Mahaalaya Paksha

Courtesy : Sri.Narahari

Pitru Paksha

Shraddaya charitam shraadha:

Why one has to do shraadha/paksha?

Having born on shresta karma bhoomi bharatha, one has to get discharged from mainly three Runaas viz., Pitru Runa, Deva Runa, Rushi Runa. Pitru Runa can be discharged in the following ways – by getting a male child, by maataa-pitru seva, and by performing pitru yagna.

Why Paksha will be observed during this period – for pitru devategalu, one month of Human period is equal to one day, and shukla paksha is the day and Krishna paksha is the night for them. What we are giving as Thila Tarpana and Pinda pradhana during the said period will be sufficient for them throughout the year. That is why one is performing Paksha during the period.

Who has to do paksha?

All those who have lost their fathers must do Paksha.

Where Paksha/Shradha to be done?It is better to do it in a kshetra. If not possible atleast in your house. Now-a-days, because of non availability of requirements for Shradha in house, (eg – Fuel, water) it can be done in Rayara Mutts also.

Items required for Paksha-

Aggistike, Charcoal,  Dharbe (Kusa grass), plain rice, Rice (nivedita annam),  ghee, curds, honey, milk,  Black Sesame, water, Tulsi Leaves, Pavitra (Made of darbha), Vishnu padam (Foot print of Sri Maha Vishnu), Plantain Leaves, Fruits, Panchapatre, Uddrane, Villedele, Adike, Dakshine., yajnOpaveeta, gopichandana, donne.    During Shraddha time, better avoid conversation with other relations, mobile calls.

Steps for Shraddha/Paksha -

Achamana, Pavitradharana, punarachamana, Yavodaka, tilodaka, Amantrana for darbe brahmanaru, paada prakshalana, Asana, arghya, antaryaami pooja, Avaahana, gandha, mandala, paatraasadana, darbe brahmana bhojana, pinda pradana, pinda pooja, bhojana niyama, pinda visarjana, brahmana visarjana,  brahmana suvasini bhoori bhojana sankalpa, brahmana bhojana, taking ashirvaada from brahmanaas,   yajamaana bhojana, telling krishnarpana.

Specified dates for Paksha -

Actually Paksha has to be done on all the 15 days.  (On Ekadashi without rice).  Atleast Tila tarpana must be given on all the days during paksha maasa.  If one is not able to do paksha on all the days, they have to select a day, usually the day of his father's or mother's death day. Suppose his father has died on Dwiteeya, then on Dwiteeya day itself shraddha to be done.  If it is inconvenient for him to do it on Dwiteeya, then he can do it on any day other day except the following days – Navami (meant for Avidhava – for those have died as muthaide), Ekadashi (Upavasa), Dwadashi (meant for Yathigalu), Chaturdashi (Ghata Chaturdashi – meant for accident victims).  They can do it on other days.  If during this entire period, it is not possible to do the paksha, then you can do it during  Kaarthika Maasa upto Panchami (Thula maasam)

Shraddha Phala -

By doing Shraddha/Paksha pitru devategalu will be satisfied.  Pitrantargata Srihari will be pleased.  We, people of the 21st century will ask "What will we get by doing shraddha/paksha?"

ಪಿತಾ ದದಾತಿ ಸತ್ಪುತ್ರಾನ್ ಗೋಧನಾನಿ ಪಿತಾಮಹ: |

ಧನದಾತಾ ಭವೇತ್ಸೋಪಿ ಯಸ್ತಸ್ಯ ಪ್ರಪಿತಾಮಹ: |

ದದ್ಯಾದ್ವಿಪುಲಮನ್ನಾದ್ಯಂ ವೃದ್ಧಸ್ತು ಪ್ರಪಿತಾಮಹ: |

ತೃಪ್ತಾ: ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧೇನ ತೇ ಸರ್ವೇ ದತ್ವಾ ಪುತ್ರಸ್ಯ ವಾಂಛಿತಂ ||

