WHAT ARE THE 96 (SHANNAVATI) PITRU TARPANAS?

The 96 (shannavati) pitru tarpaNas to be performed in a year are :
1. amavAsya -- 12
2. yugAdi -- 4
3. manvAdi -- 14
4. Masa tarpaNam -- 12
5. vaiDhruti -- 13
6. vyatIpAtam -- 13
7. mahAlayam -- 16
8. ashtakA -- 4
9. anvashtakA -- 4
10.tisroshtakA -- 4

WHETHER BY PERFORMING GAYA SRADDHAM , THE PERFORMANCE OF PRATYABDIKA SRADDHAM AND MAHALAYA TARPANAM CAN BE GIVEN UP?

Performing GayA SrAddham does not mean that one can give up the annual pratyAbdika SrAddham.
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As per Scriptures, the following are the three important duties of a Son:

1. Following the words of Parents when they are alive
2. Performance of annual ceremony (SrAddha)
3. Performance of pinda dAnam at GayA

jIvator vAkya karaNat pratyabdam bhUri bhojanAt !
gayAYAm piNda dAnAt ca tribhih putrasya putratA !!


Regarding MahAlaya tarpaNam , it is part of the shaNNavati (96) tarpaNams and hence has to be performed. There are two options given. First, it can be performed for 16 days (paksha mahAlayam) or it can be on a single day (sakrin mahAlayam). The second one is suggested in case one cannot perform it for 16 days.

GayA SrAddham is very important. It immensely pleases the Pitrus.But saying that after performing GayA SrAddham everything else need not be done is incorrect reading of the Scriptures.

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF A SON?

As per Scriptures, the following are the three important duties of a Son (Putra):

1. Following the words of Parents when they are alive

2. Performance of annual ceremony (SrAddha)

3. Performance of pinda dAnam at GayA

jIvator vAkya karaNat pratyabdam bhUri bhojanAt !

gayAYAm pinda dAnAt ca tribhih putrasya putratA !!

REVIEW OF OUR BOOK : HUMAN VALUES AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS" BY BUSINESS LINE

In the Book 2 Byte Column of Business Line dated 14th September,2009, a brief review of our Book " Human Values and Professional Ethics" from an IT perspective has been published.

http://www.blonnet.com/ew/2009/09/14/stories/2009091450050200.htm

WHETHER LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF SVADHARMA IS THE MAIN PROBLEM FACED BY VIPRAS?

It is not that Vipras do not know what is their svadharma . There are many dharma SAstras to explain this. Also there are a few role models.

Most of the Vipras are entangled in the Web of the pressures and pulls of modern living. The moot point is how to balance the karmAnushtANas and the Spiritual pursuits along with the struggle for earning livelihood and maintaining relationship harmony.

WHETHER KANDA RISHI TARPANAM HAS TO BE PERFORMED ONLY DURING UPAKARMA?

KAnda Rishi tarpaNam is part of the nitya karma while performing deva- rishi-pitru tarpaNam.

This has to be done daily along with rishi tarpaNam as part of Brahma yajnam.

WHETHER BRAHMA YAJNA HAS TO BE PERFORMED ONLY DURING UPAKARMA?

According to tradition, Brahma Yajna has two parts. One is recitation of Veda. Another is deva- rishi-pitru tarpaNam.
Brahma Yajna has to be performed on a daily basis after mAdhyAnikam. Alternatively, it can be performed in the order : Brahma Yajna (Vedic recitation) --mAdhyanikam -- deva- rishi-pitru tarpaNam. Please note that this is a nitya karma which has to be done daily. According to TaittirIYa AraNyakam, one who daily performs Brahma Yajna reaches the Brahman. BrahmaNas sAyujyam gacchati. Now since most Brahmins have given up this daily practice, it is being done at least on the day of upAkarma.
One important aspect is that this daily Pitru tarpaNam has also to be performed by a person whose father is alive.