EDITOR’S LOG

A few editions back, Yuvan received a reader feedback asking that we write about our Hindu rites of passage. The Yuvan team thought that it was an excellent feedback, and one that should be acted upon.

In these days of globalization, many youngsters tend to lose touch of our Hindu culture. Ceremonies – the foundation of all cultures – seem to be lacking for some reason in the Hindu community. At the most, the only ceremonies properly observed are the birth and death ceremonies.

Other smaller ceremonies, with nevertheless important significance, seem to slip by the younger generation. When these youngsters become young parents, they do not perform these rites of passage for their offspring. They fail to teach their children the meanings of these ceremonies, and over time, these ceremonies and their significances are lost.

The rites of passage ceremonies in the Hindu culture are unique - and like every other culture - they mark the milestones in the life cycle of man. Apart from birth and death, there is a ceremony to mark the first food, the first tooth, the first word – the first of everything important in a man’s life.

The tenth edition of the Yuvan exclusively brings you the Hindu ceremonies along with their significances and when they should be performed.

Its aim is to educate, and perhaps act as a simple plea from the Yuvan team to the younger generation to ensure that these ceremonies are kept alive in their lives - so that these ceremonies do not diminish in the name of modernization.

Yuvan hopes that it will enlighten the youth on the richness of the Hindu culture- a heritage that our forefathers gave us – a culture like none other.

The responsibility is yours…….

EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE: MCSA Bowling Competition

With camping trips, career fairs, and various charitable efforts under their belt, the Youth Wing of the Malaysian Ceylonese Saivites Association (MCSA) can now add 'bowlers' to their list of activities.

On the 16th of November 2008, 27 members from MCSA youths gathered at U-Bowl, One Utama, to partake in one of their biggest events yet - an inter-MCSA bowling competition. With seven teams of four people the youths, ranging from ages 13 to 40, were all ready to put their best foot forward.

The competition consisted of three games per team, all of which were funded by the RM25 entry fee. At 10am, the youths gathered and were divided into their respective groups of four. Due to a last minute dropping-out, one of the seven teams had only three members. However, they stayed true to the MCSA spirit and did not let this upset them in any way. After everyone got laced up in their colourful bowling shoes, the competition got under way.

As the games progressed, it was hard to tell the outcome, as the scores were like a roller coaster - going up, down, and up again. The competition was slowly coming to an end, and there was still no clear winner. The last ball rolled down the lane and the participants eagerly awaited the results.

It was finally time as the Secretary of the MCSA, Mr. Ganesan Gunaratnam stepped forward to hand out the prizes. In a surprise victory, the earlier said team of three claimed victory despite their missing one member. The team, which comprised of Venu Ramadas, Prakash Sothivadivale, and Skandha Ganesan, were more than glad to accept their medals. It was a touching sight as Skandha, the son of Mr. Ganesan, was awarded the medal by his father. Also all smiles was the daughter of Venu Ramadas, who accepted the medal on behalf of her beaming father.

Coming in second was the team Kuberan Myilvahanam, Ahalyah Ragunathan,Puveendra Thuraisingam, and the President of the MSCA Youth Wing, Sujithaen Ilangkainathun.

Cementing the generosity of the MCSA, individual achievements were also recognised as four of the twenty-eight were given trophies for 'Best Bowlers'. In the male category, Kuberan Myilvahanam bagged the first prize, and Prakash Sothivadivale coming in a close second. In the female category, Dhynna Ramakrishnan was given top honours, with Kavitha Aruljothi claiming the second place.

With their trophies, medals, and the overall feeling of a good day, the participants enjoyed a good lunch, courtesy of Little Caterers Sdn. Bhd.The success of this event can only mean one thing - more events of all sorts to come. And if the MCSA Youth Wing's track record is anything to go by, we can expect greater things to be achieved in the future, be it charitable, social or simple, fun-motivated efforts.

