MAHALAYA PAKSHA & PRATYABDHIKA SRAADDHA
This Nandana year, the Mahalaya Paksha starts from Sept 30, 2012.
On the other day some one, a member of our forum, called my personal number and wanted to know if one doesn't do (or not care to perform) the pratyaabdhika sraaddha (the annual ceremony) for his parents, but whether still can he observe and perform Mahalaya paksha in some format or other, ie., hiranya rupa or tarpana vidhi.
Yes, he can. However let me also add this much. Nothing can compensate or substitute the Pratyabdhika Sraaddha. Also, one may not get the desired results if he abandons the annual sraaddha but performs the Mahalaya Paksha in lieu, or even go to Gaya and performs the related Sraaddha karyams there as a compensation or substitute. Though these karyams done with good intention, let me stress, he or his family can not escape from the pitru shapa.
There is no 'at least ' business as far as the annual sraaddha is concerned. Of course it is altogether different if one's health fails or his sarira dharmam prevents him from doing the sraaddha. Sastras allow a person in that case to observe the Sraaddha (to perform it) in a simplified manner.
Let me elaborate further.
A WORD ABOUT MAHALAYAM:
Mahalaya paksha, which is also known as 'pitru paksha' is very great and one should not think of skipping it on any count. It is said in Sastras that this paskha has immense values and gives satisfaction to the pitrus. During the paksha the souls of the pitrus will descend to earth in the form of spirits and will be present around their current biological descendants to see their conditions. Hence nitya tarpana is highly recommended if possible. I may also add that during the Mahalaya paksha one can perform the sraaddha on any convenient day, not necessarily on the day of his father's thidhi.
But, of course, Mahaalaya paksha has some leniences and alternatives. No dosham will occur if one opts for some permitted alternatives here. No one need to worry on this count. Paarvana Vidhanam, ie with Homam, is not mandatory here; and it is also observed in parts of our Tamilnadu like North Arcot some people perform only tarpanam, not even hiranya, in this Paksha; it is their desacharam. Whatever may be the format one chooses, he can observe the niyamas/deeksha prescribed throughout the Paksha.
On a personal note, I may suggest that for whomever it is convenient and affordable they can have Brahmana Bhojanam arranged as part of hiranya sraaddha. This can be carried out on any convenient day during this pitru paksha.
However let us not forget that the pratyabdhika sraaddha is entirely different from this.
PRATYABDHIKA SRAADDHA:
Our ancestors are known to have performed Pratyabdhika Sraaddha with tremendous devotion and with even more care and diligence than the attention given to special pujas and sankalpas. In the case of puja or some venduthal (specific commitment), my father Brahmasri Srinivasa Sastrigal used to say, if one has difficulty in fulfilling it one can postpone it by tying a rupee coin in a yellow cloth and keep it till one gets the time and the means to do it.
But in the case of Pratyabdhika Sraaddha there is no room for such lenience or deviation. Neither it can be postponed or advanced at our will. Sraaddha cannot be done differently from the laid down process.
FOR WHOSE SATISFACTION?
This Pratyabdhika Sraaddha is performed on the same day, known as thithi of the month (as per the Hindu calendar) every year from the second year onwards. The word Sraaddha comes from Sraddha (ச்ரத்தை) meaning concentration and care.Through the performance of a Pratyabdhika Sraaddha, we reach satisfaction and happiness, through several rites which are part and parcel of the sraaddha, to a host of Godly persons.
The pitrus who always bless us Viswedevas, a section of devas who accompany pitrus
Agni Deva, who participates in the Homa Devas, who are immensely satisfied wherever bhojana (food) is offered to Brahmins
People who are consigned to hell, and cannot have opportunity for satisfaction other than through pinda pradana and vikiranna, which are offered during a Sraaddha
Persons aspiring for pitruloka and unable to attain it
Other pitrus who are unknown to the Karta
This Pratyabdhika sraaddha, annual ceremony, is great and very powerful. We should develop the faith that pitrus are with us, they can be contacted and we can communicate with them. They are an anga (section) of Devas and can bless us like Devas. Pitrus are gentle persons who can only do good, and who in fact want to do as much good as they can for people of their Gotra. Satisfaction of the pitrus is said to confer many benefits on the Karta – healthy family, procreation, wealth, wisdom and eminence in life and after-life.
Pitrus’ shaapa (curse)
We must always be conscious of our Dharmika karma, our religious duty. Increasingly we see instances of Sastrigal being denigrated, skipping Sraaddha on some lame excuse etc. Such behaviour amounts to ingratitude and is unpardonable. Cantankerous arguments on the irrelevance of karmas like Sraaddha in this day and age are to be avoided, and in any case people putting forth such ideas are not interested in the explanations.
Such persons may want to remember that their behaviour can invoke pitru shaapa or the curse of pitrus. The Sastras say that pitrus may not even utter a curse – they only have to heave a sigh of petulance or unhappiness, and that can have the impact of a curse.
Most of the members of this forum are very well informed about the topic mentioned above. I am sure my attempt in this regard is like carrying lignite to Neyveli or carrying Cauvery water to Coorg.
