Posted by Dhanya on June 16, 2007 at 23:24:46:

 V P Dhananjayan writes that "One of the 16 upacharas (rituals) prescribed in the worship of gods is natya upacharas which includes dance, music and drama." ( http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/20000330/ied30055.html )

But T. S. Parthasarathy writes, "Out of the sixteen upacharas offered to God in temples, the fourteenth was music and instrumental music and the fifteenth was Nrittam. " ( http://www.carnatica.net/special/bharatanatyam-history-tsp.htm )

However, on http://www.astrojyoti.com/shodasaupacharas.htm or elsewhere, we cannot find any such mention of dance as part of the upacharas!!!!

Here is what we read on http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/12-06/features495.htm :
the puja has 16 aspects namely (1) Asana (seat of image), (2) Swagata (welcome), (3) Padya (water for washing the feet), (4) Arghya (offering of flower, chandana etc.), (5) Achamanya (water for sipping), (6) Madhuparka (ghee, Madhu or honey, khira or milk, dahi or curd offered in silver or brass vessel), (7) Achamaniya, (8) Snana (bathing), (9) Bastra (clothes), (10) Avarana (jewels), (11) Gandha (scent and chandana), (12) Pushpa (flower), (13) Dhupa (incense stick), (14) Dipa (lamp), (15) Naivedya (food) and (16) Vandana (namaskara or prayer).

Which means that dancing has been replaced with offering food! It explains a lot why the Hindu priests became so fat and stupid, don't you think? The effect of Kali Yuga is amazing!

"13. Pretty girls to the accompaniment of lauds and muttering of mantras wave lighted camphor-
ated wicks arranged like a string of pearls in shining plates. Their nimble feet dance to the tune
of drum beats and joyous songs. May it please you to accept their offering of lights"
( kanyAbhih: kamanIyakAntibhi alaNkArAmalArArtikA
pAtre mauktika citrapaNktivilasat karpoora dIpAlibhih: |
tattathAtala mrudaNga gItasahitam nrutyatpadAmbhOruham
mantrArAdhana poorvakam suvihitam nIrAjanam gruhyatAm | - by ADI SHANKARACHARYA)
 

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