As the name suggests this post would be covering the details of cremation rituals as prescribed for (Yajur Veda) Aapasthamba Sutra. These are called as Grihya Sutras as they talk about the rituals for a householder in detail. The beauty is that Aapasthamba Maharishi has covered the rituals to such an extents of granularity that, the way one dresses, etc.. have all been well explained here.
In general, Aapasthma Sutra operates in conjunction with Dharma Shastras to enforce a virtuous life, in accordance with Shastras. The following are the crucial rituals associated with Apara karmas (starting from the time a person is expired).
- Prayaschitham
- Karna Manthra Japam
- Prethagni Santhanam
- Pithrumedha Samaskaram
- Udaga Daana Vidhi
- Sanchayana Vidhi
- Dasaha Vidhi
- Shati Homam
- Ananda Homam
- Ekadasha Vidhi
- Vrushoth Sarjanam
- Ekothistha Shradham
- Dwadasha Vidhi (Sapindi karana Shardham)
- Thrayodasha Vidhi (Shuba Sweekaram)
As we see above starting from the time, a man or woman is on the death bed, up-to the thirteenth day the karmas or rituals continue (for a Brahmana). As seen earlier, the period of ashaucham for a Brahmana is up-to the 10th day inclusive of the day of demise. After the ashaucha kaalam is over, and all the (pretha) kaaryams are over after 10 days, the Pithru kaaryams are conducted for 2 days and on the 13th day Shuba Sweekaaram or the Navagruha Homam is conducted and the asheervaadam, Devatharaadhanam etc.. concludes the aparam karma(which is followed by Oona Maasyams, Soda Kumbham, Maskia Shrardham and concludes with the prathama varshaabdheekam.
While our parents are responsible to take care of us, in this world, we are responsible to do services to them, like how we do to a small kid, when they are in their Sukshma Roopam or in the so called Pithru lokam. This certainly shows our respect, involvement and the commitment we have for our parents, for this body is theirs and this the mind, intellects Aathma etc.. are theirs too. That's why Shastras declare, "Aathmaanam Puthra Naamasi".
As mentioned earlier all these are punya kaaryams, and the fruit of all these karmas are reached out to our parents/ ancestors only with the blessing(s) of Lord Maha Vishnu, who is the "distributor"of the rewards of good/ bad deeds thus the protector of this World and other worlds.
While our parents are responsible to take care of us, in this world, we are responsible to do services to them, like how we do to a small kid, when they are in their Sukshma Roopam or in the so called Pithru lokam. This certainly shows our respect, involvement and the commitment we have for our parents, for this body is theirs and this the mind, intellects Aathma etc.. are theirs too. That's why Shastras declare, "Aathmaanam Puthra Naamasi".
As mentioned earlier all these are punya kaaryams, and the fruit of all these karmas are reached out to our parents/ ancestors only with the blessing(s) of Lord Maha Vishnu, who is the "distributor"of the rewards of good/ bad deeds thus the protector of this World and other worlds.
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