Vaisakha Snana

Vaishakha Snana Sankalpa (Sacred Bathing Ritual in the Vaishakha Month)

Vaishakha Snana is a highly meritorious bathing ritual performed during the month of Vaishakha, which falls during April–May in the Hindu calendar. This ritual is believed to purify the body and soul, remove sins, and bring divine blessings, especially from Lord Vishnu.

Preparation Before the Snana (Bathing Ritual)

• Before stepping into the river or sacred water, cleanse your hands and feet properly.
• Enter the river with a pure mind and devotion, avoiding any pollution of the water.
• Do not spit, defecate, urinate, or wash clothes in the sacred river.
• Avoid using soap or shampoo in the water. If others do, explain the significance of maintaining purity.

Vaishakha Snana Mantra

While taking the bath, recite the following mantra:

Vaishākham sakalam māsam mēṣasaṅkramaṇē ravēḥ |
Prātaḥ sanniścitah snāsyē prīyatām Madhusūdanaḥ |
Madhuhantuḥ prasādēna brāhmaṇānām anugrahāt |
Nirvighnamastu mē puṇyam vaishākhasnānam anvāham |

This mantra seeks the blessings of Lord Vishnu (Madhusudana) and the holy rivers, ensuring a bath free from obstacles and full of spiritual merit.

Arghya (Water Offering to the Sun and Deities)

After the bath, offer Arghya (water) to Lord Vishnu and Surya Deva:

Vaishākhē mēṣagē bhānau prātaḥsnānaparāyaṇaḥ |
Arghyam tē’haṁ pradāsyāmi gṛhāṇa Madhusūdana |

Additionally, offer Arghya to sacred rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, and Saraswati:

Viṣṇupādābjasaṁbhūtē Gaṅgē tripathagāmini |
Gṛhāṇārghyam mayā dattam jalē sannihitā bhava |

Steps to Perform the Vaishakha Snana

1. Purification Ritual (Prokshana Snana)

• Sprinkle water on yourself while chanting:
  Apavitraḥ pavitrōvā sarvāvasthām gatō’pi vā |
  Yaḥ smarēt Puṇḍarīkākṣam sa bāhyāntaraśuchiḥ ||
• This mantra invokes Lord Vishnu’s name, purifying the body and mind.

2. Aachamana (Sipping Water for Purification)

• Take small sips of water while chanting:
  • Keshavaya Swaha
  • Narayanaya Swaha
  • Madhavaya Swaha
  • Govindaya Namah

3. Sankalpa (Spiritual Intention for the Bath)

• While holding water in your hands, take a Sankalpa (resolution):

"In this sacred period of Vaishakha, during the Uttarayana, I perform the holy bath with devotion to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu, the sacred rivers, and the divine beings."

4. Remembering Sacred Rivers

• Chant the names of holy rivers, seeking their blessings:

Gaṅgā, Sindhu, Sarasvatī cha Yamunā, Gōdāvarī, Narmadā |
Kṛṣṇā, Bhīmarathī cha Phalghu, Sarayū, Śrīgaṇḍakī, Gōmatī |
Kāverī, Kapilāprayāga vinutā, Netrāvatītyādayō |
Nadyah Śrī Haripāda-paṅkaja-bhavāḥ kurvantu nō maṅgaḷam ||

How to Perform the Snana (Bathing Process)

• Chant the Dwadasha Nama (12 names of Lord Vishnu) while applying water on the body.
• Use the Shankha Mudra (Conch Hand Gesture) to sprinkle water on yourself.
  • How to form the Shankha Mudra:
    • Place the thumb of the right hand between all fingers of the left hand and press firmly.
    • This forms a conch-like shape, symbolizing divine purity.
• While bathing, offer Tarpana (water oblation) to ancestors, sages, and deities (if eligible).

Five Parts of Vaishakha Snana

1. Sankalpa Snana – Taking the vow for the bath.
2. Purusha Sukta Snana – Chanting the Purusha Sukta during the bath.
3. Prokshana Snana – Sprinkling water for purification.
4. Aghamarshana Sukta Snana – Chanting to remove sins.
5. Tarpana – Offering water to deities, sages, and ancestors.

Benefits of Performing Vaishakha Snana

1. Spiritual Purification – Cleanses the body and soul, removing past sins.
2. Blessings of Lord Vishnu – Performing snana in Vaishakha pleases Lord Madhusudana.
3. Health Benefits – Cooling effect of morning baths helps maintain physical well-being.
4. Merit (Punya) Accumulation – Doing this snana with devotion grants divine rewards in this life and beyond.
5. Respecting Nature – Encourages maintaining purity of rivers and water bodies.

By following these sacred steps and chanting the prescribed mantras, one can attain divine blessings, spiritual upliftment, and peace.

Perform Vaishakha Snana with faith and devotion to receive the grace of Lord Vishnu. 🙏