Post by Kanchi Periva on Aug 17, 2012 16:51:31 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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Dharbha grass is identified with Lord Vishnu and is believed to possess the power to purify anything. Dharbha Grass is used either as (1) long Dharbha Grass(approx.18to24 inchesin length) after cuttingabout 6 to 8 inches of the thicker portion of the gras or as (2) Thick Dharbha Grass(about6 to8inches in length) known as kattadharbha and for Both Pavitram which is worn on right ring finger and Koorcham on which Pitrs are invoked during Tarpanam and Shraddham.
Tradition holds that wearing of Pavitram is a prerequisite for many rituals to make one pure during that ritual. Even if I have omitted to state this earlier, and even if it amounts to repetition,I would like to sate here that Dharbha Grass(Kusa Grass), black sesame seed(til seeds), water, Tulsi leaves, Pavitram and Koorcham are invariable pre-requisites for performing Mahalayapaksha Sraddham.
Pinda Pradanam is not prescribed for Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham. It is done at the end of Annual ceremony(Pratyabdika Sraddham) and Gaya Sraddham and Sraddham performed at other holy places like Varanasi,Tryambakeswar etc. etc.
The next question is "How Many Generations to be invoked?" During Amavasya and other Tarpanams and during annual ceremonies (Pratyaabdika Sraddham) only three generations are invoked.
It is mandatory to offer Pinda and water with sesame seed(black til) to dead ancestors of one`s parents,grandparents and great grand parents. Where only father is alive, annual Sraddham alone for mother will be performed. Where father is not alive, in addition to annual Sraddham, monthly Amavasya and other Tarpanams are also needed to be performed.
In other words, the rituals are meant only for the deceased persons and not for the persons who are alive. During Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham only,apart from one`s kith and kin, we should perform Tarpanam for our Guru, Priest(Purohit), friend or to any other person whom one has come across in life and from whom he or she has received help.
That is to say, this ritual is in the nature of 'annual Thanksgiving' to ancestors and to all who helped us in one way or other. It is a sort of repayment of the debt of gratitude we owe them. These are termed as Karunika Pitrs.
In the sankalpam with which we start the ritual after wearing Pavitram, we mention sakarunika vargadvaya pitaram uddisya (meaning that this Sraddham is meant for the benefit of pitrs on both father`s and mother`s side as well as all pitrs known to us for whom either there is none performing Shraddha or who died without issues).
Some people offer Tarpanam for all known relatives eg., sister`s husband,father-in-law, mother-in-law, father`s or mothers brothers and sisters and their wifes or husbands, as the case may be etc. etc.
When we do not know the Gothram of any dead relative, it is customary to add Shiva Gothrasya or Shiva Gothrayah depending upon whether one is male or female.
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Dharbha grass is identified with Lord Vishnu and is believed to possess the power to purify anything. Dharbha Grass is used either as (1) long Dharbha Grass(approx.18to24 inchesin length) after cuttingabout 6 to 8 inches of the thicker portion of the gras or as (2) Thick Dharbha Grass(about6 to8inches in length) known as kattadharbha and for Both Pavitram which is worn on right ring finger and Koorcham on which Pitrs are invoked during Tarpanam and Shraddham.
Tradition holds that wearing of Pavitram is a prerequisite for many rituals to make one pure during that ritual. Even if I have omitted to state this earlier, and even if it amounts to repetition,I would like to sate here that Dharbha Grass(Kusa Grass), black sesame seed(til seeds), water, Tulsi leaves, Pavitram and Koorcham are invariable pre-requisites for performing Mahalayapaksha Sraddham.
Pinda Pradanam is not prescribed for Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham. It is done at the end of Annual ceremony(Pratyabdika Sraddham) and Gaya Sraddham and Sraddham performed at other holy places like Varanasi,Tryambakeswar etc. etc.
The next question is "How Many Generations to be invoked?" During Amavasya and other Tarpanams and during annual ceremonies (Pratyaabdika Sraddham) only three generations are invoked.
It is mandatory to offer Pinda and water with sesame seed(black til) to dead ancestors of one`s parents,grandparents and great grand parents. Where only father is alive, annual Sraddham alone for mother will be performed. Where father is not alive, in addition to annual Sraddham, monthly Amavasya and other Tarpanams are also needed to be performed.
In other words, the rituals are meant only for the deceased persons and not for the persons who are alive. During Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham only,apart from one`s kith and kin, we should perform Tarpanam for our Guru, Priest(Purohit), friend or to any other person whom one has come across in life and from whom he or she has received help.
That is to say, this ritual is in the nature of 'annual Thanksgiving' to ancestors and to all who helped us in one way or other. It is a sort of repayment of the debt of gratitude we owe them. These are termed as Karunika Pitrs.
In the sankalpam with which we start the ritual after wearing Pavitram, we mention sakarunika vargadvaya pitaram uddisya (meaning that this Sraddham is meant for the benefit of pitrs on both father`s and mother`s side as well as all pitrs known to us for whom either there is none performing Shraddha or who died without issues).
Some people offer Tarpanam for all known relatives eg., sister`s husband,father-in-law, mother-in-law, father`s or mothers brothers and sisters and their wifes or husbands, as the case may be etc. etc.
When we do not know the Gothram of any dead relative, it is customary to add Shiva Gothrasya or Shiva Gothrayah depending upon whether one is male or female.
