WHETHER SRADDHA AND MAHALAYA TARPANA HAVE TO BE PERFORMED BY THE SON OF A SANYASI ?

Performance of SrAddha and MAhAlaya tarpaNa has been ordained in the Scriptures in the case of a deceased SanyAsi also . Thus the  son of a Sanyasi has to perform  for his deceased sanyAsi father pratyAbdika SrAddha as well as MahAlaya TarpaNa in the form of   PArvaNa SrAddham on dvAdaSi tithi in MahAlaya paksha.

सन्यासिनोऽप्याब्दिकादि  पुत्रः कुर्यात्यथाविधि ।

महालये तु यत् श्राद्धं द्वादश्यां पार्वणेन तु ।।

 -- वाराह

द्वादश्यां पार्वणेनैव श्राद्धं कुर्यान् महालये ।

सुतस्सन्यासिनोऽन्यत्र  यथा तिथि समाचरेत् ।।

 --  संग्रह     

जय जय श्रीराधे

WHETHER THERE ARE VEDA MANTRAS REGARDING PITRU TARPANAM SRADDHAM AND FUNERAL RITES?

Veda Mantras regarding Funeral rites, SraddhA and Pitru tarpaNam are available in plenty. One can refer to the following ( These are only some of many such veda mantras):

पञ्च वा एता महा यज्ञाः ---- देव यज्ञः पितृ यज्ञः भूत यज्ञः मनुष्य यज्ञो ब्रह्म यज्ञ इति ----

यत्पितृभ्यस् स्वधा करोति तत् पितृ यज्ञः संतिष्ठते----
पितृन् स्वधा अभिवहन्ति ----

--- तैत्तिरीय आरण्यक ii-13

श्राद्ध मन्त्र-

यन्मे माता ---
ये चेह पितरः ----

एष ते तत मधुमान् ----

---एकाग्नि काण्ड ii-19
पृथिवी ते पात्रं द्यौरभिधानं----
---एकाग्नि काण्ड ii-20

एकोद्दिष्ट मन्त्र-

ऋचां प्राची महती दिगुच्यते -----
---तैत्तिरीय काठक iii-49

ब्रह्ममेध संकार:-

सुवर्णम् घर्मं -----
---तैत्तिरीय आरण्यक iii-20

पितृ मेध मन्त्राः-

यम् ते अग्निममन्थाम------
यमाय सोमं सुनुत -----
अपनश्शोशुचदघमस्ते------
--- तैत्तिरीय आरण्यक vi

यमाय सोमः पवत यमाय क्रियते हविः------

यमाय मधुमत्तमं ----

एनं परिददात् पितृभ्यः.....

---अथर्व वेद संहिता xviii-1,2....

पितृ तर्पण मन्त्र-

मधुवाता ऋतायते ----
मधु नक्त----
मधुमान्नो----
---तैत्तिरीय आरण्यक x-57

WHETHER THERE ARE ANY SPECIFIC PRAMANAS IN THE VEDAS ABOUT PERFORMANCE OF ABDIKA SRADDHA, AMA SRADDHA AND PITRU SAPA?

The very fact that we are asking Veda PramANa overlooking the smrtis of the great Rishis shows our lack of respect for their sagacious wisdom and trying to use our very limited knowledge to understand and interpret the Vedas. According to Manu, one who disrespects the smrtis is a nAstika.

Both Sruti and smrutis constitute valid pramANas. We have to keep in view that smrutis have only Sruti as the base. Though there were many SAkhAs (recensions) of the Vedas in the days of  yonder, only a few are available now due to various reasons.

anantA vai vedAh !

---- TaittirIya KAthaka

The Vedas are infinite. Thus while a particular aspect (for example, mandatory performance of trikAla sandhyA including  mAdhyAnikam) specifically covered in the smrutis could have been  based on a Vedic statement which was existing  in a particular Vedic recension at that point of time but not now, it may not be correct for us to conclude that the particular aspect is not backed by Vedas. Hence it would be very difficult to overlook what is stated in the smrutis as being something which is not mentioned in the Vedas and hence need not be followed.