पिता ददाति सत्पुत्रान् गोधनानि पितामह: ।

धनदाता भवेत्सोपि यस्तस्य प्रपितामह: ।

दद्याद्विपुलमन्नाद्यं वृद्धस्तु प्रपितामह: ।

तृप्ता: श्राद्धेन ते सर्वे दत्वा पुत्रस्य वांछितं ।

pitaa dadaati satputraan gOdhanaani pitaamaha: |

dhanadaataa bhavEtsOpi yastasya prapitaamaha: |

dadyaadvipulamannaadyam vRuddhastu prapitaamaha: |

tRuptaa: shraaddhEna  tE sarvE datvaa putrasya vaanCitam|

By doing the shraddha/paksha, father will bless you with satputraas (good yogya children).  Your Pitamaha, i.e., grand father will bless you with go-dhana (cow-wealth), Prapitamaha (Great grand father - ಮುತ್ತಜ್ಜ) will bless with property and wealth.  They also bless us with Food, shelter, wealth, grains, etc.

Whether pitru devates will come to our house on that Shraddha/Paksha Day?

Yes.  They will come.  Pitruantargata Vasurudra Adityas antargata pradyumna sankarshana Vasudeva Roopi paramathma will come in Vaayu roopa, watch shraddha karma, eat and will be pleased (if done with proper achara vichara).  If shraddha not done in a particular house, pitru devates will wait till suryasta, and leave the house with hungry and thirsty, and also curse his family members.

ಪಿತೃಯಜ್ಞ ದಿನೇಪ್ರಾಪ್ತೆ, ಗೃಹದ್ವಾರಂ ಸಮಾಶ್ರಿತಾ:

ವಾಯುಭೂತಾ: ಪ್ರವಾಂಛಂತಿ, ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಂ ಪಿತೃಗಣಾನೃಣಾಂ |

ಯಾವದಸ್ತಮಯಂ ಭಾನೋ: ಕ್ಷುತ್ಪಿಪಾಸಾ ಸಮಾಕುಲಾ: |

ನಿಶ್ವಸ್ವ ಸುಚಿರಂ ಯಾಂತಿ ಗರ್ಹಯಂತಿ ಸ್ವವಂಶಜ: |

पितृयज्ञ दिनेप्राप्तॆ, गृहद्वारं समाश्रिता:

वायुभूता: प्रवांछंति, श्राद्धं पितृगणानृणां ।

यावदस्तमयं भानो: क्षुत्पिपासा समाकुला: ।

निश्वस्व सुचिरं यांति गर्हयंति स्ववंशज: ।

pitRuyajna dinEpraapte, gRuhadvaaram samaashritaa:

vaayubhUtaa: pravaanchaanti, shraaddham pitRugaNaanRuNaam |

yaavadastamayam bhaanO: kShutpipaasaa samaakulaa: |

nishvasva suchiram yaanti garhayanti svavamshaja: |

ಧನದಾತಾ ಭವೇತ್ಸೋಪಿ ಯಸ್ತಸ್ಯ ಪ್ರಪಿತಾಮಹ: |

ದದ್ಯಾದ್ವಿಪುಲಮನ್ನಾದ್ಯಂ ವೃದ್ಧಸ್ತು ಪ್ರಪಿತಾಮಹ: |

ತೃಪ್ತಾ: ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧೇನ ತೇ ಸರ್ವೇ ದತ್ವಾ ಪುತ್ರಸ್ಯ ವಾಂಛಿತಂ ||

Maha Bharani Shraddha –

Paksha done on Mahabharani shraddha day is of high importance.  This is observed during Bhadrapada Krishna paksha, on the day on which Bharani Nakshatra is there.   Even if you have are doing paksha on some other day also, this also Paksha must be done.

Vyateepata Shraddha -

Paksha done on Vyateepata shraddha day is also of high importance.  This is observed during Bhadrapada Krishna paksha, on the day on which Vyateepata Yoga is observed.    Even if you have are doing paksha on some other day also, this also Paksha must be done.

Avidha Navami

Vidhava means Widow. "Avidhava" means not a Widow -Sumangali. Avidhava Navami in the context of Pitru Paksham is the day on which cermonies/rituals are to be performed for those Women (Mothers) who died as Sumangali. It should be performed by the son/s on the Navami tithi day during Pithru Paksha. Avidha Navami is followed by those who have lost their mothers and their father is alive.  They have to do it on Bhadrapada Krishna Navami day.  They have to invite Mutthaide-Brahmana Dampatigalu. Give them marada baagina (ಮರದ ಬಾಗಿನ) containing all saumangala items like haridra, kumkuma, coconut, rice, dalls, blouse peace, villedele, adike, dakshine, if possible sarry, blousepiece, etc..  On this day, pinda pradhana to be done.  Atleast tila tarpana to be done.  Here during Avidhava navami, unlike paksha (wherein all the forefathers will be called), only his mother/mother's in law and great grand mother will be called and panda pradhana will be done.

Yati Mahalaya

Bhadrapada Bahula Dwadashi is meant for Yathigalu.  On this day, hastodaka will be given to all the Yatigalu who have entered Vrundavana.  On this day, Paksha for other pitrugalu and forefathers not to be done.  This day is exclusively reserved for Yathigalu.

The reason for performing the Shraddha for Sanyaasis and saints is that they have preserved and passed on the knowledge of sanatharma dharma and had done great service to the society.  We have to do yathi dwadashi shraddha to get ourselves free from Yati Runa, that is why it is called as "Yati Dwadashi".  These Yatigalu having prepared so many shastra granthaas, vyaakyaanaanaas, Teeka granthaas have helped us a lot in learning ancient granthaas.  So, we have Runa to them  - Yati Runa.  That is why we have do Yati Mahalaya.

This shraaddha to be done by Yatiputraaas only.  Who are Yatiputraas?  Those who have grantha/shastra runa from the yatigalu are termed as "yati putraas". Yati Shraadda does not mean that we need to give pinda pradhana to yatigalu. This is anna santarpana/hastodaka to yatigalu in the forkm of bhojana to brahmana suvasini santarpane.

Those who are doing daily paksha shraddha can do it on Yathi Mahalaya Dwadashi also.

Trayodashi Shraaddha -

Shraaddha done on Bhadrapada Bahula Trayodashi will please the forefathers and keep them happy with five hundred years.  On this day, if it has Makha Nakshatra and Surya in Hasta Nakshatra, it is called as "Gajachchaaya Yoga or Vaivaswathee Gajachchaaya".  Shraaddha done on Bhadrapada Bahula Trayodashi will fetch him punya equal to Gaya Shraddha.  Those who are having male child not to do pinda shraddha on Trayodashi, he has to do only pinda shraddha.

Ghata Chaturdashi -

Bhadrapada Krishna Chaturdashi –  This day is meant for  those who have passed away due to accidents or those who met with unnatural death like snake bites, accidents, suicide, war, and other natural calamities, etc.  The day is known as Ghata Chaturdashi.  There is a strong belief that the souls of these people who had an unnatural death, will be wandering around and do not rest in peace.    Others not to do paksha on this day.  The tithi is meant for Accidental victims only.  For those who are doing "Sakrunmahaalaya". that is shraddha on only a particular day of the paksha maasa, they need not do it on this day.  However for those who are doing paksha daily, they can do it on this day also.

During Shradha Srihari will be there in how many roopas in the kartru and bhoktru?

Janardhana roopa will be there 3555 roopas

How to do the the chintana of Srihari during Shradha?

1. Swaaha – Mayapathi Vasudeva will give trupthi to devategalu

2. Swadhaa – Jayapathi Sankarshana will give trupthi to devategalu

3. Khadya, Peya, Lehya, ChoShya, – Kruthipathi pradyumna will give trupti to devategalu

4. TruNaadi – Shanthipathi anirudda will give trupti to devategalu.

What is Shannavathi Shradda –

Shraadhaas done on some specific days – There are 96 shraadaas to be done in a year. They are :-

1.   12 Amavaasye

2.   12 Vaidhruthi

3.   14 manvaadi

4.   12 vyatipaata

5.    4 yugaadi

6.   15 Mahalaya

7.   12 Sankramana

8.   15 Ashtaka

(bhadrapada Bahula saptami, astami, navami, Margashira bahula saptami, astami, navami

Pushya Bahula saptami, astami, navami, Magha bahula saptami, astami, navami

Palguna bahula saptami, astami, navami)

- TOTAL 96 roopa of paramathma will be there in these 96 shraadhaas.

