NAIVED : BHATIA COMMUNITY KULDEVI KULDEVTA DEVSTHAAN
Understanding of Naived
NAIVED : BHATIA COMMUNITY KULDEVI KULDEVTA DEVSTHAAN
BHATIA COMMUNITY / families and Hindus around the world would do Naived (a small Havan) during the NAVRATRI AND Diwali festival. Diwali Naived, depending on the individual’s family tradition, is normally performed on Kali Chaudas and Diwali. The most popular day is on Kali Chaudas (the day before the Diwali) when Naived is offered to Kuldevi.
The ritual on how to perform Naived at home had been traditionally passed on from parents to children and they in turn pass it to their children. Families will then follow the same ritual as were taught by their parents or grand parents
However today younger generation do ask inquisitive questions and would like to know the reasons behind doing such Naived. Some times the parents themselves would find it difficult to explain the reasons as they been following the ritual learnt from their own parents and grandparents.
I hope this information would help to understand more about the significance of Naived. I am by no means an authority to write on Religion or the Religious ceremony. I am writing this from what I understand of Naived by RECORDS reading our BHATIA’S COMMUNITY MAHAJAN Barot’s and various religious books. Please take this as just a general guide and hope members will find this informative and useful
Origin of Naived
Although Naived is performed for the past many thousand of years, the origins of rituals are normally lost. The main reason for this origin being lost is the absence of a written language during the tribal stage and due to the absence of a written language, ideas had to be passed on from generation to generation by means of oral narration. The rituals of Naived vary greatly according to the individual family’s tradition, so would be best to take advice from your family elders.
We worship following deities when we perform Naived:-
Mataji
Mataji is represented as the benevolent Mother where she is the personification of eternal peace. Prayers are offered to 'Maa' who is the manifestation of the absolute energy that pervades the universe. She has the ability to generate life. Hindus believe that the Maa stands for everything that is everywhere in the universe. Maa as the Universal Energy is worshipped.
From the canons of Hinduism -
Maa Lakshmi – Goddess for wealth. As Laxmi She is abundance. Not only material, but of Air, Land, Space etc
Maa Durga – Goddess for Strength. 'Durga' sitting on a Lion, she is a manifestation of 'Shakti' or the primordial energy. The power to breathe, walk, digest etc, comes from Ma Durga.
Maa Saraswati - Goddess for knowledge. She is the 'OM', from where all sound emanates.
Hindus have always believed in worshipping Mataji. Thus different forms of the Ultimate Power are revered on different occasions.
You need to check ‘Ancestral Tree’ to understand the significance of Naived and family lineage. To open the tree Click Parajiya Ambo. Each family needs to know their Kurdevi, Devta, etc. to perform Naived. These details is available by following the ancestral tree - Ambo.
Kurdevi (family deity)
Hindu religion has given thousands of names for Gods and Goddesses. Each group has its own deity whom they worship. Thus Kurdevi is generally identified as a family deity playing a vital role within a community. These deities are worshipped in the temples as well at home.
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BHATIA COMMUNITY’S that includes Kutchhi,Halai,Kanthi,Pavrai,Navgaam,Pachhishgaam,JeshalmerBhatia And Thathhai Bhatia’s.believe and pray to Kuldevis (family deities) like Mahalaxmi, Shikotar/Wahaanvati, Harshidhhi,Ashapura,Saptashrungi, Momai Mata, Tulja Bhavani, Khodiyar, Hingraj, Wagheswari, Ambaji/Ambika, Maha Kali, Bhawani, Chamunda, Hans Vahni, Bahucharaji, Raandal, Jwalamukhi and Vinjan.
Each family has their own kurdevi. Cow’s Pure Ghee Sukhadi or Lapsi is offered in the Naived for Kurdevi.
ISTDEVS - Thus BHATIA COMMUNITY’S ManyKuldevis and Kuldevta.But There is Only One istdevs –Shreenath ji @ Shri Krishna - (perceived as the avtars (reincarnation) of God) All these deities’ temples are located in various towns and villages in India.
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Kuldevta
Hinduism believes in the concept of noble soul or devta. This means that any individual, through his karma, can be regarded as a noble soul, worthy of worship by a group of his followers. This has further resulted in the concept of Kuldevatas where every clan has its own deity. This is a kind of ancestor worship. Some of the Kuldevtas in Bhatia Community’s are Surdeem ji, etc. If your Kuldevta is Surdeemji,Sukhadee/Gol Paapdee is normally offered in the Naived Ritual if your Kuldevta/Istdev Dariyalal, loose ‘Churmu’ is normally offered in the Naived ritual.
