Key takeaways
- An anushthan is a vowed spiritual undertaking: a fixed number of mantra jaap over set days, with discipline and a sankalp.
- It is completed with purashcharan: havan (1/10 of jaap), then tarpan, marjan and brahmin bhojan in many traditions.
- Commonly cited counts: 11,000 · 36,000 · 51,000 · 1,25,000 (sawa lakh), chosen according to your situation.
- Duration depends on the jaap count and the number of pandits; large counts use several pandits.
- It can be performed on your behalf, while you keep a simple devotional practice at home.
- It is a serious act of faith, never a guarantee. Free consultation: call +91 88271 82771 or book online.
Of all the rituals offered to Maa Baglamukhi, the Special Anushthan is the most dedicated. It is not a single puja but a sustained spiritual commitment: a fixed number of mantra repetitions (jaap) completed over several days, with discipline and a clear sankalp, and concluded with a havan.
Devotees often ask what an anushthan involves, how many jaap it needs, how long it takes, and whether it can be performed on their behalf. This article explains the traditional structure of a Baglamukhi Anushthan in simple terms.
What Does "Anushthan" Mean?
The Sanskrit word anushthan means a vowed undertaking: a spiritual practice carried out according to a set method, for a set period, with a set purpose. In the context of mantra worship, it means:
- A specific mantra (for example, Maa Baglamukhi's mantra)
- A fixed total count of jaap
- A fixed period of days
- A sankalp (intention) stated at the beginning
- Discipline throughout
- Completion rituals at the end, usually a havan
Read more: Puja vs Havan vs Anushthan: Which Is Right for Your Situation?
The Traditional Structure of a Baglamukhi Anushthan
1. Sankalp
On an auspicious muhurat, the Acharya makes the sankalp, stating the devotee's name, gotra, the mantra, the total number of jaap, the number of days and the intention.
2. Preliminary Puja
Ganesh Puja, Kalash Sthapana, Navagraha Puja and the worship of Maa Baglamukhi are performed before jaap begins.
3. Daily Mantra Jaap
Each day, the agreed number of malas is chanted on a haldi mala with yellow offerings, following the traditional steps of viniyog, nyas and dhyan.
4. Discipline Throughout
Those performing the jaap keep purity, a sattvik diet, restraint and a regular schedule for the full period.
5. Completion (Purashcharan)
Traditionally, a mantra anushthan is completed with a sequence of offerings, each commonly one-tenth of the one before:
| Stage | What it is | Traditional proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Jaap | Mantra repetition | The full count |
| Havan | Ahutis into the sacred fire | 1/10 of the jaap (dashansh) |
| Tarpan | Offering of water | 1/10 of the havan |
| Marjan | Sprinkling of consecrated water | 1/10 of the tarpan |
| Brahmin Bhojan | Feeding of Brahmins / charity | 1/10 of the marjan |
Traditions vary in how strictly these stages are followed, and where a stage cannot be done, additional jaap is sometimes performed in its place. The Acharya explains exactly what will be done for your anushthan.
Read more: Baglamukhi Havan: What Happens and How to Prepare
How Many Jaap Are Done in a Baglamukhi Anushthan?
The count depends on the mantra, the tradition and the devotee's situation. Commonly mentioned counts include:
| Jaap count | Also known as | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 11,000 | Ekadash sahasra | A smaller anushthan |
| 36,000 | Chhattis hazaar | Linked in tradition with the 36-syllable Baglamukhi mool mantra |
| 51,000 | Ikyavan hazaar | A medium-length anushthan |
| 1,25,000 | Sawa lakh | A classic full anushthan count |
These figures are traditional reference points, not a fixed menu. The appropriate count is decided by the Acharya according to your situation and sankalp.
How Long Does an Anushthan Take?
The duration depends on two things: the total jaap count and the number of Acharyas/pandits chanting together.
- A single Acharya chanting for several hours a day completes a smaller count over some days.
- For larger counts, such as sawa lakh, several pandits often chant together so the anushthan is completed within a practical number of days, for example over Navratri or Gupt Navratri.
