fast and accomplish the task as early as possible, and bring pride to their Gurus.
Muhoorthams for Vidhyarambam:
Saaraswatha Yogam is the greatest time when comparing the 13 specific Muhoorthas prescribed by the Jyothi Sastram (Astrology). Alternatively, Poorvahnnam (between 0830-1100 Hours) and Madhyahnam (1100-1330 hours) timings are good.
What are the important Vidhyas?
Namely, 18 Vidhyas. They are;
4 Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama & Atharvana)
6 Vedangas (Siksha, Kalpam, Vyakaranam, Chhandas, Jyothisham, Niruktham),
8 sastras (Meemamsa, Nyaayam, Smruthi, Puranam, Aayurvedam, Dharnuvedam, Ghaandarvavedam and Artha sastram).
No. 18 means Vidhya itself. That is how this knowledge is put together, called Vidhya.
There are other Vidhyaas one needs to know for enlightenment. These are secret learnings (Guhya Vidhya) as well as worship; hence, it is not commonly or casually available to learn.
1. Aathma Vidhya = Aathma itself is Brahman!
2. Maha Vidhya = Brahman itself is Aathma!
3. Sri Vidhya = The motive of all Vidhya is to know the Absolute Brahman; Goddess Parasakthi is Sri Vidhya. This is also known as the ultimate Vidhya (Advaita Vidhya). There are 14 Sri Vidhya Upasakaars who realised Para Brahma Parasakthi in gross and subtle form.
LANGUAGES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE
Samskrutham / Sanskrit Language - 54 letters (12+34+8). The important ones are 51 letters.
Malayalam Language - 56 syllables (16+40) or 51 syllables (16+35). From time to time, modern education interferes with the ancient practice of languages and cuts down or modifies letters according to its agenda. Who can question the rulers or authorities? As God said, Sambavaami Yuge Yuge!
Tamizh / Tamil - 30 syllables (18+12) letters.
Note: The list is endless. Bharat/India alone has more than 121+ languages and 270 Mother tongues, 700 spoken languages, and 18000+ dialects. More than 22,000 languages are spoken across the world.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ACHARYAN / GURU / INITIATOR
In Sanathana Dharma, the Guru or Acharyan has an important role in one's education process, whether spiritual or material. We consider our Gurus are the representative of God and place them in the 3rd rank among Prathyaksha Gods (Matha, Pitha, Guru, Dhaivam) unlike other systems of the world.
On the day of Aksharabhyaasam, the Guru uses his Ring finger (Sun finger) or Gold pen and writes OM on the tongue of the child. The syllable OM mantra is the only Aksharam (it has sound as well as form) in this universe, which will represent all three times (past, present, and future). This is the only syllable that will never perish; hence, it is called Aksharam. This process is called the initiation of Aadhyaathma Vidhya; thereafter, with the help of the Index Finger (Jupiter finger), Guru will write all other syllables such as Mathruka, Vyanjana, Swara, etc., that help to learn Bhoudhiga Vidhya (casual language) on a plate filled with raw rice or paddy. Guru concept is irreplaceable in Sanathana Dharma.
The Thaithareeya Upanishad Sikshavalli says "Aachaarya Poorva Roopam". Guru is the first to be worshipped to learn all types of knowledge.
METHODOLOGY
According to Astrology (Jyothi-Sastram), planets Jupiter (Guru) and Mercury (Budhan) are the significators of Vidhya (Information, Education, Knowledge and Wisdom). In one's natal horoscope, the 9th, 2nd, and 5th Bhavas/Raasi are to be considered to know the capacity of a person's learning side The 9th house indicates spiritual and higher education whereas 2nd and 5th houses represent primary to higher education. Good planets occupying or aspecting or owning these houses indicate the best performance in education.
On this auspicious day, the Acharyan will perform special pooja to Sri Maha Ganapathy, Saraswathy, Lakshmi Narayan, Kula-Devathaas, Upadesa Guru (Guru's Guru), and Navagraha Devathaas respectively and to seek their blessings for imparting or initiating a child to the world of Knowledge.
Initiator / Acharyan (he could be his own father/mother) should face the East quarter, and the Child (Sishya / Disciple) should face the West quarter.
First, Aksharabhyaasam, then Vidhyarambam or Vidhyabhyasam, to be initiated.
The secret Pranava Manthram is the constitution of Akaram = No. 10 (as per the Katapayaadi Sankhya Vidhya System) plus Ukaram = No. 100 and Makaram = No. 1000, making a total of 1110. If we add all these numbers, the answer will be just 3. The 3 numbers represent Brahma+Vishnu+Maheshwara, as well as Saraswathy+Lakshmi+Durga and Rajas+Sattva+Tamas qualities.