MAGNIFY & AMPLIFY by Siva Priya

RICE FEEDING CEREMONY

Rice feeding or Annaprashana literally means putting solid food or rice into a child's mouth for the first time. Anna means rice and prashana means eating.

The ceremony is conducted after the sixth month and should be done before the first year of the infant’s life. This milestone ritualizes the start of a nursing child's additional solid, developed out of the physical need of the child for more nourishment. It also established a point in the child's development at which the mother should consider beginning to wean him.

This ceremony is a simple ceremony that is celebrated amongst close relatives. The ceremony should be conducted in a temple. After the normal pooja and a simple offering of a tray of fruits and flowers, the child is sat on the lap of the father. The father then feeds the child his first sweet rice or sakkarai satham. This feeding is then followed by the mother of the child and then by the other elders who are present.

Many believe that different types of food with a variety of flavours should be fed to the child as different qualities of the food will be imparted to the child. However, sweet rice is recommended by the Puranas as it is considered to be the perfect food as it is easy to digest. The sweetness in the sakkarai satham symbolizes a sweet beginning to the child’s culinary adventures.

TOOTH PEEK....

The teething ceremony, popularly known as the pallu kozhukattai ceremony, should be done when the child’s first tooth begins to appear. Pallu means teeth and kozhukattai – for those who seriously don’t know – is a delicious South Indian cake that is made out of rice flour with sweet coconut and brown sugar filling.

The significance of this ceremony is to mark the child’s first tooth appearance, and also to pray for the child to be bestowed with teeth as beautiful and straight as the edge of the kozhukattai – hence the name pallu kozhukattai.

The ceremony may be conducted at home, and if need, a homam can be done first to invoke the blessing of the Almighty. However, the ceremony can be conducted without a priest. During the ceremony, the child is sat inside an arasi muram (a rattan sieve used to shift rice grains) with a white cloth placed on his head. The kozhukattai is then dropped over the child’s head.

While preparing the kozhukattai, a coin would have been placed in one of the many kozhukattai. The child is expected to pick up the kozhukattai with the coin inside it, but whatever the child picks up; everyone will cheer as the child slowly nibbles on the sweet kozhukattai with his brand new teeth.

WRITING ON RICE

Edhu ezhuthirathu or writing on rice grains is a ceremony that marks a significant milestone in a child’s life.

This ceremony is done in the temples on the tenth day of the Navarathiri festival i.e. Vijayathasami day. Since Vijayathasami is the day that Goddess Mahishasuramardini killed Mahishasuran, this day is often associated with success. Thus the child’s education is officiated on this auspicious day with the hope that his life-long pursuit of education will be a successful one.

Children who are about to begin their formal education i.e. going to preschool should perform this ceremony at the temple. The child is sat on the lap of the Guru or priest. The Guru then guides the finger of the child and traces the first letter of the Tamil alphabet on the rice grains placed in a tray.

Rice grains are used to invoke the sense of touch in the child. As the alphabet is traced, the child is made to pronounce the alphabet, thus invoking his sense of hearing. His sense of sight is invoked as he sees the alphabet being formed in the rice grains.

SPORTZ IT OUT by Vijhay Viknasvaran

The footballing await the crowning of FIFA World Player of the Year. There are several contenders who will vie the much coveted crown. To be labeled the best in the world in no ordinary feat.

Among the short listed players only two are to be spoken on the same breath on current form and how things have been over the last 1 year. Stand up Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The duos are arguably the best we have seen in recent years. Sorry Kaka but we the fans have short memories.

Messi is frequently considered as the greatest talent to have emerged in the sport of football after Diego Armando Maradona and is one of the best footballers on the player. At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that impeded him from growing.

Newell's were unable to afford the money required for the treatment of this disease which was about 500 pounds per month. Then FC Barcelona came calling. Not only did they look after Lionel Messi's problems, they also found work for his family in Barcelona and so came Messi to Spain.

