By Smt.Meera Tadipatri
Pitrugana Sandhi paata - Shri Kesava Rao
Pitrugana Sandhi paata - Smt.Meera Tadipatri
HKS Pitrugana Sandhi Recitation:
By Shri Kesava Rao Tadipatri
By Smt.Shubha Rao
Script :
Eng Kan Dev Tel Tam
HKS Pitrugana Sandhi Recitation:
By Shri Kesava Rao Tadipatri
By Smt.Shubha Rao
Script :
Eng Kan Dev Tel Tam
Lyrics: Eng Kan Dev Tel
INDEX:
5. Why should we worship
6. what is special about mahalaya
7. What is the pratima used as a medium and why
8. Method of worship and rules for Karta and onlookers
9. Mahima
10. phala
11. Special Bhagavat Rupas
12. Shannavati listing
The term Pitru [whose nominative singular is "pita"]refers to the one who:
a. gives us this body
b. does naamakarana and and other samskaara
c. gives knowledge
d. provides food, clothing
e. removes fear.
In the real sense, Shri Hari, is the real "pita" as He does all the above to every jiva all the time. Thus it is Shri Hari who is worshiped in all pujas including this "pitru puje". He is worshiped in the adhistaana/pratima/abode of other devatas. Here He is worshiped in the adhistaana of "pitru devatas".
Thus, it has to be noticed that we do NOT worship the departed souls who themselves are "helpless".
This is special group of "devatas" who protect both the "living" and also those who have departed from the mortal gross body. Though there is hierarchy among them, they [ a to d below ] are all evolved souls who have had the direct vision of their in-dwelling God/antaryaami and see His all pervading forms as per-capacity. Apart from this, they have done sadhana to get the adhikara/ eligibility to control us in many many ways.
Thus, they are NOT manushyas.
In this category, there are 4 distinct devata groups.
a. chira pitrus
b. Deva bhrutya pitru gana
c. pitru gana devatas
c. pitru patis
d. deva pitrus
e. The in-dwelling antaryaami Pradhyumna, Sankarshana and Vasudeva
a. chira pitrus: - These group is higher than deva gandharvas in hierarchy They belong to what is known as "Ajaanaja" category.
That is, they are NOT directly devatas but born in the family -- born to devatas children who don't have any portfolio. Even though they don't figure among the 9 crore devatas, they are included as
"honorary" in the "devata clan".
b. Deva bhrutya pitru gana: They are "Ajaanaja-s", and higher than chira pitrus. They are 100 in number, however, 7 of them are much higher in hierarchy than the rest in this category.
They are seven in number and belong to the category of "Aajanaja" -- born DIRECTLY to devatas and control the above mentioned "pitru gana". To stress the importance of offering gratitude for these devatas, an incident is mentioned in Hari vamsha as to how the Anakhyaata devatas strayed from their sadhana path and lost the "brahma jnana" and upon repentance, Chaturmukha Brahma told them that their children will impart back the "Brahma Jnana" that was lost. The "giver" of "knowledge" is always called "pita" [ see, section 1.c ], hence they were called "Pitru" devatas.
Among these 7, 3 have extremely suxma subtle form and known as Amurta while the rest 4 have form, though not visible to human eyes. The 4 murta forms are worshiped by the four varnas/ manushyas while the amurta form is worshiped by "deva ganas" and all those below them.
To get the pujya bhaava/utmost reverence, their lineage is mentioned in Hari Vamsha
Amurta:
1. Vairaja pitru: His manasa putri is Menadevi who marries Himavaan, the controller of parvata abhimanis and their daughter is Aparna [ aka Uma devi] who marries Shiva to beget Shanmukha who kills Tarakasura. Her other sisters Ekaparna marries Asita-Devala rishi, and another sister Ekapatala marries Jaigisha. Her brother is the abhimani of Mainaka Parvata and his son is the abhimani of Krauncha Parvata.
2. Agnishvaata: His manasa putri is Achchhoda who takes birth as Satyavati and marries Parashara Rishi and in them Bhagavan Vedavyasa manifests.
3. Barhishad: His manasa putri is Pivari and she marries Shuka and begets 4 yogis as sons -- Krishna, Gaura, Prabhu shambhu and daughter names Krithvi
Murta:
1. sukaala: His manasa putri is Gau and marries into Chandra vamsha.
2. Aangirasa: His manasa putri is Yashoda who is the mother of Dhileep.
3. Susvada: His manasa putri is Viraja who marries Nahusha and begets Yayati.
4. Somapa: His manasa putri is Narmada who marries Purukutsu and begets Trishankhu.
Among these 7 gana devatas, three of them directly accept our prayers/ahutis and protect:
I. Agnishvata ---> Pita category
II. Barhishad --> Pitamaha
III. Somapa ---> Prapitamaha
c. pitru patis: These are the prasiddha Devatas Kavyavaha, Yama and Soma They protect the "pitru gana" and control them. Kavyavaha belongs to 18th kaxa and takes ahuti to Pitru devatas. Yama and Soma belong to 12 th kaxa in hierarchy.
Like before these 3 devatas Kavyavaha, Yama Soma accept and protect:
I. Kavyavaha ---> Agnishvata --> Pita category
II. Yama ---> Barhishad ---> Pitamaha
III. Soma ---> Somapa ---> Pratipitamaha and above
d. Deva pitrus: They are the famous Vasu gana, Rudra gana and Aditya gana.
1. Vasu gana has 8 devatas and Agni among them is the head and the rest are in 18th kaxa. They are born to daxa putri Vasu and Dharma.
Apart from this, the superior 8 devatas like Mukhyaprana Bharati etc., are also present in them.
2. Rudra gana has 11 devatas and Maha Rudra is their chief and rest are in 18th kaxa. They are born to daxa putri bhuta. Apart from them, the 10 praanas along with Bhruhaspati is also present in them.
