SRARDHA - FAQ

Courtesy: Sri.Gopala Krishnan

 

CULTURAL QA 2-2013 SRARDHA

Q1 What is KOOSHMANDA Homam? What is its purpose?

A1 To expiate oneself of the sins already committed, a person may do Kooshmanda Homam before sraadham.

Kooshmandam does not mean Ilavan(ഇളവന്) or Vella pooshanikkai here, IT IS A MANTHRAM

Kooshmanda homam can mitigate grave sins including the killing of a foetus

Q2 What are all the rules regulating appropriating Thithi for srardha in the simplest manner?

A2 If the thithi falls on two consecutive days, sraadha is to be performed on the day when the thithi is more spread in aparaahnam..

A question may arise what is aparannam? It is the period is the day after 18 nazhika from suryodhayam (The aparahnam is the slice of time after 18 nazhika 18*24 minutes from sunrise). In short aparannam will by about 1.30 PM.

If the thithi covers both aparahnams, the day where the thithi is having more naazhika should be selected as the sraadham day.

If the thithi is spread equally on consecutive days, the sradham should be done in the first day.

Q3 if srardha could not be done on the Thithi day whether it can be performed on any other day? Are there any guidelines about the same?

A3 Yes. if one forget the thithi he can perform sraadham on following krishna ashtami, black ekadasi or on amaavasya

If there was an aasaucham or pulai, do the sraadham on the day of release of aasaucham

Q4 What is the purpose of using darbha and black gingely during srardha?

A4 The darbha and black gingely have originated from Varahamoorthy .So they will prevent raakshasaas from causing damage to sraadham

My note- I was not knowing the origin of gingely from Varaha. Regarding darbha I knew. During the churning of milky ocean Mahavishnu took the form of Varaha and from his sweat darbha has originated.

Q5 Can you mention some important rulings regarding the Bhoktha ?

A5. The avaricious brahmin who canvasses himself to be recruited as a bhokta should never be called.

A Brahmin whose wife is pregnant for MORE THAN THREE MONTHS makes him ineligible as a bhokta.

If a person has lost either of the parents and the atta sraadham of that parent is not over, that Brahmin is not to be called as bhokta.

A brahmin who had a haircut or shave in the morning of the Sradham is unwelcome as a bhoktha.

A brahmin with leprosy, deformed fingernails, decayed and discoloured teeth etc should not be called as a bhoktha.

My note- The Bhokthas used to appear with not shaved face . But this was one of the requirement is new to me.

Q6 What are all the rules regarding selection of Bhoktha as Viswamdeva and pithru?

A6 The YOUNGEST among the bhokta should be invoked as pithru.

The elder one should be invoked as viswe deva.

The brahmin in whom Vishnu, Viswedeva or pithru is invoked should be treated AT PAR WITH GOD.

My note-This question answer has special importance. Many a time some bhoktha INSIST that they will be only Viswamdeva in areas where sasthrikal do not bring the bhokthas. The ruling regarding the age is also new to me.

Q7 What is the reason for keeping pavithram on the RIGHT EAR on occasions of removing during the function?

A7 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 worn on the ring finger on the right hand during important functions..The right ear of a brahmin is SUPPOSE TO CONTAIN GANGA)

Q8 Why our elders say never draw kolam with water ( Neerkkolam)

A8 During srardham for Visvedeva a square kolam by water should be made on the paadaprakshaalana paatram as well as the twin eating plantain leaf.

similar water kolam for pithrus is triangular form has to be drawn

This is the reason why elders say don't draw kolam with water at home usually..this is reserved for death and sradhdha ceremonies

My note- Though I was knowing neerkolam should not be drawn, this is the exact reason was never thought by me till I read it-

Q9 What are the regulations regarding washing of feet and prokshanam?

A9 The padajalam of visvedeva and pithrus should not be mixed. only paadajalam of visvedeva should be used for prokshanam.

Only the ankle (kanungaal ) of the brahmins should be washed. The upper feet should not be washed.

My note- The prokshanam of the water could be an approval by Viswamdeva to commence the further proceedings on the performer.

Q10 Whether the srardha can be performed in the house of another person?

A10 It is ideal to perform sraadham in one's own house.

If it is performed in the house of another person, rent for the space should be paid beforehand

My note- While performing srardha at Rameswaram and Varanasi, this is followed. I do recollect my sasthrikal talking of the rent for space at Rameswaram

CULTURAL QA 2-2013- SRARDHA 2

Q1 What are all the regulation regarding the cooked rice during srardha?

A1 The cooked rice should be prepared after vadikkal and this should be THE LAST PREPARATION. Not to be prepared in pressure cooking method.

When the rice is served in the plantain leaves it should emit steam (the rice and not the plantain leaf)

My note- I do recollect a sasthrikal at Tutucorin telling my wife and sister in law, no hurry, prepare rice always LATER.

Q2 Can there be any conversation between Bhokthas and kartha while the bhokthas taking food ? What are the regulations regarding taking food by Bhoktha?

A2 The conversation between the kartha and the boktha as to whether the food were good, whether everything was adequate and whether the bhoktha is satisfied can be there . The Bhoktha should indicate whatever they require more through indications by fingers.

Ghee and Payasam which are served should be eaten in full.

The bhokta should leave behind at least a little of all other things they eat.

They should eat without haste ensuring that they will not get hungry again in the night.

