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यो मां पश्यती सर्वत्र सर्वं च: मयि पश्यती
तस्याहम न प्रणश्यामी स: च मे न प्रणश्यति
"He who sees me everywhere, and sees everything in Me, he never gets separated from Me, nor do I get separated from him" -Bhagwat Gita Ch. VI verse 30
Continues
233. Wearing the Pavithra, you have to worship with rice Deva Mandala (square) and with Yellu (gingili) the Pithru Mandala. While we are washing the feet of the Brahmin, we should remove the Pavithra and keep it on our ears. In Deva Kunda, put the Durba on the eastern side and in Pithru Kunda, Durba should be put on the southern side.
234. We have to apply ghee on the sole of the feet and thumb of the Brahmin chanting "Shukramasi". After washing our hand saying "Kandathvaaram", we have to apply cow dung.
235. Brahmana should face the east and the one who does Sradha should stand facing the West. The water should be poured by the wife and using both hands starting from the south, we have to wash both the feet.
236-238. We have to wash their feet chanting the following three slokas:
1. Samastha sampath samvapthi hethaa,
Samudhitha aapathkula dhooma kethava,
Apara samsara samudhra sethava,
Punanthu maam Brahmana pada pamsava.
This means that let the dust of the feet of the Brahmin, which can give me all wealth, which removes all the dangers faced by me and which is like a bridge helping me to cross the shore less sea of Samsara, make me pure.
2. Aadhi vyadhi haram nrunaanam, Dukha daridrya nasanam,
Sri Pushi keerthitham Vandhe Vipra sri Pada pankajam.
Meaning: I salute the lotus like feet of the Brahmin, which removes the diseases of the mind and body and which grants me wealth, health and fame.
3. "Viprougha darasanath Sathya ksheeyanthe paparasaya,
Vandanath mangalavaapthi, archanath achyutham padam.
Meaning: Seeing a crowd of Brahmins, the crowd of sins would fly away. If we salute them auspiciousness will come and if we worship them we will get salvation.
239. After we propitiate the Viswa Deva in the Sradha, after telling the manthra, we should put the rice from his right leg to head, from bottom to top. We should wear the sacred thread over the left shoulder.
240. When we do the same thing for Pithrus, we should put the sacred thread on right shoulder (Pracheena Vidhi) and put the gingili from head to his left leg from top to bottom.
241. People who are rich should buy white silk dhothi every year and give to the Brahmins or at least give a Dhothi with Silk Zari border. We have to either give three or two or at least one Vasthra to the Brahmin. Giving a cloth without border is not that good.
242. If the cloth with a black border is given, then the pithrus would go to hell and so they will curse us. So we should always give cloth with red border. That which has been washed by a washer man or that which was worn by someone else should not be given. New cloth should be bought and on the morning of Sradha, after we take bath, it should be dipped in water and then dried to become eligible to be given as Dhana,
243. If we are not able to get suitable cloth, we can give its cost as dakshina. If we cannot afford it, we can give a new sacred thread instead of cloth along with some cash present.
244. If we give the sacred thread before the start of the Sradha and they wear it, that sacred thread can be retained. But if we give after they are propitiated, then they will have to change it the next day.
245. Before we start the Sradha, we have to give the Brahmins oil. It is a hospitality shown to the manes and for the stool to go out easily for the Brahmana. After he takes bath and wears the madi (untainted cloth), the Sradham starts.
246. Similarly for cleaning the mind of Brahmin, Ellurundai (sesame jaggery balls) is to be given and to make his language pure, Thamboola is offered. Some people do not offer this because they think that nothing should be eaten before the Sradha. The general rule is to follow the customs followed by our family.
247. Aachamana should be done only after removing the Pavithram from hand. Similarly the feet of the Brahmins should not be washed wearing the Pavithram. We should not apply sandal paste wearing Pavithram. At those times, Pavithram should be kept above left ear.
248. The feet of the Brahmin should be washed only up to the ankle.
249. The cooking for Sradha should be done using ghee. Some sages say that we should not use gingili oil and coconut oil. But since pure cow ghee is not easily available and since we use gingili in the Sradha, learned people say that cooking can be done in good Gingili oil.
250. Since some sages say that coconut can be used in Sradha, some people say that coconut oil also can be used. We should not add anything new to the family usage.
251. The food ritually offered to the pithrus can be taken only by those clan members who have ten day taint from events in our family. Even those who have three day taint should not eat it. Some people say that those fried in oil is okay to be taken by any one. Others if they take the food offered to Pithrus should do redemption before doing their usual rituals.
252. The remains of food offered during Yekodishta should not be even eaten by ten day taint clan members.
253. Black gram, black gingili, wheat, green gram dhal, jaggery, khandasari sugar, cumin, pepper and samba rice can be used for cooking in Sradha.
254. Some people say coconut, mustard, snake gourd, wood apple and cucumber can also be used for cooking. Some people do not add these. So do according to family custom.
255. Ash Gourds, chilies and asafetida are banned from being used during Sradha. Ash Gourd grew out of an asura called Kooshmanda, Chillies came from outside the country and Asafetida is a resin from a tree and is supposed to be the result of the sin of Indra.
