Friday, March 9, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
When to perform tarpana during Grahanam
Pitrutarpana during grahana should be performed during the grahana itself before moksha.
The day is divided into 5 parts of equal duration from sunrise to sunset. They are called Prahna, Purvahna, Madhyahna, Aparahna and Sayahna.
Parvanasraadham should be performed during aparahna, Aamasraadham (giving of rice and raw banana) in purvahna and vriddhisraadha in prahna.
Madhyahna is suitable for ekoddishtasraaddham
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Abhijit Muhurtha
There are many occasions when one does not have the option of electing an auspicious muhurtha. In such cases abhijith muhurtha which is there every day can be of help.
Abhijinnama madhyahne muhurtho vaishnavasmrtah
Chakramaadaya bhagavan vishnurdoshan vyapohati
During abhijit muhurhta , Lord Vishnu himself with his Sudarsanachakra dispels all the evils.
To arrive at abhijith muhurtha, find out the actual duration of the day from sunrise to sunset and divide this into 15 equal divisions. The eighth division from sunrise is called the abhijith muhurtha. This will be on both sides of the midnoon. Two minutes on each side of mid noon should be left as it is varjya.
Example - Sunrise 7:00 am, Sunset 5:15 pm
Day duration = 615 minutes
600 minutes / 15 = 41 minutes
Eighth division starts at 7:00 am +287 minutes = 11:47 am and continues for 41 minutes till 12:28 pm.
The mid noon is at 12:07:30
Two minutes on both sides of this ie:- 12:05:30 to 12:09:30 is varjya.
Leaving aside these four minutes the rest of the 37 minutes of abhijith muhurtha is acceptable.
Abhijinnama madhyahne muhurtho vaishnavasmrtah
Chakramaadaya bhagavan vishnurdoshan vyapohati
During abhijit muhurhta , Lord Vishnu himself with his Sudarsanachakra dispels all the evils.
To arrive at abhijith muhurtha, find out the actual duration of the day from sunrise to sunset and divide this into 15 equal divisions. The eighth division from sunrise is called the abhijith muhurtha. This will be on both sides of the midnoon. Two minutes on each side of mid noon should be left as it is varjya.
Example - Sunrise 7:00 am, Sunset 5:15 pm
Day duration = 615 minutes
600 minutes / 15 = 41 minutes
Eighth division starts at 7:00 am +287 minutes = 11:47 am and continues for 41 minutes till 12:28 pm.
The mid noon is at 12:07:30
Two minutes on both sides of this ie:- 12:05:30 to 12:09:30 is varjya.
Leaving aside these four minutes the rest of the 37 minutes of abhijith muhurtha is acceptable.
Forbidden food for brahmins
The rigvidhanam of Saunaka rishi mentions about different categories of bhojanam that would make a brahmin to incur sin and also the prayaschitha or penance to be performed in such cases.
They are –
1.Kundannam – food given by fools
2. Soothakannam – food from a house where soothaka for 10 days is being observed after a baby is born
3. Sudrannam – food offered by sudra
4. Rajasvalannam – food prepared or offered by women during their menstrual cycle
5. Pathithannam – food from people who have fallen from their spiritual status.
6.Kushtaynnam – food offered by lepers
7. Kshatriyannam – food offered by kshatriyas.
8. Vaisyannam – food offered by vaisyas.
9. Varnatheethannam – food offered by person belonging to a different varna
10.Vidhurannam- food offered by widower
11. Paryayannam – food offered by wanderers
12.Jarinyannam – food offered by unchaste women
13.Sraadhhannam – food offered in various sraadhas.
14.Golakannam – food from son born to a widow
15.Divadvirbhojanam – to eat twice during day
16. Bharyayuktabhojanam – to have food along with wife
17.Panchayajnaviheenasya gruhe – food in the house of a person not performing the panchayajna.
18. Haste dathannam – food given in hand (buffet ?)
19. Yathyannam – food from sanyasis
20.Bahavascha ekapatre bhojanam – many people eating from one plate
21. Svadeenam darsanm kruthva bhojanam – to have food after seeing dog etc.
22. Rajasvaladhvanim sruthva bhojanam – to have food after hearing the voice of a woman having her menstrual cycle.
23. Anthyjanam dhvanim sruthva paschad bhojanam – to have food after hearing the voice of lowly people.
24.Uchhishtabhojanam – to eat the left over of another person
25. Vrudhisraadhabhojanm – food offered in naandi sraaddha
26. Seemanthabhojanm – food offered during seemantha ceremony.
27. Abhisasthe bhojanam – food offered by a sinner.
28. Suthyahani bhojanam – food offered on the day of delivery of a child.
29.Punarbhuvo bhojanm – food offered by a woman who has remarried.