One cannot properly understand the intended and intrinsic meaning of Vedas. As Vedas are complex and innumerable, the Rishis through their great tapas composed the Smrutis which define what is dharma for a particular Yuga.

In order to understand the Sruti in the proper perspective, one requires the guidance of smruti. Interpreting the original Vedic Mantras on our own accord is dangerous in the modern environment.

For each Mantra, there is a Rishi, a Chandas and the devatA. One cannot overlook the Rishi and chant any Mantra including GAyatrI MahA Mantra. As Rishis are the Seers of Vedic Mantras and the authors of smrutis, we hold them in high esteem. Rishi TarpaNam is offered to them. KAnda Rishi TarpaNam is also there. All the Srauta, grihya and smArta PrayogAs are done even today based on the statements of great Rishis like Apastamba, BodhAyana, ASvalAya, Jaimini, LAtyAyana, KAtyAyana and so on. In addition, we have sanakAdi Rishis, Sapta Rishis , NArada, BharadvAja, Veda VyAsa and so many others.

Each BrAhmaNa (however materially he may be rich) is born only as a debtor with triple debts. He is indebted to the Rishis, DevAs and Pitrus. The Rishi debt is discharged through brahmacarya, Deva debt through performance of yajnas and Pitru debt through progeny.

JAyamAno ha vai brAhmaNah tribhir rNavA jAyate !

brahmacaryena rishibhyah !

yajnena devebhyah!

prajayA pitrubhyah!

The Rishis including Rishi Patnis are to be respectfully worshipped. Without them, the Vedas would have disappeared. The smrutis, which are Rishi Proktam are therefore equally valid like Sruti.

Whatever one feels like doing according to his mental make-up does not constitute dharma. That is why in Bhagavad GItA , BhagavAn advises all to follow dharma as ordained in the Scriptures :

tasmacchAstram pramAnam te karYAkArya vyavasthitau!

jnAtvA SAstra vidhinoktam karma kartum ihArhasi !!

-----Bhagavad gItA ! 16.24

One who does not follow SAstras gains not Sukham or Siddhi or parama gati.

yah Sastra vidhim utsrijya vartate KAma kAratah !

na sa siddhim avApnoti na sukham na parAm gatim !!

---Bhagavad gItA 16.23

Learned sees through the eye of SAstras

" ----kavibhih SAstra cakshushA ---"

---- SrImad BhAgavatam x-84-36

Sruti smruti mamaivAjnA yad tad ullanghya vartate !

AjnAcchedhe mama drOhi mat bhaktOpi na vaishNava !!

--- VishNu

vedamUlAh smrutayah !

---- Sankha

durbodhA vaidikASSabdAh prakIrNatvacca ye khilAh !

tatraita eva drushtArthAh smruti tantrai pratishthitAh !!

---- MarIci

Srutim paSyanti munayah smaranti ca tathA smrutim !

tasmAt pramANamubhayam pramANaih pramitam bhuvi !!

---- Manu

According to Angiras, those who are learned in pramANas should duly take care of them. Otherwise, authentic pramANas would get destroyed by baseless pramANas.

pramANAni pramANajnaih paripAlyAni yatnatah !

sIdanti pramANAni pramANairavyavasthitaih !!

--------Angiras

Coming to the subject, there are two modes of samskAram in terms of Pitru medham and Brahma medham. For both, there are Veda Mantras available as per grhya prayoga and are currently in use. This varies based on the sUtra to which one belongs to. Now for each and every karmanushthAna if somebody asks for specific pramANa in the Vedas (of which only a portion is available now), it is not in line with the path of the wise. We need to understand that the Veda Mantras used in the context as recommended by the Rishis constitute the PramANas. It is to be noted that in the entire two volumes of SrAddha kAnda of VaidyanAtha dIkshitIyam, only pramAnas from dharma SAstras are given. In the Vedas we have ample references about Pitru Yajna, svadha , Pitru, PitAmaha, PrapitAmaha and so on. But for each karma and the detailed procedure, if some body demands specific Veda pramAna, it is too much and tantamounts to overlooking the sagacious wisdom of the  Rishis.

According to MarIcI, one is born as a candAla in crores of birth if one gives up performance of Abdika SrAddha.