256. Perandai (Cissus), curry leaf, bitter gourd, plantain, mango, jamun fruit, lemon, colacasia, elephant foot yam, lime, sweet potato, cluster beans, lab lab beans and jack fruit can be used during Sradha. Among these black gram, honey and jack fruit are greatly liked by Pithrus.
257. The following should not be used for Sradha: cow pea, horse gram, Bengal gram, tur dhal (thuvarai paruppu), ash gourd, bottle gourd, drum stick, curd made of buffalo milk, asafetida, pomegranate should not be used.
258. Pithrus are peace loving people and so we should use all material which are Sathvika in nature only.
259. On Sradha day no one except those born in our caste can take food in our house. Some people due to pity or due to their affection offer food for the Panchamas and Shudras on that day, That is wrong and Pithrus will curse us if we do it.
260. It is known that the great savant Sridhara Ayyaval fed a Panchama on the Sradha day and that Ganges water came in the well of his house to purify him.
261. He was not the one who used to go against shastras, On all days he used to feed everybody. God who wanted to test him and prove his greatness to the world came as a guest in his house. If you can make Ganges come in your well, you can also do it.
262. That day vessels have to be washed by us, the place has to be washed by us, cloths has to be washed and dried, cooking also has to be done by us without drinking coffee and so many other rules should be observed on a Sradha day. If these are all not observed, performing Sradha is a waste.
263. In the Sradha, maternal grandfather, uncle, disciple, daughter's son, nephew and son in law should not represent as Brahmins in a Sradha.
264. Due to certain sages permitting and due to practice, daughter's son can be permitted.
265. On Sradha day and previous day, the one who does Sradha should not clean his teeth with stick or brush, should not walk a distance and should not carry a burden. We should not fix and invite a Brahmin and later cancel it. We should not keep sandal paste on vessels made of mud.
266. Cooked Dhal, Payasam and Ghee should be served on the right side of the leaf. Dhal and Ghee should be kept on a separate leaf piece in the Dhonnai (leaf cup). All preparations where salt is added should be kept on the front leaf. In sradham, food is normally served on two leaves (one front leaf and the second leaf kept slightly behind on the first leaf).
267. In the Parvana Sradha, Viswedevas called Puroorava and Aardrava should be worshipped. In Mahalaya Sradha, Viswe Devas called Thuru and Ruche should be worshipped. In Nandhi Sradha, Viswedevas Sathya and Vasu should be worshipped. In Spindikarana, Viswedevas called Kala Kamuka should be worshipped.
268. In Yekodishta, Masika, Sapindikarana, Nandi Sradha and Gaya Sradha, Abisravana (Manthras when Brahmins are taking food) should not be there.
269. The one who is selected as Viswedeva should wash his hand only after the one who represents Pithrus washes his hand. The same thing is true of Aachamana.
270. When the Brahmins are eating, if the food being eaten by one falls on other man's leaf, the Brahmins should touch the leaf further. After removing the leaf and cleaning that place with cow dung, fresh leaf should be again put in another place and food should be served again.
271. If by the time we send away the Brahmins, after taking food, fire is put out. That day we have to starve and redo the Sradha next day.
272. If the pinda meant for the crow is eaten by some other animal before crow touches it or if is eaten by a dog or if Sudras see it, we have to starve that day and do the Sradha again the next day.
273. The rice and other preparations should be served to the Brahmins without favoritism. But Dakshina can be given according to the capacity of those Brahmins. But good people do not do that.
274. After Pinda Pradhana, few rice that is remaining should be eaten after saying Manthra. After eating it, worship of Viswedevas can be done. Some people only smell it. Do as per your family custom.
275. People who do not have sons, if they give the center Pinda to their wife saying the Manthra abhandhava, then they will get a son. Other Pindas should be put in fire or water.
276. The vessels used to prepare food for sradha should not be cleaned by Sudras. The leaf used by Brahmins to take food should be buried in the soil. If Sudras touch that leaf or Dog eats from it, then the entire Sradha is a waste.
277. The leaf used by Brahmins to take food should be removed before they start to tell the blessing Manthras (Swasthi Vachana). The area should be cleaned after Pinda Pradhana.
278. The Brahmins should not touch each other till the Sradha is over. They should eat silently. While eating food, suppose they say the food is good, the Pithrus will not eat that food.
279. Before the leaf of Viswedeva, you have to draw a line by water and spread cooked rice over it and then pour water over it. This is called Vikiranna.
280. "Asomabacvhaye deva Yagna bhaga vivarjitha, thesham annam prathaasyami vikiram Vaiswa devakam" is the manthra for offering Vikiranna. This means I offer this Vikiranna to devas who do not get share in the Yagna, because they have not drunken Soma Pana."
281. In front of the leaf of Pithrus, then we have to draw a line with Gingelly mixed water, keep cooked rice on them and pour Gingelly water over it. This is called "Paithruka Vikirannam."
