News by Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network—Bantwal (RD/CN)
Puttur, Dec 30: Ancient scriptures prescribe the use of utensils made of various metals used in Vedic rites. However, owing to the introduction of newer metals in rituals, such as aluminum, steel, and iron, in recent times, the ancient metals are losing importance.
Earlier, utensils made of wood, copper, and bronze, were used commonly when performing the rituals, but now, mainly due to reasons of convenience other metals have been substituted instead.
Veterans priests and scholars are of the view that distortions in chanting of ‘mantras’ have a direct impact on their final outcome. Hence, the trends of using newer metals for various rituals will jeopardize the very purpose for which they are performed.
‘Shastravana’ founder Narayana Jois, a resident of remote Kudippady village in Puttur taluk, has been striving to safeguard the Vedic rites in their original form.
The display of Yajna accessories and live demonstrations conducted at his residence recently, conveyed his deep concern for the matter. The event was held under the aegis of te Sanskrit literary union of Vivekananda College and Shastropasana Prakashana, Kudippady.
Jois explained the significance of each traditional accessories on display. For instance, the wooden sickle was used to extract the bark of a specific tree, while the earthen plate would hold the ‘kumkum’ and holy water. A laterite slab was used to make sandalwood paste while small wooden clubs made of a specific tree have their individual significance.
Iron was not at all used in the ancient times owing to its high corrosive nature. Ancient scriptures, mantras, were also amongst the display. A graduate in law and arts, Jois has undertaken a praiseworthy struggle to preserve the sanctity of Vedic accessories and rituals in today’s era of globalization and modernization.
He is also credited with founding ‘Shastropasana Prakashana’. Jois has also carved wooden moisture proof boxes in various shapes to safeguard his treasured collection!