PanditA jnAnino mUrkhAh striyo'tha brahmacAriNah !

mrtAham samatikramya candAlah kotijanmasu !!

--- MarIcI

According to LokAkshi, one shall do anna SrAddham only and not HiraNyam or Ama SrAddham.

Pushapvatsvapi dAreshu videSastho 'pyanagnikah !

annenaivAbdikam kuryaddhemnA va'mena na kvacit !!

--- LokAkshi

According to Jamadagni, Sumantu and USanas, one without wife is not entitled to perform pArvaNa SrAddham and he has to do Ama SrAddham.

 na bhavatyasya sAmagrI dArA vA gruhameva ca !

AmaSrAddham prakurvIta vrddho bAlaSca yo bhavet !!

- Jamadagni

One who thinks that there are no Pitrus and gives up performance of SrAddha earns the curse of his own Pitrus.

na santi pitaraSceti krtvA manasi yo narah !

SrAddham na kurute tatra tasya raktam pibanti te !!

--- Aditya PurANa

Where SrAddha is not done, there no Putras are born, no relief from dieseses, no long life and no goodness.

na tatra vIrA jAyante nArogA na SatAyushah !

na ca Sreyodhigacchati yatra SrAddham vivarjitam !!

--- HArIta

It is to be noted that even in the dharma SAstras different ways have been suggested for a particular situation by different Rishis. It is difficult to comprehend and interpret the proper course of action many a times. Our own interpretations of the Vedas in the context of performance of various Karmas would be grossly misleading. We have  to necessarily go by what the great Rishis have said and follow it as far as possible in one’s own prevailing circumstances.Hence if any one  who raises such questions  genuinely believes in Vedic Scriptures, he can personally approach a Srotriya well-versed in dharma SAstra, get his doubts clarified and act accordingly.

नमः परमऋषिभ्यो  नमः परमऋषिभ्यः।

जय जय श्रीराधे।

WHEN NANDI SRADDHA SHOULD BE DONE?

NAndI SrAddha is a naimittika karma which is part of the karma being performed (karmAnga).

According to dharma SAstra, nAndI SrAddha should be done during nAmakaraNa, annaprASana, caula, Go dAna,  somayAga, upanayana, pumsavana, snAnakarma, agni AdhAna and  vivAha.

namAnna caula godAna somopanayapumsave !

snAnAdhAnavivAheshu nAndI SraAdham vidhIyate !!

---lokAkshi

WHETHER BY PERFORMANCE OF SRADDHA ALONE ONE CAN REACH THE SUPREME?

We have to keep in mind that SrAddhA is not the only topic to be discussed in any on-line Forum. There are about 1000 pages in VaidyanAtha dIkshiTIyam known as SrAddha KAnda ( PUrva bhAga and uttara bhAga) which deal exclusively with SrAddha niyamas. There are numerous constraints which make it impossible for any one to perform the SrAddha exactly in accordance with the same. This in fact is the problem of any karma that we perform starting from Acamana, sandhyA vandana, SrAddha, VaiSva deva, homa or Yajna. There are always mantra lopa, kriyA lopa, SraddhA lopa, dravya lopa and so on. These deficiencies in karma are rectified only through the nAma japa of RAma and KrshNa. That is why Bhakti yoga stands taller.

 

If some body believes by endlessly arguing that with his deficient performance of SrAddha he can reach the Supreme, he is mistaken.

Only through BhagavAn's grace, one can reach Him through Bhakti Yoga.

yAnti deva vratA devAn Pitrn yAnti Pitr vratAh !

bhUtAni yAnti bhUtejyA YAnti mad yAjino' pi mAm !!

---BG ix- 25

Worshippers of demi-gods go to those demi-gods

Worshippers of the manes go to those manes

Worshippers of bhUtas go to them

Worshippers of the Supreme go to Him

 

Athato brahma jignAsA !

-- Brahma sUtra 1-1-1

जय जय श्रीराधे

WHETHER PARASARA SMRUTI CAN BE FOLLOWED REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF SRADDHA TO THE EXCLUSION OF THE VEDA SAKHA SUTRAS?

krute tu mAnavA dharma: tretAyAm gautamA: smrutAh !

dvApare SAnkha likhitAh kalau pArASarAh smrutAh !!