Mahalayapaksha also known as Pitr paksha lasts for 15 days. This year this paksha commences on Sunday the 30 th of September,2012 (pratama thithi or padyami ) and it ends on 15th of October( Amavasy Thithi).
Normally It occurs in Kanyamasam , that is , when the Sun is posited (placed)in the Kanya Rasi(Virgo). This month is also known as Bhadrapada ( In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat calendars) and as Ashwin as per North India Calendar.
According to Tamil Panchangam, Mahalayapaksham commences in 'Avani' month itself and ends during 'Purattasi' month in some years,whereas it generally falls in the month of Purattasi in most of the years. Nevertheless, pitrpaksha precedes SAradA NavarAtri irrespective of the month in which it falls. As the name Pitr Paksha itself indicates, this fortnight is exclusive meant for propiating or worshipping our dead ancestors or manes or pitrs.
Although Mahalaya Amavasya is considered to be the most important and auspicious day for performing Shraddha rituals to dead ancestors, in Southern parts of the country the shraddham is also performed on days when Apabharani, Madhyashtami and Vyatipatam occur during the Mahalaya Paksham. This does not ,necessarily , mean that on other Thitis. Shraddham should not be performed.
All the 15 days of the Paksham are equally good. Some people observe Shraddham on the same Thithi on which one`s father or mother expired. Incidentally, Sastras have prescribed performance of what is known as Brahmayagnam daily all the 365 days. This consists of Tarpanam for devas, rishis and pitrs. Separate Pitr Tarpanam is required to be performed on all Amavasya Thithis, all Masa sankaramanms (beginning day of the months), all eclipse days
In fact, there are 96 days in a year when one is required to perform Shraddha but it might not be feasible to perform regular Shraddham as prescribed by Sastras including homam , vastradanam(gift of dhoti and angavastram), feeding of Brahmanas, Pindapradaanam etc. etc. (which is observed on the respective Thithi of respective Paksham and respective month in which one`s father and or mother died)on all these 96 occasions.
On most of these occasions only Tilatarpanam (which takes about 15 minutes or so) is done in place of regular Shraddham which lasts for almost 3 hours. On the occasion of Pratyaabdika Shraadham elaborate Sraddham as per scriptural injunctions is required to be performed.
There are contradictory views whether one is required to perform Pratyabdeeka Sraddham and Mahalay Paksha Sraddham after one performs the Gaya Sraddham. We may not enter into discussion on this
here (Note from the Administrator - the answer is a definite yes, it must be continued without fail).
Coming back to Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham, it does not involve doing of homam for Pitrs , Vastradanam and feeding of Brahmanas and Pindapradanam as in case of Pratyaabdika Sraddham. The entire ritual will be over in about half an hour including performance of Tilatarpanam. All the rituals done in honour of pitr devatas, be it annual Shraddham or Pitr Tarpanam are considered as very auspicious rituals.
It is believed that our Pitr devatas attain salvation and bless us with harmony and prosperity, if we perform pitr karmas regularly as prescribed by Sastras. On the other hand, if Pitr karyam is not observed as prescribed in Sastras one incurs the wrath of Pitrs and runs the risk of inviting the curse of Pitrs (Pitr Sapam).
The Mahabharatam says in this regard as follows:- "How can a householder earn money and be gifted with a baby boy if he does not perform Shraddha ceremony during the period when the Sun is in Kanya Rasi (virgo sign), as he would have enraged the deceased ancestor's souls.
Moreover,the abode of the the deceased ancestor`s souls(Pitr loka) remains vacant till the Sun moves from Virgo(Kanya) to Libra (Tula)sign) whereby the Pitrs come closer to the descendents for blessing them and if Shraddha is not performed, they give curse to their descendents and return.
In the light of the above, performing Shraddham during Mahalaya Paksham is a Must. Sraddham done during Pitr Paksha on the day on which Mahabharani Nakshatra occurs is also considered as propitious to the Pitr devatas. This is also called Bharani Mahalaya.
Generally, Bharani Nakshatra falls either on Chathurthi or on Panchami during Mahalaya Paksham. It is not mandatory that Mahalayapaksha Sraddham should be done ONLY on Bharani Nakshatra day . If this were mandatory, all Brahmanas will find that it is difficult to perform on that day, since adequate number of *veda BrAhmana-s *for officiating in *srAddha *are not available.
As already stated, when Pitr Paksha Sraddham is performed, it does not call for Vastra danam, Homam, Bhojanam or feeding of the Brahmanas and Pindapradanam etc. Serving of food to Brahmanas is also not mandatory as in the case of a Pratyaabdika Sraddham (Annual Sraddha ceremony).
Food served during annual ceremony will be as per family tradition. For Mahalaya Sraddham, the practice in vogue is to offer uncooked Rice, dal, raw banana and any other traditional vegetable of Indian origin, besides appropriate Dakshina for Mahalayapaksha Sraddham.
This is called Hiranya Sraddham, i.e., Sraddham where Dakshina only is offered and not meals.
