Post by Kanchi Periva on Aug 17, 2012 16:46:08 GMT 5.5
We are posting here a multi-part series of messages on "Mahalaya Paksha" which are forwarded to us through email by Shri G Balasubramanian.
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In fact, there are 96 days in a year when one is required to perform Shraddha but it might not be feasible to perform regular Shraddham as prescribed by Sastras including homam , vastradanam(gift of dhoti and angavastram), feeding of Brahmanas, Pindapradaanam etc. etc. (which is observed on the respective Thithi of respective Paksham and respective month in which one`s father and or mother died)on all these 96 occasions.
On most of these occasions only Tilatarpanam (which takes about 15 minutes or so) is done in place of regular Shraddham which lasts for almost 3 hours. On the occasion of Pratyaabdika Shraadham elaborate Sraddham as per scriptural injunctions is required to be performed.
There are contradictory views whether one is required to perform Pratyabdeeka Sraddham and Mahalay Paksha Sraddham after one performs the Gaya Sraddham. We may not enter into discussion on this here (Note from the Administrator - the answer is a definite yes, it must be continued without fail).
Coming back to Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham, it does not involve doing of homam for Pitrs , Vastradanam and feeding of Brahmanas and Pindapradanam as in case of Pratyaabdika Sraddham. The entire ritual will be over in about half an hour including performance of Tilatarpanam. All the rituals done in honour of pitr devatas, be it annual Shraddham or Pitr Tarpanam are considered as very auspicious rituals.
It is believed that our Pitr devatas attain salvation and bless us with harmony and prosperity, if we perform pitr karmas regularly as prescribed by Sastras. On the other hand, if Pitr karyam is not observed as prescribed in Sastras one incurs the wrath of Pitrs and runs the risk of inviting the curse of Pitrs (Pitr Sapam).
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In fact, there are 96 days in a year when one is required to perform Shraddha but it might not be feasible to perform regular Shraddham as prescribed by Sastras including homam , vastradanam(gift of dhoti and angavastram), feeding of Brahmanas, Pindapradaanam etc. etc. (which is observed on the respective Thithi of respective Paksham and respective month in which one`s father and or mother died)on all these 96 occasions.
On most of these occasions only Tilatarpanam (which takes about 15 minutes or so) is done in place of regular Shraddham which lasts for almost 3 hours. On the occasion of Pratyaabdika Shraadham elaborate Sraddham as per scriptural injunctions is required to be performed.
There are contradictory views whether one is required to perform Pratyabdeeka Sraddham and Mahalay Paksha Sraddham after one performs the Gaya Sraddham. We may not enter into discussion on this here (Note from the Administrator - the answer is a definite yes, it must be continued without fail).
Coming back to Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham, it does not involve doing of homam for Pitrs , Vastradanam and feeding of Brahmanas and Pindapradanam as in case of Pratyaabdika Sraddham. The entire ritual will be over in about half an hour including performance of Tilatarpanam. All the rituals done in honour of pitr devatas, be it annual Shraddham or Pitr Tarpanam are considered as very auspicious rituals.
It is believed that our Pitr devatas attain salvation and bless us with harmony and prosperity, if we perform pitr karmas regularly as prescribed by Sastras. On the other hand, if Pitr karyam is not observed as prescribed in Sastras one incurs the wrath of Pitrs and runs the risk of inviting the curse of Pitrs (Pitr Sapam).