Ashirvad

(“benedictory formula”) General term
used to denote words of blessing,
whether formal or informal. One of
the basic assumptions of Hindu religious life is that certain spiritually
powerful people—in particular,
ascetics and learned brahmins—can
confer blessings and curses at will.
Both the blessings and curses are
believed to take effect immediately
and without fail, which is why a prudent person will always treat ascetics
and learned brahmins with the
respect that they deserve.