The following is an extract from Sri vaishnavam Practices -
TRSIYENGAR.COM
Introduction.
After having his some doubts cleared on Gaya Srardha, through the FAQ pages of this website,
Mr. Gopala Krishna has written many mails asking for clarifications in our
Srardha and TharppaNa procedures. This question & answer is prepared to
have an enlightening about Sraardha and Tharpan. I am thankful to Mr.
Gopalakrishnan Ramaiyer, now settled in Chennai for condensing our email
exchanges into this Q & A format. The Questions some times you may see as
something you always wanted to ask and get the Answer. The answers are given in
simple understanding manner. In fact it is the compression of the various
questions put to me in different occasions by visitor Sri R. Gopala Krishnan
who is a retired officer from BSNL Trivandrum.
In fact, the summarized Q&A below is out of our various e-mail exchanges on
the subject.
Q1. Sir – Who has performed sraardha first? Who has
coordinated the procedures for the sraardha we perform today? Has any body
amended it?
A1. Good question! It will be astonishing to you if I say
that Sri Varaha moorthy has performed sradha first. Sage Bodhayana has co-ordinated the
procedures for Sraadha. But his procedures are lengthy. For instance, even
while Bhokthas are taking food, Kartha is to continue performing the lengthy
Jayathi Homa. These procedures
are later amended by sage Apasthambha which is the basis of Sraadha Niyama now
we follow.
Dear Sir, You would have heard lengthy manthras for Bodhaya
soothra while you perform annual upakarma. I hope this much will satisfy your
question.
Q2. Sir, I have heard Sraadha has to be performed by self. Is
it possible?
A2. Sraadha niyama say so. But due to the elaborate
procedures and complexities in them, we seek the Sasthrikals known as
Bruhaspathi or Vadyar to guide. Now it has become order of the day to invite
Sasthrikals, Bruhaspathi known as Vaadyar.
If you refer Ithihasa (The History) Ramayana, you will
read Sri Rama performed Sraadha for Dasaratha himself
Q3. Sir is it correct that Sraadha has to be performed in
Aparannam. What is your view?
A3. Again
Sraadha niyama say so. We are in a fast moving world. Can the present day
kartha and Bhoktha can remain that much time? Kartha or Bhoktha can be a sugar
patient. Can they wait so much? However it is apt to perform sraadha so that
the Bhokthas take their food in the afternoon. I hope after reading this you
will not get displeased with either sasthrikals or Bhokthas if they come a
little late by 11 AM or so. I hope this reply satisfy you.
Q4. Sir, Your answers make me more curious. You have said
Sradha Niyama two times to me. Where can we have sraadha niyama now?
A4. It is interesting to note that you are more
curious. One sradha niyama authority is vaidyanatheeyam or Vaidyanatha
deekshitheeyam. You can refer it to clarify many of your doubts. This is
actually a Tamil translation of smrithi muktAphalam, named as vaidhyanAdha
dhIkshithIyam, compiled and translated by Sri Venkatrama Shastry and Sri
Ramamoorthy Shastry, at the behest of srI KAnchi ParamAchAryAl in 1985. I can
give you the details of this book since you are very curious.
Title: samkshEpa dharma sAstram ,
Publishers: Heritage India Educational Trust,
#6,
Sanskrit College street, Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004 Latest edition: Third, 1990
This book deals with many other topics too. Just
for your information, the book is really a boon as the price is astonishingly
very very little comparing to its worth. Since you are at present settled in
Chennai, I think you could get one copy from them. There are many books in
other languages too. As an appendix, this book also clarifies on Aasaucha
sadakam.
Q5. Sir, This question was in my mind for a long time. Now I
put it to you. Do Viswamdeva (Viswedava) escort or guide the pithru?
A5. I think you are going deeper in to sraadha. I will try
to answer all your queries, For your question Viswam deva is both. Even
if the pithru is in nether world he is to be brought by Viswam deva only. I
hope this gives satisfactory answer to you.
Q6. Sir, This is another question in my mind for a long time.
During sraadha we feed only one Bhoktha. Then how do we call Vasu, Rudra Aditya
swaroopaya and pithrus from three generations? I hope I am making you to think
putting questions of elaborative nature.
