Prayaschitta: Cleansing Through Voluntary Action
In the previous article we discussed Nyasa and in this article, we will discuss Prayaschitta.
In Sanskrit, “Prayaschitta” means voluntarily acknowledging your mistakes and performing penance to lessen their negative effects. It’s about taking responsibility for your actions and seeking purification.
Prayaschitta: A Daily Cleansing Ritual
In tantric traditions, Prayaschitta isn’t just something you do when you make a big mistake. It’s often incorporated into daily rituals as a way to maintain spiritual purity.
Sandhyavandana: During Sandhyavandana, “arghya” (offering enchanted water) is given to the deity Surya. One purpose of this offering is to symbolically destroy negative forces that attack the deity daily. However, this act of “destroying” can create negative karma. To counteract this, practitioners chant the mantra “Asavadityo Brahma” and sprinkle the enchanted water. This is an act of Prayaschitta, a way to purify the negative effects of the ritual. It is a way of balancing the good with the effects of the action.
Srividya Upasana: In the Srividya Upasana tradition, the Gandharva Tantra emphasizes the importance of daily worship of young girls, who are seen as embodiments of Shakti (divine feminine energy). This tradition also mandates strict Prayaschitta for any lapses or errors in the worship, highlighting the importance of maintaining purity and adherence to the practice.
Buddhism takes a different approach: Instead of focusing on specific Prayaschitta rituals, Buddhism emphasizes higher-level meditation techniques. These techniques allow practitioners to observe the workings of their past actions (karma) with detachment and equanimity, rather than actively trying to “undo” them. It is more about observing and understanding, rather than repenting.
Remember:
– In Vedic tradition, Prayaschitta transcends the concept of a mere reactive penance for significant transgressions; it becomes a proactive, integral component of daily spiritual practice, functioning as a continuous purification process.
– Rather than waiting for major errors to accumulate, practitioners engage in routine rituals that cleanse subtle impurities and maintain a state of inner sanctity.
– Daily integration of Prayaschitta acts as a spiritual hygiene routine, preventing the build-up of negative karma and fostering a consistent connection to divine purity.
– By consistently acknowledging and rectifying minor imbalances, practitioners cultivate a sustained state of spiritual equilibrium, ensuring that their daily lives align with their higher aspirations and maintain a clear channel for spiritual growth.
Prayaschitta in daily life:
Daily Reflection: Before going to bed, take some time to reflect on your daily actions. Consider the impact of your actions on your own life, the lives of others, and the world around you. This simple act of reflection is a way to acknowledge your actions and learn from them. It is a way to bring awareness to your daily actions.
Dharma shastra: Understand different prayaschitta specified in Dharma Shastra from scholars and perform respective ritual with family members. Remember that these are aimed at purification of mind and seeking divine blessing for our spiritual journey.
In Simple Terms:
Prayaschitta is like a spiritual cleaning process. It’s about acknowledging your mistakes and taking steps to purify yourself. While different traditions approach it in different ways, the core idea is to maintain spiritual purity and take responsibility for your actions. It is a way to bring mindfulness to your actions, and to try to live in a way that minimizes negative effects.
In the next article, we will discuss “Puja”
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
