For morning thiruvArAdhanam and sARRumuRai during anadhyayana kAlam, what is the order in which upadhEsa rathina mAlai and thiruvAimozhi nUtrandhAdhi are to be recited?
First upadhEsa rathina mAlai and then thiruvAimozhi nUtrandhAdhi are recited. Same order is for sARRumuRai.
If we are away from home, does the rule of carrying the Lord with us and doing ordained worship apply for photos of bhagavAn too or only for mUrthis?
Only for mUrthis with prathishta or SAlagrAma shila – we have ordained worship.
How to perform pUja of SrI vishvaksEna?
Offering arghya, pAdhya and Achamana can be done. prasAdham of bhagavAn can be offered to vishvaksEna. In sthOthra rathnam, [https://divyaprabandham.koyil.org/index.php/2017/01/sthothra-rathnam-42/], 42nd SlOkam glorifies vishvaksEna
thvadhIyabhukthOjjithaSEshabhOjinA
thvayA nisrushtAthmabharENa yadhyathA |
priyENa sEnApathinA nyavEdhi thath
thadhA’nujAnanthamudhAravIkshaNai:
One (vishvaksEna) who eats the food remnants of what you (emperumAn) ate, who is placed your burden/responsibility (of managing nithya vibhUthi (spiritual realm) and leelA vibhUthi (material realm)) by you, who is dear to all and you who approves off those actions in the same manner by your merciful glances, whichever actions requested in any manner by such vishvaksEna.
How can I get perumAL to worship at our place? Can I purchase perumAL mUrthis from a dhivyadhEsam and worship in my pUja room?
He will come to us. We just need to keep longing for his arrival. But purchasing with money is not allowed. He will come through some elders or co-SrIvaishNavas.
Whenever we eat fruits, dry fruits, etc., can we offer to SAlagrAma perumAL by opening the box?
Some of us have the habit of keeping kOyilAzhwAr (perumAL sannidhi) open till night and do Sayanam, and then close the doors. In such case, we can offer anytime. If we have the habit of keeping the sannidhi closed immediately after thiruvArAdhanam, then food items can be offered from outside the sannidhi or to perumAL pictures.
Is it mandatory that our thiruvArAdhana perumAL is the same as our AchAryan’s?
No such compulsion.
adiyEn has a small mUrthi of ranganAtha swAmy (not done prathishta). adiyEn will be away from home. Should I take him with me?
It is your choice – no specific ordained worship for vigraha without prathishta – it is only done out of our love.
Can a non-brahmin who does not have yagyOpavItham but has taken pancha samskAram, worship SAlagrAma perumAL?
Yes – without reciting vEdha manthrams, with AzhwAr pAsurams and pUrvachArya sthOthrams, thiruvArAdhanam can be done.
Why is it said that we should not keep ugra rUpam of perumAL like SrI narasimha for thiruvArAdhanam?
I have not seen such statement in SAsthram. Nothing like that – SrI narasimha appeared with ugra form only but was very loving towards prahlAdha. His anger is only towards enemies, not towards devotees.
At our homes, which photo of SrI narasimha perumAL can we keep?
Any picture is fine – even ugra narasimha is fine.
Can women do pUja to bhagavAn?
Women can engage in pUja, while helping their husbands daily. But they cannot touch SAlagrAma forms and vigraha forms with prathishtA. They can offer water, food, dhIpam and dhUpam too – any kainkaryam without touching bhagavAn’s forms.
Is it true that just by doing dhivya sAkEtham parikrama, we are doing parikrama of all dhivya dhEsams?
If we have the real bhakthi, that can be said even to our home perumAL.
What should we do regarding thiruvArAdhanam in suthak (theettu) when someone dies?
We need to arrange someone else to take deities to their home or they should come and do the worship here.
If we want to keep SrInivAsa perumAL’s vigraham in home, do we need to have it along with SrI and bhU dhEvi together or is SrInivAsa alone enough since Lakshmi is present in the vakshasthala of SrInivAsa?
Ideally, we can have with SrIdhEvi and bhUdhEvi.
Is it mandatory to perform pUjas for nithya sUris or worshipping lakshminArAyaNa alone is enough?
AchAryas, AzhwArs and nithyasUris can be worshipped along with lakshminArAyaNa. if archA mUrthis are not present for them, pictures can be used. Otherwise, we can worship them mentally before worshipping lakshminArAyaNa.
In adiyEn’s home altar, there are other pancha dhEvatha too along with perumAL. What can adiyEn do, when even parents will not allow adiyEn to keep only perumAL for worship? Also, can we blow conch before thiruvArAdhanam?
You can keep perumAL separately in your room. Conch blowing is not part of standard SrIvaishNava pUja – it is used only in some places.