282. Asamskrutha prameethaa ye thaginyoya, kula sthriya dasayami thebhyo vikirannam thabayaschu paithrukam" is the mantha which means that I offer this to Pithrus for whom death ritual has not been done and those Kula Sthree (women) who sacrifice.
283. After keeping the Vikiranna, we have to keep our Pavithram on our ears and then do two aachamanams, keep Dhurba facing south and over that keep Vayasa Pinda (Pinda for crow) Since this Pinda is offered to the crows, it is called Vayasa Pinda.
284. "Ye agni daktha, Ye anagni daktha, yevaa jathaa kule mama, bhoomou dathena Piindena trupathayaanthu Param gathim" is the manthra to be recited and this would mean "To all those who are born in my clan, to those who were burnt by fire and to those who were not burnt by fire, let them get satisfied by the Pinda that I am keeping on the earth."
285. The vayasa pindam should be kept on earth, in a place where dogs would not come and should not be visible to other caste people. First we have to pour water, put the sacred thread on the right shoulder and then call the crow. Once it seems Lord Yama took the form of a crow and then he told his devotee that if Pinda is given to the crow, then Yama will not trouble our ancestors. And so offering Vayasa Pindam in Sradha and daily offering cooked rice to crow before we eat is a must.
286. When Bhishma and Sri Rama were offering Sradha Pindam, it seems their manes came and received it. But they said, since the Mantra says, we are keeping on earth, we would not receive from you, but take it from earth. So we also should follow rules and believe that our Pithrus are present during the Sradha.
287. If the crow takes the Pinda facing east, our wealth will increase, if it faces south, we would get ill. If it takes facing west, we would go to some other town. If it takes facing north, our life span will increase. If it does not take it at all, sorrows will increase.
288. We should address the Pithrus and ask them, "Anna seshai kim Kareyatham?" (what to do with the food that is remaining?). They will say "Ishtais saha bhojyatham" (eat it with people who love you). Because of this mantra, some people say that the food can be shared with friends. This is wrong.
289. Since Sastra says that only our clan members who have ten day taint, can eat that food and learned people also follow that custom, we also should do like that. We should not interpret that we are disobeying the order of Pithrus, but take it as the order is forever and refers all the food that remains, which should be shared with friends.
290. Anna sesham indicates only cooked food and ishta are those clan members with ten day taint whom we like. This should be strictly followed.
291. If Sradha comes on Ekadasi day, the one who performs Sradha, his wife and children should definitely take food on that day. Sradha which comes only yearly once is much more important than Ekadasi which comes twice a month. Pithru Sesha will bless us and also give us the effect of observing Ekadasi.
292. If widows perform Sradha for their husband on Ekadasi day, they have to eat the Sradha Sesham. If they think that Ekadasi is more important and do not take food, Pithrus would be made to eat dirty food.
293. If Sradha for father or brother comes on Ekadasi day, ladies with husbands living (Sumangali) can eat the Pithru Sesham but a widow should not eat it.
294. The Sradha Sesha of father in law and uncle can be eaten by son-in-law and nephew respectively.
295. Fruits, milk, curd, butter milk, ghee, honey and uncooked vegetables do not have Pithru Sesha,
296. If a Brahmin eats Brahmanartham, immediately he should wash his feet, do Aachamana and chant Gayathri ten times and then drink water. If he does not do it, he is not eligible for performing Sandhya Vandana that evening.
297. Even if he does that, he is not eligible to perform Oupasana that evening. He can get it done by his disciple or wife. He cannot go to the temple that day.
298. After giving Dakshina to the priest on Sradha day we say,
"Datharo nobhi varthanthaam Veda santhathi revana,
Sradha cha mavyapakath bahu deyancha nosthu."
Meaning "Oh Pithrus, let my Wealth children and Vedas grow. Let Sradha (sincerity) not go away from me. Let me get sufficient Wealth to do Dhana.
299. "Annancha no bahu bhavethj, athitheekuncha labhemahi,
Yachitharascha nassanthu masdaya kishma kanchanaa."
Meaning "Let me get lot of material fit to be eaten. Let lot of guests come to my house. Let beggars come to me. Do not make me beg with other people."
300. The Brahmins who represent Viswedevas and Pithrus, slightly modify these slokas and bless us using them.
301. When Brahmanas, after food, take leave of us, we should go round them, talk some hospitable words and also greet them in their mother tongue.
302. "Pathra saakhadhi dhanena klesithaa yooya mithrucha,
Thath klesa jatham chithethu vismruthya kshanthu marhana."
Meaning "I troubled you, fit for great hospitality, by offering you leafy vegetables, please do not keep that in mind, forget it and pardon me".
303. Paraheni Tharpanam This should be done the next day of Sradha in the early morning and not immediately after Sradha on the same day.
304. Some people do it after Pinda Pradhanam. This is not correct. If someone takes food, offering them water after some time, is only proper. After feeding them on Sradha day, we should offer water in the form of Paraheni Tharpanam only on next day. If you do it on the same day, it looks like we are giving food to Pithrus and ordering them to immediately take water as we do not have time.
305. Sasthra are the orders of God and we have to follow it. We should not find fault with it. In some type of Sradhas there is no Partaheni Tharpanam. In some Sastras, it asks us to immediately do it and in some cases it asks us to do it the next day.
306. What are those Sradhas where Paraheni Tharpanam is not there? If father is alive and mother is no more, in the Sradha done to mother, there is no Paraheni Tharpanam. In case of Sapindikarana Sradham, Anumasika Sradham and Nandhi sradham, there is no Paraheni Tharpanam.
307. What are those occasions where Paraheni Tharpana should be done immediately? Except in case of Sradha for mother and father and in case of Sakrunmalaya Sradham, in all other cases Paraheni Tharpanam should be done immediately. We should get up at 4 A.M. of the next day (Brahma Muhurtham), wash our hands and legs, gargle, take bath and then do Paraheni Tharpanam. Then we have to clean our teeth, take bath again and do the morning ablations.
308. If we do not get up at proper time and the dawn is over, then only after finishing Sandhya Vandanam, the tharpanam should be done. By that time if we are not clean, then we have to take bath and do the Tharpanam.
309. Can we clean our teeth on Sradha day? Sasthra says that without washing teeth, without answering calls of nature and without taking bath, no ritual should be performed. Same Sasthra says that we should not clean our teeth on Sradha day. Is this not contradictory?
310. But if we massage the gums and teeth gently and gargle, our mouth would become clean. If we do it hard, due to the gums getting dry, we will feel immediately hungry.
311. Normally in Amavasya and other Tharpanas, Tharpana is done to mothers side also (maternal grandparents, maternal great grandparents and one more generation). But in Parheni Tharpanam, it is given to only our clan and not to mother's clan.
312. Apart from the Tharpana we do on Sradha days, Tharpana done during Ardhodhaya and Mahodaya periods and Tharpana done in sacred rivers, a house holder is supposed to do 96 tharpanas in a year. It is termed as Shannavathi Sradha / Tharpana.
313. In the Shannavathi Tharpanas 12 Month beginnings, 12 Amavasyas, and 16 Mahalaya days are included.
314. On a single day, we are not supposed to do two Tharpanas. When people do on all 16 days of Mahalaya on the Amavasys day in Mahalaya Paksha, they have to do two Tharpanas.
315. If Sankaramana, Amavasya Ardhodhaya and Mahodhaya come together on the same day we have to only do Ardhodhaya or Mahodhaya Tharpanams.
316. Those who do Tharpana on all 12 Sankramana days, if Sankramana comes along with Amavasya, on the two Ayana days, and two Vishu days, First Sankaramana Tharpana should be performed and then Amavasya Tharpana should be performed. In all other 8 sankramana days, if Amavasya comes, we need to do only one Tharpana.
317. After the property is divided between brothers, each of them has to do Sradha separately.
318. After property is divided, Sradha should be done separately. But if father is no more and mother is alive, yhe Sradha has to be done in the place she lives. If mother and children live separately, the mother should feed two Brahmins.
319. If there is no property to divide, if the brothers are living separately then also they should do Sradha separately. If they happen to be in the same place, they should employ different set of Brahmins, separately cook rice and Payasam and using all other cooked things commonly and do the Sradha. They have to do Homa separately.
320. Like this Tharpana also has to be done separately by the brothers. When many people individually do Tharpana and Sradha, the pithrus become very happy and bless them all.
321. Sasthra says that Nandhi Sradha should be performed in case of Samskaras like Nama Karanam, Yagnopaveetha Dharanam etc.
322. Special Aacharas for ladies:
1. You should not be without the thilakam on forehead even for a minute.
2. You should not scratch your head with both hands.
3. You should not break ash gourd.
4. Pregnant women should not break coconuts. They should not be in the place where coconut is broken.
5. It is a great sin to prevent husband and wife from joining together. If somebody prevents their being together, they will become widows for 21 generations.
6. We should not clean the home with a broom stick at night. Even if we sweep, that trash should not be put in the street at night. We should not gather and heap trash. If we do it, god will prevent us from being with our near and dear ones on important days like marriage.
7. You should get up very early morning, sprinkle cow dung water in the courtyard and draw Rangoli. If they do not do it, in the next birth they will be born as very poor people.
8. As soon as leaf is spread to eat, the ladies should draw a square below the leaf with cow dung water.
9. Cooked vegetables or cooked rice should not be served with hand. If done it is equivalent to beef.
10. Any charity without permission of the husband, will not lead to any result. If you undertake fast without his permission, his lifespan would be reduced by one day.
11. Never say any particular item is not there; but say, please buy that.
12. You should not cry and shed tears for anything. Wealth will not stay in the house where a woman sheds tears.
13. While serving food, after serving one person, the remaining should not be served to the next person. If you serve with a ladle this problem is not there. i.e., this rule is not applicable to food being served with ladle.
14. After curd rice is eaten, we have to enquire once more whether more rice is needed by any one.
15. Ladies should not sit or walk without tying their hair.
16. If they get angry, they should not use harsh words.
17. Putting Kumkumam would give long life to husband.
18. Protecting of virtue and behavior according to rituals would increase life span of husband.
तस्याहम न प्रणश्यामी स: च मे न प्रणश्यति
"He who sees me everywhere, and sees everything in Me, he never gets separated from Me, nor do I get separated from him" -Bhagwat Gita Ch. VI verse 30
Continues
233. Wearing the Pavithra, you have to worship with rice Deva Mandala (square) and with Yellu (gingili) the Pithru Mandala. While we are washing the feet of the Brahmin, we should remove the Pavithra and keep it on our ears. In Deva Kunda, put the Durba on the eastern side and in Pithru Kunda, Durba should be put on the southern side.
234. We have to apply ghee on the sole of the feet and thumb of the Brahmin chanting "Shukramasi". After washing our hand saying "Kandathvaaram", we have to apply cow dung.
235. Brahmana should face the east and the one who does Sradha should stand facing the West. The water should be poured by the wife and using both hands starting from the south, we have to wash both the feet.
236-238. We have to wash their feet chanting the following three slokas:
1. Samastha sampath samvapthi hethaa,
Samudhitha aapathkula dhooma kethava,
Apara samsara samudhra sethava,
Punanthu maam Brahmana pada pamsava.
This means that let the dust of the feet of the Brahmin, which can give me all wealth, which removes all the dangers faced by me and which is like a bridge helping me to cross the shore less sea of Samsara, make me pure.
2. Aadhi vyadhi haram nrunaanam, Dukha daridrya nasanam,
Sri Pushi keerthitham Vandhe Vipra sri Pada pankajam.
Meaning: I salute the lotus like feet of the Brahmin, which removes the diseases of the mind and body and which grants me wealth, health and fame.
3. "Viprougha darasanath Sathya ksheeyanthe paparasaya,
Vandanath mangalavaapthi, archanath achyutham padam.
Meaning: Seeing a crowd of Brahmins, the crowd of sins would fly away. If we salute them auspiciousness will come and if we worship them we will get salvation.
239. After we propitiate the Viswa Deva in the Sradha, after telling the manthra, we should put the rice from his right leg to head, from bottom to top. We should wear the sacred thread over the left shoulder.
240. When we do the same thing for Pithrus, we should put the sacred thread on right shoulder (Pracheena Vidhi) and put the gingili from head to his left leg from top to bottom.
241. People who are rich should buy white silk dhothi every year and give to the Brahmins or at least give a Dhothi with Silk Zari border. We have to either give three or two or at least one Vasthra to the Brahmin. Giving a cloth without border is not that good.
242. If the cloth with a black border is given, then the pithrus would go to hell and so they will curse us. So we should always give cloth with red border. That which has been washed by a washer man or that which was worn by someone else should not be given. New cloth should be bought and on the morning of Sradha, after we take bath, it should be dipped in water and then dried to become eligible to be given as Dhana,
243. If we are not able to get suitable cloth, we can give its cost as dakshina. If we cannot afford it, we can give a new sacred thread instead of cloth along with some cash present.
244. If we give the sacred thread before the start of the Sradha and they wear it, that sacred thread can be retained. But if we give after they are propitiated, then they will have to change it the next day.
245. Before we start the Sradha, we have to give the Brahmins oil. It is a hospitality shown to the manes and for the stool to go out easily for the Brahmana. After he takes bath and wears the madi (untainted cloth), the Sradham starts.
246. Similarly for cleaning the mind of Brahmin, Ellurundai (sesame jaggery balls) is to be given and to make his language pure, Thamboola is offered. Some people do not offer this because they think that nothing should be eaten before the Sradha. The general rule is to follow the customs followed by our family.
247. Aachamana should be done only after removing the Pavithram from hand. Similarly the feet of the Brahmins should not be washed wearing the Pavithram. We should not apply sandal paste wearing Pavithram. At those times, Pavithram should be kept above left ear.
248. The feet of the Brahmin should be washed only up to the ankle.
249. The cooking for Sradha should be done using ghee. Some sages say that we should not use gingili oil and coconut oil. But since pure cow ghee is not easily available and since we use gingili in the Sradha, learned people say that cooking can be done in good Gingili oil.
250. Since some sages say that coconut can be used in Sradha, some people say that coconut oil also can be used. We should not add anything new to the family usage.
251. The food ritually offered to the pithrus can be taken only by those clan members who have ten day taint from events in our family. Even those who have three day taint should not eat it. Some people say that those fried in oil is okay to be taken by any one. Others if they take the food offered to Pithrus should do redemption before doing their usual rituals.
252. The remains of food offered during Yekodishta should not be even eaten by ten day taint clan members.
253. Black gram, black gingili, wheat, green gram dhal, jaggery, khandasari sugar, cumin, pepper and samba rice can be used for cooking in Sradha.
254. Some people say coconut, mustard, snake gourd, wood apple and cucumber can also be used for cooking. Some people do not add these. So do according to family custom.
255. Ash Gourds, chilies and asafetida are banned from being used during Sradha. Ash Gourd grew out of an asura called Kooshmanda, Chillies came from outside the country and Asafetida is a resin from a tree and is supposed to be the result of the sin of Indra.