3. Aditya gana is 12 in number including Bhagavan Vamana. Among the rest Indra is their chief. They are born to kashyapa and Aditi
Like before, Vasu, Rudra and Aditya directly and thr' respective Pitru Pati-s and Pitru Gana Devatas, accept our prayers and protect Pita, Pitamaha and Pratipitamaha set
I. Vasu --> Kavyavaha ---> Agnishvata --> Pita category
II. Rudra ---> Yama ---> Barhishad ---> Pitamaha
III. Aditya --> Soma ---> Somapa ---> Pratipitamaha and above
e. The in-dwelling antaryaami Pradhyumna, Sankarshana and Vasudeva directly and through all these devatas accept and protect us all.
I. Kruti-Pradhyumna --> Vasu --> Kavyavaha ---> Agnishvata --> Pita category
II. Jaya-Sankarshana --> Rudra ---> Yama ---> Barhishad ---> Pitamaha
III. MAya-Vasudeva ---> Aditya --> Soma ---> Somapa ---> Pratipitamaha and above
During the process of doing the shraaddha kriya, we invoke Vasu Rudra Aditya and since we don't "see" them, we may not get the needed shraaddha, so to focus the mind with devotion, we mentally "visualize" their form as being present.
a. Krutipati Pradhyumna is present in Vasu devatas as:
प्रसन्नवदनाः सौम्याः वरदाः शक्तिपाणयः ।
b. Rudra:
INDEX:
5. Why should we worship
6. what is special about mahalaya
7. What is the pratima used as a medium and why
8. Method of worship and rules for Karta and onlookers
9. Mahima
10. phala
11. Special Bhagavat Rupas
12. Shannavati listing
The term Pitru [whose nominative singular is "pita"]refers to the one who:
a. gives us this body
b. does naamakarana and and other samskaara
c. gives knowledge
d. provides food, clothing
e. removes fear.
In the real sense, Shri Hari, is the real "pita" as He does all the above to every jiva all the time. Thus it is Shri Hari who is worshiped in all pujas including this "pitru puje". He is worshiped in the adhistaana/pratima/abode of other devatas. Here He is worshiped in the adhistaana of "pitru devatas".
Thus, it has to be noticed that we do NOT worship the departed souls who themselves are "helpless".
This is special group of "devatas" who protect both the "living" and also those who have departed from the mortal gross body. Though there is hierarchy among them, they [ a to d below ] are all evolved souls who have had the direct vision of their in-dwelling God/antaryaami and see His all pervading forms as per-capacity. Apart from this, they have done sadhana to get the adhikara/ eligibility to control us in many many ways.
Thus, they are NOT manushyas.
In this category, there are 4 distinct devata groups.
a. chira pitrus
b. Deva bhrutya pitru gana
c. pitru gana devatas
c. pitru patis
d. deva pitrus
e. The in-dwelling antaryaami Pradhyumna, Sankarshana and Vasudeva
a. chira pitrus: - These group is higher than deva gandharvas in hierarchy They belong to what is known as "Ajaanaja" category.
That is, they are NOT directly devatas but born in the family -- born to devatas children who don't have any portfolio. Even though they don't figure among the 9 crore devatas, they are included as
"honorary" in the "devata clan".
b. Deva bhrutya pitru gana: They are "Ajaanaja-s", and higher than chira pitrus. They are 100 in number, however, 7 of them are much higher in hierarchy than the rest in this category.
They are seven in number and belong to the category of "Aajanaja" -- born DIRECTLY to devatas and control the above mentioned "pitru gana". To stress the importance of offering gratitude for these devatas, an incident is mentioned in Hari vamsha as to how the Anakhyaata devatas strayed from their sadhana path and lost the "brahma jnana" and upon repentance, Chaturmukha Brahma told them that their children will impart back the "Brahma Jnana" that was lost. The "giver" of "knowledge" is always called "pita" [ see, section 1.c ], hence they were called "Pitru" devatas.
Among these 7, 3 have extremely suxma subtle form and known as Amurta while the rest 4 have form, though not visible to human eyes. The 4 murta forms are worshiped by the four varnas/ manushyas while the amurta form is worshiped by "deva ganas" and all those below them.
To get the pujya bhaava/utmost reverence, their lineage is mentioned in Hari Vamsha
Amurta:
1. Vairaja pitru: His manasa putri is Menadevi who marries Himavaan, the controller of parvata abhimanis and their daughter is Aparna [ aka Uma devi] who marries Shiva to beget Shanmukha who kills Tarakasura. Her other sisters Ekaparna marries Asita-Devala rishi, and another sister Ekapatala marries Jaigisha. Her brother is the abhimani of Mainaka Parvata and his son is the abhimani of Krauncha Parvata.
2. Agnishvaata: His manasa putri is Achchhoda who takes birth as Satyavati and marries Parashara Rishi and in them Bhagavan Vedavyasa manifests.
3. Barhishad: His manasa putri is Pivari and she marries Shuka and begets 4 yogis as sons -- Krishna, Gaura, Prabhu shambhu and daughter names Krithvi
Murta:
1. sukaala: His manasa putri is Gau and marries into Chandra vamsha.
2. Aangirasa: His manasa putri is Yashoda who is the mother of Dhileep.
3. Susvada: His manasa putri is Viraja who marries Nahusha and begets Yayati.
4. Somapa: His manasa putri is Narmada who marries Purukutsu and begets Trishankhu.
Among these 7 gana devatas, three of them directly accept our prayers/ahutis and protect:
I. Agnishvata ---> Pita category
II. Barhishad --> Pitamaha
III. Somapa ---> Prapitamaha
c. pitru patis: These are the prasiddha Devatas Kavyavaha, Yama and Soma They protect the "pitru gana" and control them. Kavyavaha belongs to 18th kaxa and takes ahuti to Pitru devatas. Yama and Soma belong to 12 th kaxa in hierarchy.