In anadhyana kAlam which has to be recited first: thiruvAimozhi nURRandhAdhi or upadhEsa rathina mAlai during morning ArAdhanam?
upadhEsa rathina malai and then thiruvAimozhi nURRandhAdhi. Same order for sARRumuRai.
Since our pUrvAchAryas have not mentioned much about rAdha, if we do ArAdhana to krishNa, do we need to consider rukmiNi krishNa?
Yes – usually krishNa with rukmiNi, sathyabAmA – this is how he is present in most of our SrIvaishNava temples also.
Is it not necessary to see amAvasyai, EkAdhasi, Fridays, etc., to pluck thuLasi if it is for thiruvArAdhanam? Also, can women pluck thuLasi leaves?
Yes – for thiruvArAdhanam, we should have fresh thuLasi – hence no such rule. As far as adiyEn heard, only men should pluck.
Can we have vittala mUrthi as SrIvaishNavas?
This is not generally seen in our sampradhAyam.
How many times should we offer bhOgam to perumAL in a day according to SrIvaishNava sampradhAyam?
In temples, usually there will be 5 times pUjA – and hence 5 times bhOgam for perumAL. But in many temples, we are only having 2 times or even 1 time pUjA. At home, we need to do 3 times pUjA: Early morning – viSvarUpam or mangaLa Arathi – fruits/milk; Noon time – main bhOgam; Evening – snacks/fruits can be offered; Night – milk can be offered during Sayanam.
When we are out of town and we don’t have the option to do thiruvArAdhanam, what can we do?
When we are out of town and don’t have the option to do thiruvArAdhanam (pUja), we can do the following:
* Try to do usual routines like while waking up, guruparampara recital, SlOkams, pAsurams
* Bathing, Urdhva puNdram, sandhyAvandhanam (if applicable)
* If possible, AchArya SrIpAdha thIrtham can be taken
* Sitting in a quiet place, pUja steps can be done in the mind
* pAsurams can be recited
* guruparampara/dhvayam can be chanted
Additionally, we should make sure that the thiruvArAdhana perumAL in our own homes is not abandoned. Either we should carry Him with us, or appropriate arrangements should be made for Him. If possible, we can go to a nearby temple, mutt or AchArya thirumALigai and engage in thiruvArAdhanam activities there too.
Can pAsurams be recited before opening or after closing perumAL sannidhi?
pAsurams can be recited separately even without opening the perumAL sannidhi.
What if SAlagrAmam breaks into two? Is it still worship-able?
Yes – SAlagrAmam can be worshipped even if broken
As per thuLasi mAhAthmyam, there is timespan within which the plucked flowers have to be offered to perumAL. If flowers that were bought were plucked several days prior to offering to perumAL, can it be offered to perumAL, if we have no means or options to get flowers that were plucked on the day or refrain from offering such flowers?
As much as possible, we need to offer fresh flowers (on the same day when we got the flowers). If the flowers are withered or without fragrance, it is better not to offer. For thuLasi, there is exception. It can be offered any time, even in withered state (if we don’t have fresh thuLasi).
Outside of bhAratha dhEsam, the species of thuLasi are different. Can this be offered to perumAL?
Ideally, we offer Indian thUlasi. But for those who are living outside bhAratha dhEsam, they may have no other choice. All our vaidhIka rituals, devotional activities, etc., are defined based on the understanding of those who are living in bhAratha dhEsam, generally. Now that, there are many devotees living outside bhAratha dhEsam, (for the past several centuries), there have been some adaptations.
What bhAvam or thought should we have in our mind during perumAL thirumanjanam? Also, are we supposed to recite any SlOkams or pAsurams?
We should feel grateful that bhagavAn is manifesting his bathing leela for our sake. Usually periyAzhwAr thirumozhi padhigam “veNNey aLaindha kuNungum” should be recited.
Should we buy vigrahams or it must be gifted or given from an AchArya or other bhAgavathas? Are there any rules on the sizes of the vigraham as well?
Yes – we should not buy vigrahams. Better to stick to SAlagrAma thiruvArAdhanam. In order to worship vigraha perumAL properly, prathishtA as per Agamam, must be done. Once that is done, it means, the place should be treated as temple, with proper daily thiruvArAdhanam, bhOgam should be abundant, etc. Also, there is a 6-inch size limit for general home worship.
What are the rules for ArAdhanam of vigraha perumAL at home?
Prepare sufficient quantity of bhOgam based on number of perumAL thirumEnis (vigrahams). At least a plateful per thirumEni. After that, the prasAdham can be offered to AzhwArs and AchAryas. Water should be from natural source (river, well or ground water at least). The sannidhi should be kept free from mixing of theettu (unwashed clothes from previous day) etc. pAsurams should be recited on a daily basis. During asoucham at home, proper alternate arrangements should be made. When we travel outside, we should not leave uncooked rice etc with perumAL, hoping that he can cook and eat. We have to make alternate arrangements for him.