If one wants to offer meals to Brahmanas he can do so, provided the Brahmanas have the time and are willing to eat. It goes without saying that the food served should be satvik in nature. Items like garlick, onion etc, should never be used in food served to Brahmins.
In USA,of course, the Purohits/archakas are paid employees of temples. The temple website gives a list of articles to be brought by a Grihasta to the temple for performing Hiranya Sraddham. That list includes milk, curd,ghee, tamarind, 3 types of vegetables, 3 types of fruits etc. etc.These are offered to the priest as a part of the Sraddha ritual.
Generally we observe the usage of Dharbha in rituals,particularly, while performing any homa/yagna/havan or Pitr karyam. It is said that without this there is no sanctity in the rituals performed. Brahmins always keep some stock of Dharbha grass in their houses.
It is used for purification in all kinds of ceremonies. Dharbha is also known as Kusa in Samskrit language and it is related to Kusala, meaning sharp in the sense of keen intelligence(because of the sharp tips of the grass).
In the Puranas it is said that the Kusa grass was formed when the hairs on the Kurma Avatar of Mahavishnu got loosened during the churning of the ocean and got washed away to the shore of the ocean to form Kusa grass. Since some drops of nectar (Amrita) fell on the grass, it is sanctified and has acquired healing properties.
That is why, in the formal hair-cutting ritual of boys(choula samskaram), the hair is touched with Dharbha grass before hair is cut.
Dharbha grass is identified with Lord Vishnu and is believed to possess the power to purify anything. Dharbha Grass is used either as (1) long
Dharbha Grass(approx.18to24 inchesin length) after cuttingabout 6 to 8 inches of the thicker portion of the gras or as (2) Thick Dharbha Grass(about6 to8inches in length) known as kattadharbha and for Both Pavitram which is worn on right ring finger and Koorcham on which Pitrs are invoked during Tarpanam and Shraddham.
Tradition holds that wearing of Pavitram is a prerequisite for many rituals to make one pure during that ritual. Even if I have omitted to state this earlier, and even if it amounts to repetition,I would like to sate here that Dharbha Grass(Kusa Grass), black sesame seed(til seeds), water, Tulsi leaves, Pavitram and Koorcham are invariable pre-requisites for performing Mahalayapaksha Sraddham.
Pinda Pradanam is not prescribed for Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham. It is done at the end of Annual ceremony(Pratyabdika Sraddham) and Gaya Sraddham and Sraddham performed at other holy places like Varanasi,Tryambakeswar etc. etc.
The next question is "How Many Generations to be invoked?" During Amavasya and other Tarpanams and during annual ceremonies (Pratyaabdika Sraddham) only three generations are invoked.
It is mandatory to offer Pinda and water with sesame seed(black til) to dead ancestors of one`s parents,grandparents and great grand parents. Where only father is alive, annual Sraddham alone for mother will be performed. Where father is not alive, in addition to annual Sraddham, monthly Amavasya and other Tarpanams are also needed to be performed.
In other words, the rituals are meant only for the deceased persons and not for the persons who are alive. During Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham only,apart from one`s kith and kin, we should perform Tarpanam for our Guru, Priest(Purohit), friend or to any other person whom one has come across in life and from whom he or she has received help.
That is to say, this ritual is in the nature of 'annual Thanksgiving' to ancestors and to all who helped us in one way or other. It is a sort of repayment of the debt of gratitude we owe them. These are termed as Karunika Pitrs.
In the sankalpam with which we start the ritual after wearing Pavitram, we mention sakarunika vargadvaya pitaram uddisya (meaning that this Sraddham is meant for the benefit of pitrs on both father`s and mother`s
side as well as all pitrs known to us for whom either there is none performing Shraddha or who died without issues).
Some people offer Tarpanam for all known relatives eg., sister`s husband,father-in-law, mother-in-law, father`s or mothers brothers and sisters and their wifes or husbands, as the case may be etc. etc.
When we do not know the Gothram of any dead relative, it is customary to add Shiva Gothrasya or Shiva Gothrayah depending upon whether one is male or female.
Let us recapitulate what we have seen in the postings made so far on this subject and also see a few more points:
1. Performing SrAddham during this *Paksham *is a must. For those who are not in the habit of performing *pratyAbdika SrAddham, *at least *ShrAddham *during *Pitr paksham *must be performed. * *If not feasible to perform with homam and feeding of brahmanas according to *pArvana VidhAnam, MahAlaya SrAddham * should be performed at least as *hiranya srAddham.
2.*Throught the *Paksham, daily Tarpanam must be done, *failing which one renders himself liable for *Pitr sApam.
3.*If SrAdham is performed on either one of *MahAbhrani, MadhyAshtami and VyatIpAtam* it is meritorious. One gets the benefit of performing srAdham at Gaya. Performing *SrAddha *on *chaturdasi, *is believed to be beneficial for only those who met with unnatural death.
