Pitru Paksha-Ritual to Dead Ancestors

Pitru Paksha:

It is a ritual performed by parents or relatives for the departed souls of dead ancestors. Tarpanam and Shradha are performed on all Amavasya days. The most important period to perform Shradha is the Pitru Paksha period during the Krishna Paksha ie in the Ashvin month ie September – October.

Cultural Beliefs:

The Shradh that is performed on the Ashwin Pitru Paksha touches the ancestors instantly and their souls will rest in peace. In Hindu Puranas especially in the Agni Purana, Garuda Purana and Matysa Purana details about the Shradh are mentioned. Yama, the god of death is the one has explained the importance of Shradh performed on Pitru Paksha.

As per Matysa Pura, Agni, Vasus and Rudras act as mediators during Pitru Paksha and take the rituals and food offered to ancestors. The ancestors will bless the one's who perform the shradha ritual. In some places, the last day of the Shraddh is of great importance. The ritual is conducted near temples or on river banks.

Karna the hero of mahabhartha has never ever saod to any one who asked him for help.He has donated wealth and done many kinds of charity except donation of food.When he lef the world and reached heaven there was only material world and no food at all.He then realized that he has not done any kind of food dontation.He prayed god of death to sent him back on earth fpr 14 days to make up his deficiency.Karna then came to earth and fed the poor and brahmins for 14 days of Mahalaya Paksha.On his return to heaven he had food and all kinds of benefits from the deaparted souls.

How to Perform?

In the fifteen days period of PitruPaksha, people have to honor their ancestors with a pure heart on the thithi of their ancestor's death. They should involve some spiritual practices like meditation, chanting mantras. By invoking the blessings of the ancestors it results in good health, wealth, courage and protection.

This is a powerful period in which persons make every possible effort to satisfy their Pitras in order to attain wisdom, protection, loving life. Along with this, people should avoid to start any new project or major undertakings during this time. 

Interesting Facts:

People should do special care of this ritual in order to eliminate conflicts among the family members.people can avoid other problems like  unemployment, serious illness, unsuccessful marriage life, developing addictions, giving birth to a physically or mentally handicapped child etc.

• People should not start any new activities like settling marriages, or any new other projects.
• People fast on the day. Non-veg food has to be avoided
• People should not consume onion, garlic, outside food, processed foods, drumstick, etc.
• People should donate food & clothes to the poor people in compliance with their needs and convenience.
• Shaving should be avoided during the entire 15 days of Mahalaya Amavasya.
• Individuals should read some puranas like Garuda Puranam, Nachiketa story from Upanishads and Ganga Avatarana chapter from Shrimad Valmiiki Raamaayanam.

Science:

In this period lot of diseases like viral, jaundice are spread. Mosquitoes are spread in large numbers which brings diseases. People have to care of hygiene and cleanliness and should clean their houses. So this is the reason there are not advised to start any new activities.

Rudraksha

Rudraksha:

Rudraksh is a holy seed which is used as a beed chain(mala) for chanting certain repetitive prayer's in Hinduism. Rudra - aksha means Rudra (Lord Shiva) Aksha (Eyes) this Sanskrit name gives meaning as it is originated from Lord shiva eyes. Usage of these beeds brings calmness in mind,body & soul.

Cultural Beliefs:
Story behind this rudrask is Lord shiva went for a long Yogic meditation(Tapas) to kill Demon Tripura in an extream emotional happiness tears came out from eyes of shiva and reached the earth and grown as rudraskh tree. Rudraskh central seed varies in different sizes(1-21) they are called eka -mukhi(one face),dwi-mukhi(two-face),tri-mukhi(three -face) Etc. 

Due to its mystical and divine properties its shows a positive effect in reduction of stress,anxiety,depression and blood pressure.Significant research stated that when rudraksh was placed around the neck region due to its electro magnetic and inductive properties it regulates the heart beat and ensures normal blood circulation in the human body. It increases concentration & fertility

Interesting Facts:
The name rudraksha also signifies “under the protection of Lord Rudra.”Rudrãksh are purified before use by first washing with coconut water, then milk, ghee, yogurt and finally water.The round shaped beed is called as rudraksha and oval shaped beed is called as bhadraksha.

Rudraksh acts as a powerful Armour around the individual and keeps the mind calm and healthy. Yogi's wear rudraksh because it gaurds as a protection shield and gives a pleasant sleep irrespective of place where they sleep. 

