Thaprapana Manthras-Iyengars

   Tharpana Manthras for Iyengars

            Compiled by

        P.R.Ramachander

        Introduction to  Tharpanam (Oblations to the manes)

  Tharpanam means “That offering which satisfies”. But what we mean by the word Tharpanam is the offering of water mixed with gingelly to the manes.(dead ancestors).Though we have several ancestors, this offering is addressed to three generations of father, grand father and great grand father along with their wives  in our family and maternal grand father, his father and grand father along with their wives in our mothers birth family. Only those whose father is dead are eligible to do Tharpanam. If maternal grand father is alive Tharpanam should not be done for his family but restricted to our family.

    All the manes are supposed by our religion to live in the Pithru loka for some time and either be reborn as any being or go to lokas like deva loka, Vaikunta etc or even attain salvation by getting mixed with god. The pithru loka is populated by three group of pithru devas viz, Vasu, Rudra and Adhithya. These devas receive our oblations and make it reach to our manes wherever they are  and in whichever form they are. The pithru loka is supposed to be on the unseen side of the moon. This portion gets exposed to sun on the new moon days. It is according to our concept lunch time for the people populating the pithru loka. These pithrus, since they have left the world are solely dependent on only their progeny to feed them. This feeding is done through Tharpanam. It is believed that if Tharpanam is not done out Pithru devas will curse us so that we may not have male descendents to offer tharpanam to us.

  There are several type of tharpanams: -

1.Gunda tharpanam- the tharpanam which is done in the first ten days of death.

2.Brahma yagna tharpanam-This is the oblation supposed to be done daily to the devas, rishis and pithrus.

3.Parheni tharpanam- this is the tharpanam which is supposed to be done on the next day after annual sraddha .This at present is being done after sraddha on the same day , because the priest does not have time to come the next day. Here the tharpanam is offered only to ones pithru varga (paternal side)

4 The regular tharpanam which is supposed to be done on all amavasyas. Four Month beginnings viz mesha, karkidaga, thula and makara and  eclipses.Our books have asked us to perform tharpanam on 96 days in a year but this is not being done nowadays.

   Several acharyas have codified the method of tharpanam. Some of them are Apasthabha, Bodhayana, Drahyayana What is given below is the manthras and method of the Apasthabha sutra.of Yajur veda. There is slight differences in the sankalpam among Iyers and Iyengars.The version followed by both groups of Sri Vaishnavas viz Thenkalai and Vadakalai are given here.It is understood that the tharpanam for rik vedis is almost similar but that for Sama Vedis is different. There is also differences brought about by local practice and family tradition. People are advised to follow their traditions strictly. They have precedence over what is written down here. For example in many families tharpanam is done without wearing Thiruman but there are certain families who do tharpanam wearing it. Some people do avahanams of Pithrus on two koorchas. Some on one koorcha and some on spread durbhas..

There are several rules regarding tharpanam though many of them are not being followed by most of the people.. They are:-

1.On the day of Tharpanam, till tharpanam is completed we are not supposed to drink/eat anything.

2.On the day of tharpanam, the daily rituals like Sandhya vandhana have to be first performed. Then before tharpanam one more bath has to be taken.

3.Wet cloth should not be worn during tharpanam nor is it right to wear cloth which was washed a day before and dried. The cloth has to be made wet the same day and dried. Pure white silk cloth can also be worn, but wearing this silk cloth you should not have eaten any food. If wet cloth is not dry, it should be  seven times shaken dry in wind before wearing it.

4.Except the tharpanam during eclipse all other tharpanams are to be done after 12 noon. Considering the difficulty, our law givers have agreed that it can be done after 8.30 AM.

5.As mentioned earlier nothing should be eaten or drunk before performance of Tharpanam.

6.Oblations should be done with hand full of water and not drops or spoon full of water.

7.The water should be poured out using the space between the thumb and the four fingers.

8.Every time a pinch of black til has to be taken. Care should be taken not to take it using the thumb and the index finger.

9.Pithru tharpanam should always be done with poonal hanging from the right shoulder to the left side of the body.

10.The pavithram for pithru tharpanam should be made out of three durbha and the koorcham should be made of  7 or 9 durbhas.

11.We should preferably sit on seat made of durbha(durbhasanam) while doing tharpanam  and in its absence put few durbhas on the place we are going to sit,

12.Silver vessels are prescribed for used during tharpanam. If not available copper vessels can be used. Under no circumstance should steel or other metal vessels are to be used.

 13.Tharpanam should be done facing east or south. It is believed that it either should be done in our homes or in public holy places like shore of the river, sea active you happen to do it in the place belonging to some one else. We are supposed to compensate the owner of the property.

14.If Amavasya and the first of the month in which tharpanam has to be performed comes on the same day, then tharpanam for the sankramanam(first of the month) should be done.

.                                                Tharpanam*

1.Perform  Achamanam

   Take minute quantities of water(just sufficient to soak one grain of black gram) three times in the right hand and take it with the following manthra.

1.Om Achyuthaya nama  2,Om Ananthaya nama 3.Om Govindaya nama

Then

Touch with thumb both cheeks saying kesava -Narayana

Touch with ring finger both eyes saying Madhava –govinda

Touch with the first finger both sides of nose saying  Vishno-Madhusoodana

Touch with little finger both ears saying  Trivikrama-Vamana

Touch  with the middle finger both shoulders  saying  Sreedhara-Hrishi kesa

Touch with all fingers the belly button saying Padmanabha

Touch with all fingers the head saying  Damodara

A:For Sri Vaaishnavas of Vada Kalai

    

2.Do Pranayamam.