A6. Dear Sir, Surely the answer to this question is rather
than elaborative they are sookshma in nature. How ever I will answer the question in
simplest manner.
Basically understand in Sraadha a set of procedures is
followed to recollect the pithru. The set procedures as told are followed. Many
of these procedures have inner meanings too still not fully explained or can
understand from the sraadha books.
If you go through the manthras you will learn not only three generations but jnatha
Anjatha pithrus too you invite and feed. This is sankalpa. You are performing
sraadha to the pithru who has left on that thithi.
You have asked why we refer in Sradha Vasu Rudra Aditya
swaroopaya. They are sradha deities.
If you are going to invite a relative and his friends too
are there will you invite your friend only? Why for courtesy call others too?
Will we not send them too some compliments through him?
One bhoktha whom you invite represent the pithru for whom
sradha is performed. We identify him in addition with Sraadha deities Vasu,
Rudra and Aditya. Usually Vasu is pithru deity for whom sraadha is done. Rudra
and Aditya represent other pithru deities whom you invite. It is told by identifying the invited
bhoktha with Vasu, Rudra and Aditya deities the sraadha offerings are taken to
all invitees. As I first said the explanation is sookshma. This indirectly
hints pithru is another deity like viswamdeva (Viswedevas).
Q7. Sir
Do our pithru reach swarga?
A7. Why
doubt? The ultimate destination being Kailasam aka Paramapadam, the souls
wander from one
location to other, depending on their merits and punya bhalam. They reach their
destinations by various steps; pithrulokam, devalokam, etc. The actual paramapatham, Srivaikuntham or
kailasam are one and the same as per the philosophical readings.
Q8. Excuse me sir; you have said depending on the
merit the pithru reach Paramapadam. If so what happen by performing sraadha to
a pithru reached Swarga. Is it too sooshma to explain?
A8. But
having no way to know the facts, we are instructed to continue the srardham till our lifetime. Here too,
we do it not only for the parents who left, but also for three-generation viz.
grand and great grand parents. Why? If by any chance, if our parent reached
the destination but any of the grand parents left wandering, then it is for
them to gain through this srardham. What if none of them wandering but all
reached safely to the Kailasam or
the Paramapadam? It will benefit Njaatha ajnjaatha pithrus.
The very basic reason for having prescribed to
perform it for three generation
is the most vital part of the value added srardham.
Q9. Sir, Do not think I am philosophical and too
much pondering. When we offer the seventh pinda during sraadha it go to Jnatha
Anjatha pithrus. Am I correct if I say it pertain to sahothra?
A9. Mr, Gopala Krishnan- It is not you are going
philosophical but it is a desire to know more on sraadha. I am happy you are
showing so much interest. I am too much happy to answer you …
Q10. Sir, I have a doubt. Do the tharpanam done
on sraadha day itself at the end is not as per niyama?
The Uthama factors: Srardha with Homam
With five Brahmins - one each for the post of Brahmma,
Bruhaspathi, Viswedeva, Pithru and Sri Mahavishnu as Srardha Samrakshaka. -
Uthamothamam.
Bruhaspathi, viswedeva, Pithru & Vishnu - Uthamam
Bruhaspathi, Vishwedeva & Pithru - Madhimam
Bruhaspathi & Bhokta Pithru - Adhamam
The Madhima factors - Srardha without Homam
but only with sankalpam:
Sankalpa srardha without homam but
bhojanam to three Brahmins plus vaadyar - Uthamam
sankalpa Srardha without homam but with
two bhoktas - Viswedeva & Pithrus + Vadyar - Madhimam
Sankalpa Srardha without homam but with
only one Bhokta + vadyar - Adhamam
Adhama factors - No homam, No bhojanam
but only offering raw rice, raw banana with pulses, jaggery etc. with
Sankalpam:
offering to 3 Brahmins - Uthamam -
Visvedeva, Pithru, Sri Mahavishnu and Bruhaspathi - Uthamam
offering to two Brahmins - visvedeva,
Pithrus - Madhimam
offering to only one Brahmin - Adhamam
Adhamoadhamam:
Offering to only one Brahmin that too
without any sankalpa mantra - this is known as Aama srardham.