It is said that Manu smruti is applicable in Kruta yuga, Gautama smruti in tretA yuga, Sankha and Likhita smrutis in dvApara yuga and ParASara smruti in kali yuga. But ParASara smruti does not deal with the elaborate provisions regarding performance of SrAddha. A smruti is like a policy document . Only in the grhya sUtras, the detailed procedures are explained. We cannot ignore what is said by the sUtrakAras.

The Sraddha prayoga that we practise today is a digested form based on various relevant smrutis and the sutras. Hence we have to take this as the benchmark and try to follow to the extent possible.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP MODERN VIPRAS WHO ARE UNABLE TO STRICTLY FOLLOW THE DHARMA SASTRAS?

The stipulations are numerous in the dharma SAstras in respect of every aspect of human life starting from birth to death. Different Rishis have said in different time periods so many varied things based on the yuga dharma. On an analysis of all these, I have come to the conclusion that there are more points of divergence rather than convergence based on the opinions of these Rishis. Of course, on the substratum of dharma there is uniformity. But on the detailed procedures to be followed, there are so many differences. This is there not only in the Grihya SUtras but also in the Srauta SUtras which deal with performance of yajnas. There are variations based on region, philosophy, sub-sect, kula AcAra and so on.

A brAhmaNa has to perform 40 samskAras besides the daily routines of karmanushthAna from dawn to dusk. This includes 7 pAka yajna, 7 havir yajna and 7 soma yajna. There is also the panca mahA yajnas in terms of deva yajna, pitru yajna, bhUta yajna, manushya yajna and brahma yajna. One has to do 96 pitru tarpaNas in a year. In addition, the SrAddhas have to be done. All these become mind-boggling in the modern times considering the fact that there are no kings to support the veda brAhmaNas and each one has to struggle to earn and maintain his family. Thus "udara nimittam bahu kruta vesham" is the order of the day.

In the modern world, most of the productive time in one's life is spent in materialistic learning and earning. In addition, he has to do the nitya, naimittika and kAmya karmAnushthAnas and also something to take care of his own salvation in terms of understanding Atma vidyA, Bhakti marga and so on.

Even by performance of all the 21 yajnas after learning the 4 vedas and 6 VedAngas, one does not attain the abode of the Supreme. He can rejoice in Heaven for a stipulated period but he has to take birth thereafter. Here the question of approaching a particular upAsana devatA comes to the forefront. There also a lot of approaches exist.

The life of a human being is too short to handle all these properly and before he comes to some definite conclusion, he passes away abruptly due to disease or accident. The vicious circle of samsAra hounds him for ever.

Considering the problems confronted by the modern vipra, we have to devise some ways and means of helping him out within the ambit of the dharma SAstras by following the essence and spirit of the same. Over a period of time a lot of practices have undergone changes. In the modern times, what is to be done by a person, how and when is something that we have to examine seriously and cautiously.

In my humble view, something more focused on the essence rather than on the form of karmAnushthAna could be worked out within the parameters of the dharma SAstras. This is a very serious, massive and long-term exercise which cannot be done through on-line forums. We need to have the guidance and collaboration of existing authorities on dharma SAstras so that some thing more pragmatic can be worked out as an alternative to those who are not in a position to fulfil the rigors of dharma SAstras due to various factors beyond their control.

Kindly note that we are not suggesting changes to dharma SAstras per se but we are trying to guide people as to what best they can do as an alternative if they are under circumstances where it is not possible to comply strictly with the stringent provisions of dharma SAstras. This will be a great and timely effort which requires the co-operation and support of all vipras so that something tangible and meaningful can be attempted with the grace of the Supreme.

WHO ARE THE 12 VISVEDEVAS?

There are 12 ViSvedevas as follows:
(1) SrAddham - PurUrava, Ardrava
(2) MahAlayam - Dhuri, Rocana
(3) NAndI - satya, vasu
(4) YAga - Kratu, Daksha
(5) sapindIkaraNa - KAla, KAma
(6) sanyAsinah - sAdhu, ruru

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.

