Upakarma

Upakarma is a Vedic ritual that means "to begin." It is performed on the full moon day of the month of Shravan. Upakarma is actually a part of the Upanayana ceremony, where students studying the Vedas are sent to their guru to begin their Vedic studies. This festival is celebrated across India. Brahmins associated with the Rigveda perform their Upakarma ritual during the Shravana Nakshatra of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan, known as Rigveda Upakarma. Those associated with the Yajurveda perform it on the full moon day of Shravan, known as Yajurveda Upakarma. Similarly, Brahmins following the Samaveda celebrate it during the Hasta Nakshatra of the month of Bhadrapada, known as Samaveda Upakarma.

Method of Upkarma

During the Upakarma performed in the month of Shravan, there are mainly three stages:

1. Prayaschitta Sankalpa (Resolution for Atonement)

2. Samskara (Purification Ceremony)

3. Swadhyaya (Self-Study)

In the first stage of the Upakarma ritual, individuals make a vow for atonement to cleanse their sins. Under the guidance of a guru, students take a holy bath with cow's milk and cow urine to purify themselves and atone for any sins committed unknowingly throughout the year. They also vow to avoid gossip, violence, control their senses, and always adopt good conduct in the future.

The second stage is the purification ceremony, known as Samskara. During this process, those who have already undergone the Upanayana ceremony change their old sacred thread (janeu) and wear a new one while reciting mantras and also worship the old thread. Those who have not yet undergone the Upanayana ceremony perform it on this day. This ritual is considered auspicious and is believed to be a rebirth for the individual.

The third stage is self-study. In this stage, those who have completed the Upakarma ritual begin their study of the Vedas.

Why is it considered important to perform the Upakarma ritual on the full moon day of Shravan?

The full moon day of Shravan is considered extremely auspicious because it is the day when Lord Vishnu protected the Vedas by defeating a demon. In this incarnation, Lord Vishnu had the head of a horse and the body of a human. It is believed that worshipping Lord Vishnu in his Hayagriva form on this day enhances intelligence and memory. On this auspicious day, it is customary to perform rituals like the sacred thread ceremony (Yajnopavitam), the initiation ceremony (Upanayana), and other religious practices. Performing Upakarma, along with donations, guru worship, offerings to ancestors (Tarpana), and penance, is considered highly beneficial on Shravan Purnima.

Story of the Hayagriva Avatar

Hayagriva was the mighty son of Sage Kashyap and Danu. Following his father's orders, Hayagriva began intense penance to Goddess Mahamaya on the banks of the Saraswati River. For many years, he did not eat or drink anything, focusing solely on his penance. Pleased with his devotion, the Goddess appeared before him and asked him to request a boon. Hayagriva bowed to the Goddess and asked, "O Mother! If you are truly pleased with me, grant me the boon of immortality." The Goddess replied, "My son, in this world, whoever is born must die. No one can escape this law, not even virtuous souls when their merits are exhausted. Ask for another boon."

Then Hayagriva said, "O Mother! Only someone of my form, that is, another Hayagriva, should be able to kill me, and no one else." The Goddess granted his request by saying, "So be it," and disappeared.

Hayagriva believed he had become invincible since there was no one like him in the three worlds who could kill him. Being a demon, he began to oppress the people. Wherever there was a Yajna (sacrificial ritual), he would send his demon army to disrupt it and cause suffering to sages and devotees of Lord Vishnu. Due to Hayagriva's atrocities, there was chaos everywhere. When Hayagriva learned that the deities gained strength through worship, yajnas, and rituals.

So, he announced to the people that from now on, no one should worship the deities. Anyone who worships the deities will surely meet their end. In this way, the wicked demon began to torment devotees and sages.

Hayagriva commanded his subjects to worship only him and not the deities. Filled with arrogance, he declared, "I am the lord of the three worlds; therefore, you should worship only me." Despite Hayagriva's orders, the people continued to endure his oppression but refused to worship the demons. Hayagriva's commander then explained that the basis for worshiping the deities lies in the knowledge contained in the Vedas, which were created by Lord Vishnu. Since there was no such basis for worshiping Hayagriva, the people were unwilling to worship him.

Hayagriva thought that if the Vedas were gone, worship of the deities would also stop. When Lord Brahma learned that Hayagriva wanted to steal the Vedas, he went to Lord Shiva and suggested that the Vedas should be entrusted to humans so they could study and gain knowledge from them. Taking advantage of Brahma’s absence, Hayagriva stole all four Vedas. When Brahma realized that Hayagriva had taken the Vedas, all the deities went to Lord Vishnu. Brahma said to Vishnu, "O Lord! Please help us quickly. The demon Hayagriva has stolen the Vedas, causing harm to Dharma and spreading ignorance in the world. If the Vedas are not retrieved soon, the world will be plunged into darkness of adharma and ignorance. Lord Vishnu said, "The four Vedas were created by me, and it is my duty to protect them." Saying this, Vishnu went to the battlefield to fight Hayagriva. The battle continued for many days, but there was no clear result. Both the demon Hayagriva and Vishnu became exhausted from fighting. They decided to rest on the battlefield. During their rest, Lord Vishnu entered into yogic sleep. While Vishnu was resting, his bowstring was taut.

Lord Brahma tried to awaken Vishnu but was unsuccessful. So, Brahma created a creature named Vamri to wake Vishnu. Following Brahma’s orders, Vamri cut the bowstring. The cutting of the bowstring caused a terrible noise, and Vishnu's head became detached from his body. The deities were in despair as they saw Vishnu’s head severed from his body, which seemed to be the only hope of ending Hayagriva’s terror. Upset, the deities began to praise Goddess Mahamaya. Pleased with their praise, the Goddess blessed the deities and requested Brahma to attach a horse's head to Vishnu’s body so that Vishnu could resemble Hayagriva and defeat him.

Hearing the Goddess's words, the deities were filled with joy. Immediately, Brahma followed the Goddess's instructions and placed a horse's head on Vishnu's body. Thus, Lord Vishnu assumed the Hayagriva form and defeated the demon. This story is very auspicious. Reading it increases knowledge and eliminates sins committed in daily life.