Aapasthamba Sutra Contd..

Aapasthamba Sutra

This is a coontinuation to the previous post. As we know, Aapasthamba Sutras, are one or two line Sutras, which will outline the karmas . Later Haradatta and others have laid down elaborate commentaries, based on which currently these apara karmas are conducted in the Southern India.

bhåryåyåµ parama guru saµsthåyåµ ca-akålam abhojanam

Exp: If one's wife or Parama Guru passes away, the observer or the person, who mourns avoids food for one day .

åtura vyañjanåni kurvîran

The following additional mourning must also be observed.

keçån prakîrya påµsûn opyekavåsaso (påµsûn opya-ekavåsaso ?) dakshina mukah
sakrd upamajjaya- uttîrya-upaviçanti

Exp: Disheveling their hair and covering themselves with dust [they go outside the
village], and clothed with one garment their faces turned to the south, stepping
into the river they throw up water for the dead once, and then ascending [the
bank], they sit down.

Note: The above rule is closely associated with Udaga Dhaana vidhi, which will be covered in a different section. After a death, usually the sons of the concerned person, will perform the apara karmas for 10 days (for a Brahmana). During those rituals, they are supposed to apply a little bit of dust on their heads/body and then have a bath and stay wet with dripping water and their hair un-tied(both men and women) and also men wear eka vastra (with no upavastram).

evam tri

Exp: They repeat this three times.

tat pratyayam udakam utsicya-apratîkså gråmam etya yatstriya åhustat kurvanti

They pour out water consecrated in such a manner that the dead will know it
[to be given to them]. Then they return to the village without looking back, and
perform those rites for the dead which [pious] women declare to be necessary.

Exp: This indirectly refers to the Udaga Dhanam performed in 2 places - one in the shores of the river/lake and then another in the home. While offering water in the thataka therra kuntam, seasame seeds are mixed and  are offered in an inverted manner (hands pointing away from us). Also the name, gothra etc.. of the deceased eprson is mentioned, and then water is offered.