Akshat (अक्षत) !

Akshat, Kumkum and Rodi

    What is "Akshat" ?  

  Akshat is raw unbroken rice washed or sprinkled with water. Akshat is a Sanskrit/Hindi word which means unbroken or unending. It is a symbol of prosperity and longevity. That is why it is used in blessings.   

     It is an integral part of worship items and without it worship may not be in a proper way. In almost all regions of India it is used in one way or other for worship or on the occasions of weddings, "Upnayans" and other "Sanskaras". Along with "Durva" (Doob grass) and turmeric powder Akshat is sprinkled over the couple after wedding as an act of blessings and so is done in "Upnayans" (जनेऊ) when it is sprinkled over the "Barua" (The boy whose "Upnayan Sanskara" is being performed). 

    Before the worship is started some Akshat is kept in and under the  Lamp (Deep -दीया), Kalash (कलश) and under the plates of "Naivedya" (Sweets and fruits being offered to God). It is also used for "Tilak -teeka" (placing a spot of something on the forehead between the eyebrows) along with vermilion or Rodi.  

          Be it an occasion of "Grih-Pravesh" (गृह-प्रवेश - The worship on the occasion of entering a new house) or the custom of "Galsedi"(गलसेदी-A custom in which the cheeks of bridegroom are fomented with betel leaves) on the occasion of wedding ceremony, multi-colored Akshat is used to decorate the "Vedi" in the former and the "Thali" in the later. In Bengali and Mithila society the paste of Akshat is used to make "Alpana" or "Arpana" (Floral designs in white) on the floor or at the place of worship. On the festival of Deepawali this paste is used to make symbols of feet of Goddess Lakshmi from the entrance of the house to place of worship. 

          In the daily worship Akshat with "Kumkum" is offered over the Shiva-linga but it is not offered to Vishnu. Instead Vishnu is offered "Tulsi leaves" daily. But it is said that on the occasion of the festival of "Akshay Tritiya" these offerings are reversed. It is the only day of the year when God Vishnu is offered Akshat and God Shiva is offered "Tulsi leaves". 

           Before starting the worship it is customary to do Like a promise to self) in which saying name, gotra, place and time it is decided what worship will follow. It is spoken in Sanskrit but during this saying the devotee has to keep in hand a red flower, jala (जल ) and  Akshat. So Akshat is necessary in "Sankalp" - संकल्प  also.  

               When offering to gods, one of the following mantra may be said,  

(2) अक्षताश्च सुरश्रेष्ठ कुंकुमाक्ताः  सुशोभिताः।

        मया निवेदिता   भक्त्या   गृहाण परमेश्वर ।।   

(1) अलंकार  समायुक्तं   मुक्ता-मणि  विभूषितं।

      दिव्य  सिंहसनं चारू  प्रीत्यर्थं प्रतिगृह्यताम्।। 

                    

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Dūrvā grass leaves (दूर्वा दल) !

    Dūrvā grass leaves (दूर्वा दल) !

Durva grass, Doob grass, Dubo (Cynodon Dactylon)
Ready for offering in worship

            The tips of Dūrvā grass with three leaves (टुस्सा - Tussa in Hindi) are used in Hindu worship rituals. It is offered to God Ganesha, God Shiva and his vehicle and gatekeeper Nandi, the bull. Generally a pinch of turmeric powder is sprinkled over them before the offering.

              Dūrvā grass is commonly known as "Doob"(दूब) grass in Hindi, "Dubo" in Bengali and Bermuda grass in English. Dūrvā is its name in Sanskrit. Its scientific name is "Cynodon dactylon". It can be easily found around the houses, roadsides and in the fields. If taken care of, it performs as very good lawn grass.  

              In Hindu culture this grass is thought to be very auspicious. On the occasion of wedding "Doob"(दूब) grass along-with Akshat (अक्षत) is sprinkled over the couple by the priest and elderly 

relatives as auspicious blessings. Sometimes holy waters like Ganga Jal is needed to be sprinkled in all corners of every room in a house to bring the auspiciousness again. This is done with a bunch of "Doob"(दूब) grass. 

                  Lord Ganesha who is the first god to be worshiped when a Puja (worship) is commenced is also a god of auspiciousness and a god who removes hurdles (विघ्नहर्ता) in any good work when worshiped. When offered the "Doob"(दूब) grass, He is pleased and believed to remove the hurdles in good works of a person. There is a story behind the offering of "Doob"(दूब) grass to Lord Ganesha. It is said that a demon named Analasur (Anal means fire, so Analasur means an Asur who emits fire), who came into existence due to some weak moments of Yamaraj seeing an "Apsara", had became a trouble for gods. So the gods requested Lord Ganesha to kill Analasur which he accepted. In the fight Ganesha swallowed Analasur but he got restless due to the heat produced in his stomach. No god could suppress his pain. He could get relief only when some "Rishis" put some "Doob"(दूब) grass over his head. From that time Ganesha is pleased whenever "Doob"(दूब) grass is put over his head during his worship. It is customary to sprinkle turmeric powder over "Doob"(दूब) grass before offering, because yellow color is favorite of Ganesha and turmeric is one of the auspicious items in Hindu customs.   

