Jagannathan Srinivasan's Sasthi-Abda-Poorthi

Dear All,

It gives me immense pleasure to invite you all for this special occasion of KSJ's Sashtiabdhapoorthi.

The only occasion where children can witness their own parents getting married. Is it not a divine occasion and scene? Yes of course

While it is a time to celebrate health. prosperity and longevity, I would like to share with you all, a brief history of this tradition and my views regarding the same.

Sashtiabdhapoorthi, split as Sashti (60)-Abdha(Years)-Poorthi(completion), is a Sanskrit name for a special ceremony on a person's sixtieth birthday. It has a special place in the Hindu tradition since the Hindu calendar follows a 60-year cycle. On this day, all the celestial bodies are said to align in exactly the same way they were during the birth of the individual concerned. The entire family gathers to give and seek blessings to and from the subject for continued good health and prosperity. The subject and their spouse reaffirm their wedding vows and there is a re-enactment of their wedding ceremony.

There are 60 years in a Hindu calendar cycle. Each year has a name. When a person reaches 60 years of age, such person enters the second cycle. Historically, because the husband would typically always be older than wife, Sashtiabdhapoorthi is celebrated when the husband (as opposed to the wife) turns 60.

At sixty, man had crossed only 50% of his life because the actual span of his life is 120 years according to Vedas. A 60th year, which is just half the span of time originally given to man is considered a critical period. According to the science of Hindu numerology, 6 happens to be an uneasy number and therefore 60 is a time when the ruling planet of a person may have an adverse effect on a man's life; He performs a religious Shanti, a measure undertaken to ensure good health, peace and longevity.

How does it feel to be sixty? For most of us it is conscious ageing, an increasing awareness that though the body is ephemeral the spirit on the contrary, can soar! It can take us through hitherto unexplored paths, for sixty is certainly a time when man pauses to take stock of the life gone by and to begin a new chapter in life, unfettered by professional commitments. Now he is free to answer his own inner calling for things beyond the material domain. In this frame of mind, he is equipped to combat the physical fatigue that sets in with age, to counter a certain slowness and exhaustion which overtakes those who are prepared to comprehend the implications of age. For the mentally alert, it is a time for thinking about the new options in life, a wonderful chance of using one's freedom from the daily grind in office for pleasurable and spiritually nourishing activities.

Having said that I personally feel this is an opportunity for us children to bow our heads in respect for the selfless love our parents have showered upon us over the years. The countless sacrifices just to ensure that we are not deprived of any of life's comforts can in no way be repaid. Our life & routine keep us so busy that we forget to thank those two people who have silently contributed to our growth & prosperity, holding our hands at difficult times, giving us courage to face them. Often we hurt them through our words and action, not realising the pain we inflict. I would like to express on behalf of all the children, to their beloved parents, sincere apologies & deepest gratitude on this occasion.

DUTIES OF A SON TO HIS PARENTS

• Be grateful, to thy father, for he gave thee life, and to thy mother, for she sustained thee.

• Hear the words of his mouth, for they are spoken for your good, give ear to his admonition, for it proceeds from Love.

• He has watched for your welfare, he has toiled for your cause, do honour, to his age and let not his grey hair be treated with irreverence.

• Forget neither your helpless infancy nor the forwardness of your youth, and indulge in infirmities of your aged parents, assist and support them in the DECLINE OF THEIR LIFE.

• So shall their hoary heads go down to the grave in peace, and your own children, in reverence of your example, shall repay your piety with filial Love.

• Very many years our saints have expressed ago, similar ideas. Tiruvalluvar in Tirukkural wrote: 
  "The gratefulness reciprocated by son to his father to be expressed by others in such a manner that they say-what amount of penance he had done to get such a virtuous son."

The Ritual

Sashti-Abda-poorthi-Shanti is to be performed at the end of 60th year in one's life. The following deities and great souls and rishis are propitiated and worshiped.

• Mrutyunjaya: It is desired that holy Triambaka mantra to be recited, as it is a life giving mantra. Worship Lord Siva who is all fragrance and who nourishes all beings, may he liberate us from death for the sake of immortality even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage of creeper. It is also a Moksha mantra; it is Lord Siva's mantra. It bestows long life, peace, wealth, prosperity, satisfaction and immortality. It saves one from accidents.

