Prayaschitham
As the name suggests, it represents the atonement of one's sins, as one nears the time of death. Some wise men (or women) do this while they are in good health, so that they do not be bed ridden etc.. for a longer time. Although is is mostly done by some one in death deb, visiting Kashi, doing virtuous deeds etc. while one is alive and in good health are all prefaces to this. This karma is performed by the actual individual, who may be dead soon , as an atonement for the purva karmas etc.
One bathes, applies Pundram (as per one's tradition etc.. and sprinkles Thulasi, Ganga Jalam etc.. and does sankalpam, and then does Kaveri (or any river) snanam. The one performs dasha daanam and then does namaskaaram tot he Brahmanas. If one is really bed ridden or sick, Go Dhanam is performed to help that soul to not suffer too much and reach it's destination (with less trouble).
If the individual itself is not a position to do this kramam, one's Son or any other dear/ near relative can perform this kramam on behalf of the individual.
Prayaschitham Asheshaani Thapa Karma Aathma Kani Vai
Yani Thesham Asheshaanam Sri krishna Anu Smaranam Param
Desc: Praschitham or atonement are of different kinds - one in the form of penance, deeds etc.. But the best form of atonement is the non-stop meditation of Sri Krishna, which would get rid of one's sins and take one to higher planes of realization.
Note: This we have to do this yogam while we are alive and in good health - not when we are close to death and on death beds.
Showing posts with label apasthma sutra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apasthma sutra. Show all posts
Monday, September 23, 2013
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.
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.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Aapasthamba Suthra
Aapasthamba Suthra
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).
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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