- The concluding havan is performed on the final day.
The Acharya will explain the exact number of days, the number of pandits and the schedule during the consultation.
Who Performs the Anushthan?
There are two traditional options:
- The devotee performs it personally, under a guru's guidance (usually after diksha), maintaining the full discipline themselves.
- An Acharya performs it on the devotee's behalf, with the devotee's name, gotra and intention in the sankalp. This is the common choice for families who cannot maintain the discipline themselves, or who live far away.
In the second case, the devotee is encouraged to keep a simple devotional practice at home during the anushthan period, such as lighting a diya and reciting the chalisa daily.
Read more: Rules for Chanting the Baglamukhi Mantra: Diksha, Guru and Precautions · Do's and Don'ts During a Baglamukhi Anushthan
When Do Devotees Choose an Anushthan?
An anushthan is usually considered when:
- A family is going through a prolonged or serious difficulty, in family life, legal matters, business or career
- A devotee wishes to make a deep, sustained spiritual commitment
- An auspicious period such as Gupt Navratri, Navratri or Baglamukhi Jayanti is approaching
It is not always necessary. Often a puja or a puja with havan is appropriate, and sometimes a simple daily prayer at home is enough. That is why a consultation comes first.
An Honest Word
An anushthan is a serious spiritual undertaking and an act of deep faith. It is performed seeking Maa Baglamukhi's blessings for steadiness, protection and clarity. It is not a guarantee of any particular outcome. Acharya Ashish Sharma explains every anushthan clearly, including the jaap count, duration, number of pandits and dakshina, before the devotee decides, and never uses pressure or promises.
Read more: How Much Does a Baglamukhi Puja Cost? Factors That Decide the Dakshina · Why We Never Promise Guaranteed Results
Having a Baglamukhi Anushthan Performed at Nalkheda
At Maa Baglamukhi Temple, Nalkheda, Acharya Ashish Sharma performs traditional Special Anushthan for devotees across India and abroad:
- Free consultation: share your situation.
- Guidance: whether an anushthan is appropriate, and if so, which count and duration.
- Sankalp with your name, gotra and intention on an auspicious muhurat.
- Daily jaap at Nalkheda for the agreed period.
- Concluding havan, with updates by video call, photos or video where arranged.
The Spiritual Meaning of a Vow
Why do traditions value an anushthan so highly? Because it combines three powerful elements:
- Sankalp shakti (the power of resolve): a clear, sincere intention made before the Divine
- Tapas (disciplined effort): days of sustained practice, purity and restraint
- Nishtha (steadfast faith): continuing with devotion even when results are not visible
In devotional understanding, the anushthan transforms the devotee as much as it seeks the Goddess's blessings. Days of sattvik living, gentle speech and daily prayer bring a steadiness of mind that is itself a gift of Maa Baglamukhi, the Goddess of stillness.
Why Many Devotees Choose Nalkheda for an Anushthan
Maa Baglamukhi Temple, Nalkheda has a long tradition of havan and anushthan. Devotees value:
- The swayambhu Trishakti murti: Maa Baglamukhi with Maa Lakshmi and Maa Saraswati
- The Mahabharata connection in local tradition
- Experienced Acharyas and pandits who perform jaap and havan according to the traditional vidhi
- The sacred atmosphere of a place where devotees have prayed for generations
Read more: History of the Nalkheda Baglamukhi Temple
An Illustration: Jaap Count, Pandits and Days
To understand why duration varies, consider this simplified illustration (actual figures depend on the mantra's length, the pace of chanting and the Acharya's tradition):
| Jaap count | 1 Acharya | 5 pandits | 11 pandits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11,000 | A few days | About 1 day | Less than a day |
| 36,000 | Around 1–2 weeks | A few days | 1–2 days |
| 1,25,000 (sawa lakh) | Several weeks | Around 1–2 weeks | A few days |
Figures are illustrative only. The Acharya will explain the exact schedule for your anushthan.
