Gayathri Havan

An article by Sri S. Kannan :


Normally three ingredients are used in the performance of havan or fire sacrifice.  They are Samid (twigs), Annam (food) and Aarjyam (Ghee).  You would understand that to keep the fire burning both twigs and ghee are required and the food (could be cooked rice or havis or any other form of food which is pleasing to the deity to be propitated like sweet pongal, masha poopam, etc)

The pipal tree is called as the king of trees - Vruksha Raja.  It is also believed that it is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu (Ashwatha Narayana).  It has a lot of medicinal properties.  It is called Arasa maram in Tamil and wherever there is a Arasa maram, there would be an image of Lord Ganapathi installed at the base.  It is also considered to be the embodiment of Lord Shiva.  In south India, especially in the Mariamman temples you would find the Pipal tree growing along side Neem tree.  The neem tree is considered and worshipped as the embodiment of Para Shakti and it is not uncommon to have the Pipal and Neem trees grown together (Arasukkum Vembukkum kalyanam) which is considered as the Shiva Shakti form.  Both the trees are circumambulated (pradakshinam) in the morning which is believed to cure one of incurable diseases and bestow good progeny ( sorry am reminded of the Tamil proverb - Arasa marathhai sutri vittu adi vayitraith thottu parthaalam) perhaps owing to the medicinal properties of both the trees.  It is also believed that Lord Budda reveived enlightenment under the pipal tree which is also know as the bodhi tree.

So, it is but natural that the twigs of a tree of such wonderous properties is used in the fire sacrifice, obviously for its religious significance as well as its medicinal properties.  Perhaps Rohan would remember that he was given a pipal branch during his upanayanam ceremony as a symbol of brhamacharya ashrama.   Brahmacharis perform fire sacrifice using the pipal twigs which is also used in other sacrifices as well.  When someone says samithu (twig) for sacrifice, it is inferred that he is talking about the pipal samithu.   

Now coming to Dharbai, it is a weed that grows abundantly on river beds and is used extensively in the performance of religious rites.  I am enclosing an article on the properties of dharbam which makes it an essential part of the religious sacrifices.I would request all to kindly have patience to go through the article which contains very useful information.

Suffice to say that whatever rituals we perform, does have a profound meaning and as long as we show interest in knowing what they mean, it enhances the benefits derived from their practice.  I sincerely compliment Rohan for his urge to know what he is doing.

OM TAT SAT