Kshetrapal Nagdevta - Kshetrapala,Khetarpaal,Naagdada protector of the region
Kshetrapal is an important deity, which literally means the guard of the region. There are various legends on the origin of this deity.
The Naag (Serpent) culture was fairly widespread in India before the Aryan migration, and continues to be an important sect in certain areas. After coming to India, the Indo-Aryans incorporated the worship of snakes (Naag) into Hinduism. The festival is especially dedicated to the Shesh Naag, who comforts the protector of the entire existence, Lord Vishnu.
Another legend speaks of Kaliya, the snake that inhabited the waters of the River Yamuna, whose venom was so vile that it poisoned the river and killed the crops and animals in the region. Bhagwan Krishna, one of Vishnu's avatars, killed Kaliya and liberated the people. That is why Naag Panchami has been celebrated ever since. The origin of snake worship goes back to Ram antiquity. The propitiation of the serpent god is considered essential to the well-being and prosperity of the family and Talvat (from sesame seeds) is offered in the Naived for Kshetrapal.
Sati Mata
According to the Hindu mythology, in the Srimad Bhagwatam, Goddess Maa Sati, first consort and devotee of Lord Shiv, immolated herself in the yagna, holy sacrificial fire, when her father Daksh insulted her husband Lord Shiv. Kheer (rice soup) and rotli is offered in the Naived for Sati Mata.
Hingraj Mataji
According to the legend, Hingraj Mataji taught us to become jewellers. Parajiya Soni Community came into being because of Hinraj Mataji. For further readings on Hingraj Mataji, please refer to our Parajiya History. We offer Savories like ‘puri’ in the Naived
Lord Hanuman
Lord Hanuman, also called Mahaveera (the great hero) or Pavan-suta (son of air) or Bajarangbali is a noble hero and great devotee of Lord Rama. He is a provider of courage, hope, knowledge, intellect and devotion. He is pictured holding a mace (gada), which is a sign of bravery. Devotees pray to Hanuman to protect them from material obstacles in the path of devotional service and engage them in the service of the Supreme Bhagwan Ram.
According to legend Hanuman was given a very big ‘vada’ made from Urud Daal by His mother on the eve of His departure to Lanka for the war so Lord Hanuman could eat out of this vada little by little whenever He felt hungry.
Incidentally, Urud daal, the chief ingredient, is also offered to appease Rahu, the significator of abnormal fears and snake curse etc Lord Hanuman is known for his strength and benevolence He provides his protection to everyone who selects his bhakti. Lord Hanuman is worshipped with offerings of vada made from udad lentils in the Naived.
Surapura
Our ancestors who died as a valiant warrior trying to save their villages from bandits, protecting honour of women – mother and sisters are called Surapara. Their rock memorials as ‘Surapura’ were erected where they fell and died. These memorials of our defenders and valiant warriors are still existence in India.
These ancestral father-worships (Surapura) are of great importance to many Hindu communities. Wherever possible, the newly weds symbolic knot or the wedding knot, ‘cheda-chedi’ which was tied at the 'mandap' during the Hindu wedding ceremony is opened after doing Nived at their family’s Surapura memorial to take their ancestral father’s blessings. Rice is offered to our Surapura in the Naived ritual
‘Naived’ or Offering to a deity has always been a significant part of our culture.
Hindus have favorite Gods and Goddesses or Ishta Devatas, Kurdevis to whom they call upon to help, guide and protect them and help them face unexplainable hurdles in life.
A more direct form of ancestor-worship is the ‘Naived’ performed by Hindus during a particular period. Parajiya Sonis worship and do Naived to such deities.
Dishes for Nived
Item
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Ritual description as to what is Required?
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1
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Lapsi for Kurdevi
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2
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Kheer (rice soup) and rotli for Sati Mata
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3
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Rice for Surapura dada
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4
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Savories (puri) for Hingraj Mataji
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5
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Sweet Buns / Maal Puwa (Pudla) for Shikotar Mataji
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6
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Talvat (from sesame seeds) for Khystrapal Nag Devta
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7
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Hotchpotch (khichdi) for Khetaliya dada
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8
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Vada made from Urud Daal for Hanuman
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9
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Loose Churmu – for Dariyalal (only for those whose Istdev is Dariyalal)
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As mentioned earlier, this information should be used only as a general guide. Food for nived varies with each family. Families do not need to use all the above food for Naived. Each has its own traditions. So is better to follow each family’s traditional ritual.