And still, if one cannot do any of the
above for varied reasons, it was said to perform at least the Thila TharppaNam
on that day and offer it to the Vishnu padam to remember the Thithi! This is
the least one can afford - if one is so poor, sick and disabled. If one cannot
even afford the Thila (seasame), then just only with plain water!
If age factor and monetary considerations are
not favourable, one has to perform
to the minimum possible way, i.e. by Sankalpam with Hiranyam. And Sri Lord Krishna wants
at least a TharpaNam by offerring it to the Vishnu Padam (only, sick, aged and
poor can do the srardham just only with TharpaNam!).
Q15. Sir, What is pithru dosha? Does this appear
on account of non-performance of sraardha?
A15. Very good, now you have come to related
topics. The pitru dosha is supposed to be caused
by non-performance of sraardha rites. It. causes childlessness, obstacles and
failures in many ways.
Q16. Sir, This question is
regarding a very big confusion in my mind. Once I wrote in the Yahoo iyer 123
group for pithru 1 year is equal to a day. A few replied back to me it is a month and not one year. Please
clarify.
A16. Dear Sri Gopala Krishnan,
it is not you only, but many have this confusion. Actually, the period of day
& night and months are quite different in different logam, just like the
one in the planets and celestial phenomena. If
pithru's happen to be in pithru logam, for them Sukla paksha/Krishna paksha
each fifteen days counts as day and night.
If they reach the deva gana status, then
Dakshinayanam & Uthrayanam period of six months each stands for them as a
day and night.
Here I will add a little bit
more so that my point will be further enlightened. Pithru do not get hungry as
we. For the first one year after death we offer masikam-monthly feeding. After
annual sraadha once in a year. This mean once in 12 days. For pithru this
feeding is sufficient. This is the procedure followed now. If they have reached
Devaloka it is ones a day.
Please note pithru ned not be
in pithru loka or deva loka. There are six worlds above us and seven worlds
below us.
In this context I hope you recollect the story
of sage Sandipani. Sree
Krishna offered him Gurudakshina after
praying to Lord Varuna and Going to the nether world bringing back his deceased
son…
Though you have not asked,
still I like to clarify a little bit about tharpan in this context.
Monthly Tharpanam is not pithru
feeding. It is to get their blessings. Many confuse that tharpanam is for
feeding pithru. I will discuss further on tharpanams if you have any query on it . As I said earlier in my answer there
are certain sooshma instructions. Annual sraadha is one among them. I hope you
are contented with this reply.
Q 17. We normally perform
sraadha on a specific given thithi of the month of death. Sir, Can we
postpone/advance to any earlier or later thithi?
A17. It is desired sraadha be performed on the fixed
thithi only. However there are some exceptions told in the scripts, like - (1)
If Vadhyar, Bhokta failed to
turn, then also you can postpone
it to a convenient day. (2) If due to war, mutiny, calamity
etc. one can postpone the same to any other convenient day, till the
normalcy returns! Or if any death take place amongst one's close
relatives (aasoucham) one can postpone srardha to the day when aasoucham is
over. Here for the failed Srardham, the condition is, that it should be
performed on the immediate next day, or on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami or on the
Amavasya day, in that order; if that too not possible, then in the next month
but in the same thithi.
One compulsory rule is, you can
postpone the thithi sraadham but cannot advance it!” These are the main rulings. I hope you are
satisfied with the reply.
Q18. Excuse me sir, if sraadha can be postponed
why it should not be advanced? Can you kindly clarify?
A 18. Mr Gopala Krishnan, I
answered postponement of sraadha is permitted on extreme conditions. It is very
simple logic to answer your question why it should not be proponed
.
Shall I start with a simple example. If you
are taking meals at 1 PM regularly you will feel hungry and turn to dining
table only by that time.
Particularly if you are having any health problem timely food is a must. Either
earlier or later you may not go. You know it very well. Similar is the case of
the pithru. They will not turn up earlier. You
will put the question- then why postponement is approved?
