Pranam
What is shradham? Since when it started? Whether rules of sraddha and
ptrs spoken in any Rig or Yajur or Sama Veda?. What exactly is the meaning
of Pitrs?. Why variations in samskaras from 3 to 16 to 40?. If Vedas are
universal, why the samskaras are not fulfilled universally?.
Many people simply write as “spoken in Vedam”, without the
understanding to find out, whether such texts are found any where in the so
called Vedas?
Vedas speak the truth of Brahmam. Veda ways of life is SMRITHI TO BE
FOLLOWED. Smarthas are not mere Brahmins but one who takes to the Vedic
life. Samskaras are later inventions. Very little is known from Ramayanam.
So majprity read in Mahabharatham anusasana Parva shows the way of life.
That is universal. The vedas are applied to one and all the earth, who
leads the SATVA life.
Death is spoken in Rig vedam, praying for the survival only. Rig
vedam spoke what are the things a good way of life is. The Veda which did
not speak about the wedding ceremony, did not also spoke about the
procedures of the shraddham. They are mantras.
Mantra (मन्त्र).—(also Mantrasthānam, Council Chamber)
consultation to be held with many and individually and with people in whom
the king has confidence; at least one expert must be consulted; generally
with people learned in the three Vedas, elders who have the ability to
correct the erring king;1
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#ref1_1> kingdom rests on
mantra;2 <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#ref1_2> king not to
decide alone nor to consult too many;3
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#ref1_3> Bhaṇḍa's War Council.4
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#ref1_4>
- 1) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#text1_1> Matsya-purāṇa
215. 48-52.
- 2) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#text1_2> Ib. 220. 33.
- 3) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#text1_3> Ib. 220. 37.
- 4) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#text1_4> Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa
IV. 21. 21; 25. 3
1b) A portion of the Pūrva samhitā.*
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#ref2_1>
1c) Take the food offered in sacrifices to the Pitṛs as the calf finds out
its mother among the lost cows;1
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#ref3_1> came out of
discontent, fear, difficulties, happiness and misery of ṛṣis; later put
into form and order by sages; differences in *mantras* as many as
twenty-four;2 <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#ref3_2> the two
major divisions *—grāmya* and *āraṇyaka*;3
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#ref3_3> Veda mantras, Viṣṇu
mantra, Durgā mantra, Gāṇapata mantra, etc.;4
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#ref3_4> ety of.5
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#ref3_5>
- 1) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#text3_1> Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa
II. 28. 91; Vāyu-purāṇa 59. 61.
- 2) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#text3_2> Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa
II. 32. 68; 33. 42; Vāyu-purāṇa 59. 35-61; Matsya-purāṇa 145. 62-3.
- 3) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#text3_3> Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa
II. 35. 73, 85; IV. 8. 51-3, 57.
- 4) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#text3_4> Ib. IV. 38. 4.
- 5) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#text3_5> Vāyu-purāṇa
59. 141.
All these go to show that Mantras were used to make up the samskaras
according to the Dharma and Gruhya sutras, varying in procedures where to
day many out of the vedic way, Vadhyars perform for money (Ramani’s Blog).
Mantra (मन्त्र, “ritual formula”) is one of the five divisions of
subject-matter of the Vedic, Puranic and Tantric literature according to
Mīmāṃsā philosophy.—These usually take the form of prayers or hymns of
praise to various deities. Some of them, in Tantra, are sonic formulae with
no grammatical meaning but generate a certain spiritual vibration in the
consciousness.
Mantras convey a distinct meaning indicative in most cases of the deity
connected with the sacrifice enjoined elsewhere and therefore in themselves
have no authority whatsoever.
Mantra (मन्त्र).—Name given to the Samhitā portion of the Veda
works especially of the Ṛgveda and the Yajurveda as different from the
Brāhmaṇa, Āraṇyaka and other portions of the two Vedas as also from the
other Vedas; cf. मन्त्रशब्द ऋक्शब्दे च यजुःशब्दे च (*mantraśabda ṛkśabde ca
yajuḥśabde ca*); So Vedas are knowledge and one only in smrithi; mantras
adopted as extracted from them are used for various purposes and they are
prayers and not the applications or the procedures.
1) *Sattvic* (mode of goodness) *mantras* are chanted for light,
wisdom, divine love, compassion, and God realization. They destroy all
karma, bring peace, and lead to perfection after death.
2) *Rajasic* (mode of passion) *mantras* are chanted for progeny and
material prosperity. Unlike *sattvic mantras,* which remove karma, *rajasic
mantras* force men to takd rebirth to reap the fruits of their karma.
3) *Tamasic mantras* (mode of ignorance), popularly called "black magic,"
are sinful. They are generally used to propitiate spirits, harm others, and
perform vicious deeds.
