Om Namasivaya Nama:
From time immemorial Bharatheeya Sanathanee has adopted a supreme method of Vidya initiation to 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 Sivarathri (Makaram Maasam), Vasantha Navarathri (Meena Maasam), Aashada Navarathri (Mithuna Maasam) and Sarada Navarathri (Kanya Maasam). Here the Sarada Navarathri is having immense importance because the lord of Knowledge/Education Budha Graham (Planet Mercury) is exalted in his own house. This means Mercury is very happy to provide the highest knowledge among humans. Moreover, it is a period of Sarada Navarathri season. Goddess Sarada Devi is the significator and giver of primary to highest knowledge to people. Therefore, taking this importance into account, Mahathmaas have unanimously decided to conduct the knowledge-imparting auspicious time (Muhoortham) during this particular Navarathri that too on a Sukla Paksha Vijaya Dasami Thidhi Day.
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 talking about knowledge.
Vidhya is a boon but earned through self-efforts as an achievement. The only difference here is that everyone must have a master or spiritual Guru or Aacharyan. 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. Ideally, if it is on an auspicious day 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 practicing or training. Aksharabhyaasam is teaching a person to identify the Vidhya and Avidhya. Vidhya will ensure the person achieves all knowledge that includes gross and subtle (Sthoolam and Sookshmam) plus spiritual growth too. Whereas, Avidhya will teach him/her only the knowledge to achieve material success, comfort, and bread-winning approaches. Avidhya will ensure the person lives comfortably but will achieve no spiritual growth which will force the person into the transmigration system.
Whereas, knowing Vidhya will ensure all comforts along with Moksham (liberation), free from the birth and death life cycle. The purpose of human birth is to attempt and achieve the Moksham, in the meanwhile enjoying all the comforts provided by fate in one's life with the Nishkaamya Karama attitude. Therefore, the Aksharaabhyaasam will help the person to learn both Vidhya and Avidhya.
Vidhyaarambam is initiated to learn absolute truth and wisdom mixed with divine knowledge and Aksharabhyaasam is initiated to learn what are Vidhya and Avidhya for survival purposes.
Q. When to start Aksharabhyaasam?
Ans. Between the age of 3 and 5 is ideal. There is no specific Muhoortham is required. However, Sukla Paksha Dhasami Thidhi is auspicious. Before Sunrise of Sukla Paksha Dasami of 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 all Vidhya belongs to Goddess Saraswathi/Sarada Devi. It is better to obtain her 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", means the 2nd day of Vidhyaarambam day is recelebrated under the guidance of initiator or trainer or Guru or Aacharyan or Parents or learned elders. Whatever was taught on the Vidhyaarambam day should be practiced in front of masters. This is a mandatory practice to ensure that the learned Vidhya is being practiced without a break. Every student must have only one motive to learn things fast and accomplish the task as early as possible and surprise their Gurus.
Muhoorthams for Vidhyarambam:
Saaraswatha Yogam is the greatest time. It has been described in 13 ways in Astrology. Alternatively, Poorvahnnam (between 0830-1100 Hours) and Madhyahnam (1100-1330 hours) times are also good.
What are the important Vidhyas?
Namely 18 Vidhyas. They are;
4 Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama & Atharvana)
6 Vedangaas (Siksha, Kalpam, Vyakaranam, Chhandhas, Jyothisham, Niruktham),
8 sastras (Meemamsa, Nyaayam, Smruthi, Puranam, Aayurvedam, Dharnuvedham, Ghaandarvavedam, 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 learning 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 = Motive of all Vidhya worship through secret worship is to know the Absolute Brahman Goddess Parasakthi is Sri Vidhya. This is also known as the ultimate Vidhya. There are only 14 Sri Vidhya Upasakaars who realized Parasakthi in gross and subtle forms.
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 is interfering with the ancient practice of languages and cuts down letters to mess up the system. 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 Aacharyan has an important role in one's education 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. 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's finger) Guru will write all other syllables such as Mathruka, Vyanjana, Swara, etc., that helps to learn Bhoudhiga Vidhya (casual language) on a plate filled with raw rice or paddy. Such an important person is a true Guru.
The Thaithareeya Upanishad Sikshavalli says "Aachaarya Poorva Roopam". Guru is the first to be worshiped to learn all types of knowledge.
METHODOLOGY
According to Astrology (Jyothi-Sastram), planets Jupiter (Guru) and Mercury (Budhan) are the signification of Vidhya (Education and Knowledge). One's natal horoscope, houses 9th, 2nd, and 5th are the Bhavaas to be considered to know the education part of life. 9th house indicates spiritual and higher education whereas 2nd and 5th represent primary to higher education. Good planets occupying or aspect or owning these houses indicate the best performance in education.
On this auspicious day, the Aacharyan will perform special pooja to Sri Maha Ganapathy, Saraswathy, Lakshmi Narayan, Kula-Devathaas, Upadesa Guru (Guru's Guru), and Navagraha Devathaas respectively.
Initiator / Acharyan (he could be his own father/mother) should face the East quarter and the Child (Sishya / Disciple) to face the West quarter.
First Aksharabhyaasam then followed by Vidhyabhyasam to be initiated.
The secret of Pranava Manthram is that it is a constitution of Akaram = No 10 (as per the Katapayaadi Sankhya Vidhya System) plus Ukaram = No 100 and Makaram = No 1000 makes a total of 1110. If we add all these numbers the answer will be just 3. These 3 represent Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara or Saraswathy, Lakshmi, and Durga or Rajas, Sattva, and Tamas qualities.
If the child is going to sit on Mother's lap then on her left thigh, and for Father, it should be right thigh. If the child is going to sit on Acharya's lap then for a male child is on the right thigh and for the female child, it is on the left 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 the child will talk sweet words that deliver long-lasting impressions hereafter.
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 51. This is the total number of Aksharaas of Malayalam and Samskrutham. 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.
The child should not erase the letters written on the plate, however, the Acharyan can do so. It is better to remember.
AKSHARA / VIDHYA AARAMBA POOJA PADHATHI
Pooja 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 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.
Do Kalasa Pooja - Fill water on a pot (Pancha Pathram or Kindi), take a few flowers and rice 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.
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.
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 Goddess.
========== Subhamasthu ==========
Note: Kindly make use of the rice used for writing the alphabet for making Payasam or cooked rice and offer it to the child who received initiation. 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.
