Pranam *Legend*
*Atri (Not Athreya) *Rishi narrated to his *son Nimi Rishi* the importance of Shraddha as laid down by Lord Brahma. Nimi Rishi had a son who performed penance for *1000 years.* (not ten thousand years) Soon after this, he died. His sudden death brought great grief to Nimi Rishi who was unable to reconcile with the loss. Accordingly on Dwadashi (12th day) of the month of Magha, Nimi collected all the vegetables, fruits, and foods that his son enjoyed and fed several Brahmins, thinking and reciting the latter's name, Gotra (family name) and Kula (linage). At that moment, Narada Muni arrived and Nimi Rishi, who was stuck in grief, asked to forgive his act. The sage, knowing his intention, advised Nimi Rishi to invoke his ancestors for protection. As advised Nimi Rishi started to meditate upon his ancestors, who soon appeared and informed Nimi Rishi that due to the feeding and worshiping the soul of his son at the right time made him get a place in ‘Pitrloka’. Mahabharata Anushasna Parva (Dana Dharma Parva) Chapter 91 "'Yudhishthira said, "By whom was the Sraddha first conceived and at what time? What also is its essence? During the time when the world was peopled by only the descendants of Bhrigu and Angiras, who was the muni that established the Sraddha? What acts should not be done at Sraddha? What are those Sraddhas in which fruits and roots are to be offered? What species also of paddy should be avoided in Sraddhas? Do thou tell me all this, O grandsire!" "'Bhishma said, "Listen to me, O ruler of men, as I tell thee how the Sraddha was introduced, the time of such introduction, the essences of the rite, and the Muni who conceived it. From the Self-born Brahman sprang Atri, O thou of Kuru's race. In Atri's race was born a Muni of the name of Dattatreya. Dattatreya got a son by the name of Nimi, possessed of the wealth of asceticism. Nimi got a son named Srimat who was endowed with great beauty. Upon the expiration of a full thousand years, Srimat, having undergone the severest austerities, succumbed to the influence of Time and departed from this world. His sire Nimi, having performed the Purificatory rites according to the ritual laid down in the ordinance, became filled with great grief, thinking continually of the loss of his son Thinking of that cause of sorrow the high-souled Nimi collected together various agreeable objects (of food and drink) on the fourteenth day of the moon. The next morning he rose from bed. Pained his heart with grief, as he rose from sleep that day—he succeeded in withdrawing it from the one object upon which it had been working. His understanding succeeded in busying itself with other matters. With concentrated attention he then conceived the idea of a Sraddha. All those articles of his own food, consisting of fruits and roots, and all those kinds of staple grains that were agreeable to him, were carefully thought of by that sage possessed of wealth of penances. On the day of the New moon he invited a number of adorable Brahmanas (to his asylum). Possessed of great wisdom, Nimi caused them to be seated on seats (of Kusa grass) and honoured them by going around their persons. Approaching seven such Brahmanas whom he had brought to his abode together, the puissant Nimi gave unto them food consisting of Syamaka rice, unmixed with salt. Towards the feet of those Brahmanas engaged in eating the food that was served unto them a number of Kusa blades was spread out on the seats they occupied, with the top ends of the blades directed towards the south. With a pure body and mind and with concentrated attention, Nimi, having placed those blades of sacred grass in the way indicated, offered cakes of rice unto his dead son, uttering his name and family. Having done this, that foremost of Munis became filled with regret at the idea of having achieved an act that had not (to his knowledge) been laid down in any of the scriptures. Indeed, filled with regret he began to think of what he had done. <https://en.krishnakosh.org/krishna/Mahabharata_Anushasna_Parva_Chapter_91:2> Mahabharata Anushasna Parva (Dana Dharma Parva) Chapter 91:2 Never done before by the Munis, alas, what have I done! How shall I (for having done an act that has not been ordained) avoid being cursed by the Brahmanas (as an introducer of strange rites)?' He then thought of the original progenitor of his race. As soon as he was thought of, Atri endued with a wealth of penances. Beholding him exceedingly afflicted with grief on account of the death of his son, the immortal Atri comforted him with agreeable counsels. He said unto him, 'O Muni, this rite that thou hast conceived, is a sacrifice in honour of the Pitris. Let no fear be thine, O thou that art possessed of the wealth of asceticism! The Grandsire Brahman himself, in days of old, laid it down! This rite that thou hast conceived has been ordained by the Self-born himself. Who else than the Self-born could ordain this ritual in Sraddhas? I shall presently tell thee, O son, the excellent ordinance laid down in respect of Sraddhas. Ordained by the Self-born himself, O son, do thou follow it. Listen to me first! Having first performed the Karana on the sacred fire with the aid of Mantras, O thou that art possessed of wealth of penances, one should always pour libations next unto the deity of fire, and Soma, and Varuna. Unto the Viswedevas also, who are always the companions of the Pitris, the Self-born then ordained a portion of the offerings. The Earth also, as the goddess that sustains the offerings made at Sraddhas, should then be praised under the names of Vaishnavi, Kasyapi, and the inexhaustible.