SLOKA FOR TYING RAKSHA BANDHAN

The following Sloka has  to be recited by a sister while tying the Raksha Bandhan in her brother's right hand:


Yena baddho balI rAjA dAnavendro mahAbalah !
tena tvAmapi badhnAmi rakshe  mA cala mA cala !!

The brother reciprocates with liberal gifts to his sister.

RakshA bandhan  will be celebrated   on  2nd  August, 2012 and the most auspicious time to tie the same is between 4 p.m. and  7 p.m (IST) on that day.

WHETHER GAYATRI JAPAM HAS TO BE PERFORMED BY COVERING BOTH HANDS WITH VASTRAM?

While performing gAyatrI japam, one has to cover both hands with vastram.

 strIpumsAtmaka gAyatrIm vastreNAcchAdyaiva japet !
udaye prAnmukhastishthan sankhyAyaiva japet budhah !
asankhyayA apavitrasca japo nishphalatAmiyAt
--- vrddhyamah

OmkArah purushah proktah gAyatrI sundarI tathA !
tayossamyogakale tu karamAcchAdayet budhah !!
---- viSvAmitrakalpa

WHETHER THE YOUNGEST SON CAN PERFORM THE ABDHIKA SRADDHA OF HIS MOTHER INDEPENDENTLY?

As per dharma SAstras, brothers living separately or whose family property has been distributed amonst them,  have to perform the SrAddhA of their parents separately.

The youngest son  can perform independently the Abdhika SrAddhA. of his mother.