Rules of Domestic Observances During Sraadhdhams
(compiled by Ananthanarayanan Vaidyanathan based on Smrithi mukthaphalam of vaidyanatha deekshita and local traditions recorded and oral)
1 Please keep self control and celibacy for at least three days per week in the fortnight in which the Sraadha Tithi falls.
2. Kartha is the one who is to perform the Sraadham
3. Bhoktha is the one on whom the Vishnu or Vishwedevas or Pitrus are invoked during the ceremony and and are those who partake in the food offerings receive Pratigraham.
4. Most of the rules of discipline are common for Kartha and Bhoktha
5. Either of the two should not stir out wander on the streets on the day of Sraadham
6. Either of the two should not eat anything..the Bhoktha after the feast and the Kartha after taking the Pitrusesham (partaking on what is left behind after feeding of the Bhokthas) on the day of the Sraaddham.
7. To expiate oneself of the sins already committed and make himself purified before the ceremony , a person may do Kooshmanda Homam before Sraadham.
8. Kooshmandam does not mean Ilavan or Pooshanikkai here, it is a Manthram
9. Kooshmanda homam can mitigate grave sins including the killing of a foetus by MTP
10. The Kartha should start performing Aupaasanam at least four days prior to Sraadham.
11. The Sraadha homam is performed in the Aupaasanaagni
12 If the Kartha is a Brahmachari, then it is Samidaadaanagni that is to be used for oblations ....I used Samidaadanaagni as I was a Brahmachari when my father passed away.
13 The Sraaddham comes in the fortnight Paksham and Thithi on the Paksham on which the parents of equivalent died.
14 If the Thithi falls on two consecutive days, Sraadha is to be performed on the day when the Thithi is more spread in Aparaahnam..the Aparaahnam period during the day is after 18 Nazhika from Suryodhayam
15 If the Thithi covers two Aparahnams of consecutive days, the day where the Thithi is having more Naazhika should be the Sraadham day.
16. If the Thithi is spread equally on consecutive days, the Sradham should be performed on the first day.
17 If two Thithis come in one Souramaasam, the later Thithi is suitable for Sraadham
18 If Samkramanam falls on the second Thithi during the day, the Sradham should be performed in the earler thithi in the month.
19 The Aparahnam is the slice of time after 18 Nazhika 18*24 minutes from sunrise.
20 The Aparahnam will be at about 1-30 in the afternoon.
21 The time period after 15 Naazhika (6 hours from sunrise) is Kutupakaalam (from about 12-30 after Noon )
22. If there is dosham like Sankramasparsam for both the Thithis coming in the same month Sraadham shoul be performed in the next month.
23 If there is only a single Thithi in a month we need not consider the Sankramanadosham
24 If by chance the Thithi does not occur at all in the Souramaasam (Medam, Edavam etc, ) apply the Chaandramaanamaasam (Saka maasam) to find a Shudhdha thithi
25 If even that Thithi is not Shuddham perform the Sraadham next month
26 if you are not able to do sraadham on the tithi, you should do upavasam(starving) on that day and perform the sraadham next day
27 If you forget the Thithi perform the Sraadham on Krishna Ashtami, Krishna Ekadasi or on Amaavasya
28 If there is an Aasaucham or Pulai, or Seethakam perform the Sraadham on the day of release of Aasaucham etc.
29 If we divide the day from sunrise to sunset into five equal parts..(about 84 minutes apiece) we would get the forllowing Kaalams in this order
1. Praatah Kaalam 2. Sankavakaalam
3. Maadhyaahnika kaalam 4. Aparaahnam
5 Saayaahnnam
30 If we divide the Maadhyaahnika kaalam into three slices of 28 minitutes apiece, we get
1. Gandharva kaalam 2. Kuthapam 3. Rouhinakaalam.
Sraadha Niyamams-2
Dear friends
Sri Venkita raman Perinthalmanna forwarded to me a pdf file about Srardha Niyamas two days back. I found them quite interesting and forwarding to the groups in eight parts .Total niyamams told are 240. I hope the same will be interesting to all.