HOW TO PERFORM ACAMANAM?

Acamana vidhi contains a lot of niyamas to be followed. Some important aspects are covered below:

gokarNAkruti hastena mAshamagnam jalam pibet !
tannUnam adhikam pItvA surApAna samam bhavet !!

The inner right hand to be folded like cow ear and water to be consumed which is of the size of "MAsha" . If it is more or less, it is equivalent to consuming surApAnam .

apsu prAptAsu hrudayam brAhmaNaS SuddhimApnuyAt !
rAjamyah kaNThatAlU ca vaiSyaSSUdras tathA Striyah!!

The water consumed should reach hridayam for brAhmaNas ( in order to get purified), neck for kshatriyas, palate for vaiSyas, SUdras and women.

samhatAngulinA toyam grihItvA pAninA dvijah !
muktvAngushtha kanishthye tu SishtasyAcamanam caret !!

Use five fingers together while taking tIrtham. Then separate the thumb finger and little finger. Whatever water remains in the hand is to be used for Acamanam. { This is also interpreted as MAshamagnam tIrtham}

---- and so on ----

Asanam :
kukkutAsanam

Direction:
East ot North


PAtram:

While doing anushtAnam, a separate vessel is preferable for Acamanam as Acamana tIrtham is not be used for other purposes like prokshaNam.

Procedure:

(1) Consume water three times saying Om acutAya namah, Om anantAya namah and Om govinDAya namah

(2) Use thumb finger to cleanse the closed mouth

(3) Cleanse the thumb finger with water

(4) Touch the twelve parts chanting the DvAdaSa namas starting with Om KeSavAya namah (each one at a time) and ending with Om dAmodarAya namah

Number of times

(1) Two times before homa, japa and one time at the end
(2) Two times before and after food



SrotrAcamanam

tasmAt AcamanAsambhave nAsikA karNa Sparsah kAryah !

If Acamanam cannot be done with water, by touching the tip of the nose and right ear, one gets the benefit of doing the Acamanam. It is known as SrotrAcamanam.

Brahma Yajna Acamanam

While doing brahma Yajnam one Acamanam is done in a different format without mantra.

AcamanIyam during devatArAdhanam

When arghya, PAdya and AcamanIyam are offered to BhagavAn, as part of devatArAdhana, it has to be shown with reverence. One should not consume the water so offered as AcamanIyam because the same is offered to BhagaVan with the bhAva that it is consumed by Him.


As regards a simple thing like Acamanam, there are subtler aspects, different interpretations and varied practices . Hence it would be advisable for those interested in karmAnushthAna to know these things personally in a traditional guru -sishya format.

WHO ARE ALL THOSE WHO GET SATISFIED BY PERFORMANCE OF SRADDHAM?

Seven types of persons get satisfied by performance of SrAddham:

(1) Devas by homa done in agni
(2) Pitrus in svarga by brAhmaNa bhojanam
(3) Pitrus in pitruloka by pInda DAnam
(4) People by anna DAnam
(5) PiSachas by ucchishtha
(6) Those in naraka by vikira annam
(7) Unknown relatives by vAyasa piNda.

agnau hutena devAsca svargasthA vipra bhojanAh !
yamasthAh piNda dAnena mAnushA bhUri bhojanAt !!
!ucchishThena piSacAdyAh nArakAh vikireNa tu !
ajnAtAh kAkapiNdena SrAddhe trupyanti saptadhA !!

WHAT ARE THE FIVE TYPES OF YAJNAS?

There are five types of yajnas as follows:
ahutam -- veda japam
hutam -- homam
prahutam -- BhUta bali
brAhmahutam -- brAhmaNa pUja
prASitam -- pitru pUja
One has to worship Rishis by veda adhyayana, Devas by homas, Pitrus by SrAddham, BrAhmaNas by food and bhUtas by bali dAnam

WHO ARE ALL GET SATISFIED BY PERFORMANCE OF SRADDHAM ?

