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

Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...

s. Performed by

Brahmins Brahmin (; sa, ब्राह्मण, brāhmaṇa) is a varna as well as a caste within Hindu society. The Brahmins are designated as the priestly class as they serve as priests ( purohit, pandit, or pujari) and religious teachers (guru ...

, 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, and

devas Devas may refer to: * Devas Club, a club in south London * Anthony Devas (1911–1958), British portrait painter * Charles Stanton Devas (1848–1906), political economist * Jocelyn Devas (died 1886), founder of the Devas Club * Devas (band), ...

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. Most prevalent in South India, it consists of the ''Taitti ...

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. Most prevalent in South India, it consists of the ''Taitti ...

References

{{reflist Hindu rituals