I have highlighted those found more important to me. I have titled Sraadha Niyamams. This is part 2 of the posting
Sincerely,
Gopala Krishnan. 18-5-2020
Rules of Domestic Observances During Sraadhdhams
(compiled by Ananthanarayanan Vaidyanathan based on Smrithi mukthaphalam of vaidyanatha deekshita and local traditions recorded and oral)
Continuing from part 1
33 It is beneficial to use black gingely in good quantity in Sraadham
34 The Darbha and black gingely have originated from Varahamoorthy and hence they will prevent Raakshasaas from causing damage to Sraadham
35 You should not invite as Bhoktaas two uterine brothers for the same Sraadham
36 People who have no knowledge of Vedas, or who are sick, should not be invited to be bokthaas
37 A person whose wife is in menstrual periods should not be a Bhoktha
38 A person without wife or son should not be a Bhoktha..this includes Brahmachaari
39 If a person has a son he may be invited as Bhoktha even if he has lost his wife.
40 A person who has been a Bhoktaa in another Sraadham just within three days prior to this Sraadham should not be invited.
41 The avaricious brahmin who canvasses himself to be recruited as a Bhokta should never be called.
42 A Yogi, Jnaani, a follower of Samaveda or the son of a daughter are the best and most preferred invitees.
43 If a person offers to be a Bhoktha in exchange to the promise that you will go as a Bhokta to his house for another Sraadham it is unwelcome.
44. A brahmin's wife is pregnant for more than three months then he is ineligible as a bhokta.
45 If a person has lost either of the parents and the Atta Sraadham of that parent is not over, that brhamin is not to be called as Bhokta.
46 A brahmin who had a haircut or shave in the morning of the Sradham is unwelcome as a Bhoktha.
47 A Brahmin with leprosy, deformed fingernails, decayed and discoloured teeth etc should not be called as a bhoktha.
48 The youngest among the Bhoktas should be invoked as Pithru.
49 The elder one should be invoked as Viswedeva.
50 The eldest one as Vishnu if there is a family practice of invoking Pratyaksha Vishnu also.
51 Those who are affluent should present the Bhoktha with white silk
52 one should present at least two or three sets of soman uthareeyam according to the family practice.
53 The Soman Uthareeyam or Veshti should be at least of the same quality as we usually wear ourselves
54 If one is very poor at least a Yajnopaveetham should be presented in the place of Veshti
55 The Kartha should start the Sraaddham with a new Poonool
56 The Manthras should be pronounced with the right Swarams
57 There should be no hurry while performing Sraadhdham
58 Generous Dakshnina should be given according to one's own capacity
59 The most praiseworthy Dakshina is gold.
60 The brahmin in whom Vishnu, Viswedeva or Pithru is invoked should be treated at par with god.
I will continue in next posting
61 One should never get angry during the sraadhdham
62 For one month prior to Sraadhdham one should not eat cooked food from hotels or from other houses
63 If this is not possible Paraannam food from other houses etc should not be taken for at least on Paksham (15 days) or in the least at least for three days prior to Sraadham
64 The kartha should not apply oil to hair while bath at least for one week prior to Sradhaam
65 The kartha should not have sexual activity, nor he should sleep in comfortable bed for the preceding period as above(item 64).
66. For Paraannam or food from the house of others, the house of Guru, maternal uncle, sister and father in law are not included (the brother is not mentioned here because brother is never an annyan..sister would include athai and daughter also)
67 The washing of the Brahmin's feet should not be done wearing Pavitram
68 When we have to remove Pavitram, it has to be kept on the side of the right ear (Pavitram is the round contraption made of Darbha grass and worn on the ring finger on the right hand during important functions..the right ear of a brahmin is supposed to contain Ganga)
69 for Visvedeva a square Kolam by water should be made on the Paadaprakshaalana Paatram as well as the twin plantain leaves arranged for offer of food.
70 Similar water Kolam for Pithrus is triangular (this is the reason why elders say don't draw kolam with water at home usually..this is reserved for death and Sradhdha ceremonies)
71 The Paadajalam of Visvedeva and Pithrus should not be mixed. Only Paadajalam of Visvedeva should be used for Prokshanam.
72 The entire sraaddha place should be cleaned with the dung of cow.
73 Only the ankle (kanungaal ) of the brahmins should be washed
74 The upper feet should not be washed
75 The ghee left after Homam should not be used for worshipping the feet of brahmin, to rinse the leaf for meals or added to the cooked rice offered as Havyam and Kavyam.
76 The cooking medium should be ghee of cow..oil should be avoided.
77 As we are using black gingely some say gingely oil is permissible for cooking
78 Those who use coconut prefer to use coconut oil also.
79 Some do not use coconut as per the practice in their family
80 Some do not use sesame for frying...again a family tradition.
81 In the matter of cooking for Sraaddham, the practice followed in the individual family should be strictly followed...sisters, please get notes from elder ladies in the family on the traditions followed in the Individual family. Some are of the view that the menu should be same as the one followed for the Sodhakakumbha Sraddham, immediately after Sapindikaranam.
82 The fresh clothes washed in the morning and dried alone should be worn while cooking.
83 Every material used for Sraddham should be thoroughly washed, every utensil thoroughly cleaned before use for cooking for Pithrus
84 Even salt and jaggery used should be formally sprinkled with water
85 the persons cooking should have the eligibility to chant panchaakshari (namassivaaya) and /or astaakshari ( om namo narayanaaya )
86 the persons cooking should be a relative and definitely not a servant
87 Ladies who are expecting the start of menstrual periods should not venture to cook for sraadham
88 Cooking should not be performed with wet clothes
89 If the wet clothes are spread and shaken in air seven times they are considered dry
90 If the persons engaged in cooking has to visit the toilet in between she can enter the kitchen only after a bath.
Continuing from part 3
91 A pregnant or sick lady should not do the cooking for Sraadham
92 Lady should wear madisaar pudavai while cooking..
This is controversial..but I record.(just to be faithful to the traditions.. my personal views are of no consequence). a widow retaining her hair should not cook for sraadham
93 The ladies should not go on talking while preparing food for sraadham(the most difficult thing, is it not?)
94 The ladies should not cook after taking coffee etc., in exceptional cases they may take milk of the cow,
95 It is ideal to perform sraadham in one's own house.
96 If it is performed in the house of another person, rent for the space should be paid beforehand
97 Cook food in new vessels or in vessels which are cleaned with extra care
98 No vessels containing even a little iron should ever be used
99 One should not ring a bell or sport Tilaks at the time of Sraadham
100 Some ladies and Karthas wear Vibhoothi Kumkumam etc. it can be allowed if it is the tradition in the family.
101 While cooking the ladies should not be either laughing or crying (maamiyaars..do not let your daughter in laws cry..and vice versa)
102 Cooking should not be done with spread out hair
103 Cooked rice should be prepared after vadikkal and this should be the last preparation
104 When the rice is served in the plantain leaves it should emit steam (the rice and not the plantain leaf)
105 The materials suitable for Sraadham.. I give the tamil/malyalam names because English/Botanical names are not relevant..any bilingual dictionary will give the names in English.... ulundu, karuppu ellu, gothambu, payaru, paavakkai(paarikkai), chakkai, mankai, mathalam pazham, kariveppilai, cherunaarangai, vazhappazham, vazhakkai. .monthan kai is preferred, ilandhippazham, nellikkai, munthiringai, milaku, podalangai, katthirikkai or vazhuthinangai..naadan, then(honey), ney, vellam(chakkarai) , kadaluppu(sea salt), cows milk, karunai kizhangu, chembu or cheppankizhangu, jeerakam, elakkai, avaraikkai, pirandaikkai, pasumthayiru, some use vazhaithandu
106 Apart from these some use Thengai (coconut), Kadugu, Chakravallikizhangu, Katalai, Ilavan or Pooshanikkai, Vilaampazham, Milakai(capsicum) also according to family traditions.
107 Prohibited items.. karaamani, kollu, perunkaayam, muringakkai,inglish kathirikkai, thuvarapparippu, chorakkai.
108 Most important and preferred... then(honey), Chakkappazham,Ulundu, Naadan vazhuthina (the violet one)
109 For serving you can use silver thattu.. if your use Vazhai ilai in pair, both the top and tip should be there, no clipping, the narambu behind should not be torn away..
110 The leaf should be placed with its nuni(tip) on the left.
111. The plantain leaf with its entire contents after the brahmins have eaten should be placed in a pit on the ground and covered with mud and stones securely so that stray dogs do not eat the remnanants.