Yes, again the same example for
easy understanding - you go to the dining table and if your wife say just wait
another 10 minutes, you may (Have
to?) wait. But everyday if you
have to wait surely will you not become angry?
Refer my answer for
postponement of sraadha. On extreme conditions only it is permitted. I hope
this answer is convincing you. Once
again I emphasize the point - Pithrus appear only on the day of srardham and if
failed , then they visit on all subsequent days till it is performed. This is
just like your impatience to
have the food in my example.
Q19. Excuse me sir,-we perform
Nanthi (Nothing but a variation of sraadha in my thinking ) on a convenient
date before any auspicious function. It is an untimely calling. How do you
justify it if timely meals just like a sick patient is to be given to the
pithru. Am I embarrassing you too much?
A19. Not at all sir, From your
way of putting the questions I understand very well your intentions of
clarifications. I am expecting more and more questions. Incidentally are you
not having any questions on Tharpan? I will answer your question now.
The Abvyooham known as nandhi
srardham is known for "KaaraNa nimitham" i.e. for a specific benefit. It is to
seek their blessings for the special occasion. It is just like any other
festivity that we take special meals than the regular and unusual. There is no
over-feeding amounts on the "kaaraNa nimitham" since this is for a
specific special purpose.
Since you have asked I will add
a little more on nanthi sasthra which may give some more informations to you
about it.
There are some stipulations one
has to follow for every ritual. These are classified under Dharma sasthra; with
the help of a learned person, one can invite the departed souls only on
pre-laid conditions per sastra for some reasonable functions as Nandhi srardha
only. Other pithru days are not counted as a disturbance as they do expect
these on given days. The same rule applies to sraadha conducted in Punnia
kshethras like Sethu aka Rrameswaram, Prayag, Kasi, Gaya etc.
When you do the Nandhi
srardham, it is said to be directed to all the 14 Lokams so as to get the
blessings from all, whoever, wherever they might reside are linked to us and
surely there is no question arises of our disturb/botheration to any soul. In
such Nandhi srardham, the name order changes! In normal Srardha, you invite
pithru, pithamaha & prapithamaha; but in Gothra pravaram and nandhi, you
announce/invite first prapithama first, then pithamha and lastly your pithru !
Q20. Respected Sir, surely
I have questions on Tharpanam but they are few in number since you have clearly
stated already it is for the blessings and not feeding.
I have a few more
questions on sraadha. I
will put the next one - Why the pinda is offered to crow. Can it be offered to
cow if crow do not turn up?
A20. Niyathi is to offer
pinda to crow and before the bhoktha get up after meals, crows should be start
eating pinda.
Crow is said to be a
carrier/messenger for the pithrus. When
a srardha/tharppana mantra is recited at any location and if a crow flies
across even a furlong away, then the message is carried/uplifted to the
pithrulogam, it is believed. Yes, the phonetic wave vibrations are taken from
one station is just uplifted with its wings. (Even the researchers agree, crow
has a special power even to uplift the ether waves and some sort of unknown
signals lengths.
When an Earth quake is about to take place,
researchers say, crow is the first creature to be watched as it feels the shock
even before it strikes!!). It is the most reserved and alert bird.
I have heard that in certain places Crow do not turn up.
In such places we can adopt local conditions. Are we not changing many things
suit to local conditions?
One needs to be practical to
give merit to the ethics. The Sasthra says to do it; when the availability of
such and such things are rare, then one need to abide by the sastra but leave
the matter to almighty! Be practical to the minimum extent. required.
As a matter of fact, most of
our rituals are surely based on local conditions and the practices we follow
are that most suited to the place we dwell in. Even the Almanac known as Panchang we
use in the south , it is quite different one from the one used in the North or Eastern India. Why so? Surely, Rithu/ayana etc are
different from one other and it is purely based on the climatic &
topographical conditions of each place.
Now sir, I can give an interesting piece of information
after giving the Vayasam - pindam to the crow:
If it eats the rice from the
ball from east side, it is said to be a good omen, that the coming generations
too will benefit from the pithru's blessings.
