Significance of celebrating 60th Birth anniversary of a Father.

"August is the eight month of the year named after the Roman Empire Augustus.
August also means "Sublime" & "Majestic". So why not to begin the posting for August with a sublime and majestic one."

This is indeed going to be a little lengthy article-but very much worth reading, between lines- So have patience and perseverance and read it attentively.

In the beginning while reading, you may feel the subject title, irrelevant, read and upon completion of reading , I believe so,you will be contended and satisfied.

It is better to have awareness and reasons of the benefits of celebrating 60th Birthday of one's Father.

The performance of rituals gain benefits. such as peaceful and healthy life in old age, leading people on to esoteric consciousness.

The contents of this article is from a book with a strange origin with interesting outcome. The book was written by an ancient Brahmin, to this date no one knows who he was. The book was discovered in Tibet and was translated into English by an author residing in China and made its first appearance in 1751 in England. The contents of the book are exhilarating. What's being written below is only some extracts from the book.(I have again edited ,to make it as short as possible)

The uniqueness and importance of the book is in the simple and lucid manner in which it explains the "DUTY OF PARENTS TO THEIR CHILDREN AND OF CHILDREN TOWARDS THEIR PARENTS" who have brought them up so well in life.

DUTIES OF FATHER TO SON:-

Consider, thou art a parent, the importance of thy trust the being thou has produced it is thy duty to support.

Upon thee also it depends whether the child of thy bosom shall be a blessing or a curse of thyself, a useful or a worthless member of the community. Prepare him early with instruction, and season his mind with the maxims of truth.

Watch the bend of his inclination , set him right in his youth and let no evil habit gain strength with his years.So shall he rise like a cedar on the mountains, his head shall be seen upright above the trees of the forest.A wicked son is a reproach to his father, but he that does right is an honour to his grey hair. The soil is your own, let it not want cultivation, the seed which you sow shall you reap.

1.Teach him obedience, and he shall bless thee.

2.Teach him modesty, and he shall not be ashamed.

3.Teach him gratitude , and he shall receive
benefits.
4.Teach him Charity, and he shall gain Love.

5.Teach him temperance , and he shall have health. teach him prudence and fortune shall attend him.

6.Teach him justice, and he shall be honoured by the world.
7.Teach him sincerity and his own heart shall not reproach him.

8.Teach him diligence, and his wealth shall increase.

9.Teach him benevolence , and his mind shall be exalted.

10.Teach him science, and his life shall be useful.
11.Teach him religion , and his death shall be happy.

DUTIES OF A SON TO HIS FATHER:-

From the creatures of the God let man learn wisdom and apply to himself the instruction they give.
Go to the desert, my son, observe the young stork of the wilderness, let him speak to thy heart. He beareth on his wings his aged sire, he lodged him in safety and supplied him with food.

The piety of a child is sweeter than the incense of Persia offered to the SUN, yea, more delicious than the odours wafted from a field of Arabian spices by the western gales.

BE GRATEFUL TO PARENTS:-

Be grateful, to thy father , for he gave thee life, and to thy mother , for she sustained thee.

Hear the words of his mouth. for they are spoken for your good, give ear to his admonition, for it proceeds from Love.

He has watched for your welfare, he has toiled for your cause , do honour,to his age and let not his grey hair be treated with irreverence.

Forget not your helpless infancy nor the forwardness of your youth, and indulge in infirmities of your aged parents, assist and support them in the DECLINE OF THEIR LIFE.

So shall their hoary heads go down to the grave in peace, and your own children, in reverence of your example, shall repay your piety with filial Love.

Very many years ago, similar ideas have been expressed by our saints. Tiruvalluvar in Tirukkural wrote:-

"The gratefulness reciprocated by son to his father to be expressed by others in such a manner that they say-what amount of penance he had done to get such a virtuous son."

How happy the parents would be , when such noble children perform ritualistic functions in honour of their parents in vedic style and reciprocate their sincerity and gratitude.

