What exactly is the Shraddha Ceremony (Shraddha
ceremony) or Paying Libations to the departed soul or deceased ancestors?
For long it has been understood (mis
understood) that the Shraddha ceremony is performed to appease and pay
libations to the deceased ancestors). The entire ritual including receiving the
Vedic Brahmins who chant the Vedas symbolically representing the deceased
ancestors and consisting of the Homa’s ( sacrificial fire) where cooked rice,
and few pieces of a curry ( often the most liked dish of the dead ancestors).
We were also told that in whatever
form the deceased ancestors have been reborn after their death in their current
life the rice and vegetables and the mantras would reach them. Six balls of
cooked rice is made, placed in the kusha grasses ( six balls each of them meant
for the deceased ancestors of three generations upward with their respective
spouses). Finally these are mixed and placed it outside the balcony or on the
terrace so that these can be eaten by any of the many crows which fly
past. They are symbolically accepted as
our ancestors who come in the form of crows to accept the food.
If you take the above in the literal
form then you will have several questions and doubts cropping up in your mind
because most people chant these mantras assisted by the Pundits without knowing
or even bothering to find the technical essence of these mantras. Many people
perform these ceremonies out of compulsion or for the fear or consequences of
not doing it while some performers take the short cut (without the fire homa
sacrifice and just offering couple of raw bananas and rice to the pundits along
with Dakshina (remuneration) because of lack of time or perhaps lack of
commitment to perform their Dharmic rituals (as they had never knew the essence
of these)
While some (so called) smart guys do
not invite the pundits to help perform the ceremonies and just donate some
money to the temple/ feed the poor. They believe that rather than paying the fleecing
pundits it would be better to donate the same money to the temple or feed the
poor.
Upon enquiry to many pundits they
inform that these ceremonies are to be performed as prescribed in the saastra.
But what is and how specifically is prescribed are not clear to many of them.
When my Parents passed away more than
a decade ago I too commenced performing these ceremonies twice a year. While
doubts did occur in my mind I never had a courage to find out from the pundits
the suitable explanations to these mantras as well as the practice till one day
I evinced courage and started enquiry
And fortunately with the help of a
Guru who facilitated me in finding out the real reasons and apply ‘Tarka’ I started
research on the Shraddha ceremony. And lo and behold the answers were crystal
clear found in the Vedas (of which Puranas, Itihasa and Gita are part), the
following explanations are found in the Gita, Vedic mantras. Those who want to
find the true explanations can find them.
Shraddha ceremony is one of the most
important ceremonies to be performed by every Hindu at least twice a year (in
olden days these were performed every day). Similarly the ‘monthly
tharpanams’. There is no excuse for not doing this or not finding time.
So let’s find out what truly is the Shraddha
ceremony and demystify some limited beliefs.
“The
Satwic-minded people are endowed with the nature of my Satwic and divine Maya;
and they worship me knowing that I am the primeval cause of all the subtle
elements. Some of them worship me by the practice of Gnana, either by
meditating upon me as the primeval one, or by meditating upon my various
glories displayed through Satwic Maya. I am myself in fact the Kratu and Yegna,
the different forms of worship performed by relinquishment of material desires.
The materials offered to me in worshipping me, such as ghee and food, the
Mantra or the religious hymns and the fire used on the occasion, all pertain to
me. I am virtually the mother, father and grandfather of the Jagat, and the
dispenser of justice. I represent the Om and the three Vedas. I am verily the
object worth knowing.
Those who understand the three Vedas worship my form
representing the Vasus, Rudras etc by Yegnas technically known as Somapana.
Thereby they obtain the divine happiness of Indra, free from the trammels of
Avidya, and after long enjoyment in the Swarga-Loka return to the mortal
region, without securing final emancipation. But, I protect and develop the
Yoga of those who solely meditate upon me, by their steadiness in Yoga. Those
who worship the Devas, Pitris or Bhootas reach them respectively, and those who
worship me come to me.”