CHILD'S SITTING POSITION
If the child is going to sit on Mother's lap, then on her left thigh, and for Father's, it should be on the right thigh. If the child is going to sit on Acharya's lap, then for a male child it is on the left thigh and for the female child, it is on the right thigh. If the child is capable of sitting alone, then simply face the initiator towards the west.
Acharyan uses the Gold pen tip (Swarna Thoolika) dipped in honey (Madhu) before writing initiation. Gold represents Aayuss (long life), and Honey represents sweetness, assuming that hereafter the child will talk sweet words that deliver long-lasting impressions in society.
We write HARI SRI GANAPATHAYE NAMA - According to Katapayaadi Sasthram (number value science), the value of syllables is 28+2+3+5+1+6+1+0+5 = Total of 51. This is the total number of Aksharas in Malayalam and Sanskrit. Since the child is very small and may not concentrate or cooperate, our great Maharshis found this simple technique to complete the entire writing process in a simple mantra. If the child is cooperating, then the initiator can write all syllables.
During the Kanya Month, as long as the Dhasami Thidhi exists, one can perform Vidhyaarambam.
Please note that the child should not erase the letters written on the plate; however, the Acharyan can do so. This is applicable during initiation only.
AKSHARA / VIDHYA AARAMBA POOJA PADHATHI
Pooja Dhravyam/Samagrigal (Pooja Items)
Lamp with oil or ghee, God's photos (optional), 1 Jala Paathram, 1 plate (let it be other than steel), 1/4 Kg raw rice, fragrant flowers, and Thulasi leaves, Dhoopam/Agar Bathi, Swarna Thoolika or Gold ring, Wooden seat (Palaka) for both, Sandal paste, Pure fresh water to fill in the Jala Paathram, Nivedhyam, Karpooram or Badra Deepam (Ghee lamp single face).
Pooja Functions
First place God's photo (if any), then light the lamp facing east. Take a few flowers and rice grains (unbroken), then say 'Om Dheepa Lakshmi Devyai Nama:, Om Vidhyaaramba Devathaayai Nama:, Moolatho Bhrama Roopaya Madhyatho Vishnu Roopine, Agratha Siva Roopaaya, Deepa Raajaya Namo Nama:' now offer those flowers to Deepa Lakshmi. Kindly note the lamp must have double wicks or five wicks only. 1, 2, 3 or 4 will produce negative energy, which will spoil the entire purpose of lighting a divine lamp.
Do Kalasa Pooja - Fill water in a pot (Pancha Pathram or Kindi), take a few flowers and rice grains, then say Gangecha Yamune Chaiva Godhavari Saraswathi, Narmade Sindhu Kaaveri, Jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru. Asmin Pancha Pathra Jale Punyaham Bhavathu. Hari Om, put those flowers into the Jala Pathram.
Sprinkle the Punyaaha Jalam on oneself and all pooja items to be used for the Pooja by saying Om Bhoor Bhuva Suva.
Sankalpam - Suklambaradaram Vishnum Sasi Varnam Chathurbhujam, Prasanna Vadhanam Dhyaayeth Sarva Vignopasanthaye, Nirvigna Devathabhyo Nama: Asya Kumarasya/Kumareesya or Asya Yajamanasya Kumarasya/Kumareesya (if you do it for others' children) Aksharabhyaasa Vidhyaarambha Poojan Yadha Sakthim Karishye. Praseedha, Praseedha, Praseedha.
Dhyanam and Aavahanam of respective deities - Ganapathy, Saraswathi, Lakshmi Narayanan, Sri Sadh Guru, Kula Devatha, and Aadithyaadhi Navagraha Devataas.
Pancha upachaara pooja samarpanam - Ghanda, Pushpa, Dhoopa, Deepaihi Sakala Aaradhanaihi Suvarchitham.
Prathyaksha Nivedhyam samarpayaami.
Deeparadhana and accept God's Prasadham.
After Pooja, now do Aksharabhyasam and Vidhyaarambam.
Finally, take a few Thulasi leaves and put some water in the palm and say Kaayena Vaacha Manasendriyaiva Bhudhyathmanaava Prakruthe Swabhavaath, Karomi Yadhyath Sakalam Parasmai, Narayanaayethi Samarpayaami. Offer the water along with Thulasi leaves to God.
Again, take water on your palm and say Om Thath Sath Bhrahmaarpanam Asthu. Offer that water to the Goddess.
========== Subhamasthu ==========
Note: Kindly cook the rice grains used for writing the alphabets and feed the initiated child only. No other person should consume that cooked item.
Certain pooja functions cannot be described here; this must be done by the Purohit / Poojari himself. Purohit means the one who is the well-wisher of all.
OM TAT SAT