30. Anthyjam sprushtva – food taken after touching lowly people.
31.Bhuktikaale rajah.striyah drushtva – if a woman having her menstrual cycle is seen at the time of taking food.
32.Ashtamyam va chaturdashyam diva bhojanam – to have food during the day on ashtami andchaturdashi
33. Parvadvaye bhanuvare rathrou bhojanm – to have food at night during amavasya, purnima or sunday
34. Ekadasyam ahoratram bhojanam – to have food either on day or night during ekadashi.
35. Vatsareshu manvadishu yugeshu rathrou bhojanam – to have food at night during vishu, yugadi etc.
36.Sthenabhunkthe sraadhakartha – the performer of sraadha having food secretly.
37. Oupasanam vina bhojanam – to have food without performing oupasanam.
38. Suryagrhe, chandragrahe cha – to have food during solar and lunar eclipses
39.Athivikrayinogehe – to have food from one who trades in wool
40. Vaisvadevam vina – food taken without performing vaisvadevam
41. Sraadhakartha punarbhunkte – performer of sraadha if takes food twice times.
42. Kruthaghnannam – food from thankless people
43.Svamidroheegruhe – from the house of one who has deceived his employer or lord
44.Mithradrohee gruhe – from one who has done wrong to his friend
45.Deergharogee gruhe – from one who chronically sick.
46.Pisunasya gruhe – food from a miser
47.Asuyakasya gruhe – food from the jealous
48. Ganannam – food offered as charity to public
49.Akaryadigruhe – from one who performs wrong deeds
50. Akulasya gruhe – from lowly people
51. Dveshyabhaktam – food from enemy
52. Kunjaraghna gruhe – food from one who has killed elephant
53.Hayaghnasya gruhe – from one who has killed horse
54. Goghnasya gruhe – from one who has killed cow
55.Brahmaghnasya gruhe – from one who has caused harm to brahmins
56.Svarnastheyasya gruhe – from one who has stolen gold
57. Talpagasya gruhe – from one who has slept with his guru’s wife
58. Tatsamyogigruhe – from one who associates with the above kind of sinners
59.Asvavikrayinogruhe – from one who sells horses
60 Rasavikrayinogruhe – from one who sells chemicals
61.Ushtravikrayinogruhe – from one who sells camels
They are –
1.Kundannam – food given by fools
2. Soothakannam – food from a house where soothaka for 10 days is being observed after a baby is born
3. Sudrannam – food offered by sudra
4. Rajasvalannam – food prepared or offered by women during their menstrual cycle
5. Pathithannam – food from people who have fallen from their spiritual status.
6.Kushtaynnam – food offered by lepers
7. Kshatriyannam – food offered by kshatriyas.
8. Vaisyannam – food offered by vaisyas.
9. Varnatheethannam – food offered by person belonging to a different varna
10.Vidhurannam- food offered by widower
11. Paryayannam – food offered by wanderers
12.Jarinyannam – food offered by unchaste women
13.Sraadhhannam – food offered in various sraadhas.
14.Golakannam – food from son born to a widow
15.Divadvirbhojanam – to eat twice during day
16. Bharyayuktabhojanam – to have food along with wife
17.Panchayajnaviheenasya gruhe – food in the house of a person not performing the panchayajna.
18. Haste dathannam – food given in hand (buffet ?)
19. Yathyannam – food from sanyasis
20.Bahavascha ekapatre bhojanam – many people eating from one plate
21. Svadeenam darsanm kruthva bhojanam – to have food after seeing dog etc.
22. Rajasvaladhvanim sruthva bhojanam – to have food after hearing the voice of a woman having her menstrual cycle.
23. Anthyjanam dhvanim sruthva paschad bhojanam – to have food after hearing the voice of lowly people.
24.Uchhishtabhojanam – to eat the left over of another person
25. Vrudhisraadhabhojanm – food offered in naandi sraaddha
26. Seemanthabhojanm – food offered during seemantha ceremony.
27. Abhisasthe bhojanam – food offered by a sinner.
28. Suthyahani bhojanam – food offered on the day of delivery of a child.
29.Punarbhuvo bhojanm – food offered by a woman who has remarried.