4. Only during MahAlayapaksham, tarpanam is performed for *kArunya pitrs. *Now, who all can be called as *kArunya pitr? *Father`s elder and younger brother, one`s elder brother, younger brother, father`s sisters, maternal uncles, mother`s elder and younger sisters, their sons, one`s deceased wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, father`s sister`s husband, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, guru, teacher, master and friend are all eligible for Tarpanam.
5.If one performs SrAdham during the paksham as a *hiranya srAdham *in one year,* *there is no bar for him to perform full-fleged srAdham(*PArvana vidhAna) during MahAlaya paksham *of subsequent years.
6.SrAdham should be performed with *shraddhA*. When the *pitr*s are pleased they bless the *karta *with progeny, wealth, *vamsavridhi, *good health, knowledge, liberation etc. Those who do not perform mahAlaya srAddham will get adverse effects. Curse(*sApam)* is a weapon in the hands of the pitr-s. One should strive for blessings from pitrs and should not render themselves eligible for curse from pitrs.
Mahalaya Paksha:
Mahalaya paksha, which is also known as 'pitru paksha' is very great and one should not think of skipping it on any count. It is said in Sastras that this paskha has immense values and gives satisfaction to the pitrus. During the paksha the souls of the pitrus will descend to earth in the form of spirits and will be present around their current biological descendants to see and bless them. Hence nitya tarpana is highly recommended if possible.
This Nandana year, the Mahalaya Paksha starts from Sept 30, 2012.
How to observe?
But, of course, Mahaalaya paksha has some lenience and alternatives, unlike Pratyabdhika sraaddha. No dosham will occur if one opts for some permitted alternatives here. No one need to worry on this count. Paarvana Vidhanam, ie with Homam, is not mandatory here; and it is also observed in parts of our Tamilnadu like North Arcot some people perform only tarpanam, not even hiranya, in this Paksha; it is their desacharam.
Hiranya Sraaddha (without homam):
In general, I recommend doing this Mahalayam as hiranya rupam with five (or six as the case may be) Brahmanaas which involves the following:
Mandatory:
1. Offering Rice, Dhal and Plantain (Banana)
2. Offering Thulasi, Chandanam etc
3. Offering Sambhavanai
Optional:
1. Vastram
2. Bhojanam
At the end of this Hiranya Rupa Sraaddha, there will be a mandatory tarpanam also.
Nitya tarpanam:
Of course, to whomever it is possible and convenient, they can do nitya tarpanam during all the days of this pitru paksha in addition to observing one hiranya sraaddha on any convenient day. Here I may point out that though Paksha means only 15 days, this year Mahalaya Paksha has 16 days. Here again for those who wish to observe nitya tarpanam, they should perform it for 17 days in total. Those who wish to to this nitya tarpanam, better consult their vadhyar for exact procedures and sankalpams. Of course they can consult me also in person-not through net or email.
Karunika pitrus:
This Hiranya rupa Sraaddha also has tarpanam as part of it in which one can offer tarpanam for Karunika pitrus also in addition to his own pitrus. Karunika pitrus means, one can do tarpanam not necessarily for his own pitrus alone. Only in this paksha, one can do tarpanam for other persons like Younger brother of father, Elder brother of father, their wives, Brothers (both younger and elder), sons, father's sister, sisters, their sons, wife, in-laws, sister's husband, daughter-in-law, Guru, Boss (yajamaanan), friends etc.
Observing deeksha:
Whatever may be the format one chooses, he has to observe the niyamas/deeksha prescribed throughout the Paksha. Then what it is meant by deeksha? The karta should be in control of himself during the paksha. Control implies eating only at home, and not eating outside except at a brother's place or in his maternal uncle's or in-law' place. Shaving, having an oil-bath and conjugation are to be avoided.
Annarupa Sraaddha (Parvana vidhanam) - at least once.
This Annarupa Sraaddha, though involves a lot of preparations, elaborate procedures and monetary aspects, is highly recommended. One can think of performing it at least once in a life time during this Mahalaya Paksha. Your Vadhyar would able to guide you in this.
Saaddha on which day?
During the Mahalaya paksha one can perform the sraaddha on any convenient day, not necessarily on the day of the so called his father's thidhi. Of course if the date of the Pratyabdhika Sraaddha falls in this
Paksha, it is quite possible for some, then they have to perform the Mahalaya sraaddha only after the annual sraaddha, not earlier.
Any particular days:
However, some days are special and more powerful for performing sraaddha during this fortnight. Those days are Maha Bharani, Gajachaaya (thrayodasi), Madhyashtami. In addition to these, Vyatheepadham and Dwadasi days are also considered great.
Any particular day NOT recommended?
Yes. On the day of Chathurdasi thidhi, sraaddha is performed only for those who had dur-maranam. Hence all others to avoid doing Sraaddha on this day.
All sons together.
Though nothing prevents sons joining together on this day. However it is considered better if the sons of a deceased father are living apart, each son has to perform individually.
A suggestion:
On a personal note, I may suggest that for whomever it is convenient and affordable they can have Brahmana Bhojanam arranged as part of hiranya sraaddha. This can be carried out on any convenient day during this pitru paksha.
via Bhaskaran Sivaraman.
This Nandana year, the Mahalaya Paksha starts from Sept 30, 2012.
On the other day some one, a member of our forum, called my personal number and wanted to know if one doesn't do (or not care to perform) the pratyaabdhika sraaddha (the annual ceremony) for his parents, but whether still can he observe and perform Mahalaya paksha in some format or other, ie., hiranya rupa or tarpana vidhi.
Yes, he can. However let me also add this much. Nothing can compensate or substitute the Pratyabdhika Sraaddha. Also, one may not get the desired results if he abandons the annual sraaddha but performs the Mahalaya Paksha in lieu, or even go to Gaya and performs the related Sraaddha karyams there as a compensation or substitute. Though these karyams done with good intention, let me stress, he or his family can not escape from the pitru shapa.
There is no 'at least ' business as far as the annual sraaddha is concerned. Of course it is altogether different if one's health fails or his sarira dharmam prevents him from doing the sraaddha. Sastras allow a person in that case to observe the Sraaddha (to perform it) in a simplified manner.
Let me elaborate further.
A WORD ABOUT MAHALAYAM:
Mahalaya paksha, which is also known as 'pitru paksha' is very great and one should not think of skipping it on any count. It is said in Sastras that this paskha has immense values and gives satisfaction to the pitrus. During the paksha the souls of the pitrus will descend to earth in the form of spirits and will be present around their current biological descendants to see their conditions. Hence nitya tarpana is highly recommended if possible. I may also add that during the Mahalaya paksha one can perform the sraaddha on any convenient day, not necessarily on the day of his father's thidhi.
But, of course, Mahaalaya paksha has some leniences and alternatives. No dosham will occur if one opts for some permitted alternatives here. No one need to worry on this count. Paarvana Vidhanam, ie with Homam, is not mandatory here; and it is also observed in parts of our Tamilnadu like North Arcot some people perform only tarpanam, not even hiranya, in this Paksha; it is their desacharam. Whatever may be the format one chooses, he can observe the niyamas/deeksha prescribed throughout the Paksha.
On a personal note, I may suggest that for whomever it is convenient and affordable they can have Brahmana Bhojanam arranged as part of hiranya sraaddha. This can be carried out on any convenient day during this pitru paksha.
However let us not forget that the pratyabdhika sraaddha is entirely different from this.
PRATYABDHIKA SRAADDHA:
Our ancestors are known to have performed Pratyabdhika Sraaddha with tremendous devotion and with even more care and diligence than the attention given to special pujas and sankalpas. In the case of puja or some venduthal (specific commitment), my father Brahmasri Srinivasa Sastrigal used to say, if one has difficulty in fulfilling it one can postpone it by tying a rupee coin in a yellow cloth and keep it till one gets the time and the means to do it.
But in the case of Pratyabdhika Sraaddha there is no room for such lenience or deviation. Neither it can be postponed or advanced at our will. Sraaddha cannot be done differently from the laid down process.
FOR WHOSE SATISFACTION?
This Pratyabdhika Sraaddha is performed on the same day, known as thithi of the month (as per the Hindu calendar) every year from the second year onwards. The word Sraaddha comes from Sraddha (ச்ரத்தை) meaning concentration and care.Through the performance of a Pratyabdhika Sraaddha, we reach satisfaction and happiness, through several rites which are part and parcel of the sraaddha, to a host of Godly persons.
The pitrus who always bless us Viswedevas, a section of devas who accompany pitrus
Agni Deva, who participates in the Homa Devas, who are immensely satisfied wherever bhojana (food) is offered to Brahmins
People who are consigned to hell, and cannot have opportunity for satisfaction other than through pinda pradana and vikiranna, which are offered during a Sraaddha
Persons aspiring for pitruloka and unable to attain it
Other pitrus who are unknown to the Karta
This Pratyabdhika sraaddha, annual ceremony, is great and very powerful. We should develop the faith that pitrus are with us, they can be contacted and we can communicate with them. They are an anga (section) of Devas and can bless us like Devas. Pitrus are gentle persons who can only do good, and who in fact want to do as much good as they can for people of their Gotra. Satisfaction of the pitrus is said to confer many benefits on the Karta – healthy family, procreation, wealth, wisdom and eminence in life and after-life.
Pitrus’ shaapa (curse)
We must always be conscious of our Dharmika karma, our religious duty. Increasingly we see instances of Sastrigal being denigrated, skipping Sraaddha on some lame excuse etc. Such behaviour amounts to ingratitude and is unpardonable. Cantankerous arguments on the irrelevance of karmas like Sraaddha in this day and age are to be avoided, and in any case people putting forth such ideas are not interested in the explanations.
Such persons may want to remember that their behaviour can invoke pitru shaapa or the curse of pitrus. The Sastras say that pitrus may not even utter a curse – they only have to heave a sigh of petulance or unhappiness, and that can have the impact of a curse.
Most of the members of this forum are very well informed about the topic mentioned above. I am sure my attempt in this regard is like carrying lignite to Neyveli or carrying Cauvery water to Coorg.
Mahalayapaksha also known as Pitr paksha lasts for 15 days. This year this paksha commences on Sunday the 30 th of September,2012 (pratama thithi or padyami ) and it ends on 15th of October( Amavasy Thithi).
Normally It occurs in Kanyamasam , that is , when the Sun is posited (placed)in the Kanya Rasi(Virgo). This month is also known as Bhadrapada ( In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat calendars) and as Ashwin as per North India Calendar.
According to Tamil Panchangam, Mahalayapaksham commences in 'Avani' month itself and ends during 'Purattasi' month in some years,whereas it generally falls in the month of Purattasi in most of the years. Nevertheless, pitrpaksha precedes SAradA NavarAtri irrespective of the month in which it falls. As the name Pitr Paksha itself indicates, this fortnight is exclusive meant for propiating or worshipping our dead ancestors or manes or pitrs.
Although Mahalaya Amavasya is considered to be the most important and auspicious day for performing Shraddha rituals to dead ancestors, in Southern parts of the country the shraddham is also performed on days when Apabharani, Madhyashtami and Vyatipatam occur during the Mahalaya Paksham. This does not ,necessarily , mean that on other Thitis. Shraddham should not be performed.
All the 15 days of the Paksham are equally good. Some people observe Shraddham on the same Thithi on which one`s father or mother expired. Incidentally, Sastras have prescribed performance of what is known as Brahmayagnam daily all the 365 days. This consists of Tarpanam for devas, rishis and pitrs. Separate Pitr Tarpanam is required to be performed on all Amavasya Thithis, all Masa sankaramanms (beginning day of the months), all eclipse days
In fact, there are 96 days in a year when one is required to perform Shraddha but it might not be feasible to perform regular Shraddham as prescribed by Sastras including homam , vastradanam(gift of dhoti and angavastram), feeding of Brahmanas, Pindapradaanam etc. etc. (which is observed on the respective Thithi of respective Paksham and respective month in which one`s father and or mother died)on all these 96 occasions.
On most of these occasions only Tilatarpanam (which takes about 15 minutes or so) is done in place of regular Shraddham which lasts for almost 3 hours. On the occasion of Pratyaabdika Shraadham elaborate Sraddham as per scriptural injunctions is required to be performed.
There are contradictory views whether one is required to perform Pratyabdeeka Sraddham and Mahalay Paksha Sraddham after one performs the Gaya Sraddham. We may not enter into discussion on this
here (Note from the Administrator - the answer is a definite yes, it must be continued without fail).
Coming back to Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham, it does not involve doing of homam for Pitrs , Vastradanam and feeding of Brahmanas and Pindapradanam as in case of Pratyaabdika Sraddham. The entire ritual will be over in about half an hour including performance of Tilatarpanam. All the rituals done in honour of pitr devatas, be it annual Shraddham or Pitr Tarpanam are considered as very auspicious rituals.
It is believed that our Pitr devatas attain salvation and bless us with harmony and prosperity, if we perform pitr karmas regularly as prescribed by Sastras. On the other hand, if Pitr karyam is not observed as prescribed in Sastras one incurs the wrath of Pitrs and runs the risk of inviting the curse of Pitrs (Pitr Sapam).
The Mahabharatam says in this regard as follows:- "How can a householder earn money and be gifted with a baby boy if he does not perform Shraddha ceremony during the period when the Sun is in Kanya Rasi (virgo sign), as he would have enraged the deceased ancestor's souls.
Moreover,the abode of the the deceased ancestor`s souls(Pitr loka) remains vacant till the Sun moves from Virgo(Kanya) to Libra (Tula)sign) whereby the Pitrs come closer to the descendents for blessing them and if Shraddha is not performed, they give curse to their descendents and return.
In the light of the above, performing Shraddham during Mahalaya Paksham is a Must. Sraddham done during Pitr Paksha on the day on which Mahabharani Nakshatra occurs is also considered as propitious to the Pitr devatas. This is also called Bharani Mahalaya.
Generally, Bharani Nakshatra falls either on Chathurthi or on Panchami during Mahalaya Paksham. It is not mandatory that Mahalayapaksha Sraddham should be done ONLY on Bharani Nakshatra day . If this were mandatory, all Brahmanas will find that it is difficult to perform on that day, since adequate number of *veda BrAhmana-s *for officiating in *srAddha *are not available.
As already stated, when Pitr Paksha Sraddham is performed, it does not call for Vastra danam, Homam, Bhojanam or feeding of the Brahmanas and Pindapradanam etc. Serving of food to Brahmanas is also not mandatory as in the case of a Pratyaabdika Sraddham (Annual Sraddha ceremony).
Food served during annual ceremony will be as per family tradition. For Mahalaya Sraddham, the practice in vogue is to offer uncooked Rice, dal, raw banana and any other traditional vegetable of Indian origin, besides appropriate Dakshina for Mahalayapaksha Sraddham.
This is called Hiranya Sraddham, i.e., Sraddham where Dakshina only is offered and not meals.
If one wants to offer meals to Brahmanas he can do so, provided the Brahmanas have the time and are willing to eat. It goes without saying that the food served should be satvik in nature. Items like garlick, onion etc, should never be used in food served to Brahmins.
In USA,of course, the Purohits/archakas are paid employees of temples. The temple website gives a list of articles to be brought by a Grihasta to the temple for performing Hiranya Sraddham. That list includes milk, curd,ghee, tamarind, 3 types of vegetables, 3 types of fruits etc. etc.These are offered to the priest as a part of the Sraddha ritual.
Generally we observe the usage of Dharbha in rituals,particularly, while performing any homa/yagna/havan or Pitr karyam. It is said that without this there is no sanctity in the rituals performed. Brahmins always keep some stock of Dharbha grass in their houses.
It is used for purification in all kinds of ceremonies. Dharbha is also known as Kusa in Samskrit language and it is related to Kusala, meaning sharp in the sense of keen intelligence(because of the sharp tips of the grass).
In the Puranas it is said that the Kusa grass was formed when the hairs on the Kurma Avatar of Mahavishnu got loosened during the churning of the ocean and got washed away to the shore of the ocean to form Kusa grass. Since some drops of nectar (Amrita) fell on the grass, it is sanctified and has acquired healing properties.
That is why, in the formal hair-cutting ritual of boys(choula samskaram), the hair is touched with Dharbha grass before hair is cut.
Dharbha grass is identified with Lord Vishnu and is believed to possess the power to purify anything. Dharbha Grass is used either as (1) long
Dharbha Grass(approx.18to24 inchesin length) after cuttingabout 6 to 8 inches of the thicker portion of the gras or as (2) Thick Dharbha Grass(about6 to8inches in length) known as kattadharbha and for Both Pavitram which is worn on right ring finger and Koorcham on which Pitrs are invoked during Tarpanam and Shraddham.
Tradition holds that wearing of Pavitram is a prerequisite for many rituals to make one pure during that ritual. Even if I have omitted to state this earlier, and even if it amounts to repetition,I would like to sate here that Dharbha Grass(Kusa Grass), black sesame seed(til seeds), water, Tulsi leaves, Pavitram and Koorcham are invariable pre-requisites for performing Mahalayapaksha Sraddham.
Pinda Pradanam is not prescribed for Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham. It is done at the end of Annual ceremony(Pratyabdika Sraddham) and Gaya Sraddham and Sraddham performed at other holy places like Varanasi,Tryambakeswar etc. etc.
The next question is "How Many Generations to be invoked?" During Amavasya and other Tarpanams and during annual ceremonies (Pratyaabdika Sraddham) only three generations are invoked.
It is mandatory to offer Pinda and water with sesame seed(black til) to dead ancestors of one`s parents,grandparents and great grand parents. Where only father is alive, annual Sraddham alone for mother will be performed. Where father is not alive, in addition to annual Sraddham, monthly Amavasya and other Tarpanams are also needed to be performed.
In other words, the rituals are meant only for the deceased persons and not for the persons who are alive. During Mahalaya Paksha Sraddham only,apart from one`s kith and kin, we should perform Tarpanam for our Guru, Priest(Purohit), friend or to any other person whom one has come across in life and from whom he or she has received help.
That is to say, this ritual is in the nature of 'annual Thanksgiving' to ancestors and to all who helped us in one way or other. It is a sort of repayment of the debt of gratitude we owe them. These are termed as Karunika Pitrs.
In the sankalpam with which we start the ritual after wearing Pavitram, we mention sakarunika vargadvaya pitaram uddisya (meaning that this Sraddham is meant for the benefit of pitrs on both father`s and mother`s
side as well as all pitrs known to us for whom either there is none performing Shraddha or who died without issues).
Some people offer Tarpanam for all known relatives eg., sister`s husband,father-in-law, mother-in-law, father`s or mothers brothers and sisters and their wifes or husbands, as the case may be etc. etc.
When we do not know the Gothram of any dead relative, it is customary to add Shiva Gothrasya or Shiva Gothrayah depending upon whether one is male or female.
Let us recapitulate what we have seen in the postings made so far on this subject and also see a few more points:
1. Performing SrAddham during this *Paksham *is a must. For those who are not in the habit of performing *pratyAbdika SrAddham, *at least *ShrAddham *during *Pitr paksham *must be performed. * *If not feasible to perform with homam and feeding of brahmanas according to *pArvana VidhAnam, MahAlaya SrAddham * should be performed at least as *hiranya srAddham.
2.*Throught the *Paksham, daily Tarpanam must be done, *failing which one renders himself liable for *Pitr sApam.
3.*If SrAdham is performed on either one of *MahAbhrani, MadhyAshtami and VyatIpAtam* it is meritorious. One gets the benefit of performing srAdham at Gaya. Performing *SrAddha *on *chaturdasi, *is believed to be beneficial for only those who met with unnatural death.
4. Only during MahAlayapaksham, tarpanam is performed for *kArunya pitrs. *Now, who all can be called as *kArunya pitr? *Father`s elder and younger brother, one`s elder brother, younger brother, father`s sisters, maternal uncles, mother`s elder and younger sisters, their sons, one`s deceased wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, father`s sister`s husband, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, guru, teacher, master and friend are all eligible for Tarpanam.
5.If one performs SrAdham during the paksham as a *hiranya srAdham *in one year,* *there is no bar for him to perform full-fleged srAdham(*PArvana vidhAna) during MahAlaya paksham *of subsequent years.
6.SrAdham should be performed with *shraddhA*. When the *pitr*s are pleased they bless the *karta *with progeny, wealth, *vamsavridhi, *good health, knowledge, liberation etc. Those who do not perform mahAlaya srAddham will get adverse effects. Curse(*sApam)* is a weapon in the hands of the pitr-s. One should strive for blessings from pitrs and should not render themselves eligible for curse from pitrs.
Mahalaya Paksha:
Mahalaya paksha, which is also known as 'pitru paksha' is very great and one should not think of skipping it on any count. It is said in Sastras that this paskha has immense values and gives satisfaction to the pitrus. During the paksha the souls of the pitrus will descend to earth in the form of spirits and will be present around their current biological descendants to see and bless them. Hence nitya tarpana is highly recommended if possible.
This Nandana year, the Mahalaya Paksha starts from Sept 30, 2012.
How to observe?
But, of course, Mahaalaya paksha has some lenience and alternatives, unlike Pratyabdhika sraaddha. No dosham will occur if one opts for some permitted alternatives here. No one need to worry on this count. Paarvana Vidhanam, ie with Homam, is not mandatory here; and it is also observed in parts of our Tamilnadu like North Arcot some people perform only tarpanam, not even hiranya, in this Paksha; it is their desacharam.
Hiranya Sraaddha (without homam):
In general, I recommend doing this Mahalayam as hiranya rupam with five (or six as the case may be) Brahmanaas which involves the following:
Mandatory:
1. Offering Rice, Dhal and Plantain (Banana)
2. Offering Thulasi, Chandanam etc
3. Offering Sambhavanai
Optional:
1. Vastram
2. Bhojanam
At the end of this Hiranya Rupa Sraaddha, there will be a mandatory tarpanam also.
Nitya tarpanam:
Of course, to whomever it is possible and convenient, they can do nitya tarpanam during all the days of this pitru paksha in addition to observing one hiranya sraaddha on any convenient day. Here I may point out that though Paksha means only 15 days, this year Mahalaya Paksha has 16 days. Here again for those who wish to observe nitya tarpanam, they should perform it for 17 days in total. Those who wish to to this nitya tarpanam, better consult their vadhyar for exact procedures and sankalpams. Of course they can consult me also in person-not through net or email.
Karunika pitrus:
This Hiranya rupa Sraaddha also has tarpanam as part of it in which one can offer tarpanam for Karunika pitrus also in addition to his own pitrus. Karunika pitrus means, one can do tarpanam not necessarily for his own pitrus alone. Only in this paksha, one can do tarpanam for other persons like Younger brother of father, Elder brother of father, their wives, Brothers (both younger and elder), sons, father's sister, sisters, their sons, wife, in-laws, sister's husband, daughter-in-law, Guru, Boss (yajamaanan), friends etc.
Observing deeksha:
Whatever may be the format one chooses, he has to observe the niyamas/deeksha prescribed throughout the Paksha. Then what it is meant by deeksha? The karta should be in control of himself during the paksha. Control implies eating only at home, and not eating outside except at a brother's place or in his maternal uncle's or in-law' place. Shaving, having an oil-bath and conjugation are to be avoided.
Annarupa Sraaddha (Parvana vidhanam) - at least once.
This Annarupa Sraaddha, though involves a lot of preparations, elaborate procedures and monetary aspects, is highly recommended. One can think of performing it at least once in a life time during this Mahalaya Paksha. Your Vadhyar would able to guide you in this.
Saaddha on which day?
During the Mahalaya paksha one can perform the sraaddha on any convenient day, not necessarily on the day of the so called his father's thidhi. Of course if the date of the Pratyabdhika Sraaddha falls in this
Paksha, it is quite possible for some, then they have to perform the Mahalaya sraaddha only after the annual sraaddha, not earlier.
Any particular days:
However, some days are special and more powerful for performing sraaddha during this fortnight. Those days are Maha Bharani, Gajachaaya (thrayodasi), Madhyashtami. In addition to these, Vyatheepadham and Dwadasi days are also considered great.
Any particular day NOT recommended?
Yes. On the day of Chathurdasi thidhi, sraaddha is performed only for those who had dur-maranam. Hence all others to avoid doing Sraaddha on this day.
All sons together.
Though nothing prevents sons joining together on this day. However it is considered better if the sons of a deceased father are living apart, each son has to perform individually.
A suggestion:
On a personal note, I may suggest that for whomever it is convenient and affordable they can have Brahmana Bhojanam arranged as part of hiranya sraaddha. This can be carried out on any convenient day during this pitru paksha.
via Bhaskaran Sivaraman.
