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Kaliyugada Kalpataru
Fourth Delight
Sri Vyasa Raja Yati Sarvabhouma
Authored by Raja, S. Gururajacharya
9. Jatakarma-Namakaran (Naming Ceremony)
Upon arriving in Attur, Ramacharya and his wife, along with their relatives, received a warm welcome. The guru inquired about their well-being. The couple prostrated before Sri Brahmanya Tirtha, placing the baby, who was in the golden cradle, in front of the guru with folded hands. They said, "Gurudeva! Here is the boy born by your grace. We have come with the child as per your instructions. Please guide us on the next steps."
Sri Brahmanya Tirtha was pleased by their words. The baby, glowing with a golden hue in the golden cradle, was attracting everyone's attention with his playful laughter and extraordinary brilliance and beauty. Seeing the child filled Brahmanya Tirtha's heart with joy. Overcome with emotion, the sage lifted the baby as a mother would, held him in his lap, embraced him affectionately, and exclaimed, "Have you come, O devotee! Have you come to dispel the darkness of ignorance and spread the light of knowledge in the world, to cover the world with your compassion?"
Ramacharya and his wife were astonished to see the guru's overwhelming affection. After a while, Brahmanya Tirtha placed the baby back in the cradle and said, "Ramacharya! Tomorrow is an auspicious day for the Jatakarma and Namakaran (naming ceremony). Let us perform this holy ritual tomorrow." He then went to take a bath and perform the worship of the deities.
Near Brahmanya Tirtha's monastery, there was a grand celebration in a large temple. The temple was decorated with fresh garlands and ornate pillars. Auspicious music filled the air. Scholars and students from the monastery chanted Vedic hymns melodiously. The temple priests conducted purification rituals, Nandi Shraddha, Navagraha puja, and the Jatakarma ceremony in the presence of Sri Brahmanya Tirtha. The Jatakarma ceremony was performed flawlessly.
Ramacharya asked Sri Brahmanya Tirtha what name should be given to the child. The guru replied, "Acharya, this child will one day be seated on the throne of the supreme knowledge of Sri Hamsa and will be renowned as the emperor of ascetics! This child has brought joy to all of us like the moon. Therefore, Sri Hari and Vayu have inspired me to name this child 'Yatiraja,' meaning 'King of Ascetics.'"
Sri Brahmanya Tirtha continued, "Ramacharya, it is correct that Sri Vedavyasa appeared in your wife's dream and blessed her with a golden vessel containing the moon, symbolizing this child's future greatness. Just as Brahma placed the moon in a shining golden vessel, indicating this child's future fame and brilliance, Sri Vedavyasa, the lord of all ascetics, has blessed this child. Thus, it is appropriate to name this child 'Yatiraja,' which signifies a king blessed by the supreme sage, Vedavyasa." Smiling, he added, "Name this child 'Yatiraja.'"
Following Sri Brahmanya Tirtha's words, the assembly of virtuous people was filled with wonder and joy. The child was ceremoniously named 'Yatiraja.' The celebration continued with grandeur, and Ramacharya delighted everyone with gifts of flowers, fruits, betel leaves, and generous donations.
In the afternoon, Sri Brahmanya Tirtha performed the worship of Sri Moola Gopala Krishna Deva and blessed everyone with sacred water and prasadam. After a grand feast and donations to all the Brahmins and married women, the ceremony was successfully concluded.