The original spiritual letters are endowed with specific powers, and in
particular combinations they assume more power in relation to certain
Deities. These combinations of letters are called bijas or seeds, and they
combine to form words. When these words are connected in a particular
order, they have special powers to represent a Deity in full. These
combinations are called mantras. The power then manifested in the whole
mantra is greater than that of any of its constituent sounds. The
*mantras,* which
are non-different from the Deity, are an eternal manifestation of the Deity
and are spiritual by nature. By repetition of the *mantra,* the worshiper
invokes the mercy of the Deity whose *mantra* he repeats.
Under these circumstances, shraddha is a karma;1
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#ref6_1> the wherefrom and
why of the ceremony is questioned for answer; ceremony for disliked Pitṛs
will be enjoyed by the Rākṣasas and Dānavas; tends to the growth of Soma
who is the cause of the world growth; three piṇḍas according to name and
gotra; Pitṛs ( GODs as seen above not the dead bodies) give all including
knowledge; at the *tīrthas* and rivers; Bṛhaspati on śrāddha; once there
was a thick haze of darkness in all worlds when Brahmā engaged himself in
yoga and created the worlds, Santānaka and the first gods Vairājās; the
formless groups of Gods attained absolution through yoga which is the
strength of the Pitṛs; and through this yoga Soma increases in power; hence
feed thousands learned in the Vedic lore; feeding of a snātaka equals that
of many; atheists and the unrighteous should not be fed;2
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#ref6_2>{ and such shall also
cannot perform as a Guru}; to be performed with faith using silver or
silver-coated vessels and the Purodha to be given svadhā; health and wealth
are the fruits; superior to deva worship; even gods propitiate the Pitṛs as
also sages and other semi-divine beings;{ this will show that pitrs are not
us but gods described in Vedas, lest GODs will not worship the punarjanma};
for yogaiśvarya or mokṣadharma;3
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#ref6_3> details of the vedi
and offerings during srāddhas; Pitṛs eat in the guise of Vāyu;{ everyone
knows what is Vayu?} offerings in Agni when it burns, otherwise it will
lead to the blinding of eyes;4
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#ref6_4> the ruling of
Bṛhaspati .
1) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#text6_1> Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa
III. 4. 24.
- 2) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#text6_2> Ib. III. 9.
4; Matsya-purāṇa 20. 6; 21. 33.
- 3) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#text6_3> Ib. III.
10. 100; Matsya-purāṇa 15. 31.
- 4) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#text6_4> Ib. III.
11. 6, 49, 100.
- 5) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#text6_5> Ib. III.
12. 26; 13. 1; Matsya-purāṇa 10. 34.
Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) refers to one of the seven Pākasaṃsthās
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pakasamstha#dharmashastra> or
Pākayajñas <http://definition/pakayajna#dharmashastra> (groups of seven
sacrifices).—Hārīta says: “Let a man offer the Pākayajñas always, always
also the Haviryajñas, and the Somayajñas (Soma sacrifices), according to
rule, if he wishes for eternal merit”.—The object of these
sacrifices [viz., Śrāddha] is eternal happiness, and hence they have to be
performed during life at certain seasons, without any special occasion (
*nimitta*), and without any special object (*kāma*). According to most
authorities, however, they have to be performed during thirty years only.
After that the Agnihotra only has to be kept up. { Grahya sutras}
The word Śrāddha is derived from Śraddhā.—The Mitākṣara on
Yājñavalkya-smṛti (1.217) defines *śrāddha* as “abandonment with faith of
an article of food or some substitutes there of intending, it for the
benefit of the departed”. The Kalpataru on *śrāddha* defined it as “the
giving up of sacrificial material intending it for, Pitṛs and its
acceptance by Brāhmaṇas”. According to some *śrāddha* denotes *homa*, the
offering of *piṇḍa* (ball of cooked food) and gratification of the
Brāhmaṇas invited to a dinner.
Chapter nineteen of the Saurapurāṇa (Surya purana) describes the
*śrāddha-vidhi*. It is stated that *śrāddha* should be performed
particularly in the sacred places on the new-moon day, two *aṣṭakā* days
(eighth *tithi* of both fortnights), on *viṣuva* day and when the sun and
the moon are in opposite course. Food offering is to be given to the
Brāhmaṇas conversed in the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas, especially those who are
the devotees of Śiva.