Your Role During the Anushthan
Even when the jaap is performed on your behalf, you are the yajman, the one for whom the anushthan is undertaken. Tradition encourages you to support it by:
- Keeping a sattvik routine: vegetarian food, no alcohol, calm conduct
- Lighting a diya daily and reciting the Baglamukhi Chalisa or Gayatri
- Keeping the sankalp in mind with faith and patience
- Speaking gently and avoiding arguments
- Joining the concluding havan in person or by video where possible
Read more: Do's and Don'ts During a Baglamukhi Anushthan
Three Example Situations (Illustrative)
1. A family facing a long-running difficulty. After months of stress, a family in Indore discusses their situation in detail. Acharya ji explains a 36,000-jaap anushthan over several days with a concluding havan, including the number of pandits and the dakshina. The family takes a week to decide.
2. A devotee who wants to begin during Gupt Navratri. A devotee in Delhi wishes to make a spiritual commitment during Magh Gupt Navratri. The anushthan is planned to begin on Pratipada and conclude with a havan on Navami.
3. An NRI family who cannot keep strict discipline abroad. A family in New Jersey asks for an anushthan to be performed on their behalf at Nalkheda. They keep a simple daily diya and chalisa at home and join the final havan by video.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing the largest jaap count out of fear. Appropriate matters more than big.
- Starting a Mahavidya anushthan yourself without guidance
- Ignoring the discipline during the anushthan period
- Not clarifying the number of pandits, days and inclusions before booking
- Expecting a guaranteed outcome
Anushthan Checklist
| ✓ | Item |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Consultation done; anushthan is appropriate for my situation |
| ☐ | Jaap count, days and number of pandits are clear |
| ☐ | Dakshina and inclusions (havan, tarpan, brahmin bhojan) are clear |
| ☐ | Sankalp details shared |
| ☐ | Start and end dates noted in my local time |
| ☐ | Home practice planned for the anushthan period |
About Acharya Ashish Sharma
Acharya Ashish Sharma has served in the tradition of Maa Baglamukhi for more than 25 years. He is Sanskrit-trained and connected with this tradition since birth, and his office is near Maa Baglamukhi Temple, Nalkheda. He performs traditional Maa Baglamukhi Puja, Havan and Special Anushthan, and offers personal spiritual guidance according to each devotee's situation, for families in India and around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Baglamukhi Anushthan?
It is a vowed spiritual undertaking in which Maa Baglamukhi's mantra is chanted a fixed number of times over a set period with discipline and a sankalp, and then completed with a havan and related offerings.
How many jaap are done in a Baglamukhi Anushthan?
Commonly mentioned counts include 11,000, 36,000, 51,000 and 1,25,000 (sawa lakh). The appropriate count is decided by the Acharya according to the devotee's situation.
How long does a Baglamukhi Anushthan take?
It depends on the total jaap count and the number of pandits chanting. Smaller anushthans take a few days; larger ones use several pandits to complete within a practical period, often during Navratri or Gupt Navratri.
What is dashansh havan?
In an anushthan, a havan with one-tenth of the total jaap as ahutis is traditionally performed to complete the ritual, followed in many traditions by tarpan, marjan and brahmin bhojan.
Can an anushthan be performed on my behalf?
Yes. An Acharya can perform the full anushthan on your behalf with your name, gotra and intention in the sankalp, while you keep a simple devotional practice at home.
Does an anushthan guarantee results?
No. An anushthan is a traditional religious undertaking performed with faith. It is not a guarantee of any specific outcome.
What is purashcharan?
Purashcharan is the traditional completion of a mantra anushthan: jaap, followed by havan, tarpan, marjan and brahmin bhojan, each commonly one-tenth of the previous.
Why is the havan one-tenth of the jaap?
It is a traditional rule called dashansh (one-tenth), by which a portion of the jaap is offered into the sacred fire to complete the anushthan.
How many pandits are needed for sawa lakh jaap?
It depends on the time frame. Larger counts are often shared among several pandits so the anushthan completes within a practical number of days.
What should I do at home during an anushthan performed for me?
Keep a sattvik routine, light a diya daily, recite the Baglamukhi Chalisa or Gayatri, speak gently, and join the concluding havan if possible.