How to do prathishtai for vigrahams?
Either an Agama paNditha should come to our home and do it, or we can give the vigraham at temple and get it done.
Who can perform SAlagrAma ArAdhanam? Is it restricted to brAhmaNas only?
SAlagrAma worship is not restricted from brAhmaNas only. We do see that abrAhmaNas worship bhagavAn in SAlagrAma form, widely, and is an accepted practice.
Can flowers offered to perumAL (nirmAlyam) be used again to make homemade dhUpam sticks?
Yes – flowers offered to perumAL (nirmAlyam) can be used again to make homemade dhUpam sticks.
When one family member is SrI vaishNava and other is regular hindu who includes ganesha, Siva, etc., in his/her altar what can be done? House is small and only one altar room is possible. Can we divide this altar room into two halves and keep SrIman nArAyaNa separated from anya dhEvathas?
Yes. That seems to be possible. Keep perumAL alter on a higher level.
What to do with the coconut which is offered to perumAL for thAmbUlam? Can we add it following day’s thaLigai or eat it raw?
It can be used in thaLigai.
Are the restrictions on plucking thuLasi leaves applicable only in temples or even at home thiruvArAdhanam?
We can pluck on all days for gruha thiruvArAdhanam also.
Can we do thiruvArAdhanam during birth theettu?
As long as there is ASoucham, one cannot do naivEdhyam. A SrIvaishNava who is not having ASoucham can do thiruvArAdhanam and naivEdhyam for perumAL.
As per thiruvArAdhanam kramam, it is said we perform thiruvArAdhanam on behalf of AchArya. Is this gyAna AchArya or samASrayaNa AchArya?
It can be both. But primarily samASrayaNa AchArya who established the connection with bhagavadh rAmAnuja.
Can we keep perumAL idols at home without prathishtai and do pUja like we do for perumAL’s photos?
Yes – but it is only done for our satisfaction and is not like thiruvArAdhanam for perumAL with prathishtai. But perumAL will still accept our devotion through that form also.
Can a gruhastha perform thiruvArAdhanam without pancha samskAram?
SrIvaishNava thiruvArAdhanam is meant for those who have had pancha samskAram. But in general, even those who don’t have pancha samskAram, can do basic thiruvArAdhanam for perumAL.
Do we have to keep note of kAlam for performing thiruvArAdhanam or it can be ignored?
Usually, the main thiruvArAdhanam should be done around noon time. But if one has other kainkaryams or have to go to office, it can be done earlier.
Can we offer un-boiled milk to perumAL, in the morning?
Yes.
Can women perform simple thirumanjanam to vigraham at home?
Any vigraham of bhagavAn which does not have prathishtA, will not have any of the vaidhIka rules applicable. Hence, we can do thirumanjanam. On the other hand, SAlagrAma mUrthi and vigrahams with prathishtA have strict rules and regulations.
Can women give arghyam, pAdhyam, Achamanam before thirumanjanam and after neivEdhyam for non-prANa prathishtA vigrahams?
Yes.
What is the prescribed atonement if the SAlagrAma falls from one’s hands during thiruvArAdhanam. Any prAyaSchiththam to be done?
Place the perumAL again on his seat, do one quick thirumanjanam and offer arghyam, pAdhyam and Achamanam. Please pray for forgiveness for being careless in dropping him.
For establishing new thiruvArAdhanam room is it ideal to place bhagavAn facing towards sun, that is in east direction?
Yes – usually east facing is preferred. But no compulsion – depending on the situation it can be setup.
Can we offer ready-made dhUpam from shops, to perumAL during thiruvArAdhanam?
Ideally natural dhUpam made with burning coal by sprinkling the incense powder is best. If that is not possible, while going for modern ones, we can try to find the more natural ones in that also.
What dhravyams can we use for SAlagrAma perumAL thirumanjanam, along with milk and water?
Only water. Nothing else is required.
When thaLigai is not completed, but thiruvArAdhanam is over, should we keep the door open till sARRumuRai is over?
Yes – we should wait for thaLigai to complete. Then perform sARRumuRai and then only close the sannidhi.
How to clean silver items (which are used for thiruvArAdhanam)?
Natural ashes from dried mango leaves are good generally, and dharbha grass too. For silver thirumEni/vigraham, sour curd can be used to add shine. This is in addition to burnt ash from mango leaves and dharbha grass.
Out of devotion and affection if we want, can we ring a small bell during hArathi, if we are from thenkalai sect?
Always better to follow pUrvAchAryas’ practice instead of our own ideas.
What is the meaning of ‘kaNdu aruLa’ when offering food to perumAL?