256. Perandai (Cissus), curry leaf, bitter gourd, plantain, mango, jamun fruit, lemon, colacasia, elephant foot yam, lime, sweet potato, cluster beans, lab lab beans and jack fruit can be used during Sradha. Among these black gram, honey and jack fruit are greatly liked by Pithrus.
257. The following should not be used for Sradha: cow pea, horse gram, Bengal gram, tur dhal (thuvarai paruppu), ash gourd, bottle gourd, drum stick, curd made of buffalo milk, asafetida, pomegranate should not be used.
258. Pithrus are peace loving people and so we should use all material which are Sathvika in nature only.
259. On Sradha day no one except those born in our caste can take food in our house. Some people due to pity or due to their affection offer food for the Panchamas and Shudras on that day, That is wrong and Pithrus will curse us if we do it.
260. It is known that the great savant Sridhara Ayyaval fed a Panchama on the Sradha day and that Ganges water came in the well of his house to purify him.
261. He was not the one who used to go against shastras, On all days he used to feed everybody. God who wanted to test him and prove his greatness to the world came as a guest in his house. If you can make Ganges come in your well, you can also do it.
262. That day vessels have to be washed by us, the place has to be washed by us, cloths has to be washed and dried, cooking also has to be done by us without drinking coffee and so many other rules should be observed on a Sradha day. If these are all not observed, performing Sradha is a waste.
263. In the Sradha, maternal grandfather, uncle, disciple, daughter's son, nephew and son in law should not represent as Brahmins in a Sradha.
264. Due to certain sages permitting and due to practice, daughter's son can be permitted.
265. On Sradha day and previous day, the one who does Sradha should not clean his teeth with stick or brush, should not walk a distance and should not carry a burden. We should not fix and invite a Brahmin and later cancel it. We should not keep sandal paste on vessels made of mud.
266. Cooked Dhal, Payasam and Ghee should be served on the right side of the leaf. Dhal and Ghee should be kept on a separate leaf piece in the Dhonnai (leaf cup). All preparations where salt is added should be kept on the front leaf. In sradham, food is normally served on two leaves (one front leaf and the second leaf kept slightly behind on the first leaf).
267. In the Parvana Sradha, Viswedevas called Puroorava and Aardrava should be worshipped. In Mahalaya Sradha, Viswe Devas called Thuru and Ruche should be worshipped. In Nandhi Sradha, Viswedevas Sathya and Vasu should be worshipped. In Spindikarana, Viswedevas called Kala Kamuka should be worshipped.
268. In Yekodishta, Masika, Sapindikarana, Nandi Sradha and Gaya Sradha, Abisravana (Manthras when Brahmins are taking food) should not be there.
269. The one who is selected as Viswedeva should wash his hand only after the one who represents Pithrus washes his hand. The same thing is true of Aachamana.
270. When the Brahmins are eating, if the food being eaten by one falls on other man's leaf, the Brahmins should touch the leaf further. After removing the leaf and cleaning that place with cow dung, fresh leaf should be again put in another place and food should be served again.
271. If by the time we send away the Brahmins, after taking food, fire is put out. That day we have to starve and redo the Sradha next day.
272. If the pinda meant for the crow is eaten by some other animal before crow touches it or if is eaten by a dog or if Sudras see it, we have to starve that day and do the Sradha again the next day.
273. The rice and other preparations should be served to the Brahmins without favoritism. But Dakshina can be given according to the capacity of those Brahmins. But good people do not do that.
274. After Pinda Pradhana, few rice that is remaining should be eaten after saying Manthra. After eating it, worship of Viswedevas can be done. Some people only smell it. Do as per your family custom.
275. People who do not have sons, if they give the center Pinda to their wife saying the Manthra abhandhava, then they will get a son. Other Pindas should be put in fire or water.
276. The vessels used to prepare food for sradha should not be cleaned by Sudras. The leaf used by Brahmins to take food should be buried in the soil. If Sudras touch that leaf or Dog eats from it, then the entire Sradha is a waste.
277. The leaf used by Brahmins to take food should be removed before they start to tell the blessing Manthras (Swasthi Vachana). The area should be cleaned after Pinda Pradhana.
278. The Brahmins should not touch each other till the Sradha is over. They should eat silently. While eating food, suppose they say the food is good, the Pithrus will not eat that food.
279. Before the leaf of Viswedeva, you have to draw a line by water and spread cooked rice over it and then pour water over it. This is called Vikiranna.
280. "Asomabacvhaye deva Yagna bhaga vivarjitha, thesham annam prathaasyami vikiram Vaiswa devakam" is the manthra for offering Vikiranna. This means I offer this Vikiranna to devas who do not get share in the Yagna, because they have not drunken Soma Pana."
281. In front of the leaf of Pithrus, then we have to draw a line with Gingelly mixed water, keep cooked rice on them and pour Gingelly water over it. This is called "Paithruka Vikirannam."
282. Asamskrutha prameethaa ye thaginyoya, kula sthriya dasayami thebhyo vikirannam thabayaschu paithrukam" is the mantha which means that I offer this to Pithrus for whom death ritual has not been done and those Kula Sthree (women) who sacrifice.
283. After keeping the Vikiranna, we have to keep our Pavithram on our ears and then do two aachamanams, keep Dhurba facing south and over that keep Vayasa Pinda (Pinda for crow) Since this Pinda is offered to the crows, it is called Vayasa Pinda.
284. "Ye agni daktha, Ye anagni daktha, yevaa jathaa kule mama, bhoomou dathena Piindena trupathayaanthu Param gathim" is the manthra to be recited and this would mean "To all those who are born in my clan, to those who were burnt by fire and to those who were not burnt by fire, let them get satisfied by the Pinda that I am keeping on the earth."
285. The vayasa pindam should be kept on earth, in a place where dogs would not come and should not be visible to other caste people. First we have to pour water, put the sacred thread on the right shoulder and then call the crow. Once it seems Lord Yama took the form of a crow and then he told his devotee that if Pinda is given to the crow, then Yama will not trouble our ancestors. And so offering Vayasa Pindam in Sradha and daily offering cooked rice to crow before we eat is a must.
286. When Bhishma and Sri Rama were offering Sradha Pindam, it seems their manes came and received it. But they said, since the Mantra says, we are keeping on earth, we would not receive from you, but take it from earth. So we also should follow rules and believe that our Pithrus are present during the Sradha.
287. If the crow takes the Pinda facing east, our wealth will increase, if it faces south, we would get ill. If it takes facing west, we would go to some other town. If it takes facing north, our life span will increase. If it does not take it at all, sorrows will increase.
288. We should address the Pithrus and ask them, "Anna seshai kim Kareyatham?" (what to do with the food that is remaining?). They will say "Ishtais saha bhojyatham" (eat it with people who love you). Because of this mantra, some people say that the food can be shared with friends. This is wrong.
289. Since Sastra says that only our clan members who have ten day taint, can eat that food and learned people also follow that custom, we also should do like that. We should not interpret that we are disobeying the order of Pithrus, but take it as the order is forever and refers all the food that remains, which should be shared with friends.
290. Anna sesham indicates only cooked food and ishta are those clan members with ten day taint whom we like. This should be strictly followed.
291. If Sradha comes on Ekadasi day, the one who performs Sradha, his wife and children should definitely take food on that day. Sradha which comes only yearly once is much more important than Ekadasi which comes twice a month. Pithru Sesha will bless us and also give us the effect of observing Ekadasi.
292. If widows perform Sradha for their husband on Ekadasi day, they have to eat the Sradha Sesham. If they think that Ekadasi is more important and do not take food, Pithrus would be made to eat dirty food.
293. If Sradha for father or brother comes on Ekadasi day, ladies with husbands living (Sumangali) can eat the Pithru Sesham but a widow should not eat it.
294. The Sradha Sesha of father in law and uncle can be eaten by son-in-law and nephew respectively.
295. Fruits, milk, curd, butter milk, ghee, honey and uncooked vegetables do not have Pithru Sesha,
296. If a Brahmin eats Brahmanartham, immediately he should wash his feet, do Aachamana and chant Gayathri ten times and then drink water. If he does not do it, he is not eligible for performing Sandhya Vandana that evening.
297. Even if he does that, he is not eligible to perform Oupasana that evening. He can get it done by his disciple or wife. He cannot go to the temple that day.
298. After giving Dakshina to the priest on Sradha day we say,
"Datharo nobhi varthanthaam Veda santhathi revana,
Sradha cha mavyapakath bahu deyancha nosthu."
Meaning "Oh Pithrus, let my Wealth children and Vedas grow. Let Sradha (sincerity) not go away from me. Let me get sufficient Wealth to do Dhana.
299. "Annancha no bahu bhavethj, athitheekuncha labhemahi,
Yachitharascha nassanthu masdaya kishma kanchanaa."
Meaning "Let me get lot of material fit to be eaten. Let lot of guests come to my house. Let beggars come to me. Do not make me beg with other people."
300. The Brahmins who represent Viswedevas and Pithrus, slightly modify these slokas and bless us using them.
301. When Brahmanas, after food, take leave of us, we should go round them, talk some hospitable words and also greet them in their mother tongue.
302. "Pathra saakhadhi dhanena klesithaa yooya mithrucha,
Thath klesa jatham chithethu vismruthya kshanthu marhana."
Meaning "I troubled you, fit for great hospitality, by offering you leafy vegetables, please do not keep that in mind, forget it and pardon me".
303. Paraheni Tharpanam This should be done the next day of Sradha in the early morning and not immediately after Sradha on the same day.
304. Some people do it after Pinda Pradhanam. This is not correct. If someone takes food, offering them water after some time, is only proper. After feeding them on Sradha day, we should offer water in the form of Paraheni Tharpanam only on next day. If you do it on the same day, it looks like we are giving food to Pithrus and ordering them to immediately take water as we do not have time.