Like before these 3 devatas Kavyavaha, Yama Soma accept and protect:
I. Kavyavaha ---> Agnishvata --> Pita category
II. Yama ---> Barhishad ---> Pitamaha
III. Soma ---> Somapa ---> Pratipitamaha and above
d. Deva pitrus: They are the famous Vasu gana, Rudra gana and Aditya gana.
1. Vasu gana has 8 devatas and Agni among them is the head and the rest are in 18th kaxa. They are born to daxa putri Vasu and Dharma.
Apart from this, the superior 8 devatas like Mukhyaprana Bharati etc., are also present in them.
2. Rudra gana has 11 devatas and Maha Rudra is their chief and rest are in 18th kaxa. They are born to daxa putri bhuta. Apart from them, the 10 praanas along with Bhruhaspati is also present in them.
3. Aditya gana is 12 in number including Bhagavan Vamana. Among the rest Indra is their chief. They are born to kashyapa and Aditi
Like before, Vasu, Rudra and Aditya directly and thr' respective Pitru Pati-s and Pitru Gana Devatas, accept our prayers and protect Pita, Pitamaha and Pratipitamaha set
I. Vasu --> Kavyavaha ---> Agnishvata --> Pita category
II. Rudra ---> Yama ---> Barhishad ---> Pitamaha
III. Aditya --> Soma ---> Somapa ---> Pratipitamaha and above
e. The in-dwelling antaryaami Pradhyumna, Sankarshana and Vasudeva directly and through all these devatas accept and protect us all.
I. Kruti-Pradhyumna --> Vasu --> Kavyavaha ---> Agnishvata --> Pita category
II. Jaya-Sankarshana --> Rudra ---> Yama ---> Barhishad ---> Pitamaha
III. MAya-Vasudeva ---> Aditya --> Soma ---> Somapa ---> Pratipitamaha and above
During the process of doing the shraaddha kriya, we invoke Vasu Rudra Aditya and since we don't "see" them, we may not get the needed shraaddha, so to focus the mind with devotion, we mentally "visualize" their form as being present.
a. Krutipati Pradhyumna is present in Vasu devatas as:
prasannavadanAH
saumyAH varadAH shaktipaaNayaH |
padmAsanasthAH dvibhujAH suraktaaH vasavassadaa ||"प्रसन्नवदनाः सौम्याः वरदाः शक्तिपाणयः ।
पद्मासनस्थाः द्विभुजाः सुरक्ताः वसवस्सदा ॥
They have pleasing and smiling face with 2 hands having vara and shakti and with sitting position with padmAsana or sitting on Padma. They have red, the flame of Agni as vastra and also look radiant in color that of fire.b. Rudra:
chaturbhujAH
trinetrAshcha jaTaamukuTa
maNDitAH |
abhayaM
parashuM savye varaM kR^iShNaM cha
vaamake ||
shukla-vastra-dharaa
rudraaH shuklavarNa prakIrtitaaH |
sarvAbharaNa
samyuktaaH te cha ekAdashA ime ||
चतुर्भुजाः त्रिनेत्राश्च जटामुकुट मण्डिताः।
अभयं परशुं सव्ये वरं कृष्णं च वामके ॥
शुक्ल-वस्त्र-धरा रुद्राः शुक्लवर्ण प्रकीर्तिताः ।
सर्वाभरण सम्युक्ताः ते च एकादशा इमे ॥
They have 4 bhujas, 3 eyes, with matted hair and fair in complexion. They wear white cloth, upavita along with all jewels. They have abhaya and parashu on the right hand and vara mudra and krishna mruga on the left.
c. Aditya
Apart from this "Pitru devatas" a separate group of devatas called as "Vishvedevatas" belonging to kaxa # 18, are also worshiped in pairs. They are the guardians for this shraaddha. They make sure the undesired elements won't take away the offerings. In them Janardana rupa Bhagavan is present with 3555 rupas to protect us all in our respective places.
Vishvedevatas are 10 in number and come in pairs specific to every pitru aradhana. They are born to Dharma + daxa putri Vishva. Five of them were born on earth as Upa-pandavas and the rest as kekayas.
paarvana ---> pururava ardhva
Ishti yajna --> kratu daxa
naimitika karma ---> kaama kala
kaamya karma --> duri lochana
nandi utsava ---> satya vasu
It is a basic bare minimum gratitude for having this wonderful body which can do a zillion things in this very birth to achieve greater heights both in this world and beyond and reach a state of pure happiness.
This body is born out of the pita retas/reproductive shakti of father that transports the jiva + maata's shukla/reproductive shakti that receives and nurtures the jiva and gives beautiful gross body. The parents in turn inherit and pass on the traits from their respective parents and so on. Thus, we limit this to 3 generations and include all the ancestors in the 3rd set on each side.
Fathers side:
Mothers side: [mother has already gone to fathes' side gotra] however we are extremely grateful for her side upto 3 generations
Every action of us involves:
a. mind
b. invisible sense organs/indriyas
c. gross body
These, Vasu-Rudra-Adityas, stay in each of the above to guide us. Thus these 8 Vasus - 11 Rudras - 12 Adityas totaling 31 forms are present in the above three places, thus the total is 93. Apart from
them, Kavyavaha, Yama and Soma are also present in this very body to inherit the traits and shape us as to what we are in this birth.
Thus, 93 + 3 = 96.
In all these 96, Bhagavan Aniruddha is present with His Akhanda Rupas along with Shantidevi.
Knowing this and thinking about this in mind with faith is called shraaddha. Executing the action with mind fixated on them with gratitude is shraaddha.
Upanishads says, that Pitru devatas accept our prayers when we keep their thought especially in mind while doing. Thus mind plays a BIG role in this pitru karma, hence silence is needed in particular while doing it. Silence meaning, that there should NOT be any laukika talk/jokes/laughter/crying etc.
Thus, as a mark of gratitude, one has to:
1. Take care of one's parents
2. Listen to their good advise
3. Do shraaddha as per eligibility/adhikaara
In this janma, we have connections not only to our own direct ancestors but also other departed relatives in the gotra AND others from whom our FAMILY might have received help/blessings.
We are indeed indebted to them as well. As their "son" [for having received favors], we show our gratitude to the "pitrugana" that gave us this "connection". In addition, we also pray the "Pitru devatas" to protect them in case they have any difficulty in their respective places due to various reasons.
Thus, this is for all the ones who departed so that no one is missed in the entire clan.
A good manushya jiva who departs goes to various stations and finally to get manushya janma, he has to be brought back from Chandra loka. Chandra is the devata who indicates "tithi" for all our kaaryas and he is the one who "energizes" the staple food "anna" and controls our mind thr' it. In addition to that, it is through the staple food "anna", the jiva is brought back to the "right father" and transported to the "right mother".
Thus, "anna" -- rice cooked with water+fire is the Pratima.
Bhagavan Varaha, when He took avataara to bring back mother Earth to its rightful place, created the materials needed for Pitru Devata Aradhane and kept His vibhuti rupas in Til/eLLu , Urad, darbha.
For Aditya, wheat is special so products made of wheat/rawa/godi are used.
Thus, along with cooked rice, black til, milk, curd, honey, jaggery, water are mixed in the form of a ball and used as Pratima. While "anna" represent the body/abode, other items represent various avayavas of the Pratima. The size varies depending on the shraadhha.
To symbolize the presence of Gaya xetra, Vishnupaada is kept as a base.
Thus certain basic purity rules apply strictly to the karta/doer/adhikari.
1. Meal is not taken in the previous evening/night.
2. brahmacharya observed.
3. restrict activities travel pertaining to mundane things.
2. akrodha - niyamana of anger, greed, jealousy etc
3. atvaraam - should never be done in great hurry to finish fast as mental involvement is very important while doing, so it does take time to focus.
The shraadha day, nitya karma like urdhva pundra, mudra, sandhya, puje, vaishvadeva etc., are done and the main shraadha kaarya to be started approximately during the midnoon/kutapa kaala, i.e., the 8th muhurta of the day. Of course, there are exception on dvadashi etc., Always the vishesha niyama over rides saamanya vidhi.
For this kaarya, two sets of brAhmanas are invited as "vipra jihva". to represent "Pitru gana" and "Vishvedevata gana". Thus totally 3+2 = 5 representing Vasu-Rudra-Aditya and two Vishvedevatas. This number can be reduced to 1+1 in xana shraaddha where "vipra jihva" is used directly or darba is used as representative to receive.
1. The kartru's upper cloth is tied around the waist both for mark of respect and for convenience.
2. It is important to identify the two sthans/positions "Vishvedeva sthana" and Pitru sthana while inviting and offering them shodasha upachaara.
a. The square clockwise mandala is "vishvedevata sthana" and the knot of darba should be facing East. while whatever offered to devata sthana aka Vishvedevata is with yajnopavita/janivaara on the left shoulder/savya. White rice, water, darbe is used for them.
b. The anti clockwise circle mandala is "pitru sthana" and the knot of darba should be facing North. Whatever that is offered to the pitru sthaana has to be with janivaara on the right shoulder/apa-savya.
Pitru puje has to be down facing South. Til, water, darbe is used for their puje.
Thus, one has to "visualize" the Pirtu devatas and Vishvedevatas in their respective "mandalas" and in front of them offer shodasha upachaara accordingly as if they are "live".
Apart from the offerings to one's own ancestors, 33 pindas are offered for all those who might have left the deha in various ways/accidents and who may experience blockage in various sthAnAs during their "travel" and to "help" them from get out of "bad situations", "clear the passage for promotion" in their respective places.
While invoking, the guardian devatas are first invited followed by the pitru gana devatas and while sending back, pitru ganas are sent first followed by the guardian Vishvedevatas.
In darba, Madhusudana, has kept His rupas to protect the offerings from raxasas and in Til, He has kept His special presence to protect it from Pisachas and Gadadhara makes our sins to get reduced to the size of Til, by staying in this rupa while Varaha created these special vastus for our upliftment.
The naivedya "annam" that is offered is separate and its shesha bhaaga to be consumed by all those who have connection to our gotra. Vaishvadeva should be done for this "anna" and "paayasa".
Apart from this "anna", there is another separate "anna" with mung, urad, til, rawa, paayasa items as part of Bhuri Bhojana. Separate vaishva deva to be done for this and this is for all those who attend the event. This is offered first to shreshta "brAhma-nishta" and the rest.
The important person apart from kartru is the dauhitra -- the "pitas" daughters' son who is specially blessed by Yayati.
The pitru gana respond to our mental focus more than chanting, so SILENCE is very important to focus on all the above details. Thus, one should stay focus and avoid laukika talk however quietly [without mike] Kathopanishad paarayana, Pitru gana Sandhi can be recited by the onlookers. No good will come to those who indulge in laukika talk and disturb the proceedings.
a. Stuthi -- to emphasis its greatness and benefits
b. Ninda -- chiding those who ignore
c. Parakruthi -- Highlight the person who did it
d. Puraakalpa -- Give example of many doing it in the past
c. Aditya
dvibhujAH
dvinetrAshcha padmasthaaH
padmahastakaaH |
rashmi-maNDala-samyuktaaH
suraktaaH mukuTaanvitaaH ||
raktaambara-dharaassarve sarvAbharaNa bhUshhitaaH |
upaviita-samaayuktaaH bhAskaraa dvAdashaa ime ||
द्विभुजाः द्विनेत्राश्च पद्मस्थाः पद्महस्तकाः ।
रश्मि-मण्डल-सम्युक्ताः सुरक्ताः मुकुटान्विताः
॥
रक्ताम्बर-धरास्सर्वे सर्वाभरण भूषिताः ।
उपवीत-समायुक्ताः भास्करा द्वादशा इमे ॥
They have 2 bhuja, 2 eyes and have padma in their hands. They have crown and prabhavali and bedecked with jewels and upaveeta and are sitting on padma in Surya mandala with a radiant red color body.Apart from this "Pitru devatas" a separate group of devatas called as "Vishvedevatas" belonging to kaxa # 18, are also worshiped in pairs. They are the guardians for this shraaddha. They make sure the undesired elements won't take away the offerings. In them Janardana rupa Bhagavan is present with 3555 rupas to protect us all in our respective places.
Vishvedevatas are 10 in number and come in pairs specific to every pitru aradhana. They are born to Dharma + daxa putri Vishva. Five of them were born on earth as Upa-pandavas and the rest as kekayas.
paarvana ---> pururava ardhva
Ishti yajna --> kratu daxa
naimitika karma ---> kaama kala
kaamya karma --> duri lochana
nandi utsava ---> satya vasu
5. Why should we worship:
For having this human body that has the capacity to "think and talk", we are deeply indebted to one and all who have helped us.It is a basic bare minimum gratitude for having this wonderful body which can do a zillion things in this very birth to achieve greater heights both in this world and beyond and reach a state of pure happiness.
This body is born out of the pita retas/reproductive shakti of father that transports the jiva + maata's shukla/reproductive shakti that receives and nurtures the jiva and gives beautiful gross body. The parents in turn inherit and pass on the traits from their respective parents and so on. Thus, we limit this to 3 generations and include all the ancestors in the 3rd set on each side.
Fathers side:
pita, his corresponding partner, maatru
pitamaha + pitamahi
prapitamaha + prapitamahi [This set symbolically includes all ancestors vruddha pitamaha].
maatamaha + maatamahi
maatru pitamaha + maatru pitamahi
maatru prapitamaha + maatru prapitamahi
Thus, we have 12 souls responsible to have or inherit this physical body. Although, we might not have these souls around us, we have the devatas who indeed used their deha to pass on and maintain the needed traits/qualities/genes as to who we are in our thought word and deed every second of our life, according to our past karmas.Every action of us involves:
a. mind
b. invisible sense organs/indriyas
c. gross body
them, Kavyavaha, Yama and Soma are also present in this very body to inherit the traits and shape us as to what we are in this birth.
Thus, 93 + 3 = 96.
In all these 96, Bhagavan Aniruddha is present with His Akhanda Rupas along with Shantidevi.
Knowing this and thinking about this in mind with faith is called shraaddha. Executing the action with mind fixated on them with gratitude is shraaddha.
Upanishads says, that Pitru devatas accept our prayers when we keep their thought especially in mind while doing. Thus mind plays a BIG role in this pitru karma, hence silence is needed in particular while doing it. Silence meaning, that there should NOT be any laukika talk/jokes/laughter/crying etc.
Thus, as a mark of gratitude, one has to:
1. Take care of one's parents
2. Listen to their good advise
3. Do shraaddha as per eligibility/adhikaara
6. what is special about mahalaya ?
This is special in the sense that one is able to show our gratitude and also discharge the ruNa that one's FAMILY owes to all those departed souls who have played a role in our entire clan.In this janma, we have connections not only to our own direct ancestors but also other departed relatives in the gotra AND others from whom our FAMILY might have received help/blessings.
We are indeed indebted to them as well. As their "son" [for having received favors], we show our gratitude to the "pitrugana" that gave us this "connection". In addition, we also pray the "Pitru devatas" to protect them in case they have any difficulty in their respective places due to various reasons.
Thus, this is for all the ones who departed so that no one is missed in the entire clan.
7. What is the pratima that we use to worship them and items to be used:
Just like how Surya is the pratima for Devata Ahuti, Chandra is the pratima for Pitru Aradhana.A good manushya jiva who departs goes to various stations and finally to get manushya janma, he has to be brought back from Chandra loka. Chandra is the devata who indicates "tithi" for all our kaaryas and he is the one who "energizes" the staple food "anna" and controls our mind thr' it. In addition to that, it is through the staple food "anna", the jiva is brought back to the "right father" and transported to the "right mother".
Thus, "anna" -- rice cooked with water+fire is the Pratima.
Bhagavan Varaha, when He took avataara to bring back mother Earth to its rightful place, created the materials needed for Pitru Devata Aradhane and kept His vibhuti rupas in Til/eLLu , Urad, darbha.
For Aditya, wheat is special so products made of wheat/rawa/godi are used.
Thus, along with cooked rice, black til, milk, curd, honey, jaggery, water are mixed in the form of a ball and used as Pratima. While "anna" represent the body/abode, other items represent various avayavas of the Pratima. The size varies depending on the shraadhha.
To symbolize the presence of Gaya xetra, Vishnupaada is kept as a base.
8. Method of worship
The worship starts from the previous surya astamana kaala where the 96 rupas are invoked within the karta and they stay till next day morning suryodaya [that is the evening prior to shraaddha, shraaddha day and next day suryodaya.Thus certain basic purity rules apply strictly to the karta/doer/adhikari.
1. Meal is not taken in the previous evening/night.
2. brahmacharya observed.
3. restrict activities travel pertaining to mundane things.
While doing the kaaryas:
1. manas, vaak, kaaya shaucha/cleanliness is needed as much as possible.2. akrodha - niyamana of anger, greed, jealousy etc
3. atvaraam - should never be done in great hurry to finish fast as mental involvement is very important while doing, so it does take time to focus.
The shraadha day, nitya karma like urdhva pundra, mudra, sandhya, puje, vaishvadeva etc., are done and the main shraadha kaarya to be started approximately during the midnoon/kutapa kaala, i.e., the 8th muhurta of the day. Of course, there are exception on dvadashi etc., Always the vishesha niyama over rides saamanya vidhi.
For this kaarya, two sets of brAhmanas are invited as "vipra jihva". to represent "Pitru gana" and "Vishvedevata gana". Thus totally 3+2 = 5 representing Vasu-Rudra-Aditya and two Vishvedevatas. This number can be reduced to 1+1 in xana shraaddha where "vipra jihva" is used directly or darba is used as representative to receive.
1. The kartru's upper cloth is tied around the waist both for mark of respect and for convenience.
2. It is important to identify the two sthans/positions "Vishvedeva sthana" and Pitru sthana while inviting and offering them shodasha upachaara.
a. The square clockwise mandala is "vishvedevata sthana" and the knot of darba should be facing East. while whatever offered to devata sthana aka Vishvedevata is with yajnopavita/janivaara on the left shoulder/savya. White rice, water, darbe is used for them.
b. The anti clockwise circle mandala is "pitru sthana" and the knot of darba should be facing North. Whatever that is offered to the pitru sthaana has to be with janivaara on the right shoulder/apa-savya.
Pitru puje has to be down facing South. Til, water, darbe is used for their puje.
Thus, one has to "visualize" the Pirtu devatas and Vishvedevatas in their respective "mandalas" and in front of them offer shodasha upachaara accordingly as if they are "live".
Apart from the offerings to one's own ancestors, 33 pindas are offered for all those who might have left the deha in various ways/accidents and who may experience blockage in various sthAnAs during their "travel" and to "help" them from get out of "bad situations", "clear the passage for promotion" in their respective places.
While invoking, the guardian devatas are first invited followed by the pitru gana devatas and while sending back, pitru ganas are sent first followed by the guardian Vishvedevatas.
In darba, Madhusudana, has kept His rupas to protect the offerings from raxasas and in Til, He has kept His special presence to protect it from Pisachas and Gadadhara makes our sins to get reduced to the size of Til, by staying in this rupa while Varaha created these special vastus for our upliftment.
The naivedya "annam" that is offered is separate and its shesha bhaaga to be consumed by all those who have connection to our gotra. Vaishvadeva should be done for this "anna" and "paayasa".
Apart from this "anna", there is another separate "anna" with mung, urad, til, rawa, paayasa items as part of Bhuri Bhojana. Separate vaishva deva to be done for this and this is for all those who attend the event. This is offered first to shreshta "brAhma-nishta" and the rest.
The important person apart from kartru is the dauhitra -- the "pitas" daughters' son who is specially blessed by Yayati.
The pitru gana respond to our mental focus more than chanting, so SILENCE is very important to focus on all the above details. Thus, one should stay focus and avoid laukika talk however quietly [without mike] Kathopanishad paarayana, Pitru gana Sandhi can be recited by the onlookers. No good will come to those who indulge in laukika talk and disturb the proceedings.
9. Mahima:
When a upadesha is given by Devatas, it is done in 4 ways:a. Stuthi -- to emphasis its greatness and benefits
b. Ninda -- chiding those who ignore
c. Parakruthi -- Highlight the person who did it
d. Puraakalpa -- Give example of many doing it in the past
a. Stuthi :
In this regard, Hari Vamsha mentions the conversation between Dharmaraaja and Bhishma where Dharmaraja's question as to how to get "raxana" in this samsaara, Bhishma tells him about Shraadha and how his father Shantanu blesses him and instructs him that his questions regarding shraadha will be answered by Chiranjivi Markandeya who learnt from Sanatkumara. This is narrated by Vaishampaayana to Janamejaya.
2. Dharmaraja is an avatara of Yama, who is Pitru Pati. He has avesha of Vaayudeva, who supervises Rudra gana in particular and also Vasu and Aditya ganas.
3. Shantanu is an avatara of Varuna, who is one of the Aditya gana.
4. Sanatkumara is Kaama who is mano niyamaka and is present in Chandra, who is Pitru Pati.
5. Vaishampaayana is the sampradaaya pravartaka of Krishna yajurveda shaakha. Presence of Agni is always there in him and also he has Chaturmukha Brahma avesha.
6. Markandeeya Rishhi has the presence of Agni, as Agni is present in "brahma-nishta" brAhmanas.
Please note the characters involved:
1. Bhishma is an avataara of Vasu.2. Dharmaraja is an avatara of Yama, who is Pitru Pati. He has avesha of Vaayudeva, who supervises Rudra gana in particular and also Vasu and Aditya ganas.
3. Shantanu is an avatara of Varuna, who is one of the Aditya gana.
4. Sanatkumara is Kaama who is mano niyamaka and is present in Chandra, who is Pitru Pati.
5. Vaishampaayana is the sampradaaya pravartaka of Krishna yajurveda shaakha. Presence of Agni is always there in him and also he has Chaturmukha Brahma avesha.
6. Markandeeya Rishhi has the presence of Agni, as Agni is present in "brahma-nishta" brAhmanas.
b. Ninda:
In Bhagavata, it mentions how Vikuxi, the surya vamsha raaja did not follow shuchittva and got punished.
c. Parakruthi:
Mahabharata, Hari Vamsha mention many such incidents. Lord Raama doing shraadha, Bhishma doing Shraaddha, Pandavas doing Shraaddha are all mentioned with great details.
Even ashaktas who can't afford it can do it by raising their hands to sky and asking for pardon for not doing it. There is the mention of a poor Brahmana offering just til for everything that day and getting the anugraha of Laxmi.
There is also the story of Madhava Brahmana offering "mud" pinda when he had nothing at that place and time.
This "offering" is more of a "mental sankalpa" along with whatever one can afford.
The importance of "dauhitra" is mentioned thr' the story of Yayati When Yayati's punya got exhausted in Svarga, his daughters' son helped him to get back to svarga, so all the "dauhitras" get special blessings and even adhikara during Pitru Kaarya.
Even ashaktas who can't afford it can do it by raising their hands to sky and asking for pardon for not doing it. There is the mention of a poor Brahmana offering just til for everything that day and getting the anugraha of Laxmi.
There is also the story of Madhava Brahmana offering "mud" pinda when he had nothing at that place and time.
This "offering" is more of a "mental sankalpa" along with whatever one can afford.
The importance of "dauhitra" is mentioned thr' the story of Yayati When Yayati's punya got exhausted in Svarga, his daughters' son helped him to get back to svarga, so all the "dauhitras" get special blessings and even adhikara during Pitru Kaarya.
d. Puraakalpa:
In this regard, Hari Vamsha mentions elaborately the story of 7 brahmana putras born in Kaushika vamsha and become shishyas of Gaargya. They, while grazing the cows of their guru, become hungry and kill the cow and had the go-mamsa as food. However, as per the instructions of one of them named Pitruvarti, they "offer" it to Pitrudevatas before eating. Upon return, they lie to their Guru that a lion killed the cow and so they brought back only the calf. For telling lie to the guru, they get seven janmas but retain purva janma samskaara due to the grace of Pitru devatas.
They take the janmas of Hunter, deer in kalanja parvata, chakravaaka paxi in sharat dvipa, hamsa in Manasa. At that time as Hamsa, they see a king [pass by with grandeur and one of them wished that he should become a king while other two also wishes similar life style. However, the rest condemned
it. As per the wish they were born as King Brahmadatta and other two as ministers. However, the rest were born as brAhmana with Brahma nishta in Kuruxetra with purva janma smruthi. However, the
king and ministers lose the purva janma smruthi due to their wishing for the life of only material bliss.
Once, while the king was sleeping with his queen, he was able to follow the conversation between two ants and laughs and queen is so curious to know it but re refuses to answer saying if he tells he will lose his head as per the instructions of his guru. However, the queen insists saying even if he loses his head, she has to know it. Hearing this, the king gets dejected and leaves for tapas.
Those who had brAhmana janma with jaata smruthi leave home and when their parents insist that they need help to survive, the brAhmanas, write the following poem of their life and tells the parents to give it to the king to jog his memory.
In the mean time, while doing tapas, the King hears a voice to return to palace and upon arrival he gets to see the poem by the brAhmanas, gets back the memory and so also the ministers and they also leave. At that time, the kings wife also joins him and says, she did all these for his good only. When asked, she tells that she was the "cow" that they killed but since they offered to Pitru Devatas, she took this janma to help him.
Thus, the following shloka is chanted to stress the importance of offering and thinking of Pitru Devatas.
saptavyAdhA dashArNeShu mR^igAH kAlaJNjare girau |
this parvakaala, it is done to all the departed soul with pinda pradhaana at least once during mahalaaya kaala. The tithi our pita departed is vishesha for doing and if not anyone day is fine too.
Those who have shraddha, should do at least tarpana with til on 96 days as shannavati shraaddha if they cannot offer pinda.
Doing Pitru Puje in xetra with pinda pradhaana is very important as well. At least tarpana with til should be given facing south and with apa-savya.
Nine parts goes to Devatas -- Vasu, Rudra, Aditya ganas, Kavyavaha, Yama,
Soma Agnishvaata, Barhishad, Somapa groups, and the 10th portion goes to the karta and his family.
The Chira pitru ganas take care of our ancestors and distribute them in the following ways:
If the departed souls are still in :
1. devaloka --- they get amruta through the offerings made in Agni
2. svarga loka -- bhoga thr' our vipra bhojana
3. yama loka - they get relief thr' our pinda pradhana
4. naraka - they get relief thr' our vikirana bali
5. manushya - they get happiness and food through our giving daxina
6. pashu - they get food shelter/trupti by our doing the pitru kaarya
7. paxi - they get fruit by our offering fruit etc.,
8. If they happen to born in many other yoni-s or still in womb --
-- get relief by our bhuri bhojana, uchishta etc.
2. Dattareya, Mahidasa, kapila, Hayavadana, Hari, Hamsa.
3. His special rupas like Govinda in milk, Vamana in Dadhi/curd, Madhusudana in madhu/honey, Vishnu in ghee, Achyuta in gud, Shri Hari in water are present.
4. Pradhyumna : In all Bhojya -- food
Sankarshana: In all Bhoktru -- eaters
Vasudeva: In the Kutapa kaala
as antaryaami in the following way:
a. Kruti-Pradhyumna --> Vasu --> Kavyavaha ---> Agnishvata --> Pita category
b. Jaya-Sankarshana --> Rudra ---> Yama ---> Barhishad ---> Pitamaha
c. MAya-Vasudeva ---> Aditya --> Soma ---> Somapa ---> Pratipitamaha and above
As Vasudeva gives offerings to devatas thr' svaha-kaara
Sakarshana -- Pitrus thr' svadha- kaara
pradyumna -- manushya
aniruddha - pashu
chaitra shukla 3, purnima
jyeshta purnima
ashada shukla 10,purnima
shravana krishna paxa 8
bhadra shukla 3
Ashvina shukla 9
kartika shukla 12, purnima
pushya shukla 11
magha shukla saptami,
phalguna purnima Amavasya
2. yugadi = 4
karthik shukla 9
vaishakha shukla 3
maaga purnima
bhadrapada krishna 13
3. 12 sankranthi
4. 12 amavasya
5. yogas - vyatipatha 13
6. vaidhruti - 13
7. mahalaya 16
8. tisrashtaka krishna paxa 7, 8, 9 of Margashira
pushya, maagha, phalguna krishna paxa = 12
it. As per the wish they were born as King Brahmadatta and other two as ministers. However, the rest were born as brAhmana with Brahma nishta in Kuruxetra with purva janma smruthi. However, the
king and ministers lose the purva janma smruthi due to their wishing for the life of only material bliss.
Once, while the king was sleeping with his queen, he was able to follow the conversation between two ants and laughs and queen is so curious to know it but re refuses to answer saying if he tells he will lose his head as per the instructions of his guru. However, the queen insists saying even if he loses his head, she has to know it. Hearing this, the king gets dejected and leaves for tapas.
Those who had brAhmana janma with jaata smruthi leave home and when their parents insist that they need help to survive, the brAhmanas, write the following poem of their life and tells the parents to give it to the king to jog his memory.
In the mean time, while doing tapas, the King hears a voice to return to palace and upon arrival he gets to see the poem by the brAhmanas, gets back the memory and so also the ministers and they also leave. At that time, the kings wife also joins him and says, she did all these for his good only. When asked, she tells that she was the "cow" that they killed but since they offered to Pitru Devatas, she took this janma to help him.
Thus, the following shloka is chanted to stress the importance of offering and thinking of Pitru Devatas.
saptavyAdhA dashArNeShu mR^igAH kAlaJNjare girau |
chakravAkAH sharaddvIpe
haMsAH sarasi mAnase || 24-20
te.abhijAtAH kurukShetre
brAhmaNA vedapAragAH |
prasthitA dIrghamadhvAnam
yUyaM kimavasIdatha || 24-21
सप्त व्याधा दशार्णेषु मृगाः कालञ्जरे गिरौ ।
चक्रवाकाः शरद्द्वीपे हंसाः सरसि मानसे ॥ २४-२०
तेऽभिजाताः कुरुक्षेत्रे ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः ।
प्रस्थिता दीर्घमध्वानम् यूयं किमवसीदथ ॥ २४-२१
Actually, it is mandatory everyday before meals for adhikaaris. For adhikari-s, pitru kaarya is not a once a year duty, but daily the adhikaari-s have to give "tarpana" with water and til. However, duringthis parvakaala, it is done to all the departed soul with pinda pradhaana at least once during mahalaaya kaala. The tithi our pita departed is vishesha for doing and if not anyone day is fine too.
Those who have shraddha, should do at least tarpana with til on 96 days as shannavati shraaddha if they cannot offer pinda.
Doing Pitru Puje in xetra with pinda pradhaana is very important as well. At least tarpana with til should be given facing south and with apa-savya.
10. phala
As a result, the "punya" as per yogyata is broadly divided into 10 parts.Nine parts goes to Devatas -- Vasu, Rudra, Aditya ganas, Kavyavaha, Yama,
Soma Agnishvaata, Barhishad, Somapa groups, and the 10th portion goes to the karta and his family.
The Chira pitru ganas take care of our ancestors and distribute them in the following ways:
If the departed souls are still in :
1. devaloka --- they get amruta through the offerings made in Agni
2. svarga loka -- bhoga thr' our vipra bhojana
3. yama loka - they get relief thr' our pinda pradhana
4. naraka - they get relief thr' our vikirana bali
5. manushya - they get happiness and food through our giving daxina
6. pashu - they get food shelter/trupti by our doing the pitru kaarya
7. paxi - they get fruit by our offering fruit etc.,
8. If they happen to born in many other yoni-s or still in womb --
-- get relief by our bhuri bhojana, uchishta etc.
11. Special Bhagavat Rupas:
1. Janardana as kharaari = 35552. Dattareya, Mahidasa, kapila, Hayavadana, Hari, Hamsa.
3. His special rupas like Govinda in milk, Vamana in Dadhi/curd, Madhusudana in madhu/honey, Vishnu in ghee, Achyuta in gud, Shri Hari in water are present.
4. Pradhyumna : In all Bhojya -- food
Sankarshana: In all Bhoktru -- eaters
Vasudeva: In the Kutapa kaala
as antaryaami in the following way:
a. Kruti-Pradhyumna --> Vasu --> Kavyavaha ---> Agnishvata --> Pita category
b. Jaya-Sankarshana --> Rudra ---> Yama ---> Barhishad ---> Pitamaha
c. MAya-Vasudeva ---> Aditya --> Soma ---> Somapa ---> Pratipitamaha and above
As Vasudeva gives offerings to devatas thr' svaha-kaara
Sakarshana -- Pitrus thr' svadha- kaara
pradyumna -- manushya
aniruddha - pashu
12. Shannavati: 96
1. Manvadi = 14chaitra shukla 3, purnima
jyeshta purnima
ashada shukla 10,purnima
shravana krishna paxa 8
bhadra shukla 3
Ashvina shukla 9
kartika shukla 12, purnima
pushya shukla 11
magha shukla saptami,
phalguna purnima Amavasya
2. yugadi = 4
karthik shukla 9
vaishakha shukla 3
maaga purnima
bhadrapada krishna 13
3. 12 sankranthi
4. 12 amavasya
5. yogas - vyatipatha 13
6. vaidhruti - 13
7. mahalaya 16
8. tisrashtaka krishna paxa 7, 8, 9 of Margashira
pushya, maagha, phalguna krishna paxa = 12
Reference:
Sri Harikathamrutasara as taught by Sri Kesava rao Tadipatri
Sri Hari Vamsha
The Madhva Mitra, achara maala section,1929-1937 by Pujya Shri Adyam Bhagavatha Ranganathacharya, Kumbakonam
Sri Harikathamrutasara as taught by Sri Kesava rao Tadipatri
Sri Hari Vamsha
The Madhva Mitra, achara maala section,1929-1937 by Pujya Shri Adyam Bhagavatha Ranganathacharya, Kumbakonam
Shri krishNArpaNamastu !
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As per Vedic scriptures Pujas and Shradh when done in Pitru Paksha helps nullify Pitru Dosha and blesses one a devotee with blessings of ancestors and health, wealth and happiness.
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