meetei: KUJA PUNBA an act of PAANI GRAHANAM

KUJA PUNBA / PAANI GRAHANAM / KUJA THREAD and SANKALPA (to get rid of from lukhra and pakhra taba in Manipuri or WIDOWHOOD)

The groom lowers his right palm and encloses it over the right hand of the bride. He covers all the five fingers of the right hand of the bride with his right palm through this act of paani grahanam. He recites mantras in praise of Bhaga, Aryama, Savita, Indra, Agni, Suryan, Vayu and Saraswati, while holding the bride's hand. He prays for long life, progeny, prosperity and harmony with the bride during their married life. The closed fingers of the right hand of the bride is said to represent her heart. The paani grahanam ritual symbolizes the bride surrendering her heart in the hands of the groom during the occasion of the marriage.

kuja thread knot around hands of bride and groom; above hands purnapatra for sankalpa of Manipuri Vaishnava wedding. Both the hands must touch the earthen plate but in the picture there is a gap.

In Manipur the Kuja thread is tied by the mother of the bride, after tying the knot purnapatra or earthen plate fill with coconut, banana, whole areca/betel nut, betel leave, rice and dakshina is held with both hands of bride and groom as shown is the figure, ( in reality both hands must touch the earthen plate).

Why there is sacred kuja thread and holding purnapatra above has a great vedic significance related to KUJA DOSHA or MARS DOSHA or MANGAL DOSHA or WIDOWHOOD or (LUKHRA / PAKHRA TABA).

Kuja is a sanskrit word, meaning Mars planet, this planet has a very significant role in determining widowhood. The bride and the groom holding purnapatra, are taking a SANKALPA/pledge/vow/promise to Lord Vishnu that they will never break their marriage vows and relationship in either of good or bad times.

For doing a SANKALPA the ingredients required are coconut, banana, whole areca/betel nut, betel leave and rice, which are put in an earthen plate called KAMBI or PURNAPATRA with the ingradients in Manipuri language.

When a partner is having extra marital affairs he/she will face dare consequences, but as long as they maintain their marriage vows/promises Kuja dosha will not affect the couple.

Other remedies where the couple can strengthen their relationship are:-

1) Vrata / fasting / sankalpa :- It is the easiest way to get rid of from Mangal dosha / kuja dosha. It has strong remedial measures.

2) Chanting of vedic mantras, stotras :- consult an archarya.

3) Please consult a qualified astrologer to follow who can diagnose and guide you.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF KUJA THREAD KNOT and PAANI GRAHANAM