If from the west side Aiswarya
And if from north side of the ball if it
eats first, then pithru's are not fully contented happy over the ritual.
If it takes from the south
side, then some sort of trouble is impending.
What if four crows at a time
eats from all directions? Surely our present life continue, that much one can
be sure of!
But I think in many areas crow
taking the pinda rice immediately is considered as pithru satisfaction of the
sraadha performance.
I have heard in certain houses
even crow will be
impatiently waiting for the second Kartha keep the pinda for its eating.
I hope this answering
though gone lengthy has
input a lot more information . What do you think?
Now, let us think on the
rationale way. Crow is an environmental cleansing agent. It takes away every
bit of dirt that if left that would contaminate the surroundings. Whether rat
or any other dead animal, the crow will eat it and cleanse the place neatly!.
But the fact is, if any other creature dies, crow will eat it; and if a crow
dies - oh, it is to bio-degrade itself with the soil !! Yes, no other creature
will touch the dead crow.
Q21. Sir, Though lengthy
the answering was very very nformative. Thank you. Sir, my next question- Now a
days practically it is impossible to remain till aparanna with out even taking
coffee or milk for elderly and sick people. This applies to Bhoktha too. What
is your opinion on it?
A21. Sir, In the present
world surely your query is justified for elders. If your ill health do not
permit to remain with out taking any thing till sraadha completed take some thing . At least while
performing sraadha- two hours time do not take any thing. If a kartha or bhoktha is
having high Blood sugar, then insulin and morning food after it are important.
Try to conduct sraadha earlier.
These are all my personal opinions. What I feel is your sinceority to conduct
sraadha is most important.
Q 22. Can you
elaborate rules regarding
the Bhoktha as well as for kartha Sir?
A 22. Surely I will. For the
sanctity of the bhoktha these are all the must.
1. He should be fairly healthy,
married and a family man and with no physical handicappedness.
2. He should refrain from
family life on the previous day.
3. He should have fasted the
previous day.
4. He should be clean, neatly
dressed and should have taken oil bath on the day.
5. He should partake only in
one sraadha on a day. This is very important.
6. On the sraardha day too
other than the food taken no meals should be taken in the night.
7. If not done the Veda
Adyayanam fully, at least he must a be a person doing his daily Gayatri Japa.
And above all,
8. He should not be from the same Gothra as that of
Kartha.
I think you agree if I
state such a bhoktha has to
be fully compensated with Dakshina and other forms . Bhoktha can partake
maximum seven sraadhas in a month. The entire month bhoktha and his
family has to survive on
the dakshina.
Now for the Kartha - one has to go fasting on the earlier day to
Srardha; avoid taking food from outsiders/outside or in hotels (here Sister,
Aunt, Uncle and immediate close relations viz. Father In-law etc are not
considered as outsiders!) at least a fortnight from the date of Srardha. Not to
take oil bath or shaving on the day of Srardha; all sorts of entertainments,
outside travels etc. to be avoided. To perform the Srardhanga TharppaNa on the
next day to srardha and then only move out.
Q23. Sir,I fully agree with
you.. I have three more questions in my mind before I put my queries on Tharpan.
First one is whether thithi or
nakshathra of death is to be reckoned? In Kerala Nairs follow Nakshathra.
Nampoothiries too if I recollect. In
Calcutta star
is found followed according to one sraadha book in Bengali I have read.
A23. Surely a good
question you have asked me .Now I will give the clarification.
In general the Nakshatra for
birth and thithi for death is taken. However, for the Lords, the thithi is
given importance by many and the nakshatra is given importance by others. (Few
for the festivity consider Pusyha/Rohini).
In Srivaishnava, even a
fraction of seconds of Sapthami is not to be there for Sri Krishna Jayanthi,
even if Rohini slips out!
The reason for this is as we
live on this earth it is to be taken according to this planets rotational movements
that falls in the Nakshatra. And for the Pithru’s it the Thithi is important
because, as the Pithru locational calander is based on fifteen days
Sukla/Krishna paksha is a day for them.
As far the Lords, it is the one
and same applicable as they too were born and departed souls in this earth!