 

Thin leaved Durva grass,
Doob grass,Dubo
(Cynodon Dactylon)

               "Doob"(दूब) grass is also offered to God Shiva. It is said that God Shiva is pleased when "Doob"(दूब) grass is placed over Shivalinga during worship and he makes the devotee wealthy. So people with a desire to have wealth offer him "Doob". In the Hindu month of Shravan (That is also a favorite month of Shiva) the "Doob"(दूब) grass is found abundantly due to rainy season. One can see the favorite things of Shiva in my blog at this link --- What Lord Shiva likes ! 

                 Shiva's gatekeeper Nandi is a bull and he is included in Shiva's family (called Shiva - parivaar). Nandi worship is also done during Shiva-worship because if Nandi  is pleased then the devotee can send his wishes direct to the heart of Shiva through saying it in the ears of Nandi. It is a boon given to Nandi by Shiva. Since "Doob"(दूब) grass is a natural food of cows and bulls, so it is also offered to Nandi to please him. 

                  The "Doob"(दूब) grass to be offered to gods should be picked from clean places and carried to the worship place in right hand only. The mantra to offer "Doob"(दुर्वाम ) is as follows,

दुर्वांकुरान्  सुहारितानमृतान् मंगलप्रदान्। 

आनीतांस्त्व  पूजार्थं  गृहाण  गणनायक।।  

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Plumeria, Frangipani - चम्पा

Its tree is also called "Temple Tree"

Plumeria, Frangipani - चम्पा

                 This is a well known flower of worship in India and South-East Asia. Often planted near Aashrams  and temples, hence also called "Temple tree". Known commonly as "Champa - चम्पा" in Hindi or "Kath Champa" in Bengali, it is called Plumeria and Frangipani in English.

              The tree of this fragrant and beautiful flower is also planted in flower gardens, parks and street sides. Though it grows in a tree but a closer look will tell that this plant is related to "Nerium Oleander". The structure of flowers and leaves are similar. On plucking the leaves both ooz out white milk like substance. The difference is in size of the plant and leaves. While plant of  "Nerium Oleander" is a shrub, the Plumeria or frangipani is a tree. The leaves of   "Nerium Oleander" are less wider than Plumeria . 

 

Leaves and flowers of
Plumeria, Frangipani - चम्पा

           The whole dark green canopy of tree dotted with flowers look attractive. Every day flowers fall from the tree and place beneath the tree full of scattered flowers look awesome. The lovely fragrance remains there for many days even if they dry out. The cream colored flower with yellow area in the middle is loved by ladies living in forest areas. They put them around the neck as a garland or make their hairs up with flowers (In veni). It is the national flower of Laos. It is found in other colors too, like pink and white.

             The "Champa - चम्पा"' flowers are used in worship of Vishnu and his avatars and goddesses like Saraswati, Laksmi and Durga. In different societies it is used in different ways. In Bengali culture due to its white color it is used as a mourning flower and put on the dead body or near the photo of dead person. In some rural areas people believe that ghosts live on "Champa - चम्पा"' trees. Not only in Bengal but in some other European countries people relate its fragrance to vampires and plant it near the graves in cemeteries. 

A fully grown up "Plumeria, Frangipani - चम्पा" tree

           On the other hand this flower is used for decoration on the occasion of weddings or parties in Maharashtra and as "Varmala वरमाला" in South India. In some folklore it is not offered to Shiva due a curse by brahmin, but as I have stated in my previous blogs that "Aadishankarachrya" in the "Shiva_Manas_Puja (शिव मानस पूजा)" offers champaka flower to Shiva. So it may be offered to Shiva too. 

               The plant can be propagated through cutting. About eight inch long finger thick stems without leaves are inserted in the well drained soil. It requires moisture but not water logging. It is also not suitable for frosty climate because is can not bear very cold weather. The water requirement is proportional to available sunshine. 

                   Its fragrance is used as perfumes and incense sticks. The lovely fragrance of this incense stick makes the environment divine.

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Here is a view of above tree in the season of Spring. It is covered with beautiful flowers and the look is eye-catching. In this picture below there is also a smaller tree in the foreground that too is at full bloom:-

Flowering Champa Trees

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