Hold both Nostrils with Thumb and the little and third finger of the hands and recite the following Manthra:-

Om Bhoo

Om Bhuva

Ogum Suva

Om Maha

Om Jana

Om Thapa

Ogum Sathyam

 Om Tatsa vithur varenyam  Bargo devasya dhi mahi  dhiyo yona prachodayath

Om Apa

Jyothj rasa

Amrutham brahma

Bhoorbuvasuvarom

Touch the ears three times saying

Om, Om , Om

3. And then chant the following manthras:-

1.Srimad venkata nadarya kavi kargika kesari

   Vedanthacharya varyo me sanni datham sada hruthi

2.Gurubhya  tad gurubyascha  namo vaga  made mahe,

   Vruni mahe  cha tatrath  you dampathi jagatham pathi

3.Swasesha bhoodeth  mayaa  sweeyai sarva parichadai,

   Vidahthum  preethamath manam deva prakramade swayam

 4.Shuklam baradaram vishnum sasi varnam chadur bhjam

    Prasanna vadanam dyayeth  sarva vigno upa santhaye

  5.Yasyad  viratha vakthradhya parishadya para satham,

     Vignam nignanthi vishvaksenam tham asraye.

B:For Sri Vaishnavas of Then Kalai

Do Pranayamam.

Hold both Nostrils with Thumb and the little and third finger of the hands and recite the following Manthra:-

Om Bhoo

Om Bhuva

Ogum Suva

Om Maha

Om Jana

Om Thapa

Ogum Sathyam

 Om Tatsa vithur varenyam  Bargo devasya dhi mahi  dhiyo yona prachodayath

Om Apa

Jyothj rasa

Amrutham brahma

Bhoorbuvasuvarom

Touch the ears three times saying

Om, Om , Om

3. Then Chant the following manthras:-

1.Shuklam baradaram vishnum sasi varnam chadur bhjam

    Prasanna vadanam dyayeth  sarva vigno upa santhaye

2..Yasyad  viratha vakthradhya parishadya para satham,

     Vignam nignanthi vishvaksenam tham asraye

WHAT FOLLOWS IS COMMON TO  THENKALAI AND VADAKALAI.

  

Adya Sri  Bhagavatha maha purushasya  Vishnor Agnaya  pravarthamanasya  Adhya Brahmana  Dweethiya parardhe  Swetha  Varaha kalpe  Vaivaswatha manvanthare  ashta vimsathi thame  kali yuge  prathame padhe ,jambu dweepe , Bharatha varshe,  Bharatha Khande , Mero Dakshine Parswe , Sakabdhe  asmin varthamane  vyvaharike Prabhavadeenam sashtya  samvatsaranam madhye  (name of the year) *                   Nama samvatsare  , (dakshina./uttara               ayane, (name of the season)   rithou, (name of the month in Sanskrit) mase,  (Krishna/shukla)              pakshe   ,   Adhya  (Name of the thidhi-moon phase)  Punya thithou (name of the day in Sanskrit)vasra yukthayam  (name of the star in Sanskrit) nakshatra yukthayam      Shubha yoga –Shubha karana,  Evam guna viseshana visishtayam  asyam  (Name of the thidhi)     Punya thithou,

                 ( Change the position of poonal from left shoulder to right shoulder(LEFT MODE))

(Your Gothram)     Gothranam (Names of father, grand father, great grand father)**                                                                                    Sarmanam,  Vasu-Rudra-adithya swaroopanam  asmad Pithru –Pithamaha-Pithru Pithamahanam , (your Gothram)  Gothraa (Names of mother. Grand mother, great grand mother[1] )  Namnee , Vasu-Rudra-Adithya swaroopa  Asmad Mathru[2]-pithamahi-Prapithamahischa, (Your maternal grand father’s gothram)  gothraanam  (names of maternal grand father, his father and his grand father)                                            Sarmanam vasu –rudra -adithya swaroopanam  asmad mathamaha, mathru pithamaha, mathru prapithamahanam, (Your maternal grand father’s gothram)     gothraa   (Names of maternal  grand mother, maternal great grand mother, Grand mother of  maternal grand father)   Namnee  , vasu-rudra –adithya swaroopa  asmad  mathamahi[3]-mathru pithamahi, mathru prapithamahinam  Ubhaya vamsa pithrunaam akshayya thripthyartham    amavasya[4]   punya kale    Thila tharpanam karishye.

    (throw away the Durbha (only) held round the fingers along with Pavithram. Change position of poonal to the left shoulder(usual mode), touch water with finger, change position of poonal  to right shoulder(left mode))

                              

        Arrangement of Koorcham[5]

                                                    East

                                                                                 Pithru Varga Koorcham

North                                                                                                                           South

                                                                                  Mathamaha varga koorcham

                                                  Durbha         Durbha

                                                     West

5.Avahanam for pithru varga(Fathers side)[6]

      Wear the poonal in the left mode , take little ellu(black gingelly) and along with water keep on the Koorcha meant for Pithru varga while chanting the following manthras:-

1.Aayatha pithara  somya  gambhirai  padhibhi  poorvai  prajamasmabhyam dadhatho rayim cha deergayuthwam  cha satha saaradam cha.

2.Om bhorbuvaswarom

3,Asmin koorche  (Your Gothra)  gothran   (Father’s, grand father’s and great grand father’s name) sarmana  vasu Rudra adithya swaroopan  asmad pithru-pithamaha-pithrupithamahaan (Your Gothra) gothraa  (Names of mother, grand mother, great grand mother1)    namnee  vasu Rudra adithya swaroopa  asmad mathru[7], pithamahi-pithrupithamahischa  dyayami avahayami.

6.Asanam for pithru vargam

     Chanting the manthra below place gingelly on the koorcha

1.Sakrudacchinnam barhirurnna mrudhu,

Syonam pithrubhyasthwa baramyaham

Asmin taseedanthu me pithara somyaa,

Pithamahaa prapithamahaaschaanugai saha.