These are my assumptions and there is no syllable I can quote. May be I have
not come across any such notations on this. I admit the fact, I am not able to
say why srardha should not be conducted as per star.
Q24. Sir my next question is
about theertha sraadha. and specifically sraadha performed at Rameswaram, Prayag, Banaras and Gaya. I want an
elaborative reply from you regarding their importance and why they are important.
A24. First I will answer
Why this Gaya
sraadha is made important.
A srardha performed near any of
the Sacred river-side known as Jeeva Nadhi is always has multiple benefits. And
when it comes to Gaya,
Kasi or Sethu known as Rameswaram, it has more value, as these places are
mentioned as Punya-Kshetra, where the Lord Himself has set His foot.
More so, in Gaya the Lord’s feet print (only in single)
known, as Vishnu Padam is located, thus signifying the offering the Pindam directly
to the Vishnu Padam.
Thus Gaya srardham gets highest merits to add
punya-bhalam to the coming generations in a flow.
As stated earlier, being the
important place where Sri Mahavishnu’s footprint known as Vishnu Padam is
located, it was widely given much more importance in Srardha Niyama. Thus
expecting the entire Sanadhana Dharma followers will be visiting once in their
lifetime, the settlement of Brahmin communities was imminent. To help it’s
followers, each Mutt or Sect has established it’s branches to facilitate the
visitors of respective sect to do the ordained ritual; they made every
available source to render its services to the needy.
Here in Gaya, irrespective of your faith and
membership of one’s sect, you can perform the srardha from any other mutt also,
as the aim and intention is the same. Also, the mantra vidhi is all the same
for every one!
Another important thing-Every
body who simply desire to go are not able to go to these places. Some
obstructions in some way come in their way. Above all some destiny take us
there…. And only the gifted one does perform the Srardha here, let what come
the cost.
The Gaya Srardha has no
equations. It is the specialty of Vishnu
Padam location, which counts
much more benefits; one needs to do, perform the Theertha Srardha once in their
lifetime.
Above all, it is the gifted
souls that reach their to perform the srardha – either in the belief of weeding
off their sins, or to gain
to punyabhalam; in most cases, the visitors sincerely and honestly perform it
there, to relieve the souls and send them to their ultimate destinations, out
of pure love, affection and care for the departed persons.
In your one earlier query I had clarified already the following points
which I may add here too for the benefit of visitors:
1. Gaya sraadha is equivalent to performing 60
annual sraadhas.
2. After Gaya sraadha, conducting sraadha should not
be discontinued. Continuing sraadha will surely feed Jnatha Anjatha pithrus if our
pithrus have gone to their destinations. It adds to punniabalam.
There are even persons perform
sraadha for Jnatha anjatha pithrus too for punniam. I hope this reply is
elaborate as you desired.
Q25. Sir, My last question is
about the queries itself I have put forth so far. I think I have put forth
queries which needed answer in mine as well as from many peoples mind.
A25. Yes sir, Really I too feel
so. Your queries are thought provoking. I too feel this Q&A will be
benefiting to the visitors to my site .Thank you very much for patronizing my
site. Now let us proceed with your other questions on TharppaNa niyama.
QUESTION
& ANSWER ON THARPANA.
Q1. Sir, You have already
clarified many times Tharpan is not pithru feeding. If so why we are conducting tharpan?
A1. According to
Pithrumedha sagaram, any srardha with bhojanam is only the feeding. And the
tharppaNam is entirely for the benefit of more gains through blessings .So you
get blessings of the pithrus by tharpan Irrespective of the place where pithru
stay.
The tharpan offerings til
(black seasame known as gingily) and Jal (water) reach them. Only the mantra
roopa "hitham, swathaa nama: tharppayami" and no where it is
mentioned whether-where they live or stay put . I hope this simple answer is
sufficient.
Q2 Sir, If one’s mother leave
to heavenly abode keeping father alive why do Tharpan is not performed till
father's death? Do not the soul of mother has to bless us, if the father's
death occur late?.
A2. Dear Mr Gopala Krishnan,
Here my answer is a little elaborate. Then only why tharpan for mother is not
performed can be clarified to you.
