Unchavrithi Mahathmyam

Unchavrithi has a pivotal importance in Sampradhaya Bhajana Paddhathi. This is one of the key nithyakarmanushtanas of a Bhagavathar.

Etymology of Unchavrithi

The term Ùncham’ initially meant grains that have fallen off from the plant. Unchavrithi primarily meant living out of the grains that are left after a harvest festival.

With the passage of time, Unchavrithi indicated the way in which a Gruhastha Bhagavatha would lead his daily life (Dharmasastra prescribes other types of livelihood for Brahmacharees and Sanyaasees).

`Uncham’ in this context, meant the Akshatha (grains) that the Bhagavathar receives as a Grace of God, while he walks past the houses while singing Bhagavath Gunas and Naamas.  

A Marapaachi (Wooden Doll kept as an exhibit during Navaratri Kolu) dressed as an Unchavrithi Bhagavatha

Unchavrithi Mahaathmyam, as Extolled in the Puraanaas

In Mahabharatha, there is a story of an erudite scholar Padmanabhan, who, despite mastering all scriptures, had this doubt – Is it possible to attain the epitome of the purpose of life – Moksha, while in Gruhasthashrama itself?

His fellow scholars opined that unless one takes up Sanyasa, attaining Moksham is impossible. Not satisfied with this verdict, Padmanabha’s inquisitiveness to know the Absolute Truth took him to the land of the learned snake Thakshaka in Naaga Loka. (Needless to say, only a person with immense thapas can be qualified to travel to the Thakshaka loka). 

Thakshaka was not there at home. He was serving as the rein of the Sun God’s chariot. All the super powerful serpents serve as hackamores for one week at a stretch, and then retired for rest.

Resolute to rest only after dispelling his doubts, Padmanabha decides to wait at the mansion of Thakshaka, refusing the offerings that Thakshaka’s wife makes to him, as Aathithya maryadha. At the end of seven days, an exhausted Thakshaka returns home. Upon seeing a guest equally famished, he enquires the reason for Padmanabha’s visit.

Padmanabha put forth his question thus – While dispelling your duty as the rein of the Supreme Sun God himself, have you happened to see any miracles?

Thakshaka got reminiscent, and said - Our Sun God himself is a big miracle for us, for he works constantly while gifting the universe the luxury of a day / night distinction. But yesterday, we happened to witness a magnanimous phenomenon, which even our Sun God revered with utmost respect. As we were travelling through the vast expanse of space, dispelling darkness wherever we go, we spotted a Jyotis (divine light) hundred times brighter than that of our Sun God. As it approached us, it soaked our very Sun God in its effulgence. He rose from his seat, and offered his prostrations to this divine soul, and resumed the chariot only after the divine light crossed the Surya Mandalam.

Unchavrithi Mahathmyam as extolled in the Mahabharatha: The Sun God raises in reverence to the passing of the soul of an Unchavrithi Bhagavathar, who is crossing Surya Mandalam to reach Vaikundam

The Sun God then explained to us that the divine soul was that of an Unchavrithi Brahmana, who had practised Unchavrithi dharma throughout his life. After His death, the divine soul was going to Vaikunda Lokam.

Padmanabha’s questions were cleared instantly. He returned to his abode with profound clarity that the journey towards Moksha lies in observing Unchavrithi dharma.

Srimad Bhagavatham also lauds the glory of Unchavrithi in Ekadasha Skandham (11^th Canto), 17^th Chapter –

Shilonchavrithya Parithushta Chitho

Dharmam Mahaantham Virajam JushaaNaha

Mayyarppithaathma Gruha eeva Thishtan

Naathiprasakthaha Samupaithi Shaanthim

The Greatness of Giving Unchavrithi Bhiksha

Scriptures proclaim that giving one handful of rice as Unchavrithi is equal to Sahasra Brahmana Bhojanam.

Once there lived a man, who suffered from an excruciating stomach ache. Thirupathi Balaji came in his dreams and told him that the pain was a result of a heinous sin he had committed in his previous birth – He had neglected to take care of his mother. The Lord also gives him the remedy - This pain can be ended by giving Sahasra Bhojana. Though a poor person, he agreed to perform Sahasra Bhojana in a haste to get relieved from the unbearable pain.

But upon being cured, he is baffled on how to perform a Sahasra Bhojanam, as he was already living in extreme poverty. Thirupati Balaji appears in dreams again, and tells him that a devoted disciple of Purandara Dasa, Sri Vijaya Vittala Dasa would pass that way, doing Unchavrithi. If you offer him a handful of rice, that is equivalent to sahasra bhojanam.

Another story has it that, once, a miserly old lady was pounding rice in front of her house, when a pious Unchavrithi bhagavatha came. “How dare you beg for food without doing any job” she scorned at the Bhagavathar, and raised her club (Ulakka) at him. A few rice grains that were sticking on to the club accidentally fell into the poor Brahman’s akshaya paatram.