2.Pithru-pithamaha,pithru pithamahanam mathru[8] –pithamahi –prapithamahinaam  cha idam asanam , thiladhi sakalaradhanai swarchidham

7.Avahanam for mathamaha varga(maternal grand fathers side)

Wearing  the poonal in the left mode , take little ellu(black gingelly) and along with water keep on the Koorcha meant for mathru varga while chanting the following manthras:-

1.Aayatha mathu pithara  somya  gambhirai  padhibhi  poorvai  prajamasmabhyam dadhatho rayim cha deergayathwam  cha satha saaradam cha.

2.Om bhorbuvaswarom

3,Asmin koorche (Maternal grand father’s gothra)  gothran (Names of maternal grand father, maternal great grand father and grand father of maternal grand father)                         sarmana  vasu Rudra adithya swaroopan  asmad mathamaha-mathru pithamaha-mathru prapithamaha (maternal grand father’s gothra)  gothraa  (Names of maternal grand mother, maternal great grand mother, grand mother of maternal grand father)                        namnee  vasu Rudra adithya swaroopa  asmad mathamahi[9]-mathru pithamahi-mathru prapithamahischa dyayami avahayami.

8.Asanam for mathru vargam

     Chanting the manthra below place gingelly on the mathru varga koorcha

1.Sakrudacchinnam barhirurnna mrudhu,

Syonam pithrubhyasthwa baramyaham

Asmin taseedanthu me pithara somyaa,

Pithamahaa prapithamahaaschaanugai saha.

2.Mathamaha-mathru pithamaha-mathru prapitha mahaanaam, Mathamahi-mathru pithamahi-mathru prapithamahischa idam asanam , thiladhi sakalaradhanai swarchidham

9.Pithru varga tharpanam

Offer tharpanam with hand full of  water mixed with black ellu on the koorcham for Pithru vargam after each manthra

a.       Pithru tharpanam(Oblation to father)

1.Udheerathamvara uthparasa,

Unmadhyama  pithara somyasa

Asum ya eeyuravyaka ruthagna

Sthene avanthu  pitharo  harveshu,

   (Your gothram) Gothran  (Father’s name)                    ,

Sarmana vasu roopan  mama pithrun swadha namastharpayami.

2.Angeeraso  na pitharo navagwa,

Adharvano byagava somyaasa,

Thesham vayugum  sumathou  yagniyanaa mapi

Badre  soumanase syama

 (Your gothram) Gothraan  (Father’s name)                            ,

Sarmana  vasu roopan mama pithrun swadha namas tharpayami.

3.Aa yaanthu na pithara somyaso agni

shwatha[10]  prathibhir deva yanai

asmin yagne swadhaya maadhayanthwadhi  bruvantha[11]  they avanthasman,

(Your Gothram) gothraan  (Fathers name)                          ,

sarmana vasu roopan mama pithrun swadha namas tharpayami.

b.Pithamaha tharpanam (oblation to grand father)

 1.Oorjam vahanthiramrutham  grutham paya keelalam

Parisrutham swadha sdha tharpatatha me pithroon ,

  (your gothram)  Gothraan  (Grand fathers name)                                   ,

Sarmana  Rudra roopan mama pithaamahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

2.Pithrubhya swaadhavibhya swadha nama

pithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha nama

Prapithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha nama

  (Your gothram) Gothraan  (Grand father’s name)                          ,

Sarmana Rudra roopan mama pitha mahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

3.Ye cheha pitharo ye cha neha,

Yagscha vidmayagm u cha na pravidma,

Agne thaan veththa yadi the jathaveda

Sthaya praththagm swadhaya madanthu

(Your gothram) Gothraan   (Grand father’s name)                           ‘

Sarmana  rudra roopan mama pithamahaan swadha namastharpayami

c.Prapithamaha tharpanam(oblations to great grand father)

a.Madhu vaathaa ruthaayathe  madhu ksharanthi sindhava

maadweer na santhwashadhi

  (Your Gothram) Gothraan  (Great grand father’s name)                                       ,

Sarmana  adithya roopaan mama prapithamahan  swadha namas tharpayami.

b.Madhu nakthamuthoshasi madu math parthivagam

raja madhu dhourasthu na pitha

  (Your gothram)   Gothraan   (great grand father’s name)                                  ,

Sarmana adithya roopan mama prapithamahaan swadha namas tharpayami

c.Madhumanno vanaspathir madhu magma asthu soorya,

Maadweer gavo bavanthu na

 (Your gothra) Gothraan   (great grand father’s name)                                   ,

Sarmana adhithya roopan mama prapithamahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

d.Mathru tharpanam[12](Oblations to mother)

 1.  (Your gothra)   Gothraa (mother’s name)                      

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami

  

2..  (Your Gothra) Gothraa   (Mother’s name)                    

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami

3. (Your Gothra)  (Gothraa   (Mother’s name)                    

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami

e.Pithamahi tharpanam[13](oblations to paternal grand mother)

1.(Your Gothra) Gothraa (Grand mother’s name)                     

Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

2. . (Your Gothra) Gothraa (Grand mother’s name)                      

Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

3. (Your gothra) Gothraa  (Grand mother’s name)                     

Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

f.Prapithamahi tharpanam[14](Oblations to paternal great grand mother)

1. (Your Gothra).  Gothraa   (Great grand mother’s name)                    

Namnee adithya  roopa mama prapithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

2. .(Your Gothra) Gothraa   (Great Grand mother’s name)                    

Namnee adithya  roopa mama prapithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

3. .(Your Gothra) Gothraa   (Great Grand mother’s name)                    

Namnee adithya  roopa mama prapithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

10.jnaatha jnatha  pithru varge tharpanam Oblation to unknown manes of paternal sides)

a.Jnaatha jnatha pithroon swadha namas tharpayami

b. Jnaatha jnatha pithroon swadha namas tharpayami

c. Jnaatha jnatha pithroon swadha namas tharpayami

        Oorjam vahantheeramrutham grutham paya keelalam parisrutham swadha  stha tharpayatha me pithroon trupyatha thrupyatha thrupyatha.

11.Mathamaha varga tharpanam (oblations to ancestors of maternal grand father)

   

Offer tharpanam with hand full of  water mixed with black ellu on the koorcham for Pithru vargam after each manthra

a.Matha maha  tharpanam(Oblation to maternal grand father)

1.Udheerathamvara uthparasa,

Unmadhyama  pithara somyasa

Asum ya eeyuravyaka ruthagna

Sthene avanthu  pitharo  harveshu

(Maternal grand father’s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father’s name)                   ,

Sarmana vasu roopan  mama matha mahaan swadha namastharpayami.

2.Angeeraso  na pitharo navagwa,

Adharvano byagava somyaasa,

Thesham vayugum  sumathou  yagniyanaa mapi

Badre  soumanase syama

(Maternal grand father’s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father’s name)                                                                     

Sarmana  vasu roopan mama matha mahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

3.Aa yaanthu na pithara somyaso agni

shwatha  prathibhir deva yanai

asmin yagne swadhaya madhayanthwadhi  bruvantha  the avanthasman,

 (Maternal grand father’s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father’s name)                                                                         ,sarmana vasu roopan mama matha mahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

b.Mathru pitha maha tharpanam (oblation to grand father of mother)

 1.Oorjam vahanthiramrutham  grutham paya keelalam

Parisrutham swadha sdha tharpayatha me pithroon ,

 (Maternal grand father’s Gothra) gothran (Maternal great grand father’s name)                                                                           

Sarmana  Rudra roopan mama mathu pithaamahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

2.Pithrubhya swaadhavibhya swadha nama

pithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha nama

Prapithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha nama

(Maternal grand father’s Gothra) gothran (Maternal great grand father’s name)                                                                              

Sarmana Rudra roopan mama mathu pitha mahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

3.Ye cheha pitharo ye cha neha,

Yagscha vidmayagm u cha na pravidma,

Agne thaan veththa yadi the jathaveda

Sthaya praththagm swadhaya madanthu

(Maternal grand father’s Gothra) gothran (Maternal great grand father’s name)                                               

Sarmana  rudra roopan mama mathu pithamahaan swadha namastharpayami

c.Mathu Prapithamaha tharpanam(oblations to great grand father of mother)

1.Madhu vaathaa ruthaayathe  madhu ksharanthi sindhava

maadweer na santhwashadhi

(Maternal grand father’s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father’s grand father’sname)                                                                                       

Sarmana  adithya roopaan mama mathu prapithamahan  swadha namas tharpayami.

2.Madhu nakthamuthoshasi madu math parthivagam

raja madhu dhourasthu na pitha

(Maternal grand father’s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father’s grand father’sname)                                                                                                                                          

Sarmana adithya roopan mama mathu prapithamahaan swadha namas tharpayami

3.Madhumanno vanaspathir madhu magma asthu soorya,

Maadweer gavo bavanthu na

 (Maternal grand father’s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father’s grand father’sname)                                                                                                                                                      

Sarmana adhithya roopan mama mathu prapithamahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

d.Mathamahi tharpanam[15](Oblations to maternal grand mother)

1.(Maternal grand father’s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother’s name)                     

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathamahi swadha namastharpayami

  

2. .(Maternal grand father’s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother’s name)                                                        

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathamahi swadha namastharpayami

3. .(Maternal grand father’s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother’s name)                                                                 

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathamahi swadha namastharpayami

e.Mathru Pithamahi tharpanam[16](Oblations to grand mother of mother)

1.(Maternal grand father’s gothra) gothraa (Maternal great grand mother’s name)                                                       

Namnee Rudra roopa mama mathu pithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

2. .(Maternal grand father’s gothra) gothraa (Maternal great grand mother’s name)                      

Namnee Rudra roopa mama mathu pithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

3. .(Maternal grand father’s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother’s name)                      

Namnee Rudra roopa mama mathu pithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

f. Mathu Prapithamahi tharpanam[17](Oblations to great grand mother of mother)

1. .(Maternal grand father’s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand father’s grand mother’s name)                     

Namnee adithya  roopa mama mathu prapithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

2. .(Maternal grand father’s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand father’s grand mother’s name)                      . .                                     

Namnee adithya  roopa mama mathu prapithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

3. .(Maternal grand father’s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand father’s grand mother’s name)                      . .                                           

Namnee adithya  roopa mama mathu prapithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

12.jnaatha jnatha  matha maha varga tharpanam (Oblation to unknown manes of  maternal grand father side)

a.Jnaatha jnatha mathu pithroon swadha namas tharpayami

b. Jnaatha jnatha mathu pithroon swadha namas tharpayami

c. Jnaatha jnatha mathu pithroon swadha namas tharpayami

        Oorjam vahantheeramratham grutham paya keelalam parisrutham swadha  stha tharpayatha me mathu pithroon trupyatha thrupyatha thrupyatha.

13.pradhakshinam

 Change poonal to usual pattern from left shoulder

(Chant and rotate in the same place clock wise)

Devathabhya pithrubhyascha maha yogibhya  eva cha

Nama swaadhai swaahayai  nithyameva namo nama.

Some versions ask us to chant  this Manthra for Pradakshinam

Namo va pitharo rasaya ,

Namo va pithara sushmaya,

Namo va pitharo jeevaya,

Namo  va pitharo swadhayai.

Namo va pitharo manyave,

Namo va pitharo ghoraya,

Pitharo namo vo ya ethasmin lokestha,

Yushmagusthe nuye asmin  loke,

Manthenu ya ethasmin lokesya,

Yuyyanthesham vasishta bhooyastha,

Asmin loke  ahanthesham vasishto bhooyasam.

14.Namaskaram (salutations)

Change poonal to the left side pattern from right shoulder

Recite with folded hands

Pithru-Pithamaha-Prapthamahebhyo nama

Mathru –pitha mahi –prapithamahebhyo nama[18]

Mathamaha -mathru pithamaha-mathru prapithamahebhyo nama.

Mathamahi-Mathu pithamahi=mathu prapathamaheebhyo nama.[19]

Some versions ask us to chant  this Manthra for Namaskaram

Uthishtatha pithara pretha soora yamasya  pantha ma na vetha puranam,

Dathadhaasmasu dravinam yachcha badhra prano bruthad bhagha dhan devatha.

Change Poonal to usual mode from left shoulder

Recite with folded hands

Devathhabhya pithrubhyascha maha yogibhya  eva cha

Nama swaadhayai swahaayai nithya meva namo nama.

15.Udwasanam [20]

Change Poonal to left mode i.e from right shoulder

1.Aayatha pithara  somya  gambhirai  pradhibhi  poorvai  prajamasmabhyam dadhatho rayim cha deergayathwam  cha satha saaradam cha.

2.Om bhorbuvaswarom

3,Asmad koorchat  (Your gothram) gothran (Names of father, grand father, great grand father)  sarmana  vasu Rudra adithya swaroopan  asmad pithru-pithamaha-pithrupithamahaan  (Your gothram)  gothraa (Names of mother, grand mother and great grand mother) namnee  vasu Rudra adithya swaroopa  asmad mathru[21], pithamahi-pithrupithamahischa  yada sthanam  prathishtapayami.Shobhanarthe kshemaya punaragamanaya cha.

4.Aayatha  mathu pithara  somya  gambhirai  pradhibhi  poorvai  prajamasmabhyam dadhatho rayim cha deergayathwam  cha satha saaradam cha.

5.Om bhorbuvaswarom

6,Asmin koorche(maternal grand father’s gothra)  gothran  (Names of maternal grand father, maternal great grand father and his father) sarmana  vasu Rudra adithya swaroopan  asmad mathamaha-mathru pithamaha-mathru prapithamaha  (Maternal grand father’s gothra) gothraa (Names of maternal grand mother, maternal great grand mother, grand mother of maternal grand father) namnee  vasu Rudra adithya swaroopa  asmad mathamahi[22]-mathru pithamahi-mathru prapithamahischa yadasthanam prathishtapayami. Shobanarthe  kshemaaya punaragamanaya  cha

16.Sarva Tharpanam  (General oblations)

   Change poonal to left shoulder (usual) , remove Pavithram, keep it in the ear, do Aachamanam, Wear the Pavithram, change poonal to right shoulder,Untie the Koorchs , Take them in hand and along with water and gingelly do a single Tharpanam chanting

  Yesham na matha na pitha na bandhu  na anya gothreena the sarve trupthimayanthu  mayoth srushtai kusodhakai[23]

   Trupyatha, Trupyatha, Trupyatha

 

Remove pavithram  , untie and throw it away, change poonal to right shoulder and touch the water.

!7.Brahmarpanam

    Offer  a hand full of water chanting.

        Om Tat sat Brahmarpanamasthu

Do Aachamanam.

                   Summary meaning in English of various manthras used in tharpanam

1.Aachamanam

       This is a preliminary purification ceremony. Gods Achutha, Anantha and Govinda are saluted and then the self is purified by chanting the twelve names of Vishnu.

2.Dhyanam(Vadagalai)

     This is a prayer to the God Ganapathi who is supposed to remove all obstacles on our way in performance of any rite, in this case, “Tharpanam”

1.I keep always in my mind the devotees of the Lord of the venkata mountain as my religious teacher

2.With all my attention I bow before that teacher of teachers who are the first mother and father of this world.

3.I keep my mind on him who lies on the Adhi Sesha  attended by Bhoo devi and Lakshmi

4. I meditate on the dark coloured Vishnu who has four hands and wears white silk and is always gracefully happy.

5.I bow before Vishwaksena so that what I am starting is completed without problems.

2.Dhyanam(Thenkalai)

1. I meditate on the dark coloured Vishnu who has four hands and wears white silk and is always gracefully happy.

2.I bow before Vishwaksena so that what I am starting is completed without problems.

3.Pranayamam

     This manthra is a guide to a breathing exercise as also a prayer. While chanting Om bhoo,Om Bhuva, Ogum Suva, Om Maha, om jana, om thapa, ogum satyam we are supposed to keep the left nostril closed and inhale through the right nostril. While chanting, “Om tat sa vithur varenyam bargo devasya dhee mahi, dhi yo yona prachothayad”, we are supposed to close both nostrils and hold the breath. After this the left nostril is opened and air exhaled till the end of the manthra.

   Hindus believed that that there were six holy worlds above the earth. These along with earth are remembered in the first part. These worlds are bhooloka, bhuvarloka, suvarloka, maharloka, janaloka, thapaloka and satya loka. The second part is the famous Gayathri manthram. It means

“I meditate on that savitha (the sun or the enlightenment within ourselves) which helps us in our though process, that god which is within me and that all engulfing power.”

                                               Or

“ I meditate on the most holy shining aspect of that God, who helps in brightening our thought process.”

Then the third part means “ Om is water, it is the light, it is the earth which gives the food, it is the air which supports life, and it is the ether which is spread all around .It is also the holy seven worlds.”

     By touching the nose the hands are supposed to get polluted and this is removed by touching the ears thrice.

4.Sankalpam

    This is a preliminary rite in every Vedic action. We tell why we are doing what we do and we also tell, what we are going to do every time. In some cases like the tharpanam we also tell when we are doing it and where.

     To attain the grace of God, through destruction of sins committed by me, praying the lord of all worlds,

  1.I pray god Lakshmi pathi and mention below the auspicious hour, day, star, moon phase, my knowledge base and the strength of God and salute the feets of Lord Vishnu.

   2.Whether one is in pure or impure state or whatever state one is in, just by remembering Pundarikaksha that is Lord Vishnu, I get cleaned both outside and inside.

   3.There is no doubt that the sins committed either by mind, or words or by action go away by remembering the names of Lord Rama.Rama. Rama

  4.The moon phase, the day, the star, the yoga and the happenings are all Lord Vishnu and thus the whole world is filled with Lord Vishnu.Govinda, Govinda, Govinda.

  5.In the second ionic division of lord Brahma who acted according to the wishes of the prime God Lord Vishnu, In the great period of the white Varaha, in the extended reign of Vaivasvatha manu, in the 28^th time period which is the first step of Kali yuga,

   At the Indian sub continent of the Indian continent of the great Jambu island, In the south of the Meru mountain, In the year           of the saka timeperiod starting with the year Prabhava, in the                  solstice, in the                       season, in the month of                   

                       In the waning/waxing period of the moon, in the day                     of the moon crescents, in the            day,  in the                  star, in the holy period  which is for good action, which results in good,  and in the period which has many other good properties,     in the day                       of moon crescents, I do oblations with thil(gingelly) and water for destruction of all my sins and for the favour of the god, to    my father  whose name is          who is of the form of vasu, who belongs to the gothra             , to my grand father  whose name is                  who is of the form of Rudra, who belongs to the gothra                         , to my great grand father  whose name is           who is of the form of adithya and who belongs to the gothra        , as also to my mother(grand mother  if she mother is alive) who is of the form of vasu and who belongs to the gothra               and whose name is           , to my grand mother (great grand mother if mother is alive) who is of the form of Rudra who belongs to the gothra           

             And whose name is              , to my great grand mother  (her mother if mother is alive) who is of the form of Adithya and who belongs to the Gothra                     and whose name is                , to my maternal grand father who is of the form of Vasu and who belongs to the gothra                  and whose name is                , to my maternal great grand father  who is of the form of Rudra, who belongs to the gothra               and whose name is                          , to my great grand father of my mother  who is of the form of Adithya              and whose name is                     , to my maternal grand mother who is of the form of vasu, who belongs to the gotra        and whose name is         , to my maternal great grand mother who is of the form of Rudra, who belongs to the gothra               and whose name is              , to my great grand mother of my mother  who is of the form of adithya  who belongs to the gothra               and whose  name is                   .for their perennial satisfaction ,                   

5.Avahanam(For  my fathers side)

1.Hey revered manes, who have observed soma yaga, please travel through the royal  path , and take part in this rite, which has been adopted by your ancestors. And bless me with children wealth and long life,

2.Om is the sound of the holy lands, which are above this earth.

3.I meditate on my father, grandfather, great grandfather whose names are                              

                                   who were belonged to the                         gothra and  whose respective forms are that of Vasu, rudhra and adhithya and my mother, grand mother and great grand mother [24] whose names are                                          who belonged to the           

             gothra and whose respective forms are that of Vasu, Rudhra and Adhithya and request them to occupy this koorcham.

6.Asanam (For my fathers side)

  1.Hey leaves of Durbha plant, I spread thine very soft leaves , which were only cut once here so that my manes can sit on you. Let my father, grandfather, great grandfather who are of the form of the moon sit on you along with their companions.

 2.I give seat to my father, grandfather, great grandfather and my mother, grandmother and great grandmother[25] and worship them with gingelly.

7.Avahanam(For  my maternal grand father’s  side)

1.Hey revered manes, who have observed soma yaga, please travel through the royal  path , and take part in this rite, which has been adopted by your ancestors. And bless me with children wealth and long life,

2.Om is the sound of the holy lands, which are above this earth.

3.I meditate on my maternal grandfather, maternal great grandfather,  grandfather of maternal grandfather whose names are                              

                                   who were belonged to the                         gothra and  whose respective forms are that of Vasu, rudhra and adhithya and my maternal grand mother, maternal great grand mother and  grand mother of  maternal grand father [26] whose names are                                          who belonged to the           

             gothra and whose respective forms are that of Vasu, Rudhra and Adhithya and request them to occupy this koorcham.

8.Asanam (For my maternal grand fathers side)

  1.Hey leaves of Durbha plant, I spread thine very soft leaves , which were only cut once here so that my manes can sit on you. Let my maternal grandfather, maternal great grandfather,  grand father of maternal grandfather who are of the form of the moon sit on you along with their companions.

 2.I give seat to my maternal grand father, maternal great grand father, grand father of my maternal grand father and my maternal grand mother, maternal great grand mother and  grand mother of my maternal grand father[27] and worship them with gingelly.

9.Oblations to paternal ancestors

a. Oblations to father

1.Let all those manes who are in the earth because they did not perform dutiful rites. Those manes who are great because they carried out fire sacrifices and those of average stature because they performed  the rites prescribed to them, receive my oblations and bless me. Let those who do not trouble  and know about the rites that I perform  save me. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my father whose name is                        and who is born in the gothra               and who is the form of vasu.       

2.Our manes who are known  by names such as Angeeras, atharwas, and brugus ,are of very great character and they all have great affection to their descendents. Let them who should be worshipped by doing fire sacrifices be is our mind doing good and bless us. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my father whose name is                        and who is born in the gothra               and who is the form of vasu.

3.Let my manes who have not done fire sacrifices but have reached pithru loka arrive here by the path taken by Gods. Let them get satisfied by this offering of food mixed with water  and let them talk good of us in the other world  and bless us with further and further progress. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my father whose name is                        and who is born in the gothra               and who is the form of vasu.             

b. Oblations to grandfather

1.Hey gods who love  water  , carry suitable food, nectar, ghee, blood and toddy to my manes if by chance  they are born as men, tree, creeper and men of the lower caste and make it suitable food for them  and also become food for them. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my grand father whose name is                        and who is born in the gothra               and who is the form of Rudra.

2.I salute my father, grand father and great grand father who like the food called swadha which is mixed with water and offer them the food which is swadha. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my grand father whose name is                        and who is born in the gothra               and who is the form of  Rudra.

3.Hey God of fire who is all knowing, You know my manes who are present here, who are not present here, those who are known to me  because they departed not long ago, those are not known to me, . Please take this food with water, which I am offering to them and let all my manes become happy. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my grand  father whose name is                        and who is born in the gothra               and who is the form of  Rudra

c. Oblations to great grandfather

  1.Let air do me  (who is offering these oblations) good  and rivers and medicinal plants  give me sweetness  I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my great grand  father whose name is                        and who is born in the gothra               and who is the form of  Adhithya.

2.Let night and day do me good. Let earth give me sweetness and very good quality food. Let the sky , which is like my father not trouble me with no rain or excess rain  and grant me pure pleasure. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my great grand father whose name is                        and who is born in the gothra               and who is the form of  Adhithya.

3.Let trees bless me by giving fruits. Let Sun god give me energy without much hot weather. Let cows give me sweet milk. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my great grand father whose name is                        and who is born in the gothra               and who is the form of  adhitya.

d, e. f. Mother , grandmother , great grandmother[28]

    Three oblations  each are offered without any “riks(prayer chant) to the lady ancestors with the manthra

“I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my mother (grand mother, great grand mother) whose name is                        and who is born in the gothra               and who is the form of vasu.(Rudra for grand mother, Adithya for great grand mother.) “ 

10.Oblations to unknown manes of the father’s side.

   This is offered thrice with the chant.

“I offer this swadha food which is mixed with water to my known and unknown manes of my paternal side.”

Hey gods who love  water  , carry suitable food, nectar, ghee, blood and toddy to my manes if by chance  they are born as men, tree, creeper and men of the lower caste and make it suitable food for them  and also become food for them. Oh manes please get satisfied, please get satisfied and please get satisfied.

  The Tharpanam for the manes of the maternal grandfather side(11 and 12)  is  same as that of paternal side except the manes of the maternal grand fathers side are mentioned so as to avoid repetition this meaning is not given/

13.Pradakshinam

    Salutations to gods, manes and great sages.

    Salutations to food, fire sacrifice daily

The meaning of the alternate manthra:-

Oh manes salutations ,

To your spirit,

Your strength,

Your soul,

Your food, which is swadha,

Your anger,

And your strong punishment.

Let those people whom you are with ,

Obey you.

You kindly do as per our wishes.

Please be friends to those whom you are

With in Pithru loka and be a good home for them.

For those who are in this earth,

Let me a good home.

.

14.Namaskaram (Salutations)

Salutations to father-grand father and great grandfather,

Salutations to mother-grand mother-great grandmother

Salutations to maternal grandfather, his father and his grand father

Salutations to maternal grandmother, maternal great grandmother and great grandmother of maternal grandfather.

The meaning of alternate manthra.

Oh manes who are great in blessing and in action,

Be pleased to depart by either the old way

or through the land of yama or any other way,

Please grant us wealth and good luck.

Please tell the Vasu, adhithya and devathas,

About the food that I offered you.

15.Udwasanam

         This is the same as Avahana  manthra except that the manes are asked to go their place and are requested to come again and again.

16.Sarva Tharpanam.(general oblations)

  Let all those manes who do not have mother, father, friends , others of their family  or even others belonging to other gotras  to do tharpanam for them  partake this water mixed with gingely and be satisfied., be satisfied, be satisfied.

17.Brahmarpanam

    I do give all this to the great god Brahma so that faults are pardoned.

II Brahma Yagnam

     This is supposed to be done by all Brahmins daily after Madhyahnikam. This is a worship of Vedas and honouring and satifying the devas, rishis and Pithrus.The Manthra starting with “Vidhyudhasi….” Means

Oh God, you are the lightning which is in between the clouds and you know my sins.and I seek the part of that power of yours. Daily.

The vedic chants have the following meaning:-

1.I worship the god of fire  who is the first god in all fire sacrifices, who is the one who conducts and who is the conductior of the fire sacrifice and who is capable of giving all wealth.(Rik Veda)

2.Oh calves of cows, To supply us food as well as make us worship god, you graze and return. Let the god savithru give you good grazing(Yajur veda)

3.Oh God of fire, be pleased to come.You should be pleased accept our worship.Please make the fire sacrifice that we do to the devas.(sama veda)

4.Oh Gods who like water, Apart from quenching our thirsts, you should fulfill all our desires and grant us good things.By your grace let sorrow vanish from our lives  and let happiness come.(atharvana Veda)

Meaning for the sloka starting with “Vrushtirasi….”

You are rain,You will cut off my sins,.

   After this several oblation is offered to devas, rishis, Vedas and pithrus.

Appendix

1.Names of Nakshatras in Sanskrit for sankalpa

  S.No                      Tamil               Malayalam         Sanskrit

  1.                           Aswathi             Aswini              Aswini

  2.                           Bharani              Bharani             Apabharani

  3.                           Karthigai .          Karthiga            Kruthiga

  4.                           Rohini                Rohini               Rohinee

  5.                           Mriga Siarm      Mageeram         Mriga Seersha

  6.                           Thiruvathirai      Thiruvathira      Arudhra

  7.                            Punarpoosam     Punartham        Punarvasu

  8.                            Poosam              Pooyam             Pushya

  9.                            Ayilyam             Ayilyam            Aslesha

  10.                          Magam               Makam             Magha

  11.                          Pooram               Pooram             Poorva  phalguni

  12.                          Uthiram              Uthram             Uthra Phalguni

  13.                          Haastham            Atham              Hastha

  14.                          Chithirai              Chithra             Chitra

  15.                          Swathi                 Swathi              Swathi

   16.                         Vishagam            Vishakam         Vishaka

   17.                         Anusham             Anizham          Anuradha

   18.                          Kettai                   Ketta                Jyeshta

   19.                          Moolam               Moolam           Moola

   20                           Pooradam             Pooradam        Poorvashada

    21.                         Uthradam             Uthradam         Uthrashada

    22.                         Thiruvonam         Thiruvonam      Sravana

    23.                         Avittam                Avittam            Sravishta

    24.                         Chathayam           Chathayam       Satha bishak

    25..                        Poororattathi        Poororattathi     Poorva proshta pada

    26                          Uthrattathi           Uthrattathi         Uthara proshtapada

    27.                         Revathy               Revathy             Revathee.         

 2. .Names of days of week in Sanskrit for sankalpa 

1.Sunday-   Bhanuvasara

2.Monday- Induvasara

3.Tuesday-Bhouma vasara

4.Wednesday-Soumya vasara

5.Thursday- Guru vasara

6.Friday-  Brugu vasara

7.Saturday- Sthiravasara

3. .Names of  months in Sanskrit for sankalpa

S.No                 Tamil                Malayalam                       Sanskrit

 1.                    Chitthirai            Medam                              Mesham

 2                      Vaikasi              Edavam                              Rishabha

 3                       Aani                  Midhunam                         Midhuna

 4                       Aadi                  Karkidagam                       Karkada

 5                       Aavani               Chingam                           Simham

 6                       Puratasi              Kanni                                Kanya

 7                       Iyppasi               Thulam                             Thula

 8                       Karthigai            Vrischigam                       Vrucchiga

 9                       Margazhi             Dhanu                               Dhanu

 10                     Thai                    Makaram                          Makara

 11                      Masi                   Kumbham                         Kumbha

 12                      Panguni              Meenam                             Meena

4.Names of the seasons

1.Vasantha Ruthu       Chithirai-Vaikasi       Medam-edavam

2,Greeshma Rithu       Aani-Aadi                  Mithunam-karkidagam

3.Varsha Rithu            Aavani-purattasi        Chingam-Kanni

4.Sarad Rithu               Ippasi-Karthigai        Thulam-Vrischigam

5.Hemantha Rithu        Margazhi-Thai           Dhanu-Makaram

6.Sishira Rithu              Maasi-Panguni          Kumbham-Meenam

.                                .       

   

   

---

* Meaning of the manthras at the end.

* Please refer Panchangam(almanac) for the names or get the particulars.For Sanskrit names refer at the end of compilation.These particulars for every tharpanam is given in www.keralaiyers.com and www.brahmanas.org .

** It is recommended that you substitute these names in various places and take a print out for your use .Contact family elders if you do not know this information.

[1] Names of grand mother, great grand mother, Fathers great grand mother if mother is alive

[2] In case mother is alive, this would be pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa

[3] In case mother’s mother is alive , this would be  mathamahasya mathu-pithamahi-prapithamahischa

[4] Mesharavi punya kale for tharpanam done on Mesha sankramam(chittirai-makaram first)Karkadaga ravi punya kale( for tharpanam done during adi=Karkidaga Sankramam(Adi first), Thula ravi punya kale for tharpanam done during thula masam first(Iyppasi first), makara ravi punya kale for tharpanam done on makara sankramam(Thai first), Suryoparaga punya kale for tharpanam done during solar eclipse, Somoparaga punyakale for tharpanam done during Lunar eclipse and In case of Paraheni tharpanam done after Sraddham, “Purvedya maya krutha  mathru pithru  prathyabdhika  sradhangam thila tharpanam karishye. Please note in case of paraheni tharpanam, the offering(tharpanam) is made to only paternal side pithrus.

[5]In some families they only use one koorcham.

[6] People using only one koorcha, please do avahanam chanting “Asmin koorche vargodhaya pithroon dhyayami avahayami”

[7] In case mother is alive, this would be pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa

[8] In case mother is alive, this would be pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa

[9] In case mother’s mother is alive , this would be  mathamahasya mathu-pithamahi-prapithamahischa

[10] Some books say “ pitharo manoja vaso  agnishwatha”

[11] Some books say “ madantho adhi bruvanthu”

[12] If mother is alive instead of mathru tharpanam perform pithamahi tharpanam.In the manthras replace mathu with pithamahi.

[13] If mother is alive instead of pithamahi tharpanam perform prapithamahi tharpanam.In the manthras replace pithamahi with prapithamahi

[14] If mother is alive instead of prapithamahi tharpanam perform pithru prapithamahi tharpanam.In the manthras replace prapitha mahi with pithru prapithamahi.

[15] If maternal grand mother is alive instead of matha mahi   tharpanam perform matha mahasya mathu tharpanam.In the manthras replace mathamahi  with mathamahasya mathu.

[16] If maternal grand mother is alive instead of  mathu pithamahi tharpanam perform matha mahasya pithamahi tharpanam.In the manthras replace mathu pithamahi with matha mahasya pithamahi

[17] If maternal grand mother is alive instead of mathu prapithamahi tharpanam perform mathamahasya prapithamahi tharpanam.In the manthras replace prapitha mahi with matha mahasya prapithamahi.

[18] If mother is alive recite Pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithru prapapitha maheebhyo nama

[19] If maternal grand mother is alive then Mathamahasya mathu-mathamahasya pithamahi-matha mahasya prapithamaheebhyo nama.

[20] People doing tharpanam on one koorcham  chant” Asmad koorchat  vargodhaya pithrun  yadastanam prathishtapayami.”

[21] In case mother is alive, this would be pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa

[22] In case mother’s mother is alive , this would be  mathamahasya mathu-pithamahi-prapithamahischa

[23] Some books say “ Yesham na matha na pitha na mithra gnanthi bandhawa “ and some others say “yesham na pitha na bratha na puthro na anya gothrina”

[24] grand mother, great grand mother, fathers great grand mother in case mother is alive

[25] grand mother, great grand mother and father’s great grand mother in case mother is alive.

[26] Maternal grand father’s mother, maternal grand fathers  grand mother, maternal grand fathers great grand mother in case maternal grand mother is alive

[27] Maternal grand father’s mother, maternal grand fathers  grand mother, maternal grand fathers great grand mother in case maternal grand mother is alive

[28] Grand mother, great grand mother and fathers great grand mother in case mother is alive.