The Pavitresti

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Preface

In 2010 the Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala organized the Prayoga of the Pavitresti to mark the birth centenary of renowned Vedic Scholar the Late Dr. C. G. Kashikar. That time it was noticed that not only the lay man but also the students and researchers of the Veda-s found it difficult to understand, 'what is going on?' There the idea came forth that there should be such work that will give at least a sketchy idea (- if not the detailed and the perfect one-) of the isti. Mere informative book or mere DVD will hardly serve the purpose. Therefore we decided to bring out such book, the matter in which can be actually 'visualized', as if it is happening and hence decided to prepare a DVD, which actually can be 'read'. Therefore we have tried to put the subtitles on the DVD and also to put the time duration of the rites in the book. This is to maintain the congruity of the DVD with the book.

Pt. Bheemsen Sharma' s Darsapurnama-sapaddhatih (pub by Pt. Yudhisthir Mimamsaka, Bahalgad 1982) is used to prepare the skeleton of the text of this book. The photocopy of the MS of the Pavitresti given by Agnihotri Sudhakar Kulkarni (the yajamdna of this Pavitresti Prayoga) and a MS of the Hautraprayoga of Pavitresti (Acc.·No. 4656 of the Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala, Pune), are used to prepare the text. However considering the pedagogical role of the project, the rites are internally divided into small actions, each one of which is numbered. E.g havihpesanam is divided into 9 small actions. This will give the impression that this 'action' havihpesanam can never be performed haphazardly. It's a chain of small actions, each of them remaining in its own sequence contributes towards the completion of the rite in entirety. For almost each action the mantra-s and the details are prescribed. So all these actions serve a purpose of the links which are well decided and well arranged. In fact any isti itself is a big chain of small rites. The titling, numbering, sub-numbering will shed light on dynamic as well as integrate characteristic of the isti. Since this book is to be read along with the DVD, we have 'described' the Prayoga' of the Pavitresti and have not prescribed unlike the Prayogapothi normally does.

We have also provided a working translation in English. It is not word to word translation. One who opts for English translation would also understand the matter while observing the DVD. Instead of requoting the complete mantra text in the English translation, sometimes we have just referred to it with its beginning and end. However we have deliberately not translated the mantra-s, thinking that it may interrupt the continuity.

The book is prepared from view point of the students. The syllabus. for undergraduate or post- graduate courses in Sanskrit, does contain some portion from Brahmana texts, Sukla Yajurveda, Srauta Sutra-s etc. Viewing the performance would certainly help them to understand the Vedic texts in better-way. The time duration of each rite will also help one to access any rite easily. Although we have tried to maintain the accuracy in mentioning the time duration, it is requested to take into consideration the limitations of the gadgets also. (Kindly note that plus/minus four seconds' difference is observed when it was tried on different instruments).

During the performance Sudhakar Guruji explained some points related to the ritual. He also answered some questions and doubts asked by students. He talked in Marathi which we have kept as it is in the DVD. However in the book we have given its Sanskrit and English renderings. This portion is given in the square under the title (Information by the Agnihotri).

It should be noted that the book and the DVD are not to be taken as a Prayoga text, that prescribes how to perform the Prayoga of Pavitresti. Since the present book has the descriptive value, the only purpose of it is, to facilitate the study of the Srauta ritual for the students, researchers in particular and to create interest . and curiosity in laymen in general.

Those who are interested in the details of the Pavitresti ritual from historical and analytical point of view should refer to the scholarly written book Indian Fire Ritual by Musashi Tachikawa, Shrikant Bahulkar and Madhavi Kolhatkar (2001 Pub Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi).

The organization of the Pavitresti performance and preparation of a book itself proved a yajna, where the puja (honoring), samgatikarana (coming together) and dana (donating) were actually materialized.

The Late Dr. C. G. Kashikar dedicated himself to the Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala so much so that because of him the Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala is truly recognized as a Vedic Research Institute. The Late Dr. R. N. Dandekar also worked for Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala. He was also related to Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala in various capacities. Dedicating the performance of the Pavitresti and the book there upon IS really an appropriate way to pay homage to them.

Many generous donors spontaneously came with the donations for this isti. The Late Dr..R. N. Dandekar trust donated the substantial amount of 5, 00, 0001-, the yearly interest of which was utilized for this isti. We sincerely thank Prof. S. D. Joshi, the trustee of this trust for this. Agnihotri Sudhakara Guruji with his team was kind enough to perform isti for Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala. Occasionally he also elucidated some points. We take this opportunity to express our feelings of deep respect and veneration towards Sudhakar Guruji.

Our thanks are also due to Sun Beam Sound System and Omkar Studio for preparation of the DVD. Miss Aditi Pandit put great efforts in DTP and in presenting the matter in this particular layout. Miss Pushpa Mukhedkar prepared the index. Mr. and Mrs. Bokil, not only donated the amount but also put their time and energy towards completion of the isti and the book. My colleague Dr. Bhagyashree Bhagwat was always with me right from the chalking out of the isti , upto preparation of the book. I sincerely express my heartfelt gratitude towards all of them.

It is actually the inspiration and guidance by Prof. Dr. Saroja Bhate, the former Chairperson of Adarsh Sanskrit Shodha Samstha that directed us to undertake such kind of project. I really have no words to thank Prof. Dr. Saroja Bhate. I cannot but mention the kind co-operation of present chairperson Prof. Dr. Jay Prakash Narayan Dwivedi (Dwaraka).

Our thanks are also due' to Vaijanti Dhole Patil and Surekha Wagle of Step in Services for prompt and perfect printing.

We sincerely express our deep sense of gratitude towards the authorities of The Rashtriya Samskrit Samsthan, New Delhi for substantially funding the entire scheme of Adarsha Sanskrit Shodha Samstha, under which this work is being published.

Hoping that the book will succeed in fulfilling the expectations of the academic world, I conclude this note with humble regards.