Vella Nivedhyam.

What is a nivedhyam and what is its significance?

A nivedhyam is an offering made to the deities. Even though the idols of the deities are made of stone, five metals or any other material, they are not mere inert objects, but are considered active matter imbibed with energies that can connect and resonate with human life forms. They have manifested in various forms on Earth, thus making themselves available to influence and elevate the lives of those who are willing to connect with them. While offering delicacies like sweets and fruits is a good way of expressing our gratitude to the divine forms, there is a much higher and practical intelligence involved in this form of worship. Of the six tastes, only sweet is considered generally satwic. Satwa is a pure, light, clear, calming and harmonizing energy that opens the mind and promotes wakefulness. Fruits themselves are natural sweets which are pleasant in taste and are nourishing for the body. Similarly, white rice, brown rice, nuts and seeds, milk, honey, raw sugar and jaggery are also satwic foods, and when consumed in balance provide better power of perception, as they nourish both the brain and the heart. Thus, these offerings come from the practical logic to encourage the use and consumption of satwic foods as a healthy body-and-mind-building mechanism. Such foods allow the mind to stay clear and focused. It can be easily observed that behind all the practices that are performed as remedies, like nivedhyam, there is a clear understanding of the mechanics of body-mind consciousness and their relatedness. Understanding this underlying principle helps to appreciate and approach the remedies with better focus and reverence.

What is the Vella Nivedhyam?

The Vella Nivedhyam is the offering of cooked plain white rice to the deity. This offering is made to almost all the main deities in Kerala’s temples. 

What are the benefits of offering the Vella Nivedhyam? 

The Vella Nivedhyam is an effective remedy for afflictions in horoscopes. This worship should be done by those having a weak lagna (ascendant) or lagna lord (ascendant lord), for relief from the ill effects of the negative positioning of planets. The Vella Nivedhyam can also be offered as a corrective measure for general weakness and physical fatigue.