From then on the Catalans have been repaid back every cents worth by his performances over the last few year. To watch the young lad play in person is an honour, his football is magical.

From 2005-2006 season onwards, the Argentine wonder kid began to exhibit his class and quality. He threaded his way into the starting line-up that consisted of the likes of Ronaldinho, Xavi, Deco and Samuel Eto'o among others and quickly became one of the most popular and most significant members of the club.

You would think that he should win the World Player of the Year award hands down but not when a certain Cristiano Ronaldo has been in rich vein of form. Ronaldo’s story is almost equally as great as Messi.

Ronaldo began his career as a youth player at C.D. Nacional and his successes with the team led to a move to Sporting two seasons afterwards. Ronaldo's precocious talent caught the attention of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Such an impression was made that the United players requested the gaffer to sign him. The next three years saw Ronaldo rising to global prominence, scoring frequently at both club and international level and receiving various awards for his accomplishments

He plays as a left or right winger and is one of the highest rated football stars in the world. Last season he broke record after record by scoring a huge a load of goals for his club. Nothing great if he was a striker but mind you he is winger! He is also an important player in the Portuguese National team having scored 18 goals by the age of 22.

However together with all the talent he brings to the game, he also brings arrogance which is second to none. This is in contrast to Messi who is a very humble person.

As Manchester United fan I would love to see my player Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award as he has won everything at United over the last 1 year compared to Messi’s zero count of medals.

ASTROLOGY IN HUMAN LIVES by Thinesh Silvaraju

Griha Pravesham is a ceremony performed on the occasion of one's first entry into a new house. Once the house is ready, the family moves in on an auspicious day that is determined by the astrological charts. Purity of the panchangam (almanac) and auspicious time or muhuratam must be considered during the griha pravesham. Three types of griha pravesham have been mentioned in our ancient scriptures:

Apoorva: First entry to newly constructed house on a newly selected land

Sapoorva: Entry into an already existing house after traveling abroad or migration elsewhere.

Dwandwah: Entry into a house to after reconstruction or renovation subsequent to damage due to fire, flood or earthquake

For apoorva griha pravesham, the exact auspicious time needs to be adhered to. For sapoorva griha pravesham or dwandwah griha pravesham, the purity of the panchangam should be given due consideration.

Vastu pooja

Vastu pooja for vastu devata is performed outside the house before the actual entry into the house. A copper pot is filled with water, navadhaniyam (nine kinds of grains) and one coin. A coconut is then placed on the top of the pot. Coconut is covered with the red cloth and tied with the red thread called moli. After this the priest performs the pooja, add the husband and wife take this copper pot in the house together and place it near the yaagam (ceremonial fire).

Vastu Shanti

Vastu shanti or Griha shanti, involves the offering to the devas or yaagam. A yaagam is performed to prevent harmful influences of the planets, remove negative vibrations and create a peaceful environment. Once all the poojas are concluded, a feast is offered to the priest. He is also given some dakshina or fees for his services and good wishes.

These two poojas are essential. Other poojas like the Ganapathi pooja, the Satyanarayan pooja or the Lakshmi pooja are optional, and can be performed if priest recommends them.

Griha pravesham is not complete until the doors of the house are fitted with shutters, the roof is covered, the Gods of vastu have been worshipped or offered sacrifices, the priests have been offered feast.

House-warming ceremony should not be performed when the lady of the house is pregnant or on Tuesdays.

Once the griha pravesham ceremony has been completed, the family can then move into the house.

PEN DOWN by Yalinee Tharmabalan

I’m not sure for many of you girls out there but I sure had one hell of a memorable time turning 12!About 9 years ago,just a day after my birthday, I was officially pronounced a big girl!No,it was not because I managed to eat a horse and gain weight but this was when I attained puberty.

