What is Teertha

-Published in vishwaJagruti Magazine - Uttaradimath

Teertha - Is the Water mixed with Tulasi and sandal, that is sprinkled on Shaalirama, two Chakrankitas, Sudarshana and an Idol of Srikrishna (which can be held in our fist) using Shanka, accompanied by the sound of bells(Ghante) and recitation of Purusha Sukta.

Lakshmi Devi is present in Tulasi in the form of Jaya and Maya. Therefore (except on Ekadashi) , Teertha should always have Tulasi in it.

Teertha should be partaken during the following times everyday

1. Morning , after bath - 3 times

2 before Lunch - 3times

3. After Lunch - 1 (2 times if achamana was done)

3. Evening - 3 times

In this manner - teertha should be partaken 10 times during a day.

A clean cloth folded three times should be kept on left had, right hand should be placed on top of it while receiving teertha. We should not make any sound while drinking teertha, if there is some teertha left over in the hand, that should be sprinkled on our head

Characteristics of Teertha,

1. Water sprinkled on Saligrama

2. Water sprinkled on Chakrankita,

3. water sprinkled on Tulasi plant

4.Water in Pushkara and

5. Water of Ganga river

These five are called as Teertha. Drinking Teertha frees us from Brahmahatya and all other sins.

The word Teertha has "theer" and "tha" . "theer" means destroying of daityas(deamons) and "tha" means attaining salvation (moksha sadhana) . In order to destroy all the sins we have acquired from the day of our birth, we need to partake Shaligrama Teertha. Shaligrama Teertha can be taken either standing or sitting. By taking Shaligrama Teerhta one earns the credits of performing 1 crore yagnas.Teertha containing Tulasi leaf should not be taken on Ekadashi day. Doing so will reult in nullification of Ekadashi Vrata performed.

He who sprinkles the water received from Supreme Lord's feet and given by a devotee, will be freed from all sins and reach the abode of Vishnu.

Compiled from pancharatra - garudapurana - padma samhite.