Now let's read through the subject matter after having explained of the duties of relationship between parents and children.

The following "Shantis" are necessarily to be performed ritually during ones life.

1. At the end of 54th year Bheema Santhi.
2. At the beginning of 60th year Ugraradha Shanti.
3. At the end of 60th yearSasahti Abda Poorti Shanti.
4. At the beginning of 70th year Bheemaraatha Shanti.
5. At the beginning of 72nd year ratha Shanti.
6. At the end of 72nd year Vijaya ratha Shanti.
AND
7. At the appropriate time after 80th year and after one thousand Chandra darsans, Sattabishekam
AND
8. At the end of his centenary year Kanakabhishekam.

These shantis are prescribed for one to ward off illness and become strong and healthy at old age . These shantis bring equilibrium and strength to their physical bodies and minds, so that they may be able to concentrate on meditation, turn towards godliness and attain esoteric consciousness.

Though Shantis at different stages are prescribed, normally people perform Sashti Abda Poorthi(60th birth anniversary) and Sathabhishekam(80th birth anniversary) rituals. I shall limit myself narrating the significance of only these two rituals.

Sashti Abda poorthi Shanti is to be performed at the end of 60th year in one's life. The following deities and great souls and rishis are propitiated and worshipped.
1. Mrutyunjaya:-
It is desired that holy Triambaka mantra to be recited, as it is a life giving mantra.

Worship Lord Siva who is all fragrance and who nourishes all beings, may he liberate us from death for the sake of immortality even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage of creeper.

It is also a Moksha mantra, It is Lord Siva's mantra. It bestows long life, peace, wealth, prosperity, satisfaction and immortality. It saves one from accidents.

2. Brahma: Offer obeisance to the Brahmaswarupi, the Lord of Sharada, the one who is exalted, the one who is seated on the Hamsa, the one who has four faces and the one who has Satyaloka as his abode.

3. Vishnu:- The well known dhyana sloka of Vishnu Sahasranama is to be recited. He is invoked as resting on the serpent, dear to Goddess Lakshmi, and accessible to yogis in their hearts.

4. Rudra:- O Lord Parameswara ! You are in the highest form. You have a lock of thick hair resembling dense black smoke. You bear the moon on your head Please accept the worship performed by me.

5.Markandeya:- O Sage son of Mrukanda Rishi, grand son of Rishyasringa, you are always meditating on Lord siva. I pray upon you.

6.Navagrahas;-The Sun,Angaraka, Sukra,Soma(Moon),Budha,Brihaspati,Saniswara,Rahu & Kethu are propitiated. pulses and cereals are placed along with related vastra(cloth)(appropriate and as applicable) to propitiate the Navagrahas.

7.Sapata Chiranjeevins:- Aswathama, mahabali,Vyasa, Hanuman,Vibheeshana, Krupa and Parasurama are worshipped.

8.Ayur Devata:- Worshipping daily and on special occasion like this,gives longevity.

9.Samvatsara devatas:- beginning with Prabhava and ending with Akshaya, there are 60 years. It is therefore significant that a man born on Prabhava completes his 60th year in Akshaya and re-starts at Prabhava. Thus he has seen all the years that had blessed him during his 60 year life circle.

10. Nakshatra Devatas:-As you are aware that there are 27 main constellations beginning with Aswini and ending with revathi.The reason for worshipping the Nakshtra Devatas is for stability and permanency.

11.Ashtadikpalas are:-(The directions controlled by each are indicated in bracket.All the ashtadikpalas are to be worshipped for overall well being, prosperity, good health etc.

1.Indra(East)-King of all Devas,

2.Agni(south-East)-7 flames of Agni are his hands,4 Vedas his horns & he illumines the whole world),

3.Yama(south)-a great justice,

4.Nirruti(south-west)-considered as a demon of south-west direction.Though demon by birth considered as Punyathma, follows as per Sruti and Smriti.Born for the benefit of helping righteous men.