30. Anthyjam sprushtva – food taken after touching lowly people.
31.Bhuktikaale rajah.striyah drushtva – if a woman having her menstrual cycle is seen at the time of taking food.
32.Ashtamyam va chaturdashyam diva bhojanam – to have food during the day on ashtami andchaturdashi
33. Parvadvaye bhanuvare rathrou bhojanm – to have food at night during amavasya, purnima or sunday
34. Ekadasyam ahoratram bhojanam – to have food either on day or night during ekadashi.
35. Vatsareshu manvadishu yugeshu rathrou bhojanam – to have food at night during vishu, yugadi etc.
36.Sthenabhunkthe sraadhakartha – the performer of sraadha having food secretly.
37. Oupasanam vina bhojanam – to have food without performing oupasanam.
38. Suryagrhe, chandragrahe cha – to have food during solar and lunar eclipses
39.Athivikrayinogehe – to have food from one who trades in wool
40. Vaisvadevam vina – food taken without performing vaisvadevam
41. Sraadhakartha punarbhunkte – performer of sraadha if takes food twice times.
42. Kruthaghnannam – food from thankless people
43.Svamidroheegruhe – from the house of one who has deceived his employer or lord
44.Mithradrohee gruhe – from one who has done wrong to his friend
45.Deergharogee gruhe – from one who chronically sick.
46.Pisunasya gruhe – food from a miser
47.Asuyakasya gruhe – food from the jealous
48. Ganannam – food offered as charity to public
49.Akaryadigruhe – from one who performs wrong deeds
50. Akulasya gruhe – from lowly people
51. Dveshyabhaktam – food from enemy
52. Kunjaraghna gruhe – food from one who has killed elephant
53.Hayaghnasya gruhe – from one who has killed horse
54. Goghnasya gruhe – from one who has killed cow
55.Brahmaghnasya gruhe – from one who has caused harm to brahmins
56.Svarnastheyasya gruhe – from one who has stolen gold
57. Talpagasya gruhe – from one who has slept with his guru’s wife
58. Tatsamyogigruhe – from one who associates with the above kind of sinners
59.Asvavikrayinogruhe – from one who sells horses
60 Rasavikrayinogruhe – from one who sells chemicals
61.Ushtravikrayinogruhe – from one who sells camels
Monday, February 19, 2007
Dharma Sastra on remarriage of women
Manusmruthi - If a woman is deserted by her husband or becomes a widow before consummation of marriage, she can marry again . In this case, if she comes back to her first husband, before the second marriage consummates, the first husband can accept her back.
Yajnavalkyasmruthi - Irrespective of whether the maariage has consummated or not, a woman who marries again is called punarbhu. If at her on wish she leaves her husband and marries another person of the same varna she is called svairini.
Sathathapasmruthi - If marriage ritual has taken place, but marriage has not consummated, she can marry again.
Vasishtasmruthi - If the bridegroom dies between kanyadaana and vivaha samskara, she can marry another person. If a girl is forcefully taken away before marriage, she can be married to another person. If paanigrahana ritual has taken place, but the husband dies before consummation of the marriage, then the woman can be married to another person
Yajnavalkyasmruthi - Irrespective of whether the maariage has consummated or not, a woman who marries again is called punarbhu. If at her on wish she leaves her husband and marries another person of the same varna she is called svairini.
Sathathapasmruthi - If marriage ritual has taken place, but marriage has not consummated, she can marry again.
Vasishtasmruthi - If the bridegroom dies between kanyadaana and vivaha samskara, she can marry another person. If a girl is forcefully taken away before marriage, she can be married to another person. If paanigrahana ritual has taken place, but the husband dies before consummation of the marriage, then the woman can be married to another person
Saturday, February 17, 2007
How Durva grass became favorite to Sri Ganesha
Once, during a festival in yamapuri, a demon called analasura (the fire demon) was born of Yama. He was as tall as the sky and started terrorizing the worlds. Lord Vishnu, together with Devas and Munis approached Sri Ganesha and sought his help. Sri Ganesha took the form of a small boy and a tough battle ensued between Sri Ganesha and Analasura during which Sri Ganesha swallowed analasura. However, the heat from the stomach started causing much agony to Sri Ganesha. Lord Indra gave Sri Ganesha the moon to wear on his forehead so that he could be cooled off. It was not of much use. Lord Brahma created two kanyas called Siddhi and Buddhi who would help Sri Ganesha to cool off but even this could not take away the heat. Lord Varuna started performing abhisheka with water from all the seas under his control and Lord Siva gave him a thousand headed serpent who tied himself around Sri Ganesha’s tummy to take away the heat. Still the suffering continued. At that time 88,000 sages reached and each one performed archana over Sri Ganesha with 21 Durva grass each. Then only the fire inside could be extinguished. Then Sri Ganesha declared to all those who had assembled that henceforth Durva grass shall be his most favorite puja dravya and even the severest of austerities performed will not make him as happy as being worshipped with durva grass.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Common Rasi and Nakshatra for boy and girl in Horoscope matching
Same Rasi and different nakshatras is acceptable, bridegroom's if comes first is more preferable. In the case of same nakshatra, if the pada of the bridegroom comes first, it is better. But, 108th pada from the bride's nakshatra pada should be avoided.
Same nakshatra in the cases of Bharani, Rohini, Ardra, Pushya, Aslesha, Magha, Hasta, Jyeshta, Moola, Purvashadha, Dhanishta,Satabhisha should be avoided.
Same nakshatra in the cases of Bharani, Rohini, Ardra, Pushya, Aslesha, Magha, Hasta, Jyeshta, Moola, Purvashadha, Dhanishta,Satabhisha should be avoided.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
About Amavasya tarpanam and pitrus
The body consists of five elements - Prithviv(earth), Jala (water),Agni (fire),vayu (air) and Aakasha (ether). At the time of death the praana attains a new body called aathivaahika which consists of only three elements - fire,air and ether. This new body emerges out leaving behind the 'dead body' which is subjected to funeral rituals. This new body, at the end of the pindapradana rituals during the ten days after death ,converts into what is called a bhogadeha. The bhogadeha travels for 12 months following the movements of moon and attains the chandramandala where pitruloka exists. All throughout these 12 months, its existence is in prethavastha or as a pretha.As a result of the sapindeekarana ritual performed at the end of 12 months (which at present is performed on the 12th day, however, it is like issuing a post dated cheque, its result reaches the atma only at the end of 12 months) the prethavastha is lost and the atma attains pitruloka.The pitruloka exists on the invisible side of the moon. On amavasya or new moon day, the moon comes exactly between the earth and sun.The sun-rays fall directly on this invisible half of moon called pitruloka. It is noon time there, time for lunch. One day of pitrus consists of 30 human days. By offering food to pitrus in the form of amavasya tarpanam which repeats every 30 days is like feeding them every day.In fact, the amavasya is also supposed to be obseved like the yearly sraadham in the annam - homam format. However, it has been simplified to suit the present day situation. The rishis must have thought, if we insist on the elaborate version, people will altogether stop doing it.One becomes eligible to perform Amavasya tarpanam only after the demise of one's father. Even if mother is alive, he can perform.Every form of life, moving and non moving desires jala (water) from the hands of brahmin. The tarpana is also performed every day with just water as part of daily bath and brahmayajna. However, amavasya tarpana is performed using water mixed with til.The three important requirements for tarpana are darbha,water and til. Darbha is considered as equal in purity to Agni and water. Devas reside on the tip of Darbha, middle portion is of manushyas and the base of pitrus. A pavitram worn during amavasya tarpanam should be made of 3 darbhas. Water is considered as praana, energy,essence of all plants, medicine, annam, amruta and somarasa. The oil or tailam in til(sesame seeds) can satisfy hunger and remove heat.If tarpanam is performed at home on sapthami /trayodashi tithis or Sunday/Tuesday/Friday or janmanakshatra, til should be mixed with akshata (rice). A silver or copper vessel should be used for tarpanam.
