Introduction to Tharpanam (Oblations to the manes)Dear All : A Member has asked
for Information on TarpaNam in
Sri VaishNavite parlance . Now that Mahaalaya Paksham is also
coming , those who might not have seen this well researched article by
Sri Ramachandran of Kerala would benefit from it .He wrote it in response to
my request . He has also the version for SmarthA Brahmins .
Best Wishes ,
V.Sadagopan
Introduction to Tharpanam (Oblations to the manes)
Tharpanam means ?That offering which satisfies?. But what we mean by the word
Tharpanam is the offering of water mixed with gingelly to the manes.(dead
ancestors).Though we have several ancestors, this offering is addressed to
three generations of father, grand father and great grand father along with
their wives in our family and maternal grand father, his father and grand
father along with their wives in our mothers birth family. Only those whose
father is dead are eligible to do Tharpanam. If maternal grand father is alive
Tharpanam should not be done for his family but restricted to our family.
All the manes are supposed by our religion to live in the Pithru loka for
some time and either be reborn as any being or go to lokas like deva loka,
Vaikunta etc or even attain salvation by getting mixed with god. The pithru
loka is populated by three group of pithru devas viz, Vasu, Rudra and Adhithya.
These devas receive our oblations and make it reach to our manes wherever they
are and in whichever form they are. The pithru loka is supposed to be on the
unseen side of the moon. This portion gets exposed to sun on the new moon days.
It is according to our concept lunch time for the people populating the pithru
loka. These pithrus, since they have left the world are solely dependent on
only their progeny to feed them. This feeding is done through Tharpanam. It is
believed that if Tharpanam is not done out Pithru devas will curse us so that
we may not have male descendents to offer tharpanam to us.
There are several type of tharpanams: -
1.Gunda tharpanam- the tharpanam which is done in the first ten days of death.
2.Brahma yagna tharpanam-This is the oblation supposed to be done daily to the
devas, rishis and pithrus.
3.Parheni tharpanam- this is the tharpanam which is supposed to be done on the
next day after annual sraddha .This at present is being done after sraddha on
the same day , because the priest does not have time to come the next day. Here
the tharpanam is offered only to ones pithru varga (paternal side)
4 The regular tharpanam which is supposed to be done on all amavasyas. Four
Month beginnings viz mesha, karkidaga, thula and makara and eclipses.Our books
have asked us to perform tharpanam on 96 days in a year but this is not being
done nowadays.
Several acharyas have codified the method of tharpanam. Some of them are
Apasthabha, Bodhayana, Drahyayana What is given below is the manthras and
method of the Apasthabha sutra.of Yajur veda. There is slight differences in
the sankalpam among Iyers and Iyengars.The version followed by both groups of
Sri Vaishnavas viz Thenkalai and Vadakalai are given here.It is understood that
the tharpanam for rik vedis is almost similar but that for Sanma Vedis is
different. There is also differences brought about by local practice and family
tradition. People are advised to follow their traditions strictly. They have
precedence over what is written down here. For example in many families
tharpanam is done without wearing Thiruman but there are certain families who
do tharpanam wearing it. Some people do avahanams of Pithrus on two koorchas.
Some on one koorcha and some on spread durbhas..
There are several rules regarding tharpanam though many of them are not being
followed by most of the people.. They are:-
1.On the day of Tharpanam, till tharpanam is completed we are not supposed to
drink/eat anything.
2.On the day of tharpanam, the daily rituals like Sandhya vandhana have to be
first performed. Then before tharpanam one more bath has to be taken.
3.Wet cloth should not be worn during tharpanam nor is it right to wear cloth
which was washed a day before and dried. The cloth has to be made wet the same
day and dried. Pure white silk cloth can also be worn, but wearing this silk
cloth you should not have eaten any food. If wet cloth is not dry, it should be
seven times shaken dry in wind before wearing it.
4.Except the tharpanam during eclipse all other tharpanams are to be done after
12 noon. Considering the difficulty, our law givers have agreed that it can be
done after 8.30 AM.
5.As mentioned earlier nothing should be eaten or drunk before performance of
Tharpanam.
6.Oblations should be done with hand full of water and not drops or spoon full
of water.
7.The water should be poured out using the space between the thumb and the four
fingers.
8.Every time a pinch of black til has to be taken. Care should be taken not to
take it using the thumb and the index finger.
9.Pithru tharpanam should always be done with poonal hanging from the right
shoulder to the left side of the body.
10.The pavithram for pithru tharpanam should be made out of three durbha and
the koorcham should be made of 7 or 9 durbhas.
11.We should preferably sit on seat made of durbha(durbhasanam) while doing
tharpanam and in its absence put few durbhas on the place we are going to sit,
12.Silver vessels are prescribed for used during tharpanam. If not available
copper vessels can be used. Under no circumstance should steel or other metal
vessels are to be used.
13.Tharpanam should be done facing east or south. It is believed that it
either should be done in our homes or in public holy places like shore of the
river, sea active you happen to do it in the place belonging to some one else.
We are supposed to compensate the owner of the property.
14.If Amavasya and the first of the month in which tharpanam has to be
performed comes on the same day, then tharpanam for the sankramanam(first of
the month) should be done.
. Tharpanam*
1.Perform Achamanam
Take minute quantities of water(just sufficient to soak one grain of black
gram) three times in the right hand and take it with the following manthra.
1.Om Achyuthaya nama 2,Om Ananthaya nama 3.Om Govindaya nama
Then
Touch with thumb both cheeks saying kesava -Narayana
Touch with ring finger both eyes saying Madhava ?govinda
Touch with the first finger both sides of nose saying Vishno-Madhusoodana
Touch with little finger both ears saying Trivikrama-Vamana
Touch with the middle finger both shoulders saying Sreedhara-Hrishi kesa
Touch with all fingers the belly button saying Padmanabha
Touch with all fingers the head saying Damodara
A:For Sri Vaaishnavas of Vada Kalai
2.Do Pranayamam.
Hold both Nostrils with Thumb and the little and third finger of the hands and
recite the following Manthra:-
Om Bhoo
Om Bhuva
Ogum Suva
Om Maha
Om Jana
Om Thapa
Ogum Sathyam
Om Tatsa vithur varenyam Bargo devasya dhi mahi dhiyo yona prachodayath
Om Apa
Jyothj rasa
Amrutham brahma
Bhoorbuvasuvarom
Touch the ears three times saying
Om, Om , Om
3. And then chant the following manthras:-
1.Srimad venkata nadarya kavi kargika kesari
Vedanthacharya varyo me sanni datham sada hruthi
2.Gurubhya tad gurubyascha namo vaga made mahe,
Vruni mahe cha tatrath you dampathi jagatham pathi
3.Swasesha bhoodeth mayaa sweeyai sarva parichadai,
Vidahthum preethamath manam deva prakramade swayam
4.Shuklam baradaram vishnum sasi varnam chadur bhjam
Prasanna vadanam dyayeth sarva vigno upa santhaye
5.Yasyad viratha vakthradhya parishadya para satham,
Vignam nignanthi vishvaksenam tham asraye.
B:For Sri Vaishnavas of Then Kalai
Do Pranayamam.
Hold both Nostrils with Thumb and the little and third finger of the hands and
recite the following Manthra:-
Om Bhoo
Om Bhuva
Ogum Suva
Om Maha
Om Jana
Om Thapa
Ogum Sathyam
Om Tatsa vithur varenyam Bargo devasya dhi mahi dhiyo yona prachodayath
Om Apa
Jyothj rasa
Amrutham brahma
Bhoorbuvasuvarom
Touch the ears three times saying
Om, Om , Om
3. Then Chant the following manthras:-
1.Shuklam baradaram vishnum sasi varnam chadur bhjam
Prasanna vadanam dyayeth sarva vigno upa santhaye
2..Yasyad viratha vakthradhya parishadya para satham,
Vignam nignanthi vishvaksenam tham asraye
WHAT FOLLOWS IS COMMON TO THENKALAI AND VADAKALAI.
Adya Sri Bhagavatha maha purushasya Vishnor Agnaya pravarthamanasya Adhya
Brahmana Dweethiya parardhe Swetha Varaha kalpe Vaivaswatha manvanthare
ashta vimsathi thame kali yuge prathame padhe ,jambu dweepe , Bharatha
varshe, Bharatha Khande , Mero Dakshine Parswe , Sakabdhe asmin varthamane
vyvaharike Prabhavadeenam sashtya samvatsaranam madhye (name of the year) *
Nama samvatsare , (dakshina./uttara ayane, (name
of the season) rithou, (name of the month in Sanskrit) mase,
(Krishna/shukla) pakshe , Adhya (Name of the thidhi-moon
phase) Punya thithou (name of the day in Sanskrit)vasra yukthayam (name of
the star in Sanskrit) nakshatra yukthayam Shubha yoga ?Shubha karana,
Evam guna viseshana visishtayam asyam (Name of the thidhi) Punya thithou,
( Change the position of poonal from left shoulder to right
shoulder(LEFT MODE))
(Your Gothram) Gothranam (Names of father, grand father, great grand
father)**
Sarmanam, Vasu-Rudra-adithya swaroopanam asmad Pithru
?Pithamaha-Pithru Pithamahanam , (your Gothram) Gothraa (Names of mother.
Grand mother, great grand mother[1] ) Namnee , Vasu-Rudra-Adithya swaroopa
Asmad Mathru[2]-pithamahi-Prapithamahischa, (Your maternal grand father?s
gothram) gothraanam (names of maternal grand father, his father and his grand
father) Sarmanam vasu ?rudra
-adithya swaroopanam asmad mathamaha, mathru pithamaha, mathru
prapithamahanam, (Your maternal grand father?s gothram) gothraa (Names of
maternal grand mother, maternal great grand mother, Grand mother of maternal
grand father) Namnee , vasu-rudra ?adithya swaroopa asmad
mathamahi[3]-mathru pithamahi, mathru prapithamahinam Ubhaya vamsa pithrunaam
akshayya thripthyartham amavasya[4] punya kale Thila tharpanam karishye.
(throw away the Durbha (only) held round the fingers along with Pavithram.
Change position of poonal to the left shoulder(usual mode), touch water with
finger, change position of poonal to right shoulder(left mode))
Arrangement of Koorcham[5]
East
Pithru Varga Koorcham
North
South
Mathamaha varga koorcham
Durbha Durbha
West
5.Avahanam for pithru varga(Fathers side)[6]
Wear the poonal in the left mode , take little ellu(black gingelly) and
along with water keep on the Koorcha meant for Pithru varga while chanting the
following manthras:-
1.Aayatha pithara somya gambhirai padhibhi poorvai prajamasmabhyam
dadhatho rayim cha deergayuthwam cha satha saaradam cha.
2.Om bhorbuvaswarom
3,Asmin koorche (Your Gothra) gothran (Father?s, grand father?s and great
grand father?s name) sarmana vasu Rudra adithya swaroopan asmad
pithru-pithamaha-pithrupithamahaan (Your Gothra) gothraa (Names of mother,
grand mother, great grand mother1) namnee vasu Rudra adithya swaroopa
asmad mathru[7], pithamahi-pithrupithamahischa dyayami avahayami.
6.Asanam for pithru vargam
Chanting the manthra below place gingelly on the koorcha
1.Sakrudacchinnam barhirurnna mrudhu,
Syonam pithrubhyasthwa baramyaham
Asmin taseedanthu me pithara somyaa,
Pithamahaa prapithamahaaschaanugai saha.
2.Pithru-pithamaha,pithru pithamahanam mathru[8] ?pithamahi ?prapithamahinaam
cha idam asanam , thiladhi sakalaradhanai swarchidham
7.Avahanam for mathamaha varga(maternal grand fathers side)
Wearing the poonal in the left mode , take little ellu(black gingelly) and
along with water keep on the Koorcha meant for mathru varga while chanting the
following manthras:-
1.Aayatha mathu pithara somya gambhirai padhibhi poorvai prajamasmabhyam
dadhatho rayim cha deergayathwam cha satha saaradam cha.
2.Om bhorbuvaswarom
3,Asmin koorche (Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothran (Names of maternal
grand father, maternal great grand father and grand father of maternal grand
father) sarmana vasu Rudra adithya swaroopan asmad
mathamaha-mathru pithamaha-mathru prapithamaha (maternal grand father?s gothra)
gothraa (Names of maternal grand mother, maternal great grand mother, grand
mother of maternal grand father) namnee vasu Rudra
adithya swaroopa asmad mathamahi[9]-mathru pithamahi-mathru prapithamahischa
dyayami avahayami.
8.Asanam for mathru vargam
Chanting the manthra below place gingelly on the mathru varga koorcha
1.Sakrudacchinnam barhirurnna mrudhu,
Syonam pithrubhyasthwa baramyaham
Asmin taseedanthu me pithara somyaa,
Pithamahaa prapithamahaaschaanugai saha.
2.Mathamaha-mathru pithamaha-mathru prapitha mahaanaam, Mathamahi-mathru
pithamahi-mathru prapithamahischa idam asanam , thiladhi sakalaradhanai
swarchidham
9.Pithru varga tharpanam
Offer tharpanam with hand full of water mixed with black ellu on the koorcham
for Pithru vargam after each manthra
a. Pithru tharpanam(Oblation to father)
1.Udheerathamvara uthparasa,
Unmadhyama pithara somyasa
Asum ya eeyuravyaka ruthagna
Sthene avanthu pitharo harveshu,
(Your gothram) Gothran (Father?s name) ,
Sarmana vasu roopan mama pithrun swadha namastharpayami.
2.Angeeraso na pitharo navagwa,
Adharvano byagava somyaasa,
Thesham vayugum sumathou yagniyanaa mapi
Badre soumanase syama
(Your gothram) Gothraan (Father?s name) ,
Sarmana vasu roopan mama pithrun swadha namas tharpayami.
3.Aa yaanthu na pithara somyaso agni
shwatha[10] prathibhir deva yanai
asmin yagne swadhaya maadhayanthwadhi bruvantha[11] they avanthasman,
(Your Gothram) gothraan (Fathers name) ,
sarmana vasu roopan mama pithrun swadha namas tharpayami.
b.Pithamaha tharpanam (oblation to grand father)
1.Oorjam vahanthiramrutham grutham paya keelalam
Parisrutham swadha sdha tharpatatha me pithroon ,
(your gothram) Gothraan (Grand fathers name)
,
Sarmana Rudra roopan mama pithaamahaan swadha namas tharpayami.
2.Pithrubhya swaadhavibhya swadha nama
pithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha nama
Prapithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha nama
(Your gothram) Gothraan (Grand father?s name) ,
Sarmana Rudra roopan mama pitha mahaan swadha namas tharpayami.
3.Ye cheha pitharo ye cha neha,
Yagscha vidmayagm u cha na pravidma,
Agne thaan veththa yadi the jathaveda
Sthaya praththagm swadhaya madanthu
(Your gothram) Gothraan (Grand father?s name) ?
Sarmana rudra roopan mama pithamahaan swadha namastharpayami
c.Prapithamaha tharpanam(oblations to great grand father)
a.Madhu vaathaa ruthaayathe madhu ksharanthi sindhava
maadweer na santhwashadhi
(Your Gothram) Gothraan (Great grand father?s name)
,
Sarmana adithya roopaan mama prapithamahan swadha namas tharpayami.
b.Madhu nakthamuthoshasi madu math parthivagam
raja madhu dhourasthu na pitha
(Your gothram) Gothraan (great grand father?s name)
,
Sarmana adithya roopan mama prapithamahaan swadha namas tharpayami
c.Madhumanno vanaspathir madhu magma asthu soorya,
Maadweer gavo bavanthu na
(Your gothra) Gothraan (great grand father?s name)
,
Sarmana adhithya roopan mama prapithamahaan swadha namas tharpayami.
d.Mathru tharpanam[12](Oblations to mother)
1. (Your gothra) Gothraa (mother?s name)
Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami
2.. (Your Gothra) Gothraa (Mother?s name)
Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami
3. (Your Gothra) (Gothraa (Mother?s name)
Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami
e.Pithamahi tharpanam[13](oblations to paternal grand mother)
1.(Your Gothra) Gothraa (Grand mother?s name)
Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi swadha namastharpayami
2. . (Your Gothra) Gothraa (Grand mother?s name)
Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi swadha namastharpayami
3. (Your gothra) Gothraa (Grand mother?s name)
Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi swadha namastharpayami
f.Prapithamahi tharpanam[14](Oblations to paternal great grand mother)
1. (Your Gothra). Gothraa (Great grand mother?s name)
Namnee adithya roopa mama prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami
2. .(Your Gothra) Gothraa (Great Grand mother?s name)
Namnee adithya roopa mama prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami
3. .(Your Gothra) Gothraa (Great Grand mother?s name)
Namnee adithya roopa mama prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami
10.jnaatha jnatha pithru varge tharpanam Oblation to unknown manes of paternal
sides)
a.Jnaatha jnatha pithroon swadha namas tharpayami
b. Jnaatha jnatha pithroon swadha namas tharpayami
c. Jnaatha jnatha pithroon swadha namas tharpayami
Oorjam vahantheeramrutham grutham paya keelalam parisrutham swadha
stha tharpayatha me pithroon trupyatha thrupyatha thrupyatha.
11.Mathamaha varga tharpanam (oblations to ancestors of maternal grand father)
Offer tharpanam with hand full of water mixed with black ellu on the koorcham
for Pithru vargam after each manthra
a.Matha maha tharpanam(Oblation to maternal grand father)
1.Udheerathamvara uthparasa,
Unmadhyama pithara somyasa
Asum ya eeyuravyaka ruthagna
Sthene avanthu pitharo harveshu
(Maternal grand father?s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father?s name)
,
Sarmana vasu roopan mama matha mahaan swadha namastharpayami.
2.Angeeraso na pitharo navagwa,
Adharvano byagava somyaasa,
Thesham vayugum sumathou yagniyanaa mapi
Badre soumanase syama
(Maternal grand father?s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father?s name)
Sarmana vasu roopan mama matha mahaan swadha namas tharpayami.
3.Aa yaanthu na pithara somyaso agni
shwatha prathibhir deva yanai
asmin yagne swadhaya madhayanthwadhi bruvantha the avanthasman,
(Maternal grand father?s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father?s name)
,sarmana vasu
roopan mama matha mahaan swadha namas tharpayami.
b.Mathru pitha maha tharpanam (oblation to grand father of mother)
1.Oorjam vahanthiramrutham grutham paya keelalam
Parisrutham swadha sdha tharpayatha me pithroon ,
(Maternal grand father?s Gothra) gothran (Maternal great grand father?s name)
Sarmana Rudra roopan mama mathu pithaamahaan swadha namas tharpayami.
2.Pithrubhya swaadhavibhya swadha nama
pithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha nama
Prapithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha nama
(Maternal grand father?s Gothra) gothran (Maternal great grand father?s name)
Sarmana Rudra roopan mama mathu pitha mahaan swadha namas tharpayami.
3.Ye cheha pitharo ye cha neha,
Yagscha vidmayagm u cha na pravidma,
Agne thaan veththa yadi the jathaveda
Sthaya praththagm swadhaya madanthu
(Maternal grand father?s Gothra) gothran (Maternal great grand father?s name)
Sarmana rudra roopan mama mathu pithamahaan swadha namastharpayami
c.Mathu Prapithamaha tharpanam(oblations to great grand father of mother)
1.Madhu vaathaa ruthaayathe madhu ksharanthi sindhava
maadweer na santhwashadhi
(Maternal grand father?s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father?s grand
father?sname)
Sarmana adithya roopaan mama mathu prapithamahan swadha namas tharpayami.
2.Madhu nakthamuthoshasi madu math parthivagam
raja madhu dhourasthu na pitha
(Maternal grand father?s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father?s grand
father?sname)
Sarmana adithya roopan mama mathu prapithamahaan swadha namas tharpayami
3.Madhumanno vanaspathir madhu magma asthu soorya,
Maadweer gavo bavanthu na
(Maternal grand father?s Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father?s grand
father?sname)
Sarmana adhithya roopan mama mathu prapithamahaan swadha namas tharpayami.
d.Mathamahi tharpanam[15](Oblations to maternal grand mother)
1.(Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother?s name)
Namnee vasu roopa mama mathamahi swadha namastharpayami
2. .(Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother?s name)
Namnee vasu roopa mama mathamahi swadha namastharpayami
3. .(Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother?s name)
Namnee vasu roopa mama mathamahi swadha namastharpayami
e.Mathru Pithamahi tharpanam[16](Oblations to grand mother of mother)
1.(Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothraa (Maternal great grand mother?s name)
Namnee Rudra roopa mama mathu pithamahi swadha namastharpayami
2. .(Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothraa (Maternal great grand mother?s
name)
Namnee Rudra roopa mama mathu pithamahi swadha namastharpayami
3. .(Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother?s name)
Namnee Rudra roopa mama mathu pithamahi swadha namastharpayami
f. Mathu Prapithamahi tharpanam[17](Oblations to great grand mother of mother)
1. .(Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand father?s grand
mother?s name)
Namnee adithya roopa mama mathu prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami
2. .(Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand father?s grand
mother?s name) . .