I had a grand ‘Samarthia Sadanggu’ and during this is when I learnt much about this ceremony. There are no specific mantras for this ceremony but if priests are invited to perform prayers, they would do so only when one month has elapsed after the first menstruation of the girl. The ceremony that I had was performed by the elders in my family. It started of with the bathing ceremony in which I was given 3 betel leaves rolled into a cone-shape with some ‘paaku’,10 and 1 cent coins and lime to be held on each hand with a thin ‘veshti’ put over my head. While I sat on a low stool covered with a white piece of cloth, 3 married aunties then placed milk, ‘aruham’ grass and coins on my head 3 times while my maternal uncle breaks a coconut.

I was later led to the bathroom, and my aunties poured small buckets of water on my head while another uncle was invited to break a coconut. This ceremony is said to rid the girl of the impurities incurred by her because of her menstruation. After my shower,I was dressed like a bride and told to hold a ‘nirai kudam’ which signifies auspiciousness. In Hindu tradition, girls are looked upon as embodiments of Goddess Lakshmi. I then stood in the middle of about 15 trays comprising of the ‘Kamachi Vilakku’, ‘pannir’ set, fruits and rice and curry to name a few. The trays must be in odd numbers and married ladies did the ‘aalathi’ for me.

All these are used to bless the girl to have a good health, long life, Lakshmi’s grace and to remove any effect of ‘bad’ eyes. As we can see here, the Hindu society considers this an important turning point in a girl’s life, and therefore performed rituals to ensure that health, wealth, long life and auspiciousness are bestowed upon the girl. These blessings would contribute to ensure that the girl becomes a Lakshmi of the house at the right age and brings up a divine home with healthy off-springs.

SUGAR ‘N SPICE by Devinia Dass

The Indian bangle ceremony or the valai kaapu is a function held in conjunction with the seventh or ninth month of an expectant mother in the expectant mother's house. This ceremony is only conducted during the first pregnancy.

The expectant mother would be made to sit in the middle of a rather elaborate spread of rose water, fruits, sweets and flowers. The ceremony is conducted by the womenfolk, who will bless the expectant mother with the fruits, flowers and sweets.

The womenfolk will add glass bangles to the expectant mother's hands, rub sandalwood paste on her cheeks and face, place red vermillion on her forehead and add fresh jasmine to her hair. Every married lady guest invited to the function is expected to perform these functions as a form of blessing towards the expectant mother.

The expectant mother will be handed an ammi kallu or grinding stone by each one of the womenfolk. This ritual symbolizes the womenfolk asking the expectant mother to give birth to a child as strong as the grinding stone. The ammi kallu is exchanged three times between the expectant mother and the womenfolk, symbolizing the womenfolk asking the expectant mother to give birth to more children.

Once these ladies perform these rituals they are given a little gift consisting of red vermillion, a yellow string and a few glass bangles as a sign of appreciation for the blessings given to the expectant mother. When all the womenfolk have blessed the expectant mother, the ' arathy ' tray is moved in circular motions in front of the expectant mother to ward off the evil eye.

In some functions, the expectant mother is told to bend over and stand while a banana leaf is held behind her and milk is poured down the banana leaf. This is to signify a safe journey for the newborn baby during childbirth. Although this seems to look like an uncomfortable position for a pregnant mother to stand in, it has been medically proven that this position eases the whole childbirth process.

In some functions also, the father of the baby is asked to pick between sweet rice, tamarind rice and yogurt rice wrapped in banana leaves. This practice, in pre-ultrasound days, was said to be used to determine the gender of the baby.

By the end of this ceremony, the expectant mother will have many bangles on her hand which will be there till the day she goes into labour. It is believed that these bangles make a pleasant tinkling sound which can be heard by the baby in the womb.

REVO’S CORNER by Kuhanesh Mahendra

Tonsuring or mundan is an important ceremony in Hindu communities. The mundan ceremony performed by Hindus is done on the 30^th or 31^st day from the infant’s birth depending on their respective customs. This hair shaving ceremony is also done by Muslims and Chinese.