[2] <https://en.krishnakosh.org/krishna/Mahabharata_Anushasna_Parva_Chapter_91:2#cite_note-2> When water is being fetched for the Sraddha, the deity Varuna of great puissance should be praised. After this, both Agni and Soma should be invoked with reverence and gratified (with libations), O sinless one. Those deities that are called by the name of Pitris were created by the Self-born. Others also, highly blessed, viz., the Ushnapsa, were created by him. For all these shares have been ordained of the offerings made at Sraddhas. By adoring all these deities at Sraddhas, the ancestors of the persons performing them become freed from all sins. The Pitris referred to above as those created by the Self-born number seven. The Viswedevas having Agni for their mouth (for it is through Agni that they feed), have been mentioned before. I shall now mention the names of those high-souled deities who deserve shares of the offerings made at Sraddhas. Those names are Vala, Dhriti, Vipapa, Punyakrit, Pavana, Parshni, Kshemak, Divysanu, Vivaswat, Viryavat, Hrimat, Kirtimat, Krita, Jitatman, Munivirya, Diptaroman, Bhayankara, Anukarman, Pratia, Pradatri, Ansumat, Sailabha, Parama Krodhi, Dhiroshni, Bhupati, Sraja, Vajrin, and Vari,—these are the eternal Viswedevas. There are others also whose names are Vidyutvarchas, Somavarchas, and Suryasri. Others also are numbered amongst them, viz., Somapa, Suryasavitra, Dattatman, Pundariyaka, Ushninabha, Nabhoda, Viswayu, Dipti, Chamuhara, Suresa, Vyomari, Sankara Bhava, Isa, Kartri, Kriti, Daksha, Bhuvana, Divya, Karmakrit, Ganita Panchavirya, Aditya, Rasmimat, Saptakrit, Somavachas, Viswakrit, Kavi, Anugoptri, Sugoptri, Naptri, and Iswara:—these highly blessed ones are numbered as the Viswedevas. Varaha Purana which is believed to be a part of 12 vishnu puranas arranged at the time of Sri Ramanujar around 1000 AD only has a different names written as AUTHREYA DIES SON, AS ENTERED AS CHAPTER 76 OF Varaha Puranam (I have a Sanskrit version also) was produced in Kamakoti Org; this was simply followed in ASTROJYOTI, which you have reproduced As COPY-CAT, without the application of the mind as first srardham ITSELF. NORMALLY SRARDHAM USED TO BE DONE BY BRAHMINS WHO FOLLOW THE PERFECT NIYAMAS, AS SON TO FATHER; BUT HERE THAT WAS DONE BUY A FATHER TO SON SRIMATH; IT IS GIVEN ALSO AS ATHREYA AS DIFFERENT FROM MAHABHARATA VERSION RENDERED 4000 YEARS BEFORE THE PRESENT VARAHA PURANAM. Now my question: *you titled it as who did the first srardham?* You yourself have also said that Sita did it and Rama also etc in some pages of today. Nimi is a rishi in the clan of Maharishi Atri. (siranjeevi) . Nimi was an ikshvaku King also (Nimi means twinkling). Vasishta time mimi existed who was cursed by Vasishta. Rama was there then. You yourself said Rama did the srardham. If so, how does NIMI rishi do the first srardham?. NIMi srardham as a brahmin was painful since father doing it to son is for the first time which Naradha confirmed as right as taught to hom by Brahma long back. So FIRST SRARDHA IS AN ERRONEOUS TITLE. Kr irs 161121 On Tue, 16 Nov 2021 at 14:28, gopala krishnan <[email protected]> wrote: > Respected sir, > > I read , cleared my doubt and posted. Nimi is the first *human* to do > srardha. Brahma is *God*. Narada knew the procedure. His parents alive > and so he do not perform srardha. He knew the procedures. > Gopalakrishnan > > On Tuesday, 16 November, 2021, 09:51:26 am IST, Rajaram Krishnamurthy < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > Pranam > So Before NIMI no one did srardham?. Then it is stated that Brahma did > it?; if so to whom Brahma performed srardham?. Rig veda Mantras are used > and also the Vedas speak about these performances and safety after the > death; and who is older ? Rig or Nimi?; and varaha Puranam is dated recent > than Matsya and that speaks of srardham too. What is "cripture"?. Dhanam > is an aspect of giving to right vedic (not fraud) purohits , who ion turn, > shall donate to social causes. Hence Dhanam is a modality of sharing the > wealth. Since there is only a soul unknown as air medium, who will catchthe > tail and go behind a cow?. Tarpaṇa (तर्पण).—n.(*-ṇaṃ*) 1. Satisfaction > given or received; either the act of pleasing, or the state of being > pleased. 