Who are Dwadasha Pitrugalu?

Dwadasha Pitrugalu means 12 pitrugalu, viz.,a.  Pitruvarga   – Pitru, pitaamaha, prapitaamaha

b.  Matruvarga – Matru, Pitamahi, prapitaamahi

c.  Maataamaha varga – maataamaha, maatu:pitaamaha; maatu:prapitaamaha

d.  Maataamahi varga – maataamahi, maatu:pitaamahi; maatu:prapitaamahi

Paternal Side (Father's side pitrugalu)

1. Pithram (Father) (vasu roopam)

2. Pithamaham (Grand Father -Father's father) (rudra roopam)

3. Prapithamaham (Great Grand Father- Father's paternal grand father)

(Aditya roopam)

4. Maatharam (Mother) (vasu roopam)

5. Pithamahim (Grand Mother-Father's Mother)(rudra roopam)

6. Prapithamahim (Great Grand Mother- Fathers paternal Grand Mother)

(aditya roopam)

7. Saapatni Janani (Step Mother, if any)(vasu roopam)

Maternal Side (Mother's side Pitrugalu)

8. Maataram (Mother)(vasu roopam)

9. Maatamaham (Grand Father-Mother's father) (vasu roopam)

10. Maathu Pitamaham (Great Grand Father-Mother's paternal

grand father)(rudraroopam)

11. Maathu Prapithamaham (Great Great Grand Father-Mother's

paternal G.Grand father)(Aditya roopam)

12. Maatamahim (Mother's mother)

13. Maathu Pitaamahim (Mothers paternal grand mother)

14. Maathu Prapithamahim (Mother's paternal Great Grand Mother)

Other Pitrugalu -

a. Pathnim (Wife/s) b. Sutham (son/s)

c. Bhratharam (brother/s) d. Tatpatneem (brother's wife/s)

e. Pithravyam  (Father's brothers) f.  Tatpatneem (uncle's wife/s)

g. Mathula (Maternal Uncle/s)                  h. Tatpatneem (Their wife/s)

i.  Duhitharam (Self daughter)                   j.  Tadbhartaaram (Her husband – Jamaatha)

k.  Daughitharam (Daughter's son)          k.  Bhagini (Sister/s)

l.  Tadbhartaaram (Her husband)            n.  Tatputram (Her sons – Bhagineeyam)

o.  Pithruswasa (Father's sister)                p.  Tatpatneem (Her husband)

q.  Maathuswsa (Mother's sister)              r.   Tatpateem (Her husband)

s.  Swashuram (Father-in-law)                   t.   Shvashram (Mother-in-law

u.  Shalaka/Bhavuka (Brother-in-law)   v.  Tatpatneem (Their wife/wives)

w.  Gurum (Vidya Guru)                               x.  Tatpatneem (Guru patnee)

y.  Achaaryam (Purohit/priest)                z.  Tatpatneem (His spouce/s)

aa. Shishyam (Disciple)                                 bb. Aptam (Friend)

If name is not known Yagnamma for ladies and Yagnappa for gents to be used.If Gotra is not known, then Kashyapa Gotra to be used.  For Gents Gotram and for women Gotraam to be used. For Gents' name "Sharmanam" and for ladies "Daam" to be added

Rigvedees must tell their name first, followed by gotra, then roopa

Yajurvedees must tell their gotra, followed by name and roopa

On the Shraddha/Paksha Day, we must follow some practices :

a.   We must not brush our teeth

b.  We must not eat taamboola

c.  We must not take oil bath

d.  On shraddha day, we must observe brahmacharya

e.  Medicines to be used only if it is inevitable.

f.  Rathri bhojana nishiddha

g. Previous day night also bhojana nishiddha

h. After completion of pooja, we must take nirmalya only.

i.  Theertha can be taken only after completion of shraddha, giving it to brahmana suvasiniyaru.

j.  Only one meals per day during entire paksha maasa for those who are not having father.