………………..Bhagwad Gita
The
above descriptions of worship refer to the Dyvi-prakriti or what is technically
known as the divine Satwic Maya as opposed to Avidya. The working of this Maya
comprises the divine evolutions or glories of the Paramatma
(Supreme Being) specified alike in all our
religious texts, and explained in the previous Adhyaya as stationed in the
Paramartha body of man and as exclusively meant for the use of the Yogis, and
to none else.
Yegnas and Karmas relates only to the Dharmic acts which secure
the effect of relinquishing material desires, and not of adding to them. The
Kratus and Yegnas here noticed thus represent the means of involving
spiritually away from the side of matter, with the object of perceiving the
divine evolutions of the Satwic Maya constituting the glories of the Paramatma.
The Devas, Pitris and Bhootas as well as the Swarga-Loka
denote certain specific glories of Paramatma. The Yegna by Somapana also allude
to some relevant process connected with Yoga. I am compelled to say in this
connection that neither our venerable Pundits of the modern times favoured us
with any definite ideas of the above important details nor have we made
enquiries so that they can respond to us.
The Bhootas are ordinarily explained as representing the
devils, and the Pitris as deceased ancestors. Such explanations are surely
insufficient for our present purpose, as no sane person would be prepared to
work hard to secure the object of going after death to the region of the devils
and the deceased ancestors. The Swarga-Loka of the Devas may not perhaps be so
very repulsive, as Apsaras (fair & Pretty Damsels) are expected to be
found there in abundance. But what is this Swarga-Loka like and how is it
attainable by drinking the Soma juice? All these points demand serious
consideration and careful enquiry. We are however sure to be duped and
disappointed, if we still depend upon the current interpretations.
We must fall back upon the literature itself which is
fortunately found to be never wanting in explanations and explicitness. The
Devas have been recently noticed as referring to Satwic mind and intellect. The
Pitris similarly represent the Tanmatras or subtle
elements, the original material causes or fathers
of all created objects, referring to the glories of Paramatma (Supreme Being). The Bhootas
represent the pure gross elements as utilized for the meditation of the divine beings.
The Soma here refers to the pure Chith-aakaasa, the support
of the Devas, meditated upon by the Yogi, representing technically the
Kshetragna or the individual soul in its original purity.
“Brahma
concentrated his mind and brought out the Tanmatras which originated from his
body in smoky colour. He said that they shall be the Pitris or fathers of all
the Grihamedhins and prescribed a path for them named Dakshinayana.
The subtle elements are known as Tanmatras because they
remain pure and unmixed and called Avisheshas. The
gross elements being perceptible are known as Viseshas.
The Pitris when
worshipped, undoubtedly grant the boon of knowledge. They please the Soma by
their Yoga which is their real strength. Soma represents the ocean of Akasa
which is the basis for all the elements and the Devas and the support of the
universe. This is the real fact. Soma is the individual soul known as
Kshetragna residing in the body.”………….Bhagavatham.
The
above explanations supported by internal evidence are sufficient to prove
beyond doubt the present deplorable deterioration in the correct knowledge and
devotional practice of our ancient and sacred religion. The high standard of
philosophic thought and study as well as the religious purity required to
handle the sacred Bhagavad-Gita, are indifferently set at naught, by
thoughtlessly reducing its contents to the level of Aesop’s Fables and Arabian
Nights’ stories. Every important word, expression and idea is contaminated by
the prevailing unphilosophical interpretation. The Swarga-Loka which is
ever misinterpreted as the pleasant region of free women provided for the
enjoyment of those highly religious sacrifices of sheep and drinkers of
spirituous stuffs, is beautifully explained in the Vishnu-Purana.
In any house hold, when the house
holder or the chief performer of the ceremonial rites passes away then his son
who now becomes the householder is required to perform these ceremonies. In
case the house holder does not have any sons then the daughter need not perform
these as she becomes the wife of another house holder who continues to perform
these homas.
Women’s role in Shraddha ceremony.
Since every homa/yegna begins with the
lighting of the sacrificial fire (called the Gnanagni which again refers to the
Supreme Being) only the wife of the householder has the right to light the
first fire. The first sacrifice to be performed is called the ‘Aupasana homa’
followed by Prayaschittha homa (atoning for the sins committed by the ten
Indriyas). This tradition actually
begins right during the ceremonies performed during any Hindu marriage.
Therefore only the women has the right to light the fire. Ideally this is
required to be performed every day till the lives of the house holder or as
long as his wife is alive.
The libations offered by Parashurama to
the Pitris after killing the Kshatriyas 21 times with the blood in the five
pools, also refer to the same fact, as the term Pitris has been already
explained in the preceding paragraph as referring to the Tanmatras or subtle
elements, the original source, Pitris or fathers of all material objects.
Some more
misinterpretation/literal interpretations:
1)
Gaya Shraddha.
Many Hindus believe that if you
visit Gaya (in Uttar Pradesh- near Varanasi) and perform Shraddha ceremony then
it is equal to performing the ceremony a thousand times and that you need not
perform Shraddha again. Let us know the correct explanation of Gaya.
"Gaya" means Prana and
that which saves human's Prana or life is therefore called
"Gayatri".
It distinctly means that if one
wishes to save himself he must take to the practice of Gayatri Mantra.
The famous Gaya in Uttar Pradesh simply takes
its name from its definitions of Gaya like the names of temples and holy baths
which represent only ‘bowma theerthas’ instituted for the common folk
which should not be mistaken for the idea conveyed by the technical terms used
in the literature. There is no history or geography as mis interpreted by the
so called scholars.
2) Yegnas (or Havan)
The destruction of the
accumulated Vasanas and the relinquishment of desires by a Dharmic process
prescribed in the Vedas is called Yegnas.
The seven fold samit or fuel used
for the yegna is a concretised representation of the objects of the five senses
of man, of his Manas and his Buddhi.
Similarly the tenfold ‘havis’
used for sacrifice are intended to represent the objects of the five
Gnana Indriyas and the five karma Indriyas.
The involutionary process called
yegna and karmas refers to the relinquishment of worldly desires and it leads
man gradually to the divine evolutions such as the subtle elements and the
higher tatwas.
There are no Yegnas commonly performed
by Brahmanas where birds or animals are butchered.
‘Mriga Pakshi for sacrifice refer
to the beastly passions and the Indriyas of man which should always be devoured
by the Brahmana (this has been wrongly interpreted as killing of birds or
animals and few pieces of its flesh is eaten by the priest or the brahmanas
sic)
Unless the material desires
pertaining to the five gross elements basically described as Pancha Nakhas are
swallowed up, the brahma Kshetram can never be perceived.
About the Shraddha ‘homa’ (fire
sacrifice). There are still many who mistakenly believe that the Pitris are
Bhootas and ghosts of our deceased ancestors can be appeased only be offering
them animal meat ( over the last 50/100 years this has been replaced by
vegetables symbolising meat).
The process of destruction of the
"beastly desires" is referred as "Yegnas" (or sacrifice)
and not sacrificing a beast or a dumb animal at the Yegnas (sic) as grossly
misinterpreted by many.
“Every performance in the name
of religion accompanied by Himsa is
declared Adharma.” Several anti-Hindus for a long time questioned this
fundamental principle of Hinduism by various mean methods. The performance of
Yegna with animal sacrifice by a few illiterate miscreants has been gloriously
pointed out as a proof for the non-existence of Ahimsa in Hinduism. Such
criticisms could be easily retorted if only one is similarly inclined without a
sense of self-respect.
That all the religious (read
Dharmic) Yegnas refer only to the sacrifice of human passions and evil desires
is proclaimed in every nook and corner of our sacred literature. Such malicious
criticisms therefore could never affect any sensible and religious Hindu. It is
now too late to practise deception by such despicable means. The anti-Hindu carrion-eater
who is smarting under his moral turpitude only makes his position worse by his
attempt to advocate cruelty and immorality.
We are not sure how and why Hindus
became meat eaters. It is believed that post the intrusion by invaders and more
so post the east India company’s mission to break India to pieces and rule many
Hindus were converted as meat eaters purely as anti-Hindu agitations as well as
cooking up stories of meat having been used or used for the Yegnas and Homas.
3)
Some
Mantras misinterpreted:
(Jamboodweepe bharathavarshe bharatha kande meroho, dakshine
parshve) is the Vedic mantra chanted often during performance of any ceremony
in any Hindu house hold. Let us look at the technical essence of this mantra.
We have here four distinct terms to be explained, each
separately and all the four together in order to obtain any satisfactory or
convincing interpretation whatever may be the style adopted.
The spinal column with the sushumna naadi inside is named by
yogis as Meru,
on account of their using certain plexus or nervous centres in it for religious
(read Dharmic) meditation.
The Ida and Pingala Nadis are said to be on either side of
this Meru.
Neither Meru is a hill nor is mountain situated in any earthly
globe.
Dakshina Dic baaga!!!!
The term Dakshina or south of Meru requires explanation
here.
Dakshina refers to the karma kanda in general, referring to
the right side which is considered stronger than the left which represents
learning or studying the Vedas whose first part being the karma kanda.
Dakshina also means intellect and intellectual energy.
Jambudweepa denotes the spheres of devotion and Bharata
varsha represents the specific process of devotional (Dharmic) work provided in
our religion (again dharma) by which man could save himself from being drowned
in the saline ocean of grief.
Northern boundary himadri is the cold region where the mind
may rest cool and enjoy the bliss of freedom from the burning worry and pain of
samsara.
Beyond Himadri is the seat of para Loka or seat of Gnana.
Uttara means passing beyond…
4)
Samvatsara
That in which everything exists
or lives has been all long technically called a Samvatsara…..Mahaupanishad.
5)
Sruthi
Sruti furnishes "theoretical
knowledge" of the Brahma Vidya
6) Smruthi
Smruthi furnishes the
"practical knowledge" of the Brahma Vidya. Smruthi means memory. Man
has now lost the memory of the existence of his own self through ignorance. The
means provided to drive that memory is "Smriti" as it teaches how to
secure Atma Gnana
“Sruti explains Dharma and Smriti
furnishes rules for practising Dharma.”
7)
Srouthasmarth
The religion of the Hindu is
known as Srouthasmartha means Sruti and Smruthi going hand in hand
To summarise:
1)
The Devas Pitris and Bhootas as well as the
Swarga Loga refers to the glories of the Paramatma seated within you. Bhootas are not devils, Pitris are not our
deceased ancestors.
2) Yegnas and Karmas relates only to the Dharmic acts which secure the effect of relinquishing material desires, and not of adding to them.
3) The Devas, Pitris and Bhootas as well as the Swarga-Loka denote certain specific glories of Paramatma.
4) The Pitris similarly represent the Tanmatras or subtle elements, the original material causes or fathers of all created objects, referring to the glories of Paramatma (Supreme Being).
5) The Bhootas represent the pure gross elements as utilized for the meditation of the divine beings.
6) "Gaya" means Prana and that which saves human's Prana or life is therefore called "Gayatri". Gaya Shraddha has not nothing to do with the place called Gaya!!!
8) ‘Mriga Pakshi for sacrifice refer to the sacrifice of beastly passions and the Indriyas of man
9) Jambudweepa denotes the spheres of devotion and Bharata varsha represents the specific process of devotional (Dharmic) work provided in our religion (again dharma) by which man could save himself from being drowned in the saline ocean of grief.
10) That in which everything exists or lives has been all long technically called a Samvatsara
11) Shraddha ceremony need to be performed by every hindu house holder and after his period his sons and descendents to continue....
1Sources:
1)
The Gita
2)
Maha- Upanishad
3)
Skanda Purana
4)
Taitreya Upanishad
5)
Bhagavatham
6)
Vishnu Purana
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