Rudraksh was popularly found in Indonesia(java),Nepal,India. Nepal rudraksh is somewhat bigger in size with dark color texture when compared to rudraksh from Java. Rudraksh from Nepal & Java have a natural hole in middle. But when it comes to healing powers there is no difference between Nepal,Java & India. 

The State produced by rudraksh will give brain boosts the confidence and inner strength of the wearer significantly and as a result the heartbeat, circulation, function of endocrine glands and activity of neurons and respiration is normalized in the physical body.

Rudraksh will give positive effect to the wearer within 48hours after wearing with proper puja.Rudraksh starts working central nervous system and give positive affect on human neurophysiology. Vedas also show there are more powerful Rudraksha Beads from 1 Mukhi to 21 Mukhi each capable of aligning our mind and the positive energies around us to specific aspects of health, happiness, spiritual fulfillment, prosperity, creativity, intuitive ability, material fulfillment, family harmony, attraction, self empowerment and fearless life. 

How to Find a Real Rudraksh: 
Natural rudraksh was Reddish Brown/Pale yellow in color
when rudraksh was kept in boiling water for some time it will not change with regard color,texture or shape.
When rudraksh was kept in a glass of water it will not float on water.
When rudraksh was kept in between two copper coins due it's magnetic properties it will move slightly.
When rudraksh was kept in a glass, with little amount of water covering rudraksh and place thermometer and record temperature after 30 minutes significant raise in temperature(1 or 2 degrees).
When rudraksh is kept in milk, the milk will not spoil even after 2 to 3 days. ekmukhi rudraksh will keep milk fresh even for 5 days.
The best way is to take x-ray photograph to count the number of mukhis.

Scientific Reasons:

Scientifically, the rudrakasha beads are dielectric as they store electrical energy and also possess permanent magnetic properties. The dielectric and magnetic properties of the rudraksha seeds impart positive charges in the bioelectrical system of the human body in a life­-supporting manner. As a result, the electrical make-up of the body changes.

Dasara

Dasara:

Dasara is a Hindu festival celebrated for ten days in the month of September or October. Dasara is also known as Vijaya Dashami i.e. success of Good over Bad. Dasara is also called as Navaratri, the first nine days mother Durga is worshipped in different forms. On the 10^th day they honor Durga.

Cultural Beliefs: 

As per the Hindus tradition, People believe that three forms of Goddess Durga namely Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali are the Shakti energies of (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).

There are many stories for Dasara festival in the Hindu mythology.

1) Lord Rama king of Ayodhya has killed Ravana who took illegally sita to his lanka kingdom. Lord Rama has performed “Chandi Home” and invoked Goddess Durga blessings on Ashvin Shukla Dashami. Rama defeated Ravana. People perform “Aditya homa” & “shanti yagna” to create powers in the atmosphere around the house that will keep the house clean and healthy. The purpose of the yagna is to get rid of ten bad qualities namely Lust(Kama), Anger(Krodha), Delusion(Moha),Greed (Lobha), Pride(Mada), Jealousy (Matsara), Mind (Manas), Intellect(Buddhi),Will(Chitta) & Ego(Ahankara). 

Sundara kanda is recited for nine days. Some perform the Aahavaneeya Agni, Grahapatya Agni or Dakshina Agni yagnas for three times a day. Also the aditya homas with surya mantras are recited. They believe that these mantras keep the heart, brain and the digestive functions in balance in the months of winter when there is inadequate sunlight.

2) Demons (Asuras) tried to defeat gods and capture heaven. One of the demons named Mahishasura was very powerful. He created destruction on earth. All the gods decided to join their energies into a single energy and gave form to Shakti. A powerful female virgin with ten hands is emerged as shakti. All the gods gave their weapons to Shakti which is in the form Goddess Durga. Durga with ten weapons in ten hands riding on lion has battled for nine days and nights and finally on the tenth day of Ashwin shukla paksha, she defeated the Demon Mahishasur.

3) Pandavas lost in the dice game with kaurvas and had to proceed to vanas (forests) for twelve years and one year of agnyatwasa(hiding from enemies) .pandavas were in the forest for 12 years hiding their weapons in a hole of Shami tree before entering the kingdom. After the completion of agnyatwasa year on the vijayadashami day they defeated kauravas.From that day the shami tress and weapons are worshipped as a symbol of victory.

