Achamana Cup

This cup is used to purify your hands as well as to purify the articles of worship. Generally Ganges water is poured in to this cup. Dimensions 6 x 7 Cm approximately.

Performing Simple Achamana

Always perform Acamana before entering the Deity room to worship the Lord.

Sit on a proper sitting place (Asana).* (If there is no asana, kneel with your right knee touching the floor and your left foot flat on the floor.)

With an acamana-pätra filled with water clean both hands by sprinkling them with water; holding the acamana spoon in your left hand, pour a few drops into the right palm.* While looking at the water chant the appropriate mantra and then silently sip the water from the base of the right thumb (the brahma-tirtha).

The procedure for basic acamana consists of the first three steps below. 

• Chant om kesavaya namao and sip water from the brahma-tirtha of your right hand.

• Chant om narayanaya namao and sip water from the brahma-tirtha of your right hand.

• Chant om madhaväya namau and sip water from the brahma-tirtha of your right hand.

Now chant the following mantra from the Rig Veda while showing the pranama-mudra (palms together in front of your heart):

(om) tad vishno paramaa padaa

sada pacyanti surayau

diviva caksur atatam

tad vipraso vipanyavo

jagrvan sah samindhate

visnor yat paramam padam

Just as those with ordinary vision see the sun's rays in the sky, so the wise and learned devotees always see the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu. Because those highly praiseworthy and spiritually awake brahmanas can see that abode, they can also reveal it to others. [Rig Veda Samhita]