श्रद्धा वित्तं विधिश्चेति त्रितयं तत्समागतम् (*śraddhā vittaṃ
vidhiśceti tritayaṃ tatsamāgatam*) Ś.7.29; R.2.16; अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगात्
चलितमानसः (*ayatiḥ śraddhayopeto yogāt calitamānasaḥ*) Bg.6.37;7.21;17.3.----A
funeral ceremony observed at various fixed periods and for different
purposes, consisting of offerings with water and fire to the gods and
manes, and gifts and food to the relations present and assisting Brahmans;
it is especially performed for a present recently deceased, or for three
paternal ancestors or for all ancestors collectively, and is supposed
necessary to secure the ascent and residence of the souls of the deceased
in a world appropriated to the manes, The following distributions of this
ceremony are specified: the *pārvaṇaṃ* in honour of three ancestors,
*ekoddiṣṭaṃ* of one, *nityaṃ* regular, *naimittikaṃ* occasionally, *kāmyaṃ* for
the attainment of some particular object, *āhnikaṃ* daily, *vṛddhiḥ* for
the obtaining of increase of prosperity, and *sapiṇḍanaṃ* in which the
balls of meat offered to the deceased individually and collectively are
blended together. There are many other kinds: those for a person recently
deceased are one on the day after mourning expires, and twelve others in
twelve successive months; one at the end of the third fortnight, one in the
sixth month, and one in the twelfth, concluding with a Sapindana, on the
anniversary of the person’s death; in general they are all performed in the
course of the two or three first days, and the Shradd'ha for the deceased
is only annually repeated. There is also a short of Shradd'ha performed
daily during the days of mourning, usually ten, on which a funeral cake is
presented, increasing one or more each day till ten cakes are offered. E.
*śraddhā* faith, *aṇ* or *ṇa* aff. of possession or relation, as the
abandonment or presentation of meat, &c., through faith of its efficacy, in
behalf of the souls of the deceased. { Procedures added one by one by the
ancestors as rituals}. ( [Gṛhya-sūtra and śrauta-sūtra; Manu-smṛti;
Mahābhārata] ).{ ALL OF THEM ARE FAR LATER THAN THE VEDAS IN VOGUE}.
Hence writing about sradham as if some points are only the right
procedures is far from admitting that , the procedures for eating ways of
differenct kinds of food , as if only one set of food is better or the
best. If the vedam is universal and 99% are not doing such as discussed in
these columns by some one repeatedly, does not mean , that all of them are
condemned. It is believed that by sacrificing a goat , by a set of
villagers, God safe-guards their family , is a kind of PLACEBO. So too the
sradham. Let it be taken up in good faith by both the doer and the causing
the doing. Let us abide to that extent. As someone in our society, let us
not worship one as a guru and by the same tongue, throw him off the
balance. That is not faith.
KR IRS 31322
On Wed, 30 Mar 2022 at 12:38, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <
[email protected]> wrote:
> QUES ANSW DIVINE 03-2022-30
>
> Dear friends,
>
> These are information compiled as QA by me in 1998’s-2004’s and stored in
> my computer. They are posted by *very learnt members*.
>
> *BEING COMPILATION THERE MAY BE ERRORS.*
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> *R. Gopalakrishnan, 78, dated 30-03-2022*
>
> Q1 What is the importance of veda parayana?
>
> A1 Doing Veda Parayana daily , doing the five great Yagna (Pancha Maha
> Yagna) and being patient , destroys the sins committed in secret.
>
> Like a fire makes twigs in to ash , the Veda knowing Brahmin , drives away
> all the sins by the fire of his knowledge. It is also told that if we do 16
> Pranayamas along with Mantras, the sins committed vanish. (Manu)
>
> Q2 Do reciting Rama Rama is a redemptive act?
>
> A2 Even if sins are done in one crore different ways , if we sing “Rama,
> Rama”, by the effect of the name “Rama” all sins would be destroyed This
> is a redemptive act for all sort of sins. There is no better redemptive act
> in any of the Shastras. ( Brugu)
>
> Q3 What is pradosha period?
>
> A3 Pradosha is the period of three muhurthas after sun set.(Vyasa)
>
> Q4 What are the danas which can be offered at birth and death?
>
> A4 Cow, land , Gingelly, gold, ghee, cloth , grains, Jaggery , Silver and
> salt are called the ten dhanas , which can be given at death and birth.
>
> Giving them away after death would give comfort to the departed soul in
> the land of the dead. Giving them away at birth , gives long and
> comfortable life to the child.(Prachetha)
>
> Q5 What are the rules told about cremation when a person dies in day time?
>
> A5 When a person dies in the day time, he should be cremated within 10
> hours.
>
> When a person dies in the day time, he should be cremated within 10
> hours. If this is done it is not late. If cremation is not done within 10
> hours, the body becomes old.
>
> To cremate it, permission has to be taken from Brahmins, do three
> Kruchrams (mortification ) , bath the body washed with Pancha Gavya
> (Mixture of cow dung, cow urine, milk, curd and ghee) and further bathed by
> water and later sanctified by chanting of Pavamana Suktha.
>
> If this is not done the entire after death ceremony is a waste. (.Gargya)
>
> If a person dies in the day time, he should be cremated in the day time
> itself. If he dies at night, he should be cremated before 9.45 PM.