112 In some villages they reserve a deserted well for this purpose.
113 In town areas where there is no space to dig the leaves and remnants of meals are given to cows. But this is not proper. The Ucchishtam should never be given to cow. However if this is the only way left what else can be done?
114 The leaves should be removed before Swastivaachanam.(the conversation between the karta and the boktha as to whether the meals were good, whether everything was adequate and whether the Bhoktha is satisfied.)
115 After Pindapradhaanam the eating space should be cleaned.
116 Very difficult..the Kartha should not clean his teeth with brushes etc on the day of Sraadham as well as on the Orikkal day.
117 The Bhokthas or Sraaddha brahmanas should not touch one another.
118 They should not converse with another...they should eat in silence..mounena bhokthavyam
119. They should indicate whatever they require more through indications by fingers or gestures.
120 Ghee and Payasam which are served should be eaten in full.
Continuing from part 4
121 The bhoktas should leave behind at least a little of all other things they eat.
122 They should eat without haste ensuring that they will not get hungry again in the night.
123 The eight Vasus, 11 Rudras, 12 Aadhityas and 12 Visvededevas are supposed to be present protecting the sraaddhas.
For each Sraadham one should invoke two Visvedevas..they differ for various sradhas.
For annual sraddha..Puroorava aardhrava. For Mahalaya, Dhuru, Ruchi. For Naandi, Satya Vasu. For Yagas Kratu, Daksha. For Sapindeekaranam Kaala Kaamuka, For Sannyaasaanga sraadham Saadhu, Kuru
124 The vessel containing material for Arghyam should not be kept open.
125 The Arghya paatram should not be moved from its place.
126 If the Arghya material has been fully used, the material should be prepared again to the accompaniment of manthras.
127 If a little of the Arghyam material goes waste it can be condoned.
128 The deities of Sraadhdha are the Vasu, the Rudra and the Aaditya.
129 Our forefathers have to remain in their company DURING THEIR EXISTENCE AS PITHRUS, hence Vasu Rudra and Aditya also should be kept pleased.
130 The deceased father is in the realm of Vasu the grandfather in the realm of Rudra and the greatgrandfather in the realm of Aditya. The lady counterparts also have the same status. The status may vary according to the fathers, or the lady's in law in the hierarchy pre-deceasing the juniors.
131 While doing invocation of pithru we have to keep the Yajnopaveetham in Idam position
132 For invoking Devas it should be Valam
133 Darba should be offered to Devas straight.
134 Darba should be offerd to Pitrurs after folding together the tips.
135 Paruppu and ghee for meals should be kept in separate donnai and kept without touching the main leaf over another piece of leaf.
136 Abhisravanam should be chanted while the brahmins are eating so that the Rakshasaas are kept at bay..
137 The abishravana manthras are the part of Kathopanishad where Naachiketaopaakhyanam is described, Ramayanam where the origin of Ganga is described and other manthras from Vedas and Upanishats.
138 Some brahmins should be invited to perform this Abhisravanam
139 They should be offered Dakshina after the Sraadham
140 Ekodishtam the eleventh day death ceremony, Sapindikaranam the 12 th day ceremony, Maasikam, Anumaasikam, Naandi, Gayasraadham...for these Abhisravanam is not there.
141 If the remnants of the food from one Bhokta falls inadvertantly on the leaf of other the two should not touch the other leaves or continue the meal...they should not get up from the seat..
142 The leaves should be removed, the place cleaned with the dung of cow and new leaves should be placed and served.
143 The meals can continue after another Parishechanam
144 While brahmanas are eating the fire in the fireplace should not be put out.
145 If the agni is put out inadvertantly, the Kartha should fast for the day and do Sraadham again next day.
146 The Vaayasapindam..the morsel of rice for the crow should be protected at any cost till a crow comes and puts its beak on it.
147 If the people of the fourth caste see this Pindam or if some dogs or other animals eat it Sraadham should be done once again.( It is mentioned to record the tradition.. personal views may be different)
148 The repeated Sraddham should be done the next day after fasting on the day
149 All honours and respects should be offered to Visvedevas first.
150 Washing of hands, Aachamanam, raising after Sraddha meals etc should be done by the brahmin representing the Pithru first.
Is there a link to the pdf's ?
ReplyDelete