305. Sasthra are the orders of God and we have to follow it. We should not find fault with it. In some type of Sradhas there is no Partaheni Tharpanam. In some Sastras, it asks us to immediately do it and in some cases it asks us to do it the next day.
306. What are those Sradhas where Paraheni Tharpanam is not there? If father is alive and mother is no more, in the Sradha done to mother, there is no Paraheni Tharpanam. In case of Sapindikarana Sradham, Anumasika Sradham and Nandhi sradham, there is no Paraheni Tharpanam.
307. What are those occasions where Paraheni Tharpana should be done immediately? Except in case of Sradha for mother and father and in case of Sakrunmalaya Sradham, in all other cases Paraheni Tharpanam should be done immediately. We should get up at 4 A.M. of the next day (Brahma Muhurtham), wash our hands and legs, gargle, take bath and then do Paraheni Tharpanam. Then we have to clean our teeth, take bath again and do the morning ablations.
308. If we do not get up at proper time and the dawn is over, then only after finishing Sandhya Vandanam, the tharpanam should be done. By that time if we are not clean, then we have to take bath and do the Tharpanam.
309. Can we clean our teeth on Sradha day? Sasthra says that without washing teeth, without answering calls of nature and without taking bath, no ritual should be performed. Same Sasthra says that we should not clean our teeth on Sradha day. Is this not contradictory?
310. But if we massage the gums and teeth gently and gargle, our mouth would become clean. If we do it hard, due to the gums getting dry, we will feel immediately hungry.
311. Normally in Amavasya and other Tharpanas, Tharpana is done to mothers side also (maternal grandparents, maternal great grandparents and one more generation). But in Parheni Tharpanam, it is given to only our clan and not to mother's clan.
312. Apart from the Tharpana we do on Sradha days, Tharpana done during Ardhodhaya and Mahodaya periods and Tharpana done in sacred rivers, a house holder is supposed to do 96 tharpanas in a year. It is termed as Shannavathi Sradha / Tharpana.
313. In the Shannavathi Tharpanas 12 Month beginnings, 12 Amavasyas, and 16 Mahalaya days are included.
314. On a single day, we are not supposed to do two Tharpanas. When people do on all 16 days of Mahalaya on the Amavasys day in Mahalaya Paksha, they have to do two Tharpanas.
315. If Sankaramana, Amavasya Ardhodhaya and Mahodhaya come together on the same day we have to only do Ardhodhaya or Mahodhaya Tharpanams.
316. Those who do Tharpana on all 12 Sankramana days, if Sankramana comes along with Amavasya, on the two Ayana days, and two Vishu days, First Sankaramana Tharpana should be performed and then Amavasya Tharpana should be performed. In all other 8 sankramana days, if Amavasya comes, we need to do only one Tharpana.
317. After the property is divided between brothers, each of them has to do Sradha separately.
318. After property is divided, Sradha should be done separately. But if father is no more and mother is alive, yhe Sradha has to be done in the place she lives. If mother and children live separately, the mother should feed two Brahmins.
319. If there is no property to divide, if the brothers are living separately then also they should do Sradha separately. If they happen to be in the same place, they should employ different set of Brahmins, separately cook rice and Payasam and using all other cooked things commonly and do the Sradha. They have to do Homa separately.
320. Like this Tharpana also has to be done separately by the brothers. When many people individually do Tharpana and Sradha, the pithrus become very happy and bless them all.
321. Sasthra says that Nandhi Sradha should be performed in case of Samskaras like Nama Karanam, Yagnopaveetha Dharanam etc.
322. Special Aacharas for ladies:
1. You should not be without the thilakam on forehead even for a minute.
2. You should not scratch your head with both hands.
3. You should not break ash gourd.
4. Pregnant women should not break coconuts. They should not be in the place where coconut is broken.
5. It is a great sin to prevent husband and wife from joining together. If somebody prevents their being together, they will become widows for 21 generations.
6. We should not clean the home with a broom stick at night. Even if we sweep, that trash should not be put in the street at night. We should not gather and heap trash. If we do it, god will prevent us from being with our near and dear ones on important days like marriage.
7. You should get up very early morning, sprinkle cow dung water in the courtyard and draw Rangoli. If they do not do it, in the next birth they will be born as very poor people.
8. As soon as leaf is spread to eat, the ladies should draw a square below the leaf with cow dung water.
9. Cooked vegetables or cooked rice should not be served with hand. If done it is equivalent to beef.
10. Any charity without permission of the husband, will not lead to any result. If you undertake fast without his permission, his lifespan would be reduced by one day.
11. Never say any particular item is not there; but say, please buy that.
12. You should not cry and shed tears for anything. Wealth will not stay in the house where a woman sheds tears.
13. While serving food, after serving one person, the remaining should not be served to the next person. If you serve with a ladle this problem is not there. i.e., this rule is not applicable to food being served with ladle.
14. After curd rice is eaten, we have to enquire once more whether more rice is needed by any one.
15. Ladies should not sit or walk without tying their hair.
16. If they get angry, they should not use harsh words.
17. Putting Kumkumam would give long life to husband.
18. Protecting of virtue and behavior according to rituals would increase life span of husband.