by Shrila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami
Samavartana (Leaving the Gurukula):
This ceremony is performed when the student finishes his Vedic studies.
@FOOTNOTE
The Samavartana samskara is performed for those students (upakurvana brahmacaris) who, after completing their studies, have decided to eventually live as a grihastha or married man, rather than accept the vow of naishthika (permanent brahmacarya). Because the graduate student is sprinkled with water in this ceremony he is called “snataka”. A snataka is considered ready to teach and he may attend seminars given by others to further his knowledge.
END FOOTNOTE
On the day of the Samavartana, the acarya should perform Vishnu Puja and Sattvika Vriddhi Shraddha.
He should perform Kushandika rites, calling the fire named “Tejah”, and finishing with Virupaksha Japa.
The brahmacari should sit on his right hand side.
The acarya should throw ghee-soaked wood of pradesha length into the fire without mantra and perform Vyasta Samasta Mahavyahriti Homa.
Then he should offer ghee into the fire five times saying each of the followng mantras:
om prajapatih vishnu rishih
gayatri chandah
shri ananto devata
samavartana home viniyogah
om ananta vratapate vratam acarisham
tat te prabravimi
tat ashakam tena aratsam
idam aham anritat satyam upagam svaha –
idam anantaya idam na mama
“Oh Ananta, Lord of vratas, I have undertaken this vrata. I announce to you that I have accomplished the vow and have satisfied You. Overcoming illusion I have arrived at truth.”
om parameshvara rishih
gayatri chandah
shri vasudevo devata
samavartana home viniyogah
om vasudeva vratapate vratam acarisham
tat te prabravimi
tat ashakam tena aratsam
idam aham anritat satyam upagam svaha –
idam vasudevaya idam na mama
“Oh Vasudeva, Lord of vratas, I have undertaken this vrata. I announce to you that I have accomplished the vow and have satisfied You. Overcoming illusion I have arrived at truth.”
om sanaka rishih
gayatri chandah
shri catur-bhujo devata
samavartana home viniyogah
om catur-bhuja vratapate vratam acarisham
tat te prabravimi
tat ashakam tena aratsam
idam aham anritat satyam upagam svaha –
idam catur-bhujaya idam na mama
“Oh Catur-bhuja, Lord of vratas, I have undertaken this vrata. I announce to you that I have accomplished the vow and have satisfied You. Overcoming illusion I have arrived at truth.”
om sanat kumara rishih
gayatri chandah
shri sarveshvaro devata
samavartana home viniyogah
om sarveshvara vratapate vratam acarisham
tat te prabravimi
tat ashakam tena aratsam
idam aham anritat satyam upagam svaha –
idam sarveshvaraya idam na mama
“Oh Sarveshvara, Lord of vratas, I have undertaken this vrata. I announce to you that I have accomplished the vow and have satisfied You. Overcoming illusion I have arrived at truth.”
om ayushman rishih
gayatri chandah
shri acyuto devata
samavartana home viniyogah
om acyuta vratapate vratam acarisham
tat te prabravimi
tat ashakam tena aratsam
idam aham anritat satyam upagam svaha –
idam acyutaya idam na mama
“Oh Acyuta, Lord of vratas, I have undertaken this vrata. I announce to you that I have accomplished the vow and have satisfied You. Overcoming illusion I have arrived at truth.”
The acarya should sit facing North on kusha with tips facing North.
The brahmacari should sit in the North West, facing East, on kusha with tips facing North.
The brahmacari should take a pot of hot and cold water mixed together which also contains rice, barley, urad-dhal, mung-dhal, sarvaushadhi, herbs and candana.
The student should fill his hands with this mixture and pour it on the ground saying:
om shaunaka rishih
gayatri chandah
shri naryananantadayo devata
samavartane brahmacarayudakanjali tyage viniyogah
om apsu antah narayananantadayah pravishtah
gohya upagohya mayukho manohah
khalo virajah tanudushih indriya ha
ati tanat agnin shrijami
“In this water Narayana, Ananta and others have entered. I reject the inauspicious fires which cover, which conceal, which contaminate, which cause pain, and bring destruction to the mind, body and senses.”
The student should take water again and pour on the ground saying: om yad apam ghoram yad apam kruram yad apam ashantam ati tat shrijami
“I abandon what is terrible, cruel and violent in this water.”
Directed by the acarya, the student should sprinkle some of the water on himself saying:
om sanatana rishih
gayatri chandah
shri varaho devata
samavartane brahmacaryudakanjali seke viniyogah
om varaha tvam iha bhava
tenaham atmanam abhishancami
“Be present here, Varaha. I sprinkle myself with this water.”
Directed by the acarya, the student should fill his hands with water and sprinkle himself again saying:
om shri narada rishih
brihati chandah
shrimad ananto devata
samavartane brahmacaryudakanjali seke viniyogah
om yashase tejase brahma varcasaya balaya
indriyaya viryaya annadyaya rayas
poshaya tvishtyai apacittai
“This is for fame, for energy, for knowledge, for strength, for the senses, for courage, for sustenance, for wealth and prosperity, for brilliance and respect.”
He should sprinkle himself with water again saying:
om parameshvara rishih
gayatri chandah
shri ananto devata
samavartane brahmacaryudakanjali seke viniyogah
om yena krishna yashoganam
yena shayya yena asanam
yena upanat yena chatram
vyajanam sutram vasanam
yat yat seva yashah te sarvam
tena mam abhishinca tvam
“Bathe me with those things which attain fame by serving you – songs of praise, your bed, seat, shoes, umbrella, fan, sacred thread and cloth.”
The student should sprinkle himself with water once more without mantra.