5.Varuana(west)-The one rich with jewels,master of all waters.

6.Vayu(North-west)-The prana(life) in all beings,

7.Kubera (North)-son of Visravas and Idavida, a friend of Parameswara and cousin of Ravana,Kumbakarna and Vibishana.

8.Isanam(North-East)-Winner of Mrityu.having the great honour of being iswara.

12.Saaptha Rishis, are:-
1.Kasyapa.
2.Atri.
3.Bharadwaja.
4.Viswamitra.
5.Gauatahama.
6.Jamadagni.
7.Vasishta.
These great rishis are remembered on this auspicious occasion. They are the one's who has given us the prime mantras, to thank them we worship them during 60th birth day celebrations.

All these devatas,great souls,and rishis are pleased by the repeated chanting of their mantras, offering pujas, homams in Agni with appropriate samits and they bless the person celebrating 60th birth day.

Have so far seen a list of devatas, great souls, rishis etc and their importance and significance. The main aspect of celebration is Kumbha or Kalasa stapanam. There are rules governing how and where these Kalasas are to be placed, and this will be guided to the house holder by the vedic scholars conducting the rituals and the sanctification process is religiously observed. The following 11 mangala dravyas are to be applied.

1. Gorochana: To be applied on the heads of Husband and wife for longevity,health,fame,courage and prosperity.

2.Cow's milk curd: To smear a small quantity on their foreheads(for prosperity, sweet, fragrance and comforts around for ever).

3. Cow's Ghee:- Smeara little amount of cow's ghee on their eye lids.(for brightness,good appearance and good conduct.)

4.Green grass:- Keep few grass on their heads(Longevity, devoid of diseases and for very strong body).

5.Cow's milk:- A spoonful of cow's milk should be sprinkled on their heads(for strength and longevity).

6.Fruits: Touch fruits with hands.

7.Flowers; wear flowers on the heads with veneration.

8.Mirror: see the faces in the mirror(for disappearance of poverty evil devatas and ugliness).

9.Lighted Lamp: See the lighted lamp(Let there not be darkness,intelligence and lack of knowledge).

10.Earth soil: Touch the earth brought from beneath the Tulsi plant.

11. Gold: Keep a gold coin or an ornament on the head. The gold removes all sins and brings comforts.

After mangala dravyas are applied the couple take bath in sanctified water from the Kalasa wherein rituals are already performed.

The japas to be chanted during the rituals are:-
Rudra Gayathri,Tryambakam,Yaajamahe,Vedas, Dikpala mantras, Apo Hisshta, Hiranya varnaPavamanye,Varuna,Braahman,Vishnu, Rudra,Durga, Sri Bhoosuktani,, Rudram, Chamakam,Putrushasooktham,Gruthasooktham,Panchasanthi,and Navagraha Mantras.

Hoamam include mainly Svishtakrita homam and Jayathi Homam.
The ardra vastra and Kumbha Vastra are to be offered to brahmins. The clothes worn during the time of Abhishekam i.e the Dhoti and upper cloth, the sari and the blouse worn by the consort of the performer and the cloth wrapped around the Kumbhas as well icons kept in the Kumbha should be offerred to the priests performed the rituals.

Now comes Dhana(give aways to the priests). Well this depends upon ones affordability and no hard and fast rules can be laid rigidly and the priests should also feel satisfied with what the receive from the couples.Phaladhanam to be given to all tyhe participants towards mutual wish of gratitude.The giver pleases the receiver and the receiver blesses the giver.

And finally mangalya puja is performed with chanting of mantra. hen the wife is seated facing eastwards and the husband stand facving north. He ties the mangaalya around the neck of his wife with the blessings of all Gods,Goddesses and Rishis. Thus the celebration come to an auspicious end.

The only occasion where children can witness their own parents getting married. Is it not a divine occasion and scene ? Yes of course.

J.K