Portions for Naived: - In the old days of joint nuclear family when 35-40 family members used to live together under one roof, the portions of each dish used to be large. Now with the break of such joint family, the portion of each dish should be prepared according to the number of family members. One needs to ensure that the dishes are carefully prepared with love and devotion. The amount of food should not be prepared in excess amount. As this blessed food is later retrieved after the nived and consumed so must not be wasted
Ritual of Naived
The heart of every Hindu home is its shrine: the sacred space set for honouring and worshiping the Gods. The rituals are always meant to inculcate feelings of devotion and to bring about the divine orientation of human life.
The Nived that take place in the household shrine are the foundation of all family actions and decisions. The size and decoration of a household shrine do not matter. The shrine may be large and impressive, an entire room or a beautifully designed edifice, or it may be simply a tiny niche, or even just a row of religious prints pasted on a wall.
The children in the house grow up following family beliefs and are encouraged to participate in the Nived ceremony as they will find it personally inspiring. One or more family members on behalf of the whole family usually perform Nived at the household shrine. During the performance of the nived, offerings are made to different deities as mentioned above. The simplest form of nived is the domestic ritual performed by the householder who would offer simple oblation into the sacred fire lit in his house and pouring of offerings into them little bits of the food mentioned above, invoking various gods and deities.
Ritual
Since this article is just a general guide, many would not be able to understand the terminology of deities and rituals fully. We hope to write in detail as we develop this website. Meanwhile please do follow the ritual with faith and devotion.
A shrine for the nived will normally include following deities: Photograph of Maa Kurdevi ( If photo of Kurdevi is unavailable then use Ambe Maa ), Mataji’s Trishul (trident of Shiva), coconut, fruits and flowers. Dhoop / Lobaan Prepared food for nived is placed near the shrine.
Ten (some families make nine) morsels of puris are placed in a large dish. Each morsel consists of a heap of nine (some families keep seven) puris and one vada on top of each heap. A cup shaped diva with four corners, made from wheat flour is placed on top of each heap. Each diva will have wick wet with only Cow’s ghee in each of the four corners.
Coconut milk is extracted in a glass. Seven pieces from the cracked coconut are placed in front of the Mataji photo and a bit of food from each prepared dish is placed on top of these coconut pieces to signify our offerings to the deities. All wicks on the ten morsels are now lighted. When lighted, there will be ten morsels with four wicks lit making it a beautiful forty diva arti thali.
Aarti is the beautiful ceremony in which divas flames are offered to Mataji. Aarti is performed to God, in any manifestation, any form, by any name. The essence of the aarti ceremony is that all day long God offers us light - the light of the sun, the light of life, the light of His (Her) blessings. Aarti is a time when we say "thank you," and we offer back the light of our thanks, the light of our love and the light of our devotion.
We realise that the small diva is nothing compared to the divine light, which shines on us all day. So, aarti is a ceremony of humility, a time in which we acknowledge that "God, you are everything. I am nothing. All day you shine upon the world. All I can offer you is this small diva, a flame that will be blown out by the passing wind. But, I offer it with devotion and with love. Please accept my offering."
The family members then chants arti and pray to Mataji. Sing Mataji ni Aarti together
After performing the arti and bowing to Maa, many families also perform a ritual of going out in the open or in the back garden and throw four ‘vada’ in each direction. The significance of this is that it will keep away any domestic or family problems and bring Peace in the family.
Why do we offer SAMAGARI / food to the Lord or Deities before eating it?
Hindus make an offering of SAMAGARI/ food to the Mataji, devtas and devis and later partake of it as prashad - a holy gift from our Lord. We offer nived/SAMAGARI (food) to the Kurdevi. What we receive in life as a result of our actions is really our Maa. We acknowledge this through the act of offering food to our Kurdevi, Istdev, Pitru Dev(for Late fathers/Mothers ,Grand Fathers/Grand Mothers) and other deities.
By performing these sacred acts the worshiper creates a relationship with the divine through his or her emotions and senses. Family members bow before Mataji, sip coconut water as Prashad, and receive a portion of cooked food. This food and water are now considered blessed by the deities.
Love and joy come to Hindu families who do nived and worship to her and ooze profound boons, blessings and Ashirvad. With Her kind blessings the distress, sufferings, misfortunes, miseries and uncalled for troubles will vanish ever for and the success will become your pleasant companion at every step of life.
After offering the food thus, it is eaten as prashad - blessed food.
I hope the above information have enlightened you about the significance of Naived.
The essence of Naived is to maintain the feeling of surrender and dedication to Mataji and will fill our lives with knowledge, understanding, devotion and love. The mental calm and tranquillity one experience after performing Naived is to be experienced to believe it.
May Mataji fill your lives with love and happiness
Jai Mataji
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