Mahalaya Maasa

Bhadrapada Krishna Paadya to Amavasye  period is also called as Mahalaya Paksha Maasa.   Maha – great laya, i.e., destruction.  It is said that during one of the wars between Devategalu and daityarugalu, during Bhadrapada Bahula Maasa, many devataas and Rishigalu had died. These devategalu and rishis are like our forefathers and it was during Mahalaya that these Devategalu  and Rishis had died.  This is why this period is called as Mahalaya.

Saptanna in Pinda pradhana during Paksha/Shraddha -

अग्नौकरणेन देवस्था: । स्वर्गस्था: विप्रभोजने ।

यमस्था: पिंडदानेन ।नरके विकिरेण तु । उच्छिष्टेन च पैशाचा: ।

असुरा: भूरिभोजनात् ।  दक्षिणेन मनुष्याद्या: ।

ಅಗ್ನೌಕರಣೇನ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾ: | ಸ್ವರ್ಗಸ್ಥಾ: ವಿಪ್ರಭೋಜನೇ | ಯಮಸ್ಥಾ: ಪಿಂಡದಾನೇನ |

ನರಕೇ ವಿಕಿರೇಣ ತು | ಉಚ್ಛಿಷ್ಟೇನ ಚ ಪೈಶಾಚಾ: | ಅಸುರಾ: ಭೂರಿಭೋಜನಾತ್ | ದಕ್ಷಿಣೇನ ಮನುಷ್ಯಾದ್ಯಾ: |

During Shraddha/Paksha, we have to give seven types of "Anna" to pitru Devategalu.  After the death, Pitru Devategalu will hve ashraya in one among the seven loka ashrayaas, viz.,

a) Devaloka,   b) Svargaloka,  c) Yamaloka,  d) Naraka Loka,  e) Paishachika Loka  f) Asura Loka g) Maanushya loka

We will not be knowing as to which loka, our pitru devategalu have gone.  So, during Pitruyagna, "Saptanna prakarana" has been practiced by our ancesters.  We are giving saptanna.  Because of this "Yagna" named Srihari will give trupti to our pitrugalu.

Devloka –  अग्नौकरणेन देवस्था: । -  If our Pitru devategalu are in Devaloka – through Vaishwadeva and Agnikarya, etc., they will be stisfied by our Agnoukaranaakya anna, – with the svaaha roopa done in Vaishwadeva homa – aahuti roopa anna.

Svargaloka - स्वर्गस्था: विप्रभोजने । -  If our Pitru Devategalu are in Swarga loka, Brahmana Bhojanaakya anna will satisfy them.  During Shraddha, we are giving bhojana to brahmanaas.  With these, they will be satisfied.

Yamaloka - यमस्था: पिंडदानेन । –  If our Pitru Devategalu are in Yamaloka, they will be satisfied with pindapradana roopa anna.

Naraka loka - नरके विकिरेण तु । –  If our Pitru Devategalu are in Naraka Loka, they will be satisfied with the VikiraaKya anna (i.e., tila tarpana)

Paishachika Janma – उच्छिष्टेन च पैशाचा: । –  If they are in Paishachika Janma, with the Uchchista pinda, they will be satisfied

asura Janma - असुरा: भूरिभोजनात् । – If they are in asura janma, with the bhoori bhojana, (i.e., the bhojana for the other relations and friends), they will be satisfied.

maanushya janma - दक्षिणेन मनुष्याद्या: । –  If our pitru devategalu are in maanushya janma, the pitru devategalu will be satisfied with the dakshine given to the brahmana and suvasiniyaru.

Srihari will be in Pradyumna – Sankarshana – Vaasudeva – Aniruddha and Janardhana Roopa and will be called as " anna – annada – annaada ( अन्न   अन्नद  अन्नाद ಅನ್ನ   ಅನ್ನದ  ಅನ್ನಾದ )

He will be with the name "anna" in all the food items that we eat.

He is called as "annada" – as he gives food for all animals/every one.

He is called as "annaada" as he is vishwabhuk – that is, he eats the entire jagath during mahapralaya kaala

knr

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If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

  Every moment, thank God