Punyaham (पुण्याहम्, ) or Punyaha () is a cleansing ritual observed by

Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...

s. Performed by

Brahmins Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...

, it is performed for the consecration of a house before its occupation by residents. After a site is selected as suitable for construction, the priest offers a sacrifice, and pronounces the name of the ceremony, ''puṇyāham'', “this is an auspicious day”, to the sounding of musical instruments. He repeatedly whispers a ''mantra,'' the object of which is to request malicious spirits,

asuras Asuras () are a class of beings in Indian religions, and later Persian and Turkic mythology. They are described as power-seeking beings related to the more benevolent Deva (Hinduism), Devas (also known as Suras) in Hinduism. In its Buddhism, ...

, and devas who may inhabit the site to leave, and find their abode elsewhere. He then takes a pot, fills it with earth mixed with cowdung white reciting ''mantras'', and sows seeds within it.

Etymology

Punyaham (पुण्याहम् - पुण्यञ्च तदहश्चेति) is a Sanskrit word that means 'an auspicious day' or 'sacred day'.

Types

Punyaham is of two types: ''Nandeemukha Punyaham'' and ''Suddha Punyaham''. The "Nandeemukha Punyaham" is performed prior to most of the important rituals for improving sanctity of the ritual. "Sudhha Punyaham" is carried out for eliminating "Asuddhi" (impurity or pollution), while "Ardha Punyaham" (half-punyaham) is a shortened version of the "Suddha Punyaham".

Mantras

The Punyaha mantras are integrated form of selected mantras from the

Taittiriya Samhita The ''Taittirīya Shakha'' (Sanskrit, loosely meaning 'Branch or School of the sage Tittiri'), is a ''shakha'' (i.e. 'branch', 'school', or rescension) of the Krishna (black) Yajurveda. The Taittiriyas are themselves divided into numerous sub-s ...

and the

Taittiriya Brahmana The ''Taittirīya Shakha'' (Sanskrit, loosely meaning 'Branch or School of the sage Tittiri'), is a ''shakha'' (i.e. 'branch', 'school', or rescension) of the Krishna (black) Yajurveda. The Taittiriyas are themselves divided into numerous sub-s ...

References

{{reflist Hindu rituals