> Afterwards cremation at night is not permitted-Bhodhayana:
>
> Q6 How cleaning is to be done the place where sraadha is to be performed?
>
> A6 The place where Sradha is to be performed should be cleaned using cow
> dung and water. Then we have to sprinkle Gingelly (til) on that space.
>
> ( probably keeping it in mind a tiny piece of varatti is just mixed in
> water and cleaned now with that water).
>
> Wheat , Paddy, Barley , Gingelly , garden pea, mustard , Paryangu (?) ,
> Govidhara (?) and Avarai (lab lab beans) are suitable for the Sradha.
>
> Q7 Do Aachamana has to be performed in the beginning and end of any
> function?
>
> A7 Yes. Aachamana should be done in the beginning and end. This is true
> for every ritual for the success of the ritual. For having internal
> cleanliness Pranayama should be done. ( Refer simplest- sandya. )
>
> Q8 Is there any version that if a person llight ghee lamp in house he has
> to do anna danam also?
>
> A8There is a version like that .An authority says if you light Ghee lamp
> you need to do Annadanam and it is not possible for individuals in the
> present day and age to do annadanam on daily basis and hence refrain from
> lighting Ghee lamps at home. If you do wish to light a Ghee lamp light it
> in the temple.
>
> Q9 Where do we have Brahma temple in Tamilnadu?
>
> A9 Brahma temple in Tamilnadu is at KODUMUDI on the way from Erode to
> Karur. This is a famous temple for Brahma situated on the banks of river
> Kaveri.
>
> Not only this one can visit UTHAMARKOVIL near Trichy which is a
> Trimurthi sthalam. There are sanctum and sanctorums for Siva, Vishnu
> and Brahma. Again this is situated nearer to river Kaveri.
>
> Q10 What are all the items required for sraadha?
>
> A10 Without black gram Sradha cannot be performed.
>
> Curd , milk, cooked rice , ghee and Jaggery should be used in Sradha.
> These satisfy the Pithrus for one month.
>
> The Pithrus who are satisfied by honey, give us all that we want. So
> honey should definitely used in Sradha.
>
> Jack fruit, banana fruit , Pomegranate , Mango fruit , Grapes , Bitter
> gourd, cucumber , Avarai , snake gourd , Plantain , Curry leaf , Elephant
> foot yam (karunai Kizhangu) , ginger and Lime should definitely be used in
> Sradha. Presenting cloth according to our financial capability is
> considered good.
>
> Q11 Whether there is any mention of pithrus in Vedas?
>
> A11 Veda says that Pithrus are Vasus, Pithamaha (grand father) are rudras
> and prapithamaha ( great grand father) are Adhithyas. Except the Mruthaha
> Sradha others can be performed as Ama Roopa or Hiranya Roopa.
>
> Q12 If a person is not affordable is there any way for performing sraadha?
>
> A12 When you cannot afford to do Sradha, feed sufficient grass to cows.
> They can be fed with rice balls (pindas) . We can do Thila Tharpana
> addressing the Pithrus. When you do Tharpana , you should take bath and
> wear dried cloths.
>
> Q13 Can sraadha can be performed by a representative?
>
> A13 He who is not able to do Sradha can have the representative who
> should perform the rituals with devotion, he gets the same effect as
> having performed Sradha.
>
> Q14 Can a Brahma chari carry corpose?
>
> A14 Brahmachari should not carry a corpse. If he touches, sacred thread
> ceremony should be performed again for him.
>
> Q15 What is the re incarnation told who commit sin?
>
> A15 The one who rapes his teachers wife, would be born as grass, plants
> and climbers.
>
> He who befriends a sinner or steals the wife of another or steals the
> property of a Brahmin would be born as Brahma rakshas(a type of ghost)
> .-manu
>
> The man who rapes his Mother’s sister, friend of mother , daughter,
> father’s sister , uncle’s wife , sister and mother in law is the one who
> does Athipathakas. (Yama)
>
> Q16 What are the attributes of Tiruvidaimarudhur Jyothirmaya Sri
> MahalingaSwamy Temple?
>
> A16 Generally in all Shiva temples, the main deity will have a specific
> name but here it is called Mahalingam (Big lingam) since legend
> says that Lord Shiva worshipped Himself here in the process of teaching
> and demonstrating the Saivite worship procedures to the seven great
> sages.
>
> The Shiva Lingam here is a swayambhu facing east and is said to be on
> par with Varanasi (Kasi).
>
> The pooja is first performed to Mahalinga swamy in this temple and then
> only to Vinayakar. Here Vinayagar Himself is worshipping Shiva.
>
> Once when Parvathi devi playfully blind folded Shiva, the whole
> universe was in total darkness and deep trouble but Thiruvidaiarudhur
> alone was illuminating as a fire with the Jyothirmaya Sri Mahalinga
> Swamy
>
>
>
>
>
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