#BookExcerpts #Venkateshwara #Balaji

In Part-2 of the thread series, today I will give an insight into the rituals and details about various Prasadam and significance of the same.

1/ https://twitter.com/GunduHuDuGa/status/1350784265269571585

To recollect from yesterday, the priest chants Atma Suktam inviting Maha Vishnu onto himself to perform the archana.

After the celestial bath (Snanasanam) & Yatrasanam (holding Durbar), food is offered tot God which i called Bhoyasanam.

2/

The offering is called Naivedhyam, which is complete surrender to God. It's not a momentary surrender, but an entire lifetime to him.

There are rules and regulations regarding the preparation procedure, ingredients, proportions, timings etc.

3/

Cooks:
- Can be of Vaikhanasa sect or Pancharathra sect as alternative

Vessels:
- Gold, Silver, Copper or earthern pot

Water:
- River or Lake or Well

Fire:
- To be brought from Yajnashala where Homam is conducted

Fuel:
- Mango tree or Ashwatha or Palsa

4/

Note: Trees that produce milky secretions / with thorns are avoided

Rules:
- After food is prepard, cooks can't smell the food, outsiders shouldn't see the food

- Cooks to cover nose and mouth with cloth during cooking

- Kitchen is closed after dinner is prepared

5/

Procedure:

When devotees leave the sanctum, the Antaralam and Garbhalayam are cleaned with water - Shuddhi

After sanctifying the place with the recitation of Gayatri Mantra & sprinkling of water, food is brought in covered vessels & placed in front of lord

6/

Door to Antarlam is closed with only Archaka inside to offer food to Bhagwan.

Ghee is sprinkled and Tulasi leaves are placed on all food varieties, while reciting the Vishnu Gayatri Mantra

7/

Archaka displays Grasa mudra, bringing together thumb, midldle & ring fingers, Archaka touches the food material, the right palm of god and takes to mouth of god as if to feed him.

He mentions all varieties of rice and sweets & requests Bhagwan to accept the food

8/

While performing this procedure, a sacred mantra called Anna Suktam is also recited.

Teertha / water mixed with herbs is also offered intermittently

As a final step, Mukha vasam with betel nut, betel leaves, cardamom, cloves, camphor is offered. Now naivedyam is complete

9/

Karpooraarathi with Kshama Mantram for any mistakes in proceudre is chanted

Naivedhyam is indicated by the ringing of the huge bells throughout the ritual, which is expected to drive away evil spirits and welcome gods to be present during the food ritual

10/

Main food offerings are offered thrice in a day

6 - 6.30 am : Breakfast - Bala Bhogam
10 - 11 am : Lunch - Raja Bhogam
7 - 8 pm : Dinner - Shyana Bhogam

After naivedyam, it is distributed to all devottees who should consider it as a DIVINE GIFT only

11/

Bhagwan himself has clarified that like water vaporizes & returns as rain, Naivedhyam reaches God and Bhakti / Devotion of the Bhaktas is accepted by God.

In addition to above main offerings, other offerings are also made on different occasions

12/

During Ekanta Seva in the morning (just after Bhagwan has woken up), fresh raw milk and fresh buffer are offered.

As part of Yartrasanam, God is offered mixture of Jaggery, Black Sesame Seeds and Dried Ginger, all powdered together.

13/

Midnight food offering, Thiruveesam consisting of cooked white rice and jaggery rice (Sudhannam & Guda-annam) is offered.

Finally, hot milk with fruits & dried fruits deep fried in ghee are placed before god.

14/

Laddus:

After being offered to God, the laddus attain great importance & are equivalent to divine Amrutham

If some one is having Sarpa dosham, Amrutha Kalasha prasadam is considered as very beneficial.

15/

Mudga-annam:

During Brahmotsavam, on the day of Dwajarohanam i.e. hoisting God's flag, Garuda in the flag is offered Mudga-annam / Pongal / Kodepongal.

Devotees praying for progeny seek this prasadam

16/

Rice Prasadams:
- Mudga Annam / Pongal
- Chakkara Pongal
- Pulihora
- Dadhyodanam /Curd Rice
- Kesari Baath / Saffron Rice
- Sakkari Baath / Sweet Rice
- Marichya Annam /Black pepper Rice
- Kadambam / Vegetable Rice
- Bakala Baath /Spicy Curd Rice
- Matra Annam / Butter Rice

17/

Sweet Prasadams:
- Payasam
- Kesari / Seera
- Laddu
- Appam
- Jalebi
- Manoharam / Jaggery Laddu
- Poli
- Sukhiyam / Stuffed Laddu
- Bellapu Dosa / Jaggery Dosa
- Amrutha Kalasam
- Durbar Prasadam

18/

Salty Prasadams:
- Vada
- Dosa
- Ghee Dosa
- Tenatoli / Jantikalu
- Sundal
- Vada Pappu

Uncooked Offerings:
- Panakam / Gududakam
- Milk
- Butter
- Dry fruits
- Betel Nuts, Betel Leaves
- Cloves, Cardamom, Dry Coconut, Nutmeg

19/

Disc:
All snippets are from the book & all credits should go to original authors A.V. Ramana Dikshitalu & Kota Neelima

Photos Courtesy: Google / snapshots from the book.

This thread is a humble offering to the lotus feet of my aaradhya deiva, Sri Venkateshwara Swamy