The Dharma Sastra bestows many
rights only to a son. Are not the daughters equal? Once a woman marries, she
belong to another gothra. She is to gain all the benefits from the home she
enters as an housewife. She becomes the head of the family. This is the
prevailing status in Hindu dharma for living souls.
For the departed souls, the
annual srardham is the only feeding and hence we do not leave them hungry. But
for the male counterpart, the Tharpana niyama is in mantra roopa and hence it
is not amounting to feeding.
As a rule, male vamsavali is
only counted as genetical factors and no female vamsavali is known to be taken.
It is for the Kula vrudhi , vamsa vrudhi and saubhagya one performs the ordained rituals.
(VidhivihitreNa tharppana:, kulavruthena argyam, bhalavrudthena karmavyaapi, Guna vruthena
saukyobava:).
Here, the thrappanam only is
given to the males, just on the male vargathavya;
Since srardha feed is done
individually, the tharppana only begin after the departure of the male counter
part and till then no tharpanam for female.
Here again, they never starve
because of not doing tharpanam since tharpan is for blessing. Here I add this
too is sookshma. I hope my quotings fully satisfy your query.
Q3. Sir, I have read
tharpan has to be started after sapindi for departed male soul. Now it is the
practice to perform sapindi on 12th day. Then why tharpan is not started
from the first month?
A3. What you have read is
correct Mr. Gopala Krishnan.SapindikarNm is to be is to be performed only on
the 12th month and then aabdeekam. No, not on the 12th day. Does it suprise
you? Truly, this is the fact. How
and where did we err? According
to all the Srardha niyama books and scripts, the oldest practice is to perform
the Kriya, then Oonam, thithi maasyam every month and then Sabindeekaranam in
12th month,So, normally only after the aabdeekam the Tharpanam was performed,
in those days after one year.
This is the reason given by
some vadyars to start the tarpanam only after one year . But pithrumethasagaram
insists to perform the tharpanam immediately from the first amavasya after
sabindeekaranam! So which one to follow?
In those days, they never would
have thought that the sabindeekarnam too would be advanced to the 12th day
instead of 12th month. There is no known authority for advancing sapindi to 12th day. This topic is more related to
Tharpan and I am happy you put it
in the correct context.
Q4. Sir, can one perform tharpan
after some other family member leaves the home for outstation ?
A4. One should never perform
the Tharpan immediately after some other family member leaves the home for
outstation. Likewise, one should not prostrate a person while leaving for out
of station from the home. These are all sooshma. Only when the dead body is
taken out, then persons younger to the departed to prostrate while taking the
body for cremations.
Q5. Can you intimate me the
Source References for your answer that tharpan is for blessings?
A5. Surely. For answering your
query Source References are
availed from:
1.Sudheevilochanam –
Pithrumethasarvyaagyaanam by Vaidhika Sarvapoumar
2.Vaidhyanaatheeyam – Sraarrdha
Niyamam – By Sri Vaidhyanathar
3.Pithrumethasaaram by
Thozhappar
4. Srivaishnava Sadhachara
Nirnaya, 2nd Edition, Authored by present Ahobila Mutt jeer during His
poorvashram.
I hope those who want to know
more, can refer to them.
Q6. Sir, am I correct to say
Tharpana is related to the parental lineage and to be started only after
fathers death.
A6 Very correct. This answer is very much explained
when I explained lineage.
Q7. Sir,that question was put to
clarify answer important
doubt. If Tharpana is
related to the parental lineage why then we call for mothers side her father
grandfather, and great Grand father. Not only that -mothers mother, grand
mother too for upasthanam and tharpanam? You have to give an elaborate answer.
A7. I am really happy with your
deep thinking on reading my answer. I am furnishing below the reply for
question.
In every family, the maternal
uncle will be performing tharpanam to your Mathru Vargam. Likewise, everyone’s
mother side issues will be doing it for their maternal parents too. The niyama
for starting the Tharsha Srardha (Tharpanam) is only male lineage and not
female side.
