Purification of body, mind and intellect with holy water
with sanctified water is known as Udakashanti. Water gets purified when Vedic
hymns are chanted over it. The sanctified water is either sprinkled or used for
bathing by the individual who undergoes various samskaras in Hinduism.
The procedure to conduct the purification of body, mind and
intellect with purified water is prescribed in Bodhayana Sutra. The ritual
commences with the propitiation of Vishwaksena or Ganapati.
The priest conducting the ritual prepares the preliminary
work by propitiating Varuna in a pot filled with water and covered by coconut,
flower, mango leaves and durva grass.
The deity representing each of the above items is invoked
with the relevant mantra and Vedic Brahmins recite the Udaka Shanti Mantra.
The
japa lasts for at least one hour, invoking the following deities for conferring
prosperity, welfare and sanctification both the environment and the conductors:
- Veda Purusha – one mantra from each of the four Vedas
- Ashta Dikpalas (guardians of the eight directions
- Twenty seven stars or nakshatras
- Pancha Bhutas (water, air, fire, space and earth)
- Navagraha Devatas, Apsaras, the deity representing day, night, twilight, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.
The ritual is performed during the following samskaras –
garbhadhana, pumsavana, simantonnayana, chaula, upanayana, vivahabandhan, ugra
ratha shanty, bhima ratha shanthi, maha pataka shanti, mahabhaya nivarana,
mahapida parihara and one who desires material welfare.