'Pitru' sabda means protector or ancestor in general. Pitrus belong to different classes. Pitrus of brahmins are called somapas, those of kshatriyas are called havirbhuks, those of vaisyas are called aajyapas and those of sudras, sukaalis. Their status also depends on how they have lived their life on earth. Those who have performed yajna become somapas, those who have performed only haviryaga (rituals where only rice is offered to Devas) beome barhishidas andthose who have not performed any yajna become agnishwathas.The immediate three generations of pitrus - father,grandfather and great grandfather are called asrumukha pitrus and the three generations above them are called naandimukha piturs. The yearly sraadhham, amavasya tarpanam etc. are meant for the immediate three generations above called asrumukhas. "Naandi"performed as part of upanayanam etc. are meant for the naandimukha pitrus. There is yet another group called kaarunika pitrus which includes friends and relatives.The lord of pitrus is yama. However the group of father exists in the from of vasus, that of grandfather exists in the form of rudras and that of greatgrandfather exists in the form of aadityas( sun).The vasus are eight in number, rudras eleven and aadityas twelve.The brahmin fed in pitrusthana during sraadham is nominated as vasu-rudra-aaditya swaroopee meaning of the form of vasu-rudra-aaditya.The second brahmin is of the form of viswedevah who are the protectosr and escorts to the pitrus during their journey to earth to take part in the sraadham.There are 96 sraadhas to be performed every year in addition to the tithi sraadha which is in fact the only one being observed these days. There are still people who perform all the 96 sraadhaas at least in the form of tarpanam as in amavasya. These sraadhas are amavasya (12),Samkramana or the first day of the solar month(12),Manvanthara (14), Yugadi (4), Mahalaya (16), Vyathipatha (13),Vaidhruthi (13) and Ashtakanvashtaka (12). The details of these are available in standard panchangam. See the huge gap between what is ordained in the sastras and what is in practice.
Calculating the REAL Raahukaalam
Rahukaalam and Yamakandakakaalam etc. as given in most panchangas and calendars are only general and presumes that sunrise is at 6.00 am and sunset is at 6.00 pm. They vary from place to place and time to time.
To find the actual raahukaalam, first find out the day duration for the particular day ie:- number of minutes from sunrise to sunset. ( eg:- sunrise 6:30 am, sunset 5:30 pm, day duration would be 660 minutes). Divide this into 8 portions of equal duration. In the above case, each portion will be of 82.5 minutes. Take the 8th portion on Sunday, 2nd portion on Monday, 7th portion on Tuesday, 5th portion on Wednesday, 6th portion on Thursday, 4th portion on Friday and 3rd portion on Saturday. In the above case, if it is a Sunday, raahukaalam would be from 04:07:30 pm to 5:30 pm (ie:- 8th portion), if it is a Monday from 07:52:30 am to 09:15 am and so on.
In the case of yamakantaka, the same calculation is to be performed first. Take the 5th portion in case of Sunday, 4th portion for Monday, 3rd portion for Tuesday, 2nd portion for Wednesday, 1st portion for Thursday, 7th portion for Friday and 6th portion for Saturday.
In the case of Gulika kaala, perform the same calculation as above. Take the 7th portion on Sunday, 6th portion on Monday, 5th portion on Tuesday, 4th portion on Wednesday, 3rd portion on Thursday, 2nd portion on Friday and 1st portion on Saturday.
To find the actual raahukaalam, first find out the day duration for the particular day ie:- number of minutes from sunrise to sunset. ( eg:- sunrise 6:30 am, sunset 5:30 pm, day duration would be 660 minutes). Divide this into 8 portions of equal duration. In the above case, each portion will be of 82.5 minutes. Take the 8th portion on Sunday, 2nd portion on Monday, 7th portion on Tuesday, 5th portion on Wednesday, 6th portion on Thursday, 4th portion on Friday and 3rd portion on Saturday. In the above case, if it is a Sunday, raahukaalam would be from 04:07:30 pm to 5:30 pm (ie:- 8th portion), if it is a Monday from 07:52:30 am to 09:15 am and so on.
In the case of yamakantaka, the same calculation is to be performed first. Take the 5th portion in case of Sunday, 4th portion for Monday, 3rd portion for Tuesday, 2nd portion for Wednesday, 1st portion for Thursday, 7th portion for Friday and 6th portion for Saturday.
In the case of Gulika kaala, perform the same calculation as above. Take the 7th portion on Sunday, 6th portion on Monday, 5th portion on Tuesday, 4th portion on Wednesday, 3rd portion on Thursday, 2nd portion on Friday and 1st portion on Saturday.
