Sādhusaṅkuli Tantra Grahapuraścaraṇa Prayogaḥ
Puraścaraṇa literally means:
“that which is performed beforehand” or “preliminary/preceding practice.”
In practice, puraścaraṇa refers to a systematic, disciplined set of preparatory and accompanying rituals performed to activate a mantra.
A full puraścaraṇa traditionally includes:
- Japa (mantra repetition)
- A fixed number, often based on the number of syllables in the mantra
- Common rule: 100,000 repetitions per syllable (or according to Parashara BPHS)
- Homa (fire offering)
- Typically 1/10 of the japa count
- Tarpana (libation offerings)
- Usually 1/10 of the homa count
- Mārjana / Abhiṣeka (ritual sprinkling or bathing)
- Again 1/10 of the tarpana count
- Brāhmaṇa-bhojana (feeding of priests or others)
- Concludes the cycle