My note- Bhoktha should leave behind at least a little of all other things they eat is totally a new information to me. Most never permit to serve more and some thing not able to eat like bits of vadai, some kashanam etc only waste.

Q3 Do the Viswam deva vary for annual srardha and regular srardha?

A3 The eight vasus, 11 rudras, 12 aadhityas and 12 visvedevas are supposed to be present protecting the sraahas.

For each sraadham one should invoke two visvedevas. They differ for various sradhas.

for annual sraadhdha Puroorava and Aardhrava are invoked.

For mahalaya Dhuru and Ruchi are invoked

For Nandi satya vasu, for yagas kratu, daksha and for sapindeekaranam kaala kaamuka are invoked

For sannyaasaanga sraadham saadhu, kuru are invoked

Q4 What is the reation between srardha deities and pithru?

A4 The deities of regular sraadhdha are the Vasu, Rudra and Aditya. Our forefathers have to remain in their company (vasu, rudra and aditya) during their existence as pithrus, hence they also should be kept pleased.

Usually the deceased father is in the realm of vasu the grandfather in the realm of Rudra and the great grandfather in the realm of Aditya.. the lady counterparts also have the same status. The hierarchy many vary if there are living mothers or fathers or great or great-grand parents surviving their next generations.

Q5 Are there any regulations regarding the offering of dharbha?

A5 Yes. The darba should be offered to devas straight. But darba should be offerd to pitrurs after folding together the tips.

Q6 What is abhisravanam? What are the restrictions regarding it ?

A6 Abhisravanam should be chanted while the brahmins are eating so that the rakshasaas kept at bay..

The abishravana manthras are the part of Kathopanishad where Naachiketa-opaakhyanam is described, Ramayanam where the origin of Ganga is described and other manthras from vedas and upanishats.

Some brahmins should be invited to perform this abhisravanam .They should be offered dakshina after the sraadham

The restriction- For ekodishtam the eleventh day death ceremony, sapindikaranam the 12 th day ceremony, maasikam, anumaasikam, naandi, gayasraadham...for these abhisravanam is not there.

My note- I have seen kartha reciting gayathri. Abhisravanam is a new information to me

Q7 If the remnants of the food from one bhokta falls inadvertently on the leaf of other what is the remedy?

A7 if the remnants of the food from one bhokta falls inadvertently on the leaf of other the two should not touch the other leaves or continue the meal...they should not raise from the seat.

The leaves should be removed, the place cleaned with the dung of cow and new leaves should be placed and served.
The meals can continue after another parishechanam

Q8 Is it correct that all honours and respects should be offered to visvedevas first?

A8 Yes. All honours and respects should be offered to visvedevas first.

But washing of hands, aachamanam, raising after sradha meals etc should be done by the brahmin representing the pithru first.

Q9 Does the direction of crow taking pindam give any indication to Kartha?

A9 If the crow takes pindam facing EAST, you will have PROSPERITY.

If the pindam is taken by crow facing SOUTH, DECEASES ARE PREDICTED.

If taken facing WEST, TRAVEL IS PREDICTED.

if taken facing NORTH, THE PROGNOSIS IS DANGER TO LIFE.

The indication of direction of biting the pindam by the crow can be like a warning in general.

Q10 Is it correct that the sraadham is not only to propitiate our pithrus. Is it a great sacrifice?

A10 Yes. The sraadham is not only to propitiate our pithrus. It is a great sacrifice

Homam gives pleasure to devas.The sraddha food to brahmns give pleasure to other inhabitants of swargaloka.

Offering of pindam pleases the inhabitants of Yamalokam.

The leftovers give satisfaction to pisaachas

The vikiraannam gives satisfaction to the inhabitants of hell.

The pindam offered to the crow pleases our ajnaatha pithrus or unknown relatives who have died.

THE ANNADAANAM ON THAT DAY GIVES PLEASURE TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH.

My note- I have capitalised the last one. The reasons, there are many sasthrikal talking no benefit for this. I FULLY AGREE to Sri Anathanaryanan's view.

Q11 What are the ingradients of Pancha gavyam? What is its deginity?

A11 The five primray ingredients of panchagavyam are the milk of the cow, the curd from cow's milk, ghee from cows milk, the dung of the cow and the urine of the cow..to this, for dilution water ROUTED THROUGH DARBHA can be added.

Panchagavyam is a potent medicine. There are mantrams for adding each ingredient.

The proportion of the mixture is 1.cow's urine 100 gms(one palam) 2. cowdung of the size of a medium thumb 3.300gms of curd 4.700 gms of cow's milk 5. 100gms of ghee and 100 gms of darbha jalam.

The mixture is called panchagavyam because it contains five ingredients derived from the cow. Varuna resides in the urine of the cow.

Agni resides in the cowdung. Vaayu resides in the curd.The moon resides in the milk,The Sun resides in the ghee.

Ladies who has the impurity after delivery should take panchagavyam to become free of it. If it is taken for 41 days continuously even a patient of epilepsy will be relieved of that ailment.

Q12 What is the divinity of in taking a small quantity of pancha gavyam?

A12 The milk will remove poverty, curd will provide us with children, cows urine will remove sins, cowdung will give us health, and ghee will give us moksham.
Q13 Is it correct that Kartha should remain calm and composed during srardha?

A13 Yes. Not only kartha , no one should get angry during the sraadhdham connected with it. It can be Kartha's son or wife or any blood related.  

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