Interesting Facts:

We have nine planets Sun, Moon , Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, North Node and South Node

The Human body have nine openings  2 for seeing - Eyes(Chakshu), 2 for hearing - Ears(Karna), 2 for breathing - Nostrils(Nasika), 1 for speech & eating – Mouth(Noaru), 1 for Malotsarjan - Anus &  1 for Mutrotsarjan – urinary opening.

Navaratri means nine nights. We have to seek blessings from the nine planets to control our nine openings. In the festival time all the planets has to be worshipped      and the openings should be cleaned with heart the mind and soul. If all planets favors and the openings of the human body are under control, the human life is a great success.

The first nine days are for cleansing the impurities in order to experience the divinity. On the last day we have to worship the weapons commonly known as “Ayudha puja”. The Divine is worshipped like this so that one can progress spiritually.

Nine Days of Dasara:

The following are the nine forms of Goddess Durga for the ten days of the festival:

Day 1 - Sailaputri : Durga is of two arms and carries a  three-pronged spear and lotus and sits on a bull. She is the rebirth of sati who is the Daughter of the Daksha and wife of lord Shiva. She was born as parvathi in her second birth.

Day 2 - Brahmacharini : Durga is of  two arms and a rosary and a water pot in her hand. She is very peaceful in the meditation form.

Day 3 - Chandraghanta : Durga is of ten arms and rides a tiger. She carries bow, pot, lotus, rosary and sword. She is Beautiful like the Moon.

Day 4 - Kusmanda : Durga is of eight arms and rides a tiger. She holds a pot, arrow, lotus,disc and rosary. This form brings happiness also it is believed that darkness ends when she smiles.

Day 5 - Skandamata : Durga is of four arms and rides on lion. She holds lotus, pot and bell. She will be blessing with one hand. She is the mother of Skanda(Lord karthikeya), who is the leader for army against evil.

Day 6 - Katyayani : Durga is of four arms and rides a lion. She holds a sword, shield and lots. She is born to the age Katya. She is another aspect of Mother Kali. She gives love and never hesitates to rise up when in anger.

Day 7 - Kalaratri : Durga is of four arms and carries a sword, a weapon and noose. She rides a donkey. She is cruel and violent. This tells us life has dark side also.

Day 8 - Mahagauri : Durga is of  four arms and carries a weapon and hand drum. She rides a bull. She is the Great White Goddess. Her two hands will be in blessing posture. She is pure.

Day 9 - Siddhidatri : Durga will be sitting on a lotus holding lotus, book, mace and disc. She is surrounded by gandhravas, demons, gods and yakshas. She is of great spiritual Powers and knowledge.

In the south, Special Alankarams of Goddess Durga are done at , Goddess Kanaka Durga temple(Vijayawada). The Alankarams may change every year according to tidis and Nakshatrams. The Alankarams of Durga Devi are

Swarna Kavachalakruta,Bala Tripura Sundari, Annapurna, Gayatri, Lalitha Tripura Sundari,Saraswathi,Maha Lakshmi, Dura Devi, Mahishasura Mardhini and Raja Rajeswari.

Colors for Dasara:

There is tradition of colors. Nine colors represent the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. The colors are Green, orange, yellow, blue, pink, grey and royal blue. On the tenth day Red color is used.

Significance:

Dasara is mainly selected for starting new ventures like business, construction activities for new buildings House warming, buying new vehicle, buying gold etc. Many parents start their children learning activity. Farmers start new crops and start work in the fields, machines are worshipped, traders worship their account books, intellectuals worship Pens & Computers and children their school books. Buses, trucks and huge machineries in factories are all decorated and worshipped.

Scientific Reasons:

Dasara falls in between two natural seasons i.e. between winter and the summer time. When season changes the planets and atmosphere are helpful for the progress of chemical compositions in humans. This is the season where people suffer from many viral and bacterial diseases like small pox and viral fever. Also there is more moisture for germs to grow and spread. Precautions have to be taken care to stop them from spreading. So people perform yagnas during the navaratri time which purifies the air by killing all the bacteria, germs and viruses. It maintains the level of life by giving air (Praana Vayu)

Fasting is a good method in the festival time so that it keeps regulating the body. Diet balance and giving it sometime so that the body can recover itself from the seasons change. We should consume milk fruits, nuts, etc. which helps in building our body because they are more nutritious than the regular food we are consuming. Self-purification can be obtained fasting and to overcome our senses. 

