Rejoice, for those 16 nights and days when we worship Ma Lakshmi, and share in Her Immeasurable Compassion, Wealth and Opulence- are here once more!
We understand that many Sadhaks would like a clear set of rules to follow when undertaking a Purushcharana as grand and wondrous in scale as the Sri Suktam.
We have therefore, put together the rules, for your convenience.
May Sri Mata guide us on this sacred journey, for Her Grace alone can rid us of all confusion. 🙏
🌸 The Sri Suktam has sixteen verses and every evening the chanting you do is of a mantra that is based on a verse of the hymn. Sixteen nights, sixteen verses, and therefore, sixteen mantras.
🌸 The evening routine involves chanting the mantra of that particular day.
🌸 The usual recommendation is to chant the mantra 1000 times. If you do choose to chant it 1000 times, you can stretch your legs in between by standing up on your asana but by not abandoning it.
🌸 You can go for a smaller goal. Maybe 108 times or 216 times or three rounds with your beads. Chant the same number every night.
🌸 You can start your evening japa anytime after sunset or at 7.00 p.m. (even if it is daylight saving time).
🌸 Bathe and Ideally wear red colour clothes if possible, along with a similar red colour blanket/cloth for asana for evening Japa. If your japa ends just before the morning yagna then you need not bathe again. However, if you have slept after your evening japa then bathe again before the morning yagna.
🌸 During the 16-night sadhana, you should be on a strict vegetarian diet. Dairy is allowed but no meat, seafood or eggs. No onion or garlic either. Be careful of eating biscuits, cakes, cheeses, and supplements that may contain animal-derived ingredients. No smoking and no consumption of alcohol for 16 days is allowed. Maintain a Sattvik lifestyle.
🌸 Complete abstinence for 16 days. Sexual gratification is strictly forbidden.
🌸 Irrespective of whether a woman is menstruating during, before or after the sadhana, she can participate. It is not a hindrance.
🌸 Prior permission from Vedmata will not be needed since Om Swamiji himself is invoking Mother Divine.
🌸 Follow righteous conduct, and truthful, kind speech throughout the 16 days. Try to speak only as much as is really needed or maintain silence.
🌸 Initiation is not needed.
We sincerely hope you have a lovely Sadhana experience. Thank you, for being a part of this journey with us. 🙏
