13. Personal Blessings From the Master

Annapr¢sÁanam (First solid food)

The term annapr¢sÁanam literally means 'feeding food' Annapr¢sÁanam is an ancient tradition of feeding an infant its first solid food after having had only the mother's milk until then. It is referred to as First Rice in English and is celebrated as an auspicious occasion in the child's life. Nithyananda performs the annapr¢sÁanam for babies at the ashram on special occasions.

G¢yatr¤ Initiation (Awakening inner intelligence)

Man is born for the first time when he emerges from his mother's womb. He becomes a dvij¢, born for the second time, when he is initiated into the G¢yatr¤ mantra, which kindles their inner intelligence. Nithyananda initiates children into the G¢yatr¤ mantra thus enabling them to fall in tune with the cosmic intelligence. He also bestows them with the sacred white thread as part of the ceremony.

Getting a spiritual name

Your very name can be used as a technique for enlightenment - because the whole day from morning till night, either you will be using it towards yourself or somebody will be using that name towards you. So your spiritual path is again repeated and reinforced and it enters into the very core of your being. Nithyananda initiates seekers as well as new born babies with a spiritual name that guides them in their path to enlightenment.

Nithyananda performs a traditional Vedic marriage ceremony on special occasions for fresh couples or for those wishing to strengthen their marriage ties. The powerful seven sacred vows taken on this occasion pave the way for strong intellectual, emotional and spiritual understanding in the couple, free them from incurring further k¢rmic bondage and take them beyond the illusions of greed and fear on the path of enlightenment.