The first haircut is an important ritual and it is believed that shaving the hair rids the child of his past life's negativity. Some believe that a mundan bestows a long life, a better future and also protects the child from the evil eye. In some communities, the hair on a newborn’s head is considered impure and it is believed that only a mundan can cleanse the child’s body and soul.

Scientifically, a mundan helps release excess body heat and keeps the baby's head cool. Some also believe that a mundan helps relieve headache and pains associated with teething. It is also a common belief that shaving off the hair stimulates cells and improves blood circulation, which may help in the growth of better and thicker hair.

The mundan ceremony is considered a purification ritual and is done on a specific day at an auspicious time that is decided by the priest based on the time of the birth. A homam is performed by a priest to pray for the well- being of the child and to purity the house in which the mother and child have been staying while in post-delivery quarantine or thudakku.

The baby is held by the maternal uncle or thai maman and the priest shaves of a small portion of the baby’s hair. Then, a barber who specializes in mundan ceremonies shaves off the rest of the hair. In some families, the father performs the initial ceremony instead of the priest. The shaven head is washed with holy water and a paste of turmeric and sandalwood is applied. It is believed that this mixture cools the head and helps nicks and cuts to heal faster. The shaved off hair is either offered to a deity or to a sacred river like the Ganga. The priest offers specific instructions on how the hair should be disposed. In some cultures, a tuft of hair is left on the head and is said that it protects the brain.

Every family has its own traditions for performing the mundan ceremony. Some perform it at home inviting the priest and relatives to bless the child. Others may ask the barber to come home after their priest gives them an auspicious day and time. Nowadays, many choose to take their children to a salon where special mundan haircuts may be offered. Some families may even have a family tradition where they take their child to a holy place, a temple or to the banks of a holy river like the Ganga, for the first haircut.

The head shaving ceremony is often associated with the baby naming ceremony. After the head shaving, the father whisper’s the baby’s name three times into his right ear. This is followed by the mother and other elders who will also whisper the baby’s name into his ear.

ADHI SIDDHA by Sashi Vadivale

The Hindu religion is rich with customs and tradition. Temple worship and religious observance mostly revolves around God. There are some observances in our religion that revolves around ourselves. Each Hindu’s biological milestone and important turning point in life is marked by a ceremony. The grandeur of the ceremony is up to the individual, but tradition has guide lines on them. Prior to birth till death, each important milestone is marked in a Hindu’s journey in life.

These events can be as simple as prayer in a home shrine or by an elaborate pooja.

Some of these ceremonies would be followed by a feast depending on the grandeur of the ceremony. During these pomp occasions, work load would be plenty. Family and friends would draw close to lend support, thus bonding the ties among them. It also reminds each family member of his duty towards the family. The role of the maternal uncle is important during the wedding ceremony as there are duties specifically to be discharged by him. During funerals, the in-laws of the deceased family are to lend support by providing meals on the funeral day.

Most of the rites of passage require the support of the priest. The priest invokes God, Devas (guardian angels) and at times the ancestors to bless the celebrated individual’s progress. The priest is then rewarded with cash and gifts. Our scriptures also encouraged to feed those less fortunate during this time. This nurtures charity in the giver.

Some of these rites not only help the celebrated individual, but also the family members. Funeral rites do not only prepare the deceased to the inner world; the rituals performed by the family members in the funeral provide a way to mitigate their sorrow.

These rites in my point of view, give me a sense of belonging to an ancient religion.

Funeral rites were not only as way to say good bye to loved one, but brought me closer in my understanding of Hinduism. Weddings I truly enjoy as I get to party and show off my best traditional attire. The ceremony also enlightens me that God is present in every important journey in life. By practicing these rites, I feel that each important step in life is bringing me close to Him.

“The essential samskaras are the rites of conception, the three-month blessing, hair-parting, birth, name-giving, head-shaving, first feeding, ear-piercing, first learning, puberty, marriage, elders' vows and last rites.”

- Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami