Courtesy: Sri.Anand from http://harinamasankeerthanam.blogspot.in/2009/05/unchavruthy-dharma.html#more
Unchavruthy Dharma
Archaryas follow the Unchavruthy Dharma. During the Brahmamuhurtham with the parivattam (turban), Yoga Vastra and Askshaya Pathra, chanting Hari Narayana !!!, Hari Narayana !!! the Unchavruthy Dharma is performed by Bhagavathas. It is the most sacred dharma for all Bagavathas. It is also an age old practice which finds mention in the Mahabharata and Bhagavatham. According to Vedic tradition, the practice of seeking alms (Biksha) constitutes the fundamental requirement for Brahmacharya life.A student following the path of Sanatana Dharma has to procure his food by begging alms from the residents of his locality.
Such a system has been introduced to remove any kind of ego or pride that might enter into the mind of the religious aspirant. The Vastram procedure is for the Archarya to have an Akshaya Pathram with a red coloured rope tied to the Akshaya Pathram and a Saffron cloth tied around his head like a turban. A handful of rice is then put inside the Akshaya Pathram. The Saffron cloth is then tied on the head and the Akshaya Pathram hung from the shoulder. First the cloth is folded multiple times and then divided into two halves.Then one half is thrown around and over the head like a turban with the front portion tied around the forehead. The Unchavruthy guise by itself steals our heart."Angayil thaalamum Akshya Pathramum Adidum Narthanathirkisaya, en annal varum thirukolam kandu ayiram ayiram anbar manam asaya ..." (...dancing with the thaala and the everflowing vessel 'Akshaya Pathra', when my lord comes, the hearts of thousands and thousands of devotees dance along ... !!) goes a song on Unchavruthy roopam.
Such a system has been introduced to remove any kind of ego or pride that might enter into the mind of the religious aspirant. The Vastram procedure is for the Archarya to have an Akshaya Pathram with a red coloured rope tied to the Akshaya Pathram and a Saffron cloth tied around his head like a turban. A handful of rice is then put inside the Akshaya Pathram. The Saffron cloth is then tied on the head and the Akshaya Pathram hung from the shoulder. First the cloth is folded multiple times and then divided into two halves.Then one half is thrown around and over the head like a turban with the front portion tied around the forehead. The Unchavruthy guise by itself steals our heart."Angayil thaalamum Akshya Pathramum Adidum Narthanathirkisaya, en annal varum thirukolam kandu ayiram ayiram anbar manam asaya ..." (...dancing with the thaala and the everflowing vessel 'Akshaya Pathra', when my lord comes, the hearts of thousands and thousands of devotees dance along ... !!) goes a song on Unchavruthy roopam.
The Unchavruthy is started by walking on the streets near the mandapam or temple and Many Bagavathas follow singing Bhajans. 'Unchavruthy' which is a part of Bhajana Sampradaya passes through the streets and neighbouring areas and usually received with great veneration at every house in the locality. The devotees would throng to put the Akshadha in the Akshaya Pathram. The Acharya would be welcomed in almost all the houses with Paadha Puja. The Archarya would be made to sit in a chair in front of each house and the family members will perform the Paadha Pooja. With each devotee putting Garlands on the Acharya.
As the Akshaya Pathram gets filled it would be poured out into the sack. By the time the Unchavruthy ends lots of full rice sacks are gathered. This rice is used for cooking and again comes as Prasad to all the devotees. Unchavruthy is a great Dharma. With it we can feed thousands of Bagavathas. It is a Bagavatha Dharma. Rules for taking Unchavruthy:The Acharya, the one who is taking the Unchavruthy has to adhere strictly to the sastras ordained as below:The Acharya must wear a Panchakacham and must also wear a Siga Vasthram like a turban with one end spread over the backside of the body.The Bowl with which the Unchavruthy is taken should be tied with a knot by a thread to the right shoulder.The Acharya should finish Unchavruthy before Madhyaniga kaalam (i.e, before noon) as part of this Trikala kramams.During Bhajans, only the Unchavruthy rice is used to prepare the Nivedyam to the Lord
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