However, the Tharpanam is for
both side… mathru/pithru and also for Garunya pithru’s during Mahalaya. There
is no doubt about this vargathavvya. The additional performance to the mathru
vargam is to gain the pithru blessings in any form and also if for any reason,
the mathru vargam failed to get their dues, it is the other side to offer and
protect their interest. In
case none else there surviving to pass the tharpana benefits from mother side,
just for the sake, no issues, or all passed away or none performing, then your
punyabhalam incrases by adding their vargam too.
Q8. Sir, I am well clarified
now. Thank you for giving such a fit answer. In tharpana we call our pithrus
including jnatha anjatha
pithrus too and address and say thrupyatha thrupyatha and thrupyatha. What do
the mantra really mean?
A8. Mantra Thrupyatha
-means may the soul get satisfied with this offering oblation.
Q 9. Sir, if a person could not
start sraadha or tharpana from
beginning and he desires to
perform them at a later date. Do the pithrus become happy? This QUESTION
sometimes can be in many peoples mind.
A 9. When once a thought
like that come he become more pure and get punnia balam even before performing.
As you said there can be many in Airforce, military etc who due to their
working conditions could not start them in time. There may be many others who
think of performing all these things after retirements. There is a shooshma
making you to think like that. No pithru will curse for not starting sofar but
only bless for starting now. Thank you for putting such a question.
Q 10. Sir, this is the last
question coming to my mind at present. At what time we have to perform tharpan?
A10. Dear Mr Gopala Krishnan,
please do not laugh at my answer much. Many have become local Aapasthamaba and
Bodhayana. We. Have shifted the day of sapindi from the end of 12th month to 12th day . We have shifted Sraadha tharpan
to sraadha day. We have transferred the
duty to of performing sraadha to Madhya Kailas in Chennai. We have gone to tape
mantra for tharpan, Ok, Ok.
Answer to your question is, it has to be performed in the end of
forenoon, preferably in the river
side just like your Upakarma . But I am of the opinion considering the
convenience of ourselves and your Vaadyaar/ sasthrikal after 8 AM is preferred. But surely not before
sun-rise.
In addition to the above, it
would not be out of place to mention some some more interesting facts on the
subject. I give below the Regular Tharpanams one has to perform. Apart from the listed days here under, one
has to perform the TharppaNam on the Eclipse days and also on the next day to
Mathru/Pithru Srardha days:
To come to the reality and practicability, one
has to read the entire Srardha Niyama and the reasoning for it. According to
the Vaidhyanatheeyam and Srivaishnava Deepika, a dutiful Brahmin has to perform
96 tharppanams in a year, as stipulated in the Vedic scripts. Listed below are
the days on which a Brahmin has to perform his duty in Thila tharpaNa roopam.
Out of these, the Mahalaya Tharpanam can be done with Hiranyam or with
BrahmmaNa bhojanam also; if not on all the sixteen day, any one day that one
considers himself as most important – viz. Mahabharani, Madhyashtami or on his mathru/ pithru srardha
thithi days that falls during Mahalayam.
Amavasya - 12
Masapirappu - 12
Pournami - 12
Kruthayugathi - 1
Threthayugathi - 1
Dwaparayugathi - 1
Kaliyugathi - 1
Vaithruthi Yogas - 14
Vyatheepatha Yoga -14
Mahalayathi -16
Ashtaka - 4
Anvashtaka - 4
Thisroshtaka -4
If one cannot afford to perform the Tharsha
Srardham known as Thila tharppaNam on all the above days, one should stick to
minimum possible on Amavasya, Mesha Sangramanam, DakshinayaNa punyakaalam,
Thula Vishu Punyakalam, UtharayaNa punyakalam, visible Surya/Chandra Grahan
days and also on the next days to Mathru/Pithru srardha.
I do hope all the answers given to you can benefit all the
visitors to my web site too while published. Thank you for your patronage
of putting so many queries
and giving me an opportunity to
answer such weighted queries from elder peoples like you. Pl visit my web site
whenever possible.
THE ABOVE IS EXTRACTED FROM OTHER SITE WHEREIN VARIOUS MAILS ON THE SUBJECT HAVE BEEN REGROUPED IN q&a FORMAT BY THE GURUJI WHO MADE REPLIES.
