Aasirvaadham / Blessing

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Aasirvaadham /Blessing - a Unique Hindu tradition - 1:

Nowhere else in the world, in any tradition or religion, one finds a practice of ‘active Blessing, called Aasirvaadham. Right from Vedic times, it has been customary in india to seek the ‘Blessing of the Divine’. Many Vedic Mantrams end with this ‘Divine Blessing’ for the ‘welfare of humanity’. Even though the prayer may be done by ‘one individual, the benediction blesses all of humanity and even the other creatures’. In fact, the Bhagawaan or the Supreme Being is defined as One capable of giving whatever is needed. Every ‘pooja/worship’ either a simple one at one’s home or an elaborate ritual at a temple or special occasions’, end with a benediction - which includes all creatures and all forms of material, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs. This is the main reason that the Upanishadic Brahman,  the One Abstract NirGuNa ParaBrahman was ‘transformed into’ a Bhagawaan, a Concrete Visualizable SuGuNa ParaBrahman - who can be ‘shaped and molded and adorned’ to suit one’s own emotional, spiritual taste. (We had come across many of these while studying various slokams, Mantra Pushpam and Shaanthi Mantras, earlier).

All traditions have the custom of ‘greeting one another on meeting’ as a mark of goodwill. (Our form of Greeting is with ‘folded palms’ saying Namaste or Namaskaaram, or equivalent in any Indian language). But what is more significant is that it was believed that ‘blessings from one’s elders’, who are our well-wishers, go a long way in ensuring a ‘happy, prosperous, healthy and fulfilling life’. While there could be jealousy and competition between peers, it is believed that one’s elders will be always our well-wishers. Of course it was also granted that the ‘youngsters will show respect to the elders’ and as demonstration of that respect, touch their feet or do Sashtanga Namaskaaram.  Various forms of Aasirvaadhams or Blessings have been set up for the elders to say to the youngster who is prostrating to them.

Aaseervaadham/Blessing - a unique Hindu tradition - 2:

As pointed out earlier, it is customary for all Hindu prayers to end with ‘benefits that accrue to the one who chants it’, called PhalaStuthi. Even a text like Bhagawad-Geethaa has one, obviously added later, called Geethaa Maahaatmyam appended in Varaaha PuraaNa. In it, even Lord VishNu (whose Avataar was Sri KrishNa, who gave the Geetha to Arjuna), says that He is able to ‘control and manage the Three Worlds’ through the guidelines given in Geetha!

Coming to the human level, the Aaseervaadham is equivalent given by an elder to a younger person. To seek this ‘Blessing’, the younger one is supposed to prostrate at the feet of the elder. Even though, as per tradition, we are supposed to seek the ‘blessings of parents and Guru/Teacher’, at least on special days like ‘birthdays, anniversaries, festivals like New Year, one is supposed to take the blessings.

The Blessings are of many types depending on the occasion, and the person seeking it. We will have a brief look at some of them. For instance, the most general one which applies to all is ‘Sukhi Bhava!’ - Be Happy. For birthdays, it can be ‘Aayushmaan Bhava!’ or ‘Aayushmathi Bhava!’ - Have Life (long) depending on whether the recipient is a man or a woman. A better one will be ‘Deergaayush Bhava! - Have a long Life. Often, this is replaced with a more specific one ‘Sathaayushmaan Bhave!’ - Live for hundred years (this lifespan is considered as a ‘normal human lifespan’). For a newly married couple, one blesses the Bride first ‘DeergaSumangali Bhava!’ - Have a long auspicious (life), which implies that both she and her husband live long and prosperously. In fact, this is a standard blessing for a married woman (with husband alvie) during her whole life. An alternative, which probably better suited to today’s society, is ‘Sowbhaagyavati Bhava!’ - Be possessed of all the hundred good fortunes (the list of 100 includes wealth, health, offsprings, etc,), without ‘implying or bringing in the spouse’! For men, it could be simply ‘Bhaagyavaan Bhava!’ - Possess all riches. Similarly, for both husband and wife together, the best blessing could be ‘Sukhi Bhava!’ which is neutral. Thus, while directly blessing the Bride it also has a blessing for the Groom. For a pregnant woman, the blessing is ‘Putravathi Bhava!’ - Have a safe delivery.

For a student, a standard blessing is ‘Buddhimaan Bhava!’ - Be Intelligent (by studying well). If one is going to sit for any special task like an interview/test, then it is appropriate to bless ‘PhalaSiddhi rastu!’ - Let you be successful (the task bear fruit). For good health, one blesses ‘AarogyaSiddhi rastu!’ - Let you be without illness. When one is going for a competition (or traditionally even a war), the simple blessing is ‘Vijayee Bhava!’ - Be Victorious. The most general all-inclusive blessing is ‘SarvaabheeshtaPhalasiddhi rastu!’ - Let all your wishes bear fruit. Other one which can be generally used is ‘MangaLam Bhavatu!’ - Let Auspiciousness abound.

Of course, there are many blessings which we seek indirectly, like while starting on a journey - Jai Bajrangbali! - invoking the valor of Hanumaan to make your journey accident-free. Hindu tradition, thus, has emphasized on ‘creating a positive environment around’ for every task that we perform in this world. The more blessings one takes from elders (as many as possible), the better are our chances of succeeding in our tasks, as we embark on it with ‘a positive mental spirit’ and ‘confidence’. Half the battle is thus won even before we start! Though all the above Aaseervaadhams are in Sanskrutam, the traditional one, all Indian languages have equivalents to express the same sentiments.

Let us understand this and practice it. It does not cost anything, except having a ‘sense of humility’ and ‘respect for elders’.

Contd......