2. Satiety, fullness. Srardham is Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—3 U. 1) To > confide, believe, put faith in (with acc. of thing); कः श्रद्धास्यति > भूतार्थम् (*kaḥ śraddhāsyati bhūtārtham) * Mk.3.24; कामिन्यः > श्रदधुरनार्जवं नरेषु (*kāminyaḥ śradadhuranārjavaṃ nareṣu*) Śi.8.11;9.69; > U.7.6; श्रद्दधे त्रिदशगोप- मात्रके दाहशक्तिमिव कृष्णवर्त्मनि (*śraddadhe > tridaśagopa- mātrake dāhaśaktimiva kṛṣṇavartmani*) R.11.42. Both cannote > the belief in the karmic acts and the rebirths and that in turn evinces the > ancient ancestral memories; these samskaras help the varnas and the > economy. As far as self it is an advancement in Bhakthi and a path towards > the moksham. It is symbolic. Upanishad authoritatively describes the > transformations of the soul, but sukshma sharira etc are later thought > processes. If all roads lead to Rome, then all ways of good living alone > can usher in the good or bad births whoever he or she or it may be in any > location. It is not atheism. By doing this one shall not perish. By not > doing this because other cultures entail another road, do not grant any > lower births also. Dharma is life and swadharma is ancestral. KR IRs 161121 > > On Tue, 16 Nov 2021 at 09:24, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 < > [email protected]> wrote: > > *DIVINE INFORMATION 2-19* Posted by: "DILIP KUMAR RAVINDRAN" > [email protected] > <http://in.mc1373.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]&Subject=%20Re%3A%20%28no%20subject%29> > prdili <http://profiles.yahoo.com/prdili>Sat Dec 25, 2010 8:40 am (PST) > > > > Varaha purana Part 31 > > > EARTHEN AND COPPER IDOLS > > > A devotee should carefully make a beautiful earthen idol without any sign > of crack. The most auspicious time for the installation of an earthen > idol is said to be during 'shravan nakshatra'. > > An invocation is made to the deity to dwell within the idol after which > ablution of the idol is performed with the help of various articles like > holy water, panchagavya, sandalwood, etc. The rituals of worship are > similar to that of wooden or stone-idol." > > > "The best time for the installation of copper idol is said to be during > 'chitra' nakshatra. The idol should be installed facing north and should > be purified with the help of holy water, panchagavya, etc. Then the deity > is invoked to dwell within the idol. The invocation is made by chanting > sacred mantras. Now, the idol is fit to be worshipped. The rituals are same > as mentioned earlier." > > BRONZE IDOL > > > "The most auspicious time for the installation of bronze-idol is said to > be during jyeshtha nakshatra. The idol should be installed facing north. > At the time of installation the devotee must not forget to keep four small > pots in front of the deity, each filled with articles like 'panchgavya' ' > water, sandalwood and honey. The rituals of invocation as well as worship > are same as mentioned earlier." > > > SILVER AND GOLD IDOLS > > > *"The rituals for the installation of silver or gold idols are similar to > that of copper or bronze i*dol. > > > > Prithvi requested lord Varah to reveal the name of deities whom a > devotee can worship at home. Lord Vishnu replied-"*A devotee can worship > any deity at home but worship of two shiva lingas is prohib*ited. > > > > Similarly, a devotee should never worship three shaligrams or three durga > idols or two surya idols. > > > > A devotee should also never worship shaligrams adding up to odd numbers- > 3,5,7,etc.But, there is no harm in worshipping one shaligram. *A devotee > must never worship broken or cracked idol because it does not bode well for > the wors*hipper. > > A 'chakra' mark on the shaligram is considered as very auspicious and it > can be worshipped even if the idol is broken or cracked. > > > > The virtues attained by worshipping twelve shaligrams are similar to that > of worshipping twelve crore shiva lingas. > *Partaking of 'charnamrit' that has been offered to shaligram absolves a > man from all his sins.* > > > > But, a devotee should never partake any 'prasad' that has been offered to > shiva linga. Anybody who either buys or sells a shaligram is certain to go > to hell." > > > > Varaha Purana part 32...RITUALS PERTAINING TO LAST RITES Posted > by: "DILIP KUMAR RAVINDRAN" [email protected] prdili Tue Dec 21, > 2010 12:00 pm (PST) > > > > PITRA YAGYA > > > > Prithvi requested lord Varaha to define the meaning of 'Pitra' yagya(rituals > pertaining to last rite) and its significance. Lord Varaha replied-"Sage > Nimi was the first person to perform the rituals of pitra-yagya after > the death of his son Aatreya. > > > > Sage Aatreya is famous for his penance which he did for ten thousand > years. When Aatreya died, his father-Nimi was filled with grief. Nimi tried > his best to overcome his sorrow but to no avail. He mourned his son's > death for three consecutive