Viṣṇubali
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Viṣṇubali literally means ‘offering to Viṣṇu’.
Instance of Viṣṇubali[edit]
This is a rite performed by the husband of a pregnant lady during the eighth month. It should be done on the 2nd, 7th or the 12th day of the bright fortnight when the moon is in the stars Srāvaṇa, Rohiṇi or Puṣya. Its purpose is to remove all the harm to the foetus and assure an easy and safe delivery. It should be performed during every conception.
Ritual of Viṣṇubali[edit]
- Nāndīśrāddha is to be done on the previous day.
- The next day, a homa has to be performed to Viṣṇu with 64 oblations of boiled rice mixed with ghee using Ṛgvedic mantras.[1]
- To the northeast of the fire a square plot with 64 small squares should be prepared.
- Cooked rice balls are kept in these squares.
- They are offered first by the Ṛgvedic mantras.
- One ball from them is offered to Viṣṇu with the mantra "Om namo nārāyaṇāya".
The husband and wife should partake of two rice balls of the same separately as prasāda or consecrated food.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore