Pranam Q1 It is not only for srardham which is later samskara; next to the sound AUM, the second word uttered was from Veda as rig vedam sounded AGNI. Everything in our custom only goes by the agni. This kind of question leads one to think differently also. Q2 Do not make the women ashamed; soucham is for all; and for srardham men must be pure by observing fasting in the previous night; and the vadhyars must also be very strict which is flouted in these days; they feast in the previous night; go to hotel for breakfast; and attend a death ritual; and attend your srardham also without taking oil bath at your place wearing the new dress. So impurity is on men; women are fire and hence allowed to play with the fire in the kitchen. So do not be exclusive like your Guru; Good women I am talking about. Q3 Can you site where it is said (other than INDIAN MIRROR WEBSITE) IT IS STATED 3 pindams of which one should be eaten by spouse?. I have heard soma pitruman, agni pitruman but not barya pitruman sir : The srardha rules abso;utely correct is as under and please stop writing about it again and again as if your imposition: " Sradha Vidhi (Rules of Sradha) Sradha Vidhi (Rules governing annual death ceremony) Compiled by P.R. Ramachander Sradha (that which is done with attention and sincerity) is the term used by Brahmins for the annual death ceremony. I am summarizing here the rules regarding Sradha as given by Anna in a book called Pithru Pooja and another book called Pithru yagnam which is compiled by Sri.V.Srinivasan. Both books are in Tamil. Reading through it , you would soon come to the conclusion that Sradha according to rules is extremely difficult to perform, due to our pre occupation with modern life. Sradha comes from the word Sradha(Trust/loyalty) and indicates the annual ritual performed to offer food to three generations of our ancestors. It is believed that when our manes reach the land of the manes(Pithru Loka) , our one year is one day for them. We are only attempting to offer food and water to them every day. Normally every one performs Sradha only to his parents but it should be offered by us to all those to whom we have performed death ceremony, Real parents in case we are adopted, Grandparents , if they die after the death of all their sons and brother of father if he does not have a son , brother if he does not have a son .
1.Some definitions Kartha- The one who does Sradha Boktha-He who participates in Sradha representing the manes(Pithrus.) 1.Time for doing Sradha 1.1. Sradha should be performed in the souramana month* , on the phase of the moon and on the thidhi when the person dies , annually. The thidhi is that which occurs in the Kudaba kala in Aparahna i.e after 18 Nazhigai(approximately 8 hours after sun rise) . Sradha is to be performed in the Kudaba Kala of Aparahna only. During the Paksha of Sradha at least for three one days one should follow all rituals and observe all rules. 1.2. If the thidhi is spread over two days, Sradha should be performed on that day when Thidhi is there in the afternoon. If both days it is spread on the afternoon , then it should be performed on the day when it is spread more in the afternoon. If it is spread equally then it should be done on the first day. 1.3. If during a month two thithis come , then Sradha should be performed on the second Thidhi. If one of them happens to be the day when month starts(Sankramana) , it should be done on the other day.. If both are having Sankramana , it should be done on the first day. 1.4. If there is no thidhi in a particular month, it should be done on the thidhi of the previous chandramana month without Sankramana. If it is not there in the Chandramana month , it should be done in the next souramana month. (*There are two system of month in India. Souramana month is the period when Sun stays in the rasi of the month . Chandramana is always from Prathama for thirty days. Chandramana year will have 360 days. After every five years, there would be an Athi masa(Extra month)) 2.Tripurusha Udesa and yeka purusha Udesa 2.1 When we do Sradha to father, mother , grandfather , grandmother , great grandfather , great grandmother , maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, wife, brother of father, brother, biological father , biological mother, we should do Sradha aimed at three generations(Tri Purusha udhesa) . For all others only his generation would be addressed(Yeka Purusha udesa). The Sradha where three generations are addressed is called Parvana Vidhana and where only one generation is addressed it is called Yekodhishta. 2.2. In Sradha being done by ladies in case of Father in law, mother in law, father, mother, husband, Grandfather , and grandmother, three generations are addressed. All other cases only one generation are addressed. 2.3. If Sradha is performed by someone representing a lady or child by taking authorization in the form of Durba grass,, he does not have Apavasya.(Sacred thread need not be worn on the right shoulder). 3.Homa for whom and when 3.1 When Sradha is performed for father, mother , grandfather , grandmother , great grandfather , great grandmother , maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, wife, brother of father, brother, biological father , biological mother, then only Homa is performed . For others Homa is not there. 3.2 For all sradhas performed by women there is no Homa. 3.3. Homa cannot be performed without the presence of the wife. That is an unmarried person/widower or one whose wife is absent due to some reason is not authorized to perform Homa. 4. Procedure when more than one Sradha has to be performed on the same day. 4.1.If the Sradha of father and mother come on the same day or comes on a day when the family taint goes away, then the Sradha of father has to be done first and later Sradha to the mother has to be done. 4.2. If Sradha of father and step mother comes on the same day , after performing father’s Sradha, cooking has to be done gain , and the Sradha of step mother has to be performed. 4.3 If the annual Sradha(Apthikam) and Masika(Monthly sradham performed for one year after death) comes together , then the Aapthika should be done first and then the Masika. 4.4. If Sradha addressed to three generations(Parvana) and Ekodhishta(One addressed to one generation) comes on the same day , first Parvana has to be performed and then Ehkodhista with new cooking. 4.5. The Sradha of father or mother which was not performed due to it occurring in the middle of after death ceremonies of father or mother should be performed after Sapindikarana day. But if the Sradha is of anybody else except the parents then it should be done only after the first death anniversary Sradha. 4.6.Before the Sapindikarana of mother or father , we should not perform the Sradha of anybody else. But the Sradha of mother or father should be done before the sapindikarana of others. If for some reason the sapindikarana of mother or father is delayed, the Sradha of any of the others can be performed after 12th day. 4.7. On the same day two sradhas should not be performed addressing the same manes That is Sradha or mane worship coming on fixed days and Sradha on special occasions come (like that during eclipse) then performing that of the special occasions would give the effect of the one which comes on fixed days. 4.8 In case of Sradha being performed by ladies is stopped by their getting periods , they should do it after the time when they take purificatory bath. 4.9 If Sradha is stopped due to birth or death taint, then it should be performed after the taint goes away. If Sradha is not performed due to forgetfulness or due to some other reason(Being in a foreign country/priest not available etc) , then it should be done on the Ekadasi of Krishna Paksha or Amavasya day. 4.10. If we happen to perform death ceremonies to mother or father in law during the first year of death of our parents, then their Sapindikaranam should be performed after the annual ceremony of the parents only. 5.Materials for Sradha(Sradha dravya) 5.1.If for some reason it is not possible to present Vasthram ( Cloth) to the Brahmins during Sradha , at least , they should be given a sacred thread(Yagnopavita). 5.2. The food for Sradha should be cooked in ghee. Some people believe that , since Gingelly is used during the Sradha , Gingelly oil could also be used. 5.3.Millets , cowpea seeds , horse gram , Drum stick, Ash gourd, Bottle gourd , , asafetida and all western vegetables should not be used for Sradha. ( In some families in Kerala, Snake gourd is specially used.) 5.3.1 Black gram, black Gingelly , wheat, cowpea, bitter gourd, jack fruit , mango , Pomegranate, Curry leaf, lemon, Banana fruit, Ilanthai fruit, gooseberry , grapes, pepper, snake gourd, Kandan Kathiru, honey , ghee, Kandasari sugar, Jaggery , sea salt, Cow milk, Yam , colacasia, Jeera , Cardamom, Lablab beans Thoothuvalai, Pirandai, Curd prepared out of cow’s milk and Banana pseudo stem can be used for cooking in Sradham. 5.3.2. Some people use Coconut , mustard , Bengal gram , ash gourd, wood apple and Chillies. Follow the customs of your house. 5.4. Fruits, sweet preparations , milk, curd and Ghee there is no taint due to sesha. That is even if they are offered to the manes, the remaining material can be used by all others. 6,Sradha devatha(Gods of Sradha) 6.1 Viswe devas The Viswe devas are addresses as Puroorava-ardhrava during the Sradha of householders and as Sadhu-Guru in case of Sanyasins. 6.2 Pithru devas Father is addressed as Vasu , Grandfather as Rudra and great grandfather as Adithya. In case of Sradha of father’s brothers and elder brother, they and their two previous generations should be addressed as Vasu-Rudra-Adithya. 3.Maha Vishnu Instead of calling a Brahmin and making him Maha Vishnu , in many case Maha Vishnu is simply assumed to be present and no one represents him. 7.The effect /results of Sradha The performance of Sradha makes devas happy by the Homa, the people in heaven by food offering to Brahmins , The people in Yama’s world by Pinda dhana(offering of rice balls), The human beings by good food , the devils and ghosts by what is left over , the people in hell by the cooked rice which is sprinkled (Vikira annam) and the people unknown by the food offered to the crows. 8.The type of Sradhas 8.1 Anna Sradha which is done using cooked rice 8.2 Aama Sradha which is done using uncooked food 8.3 Hiranya Sradha which is done using money only 8.4. He who has a living father does not have the right to do rituals of Pithrus. But he should do Brahma Yagna (without the Pithru part), Nandi sradham and Theertha sradham. For him the gods addressed are same as that done by his father. He cannot do Gaya Sradha. 8.Some rules of Sradha 8.1 Both Kartha and Boktha should not eat anything after eating the ritual Bhojanam after the Sradha. 8.2.We can do Koosmanda Homam for removing our sins before Sradha. 8.3. We should start doing Oupasana at least four days before Sradha. The fire of Sradha is lit from the Oupasa agni. 8.4.For performing Sradha Kudhabha time , Douhithra (daughter’s son) and black Gingelly are very important. 8.5 . It is believed that black Gingelly was got after Varaha Avathara and prevents evil spirits from entering our house. 8.6.We should not ask our Brother to participate in the Sradha as a Boktha(representative of our manes 8.7. Sick person or one who do not know Vedas cannot be a Boktha. 8.8.He who has married a girl who is not A kanya cannot be a Boktha. 8.9. During the monthly periods of a lady, her husband cannot be a Boktha 8.10. People who do not have a wife and a son cannot be a Boktha. 8.11He who has participated in a Sradha as Boktha cannot be a Boktha for another three days. 8,12. The one wants and requests to be made as a Boktha is ineligible. 8.13.Yogi, Jnani , Sama Vedi and Douhithran (daughter’s son) are preferred to be Bhokthas. 8.14 . He whose wife is more than 3 months pregnant cannot be a Boktha. 8.15He who has shaved in that Morning cannot be a Boktha 8.!6 He who is suffering from leprosy , infected nail or teeth cannot be a Boktha 8.17 . He who has to perform first death ceremony of his father cannot be a Boktha 8.18.When two Brahmins come , the younger one should represent the Pithrus and the elder one the Viswedevas. 8.19. People who can afford should give silk Dhoti(5 years) and Uthareeyam (3 yards) to the Bokthas 8.20 At least we should present the same quality of Dhoti which we normally wear. 8.21. People who cannot afford should at least give a Sacred thread(Yagnopavitha) 8.22. The Kartha should start the Sradha only after wearing a new Yagnopavitha. 8.23. The Kartha should never get angry on the Sradha day. 8.24 He should not take food in somebody else’s house at least for a month before the Sradha. This could be at least 3 days when it is not possible to do otherwise.(Food from teacher, sister, uncle and father in law can be taken) 8.25 Oil bath should not be taken within the seven day period preceding the Sradha 8.26.He should not lie on a cotton bed or make love in those seven days 8.27 We should not wash the feet of the Brahmin with Pavithram. It should be removed and tucked in the ear. 8.28 For Viswedevas it is Chathurasram and for Pithrus it is circle below the Plate on which feet are washed. 8.30. The water used for washing the feet of Viswedevas is holy and should not mix with water used to wash the feet of Pithrus. 8.40 The remaining ghee which is used for Homa should not be consumed 8.41 Cooking should be done in Ghee. It could be done in coconut oil or Gingelly oil as per the custom of our forefathers 8.42.Seasoning with mustard is not done by some and some others do it. This is determined by the practice of our forefathers. 8.43 . The Kartha and his wife should wear cloths washed and dried on the same day. 8.44.All food articles should be washed before cooking. 8.45 Relation or servant should not be employed for cooking 8.46 A lady who is nearing time for periods or one who has just taken the purificatory bath cannot cook. 8.$7 Cooking should not be done with wert cloth 8.58 You can shake the wet cloth seven times and then wear it and cook 8.59 If we happen to go to toilet during the time of cooking, we should take bath and restart the cooking 8.60 A pregnant lady or a sick lady should not cook 8.61.A widow who has not shaved her head should not cook 8.62. While cooking, we should not keep on talking 8.63 People who have drunk coffee should not cook 8.64 The Sradha should be performed in our own house. If not possible , we can give rent and then perform it. 8.65 Food for Sradha should not be cooked in steel vessels 8.66 Thilaka and sound of bell should not be there during Sradha time 8.67 The hair should be tied 8.68 The rice should be prepared last 8.69 when we serve rice on the leaf steam should come out of it. 8.70 The leaf used for taking food of the Brahmins should be buried in the soil. Some people put it in an unused well, In towns some people give it to the cows. This is not correct. But if there is no other go do it. 8.71.,Theleaves should be removed before the final blessings. 8.72 The Kartha should not clean his teeth with brush or stick on the day of Sradha and on the day before 8.73 The Bokthas should not touch each other They should not talk during meals but show their requirements by pointing them out with their fingers 8.74 They should not keep Payasam and ghee remaining on the leaf after they eat. They should keep a small quantity of every other thing 8.75 They should eat slowly and take sufficient food so that they do not feel hungry at night. 8.76 Vasu, Rudra and Adithya are Sradha devathas 8.77Byjoing these devas along with them , our pithrus would only be happy. 8.78 All rituals addressed to devas should be done with Yagnopavita on the left shoulder. The water offering(Tharpana) should be offered to them straight. They should be worshipped by rice 8.79 All rituals addressed to the Pithrus should be done with Yagnopavita on the right shoulder. Water offering should be through the space between thumb and the next finger to the sides. They should be worshipped by Gingelly. 8.80 When the Brahmins are taking food Abisravana mantras should be chanted so that Rakshasa are kept away. If we do not know these mantras , Brahmins who know them should be employed to chant them. They should be given fees for doing so. 8.81 In case of Yekodishtam, Sapindikaranam , Masikam , Anumasikam, Nandi Sradham Abisravana Mantras should not be chanted. 8.82 . If some eaten food from one Brahmin falls on another Brahmins leaf. The leaves should be removed and they should be again served food in the new leaf. They should not get up. 8.83 Till the Brahmins finish their food , the fire of Homa should be maintained. If it goes out, the Sradha has to be redone. 8.84 The pinda meant for crow(Vayasa Pinda) should be protected till it is eaten by a crow. 8.85 Though all serving and other rituals are done first to the Brahmin representing the devas. Getting up after finishing the food should be done first by Brahmin representing the Pithrus. 8.86 After Pindas are offered put little of the rice in the mouth. In some families they only smell it. 8.87 Pindas can be put in water or fire. If the Sradha is performed in sacred waters , it should be put in the river 8.88 Till the Sradha is over , Pundra and Rudraksha should not be worn. 8.89 The Kartha and Boktha should not drink anything except water. Boktha can put Thamboola. He should not do any other ritual that day. He can do Sandhya Vandana only after Chanting Gayathri ten times. If he is ding Oupasana ,m it should be got done by somebody else. He should not accept any Dhana(charity) that day. 8.90 If crow takes Pinda from east , you will get wealth. If it takes from south, you will get disease, If it takes from west, you would go on a tour. If it takes from north, your longevity would get reduced. 8.91. If it is Ekadasi , the Kartha can and should take the food offered to the manes. 8.92 Since the dead people become devas, Sradha Pithru sesham of people younger to you and of your wife can be taken. 8.93 Even if they are married ladies can eat Pithru sesham of mother, father and brother 8.94But if they become widow they are not supposed to eat it. 8,95 There is no pithrusesham in case of father in law and uncle. 8.96The para heni Tharpanam should be performed next day to sradham. It should be done next day early morning at 4 AM. After doing it a bath has to be taken, If father is alive there is no Paraheni Tharpana in the Sradha of mother. There is no Paraheni Tharpana in case of Sapindikaranam, Anumasikam , Nandi and Apthikam. 8.97 Brothers who have divided their property should do Sradha separately. 8.98 If they live in separate houses, they should do it separately. Joining only on Sradha day and the eldest one only doing is not correct. If mother is alive all brothers should do it together. 8.99 Gingelly should not be taken by thumb and the next finger. 8.1000Sradha should be performed during Mahalaya P, Bharani Ashtami and Vyadheepada are special 8.101 Nandi Sradha is an auspicious function. Sradha should be done first according to rules Some people use grass instead of Dharbha and Barley instead of Gingelly. The Pariseshachanam round is not done in anti clock wise directions. Swadha(food of Manes) is not offered. It should be done during Garbha danam , Pumsavanam, Seemantham, Jathakarmam, Nama Karnam, Annaprasanam, Choulam , Upanayanam, Graha pravesam etc.People who cannot afford can perform Nandi as Aama Sradha or Hiranya Sradha. In Nandi Two Brahmins representing Viswa deva, two Brahmins for grandfather and two for father should be represented Q4 Srardham is not a concept to adopt or leave; if you do it as a remembrance to that body which cherished you always; that body is inside the earth all the time in some form or even enters your body as food for the generations to come out. Only the soul and the mind abstracts and unconnected to the body wears another body who belongs to someone else; rebirth is not for the original body; but the rebirth of the soul in another format and name for another body; we are broadminded enough to say let all live happily and so 40 samskaras. If one is doing it with the shaddai . KR IRS 19222 On Fri, 18 Feb 2022 at 19:45, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 < [email protected]> wrote: > QUES ANSW DIVINE 2-2022-18 > > Dear friends, > > These are information compiled as QA by me in 1998’s-2004’s and stored in > my computer. They are posted by *learnt members*. Some QA are based on > concepts. *These concepts vary between people.* > > *BEING COMPILATION THERE MAY BE ERRORS.* > > Sincerely, > > *R. Gopalakrishnan, 78, dated 18-02-2022* > > Q1 Why a portion of the offerings first made to Agni during sraadha? > > A1 If a portion of the offerings be first made to the deity of fire at a > sraddha, Rakshasas of regenerate origin cannot then do any injury to such > a sraddha. Beholding the deity of fire at a Sraddha Rakshasas fly away > from it. > > Q2 What are the regulations regarding women who can be associated with > sraadha? > > A2 A woman who has become impure in consequence of the advent of her > season, or *one whose ears have been cut off, *should not be allowed to > remain where a Sraddha is being performed. > > Nor should a woman (for cooking the rice to be offered in the Sraddha) *be > brought from a Gotra other than that of the person who is performing the > Sraddha.* > > My note- Nowadays same gothra principle is not followed by many. > > Q3 Why are three rice-balls offered separately at a Shraddha? Unto whom > should the first of those rice-balls be offered? Unto whom should the > second one be offered? And whose has it been said is the third or remaining > one? > > A3 The first rice-ball should be considered as thrown into the waters. > The second ball should be given to one of the wives to eat. The third ball > should be cast into the blazing fire. > > Having heard from the holy Vyasa what the end is of the three rice-balls > offered at the Shraddha, as explained by the Pitris themselves in reply to > the question of the celestial messenger, *I shall explain the same to > thee. * > > Do thou hear, O monarch, what the conclusions are with respect to the > ordinances about the Shraddha. Listen with rapt attention, O Bharata, to me > as I explain what the end is of the three rice-balls. > > That rice-ball which goes into water is regarded as gratifying the deity > of the moon. *That deity, thus gratified, O thou of great intelligence, > gratifies in return the other deities and the Pitris also with them.* > > It has been laid down that the second rice-ball should be eaten by the > spouse (of the man that performs the Shraddha). *The Pitris who are very > desirous of progeny, confer children on the woman of the house*. Listen > now to me as I tell thee what becomes of the rice-ball that is cast into > the blazing fire. > > With that ball put in fire the *Pitris are gratified and **as the result > thereof they grant the fruition of all wishes unto the person offering it.* > > I have thus told thee everything about the end of the three rice-balls > offered at the Shraddha and consigned to the three (viz., water, the > spouse, and the fire). > > Q4 When the Jiva undergoes transmigration and takes another birth after > leaving this physical body, is it necessary that we should perform Sraaddha > ceremony for him? He is no more in the heavens. To whom will the oblations > reach?” ? > > A4 Some people entertain this doubt, In the ninth chapter of the Gita, > Lord Krishna has made it very clear that those virtuous persons who perform > sacrifices for the attainment of heaven attain to those worlds of > enjoyments. “They having enjoyed that spacious world of Svargas, their > merit (Punya) exhausted, enter the world of the mortals; thus following the > Dharma of the triad, desiring objects of desires, they attain to the state > of going and returning.” This establishes the theory of attainment of > heaven after death, and rebirth in the mortal world after the exhaustion > of virtuous acts. The enjoyments in heaven and peace of the soul are > enhanced by the performance of Sraaddha ceremony. > > *The suffering in worlds other than heaven according to the merits of > one’s own actions is mitigated by the performance of Sraaddha ceremony by > his sons*. So in both cases the performance of Sraaddha is a great help. > The Pitris remain in heaven (Pitriloka, Chandraloka) for a very long > period. > > *According to the theory of transmigration, even if the individual is to > take another birth immediately after his death, the performance of Sraaddha > adds to his happiness in his new birth.* > > So it is the imperative duty of everybody to perform Sraaddha ceremony for > his parents and forefathers. Sraaddha ceremony should be performed with > great Sraddha (faith) as long as you live. Faith is the main support for > religion. > > “Sraddhavan labhate jnanam...the man of faith attains knowledge and > thereby immortality and eternal peace” is the declaration of the Gita. > > *My note- I have included this QA, since many* Brahmins go by this > principle. But it is an individual opinion and srardha itself is a > concept. > > There are Brahmins who discontinue srardha after Gaya srardha telling it > is a phase. Their ground is a soul in Devaloka or heaven does not feel > hunger. Srardha to a person who is in Devaloka is not clear in this > answer. > > Q5 Do People who die without a son will suffer in the other worlds? > > A5 People who die without a son may suffer in the other worlds.But it is > not a general rule. That is the reason why people *adopt a son before > their death for the due performance of Sraaddha ceremonies after their > death*. The Gita also supports this view. “Patanti pitaro hyesham > luptapindodakakriyah”: their forefathers fall (down to hell) deprived of > the offerings of Pinda (rice-ball) and water. > > But, if a man is religious-minded and if he has discrimination and > dispassion, belief in the Sastras and the Vedas, if he has led a virtuous > life till the end of his life, if he has devoted his last days in > devotional practices, Japa, meditation, study, etc., (even if he has no > son) he will not have a fall. > > Q6 Do luxury in sraadha is good? > > A6 No. People of some communities in India spend money enormously and > indiscriminately on Sraaddha ceremony for show. This is mere wastage. > Money should not be spent on luxury. It is a delusion to think that the > *Pitris > will get more peace by spending more money.* Money does not count for the > ease of the Pitris, but the intensity of Bhava, with which the Sraaddha > is performed, counts. > > On such occasions the poor and deserving persons are to be fed > sumptuously. Their necessities of life should be attended to. Study of > scriptures should be done on such days. The performer of the Sraaddha > ceremony should observe spiritual discipline like Japa, meditation, Mouna, > etc. > > He should maintain strict Brahmacharya. He should not spend his time in > idle pursuits. He should pray to God for the whole day. Recitation of > appropriate Vedic hymns should be done. The story of Nachiketas of the > Upanishads should be studied. The performer attains immortality. > > My note- It is a fact like day light bhokthas and sasthrikals are interested > in Luxury srardha. A sasthrikal will attend himself for such a srardha > and sent his 3rd assistant for srardha in a normal brahmins’s home. > > Q7 What are some regulations about funeral? > > A7 As the second half of the month is preferable to the first half, even > so the afternoon is better for the performance of a funeral sacrifice than > the forenoon. > > Let him not perform a funeral sacrifice at night, because the night is > declared to belong to the Rakshasas, nor in the twilight, nor when the sun > has just risen. > > At all rites in honour of the manes the word SWADHA is the highest > benison. [Note: During Agni-Hotra or Havan ceremony, oblations are offered > to the gods with the word SWAHA but to the manes during funeral > sacrifice, the word SWADHA must be used.] > > The manes are always pleased with offerings made in open, naturally pure > places, on the banks of rivers, and in secluded spots. > > *My note- If death occurs in a home near to temple such restriction is > not seen. My father’s funeral was at 9PM being very close to temple. * > > *Q8 What are the two classes of pitries?Do* prajapathies too are pitries? > > A8 There are two classes of Pitris, viz., the *Celestial Pitris* who are > the lords of the Pitri Loka, and the Human Pitris who go there after > death. > > *Kasyapa and the other Prajapatis are also Pitris, as they are the > original progenitors**.* Pitri Loka or the Abode of the Pitris is also > called by the name Bhuvar Loka. > > Q9 What is the importance of Mahalaya paksha Sraadha? > > A9 All those who had failed to do deeds of charity and Anna-Dana (gift of > food) and were thus denied these comforts in the Pitri Loka, benefited by > these malayapaksha ceremonies. > > Those deceased whose date of death is not known and whose annual Sraddha > cannot be done, they also get these oblations of Pitri Paksha. > > Souls whose life was cut off by violent accidental or unnatural death and > to whom, therefore, offerings cannot reach in the ordinary course, to them, > too, the Ptripaksha offerings reach directly. > > All these the boon of Lord Yama made possible from the time the great > Karna performed the Asvayuja-Paksha rites. > > The Hindu Itihasas (histories) say, that on the Mahalaya Amavasya, there > is a conjunction of the sun and the moon and that the sun enters the sign > Virgo (Kanya). On this day, the departed manes, i.e., our ancestors, leave > their abode in the world of Yama and come down to the world of mortals and > occupy the houses of their descendants. > > The fortnight preceding the new moon is specially consecrated for the > propitiation of such departed spirits. The ceremonies performed in honour > of the manes or ancestors during each day of this fortnight are considered > to be equal to those performed at Gaya. > > -- > 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/iyer123/338142521.2271337.1645193746163%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/338142521.2271337.1645193746163%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/CAL5XZopoRoURMMZ5WWJ6y9XcGgPEaZJz-R3GgJYLg%2BGaBKAK1Q%40mail.gmail.com.