Read More about Navaratri

Pradakshina in Temple

Pradakshina:

Pradakshina is a ritual of circumambulating a sacred object, be it a temple or deity or a sacred plant or a saint or a mountain or a cow or elders and one’s own parents. It is done always clockwise with the sacred object on the right side all the time. To circumambulate a sacred object is considered auspicious in Hindu traditions. It is said to bestow upon a person who goes around health and prosperity while removing all kinds of worries. 

Cultural Beliefs:

There is a popular legend about the importance of pradakshina. The story of Lord Ganesha who circumambulates around his parents reveals from the Hindu scriptures that circumambulating around the parents is accorded a higher status than circumambulating the entire universe.

It is performed by circumambulating around a sacred person, sacred image, a sacred object or a temple in a clockwise direction. It identifies four key elements such as destination, movement, magnitude and motivation.

The movement here encompasses an object: a temple, a holy site, a sacred mountain, a lake, a river, a city, and even includes circling around oneself. It has several meanings such as honoring, centering, bonding, setting apart, and reaffirmation of the sacred territorial claim. It also symbolizes the completeness yet continuity, fulfillment and quest, contentment and pursuit, comprehension and mystery.

The Hindu temples are designed in such a way with passageways to facilitate the circumambulation.It takes the worshipper from the doorway of the sanctuary, housing the image of symbol of the Deity, around the sanctuary in a clockwise direction where further icons introduce other aspects of the divine. 

Types of Pradakshina:

While walking is the most common offering of Pradakshina, some devotees roll as well. Extreme vows of Pradakshina involve self-humiliation in temples by rolling over the temple trash and in wet clothes.

Who cannot walk around the temple (for some problems, crowds or other reasons) often perform "auto-pradakshina" by going around themselves -- this is like glorifying the God within oneself. 

• Atma Pradakshina:Atma is felt to be inside the body, this would mean that he has made one Pradakshina around his own Self.
• Giri valam: circling the hill.
• Adi pradikshana: take short steps, with the heel of one foot being placed where the tips of the toes of the other foot.
• Anga pradikshina: This will be done in the temples' prahara with wet body and cloths after bathing in the temple pond or well. Lie prostrate, and then roll around the temple, chanting the Lord’s name. It is a prayer which has good effect in many cases.
• Walking on knees
• Pradkshina around trees like peepal & Tulsi plant

Many people take vows to perform pradakshina rounds if their requests for divine help at the time of need are met. So it is common to see Hindus perform 10, 108, or 1000 rounds after a successful surgery, after a wedding or after the birth of a male child.

How to perform pradakshina?

As pradakshina is meant for mental peace it has to be done most reverently. The Amsumathi-aagama further spells out the following.

Padaath padaanuramga chheth karouchala uivarffithou

Sthuthirvaachihpdi dhyaanam chathurangam pradakshinam

Meaning: Four rules are to be observed while doing pradakshina it has to be done slowly by small paces and not hurriedly. With folded or stationary position of hands, by chanting mantras of deity visualizing the presiding deity seated in the heart of the worshipper.

 If one does pradakshina at regular intervals and daily, it results in changing the disturbed poise of the mind of the worshipper taking it to deeper contemplations of the ultimate truth. During pradakshina one forgets one's own body and mind. The worshipper will be chanting hymns and perceiving the deity with total surrender.

Number of Pradakshinas:

For each deity, the minimum number of Pradakshinas to be done is specified.

1. Ganesh: 1
2. Shiva: 2
3. Vishnu: 3
4. Ayyappa: 4
5. Subrahmanya (Karthikeya): 5  Durga: 6
6. Peepal Tree: 7

Doing Pradakshina 21 times to any deity is sanctified.

Mantra when doing pradakshina:

"Yaani kaani cha paapaani Janmaantara krtaani cha Taani taani

vinashyanti Pradakshina pade pade."

Meaning: All the sins committed by an individual from innumerable past births are destroyed by each step taken whilst doing pradakshina.