Seven types of persons get satisfied by performance of SrAddham:
(1) Devas by homa done in agni
(2) Pitrus in svarga by brAhmaNa bhojanam
(3) Pitrus in pitruloka by pInda DAnam
(4) People by anna DAnam
(5) PiSachAs by ucchishtha
(6) Those in naraka by vikira annam
(7) Unknown relatives by vAyasa piNda.


agnau hutena devAsca svargasthA vipra bhojanAh !
yamasthAh piNda dAnena mAnushA bhUri bhojanAt !!
ucchishThena piSacAdyAh nArakAh vikireNa tu !
ajnAtAh kAkapiNdena SrAddhe trupyanti saptadhA !!

WHETHER SRADDHAM HAS TO BE PERFORMED?

SrAddhAt parataram nAnyat SreyaskaramudAhrutam !
tasmAt sarvaprayatnena SrAddham kuryAtvicakshaNah!!
----- sumantu

There is no karma which yields goodness other than SrAddham. Therefore, by making all efforts a knower shall perform SrAddham.


na tatra vIrA jAyante nArogo naSatAyushah !
na ca Sreyodhi gacchati yatra SrAddham vivarjitam !!

------ hArIta
Where SrAddham is not done , there no Son is born, men do not get freed from disease, do not live long and do not get any goodness.

HOW TO PERFORM BHISHMASHTAMI TARPANAM ?

Ratha SaptamI is for invoking Sun God.

TarpaNam to SrI BhIshma has to be offered on BhIshmAshtamI which is normally the day next to ratha saptamI.


Procedure:

(a)On BhIshmAShtamI day morning, perform sandhyA vandanAdi nitya karmas.

(b)Be seated facing East .

(c) Say the sankalpa " BhIshmAshtamI puNyakAle BhIshma TarpaNam karishye"

(d) Having YajnopavIta in NivIta mode, offer Arghyam by both hands in pure water without mixing tila by chanting the following Slokas:

1. bhIshmah SAntanavo vIrah satyavAdI jitendriyah !
AbhiradbhiravApnotu putrapautrocitAm kriYAm !!

bhIshmAya namah idamarghyam !

2. vaiyAghrapAda gotrAya sAnkritya pravarAya ca !
aputrAya dadAmyarghyam salilam bhIshma varmaNe !!

bhIshmAya namah idamarghyam !

3. gangAputrAya SAntAya Santanoh AtmajAya ca !
aputrAya dadAmyarghyam salilam bhIshma varmaNe !!

bhIshmAya namah idamarghyam !
anena arghyapradAnena bhIshmah PrIyatAm !

In fact all BrahmaNas should necessarily offer their respects to SrI BhIshma pitAmaha. In my humble view, he alone deserves the first praise of honour by all vipras as he considers them dearer than his own father.

My respectful salutations to SrI BhIshma.

WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS FORMS OF SRADDHAM?

The subject of SrAddha is vast like an ocean.

There are two basic forms of SrAddha. One is known as PArvaNam and the other is called as Ekoddishtam.

SrAddha can be broadly classified into three categories nitya, naimittika and kAmya.

There are 12 types of SrAddhas:

(1)Nitya SrAddha
(2)Naimittika SrAddha
(3)KAmya SrAddha
(4)NAndI SrAddha
(5)sapiNDIkaraNa SrAddha
(6)PArvaNa SrAddha
(7)gaushtha SrAddha
(8) Suddhyartha SrAddha
(9)karmAnga SrAddha
(10)Daivika SrAddha
(11)YAtrA SrAddha
(12) Pushti SrAddha


PratyAbdika SrAddha especially for one's father or mother has to be necessarily performed as anna SrAddha only. No substitute is allowed in the form of Ama SrAddha or HiraNya SrAddha.

In other cases, if anna SrAddha cannot be performed, it can be done as Ama Sraddha under certain conditions.

If Ama SrAddha cannot be performed, it can be done as HiraNya SrAddha under certain conditions.

If HiraNya SrAddha cannot be performed, under extreme conditions beyond one's control, one can give grass or piNda to cow/perform tila tarpaNam/ undertake upavAsa/chant the SrAddha Mantra.

Kindly note the compassion of dharma SAstras towards all under varied circumstances.