DO'S AND DON'TS OF ACHAMANAM - 2 OF 3

Achamanam is the simplest starting vaidika karmas but most significant one as no rituals can be started with out this and all rituals also ends with this mantra.

1	Keshava	Who takes many forms and represents  trimurthi
2	Narayanaya Namaha	Final refuge of nara or jiva
3	Mahavaya	Pathi of Mahalakshmi
4	Govindaya	One who can be attained by Vedic chanting
5	Vishnave	One who  pervades everywhere
6	Madhusudhanaya	Destroyer of madhu, demon(Tamoguna)
7	Trivikramaya	Measured universe in three foot steps
8	Vamanaya	Who gives as per one’s punya karma
9	Shridharaya	One who sustains Mahalakshmi
10	Hrishikeshaya	Who rules the senss
11	Padmanabhaya	Who has the lotus in his navel
12	Damodaraya	One who has the universe as his abode

Achamanam should always be done in kuktasna.  Should not be done standing.

Should not be done (i) facing west or south (ii)casually, (iii) wearing shirt, foot wear (iv) covering the head, (v) laughing,  (vi) wearing pavitram (pavitram should always be kept on right earlobe-see earlier posting).

Should not be done,  using impure water, near impure place falling water or water flowing from tap. Should not be done with hot water or water with bubbles or froth or mixed with mud or sand, water with foul smell or procured from impure  sources, or discolured water or perfumed water or water left in sombu after washing feet or water used for Agni karyam, salty or bitter water or sea water.   If done using river or tank water the left hand should be touching the water.  Should not be done after taking perumal theertham or sripada theertham or  madhuparkam or somapanam.  

Achamanam should be done immediately after walking up (after initial prayers as in earlier postings), after urination and other form of excretion, after brushing teeth, before bath and after wearing clothes, before daily rituals like sandhyavandanam, Brahmayagyam, tarpanam. Vedhadhyanam, pitrutarpanam, mantra jabams, before and after a meal,  speaking or touching unsuitable persons,  before and after giving Alms, after sneeshing, after shredding blood, before and after crossing river, after touching women, blood, human air, fire, cows, mice, refuse or dirty items,  in modern days after coming from office(change to traditional dress).

                                          ----------------- continued  in next posting