nights. He thought that perhaps the performance > of 'shraddh' rituals would be the best means to get rid of his > sorrow. So, he decided to perform the 'shraddh' rituals on the twelfth > day of 'magh'.On that day,he invited many brahmins and fed them > with the same delicacies which Aatreya would have liked to eat. He > performed all the rituals well within a day which would otherwise > have taken a week to perform. He also performed the rituals of 'pinda > daan' by donating cereals, vegetables and fruits. > > > > While performing the rituals of pinda-daan, he took some kusha > grass in his hands and after pointing it towards south chanted Aatreya's > name and gotra. In the night, Nimi sat on the seat of deer skin > underneath which kusha grass had been spread. He then tried to concentrate > on the tip of the nose. But in spite of all his efforts there was no > sign of mental peace he was so desperately seeking and thought of his > dead son continued to torment him." > > > > "Nimi was troubled by a guilt that perhaps he had set a bad precedent by > performing > the rituals of pinda daan because nobody in the past had ever > performed > the rituals. > > > > He was worried as to what would the coming generation think of him. He > was so much troubled by the thought that he could not sleep for the whole > night. Next morning he got up, still worried. He remained in a disturbed > state of mind for many days. At last, when it became too much for him > to handle, he decided to end his life. In the meantime, sage Narad > arrived there and assured him that there was nothing to be worried > about as whatever he had done was most appropriate. Narad also convinced > him that even his(Nimi's)dead father would vouch for this fact." > > > > "Nimi remembered his father who had died long ago.His father revealed to > him that the rituals which he had performed were in fact the rituals of > 'pitra-yagya' . > > > > Describing the importance of pitra-yagya Nemi's father told him- 'The > name pitra-yagya' was given by none other than lord Brahma himself who > was the first one to perform the rituals .Later on, lord Brahma had > described the rituals to Narad and this is why Narad was convinced that you > had committed no wrong. Nemi's father then described as to what > should be done with regard to the person who lay dying- 'When the death > approaches a person loses his consciousness and becomes extremely > fearful. > > > > *At that time, **a brahmin **should constantly study the criptures so > that he could die in peace.* > > > > Donating a cow helps to pacify the soul of a dead person. If sacred > mantras are whispered in the ears of a dying person he dies > peacefully. When the death seems imminent, a morsel of 'Madhupark' > (mixture of curd, water,honey and clarified butter) should be kept in the > mouth of the dying person .While doing this one should pray to > the almighty to liberate the dead man's soul.' 'The dead body should > then be carried and kept under a tree where it is purified by smearing > ghee, oil, perfumes, etc.It is then carried to cremation ground and kept > at the bank of a river-feet pointing towards south. After this, > the dead body should be bathed by remembering all the sacred places of > pilgrimage. It should then be kept on the pyre-feet pointing south. > The pyre should be lit and the following prayer should be said-O > Agnideva! I pray to you to burn all the sins committed by this person so > that he attains to heaven. Now, circumambulation around the pyre is made > and the pyre is lit towards the head side.' > > > > *My note- I have listened to samaradhana by a sasthrikal where he > told-holding the tail of cow, the pithru could cross the river Vaitharani. > Nothing is told here about it other than donation of a cow is good* > > > > > > 'After consigning the dead body to flames , the rituals of 'tarpan' and > 'pinda-daan' > are performed. All the people assembled there should purify themselves > before returning home. The period starting from the time the dead body is > consigned to flames till the next ten days is called 'Ashaucha'.It > is applicable to all the relatives coming from the same gotra of the > deceased.' > > > > My note- Now it is restricted to blood relations. When it was modified? By > whom? This is the reason for my telling there are MISSING LINKS- > > > > Posted to Groups on 16-11-2021 by R. Gopalakrishnan > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "iyer123" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/392070830.920637.1637034853004%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/392070830.920637.1637034853004%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZooLG9NAbEEVt47TEWcY9atUSOdCWmyTgMzO2Z96uSZpdg%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZooLG9NAbEEVt47TEWcY9atUSOdCWmyTgMzO2Z96uSZpdg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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