Scientific Reasons:

• There are three layers when you go inside a temple according to the temple architecture. The first layer is herbal gardens, full of trees and plants. The direction in which the tree is to be planted comes under temple architecture. All plantations are done according to the directions and windflow. There are medicinal herbs, flowers and trees in this outer layer and whenyou pass through this layer, you breathe in those herbal fragrances that cure emotional and physical problems, and body imbalances. It used to be around one kilometer longand while passing through it, your whole body circulation is improved. Essentialfragrances and oils needed by the body are absorbed especially those of the Ashvat (peepal) tree. It is the onlytree which emits oxygen all the 24 hours. All other trees emit oxygen half thetime and carbon dioxide rest of the time. The tree helps a person to overcome many problems, especially infertility.
• ‘Pradakshina’ is not done for the sake of the divine or some otherpurpose but for health benefits.Then there is a second circle in which statues of many menand women are kept. One was asked, in earlier days, to sit and meditate there for a while.This way first circle makes you physically fit, vatta-pitta-kapha balances happens by inhalingthe air. The second circle frees your mind from all fantasies. Then finally youmove on to central part - ‘sanctum sanctorum’ - where you sit with your eyesclosed and experience the nothingness.
• While performing Pradhakshina the mind gets purified and the devotee gets the divine aura that surrounds the deity. Pradakshina signifies that all human activities revovlve around God being at the centre.
• When we encircle the idol we symbolically absorb all the energies emanating from the lord.... all around
• Everything under the sky is subject to rotation and revolution and the soul value of a planet and human is equal and same. Thence, this revolution is translated into Indian languages as 'pradakshina' - i.e., keeping the relationship. In temples also, to keep the relationship for our revolution of life, we entrust the God to be the center.
• The concept of temple is that of the solar system.Like planets benefit energy from sun by moving in clockwise direction to our right around the profound energy source Sun - the devotee walks around the idol for obtaining the energy.
•  The concept of mammoth solar system is reflected in micro level molecular system where electrons revolve around the nucleus.

Interesting Facts:

Pradakshina is always done only in a clockwise manner the reason behind this is that the Lord is always on our right. In India the right side symbolizes auspiciousness. So as we circumambulate the sanctum sanctorum we remind ourselves to lead an auspicious life of righteousness, with the Lord who is the indispensable source of help and strength, as our guide - the "right hand".

Indian scriptures enjoin - matrudevo bhava, pitrudevo bhava, and acharyadevo bhava. May you consider your parents and teachers as you would the Lord. With this in mind we also do pradakshina around our parents and divine personages.

After the completion of traditional worship (puja), we customarily do pradakshina around ourselves. In this way we recognize and remember the supreme divinity within us, which alone is idolized in the form of the Lord that we worship outside.

In Shiva temples, the devotees start the Pradakshina as usual from the front and go clockwise till they reach the gomukhi (the outlet for abhisheka water) from the Sanctum Sanctorum. As usual the clockwise perambulation is maintained outside of the Bali stones. The outlet for the ritual ablution offered on the Shiva Linga with water, milk, curd, coconut water, ghee, ashes (bhasma)etc. is not to be crossed. So the worshippers have to return in anti-clockwise direction till they reach the other side of the drainage outlet to complete the circle. During this anti-clockwise perambulation, the devotee should tread a path inside of the Bali stones. The Bali stones are always to be kept the right side of the devotees. After reaching the drainage outlet, they have to return to the front in the clockwise direction keeping the path outside the Bali stones. Thus one Pradakshina is completed. If you don’t find a bali stone it doesn't matter, make sure you don’t cross gomukhi.

Seeing the palms

Seeing palms: 
We have to rub our palms, warm up eyes and then open our eyes slowly when we wake up in the morning. If you are for money, look at the fingertips, if you want knowledge look at middle of the palm, and so on. And it also has a test, to confirm the percentage of result that you are going to achieve. That is by looking at the merging of Line of Heart of both palms and how best have they met with each other at the joining of both hands. We use hands are for washing, cooking, to carry weights and other type of work or to enjoy the joy. Hence, the hand is a material to solve difficulties in the past, and help the present and future. So, we see the palm in the morning as soon as one awakes.

