Where can i find scriptural references for vaahan puja?

Question

It is a custom to take the newly purchased car to a nearby temple, where the pujari consecrates it. It typically involves tying a lemon somewhere on the hood, breaking a coconut in front of car etc. Quite often a murti of Ganeshji is kept on the dashboard.

I was wondering if there are any scriptural basis for it ? Any stories associated with vahan puja?

Answer 1

There are many samskaras (domestic rituals) that Aryas or Hindus perform in daily life. The protocols for performing these Samskaras are described in Grihyasutras, which are part of the Kalpasutras - one of the six divisions of the Vedangas.

In the Grihyasutras there is a samskara mentioned as "Ratharohanavidhi". It described how, after getting a new chariot, one should perform some auspicious religious rite before mounting and running it. In the modern age, Rathas are replaced with cars. However, the usage is the same, and so is the religious rite. However, it got modified a bit with time.

Here, I am quoting the process described in Paraskara Grihyasutra (III.14), associated with the Shukla Yajurveda. During any religious rites, we chant Vedic mantras. As it is associated with Shukla Yajurveda, so it refers to mantras from Vajasneyi Samhita (Shukla Yajurveda Samhita).

1. Now the mounting of a chariot (is declared).

2. After he has given the order, 'Put the horses to it,' and it has been announced, 'They are,' he goes to (the chariot, saying), 'This is the Virāj,' and touches the two wheels,

3. The right (wheel) with (the words), 'The Rathantara art thou'—

4. The left with (the words), 'The Bṛhat art thou'—

5. The pole with (the words), 'The Vāmadevya art thou.'

6. He touches the interior of the chariot with his hand (saying), 'The two Aṅkas, the two Nyaṅkas which are on both sides of the chariot, which move forward with the rushing wind, the far-darting one with keen senses, the winged one, may these fires, the promoters, promote us.'

7. With (the words), 'Adoration to Māṇicara,' he drives on the beast on the right side.

8. (If going in his chariot) toward (images of) gods, let him descend (from the chariot) before he has reached them; if toward Brāhmaṇas, just before (reaching them); if toward cows, when amid them; if toward fathers, when he has reached them.

9. A woman or a Vedic student shall not be charioteers.

10. Having driven a moment beyond (the point to which he intends to go) he should murmur, 'Here is rest, rest here' (Vāj. Saṃh. VIII, 51).

11. Some add (the words), 'Here shall be no rest.'

12. If the chariot is weak, he should murmur, after he has mounted it, 'May this your chariot, O Aśvins, suffer no damage on bad ways or by being overthrown.'

13. If the horses run away with the chariot, he should touch the post (?) or the earth and should murmur, 'May this your chariot, O Aśvins, suffer no damage on bad ways or by being overthrown.'

14. Thus he will suffer no harm and no damage.

15. When he has finished his way, and has unyoked the horses, let him have grass and water given to them. 'For thus satisfaction is given to the beast that draws (the cart)'—says the Śruti.

References -

1. Paraskara Grihyasutra translated by Hermann Oldenberg