Any food item, if prepared and offered with love, without violating basic rules, will be accepted by bhagavAn through his glance. By his acceptance, it becomes prasAdham. We should then accept it with great reverence, and with the thought that this prasAdham will help us sustain our body and engage the body in his kainkaryam again and again. We should not modify the prasAdham like adding salt, sugar etc., after having offered to him.
What to do if SAlagrAmam was obtained wrongfully?
Now that perumAL has arrived – he should be taken care with love and devotion. That is the only thing we can do. Daily thiruvArAdhanam should be done without fail.
What is the prAyaSchiththam for not doing thiruvArAdhanam?
Asking for forgiveness from perumAL and not repeating the same mistake.
Can we keep emperumAnAr in our house as a mUrthi?
Yes, we can keep as a mUrthi.
Do we need to do prANa prathishtA for an AchArya mUrthi at home?
If desired it can be done. Otherwise, we can worship with bhAvam.
For thiruvArAdhanam, can we use the water used from previous day?
No – fresh water every day.
What procedure to follow when we acquire additional SAlagrAma?
No special steps. New perumALs can be placed along with existing perumALs, and extra arghyam/pAdhyam/Achamanam can be done for new perumALs.
Do we need to give arghyam, pAdhyam and Achamanam for each perumAL at home?
If one has the time and dedication, we can give separate arghyam, etc., for every perumAL – otherwise we can do for groups.
What can we do if we are not able to perform thiruvArAdhanam due to injuries?
In case of injuries, we have to depend on others, unfortunately. We can try to get someone else, who can do, to do the same.
We can pray for forgiveness from emperumAn and resume as soon as possible.
Should we skip snAnAsanam for vigraha perumAL in daily thiruvArAdhanam if thirumanjanam is not done? Or should we do snAnIyam like arghyam?
We can do prOkshanam (sprinkling) instead of daily snAnam.
How frequently snAnam for perumAL must be performed at home?
For SAlagrAma perumAL, daily snAnam is must.
Is hiraNyagarbha SAlagrAma considered as a SAlagrAma? And can we have at home for thiruvArAdhanam?
Yes.
How can we find if one is a real SAlagrAmam?
We need to check with those who know that. There is no easy way to check without proper knowledge.
What should we do with the water used during thiruvArAdhanam?
On the same day, we can use it for drinking purpose. If still excess is there, it can be given to plants and trees.
Can we keep the pancha pAthram empty during night?
Yes – we usually keep one pAthram filled with water for perumAL and empty out everything else.
How to offer late preparation of food to perumAL i.e., food cooked after thiruvArAdhanam is finished?
We can offer arghyam, pAdhyam, Achamanam and offer the bhOgam.
Is it an offense to have thailam on head during thiruvArAdhanam?
Yes. It must be applied only after thiruvArAdhanam.
Why are women not allowed to touch SAlagrAma?
Part of the reason for women not allowed to touch bhagavAn’s archA forms (including SAlagrAma ShilA), is because the responsibility of officially doing pUjA is given to male members of the family. The female members do supporting kainkaryams. Since women also have the menstrual cycles, if they take pUjA responsibility, they will end up getting frequent breaks in the pUjA routine. These are some of the reasons.
Can widows and women whose menstrual cycles have finished, touch SAlagrAmam and prAna prathishtA vigraham perumAL?
Without touching they can do. Widows can also do. But without touching only. perumAL vigraham (SalagrAmam and prathishtA vigraham) cannot be touched by women at all times.
Can we buy flowers one day prior to thiruvArAdhanam and offer to perumAL following day?
Yes – that can be done. It can be preserved in the best manner, so that it remains fresh on the next morning. Always fresh flowers should be offered. If already offered once, it should be removed either before placing perumAL in Sayanam (rest) or in the next morning. Once offered, the same flower cannot be offered to perumAL again. But same flower can be offered to AzhwArs and AchAryas subsequently.
How to offer thAmbUlam to perumAL?
Betel leaves, betel nuts and banana can be kept together and offered after offering full bhOgam.
Are there restrictions on number of SAlagrAma to be kept?
We can keep any number of SAlagrAma mUrthis – no specific restrictions.
Can we do pUja to krishNa vigraham with a broken hand, at home?
Keep him aside.
Can we perform thirumanjanam with milk and milk products if perumAL vigraham is made of copper?
Yes. It can be done. We can perform thirumanjanam with milk and milk products if perumAL vigraham is made of copper.
When performing thiruvArAdhanam, do we have to offer thuLasi for each of the kESavAdhi nAmam? What to do with the excess thuLasi?
We have to offer for each name. If there is excess thuLasi, add it to soil near the plants.
In situations where loose flowers are not available can we remove flowers from the unoffered garland and offer to perumAL?
Yes, it can be done.