Cultural Beliefs:

When you walk up in the morning, as the first thing, keep both hand together (both palms opened so you can see the lines and together as if holding palm full of water) with edges of hands touching each other, and have a look at various locations in the palm to receive the result . On seeing this regularly all the inauspicious and evil signs are transformed into auspicious signs and we can even manage to escape from misfortune. Palmistry and astrology are sciences, which are interdependent on each other. Palmistry has some merit, which are relatively more helpful in prophesizing and predicting the future. No two people in this world can have similar palm prints. The palmistry is the exact birth chart of any man, which is never incorrect and false. 

Significance:
We can understand life through palmistry that is the reason why it is considered divine and our scholars have said that one should see his hand immediately when he gets up in the morning. You may also learn this protection mantra that belongs to this simple but effective morning ritual

Mantra: While Getting up from bed

KARAAGRE VASATE LAXMI, KARMADHYE SARASWATI
KARMOOLE STITHO BRAHMA, PRABHATE KARDARSHAMAM ||

Meaning: Lakshmi (Goddess of Money) resides at the tip of the finger, at middle of the palm is Saraswathi (Goddess of Knowledge), at the bracelets resides Brahma (Lord of the Universe) so it’s better to have a look at the palm as the first thing in the morning. Like a lucky charm. 

How to perform:
Observe the lines in the palms of your hands. Rub the fingertips with your thumbs in a circular soothing rhythm (right clockwise circles, left anticlockwise circles). With the fingertips rub the palms. Then turn the right wrist clockwise and the left wrist anticlockwise. First kiss the palm of that side of your body where the flow of breath is stronger, then kiss the other palm. (Kissing confers energy. By kissing your palm, you give your best vibrations to your most effective tool for self-expression.) Rub both hands together and move the palms slowly over your face, covering head, shoulders, arms, and legs, creating an energy shield which wards off negative influences for the whole of the day. Sit silently with an empty mind for a few moments.

Scientific Reasons:

1)Observe each word in the sloka, "ka" is prominent. The word "ka" is very important.To pronounce "ka" uvula is used. The word "rA" is pronounced using the tip of the tongue touching the upper lingua. Once again in "grE" uvula is used. In total to pronounce "KarAgrE" around 3 suborgans of our mouth is used. On similar lines if you observe in chanting the whole sloka all parts of the mouth involved in vocal(production of sound) are used. This is like a warm up to your vocal parts as they had went to rest during sleep.

2)Eyes have two types of photoreceptors ie Rods and Cones. Rods detect the light whereas cones distinguish the colors - red, blue and green. Cones are non-functional in the dark and hence in the night if we are in sudden dark our eyes strain out and even same when we are out of sudden dark. This is because it takes a fraction of minute for the cones to become active. Similarly when we are asleep these photoreceptors are in a rested state, if we suddenly open eyes they will be strained out. sight defect was prominent for middle and old aged people(which was a gradual loss of function) but now a days we can observe even small kids have a high sightedness defects. This happens because kids are stressed more now a days and eyes are not cared properly. One step of care to protect eye is to rub our palms and warm up our eyes when we get up (not only in the morning) from sleep. This activity makes our eyes warm, so that this heat activates the photoreceptors present in eyes. Changes in the eye health can be observed by practicing this activity for at least 3 months.

Interesting Facts:
There is no match to the knowledge of palmistry in the 3 worlds. It is mentioned that the structure of the human body itself is the structure of the entire universe. In the same way as there are changes and transformations taking place because of planets in the universe, there are also changes in the body because of the effect of planets.

Nitya Karmas of a householder

Nitya Karma:

The scriptures have explained some compulsory duties, which must be performed. Each GRIHASTHA (a householder) should perform this NITYA KARMA. According to the rules given in the scriptures, only after that he is fit to be called a SHAT-KARMA ADHIKAARI (or performer of six duties.)

Duties before having bath: There are Six Karmas in the NITYA KARMA

Mantra:

SANDHYAA SNAANAM JAPASHCHAIVA DEVATAANAAM CHA POOJANAM
VAISHVADEVAM TATHATITHYAM SHAT KARMAANI DINE DINE

Meaning:A man should take bath SNAAN, perform SANDHYAA (worship in the evening), Japa (Chanting of Mantras) Devapoojan (Worship of Deities), BALIVAISHVADEVA (repenting atonement for such petty sins which are committed daily and are unavoidable, like we kill infinite number of germs while cooking,walking,cleaning the house etc. There are six Karma to be performed daily.