After her death, when Yama Raaja asks Chitraguptan for the list of good deeds she has done in her life, Chitragupta has one in his accounts – That she has given Bhiksha to an Unchavrithi Brahman. Thus is the greatness of giving bhiskha!

An Unchavrithi at Tiruvaiyaru during Thyagaraja Aradhana. 

Harikadha exponent Tiruvaiyaru Annasamy Bhagavathar, Mridanga Vidwan Palani Subramania Pillai, Subramania Iyer, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Alathur Brothers and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer can be seen. 

Image courtesy: Internet

Detailed Account of Unchavrithi Roopam

A detailed description of Unchavrithi, in prose form, can be found in the book Bhakthi Sandeha dhwaanta Bhaaskaram.

Unchavrithi Dharma Lakshanaas

The Unchavrithi Bhagavatha wears Panchakacham, has a shikha, and ties a parivattam / shirovastram, using a Naama vastram. This parivattam contains all four Vedas. The akshaya paatram is tied to a red rope (Unchavrithi sootram) and is hung from the left shoulder. He would have been initiated into Naama japa sootram and Unchavrithi Dharma Kainkarya sootram.

The bhagavatha either sings Bhagavath keerthanaas, or does Raama Naama japam. An Unchavrithi Bhagavathar would chant Raama Naama at least 6750 times. (1,08,000 Rama Naama divided by 16)

As the Unchavrithi Bhagavathar is the swaroopam of Sadguru, He does not do prathivandana.

The very objective of Unchavrithi is to remove even an iota of Ahankara (Ego) in both the person who does Unchavrithi and the person who gives Bhiksha, and immerse their hearts in Bhagavath Chintha.

Unchavrithi by Brahmasri Panchapagesa Bhagavathar. This punyathman does Nithya Unchavrithi as part of Bhagavatha Dharma

Unchavrithi is normally done during `Saanghava Kaalam’ (8 – 10 AM).  Both the Unchavrithi Brahmana and the Bhiksha-giver have their daily anushtanams (chores) until 8 AM. We anciently also did not have the practice of having breakfast. Since both the Unchavrithi Brahmana and the giver should not have taken food before giving Bhiksha, Unchavruthi should be done before Madhyanika kala (before 10:30 am).

Rice and dal (lentil) are usually given as Bhiksha. Though giving money is not a traditional practice, it is given in the present times, as it could be of convenience to the Bhagavathar.

Dharma shastra also prescribes the time period an Unchavruthi Brahmana can stay at a house while seeking Bhiksha. He can remain only for a godohana kaalam (time it takes for milk to flow from a cow’s udder to the ground.   

The gruhastha (householder) does paadha pooja, and the lady of the house gives the Bhiksha. In the instance of an Unchavrithi Bhagavatha crossing a house, he shall not come back to ask for Bhiksha. The lady will need to walk toward him to give Bhiksha.

For a person who gives Bhiksha, ensuring purity and a traditional attire is of pivotal importance. Purandara Dasa extols the fortune of a person who gives Bhiksha thus –

“Yogyaraagi Bhogyaraagi Bhaagyavanthavaraagi

Raagi thandheera Bhikshake Raagi Thandheera”

The Importance of Unchavrithi in Namasankeerthanam

Marudhanalloor Sri Sadguru Swamigal has given supreme importance to Unchavrithi in Sampradaya Bhajana Paddhathi. Sadguru’s spectacular stature in Unchavrithi roopam is sung in many of his Guru keerthans. During Sadguru’s time, Sharabhoji Maharaja saw Sri Ramachandra Prabhu Himself while Sadguru was in Unchavrithi attire.  

Sadguru Purandara Dasa, his disciple Sri Vijaya Vittala Dasa, Thyagaraja Swamigal, Vedantha Deshika Swamigal, Pudukottai Sri Gopalakrishna Sadguru, his son Sri Sanjeevi Bhagavathar etc had practiced Unchavrithi on a daily basis.

Pudukottai Sri Gopalakrishna Bhagavathar (Done as a Rangoli)

Even today, the rice and dal for the celebrations at Bodhendra Swamigal Madom at Govindapuram, and Sridhara Ayyavaal Madom at Thiruvisanallur is collected exclusively through Unchavrithi.

Bhajanothsavams and Unchavrithi

As the number of Bhagavathas practising Unchavrithi in the style as prescribed by Dharma Shastras is dwindling, with the passage of time, the coming generation may not even be aware of this divine practice. In such a circumstance, Bhajanothsavams become an ideal platform to participate in Unchavrithi. 

Unchavrithi Procession (Left: Pudukottai Gopalakrishna Swamigal, Right: Sanjeevi Swamigal)

Sri Sri Krishna Premi Anna