HTCC is looking for a Smartha
hailing from
Upbringing |
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Origin |
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Of South Indian origin: i.e. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra |
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Nature |
req |
Works well with members of all vaidika paramparas. Will perform shiva-vishnu puja, panchayatana puja etc |
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Sutra |
req |
Apastamba/Bodhayana/Ashvalayana/Drahyayana etc |
Languages |
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English |
req |
Fluency in spoken english |
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Sanskrit |
req |
Ability to read basic puja vidhanam books Fluency in sanskrit is a bonus |
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South Indian |
req |
Fluency in at least one south indian language Fluency in additional languages a bonus |
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Hindi |
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Fluency in Hindi or a north indian language |
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Experience |
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Has 2 years or more experience in a south indian temple |
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Nitya Devalaya Puja |
req |
Conduct nitya puja at all sannidhis (broadly: vishnu parivara, shiva parivara & navagraha) |
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Naivedya |
req |
Can cook anna-prasada for nitya naivedya |
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Naimittika Puja |
req |
Conduct appropriate karmas during / after eclipses etc |
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Utsava Puja (festivals) |
req |
Conduct utsava pujas with book as necessary for all major festivals. For example: rama-navami, ganesha-chaturthi, shivaratri, navaratri, krishna jayanti, kalyanotsavas (Srinivasa, Shiva etc.) Knowledge of north Indian festivals is a bonus |
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Archanas |
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Perform ashtottara / sahasranama archanas Any ashtottara memorized is a bonus |
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Agama |
req |
Some knowledge of temple rituals required. In depth knowledge of agama shastra a bonus |
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Alankara |
req |
Some knowledge of murti alankara required. In depth alankara skills a bonus. |
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Vishesha Puja |
req |
Can perform a moderately elaborate puja / abhisheka program (~1.5 hours) without referring to books |
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Suktas |
req |
Following suktas / mantras completely memorized: · Five of the following (or similar): Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra(namaka), Chamaka, Purusha, Narayana, Shri, Bhuu · Punyahavacana Mantras · Laghunyasam, Rudram, Chamakam |
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Suktas |
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Ability to chant one or more of the following: Taittiriya Upanishad, Mahanyasam, Udakashanti, Arunaprashnam |
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Veda |
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Can perform veda parayana (or krama, |
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Gotra |
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Have some knowledge of gotra-pravara |
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Panchanga |
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Can set temple programs as per local panchanga |
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Griha |
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Experience |
req |
Has 2 or more years experience performing grihya samskaras |
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Samskaras (purva) |
req |
Can perform all purva prayoga samskaras |
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Samskaras (apara) |
req |
Can perform hiranya-shraddham |
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Common pujas |
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Can perform the following (with book if req’d) · Satyanarayana puja · Griha pravesha · etc. |
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Agni mukha |
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Basic homa procedure memorized: agni mukha, jayadi homa etc |
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Homas |
req |
Can perform ganapathi homa, mrityunjaya homa, ayushya homa, Sudarshana homa, navagraha shanti etc. |
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Regional pujas |
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Can perform 1 or more regional pujas: eg. bhagavati seva, ayyappa puja etc. |
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Jyotisha |
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Can guide grihasthas with basic selection of muhurthas |
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Conduct Guide |
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Can answer basic questions on achara. i.e. there has been a birth in the family. what must I do? |
Ambassador |
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Q & A |
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Can provide answers about Hinduism to kids and adults belonging to the Hindu tradition Knowledge of other faiths is a bonus |
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Discourses |
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Can give quick 10-15 minute talks on the importance of rituals, and the import of all festivals |
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Acharya |
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Can teach some aspects: eg. sloka recitation, mantra recitation, puja vidhanam etc. |