blessing

 

Blessings of elders..J K SIVAN 

Yesterday I wrote to you my friends, about  Abhivadhanam, paying one's respects to the elders.  Now it is the turn of the elders to bless those who paid respects to them.  

We are now living in the age of  western fashion and culture, where shaking hands with known persons, friends or relatives is the order of the day. We shake hands in  friendship, acknowledging a favour,  while  parting  or taking leave of a person,  or  while   welcoming someone or sending him off...  We  shake hands even with doctors, teachers and officials as a mark of respect.  

Shaking hands is a machine- like reaction.   I have  observed many elders who receive  Abhivadhaye from younger persons  acknowledge and accept it  by shaking hands with the person concerned. 

In fact there is a very good alternative prescribed in the ancient  Vedhas,  as per our   traditional practice and custom which reflects our culture.    It is just  uttering a  two line sloka which has a rich meaning while blessing the other.

In all occasions, whether anyone performs Abhivanandhanam or not, wishing and blessing the youngsters on their birthdays, family occasions, etc  should be  a whole hearted meaningful  blessing.

This is the two line blessing:

रोचनो रोचमानः शोभनो शोभमानः कल्याणः |

शतमानम भवति शतायुः पुरुषः शतेन्द्रिय आयुष्येवेन्द्रियेः प्रतितिष्ठति ||

rOchanO rOchamAnaH, sObhanaH sObhamAnaH kaLyANaH |

shathamAnam bhavathi shathAyuH purushaH shatEndriya AyushyEvEndriyE prathitishtathi ||

''May you live  100 years of happy life, with your system, health with all senses  in full good working condition, during your 100 years of living.  You are blessed to have all the faculties established fully intact in order to observe the daily chores demanded by life; and to pursue the virtuous way of life be it in the physical, mental, social or spiritual realms''.

Blessing Mantra as above is an Ashirvad  manthra  taken out from  Taiitiriya Brahmana.   It is a powerful manthra  wishing  good health, long life and for developing  good qualities and character in life.    It is many times  more apt and  invaluable  than mere shaking hands in return  for someone praying  seeking  your blessing.

 This manthra can be easily memorised and chanted when someone seeks  your blessing.   I  have  also observed many elders  wishing the younger persons  ''Dheergaayushman bhava''  It also means may you  live long. 

When the above blessing is chanted,  it is usual for the elders to touch the head of the person with both palms outstretched,   blessing thim who paid his respects.

 The effect of  touching , sparsha, heartily,   the top of the head has a meaning.  The human body is releasing vibrations due to human magnetism and also receiving them from people who come close, touching the feet induces flow of energy. When elders touch the head of the person for blessing, energy is again exchanged between them. This exchange of energy gives one vigor, self-confidence and contentment. One experiences inner glow. The blessing received after Charan Sparsh is like invisible armor; they motivate and give strength. Yudhishtira says in Mahabharata (Vanaparva):

"Devotedly touching the feet of the mother and father, teachers and elders and by serving them until they are content gives blessings that make a person great and powerful".