Ashtajam
Devotional practice dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Hinduism
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Ashtajam (Maithili: अष्टजाम, Sanskrit: अष्टयाम) is a devotional practice in Hinduism dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is a major devotional practice in the tradition of Vaishnava sect in Hinduism. During the Ashtajam Puja, devotees continuously chant Harinaam, name of Lord Krishna and play Harinaam Kirtan for the entire 24 hours. Its customs and process of the devotional practice may varies from region to region in the Indian subcontinent. It is also known Harinaam Sakirtan or Maha Ashtajam or Akhand Hari Kirtan Ashtajam. It is also practice in the devotion of Lord Rama which is called as Ramdhuni Ashtajam.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Ashtajam | |
|---|---|
| अष्टजाम | |
| Type | Chanting and Kirtan |
| Classification | Hinduism |
| Scripture | Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upaniṣad |
| Deity | Lord Vishnu |
| Region | Indian subcontinent |
| Language | Sanskrit, Hindi, Maithili |
| Possessions | Harinaam |
| Founder | Chaitanya Mahaprabhu |
| Members | Kirtan Bhajan Mandali |
| Other names |
|
| Slogan | Hare Krishna, Hare Rama |
| Praying to the Lord Vishnu for fulfillment of wishes | |
Etymology
Description
In the Ashtajam Puja, the continuous chanting of Harinaam is performed by Kirtan Mandalis with their musical instruments. Several Vedic mantras dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Krishna and Rama are also chanted during the Ashtajam Puja. There is a Mahamantra of the Ashtajam Puja which is continuously chanted for 24 hours without a stop in the chanting.[7] The Mahamantra is
Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
— Mahamantra of Ashtajam, Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upaniṣad
The Ashtajam is a unique tradition of praying to the Lord Vishnu. For centuries Hindu adherents have been convinced that whatever they ask from God with a pure heart will definitely be fulfilled by performing the Ashtajam Puja. Whenever there is a shortage of rain or any natural calamity occurs in the villages of the Bengal region, Bihar or border areas in Nepal, the Hindu adherents organize group Ashtajam Puja in their villages. During the Ashtajam Puja, continuous chanting of the names of Lord Rama and Krishna is performed, which continues until the God fulfills the wishes of the devotees.[2]
Origin
It is said that the tradition of Ashtajam is not found in the ancient Hindu texts but it was originated during mediaeval period in the subcontinent. Its history is traced back since the period of the great Vaishnava devotee Sharomani Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at Navadwip area of the Bengal region. Once upon a time in the Bengal region, the Nawab of Murshidabad announced an anti-people order. Then in response, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu started Harinaam Sankirtan with hundreds of kirtanis, against the anti-people order of the Nawab. It is said that the Nawab had to bow his head before Chaitanya's devotional fervor. After that it became a regular religious event in villages across Bengal, Bihar and the border areas in Nepal. Then on the Ashtajam Puja is being celebrated in every villages in these regions.[2][6]
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