Rules of
Domestic Observances During Sraadhdhams
(compiled by Ananthanarayanan Vaidyanathan based on Smrithi
mukthaphalam of vaidyanatha deekshita
and local traditions recorded and oral)
1 Please keep self control and celibacy for
at least three days per week in the fortnight in which the Sraadha Tithi falls.
2. Kartha is the one who is to perform the
Sraadham
3. Bhoktha is the one on whom the Vishnu or
Vishwedevas or Pitrus are invoked during the ceremony and and are those who partake in the food
offerings receive Pratigraham.
4. Most of the rules of discipline are common for Kartha and Bhoktha
5. Either of the two should not stir out wander on the streets on the day of Sraadham
6. Either of
the two should not eat anything..the Bhoktha after the feast and the Kartha
after taking the Pitrusesham (partaking on what is left behind after feeding of
the Bhokthas) on the day of the Sraaddham.
7. To expiate
oneself of the sins already committed and make himself purified before the
ceremony , a person may do Kooshmanda Homam before Sraadham.
8. Kooshmandam does not mean Ilavan or
Pooshanikkai here, it is a Manthram
9.
Kooshmanda homam can mitigate grave sins including the killing of a foetus by
MTP
10. The Kartha should start performing Aupaasanam
at least four days prior to Sraadham.
11. The Sraadha homam is performed in the
Aupaasanaagni
12 If the Kartha is a Brahmachari, then it is
Samidaadaanagni that is to be used for
oblations ....I used Samidaadanaagni as I was a Brahmachari when my father passed
away.
13 The
Sraaddham comes in the fortnight Paksham and Thithi on the Paksham on which the
parents of equivalent died.
14 If the
Thithi falls on two consecutive days, Sraadha is to be performed on the day when the Thithi is more spread in Aparaahnam..the Aparaahnam period
during the day is after 18 Nazhika from Suryodhayam
15 If the Thithi covers two Aparahnams of
consecutive days, the day where the Thithi is having more Naazhika should be
the Sraadham day.
16. If the
Thithi is spread equally on consecutive days, the Sradham should be performed
on the first day.
17 If two
Thithis come in one Souramaasam, the later Thithi is suitable for Sraadham
18 If Samkramanam falls on the second Thithi
during the day, the Sradham should be performed in the earler thithi in the
month.
19 The
Aparahnam is the slice of time after 18 Nazhika 18*24 minutes from sunrise.
20 The
Aparahnam will be at about 1-30 in the afternoon.
21 The time period after 15 Naazhika (6 hours
from sunrise) is Kutupakaalam (from about
12-30 after Noon )
22. If there
is dosham like Sankramasparsam for both the Thithis coming in the same
month Sraadham shoul be performed in the next month.
23 If there is only a single Thithi in a month
we need not consider the
Sankramanadosham
24 If by chance
the Thithi does not occur at all in the Souramaasam (Medam, Edavam etc,
) apply the Chaandramaanamaasam (Saka maasam) to find a Shudhdha thithi
25 If even that Thithi is not Shuddham perform
the Sraadham next month
26 if you are
not able to do sraadham on the tithi, you should do upavasam(starving) on that
day and perform the sraadham next day
27 If you forget
the Thithi perform the Sraadham on
Krishna Ashtami, Krishna Ekadasi or on
Amaavasya
28 If there
is an Aasaucham or Pulai, or Seethakam perform
the Sraadham on the day of release of Aasaucham etc.
29 If we
divide the day from sunrise to sunset into five equal parts..(about 84 minutes
apiece) we would get the forllowing Kaalams in this order
1. Praatah
Kaalam 2. Sankavakaalam
3. Maadhyaahnika kaalam 4. Aparaahnam
5
Saayaahnnam
30 If we divide the Maadhyaahnika kaalam into
three slices of 28 minitutes apiece, we get
1. Gandharva
kaalam 2. Kuthapam 3. Rouhinakaalam.
I will be continuing in part 2
Sraadha
Niyamams-2
Dear friends
Sri Venkita
raman Perinthalmanna forwarded to me a pdf file about Srardha Niyamas two days
back. I found them quite interesting and forwarding to the groups in eight parts
.Total niyamams told are 240. I hope the same will be
interesting to all.
I have highlighted
those found more important to me. I have titled Sraadha Niyamams. This is part 2 of the posting
Sincerely,
Gopala
Krishnan. 18-5-2020
Rules of
Domestic Observances During Sraadhdhams
(compiled by Ananthanarayanan Vaidyanathan based on Smrithi
mukthaphalam of vaidyanatha deekshita
and local traditions recorded and oral)
Continuing from part 1
31 The presence of Douhitra.. the daughters son,
Kuthapa kaalam and black ellu (gingely) are to be preferred.
31 Douhitra
is the grandson born through daughter
32 It is
beneficial to use black gingely in good quantity in Sraadham
33 The
Darbha and black gingely have originated from Varahamoorthy and hence
they will prevent Raakshasaas
from causing damage to Sraadham
34 You
should not invite as Bhoktaas two
uterine brothers for the same Sraadham
35 People who have no knowledge of Vedas, or who are sick, should not be invited to be
bokthaas
37 A person
whose wife is in menstrual periods
should not be a Bhoktha
38 A person without wife or son should not be a
Bhoktha..this includes Brahmachaari
39 If a person has a son he may be invited as
Bhoktha even if he has lost his wife.
40 A person
who has been a Bhoktaa in another Sraadham just within three days prior to this
Sraadham should not be invited.
41 The avaricious brahmin who canvasses himself
to be recruited as a Bhokta should never be called.
42 A Yogi,
Jnaani, a follower of Samaveda or the son of a daughter are the best and most
preferred invitees.
43 If a person offers to be a Bhoktha in
exchange to the promise that you will go as a Bhokta to his house for another
Sraadham it is unwelcome.
44. A
brahmin's wife is pregnant for more than three months then he is ineligible as
a bhokta.
45 If a
person has lost either of the parents and the Atta Sraadham of that parent is
not over, that brhamin is not to be called as Bhokta.
46 A brahmin who had a haircut or shave in
the morning of the Sradham is unwelcome as a Bhoktha.
47 A Brahmin with leprosy, deformed fingernails,
decayed and discoloured teeth etc should not be called as a bhoktha.
48 The youngest
among the Bhoktas should be invoked as Pithru.
49 The elder
one should be invoked as Viswedeva.
50 The eldest one as Vishnu if there is a family
practice of invoking Pratyaksha Vishnu also.
51 Those who
are affluent should present the Bhoktha with white silk
52 one should
present at least two or three sets of soman uthareeyam according to the family
practice.
53 The Soman
Uthareeyam or Veshti should be at least of the same quality as we usually wear
ourselves
54 If one is
very poor at least a Yajnopaveetham should be presented in the place of Veshti
55 The
Kartha should start the Sraaddham with a new Poonool
56 The
Manthras should be pronounced with the right Swarams
57 There
should be no hurry while performing Sraadhdham
58 Generous
Dakshnina should be given according to one’s own capacity
59
The most praiseworthy Dakshina is gold.
60 The brahmin in whom Vishnu, Viswedeva or Pithru
is invoked should be treated at par with god.
I will continue in next posting
Sraadha
Niyamams-3
Dear friends
Total
niyamams told are 240 . I have highlighted those felt more important to me. I have already posted 2 parts already. This is part 3 of the posting
I hope the same will be interesting to all.
Sincerely,
Gopala
Krishnan. 19-5-2020
61 One should
never get angry during the sraadhdham
62 For one
month prior to Sraadhdham one should not eat cooked food from hotels or from
other houses
63 If this is not possible Paraannam food from
other houses etc should not be taken for at least on Paksham (15 days) or in
the least at least for three days prior to Sraadham
64 The
kartha should not apply oil to hair while bath at least for one week prior to
Sradhaam
65 The kartha should not have sexual activity,
nor he should sleep in comfortable bed for the preceding period as above(item
64).
66. For
Paraannam or food from the house of others, the house of Guru, maternal uncle,
sister and father in law are not included (the brother is not mentioned here
because brother is never an annyan..sister would include athai and daughter
also)
67 The
washing of the Brahmin’s feet should not be done wearing Pavitram
68 When we have to remove Pavitram, it has to be
kept on the side of the right ear (Pavitram is the round contraption made of
Darbha grass and worn on the ring finger
on the right hand during important functions..the right ear of
a brahmin is supposed to contain Ganga)
69 for
Visvedeva a square Kolam by water should be made on the Paadaprakshaalana
Paatram as well as the twin plantain leaves arranged for offer of food.
70 Similar water Kolam for Pithrus is triangular
(this is the reason why elders say don’t draw kolam with water at
home usually..this is reserved for death and Sradhdha ceremonies)
71 The
Paadajalam of Visvedeva and Pithrus should not be mixed. Only Paadajalam of
Visvedeva should be used for Prokshanam.
72 The
entire sraaddha place should be cleaned with the dung of cow.
73 Only the ankle (kanungaal ) of the brahmins
should be washed
74 The upper feet should not be washed
75 The ghee left after Homam should not be used for worshipping the feet of brahmin, to rinse the leaf for
meals or added to the cooked rice offered as Havyam and Kavyam.
76 The cooking medium should be ghee of cow..oil
should be avoided.
77 As we are
using black gingely some say gingely oil is permissible for cooking
78 Those
who use coconut prefer to use coconut oil also.
79 Some do not use coconut as per the practice
in their family
80 Some do not use sesame for frying...again a
family tradition.
81 In the matter of cooking for Sraaddham, the
practice followed in the individual family should be strictly
followed...sisters, please get notes from elder ladies in the family on the
traditions followed in the Individual family. Some are of the view that the
menu should be same as the one followed for the Sodhakakumbha Sraddham,
immediately after Sapindikaranam.
82 The fresh
clothes washed in the morning and dried alone should be worn while cooking.
83 Every material used for Sraddham should be thoroughly washed, every utensil
thoroughly cleaned before use for cooking for Pithrus
84 Even salt
and jaggery used should be formally sprinkled with water
85 the
persons cooking should have the eligibility to chant panchaakshari
(namassivaaya) and /or astaakshari ( om namo narayanaaya )
86 the persons
cooking should be a relative and definitely not a servant
87 Ladies who are expecting the start of
menstrual periods should not venture to cook for sraadham
88 Cooking should
not be performed with wet clothes
89 If the wet clothes are spread and shaken in
air seven times they are considered dry
90 If the persons engaged in cooking has to
visit the toilet in between she can enter the kitchen only after a bath.
Will be continued in part 4.
Sraadha
Niyamams-4
Dear friends
Total
niyamams told are 240 . I have highlighted those felt more important to me. This is part 4 of the posting I hope the
same will be interesting to all.
Sincerely,
Gopala
Krishnan. 20-5-2020
Continuing from part 3
91 A
pregnant or sick lady should not do the cooking for Sraadham
92 Lady should
wear madisaar pudavai while cooking..
This is
controversial..but I record.(just to be faithful to the traditions.. my
personal views are of no consequence). a widow retaining her hair
should not cook for sraadham
93 The ladies should not go on talking while
preparing food for sraadham(the most difficult thing, is it not?)
94 The
ladies should not cook after taking coffee etc., in exceptional cases they may
take milk of the cow,
95 It is
ideal to perform sraadham in one's own house.
96 If it is
performed in the house of another person, rent for the space should be paid
beforehand
97 Cook
food in new vessels or in vessels which
are cleaned with extra care
98 No vessels
containing even a little iron should ever be used
99 One should not
ring a bell or sport Tilaks at the time of Sraadham
100 Some ladies and Karthas wear Vibhoothi
Kumkumam etc. it can be allowed if it is the tradition in the family.
101 While
cooking the ladies should not be either laughing or crying (maamiyaars..do not let your daughter in laws cry..and vice versa)
102 Cooking should not be done with spread out
hair
103 Cooked rice should be prepared after
vadikkal and this should be the last preparation
104 When the rice is served in the plantain
leaves it should emit steam (the rice and not the plantain leaf)
105 The
materials suitable for Sraadham.. I give the tamil/malyalam names because English/Botanical
names are not relevant..any bilingual dictionary will give the names in English....
ulundu, karuppu ellu, gothambu, payaru, paavakkai(paarikkai), chakkai, mankai, mathalam
pazham, kariveppilai, cherunaarangai, vazhappazham, vazhakkai. .monthan kai is preferred,
ilandhippazham, nellikkai, munthiringai, milaku, podalangai, katthirikkai or
vazhuthinangai..naadan, then(honey), ney, vellam(chakkarai) , kadaluppu(sea
salt), cows milk, karunai kizhangu, chembu or cheppankizhangu, jeerakam,
elakkai, avaraikkai, pirandaikkai,
pasumthayiru, some use
vazhaithandu
106 Apart from these some use Thengai (coconut), Kadugu, Chakravallikizhangu, Katalai, Ilavan or
Pooshanikkai, Vilaampazham,
Milakai(capsicum) also according to family traditions.
107
Prohibited items.. karaamani, kollu, perunkaayam, muringakkai, inglish kathirikkai,
thuvarapparippu, chorakkai.
108 Most
important and preferred... then(honey), Chakkappazham, Ulundu, Naadan vazhuthina (the violet
one)
109 For serving
you can use silver thattu.. if your use Vazhai ilai
in pair, both the top and tip should be there, no clipping, the narambu behind should not be torn away..
110 The leaf
should be placed with its nuni(tip) on the left.
111. The plantain leaf
with its entire contents after the brahmins have eaten should be placed in a
pit on the ground and covered with mud and stones securely so that stray dogs
do not eat the remnanants.
112 In some villages they reserve a deserted
well for this purpose.
113 In town areas where there is no space to dig
the leaves and remnants of meals are given to cows. But this is not
proper. The Ucchishtam should never be given to cow. However if this is
the only way left what else can be done?
114 The
leaves should be removed before Swastivaachanam.(the conversation between the
karta and the boktha as to whether the meals were good, whether everything was
adequate and whether the Bhoktha is satisfied.)
115 After
Pindapradhaanam the eating space should be cleaned.
116 Very
difficult..the Kartha should not clean his teeth with brushes etc on the day of
Sraadham as well as on the Orikkal day.
117 The
Bhokthas or Sraaddha brahmanas should not touch one another.
118 They should not converse with another...they
should eat in silence..mounena bhokthavyam
119. They
should indicate whatever they require more through indications by fingers or
gestures.
120 Ghee
and Payasam which are served should be eaten in full.
Sraadha
Niyamams-5
Dear friends
Total
niyamams told are 240. I have highlighted those
felt more important to me. This is part 5 of the posting
I hope the same will be interesting to all.
Sincerely,
Gopala Krishnan.
21-5-2020
Continuing from part 4
121 The bhoktas should leave behind at least a
little of all other things they eat.
122 They should eat without haste ensuring that they
will not get hungry again in the night.
123 The eight Vasus, 11 Rudras, 12 Aadhityas and
12 Visvededevas are supposed to be present protecting the sraaddhas.
For each Sraadham one should invoke two Visvedevas..they differ for various sradhas.
For annual
sraddha..Puroorava aardhrava. For Mahalaya, Dhuru, Ruchi. For Naandi, Satya
Vasu. For Yagas Kratu, Daksha. For
Sapindeekaranam Kaala Kaamuka, For Sannyaasaanga sraadham Saadhu, Kuru
124 The vessel containing material for Arghyam
should not be kept open.
125 The
Arghya paatram should not be moved from its place.
126 If the
Arghya material has been fully used, the material should be prepared again to
the accompaniment of manthras.
127 If a
little of the Arghyam material goes waste it can be condoned.
128 The
deities of Sraadhdha are the Vasu, the
Rudra and the Aaditya.
129 Our forefathers
have to remain in their company DURING THEIR EXISTENCE AS PITHRUS, hence Vasu Rudra and Aditya also should be kept pleased.
130 The
deceased father is in the realm of Vasu the grandfather in the realm of Rudra
and the greatgrandfather in the realm of Aditya. The lady counterparts also
have the same status. The status may vary according to the fathers, or the
lady's in law in the hierarchy pre-deceasing the juniors.
131 While doing invocation of pithru we have to
keep the Yajnopaveetham in Idam position
132 For
invoking Devas it should be Valam
133 Darba
should be offered to Devas straight.
134 Darba should
be offerd to Pitrurs after folding together the tips.
135 Paruppu and ghee for meals should be kept in
separate donnai and kept without touching the main leaf over another piece of
leaf.
136
Abhisravanam should be chanted while the brahmins are eating so that the
Rakshasaas are kept at bay..
137 The
abishravana manthras are the part of Kathopanishad where Naachiketaopaakhyanam
is described, Ramayanam where the
origin of Ganga is described and other manthras from Vedas and Upanishats.
138 Some
brahmins should be invited to perform this Abhisravanam
139 They
should be offered Dakshina after the Sraadham
140 Ekodishtam the
eleventh day death ceremony, Sapindikaranam the 12 th day ceremony, Maasikam,
Anumaasikam, Naandi, Gayasraadham...for these Abhisravanam is not
there.
141 If the
remnants of the food from one Bhokta falls inadvertantly on the leaf of other
the two should not touch the other leaves or continue the meal...they should
not get up from the seat.
142 The
leaves should be removed, the place cleaned with the dung of cow and new leaves
should be placed and served.
143 The
meals can continue after another Parishechanam
144 While brahmanas are eating the fire in the
fireplace should not be put out.
145 If the agni is
put out inadvertantly, the Kartha should fast for the day and do Sraadham again
next day.
146 The
Vaayasapindam..the morsel of rice for the crow should be protected at any cost
till a crow comes and puts its beak on it.
147 If the people of the fourth caste see this Pindam
or if some dogs or other animals eat it Sraadham should be done once again.( It
is mentioned to record the tradition..
personal views may be different)
148 The
repeated Sraddham should be done the
next day after fasting on the day
149 All honours
and respects should be offered to Visvedevas first.
150 Washing of hands, Aachamanam, raising after
Sraddha meals etc should be done by the brahmin representing the
Pithru first.
Sraadha
Niyamams-6
Dear friends
Total
niyamams told are 240. I have highlighted those
felt more important to me. This is part 6 of the posting
I hope the same will be interesting to all.
Sincerely,
Gopala
Krishnan. 22-5-2020
Continuing from part 5
151 After
Pindapradhaanam one can just put in mouth as prasdam a little rice left over.
152 That
rice is Pithrusesham,,, nothing wrong in eating it,
153 Some
people just pick the rice and smell it.
154 The
pindams can be left either in Agni or water, especially in a river or pond
155 If the
sraadham is on a Theerthakkarai, the pindams should be left in the Theertham
itself.
156 For
Sankalpa Sraadham, Homam, Aavaahanam, Arghyam Vikiraanna Pinadam etc are not
there.
157 Till the Sraadham is concluded the house should
not be decorated with Kolam (Rangoli)
158
Naamam(Thilakam..tiruchoornam, thirumannu), Rudhraksham etc
should not be worn during Sraadham normally. Some family traditions
permit wearing Viboothi Pundram Rudhraaksham etc.
159 The eater of the feast(Bhokta) can chew Vettilai
Paakku.
160 Bhoktha should
not do any other karma on that day.
161 The
Bhokta will be eligible for the next Sandhyavandanam only if he chants at least
eleven Gayatris and drinks holy water.
162 If the bhokta
is having Aupasanam he should ask someone else to do it that evening.
163 On that
night the Bhokta should not have stree sangamam, he should not give or take any
other presents on that day.
164 He
should not do Veda Adhyayanam on that day.
165 Kartha
is prohibited from oil bath Streesangamam, haircut receiving Daskhina or Dhanam
etc for the day of Sraaddham and next day also.(on the earlier day.. orikkal
too)
166 On the Sraadha
day non dwijas should not be given alms or food.
167 If the crow takes pindam facing east, you will
have prosperity.
168 If the pindam is taken by crow facing south,
diseases are predicted.
169 If taken facing west, travel is predicted.
170 If
taken facing north, the prognosis is danger to life.
171. The
indication of directon of biting the Pindam by the crow can be like a warning.
172 If the Bhokta vomits during sraadham , the
ceremony is desecrated.
173 If the Pindam
gets broken then also the Sraadham is lost.
174 The kartha
can partake in Pithrusesham( the remaining food after feeding the brahmins in
sraadham) even if it is Ekadasi.
175 Doing
Sraaddham itself is equivalent to performing the Vrata on Ekadasi day.
176 The
Jnaatis who are empowered to partake in Pithrusesham, should only smell the
food on the Ekadasi day.. they need not eat Pithrusesham.
177 If the
Jnaatis do it they will have the blessings of the pithrus and also the benefits
of Ekadasi Vratam.
178 When people die they join the Divinity. So an
eligible relative can partake in the Pitruseham of even youngsters who have
predeceased him.
179 The ladies go to another gothram after
marriage, but they are eligible to partake in the Pithrusesham of their father, mother and brother and such
blood relations.
180 If a
lady is a widow, she should not partake in pitrusesham as mentioned in 179.
Will be continued in part 7
Sraadha
Niyamams-7
Dear friends
Total
niyamams told are 240. I have highlighted those
felt more important to me. This is part 7 of the posting.
I hope the same will be interesting to all.
Sincerely,
Gopala
Krishnan. 23-5-2020
Continuing from part 6
181 Even
there the pithrusesham of father-in-law, and maternal uncle are permitted to be
taken.
182 After Sraadham many material become Sesham.. but
paal, thayiru, ney, then(honey) do not become Sesham.
183
Vegetables also do not become sesham.
184 Even Jnaatis
(after three generation) should not partake in the Sesham of the Edkodishta
Sraadham ( 11th day death ceremony)
185 Jnaatis
with only three days of Aasaucham should not usually partake in Pithrusesham
(this will not include Maternal uncle, Athai, Athaan, Ammanji and their
spouses, and Father-in-law and Mother-in-Law for males)
186 Pare Ahani
tarpanam should be performed on the next day of the Sraadham.
187 There is no
such Tarpanam when the Sraadham is for the mother while father is alive.
188 For Sapindeekaranam, Anumaasikam, Naandi,
and Aattashraadhdham there is no Pare Ahani Tarpanam.
189 The Pare Ahani Tarpanam should be performed
during the Braahma Muhurtam of the next day using the Darbhas and ellu(
gingely) leftover after the Sraadham.
190 One should have a bath after performing pare
ahani tarpanam..
191 Some are
of the opinion that the Kartha should be awake all the night and in madi
conditons so that he can perform the Tarpanam even before the bath as a
continuation of the earlier day's rituals.
192. Some
think that the Tarpanam at brahma muhurtam can be done after a bath.
193 If we have to perform a Tarpanam at Udayam or
Saayamkaalam, the Sandhyavandanam should be performed first and then the
Tarpanam.
194 If
brothers have partitioned, then the sraaddhams should be done separately by
each. If brothers are not partitioned and still are residing separately with different cooking, then again multiple
Sraadhams should be performed.
195 Even if
there are no assets to be partitioned if brothers are living together under the
same roof partaking food in common then the sraaddham should be performed
together.
196 It is not
proper just to stay together on Sraadham day alone and let the Sraadham be
performed by the elder alone.
197 The
claim that the younger brothers can simply keep company when the eldest one
performs sraadham would apply only when all the brothers are living together.
198.Some feel that
if they cannot join with the elder brother, the sraadham performed by them will
be ineffective... this is a debatable issue.
199 If
father is gone and mother is surviving all the brothers can join together under
the mother's roof and perform Sraadham together.
200 There will not be any displeasure for the Pithrus
if the individual sons perform the sraadham separately.
201 The question raised by
some that if a number of sons perform sraadham separately, where the Pithrus
would go is not relevant. The
Pithrus have attained Divinity and therefore they can be present in many places
at the same time.
202 Even in
sraadhams performed on the Thithi of ladies, the Homam and Aahuti is not given
to the ladies.
203 The
mothers (mother, grandmother, great-grandmother) can be invoked and can be
offered Pindams.
204 The Homam if
any is performed in the names of fathers(father, grandfather and
great-grandfather).
205 For
Amavasyai Tarpanam there is no invocation(varanam) only gingely and water are
offered. Some perform Darsasraadham also.
206 The ellu should not be taken using the thumb
and index finger. It is considered Raakshasam.
207..Sraadham
during Mahaalaya paksham is considred great. The pithrus who deserve our
affection but not our parents(Karunya pithrus) are offered Tarpanam in Mahalaya
Paksham.
208 Such Karunya Pithrus are periyappa, chithappa,
elder brother, younger brother, athai, maternal
uncle, periyammai, chithammai, akka thangaikal, their children, deceased wife,
father in law, mother in law, athimbyaar, maattuppon, brother in law, teacher,
master and friend. See how great our traditions are sometimes..we are given
opportunity even to offer tarpanam to our departed friends and loved relatives.
209 The sraadham
is not only to propitiate our pithrus. Many other deities are also pleased.
210 Homam gives pleasure to Devas.
Will be continued in next posting
Sraadha
Niyamams-8
Dear friends
Total
niyamams told are 240. I have highlighted those
felt more important to me. This is part 8 and last part of
the posting I hope the same will be interesting to all.
Sincerely,
Gopala
Krishnan. 24-5-2020
Continuing from part 7
211 Feast to
brahmns give pleasure to other inhabitants of Swargaloka.
212 Offering
of pindam pleases the inhabitants of Yamalokam.
213 The
annadaanam on that day gives pleasure to the inhabitants of the earth.
214 The leftovers
give satisfaction to Pisaachas
215 The
vikiraannam gives satisfaction to the inhabitants of Hell.
216 The Pindam offered to the crow pleases our
Ajnaatha Pithrus or unknown relatives who have died.
217 Sraadham
is a great sacrifice.
218 The
Prasadam of Pithrudevas will give us wealth, further progenies in the clan,
health, knowledge, knowledge of the earlier janmaas, liberation or
mukthi etc.
219 If we do not perform sraadham the Pithrus may
curse us.
220 The
curse of the Pithrus is very dangerous
221 One has to
be very careful not to incur the curse of the Pithrus as also parents and
elders who are alive.
222
Panchagavyam is a mixture for self purification if there is any apprehension
about the purity of the environs.
223
Panchagavyam is also an important ingredient in the Abhishekam for shiva with
Sri Rudram..
224 The
sacred nature of panhagavyam is given in this sloka..
yattwagasti
gatham paapam dehe thishtathi maamake praasanam panchagavyasya
dahtwagnirivendhanam....
यत् त्वगस्थिगतम् पापं देहे तिष्टति मामके
प्राशनं पञ्चगव्यस्य दह्त्वग्निरिवेन्धनं--
whatever sins committed by
me are holding fast even to my skin and bones, may be removed from me on
drinking panchagavyam, as though the lighted fire is burning to ashes all the
fuels.
225 The five
primary ingredients of panchagavyam are the milk of the cow,the curd from cow's
milk, ghee from cow’s milk, the dung of the cow and the urine of the cow..to
this, for dilution water routed through darbha can be added.
226. The mixture is called panchagavyam because it
contains five ingredients derived from the cow.
214 Varuna
resides in the urine of the cow.
227 Agni
resides in the cowdung.
228 Vaayu
resides in the curd
229 The moon
resides in the milk
230 The Sun
resides in the ghee.
Panchagavyam has
to be taken on the day before Sraaddham.
231 Ladies
who has the impurity after delivery should take Panchagavyam to become free of
it.
232
Panchagavyam is a potent medicine.
233 If it is taken for 41 days continuously even a
patient of epilepsy will be relieved of that ailment.
234 There
are mantrams for adding each ingredient.
235 The
proportion of the mixture is 1.cow's urine 100 gms(one palam)2. cowdung of the
size of a medium thumb3. 300gms of curd 4. 700 gms of cow's milk 5. 100gms of
ghee and 100 gms of darbha jalam.
236 The milk will remove poverty, curd will provide us
with children, cows urine will remove sins, cowdung will give us health, and
ghee will give us moksham.
237 All the
fourteen worlds are residing in the body of the cow.
238 Mother Laksmi is residing in the cow's hind portion
239 It is a great fortune to have the darshan of a cow
in the morning.
240 Gift of
a cow is considered to bring the ultimate fortune to the donor.
Shubhamastu..
sree Krishno rakshathu. may Krishna bless us.
(based on
Smrithi mukthaphalam of vaidyanatha deekshita
and local traditions recorded and oral)