1.GETTING UP IN THE BRAHMA MUHURTA

A man must get up one and a half hour before Sun Rise. There are many disadvantages of not awaking in that time, described in the scriptures like

Mantra:

BRAAHME MUHURTE YAA NIDRAA SAA PUNYAKSHAYA KAARINEEM,

TAAM KAROTI DVIJO MOHAAT PAAD KRICCHREN SHUDHYATI.

Meaning: A sleep during the time of Brahm Muhurta destroys all the virtues, One who sleeps during this time commits a sin, which can be atoned (PRAYASCHIT) by performing PAADAKRICCHA (There is no need for atonement in the case of a sick man or a man who had been performing KEERTANA the previous night.)

2.KARAAVALOKAN (SEEING THE PALMS)

As soon as one wakes up in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period, the first thing he must do is to watch the palms of Both his hands, and say the following SHLOKA.

Mantra:

KARAAGRE VASATE LAKSHAMIH KARMADHYA SARSWATI,

KARMOOLE STHITO BRAHMAA PRABHAATE KARDARSHANAM

 Meaning: Laxmi dwells in the foremost part of the palm, Saraswati in the middle part of the palm, At the Base of the palm resides Brahma, and One must see his palms everyday

By doing this act no matter how misfortunate a man is, his fortune will change for good because the palms where Laxmi, Saraswati and Brahma dwells, how can that man be unfortunate? According to Palmistry, great importance has been attributed to the Lines of the palm. The Palmist, not only give the details of Man's life from the time of his birth till his death, but he can also give details about his previous births and forthcoming births.

So seeing the palms of the hand in the morning not only begins a good day for us but also it turns the bad lines into good lines. Therefore one must say the given Shloka while seeing the palms.

3.BHOOMI VANDANA (SALUTATION TO MOTHER EARTH)

After getting up from the Bed and before keeping your feet down on the Bhoomi (Mother Earth) one should do salutations to Bhoomi and also beg for pardon for the helplessness of putting your feet on her, by saying this shloka.

Mantra:

SAMUDRAVASANE DEVI PARVAT ASTANMANDALE,

VISHNU PATNI NAMASTUBHYAM PAAD SPARSHAM KSHAMASVAME

Meaning: Salutations to the wife of Lord Vishnu, Vasundhara (Earth), who’s Vastra (Apparels) are SAMUDRA (Oceans), and whose STANA (Breast) are the Mountains. Forgive me for the sin, by putting my feet upon you.

The Status of Mother Earth is higher than our own mother, who has given birth to us, because our Mothers look after our welfare till we are grown up i.e. (feeding, Sanitation etc.) but the Mother earth looks after us and care for us, since the time of birth, till we die by nourishing us with food, and accepting even our excrement. Even after being indebted to Mother, Earth, a man acts unfaithfully to her by causing numerous harms to her, like digging, filling the earth with waste products, felling trees etc. To make her sons happy and satisfied, Mother Earth accepts all the pains.

4.MANGAL DARSHANA (AUSPICIOUS SIGHT)

After the salutations to the Mother Earth sight of Chandana (Sandalwood) Sona (Gold), Shankh (Conch), Mridanga (a Rhythmic musical instrument), Darpana (Mirror), Mani (diamond) are considered Auspicious. After that one should make salutations to his GURU (Teacher, Mother-Father, elders) Agni (Fire) and the Sun (Surya).

5.PROSTRATION TO MOTHER FATHER AND GURU (TEACHER)

One must daily prostrate before his parents GURU (TEACHER) and all the elders, because according to the VEDAS, Parents and Teachers have been compared with the Devta (Deities) like,MATRI DEVO BHAVAH, PITRA DEVO BHAVAH, AACHAARYA DEVO BHAVAH

(Mother, Father and Teacher are deities).

Mantra:

ABHIVAADAN SHEELASYA NITYAM VRIDDHO UPASEVINAH,
CHATVAARI TASYA VARADAHANTE AAYURVIDDYA YASHOBALAM

Meaning: One who is a prostrator by nature, and is always in the service of Old (VRIDDHA) (GYAANVRIDDHA (Senior on account of his knowledge), KARMAVRIDDHA- Being Senior on account of his Superior Actions).AVASTHAVRIDDHA (Senior on account of his Age) achieves four things AAYU (Long-Life) VIDDYA (Knowledge) YASHA (FAME) and BALA (Strength).

