Achamanam (achamana, achmana) is one of the most important rituals in the Hindu tradition. It is a male purification ritual that is believed to cure all physical and mental illnesses.[1] As such, it is performed prior to almost all other Brahmin rituals.
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Achamanam generally precedes all Brahmin rituals, as it is necessary to be purified for the performance of all other major rituals. However, various daily acts are also believed to invalidate one's purity in the Hindu tradition, and achamanam is to be performed in order to rectify this. These occasions include:
There are various forms of Achamanam depending on which set of Hindu beliefs one ascribes to and the context within which one is performing the ritual. The most common forms of Achamanam are the smriti and sruti achamana, and they are the most generally practiced. The next most common is the purana form, which is primarily practiced by Vaishnavites but is often appropriated by Shaivites and others as well.
The simplest versions of achamanam consist of sipping water 3 times from the Brahma-Grantha (base of the right thumb) while reciting different mantras in praise of the lord. Water is first poured into the cupped palm of the right hand. One then recites the specific mantra and silently sips the water from the base of the thumb.
In the sruti achamanam, the three mantras are:
In the smriti form, one recites parts of the Gayatri mantra while sipping water:
These forms of achamanam are performed constantly throughout most major Hindu rituals. Important examples include marriages and upanayana.
As part of sandhyavandanam, some of the achamana are replaced by the longer purana achamana, which extends the sruti achamanam. First, the sruti is performed, and then it is extended to the purification of the chakras through the touching of certain fingers of the right hand to certain points on the face and body, along with mantras. These are:
These may be performed whether or not a ritual is to follow; its significance in ritual purification is as valid as "basic" achamanam, and vice versa.
Achamanam is not to be done immediately after taking prasad, or sipping tirtha - as these are holy and pure in itself and the symbolic act of purifying oneself through achamanam insults these articles' holiness.
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