yejurveda / rugveda upakarma ritual 

 UPAKARMA ROUTINE In the list above, only the sections in bold are new / specific to the upakarma day function. The remainder are the activities that all of us should be performing daily. If we do not perform the mandatory daily routines, we at least try to follow the rest on this one day. Please note the following: • Everything upto and including the Brahma yagyam can be performed alone in one's own house • The upakarma procedure is performed in the afternoon – after madhyahnikam and Brahma yagnam • The homa Agni is the witness to the vedharambham. Both are performed in the same site • The vedharambham must be performed in the presence of a guru • The vedharambham must be performed by a guru Time commitment: The majority of the sections above (which are specific to the upakarma) will take only about 5 minutes each. The only exceptions are the homas and vedarambham, which will require an hour (all together). Thus, this function requires a time commitment of an hour and 40 mins plus the travel time to reach the Veda-guru. 1. Pratah Snanam – Daily morning cleansing (bath) 2. Pratah sandhyavandhanam – Daily morning medication 3. Pratah samidadhanam – Daily morning homam 4. Yagyopavitha dharaNam / PooNal maral (changing the sacred thread) 5. Kamokarsheeth Japam – Atonement for previous non-performances 6. [Panchayatana Puja] – Optional pujas 7. Brahma Yagnam – Daily revision of vedas 8. Maha Sankalpam – Wow to atone for previous sins, and start new performance 9. Yagyopavitha dharaNam – Changing the sacred thread 10. Kanda risi tharpaNam – Water oblations to the seers of the vedas 11. Upakarma homam – Homa oblations to the seers of vedas 12. Veda Arambham – Starting the study of vedas 13. Jayaadhi Homam – General homa oblations for success 14. Homa upasthana – Conclusion 15. Namaskarams to the Guru and elders 16. Sayam sandhavandhanam – Daily evening meditation 17. Sayam samidhadhanam – Daily evening homam

• Kalasam chombu-1

• panchapaatra & Uddharani (glass & Spoon)

• Ghee-1 small cup

• Samidha Sticks –(wood chips)

• Sacred Thread (Yajnopaveetham) – 

• Sandalwood Paste (Chandan) – 

• Kumkum Powder – 

• Turmeric Powder (Haldi) –

• Rice – 1lb

•  Akshata-1cup

• Incense Sticks (Agarbatti) –

• Kapoor (Camphor) –

• Some Flowers (Phool) –

• Black Sesame Seeds (Kaala Tila) – for those whose parents have passed away Vaidic Dharma Sansthan

Daily & Pre-Ritual Preparations

• Morning Bath (Snanam) – before the ritual 

• Pratah Sandhyavandanam – morning prayers 

• Samidhadanam (for Brahmacharis)  

• Aupasanam (for married men)

• Vapanam – shaving hair to keep only the shikha

• Kamokarshit Mantra Japam – chanting to seek pardon for not studying Vedas all year 

• Brahmayagnam – sacred fire ritual 

• Snana Mahasankalpam – resolve to take a sin-absolving bath with mantras 

Optional & Contextual

• Guru’s Blessing – ideally performed under a qualified teacher or priest 

• Clothing – clean, simple attire suitable for the ritual

• Mantra Chanting Materials – for Gayatri Mantra (1008 times) and other Vedic chants Vaidic Dharma Sansthan