These four things have invaluable importance in the life of a Man. A person who possesses all these four things, does not lack anything in the life. Therefore a Man should try to practice Prostration. After the Prostration, it is necessary to purify our minds.

6.PURIFICATION OF MIND (MAANASIK SHUDDHI MANTRA)

Mantra:

OM APAVITRAH PAVITRO VAA SARVAAVASTHAAM GATOPIVAA,

YAH SMARET PUNDAREEKA AKSHAM SA VAAHYAA BHYANTARAH SHUCHIH       

ATINEEL GHANSHYAAMAM NALINAAYAT LOCHANAM

SMARAAMI PUNDAREEKAAKSHAM TEN SNAATO BHAVAAMYAHAM

One should sprinkle water on his body after saying these two Mantras. By doing this one purifies his body.Then one should remember the Almighty God by doing JAPA (Chanting of Mantras), Kirtan (devotional song) etc according to his liking.

Bhoomi Vandanam-Salutations to mother earth

Bhoomi Vandanam: 

It is Salutations to Mother Earth. Mother earth  rotates us around sun, giving us every morning and evening, giving birth and death,
giving rise and fall, giving knowledge and intellectuality, giving food and shelter, giving  good and bad. She is a living organism that nourishes and sustains us.

Cultural Beliefs:

In our Hindu culture, Mother Earth is looked upon as Goddess, and not merely one of the five elements of creation. Therefore, placing one’s feet on her is looked upon as an act of disrespect. In seeking  forgiveness from the Goddess, one acknowledges the divinity around. We have to transcend our debilitating ignorance, our destructive lifestyles, our cold selfishness, and transform ourselves into higher beings of Collective Consciousness.

Significance:

Mantra: when touching  the ground with the hand before keeping the first foot on the ground in the morning when we get up from the bed after the sleep.

samudravasane devi
parvatasthana mandale
vishnupatni namastubhym
padasparsam kshamasva me

Meaning:
It says, mother earth, you are with the rivers and mountains on you. Salutations to the wife of Vishnu deva. Forgive me for keeping my feet on you. The mother earth is the wife of the protector Vishnu. Earth is the mother who feeds all of us. The mother with the mountains and the river flowing from that mountain is the breast milk that is being fed to its kids. This sloka is a salutation and begging the forgiveness for stepping on her.

Scientific Reasons:

• Sitting in the  same bed  where  you sleep everyday, without cleaning the  teeth-face-body,  mantra  is chanted, because  the body was  horizontal   for the whole night while  sleeping  and it is going to  become  vertical ( suddenly) when you get up. 
• In  the  vertical position of the body  the   force  exerted by the heart  for pumping the blood is  more, hence  the change of position of the body  from horizontal to vertical level  should be  slow  and  steady. Hence  we are  instructed to  sit on the bed  for few seconds ( it has been   statistically estimated that  23% of the heart  attack deaths  take place  in the heart patients  when they suddenly get up  and stand/walk from the lying position ). 
• Similarly  with  a mantra  we  touch the floor  samudra vasane devi parvatha sthana mandale Vishnu patnee namasthubhyam paada sparsam  kshamaswa me.   The bio static electricity in the body  gets earthed through the  fingers  instead of the  feet, reducing the  chance of  arthritis  and many other  nervous based  disorders.
• We have bio-energy in us that supports our life, thinking and every other inner and outer activity. While sleeping, it has a calm working, and not much of energy is used. There is much energy around us; all in the form of subtle electromagnetic energy. Energies in the form of electromagnetic subtle particles settle around other energy and settle at peripherals.
• At sleep one may have bad dreams and the other thought processes that also burn the bio-energy and thus disposes some electromagnetic energy around. These energies will settle around our AURA. Thus by the time we wake up in the morning, the AURA will have an energy cover, which is not useful for us. This bad energy needs to be disposed off.
• Electric equipment has a plug with the earth-pin for the disposal of the extra-unwanted energy. The unwanted energy that is around our body will automatically get earthen as we step from bed. This happens through the leg in the first step itself.

Interesting Facts:

Most of the paralytic and heart attack happens during the time when one gets out of the bed during when the earthling happens through the leg. It is proved that energy transfer trough hand is safer than the legs. That could be the reason for the sapa / beating and asirvada / patting being given with hands only.Thus touching the ground for some time before the leg touch the ground is a good health practice in life.