• Brahma: Offer obeisance to the Brahmaswarupi, the Lord of Sharada, the one who is exalted, the one who is seated on the Hamsa, the one who has four faces and the one who has Satyaloka as his abode.

• Vishnu: The well-known dhyana sloka of Vishnu Sahasranama is to be recited. He is invoked as resting on the serpent, dear to Goddess Lakshmi, and accessible to yogis in their hearts.

• Rudra: O Lord Parameswara! You are in the highest form. You have a lock of thick hair resembling dense black smoke. You bear the moon on your head Please accept the worship performed by me.

• Markandeya: O Sage son of Mrukanda Rishi, grandson of Rishyasringa, you are always meditating on Lord Shiva. I pray you.

• Navagrahas: The Sun, Angaraka, ukra, Soma (Moon), Budha, Brihaspati, Saniswara, Rahu & Kethu are propitiated. Pulses and cereals are placed along with related vastra (cloth)(appropriate and as applicable) to propitiate the Navagrahas.

• Sapata Chiranjeevins: Aswathama, mahabali, Vyasa, Hanuman, Vibheeshana, Krupa and Parasurama are worshipped.

• Ayur Devata: Worshiping daily and on special occasion like this, gives longevity.

• Samvatsara Devatas: Beginning with Prabhava and ending with Akshaya, there are 60 years. It is therefore significant that a man born on Prabhava completes his 60th year in Akshaya and re-starts at Prabhava. Thus he has seen all the years that had blessed him during his 60-year life circle.

• Nakshatra Devatas: As you are aware that there are 27 main constellations beginning with Aswini and ending with revathi. The reason for worshipping the Nakshtra Devatas is for stability and permanency.

• Ashtadikpalas are: The directions controlled by each are indicated in bracket. All the ashtadikpalas are to be worshipped for overall well being, prosperity, good health etc. They are Indra (East), Agni (Southeast), Yama (South), Nirruti (Southwest), Varuana (West), Vayu (Northwest), Kubera (North), Isanam (Northeast)-Winner of Mrityu.

• Saaptha Rishis, are: Kasyapa, Atri, Bharadwaja, Viswamitra, Gauatahama, Jamadagni, Vasishta. These great rishis are remembered on this auspicious occasion. They are the one's who has given us the prime mantras; to thank them we worship them during 60th birthday celebrations.

All these devatas, great souls and rishis are pleased by the repeated chanting of their mantras, offering pujas, homams in Agni with appropriate samits and they bless the person celebrating 60th birth day

Have, so far seen a list of devatas, great souls, rishis etc and their importance and significance. The main aspect of celebration is Kumbha or Kalasa stapanam. There are rules governing how and where these Kalasas are to be placed, and this will be guided to the householder by the Vedic scholars conducting the rituals and the sanctification process is religiously observed. The following 11-mangala dravyas are to be applied.

• Gorochana: To be applied on the heads of Husband and wife for longevity, health, fame, courage and prosperity.
• Cow's milk curd: To smear a small quantity on their foreheads. For prosperity, sweet, fragrance and comforts around forever).

• Cow's Ghee: Smear a little amount of cow's ghee on their eyelids. For brightness, good appearance and good conduct.

• Green grass: Keep little grass on their heads. For Longevity, devoid of diseases and for very strong body.

• Cow's milk: A spoonful of cow's milk should be sprinkled on their heads (for strength and longevity).

• Fruits: Touch fruits with hands.

• Flowers: Wear flowers on the heads with veneration.

• Mirror: see the faces in the mirror. For disappearance of poverty evil devatas and ugliness.

• Lighted Lamp: See the lighted lamp. Let there not be darkness, intelligence and lack of knowledge.

• Earth soil: Touch the earth brought from beneath the Tulsi plant.
• Gold: Keep a gold coin or an ornament on the head. The gold removes all sins and brings comforts.

Finally Maangalya puja is performed with chanting of mantra. Then, the wife is seated facing eastwards and the husband stand facing north. He ties the Mangaalya around the neck of his wife with the blessings of all Gods, Goddesses and Rishis. Thus the celebration comes to an auspicious end.