Talk:Mundana

By Swami Harshananda

mundana (‘haircutting,’ ‘shaving’)

In the life of a Hindu, every act, whether a part of daily routine or occasional, is considered sacred and hence done religiously. This attitude helps him to purify his whole being in course of time.

Muṇḍana or keśavapana (haircutting or shaving) is one such act. The dharma-śāstras prescribe that it will be beneficial if done when certain stars are present— like Hastā, Citrā and Svātī—and during certain rāśis or zodiacal signs like Makara (Capricorn), Dhanus (Sagittarius), Kanyā (Virgo) or Mithuna (Gemini).

As regards the sarimyāsins, some (belonging to the Advaita tradition) tonsure their heads completely whereas others (mostly of Vaiṣṇava tradition) keep the śikhā (tuft of hair) and shave the rest.

Coming to the practice of tonsure of the widows, it may be noted that there is no Vedic authority or any reference in the early smṛtis and dharmaśāstras. The solitary exception is Skandapurāna. The practice that exists mostly among some sections of the brāhmaṇas in South India might not be older than the 14th century. It has practically disappeared now.

The idea probably was to protect their chastity and inspire them to lead a life like that of a samnyāsin.

muni (‘one who is immersed in contemplation’)

The word ‘muni’ is derived from the root-verb ‘man’ (‘to think’, ‘to contemplate’). Hence it means anyone who contemplates deeply on God and the higher values of life.

The Rgveda (10.136.2-3) calls munis as the sons of Vātaraśana who wear dirty clothes and are in ecstacy. Munis were befriended by Indra and other gods (ibid 8.17.14 and 10.136.4).

Great sages and ascetics were called munis. The lists of munis generally include Vasiṣṭha, his son, Sakti and Parāśara.

In the tradition of Sanskrit grammar, the three great grammarians—Pāṇini (400 B. C.), Kātyāyana and Patañjali (200 B. C.)— are generally called ‘munitraya’.

Some of the scriptures like the Harivamśa call certain persons as munis. For instance: the teacher who gives dīkṣā (religious vows), the teacher of the Vedas, an ascetic, an assembly of old ascetics, an acclaimed man of wisdom and so on.

In iconographical works, images of munis are to be prepared according to the navatāla or the aṣtatāla system. They are generally shown standing and have two hands only in the poses of añjali (supplication) or as offering flowers or with japamālā (rosary).

The various munis are stated to have emerged out of the various parts of Brahmā’s body. For instance: Atri from the right eye, Araṇi from the nostrils, Aṅgiras from the mouth and so on.

References

• The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore