In this juncture the easiest and undoubtedly the best thing we can do is to recite the following śloka/mantra from Bhagavadgīta:

RakshoghnaMantra(Sanskrit/Hindi)

This śloka appears in the 11th adhyāyam of Bhagavadgīta. This is told by Arjuna in the praise of Lord Śrī Kṛiṣhṇa. This is also known as the  ”Rakṣhoghna mantra” and protects from Rakṣhasas (cruel people). The meaning of this śloka is expounded in the vyākhyānam (commentary) of Śrī Ādi Śankarāchārya. While the greatness of this as a mantra and its use are described in the work of the great sage Madhusūdana Sarasvatī.

Since this is a mantra, the most important aspect is chittaśuddhi (outer and inner cleanliness), ekāgrata (concentration) and Bhakti. Like any other mantra it must be read everyday in the morning (~at sunrise) and evening (~at sunset).

Links to the mantra in various languages:

RakshoghnaMantra(Bengali), RakshoghnaMantra(Gujarati),

RakshoghnaMantra(Kannada), RakshoghnaMantra(Malayalam),

RakshoghnaMantra(Marathi), RakshoghnaMantra(Oriya),

RakshoghnaMantra(Punjabi), RakshoghnaMantra(Tamil),

RakshoghnaMantra(Telugu)

Things which have been used in Bhagavat-puuja are known as Nirmaalyam (that which is never impure). Pushpas (flowers), Akshatas, Patras (leaves), Toyam (water) and Naivedyam which have been offered to God are various forms of  Nirmaalyam. Shastras and Puranas say that if one consumes Nirmaalyam with bhakti he will be freed of all duritams and attains the unttainable moksham. An example of this are the words of Shabara, an aatavika bhakta (tribal devotee), described in Shri Skaanda Mahaapuraanam: “Svaami! Because of taking Vishnu-nirmaalyam, we donot have old-age and diseases and we have been living here since thousands of years with our families and friends. There is absolutely no doubt in saying that one who takes Nirmaalyam with bhakti will leave the path of paapas and walk in the path of Moksham“. Similarly, in Brahma-vaivarta-puraanam, the greatness of Shiva-Nirmaalyam is described in great detail.

Disrespecting Nirmaalyam in any form is sinful. There are many examples in our puraana-itihaasas which teach that disregarding Nirmaalyam causes great difficulties even for mahaatmas. In Shri Vishnu Mahaapuraanam, one can find the story of how Indra, the king of the Devatas, Himself lost Lakshmi-kataaksham by disregarding the Naivedyam given by Duurvaasa mahaamuni. Similarly, Lakshmi-Naarasimha-puraanam describes how Indra-kumaara, the son of Indra, lost his daivatvam by just crossing over Nirmaalyam unknowingly. Hence Nirmaalyam in any form must never be disrepected and must be regarded with great bhakti.

Disregard for Nirmaalyam in the modern era

It is really heartbreaking to see the disregard for Nirmaalyam in this “civilized?” age. Leaving aside individuals, even management of the Devasthaanams are arranging deals with the Municipality to clear the pushpa-akshta-nirmaalyam! Modernized Indians like us are not hesitating to pour unused holy water used in puujas and other Daiva-Pitru-kaaryams into the drains! Naivedyam which has the power to liberate us from janma-janmaantara mahaapaapams is being thrown into the dust-bins! The most saddening aspect is that all of this is being done in the name of “urban-development, modernization”. Can there be an example of greater aatma-vanchana than this ?

Our elders in the past used to devise ways of properly utilizing Nirmaalyam. In case the Nirmaalyam is not fully utilized they used to put it in such a place where nobody stamps it by mistake. For example, houses and Devasthaanams built in olden days used to have appropriately sized “flower-wells” in which unused Nirmaalyam of various forms used to be put. In due course of time the Nirmaalyam would become soil. Also facilities to sink unused Abhisheka-jalam into the earth used to exist (making sure nobody crosses over it by mistake).

Let us awaken the samskaaram sleeping in us! Let us re-discover the Bhaarateeya-aatma which teaches that aadyaatmika-chintanam is the jiivita-paramaartham. Let us follow the path followed by our elders and protect our future generations!

Vandemaataram

1. Abhyangana-snaanam
2. Nuutana-vastra-dhaarana
3. Rakshaa-tilaka-dhaarana
4. Haarati-grahana (These 4 are done to remove arishtams)
5. Smarana of Kuladevata, MahaaGanapati, Suurya Bhagavaan, Sapta-Chiranjeevis, Shashthi Devi
6. Following shlokams must be read: slokam-1, slokam-2, shlokam-3, ShashthiDeviStotram
7. Taking aashiirvaadams of elders. This is one of the most important things to be remembered always. A person becomes yashashvi only by respecting elders. Shri Krishna Paramaatma Himself says that a Nityaannadaata, Nityaagnihotri, Maasopavaasii (one who does upavaasam every month), Pativrata, Vedaantavetta, Sahasra-chandra-darshii (a gruhastha who completes 83 years) are always bowed by Him (slokam-4). Hence it is very important to always respect them and elders.
8. Another very important thing is perform daanaas. Any kind of daanam to a daanaarhi can be done. Daanam must always be done thinking “how great is this daana-grahiita for giving me this oppurtunity to do Daanam“.
9. On the 60th, 70th, 80th janmadinam one must do Ugra-ratha-shaanti, Bhiima-ratha-shaanti and Vijaya-ratha-shaanti respectively. On 83rd and 100th janmadinams, shataabhishekam and puurna-shataabhishekam must be done. The main aspects in these shaantis is Parameshvara-aaraadhana, Homams and Daanams.

Following are the things which must not be done on the janmadinam:

1. Kesha-khandanam (shaving, hair-cut etc.)
2. Nakha-visarjanam (removing nails)
3. Kalaham (quarels, fights)
4. Maamsa-bhojanam (eating non-vegetarian (taamasik) food)
5. Prayaanam (travel)
6. Himsa (cruel deeds)