Parayana and Parayana Vidhi

Reading of the Holy Words of Kuljam Swaroop is called Parayana. The vibration of the sound of the Brahmn Wani recited clearly purifies the entire environment. Parayana offers an opportunity to the listeners to meditate upon the Holy Words. The correct reading method, particularly in a group setting, is to read each Word of the 18,758 Wani chopais (verses) clear and aloud. Silence reading is highly discouraged to ensure the quality of reading.

Parayana is a very special reason to have the darshan of all sundersathjis. Gathering in the name of Parayana itself indirectly offers an opportunity to all sundersathjis to understand and improve our faith and receive Shri Rajji’s blessings in a uniquely formal way.

How to read Parayana?

Parayana can be mainly read in three different ways depending on the purpose, convenience and the feelings (bhavna) of sundersathji hosting the Parayana. Akhand parayana involves non-stop reading, which may continue for 36 hours or more depending on the reading speed. Among the three common methods, Akhand Parayana is the most preferred one and effective. In Saptahic parayana the entire KS is read in a week’s time. The Gota parayana involves simultaneous reading of the fourteen or more separated parts of the Holy KS. This takes approximately three to five hours of time depending on the reading speed. This is the least preferred method of reading parayana because of the rush and conflicting sounds of the readers in the environment. In Gota Parayana, the environment appears more mechanical and the real joy of reading the Holy KS is often lost. Eventhough, this is the most convenient way to receive a mental satisfaction, Gota parayana should be avoided.

Parayana Beginning Procedure:

  1. Before actually starting a parayana, all sundersathjis gather in front of the Parayana Seva to be read and sing bhajans, kirantans and Meher Sagar depending on the time availability.
  2. Perform Seva Pooja by singing puran brahmn, offering chandan pushpa, doing aarti, singing parikarma and swaroop and offering bhog.
  3. The reader sundersathji or preacher gives some overview of the Holy KS and explains the significance of reading the parayana to the audience and explains the steps to be followed for systematic reading. A prayer is also said to Shri Rajji Maharaj for the successful completion of the Parayana.
  4. Just before the beginning all sundersathjis sing aloud Shri Tartam.
  5. Now read the first seventeen chopais aloud by the parayanan reader. All other sundersathji may also recite together if they can. It is a good idea to distribute a copy of the Parayana Vidhi so every one can participate actively. All recite together the seventeenth chopai:

Jyare dhani dhanvat karey, tyarey bal veiri na harey |

Vali gaya kaam saradey chadhey, mana chitvya kaaraj sarey ||

jyaaro QaNaI QaNavaT kxro tyaaro bala vaorI naa hro |

valaI gayaa kxama saraDo caZo, mana icatavyaa kxarja saro ||

Now the parayana continues. In case of Gota parayana, all sundersathjis can now start reading their assigned portion of the Holy KS until the end.

Offering Bhog During Parayana reading:

While Bhog is offered during the beginning and at the conclusion of a Parayana, it should also be offered during the parayana whenever a bhog event actually comes in reading. To simplify this, akhand bhog should always be maintained and replaced daily during the entire parayana reading period. While akhand bhog is adequate, depending on the Bhavna of the host sundersathji, fresh bhog may also be offered each time the bhog comes in reading. Here are the junction points at which a new Bhog may be offered during Akhand Parayana:

Shri Raas – Chapter 46

Kalash – Chapter 8

Prakash H. – Chapter 23

Kalash H. – Chapter 19

Kirantan – Chapter 57

Parikarma – Chapter 3

Shringar – Chapter 19

Parayana Purnahuti (conclusion) Procedure:

  1. Before actually beginning the purnahuti vidhi, all sundersathjis gather in front of the Parayana Seva and sing bhajans, kirantans and Meher Sagar depending on the time availability.
  2. The reader sundersathji or preacher gives some overview of the Holy KS and explains the significance of reading the parayana to the audience and explains the steps to be followed.
  3. Distribute flowers and rice grains to all sundersathjis. Ask them to hold it in their hands until the words “Muhammadey kari ummat roshan” are sounded.
  4. Just before reading the last two chapters, all sundersathjis recite aloud Shri Tartam two to five times as instructed by the preacher.
  5. Now reader sundersathji or preacher reads aloud the last two chapters of the parayana until the end. All other sundersathji may also recite together if they can. It is a good idea to distribute a copy of the Parayana Vidhi so every one can participate actively.
  6. Offer coconut at the sound of ‘Shri muhammadey kari ummat roshan”. All other sundersathjis offer flowers and rice grains to Shri Rajji with a loud greeting – jaikara of ‘Bolo Shri Prannath Pyare Ki jai.’
  7. The last chopai is repeated aloud announcing the conclusion of the parayana.
  8. The preacher sundersathji and all other sundersathjis now sing the song of glory of Holy Kuljam Swaroop (See page – 115 ).
  9. Now the host sundersathji offers a new dress (rumal) to Shri Rajji as a token of love.
  10. Now the reader sundersathji or preacher opens the front pages of the Holy Kuljam Swaroop and begins reading the first seventeen chopais. All sundersathjis may also sing together.
  11. When the seventeenth chopai comes, all sundersathjis sing together the three chopais written below (Jyare dhani dhanvat karey…..Mahra aatam na aadhar, Page 114)
  12. Now all say aloud the following Jaikara (Greetings): Shri Anand mangal Shri dham dhani ju ki jai; Shri Baijuraj ju ki jai; Shri Maharaja Chhatrasalju ki jai; Shri Sundersathju ki Jai; Shri sundersath jiyavarji sahebji ke charnarvind mein heet chit dijiye| Bolo Shri Prannath Pyare ki Jai |
  1. Now the reader sundersathji or preacher opens the chopai of Hukam (Shri Rajji’s Will) with closed eyes without choosing any specific section of the Holy Wani.
  2. Now the reader sundersathji or preacher reads and explains the meaning of the Hukum’s chopai, and interpretes the message from Shri Rajji specifically for the host sundersathji or the event on which Parayana was read.
  3. Now perform Seva Pooja by singing the following in sequence: Puran brahmn; offering chandan pushpa; and aarti: “Kanchan Thaal chahu mukh…” Where aarti is to be performed more than one time, sing the short aarti “Aarti karun mara wahlaji ne keri..” (See page – 117).
  4. Now all sundersathjis sing parikarma
  5. Now lead sundersathji or preacher sings swaroop and all say aloud “Shriji Sahebji Meherbaan.”
  6. Now offer bhog. All join in singing and playing instruments.
  7. Now all repeat the Jaikara as in (j) above
  8. The host sundersathji now may invite all other sundersathjis for maha prasad. Before actually beginning to eat prasad, all sundersathjis sing ‘Meal Time Prayer’ before actually beginning to eat (Meal Time Prayer: maha pa`saad , Page 108, Section 33).
  9. Departing sundersathjis greet eachother by saying pranam or pranamji.

Pranamji