QUESTION & ANSWERS ON SRARDDHA &
THARPAN
________________________________LINK: http://www.trsiyengar.com/id139.shtml
_______________________________________
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.
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?
Ok, Sir, you are correct. Jnatha Anjatha Here, when you perform the srardham with homam, after
offering twice each to Pithru, Pithamaha & Prapithamaha - the seventh time
offering is to Njaathi -i.e. distant cousins who left the earth. In case of
anyone who left without any such ceremony
performed, let the seventh step offering reach them – that is for the Sahothra njaathi.
(Njaathaagnjaatha, pithrupyapcha, yathaa
swaahaah:) By doing this seventh Ahuthi with Havis that reaches to the
Sahothra Daayathi, who might have left without any kriya/kainkaryam performed for many reasons (No issues, died at
unknown place, nobody knows who is who
when left, or some of them with issues but they never cared to perform the rituals from the beginning etc.
etl.)
Q10. Sir, I have a doubt. Do the
tharpanam done on sraadha day itself at the end is not as per niyama?
A10. Sir, Is your entire query on sraadha is over and I can take a
relief?
Surely It is local codification in course of
time. Actually it has to be performed only on the next day. But it has become
practice of the day in context of sasthrikal and Kartha. However some thing done
is better than not done. We are also becoming Apasthamba some times!!!
Q11. Sir, My questions on sraadha are not
over please. The Tharpanam question on sraadha day came to my mind and I raised
it. Sir, Many perform Hiranya sraadha in place of sraadhan with Homam. Why there
are these two types of sraadham? Sir, Hiranya sraadham as per rules
is to be conducted by those who
are physically not capable and much aged or who are extremely poor.
One has to eat this pithru
seasham to gain the benefits of the srardham
In hiranya sraadham there is no pithru
sesham, which is the main blessing of pithru. I hope after reading this answer
at least able people will perform sraadha with Homam.
Q12. Sir, who all can take food prepared for sraadha, after
offering to Bhoktha?
A12. It can be taken by close relations and
by sagothra too. Normally, other Gothra persons do not share
the srardha food. However, children below the age of 7 years are allowed eat the
srardha food. But in Srivaishnava Thenkalai sampradaya, it is known as ishta
pandhi, where any one who is not related, too can eat, if one wish.
Q13. Another important question is coming
to my mind Sir, in those days when there was monthly period for the wife how did
the kartha-performed sraadha? Now a day the problem may not appear perhaps by
taking medical assistance.
In Sama Veda
sampradaya, they perform only after the fifth day, after Kartha’s wife taking
bath. In Rig Veda’s followers too it was the same. But in Yajur Veda followers,
they can perform it even in the absence of one’s wife during the
Srarddha.
In normal terms, for every sect and sub-sect, allowed their female
family member with periods to stay elsewhere during and earlier day of
sradha.
During the Punyahavachanam, they used to add a word in sankalpam
“rajaswala aasoucha nivruthiyartham” and then perform the Graha suddhi to
continue with the ceremony. Oh, thinking of the present day cubicles and flat
system and apartments!!!!.
Q14. Sir, I know there are different
types of sraadhas. There is Atma pinda sraadha with special manthra too. My
question sir, who are advised to perform Jala srradha and Hiranya
sraadha?
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.
One compulsory rule is, you can postpone the thithi sraadham but
cannot advance it!”
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
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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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TRS
Iyengar
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