The followingfive (panca) rituals are meant for the purification of the body and mind and harmonized activation of the flow of Prana.
(i) Pavitrikarana:Hold some water in the left palm and cover it with the right hand and chant the following mantra. Sprinkle this water on the body while chanting the terminating segment — "Punatu..." of the mantra with a feeling that this water energized by the spiritual vibrations of the mantra is purifying your body externally and internally.
The Mantra:
Oam ApavitrahPavitro Va Sarvaystha Gatoapi Va, Yah Smaret Pundarikaksam Sa Bahyantarah sucih |
Oam Punatu Pundarikaksah, Punatu Pundarikaksah, Punatu ||
(ii) Acamanah : Hold some water in the right palm; chant the first mantra and drink the water with the chant of "swaha. Repeat the same with the second and third mantras.
The Mantras:
Oam Amratopastaranmasi Swaha |1|
Oam Amratapidhanamasi Swaha |2|
Oam Asatyam Yasah Srirmayi SrihSrayatam Swaha |3|
These three acamanas are performed with an intense feeling of drinking the Hrim, Srim and Klim currents of Gayatri ,Sakti, as though an infant is gaining vital energy by sucking his mother's milk.
(iii) Sikha Vandana: Tiethe sikha or touch this central spot (above the suture) on the skull. Close the eyes and chant the following mantra with a determination that the divine radiance of Gayatri attracted thereby is being absorbed in the brain and is inspiring righteous thinking and illumination of mind.
The Mantra:
Oam Cidrupini Mahamaye, Divya Tejah Samanvite1 Tistha Devi sikha Madhye, Tejo Vraddhim Kurusva Me 11
(iv) Pranayama : Pranayamas are well known breathing exercises for harmonizing the breathing. A simple pranakarsana pranayam is performed in the pancakarma after enunciating the following mantras. For this, inhale slowly at a steady pace with a feeling that the prana Sakti of Gayatri inspissated around is being drawn-in with the breath. Hold the breath for few seconds to absorb this mahaprana that is sparkling like immense glow of the rising sun... Now exhale the breath at the same pace with a firm belief that the impurities and vile assimilation from inside are being expelled forever. Hold the breath out for few seconds with a feeling that the mahaprana is spreading out in the infinity after destroying the vices and sins inside.Repeat this cycle three times. The duration of holding the breath is normally maintained as half that of inhalation/ exhalation in each cycle....
The Mantras:
Oam Bhuh,Oam Bhuvah, Oam Swah, Oam Mahah, Oam Janah Oam Tapah, Oam Satyam lOam TatsaviturvarenyamBhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo YonahPracodayat 11 Oam Apo jyotih Rasoamratam Brahm Bhur Bhuvah Swah Oam 11
(v) Nyasa: In this process, the forgers of the right hand are successively soaked in the water hold in the left palm and touched upon (from left to right) to the mouth, nose, eyes, ears arms and thighs after chanting the respective mantras. The water remaining in the hands is sprinkled over the entire body in the end.
The Mantras:
Oam Vangme Asyestu I | (mouth).
Oam NasormePranorastu | (nose).
Oam AksnormeCaksurastu | (eyes).
Oam Karnayorme,Srotramastu | (ears).
Oam BahvormeBalamastu | (arms).
Oam Urvorme Ojoastu | (thighs).
Oam Aristani Menagani Tanustanva Me Sahsantu | (whole body).
The process of purification by the pancakarmas signify that only those possessing the piety of body and mind are worthy of deva pujana (worshiping the God). It may be noted that all the pancakarmas could also be performed by chanting only the Gayatri Mantra.