Namnee adithya roopa mama mathu prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami
3. .(Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand father?s grand
mother?s name) . .
Namnee adithya roopa mama mathu prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami
12.jnaatha jnatha matha maha varga tharpanam (Oblation to unknown manes of
maternal grand father side)
a.Jnaatha jnatha mathu pithroon swadha namas tharpayami
b. Jnaatha jnatha mathu pithroon swadha namas tharpayami
c. Jnaatha jnatha mathu pithroon swadha namas tharpayami
Oorjam vahantheeramratham grutham paya keelalam parisrutham swadha
stha tharpayatha me mathu pithroon trupyatha thrupyatha thrupyatha.
13.pradhakshinam
Change poonal to usual pattern from left shoulder
(Chant and rotate in the same place clock wise)
Devathabhya pithrubhyascha maha yogibhya eva cha
Nama swaadhai swaahayai nithyameva namo nama.
Some versions ask us to chant this Manthra for Pradakshinam
Namo va pitharo rasaya ,
Namo va pithara sushmaya,
Namo va pitharo jeevaya,
Namo va pitharo swadhayai.
Namo va pitharo manyave,
Namo va pitharo ghoraya,
Pitharo namo vo ya ethasmin lokestha,
Yushmagusthe nuye asmin loke,
Manthenu ya ethasmin lokesya,
Yuyyanthesham vasishta bhooyastha,
Asmin loke ahanthesham vasishto bhooyasam.
14.Namaskaram (salutations)
Change poonal to the left side pattern from right shoulder
Recite with folded hands
Pithru-Pithamaha-Prapthamahebhyo nama
Mathru ?pitha mahi ?prapithamahebhyo nama[18]
Mathamaha -mathru pithamaha-mathru prapithamahebhyo nama.
Mathamahi-Mathu pithamahi=mathu prapathamaheebhyo nama.[19]
Some versions ask us to chant this Manthra for Namaskaram
Uthishtatha pithara pretha soora yamasya pantha ma na vetha puranam,
Dathadhaasmasu dravinam yachcha badhra prano bruthad bhagha dhan devatha.
Change Poonal to usual mode from left shoulder
Recite with folded hands
Devathhabhya pithrubhyascha maha yogibhya eva cha
Nama swaadhayai swahaayai nithya meva namo nama.
15.Udwasanam [20]
Change Poonal to left mode i.e from right shoulder
1.Aayatha pithara somya gambhirai pradhibhi poorvai prajamasmabhyam
dadhatho rayim cha deergayathwam cha satha saaradam cha.
2.Om bhorbuvaswarom
3,Asmad koorchat (Your gothram) gothran (Names of father, grand father, great
grand father) sarmana vasu Rudra adithya swaroopan asmad
pithru-pithamaha-pithrupithamahaan (Your gothram) gothraa (Names of mother,
grand mother and great grand mother) namnee vasu Rudra adithya swaroopa asmad
mathru[21], pithamahi-pithrupithamahischa yada sthanam
prathishtapayami.Shobhanarthe kshemaya punaragamanaya cha.
4.Aayatha mathu pithara somya gambhirai pradhibhi poorvai prajamasmabhyam
dadhatho rayim cha deergayathwam cha satha saaradam cha.
5.Om bhorbuvaswarom
6,Asmin koorche(maternal grand father?s gothra) gothran (Names of maternal
grand father, maternal great grand father and his father) sarmana vasu Rudra
adithya swaroopan asmad mathamaha-mathru pithamaha-mathru prapithamaha
(Maternal grand father?s gothra) gothraa (Names of maternal grand mother,
maternal great grand mother, grand mother of maternal grand father) namnee
vasu Rudra adithya swaroopa asmad mathamahi[22]-mathru pithamahi-mathru
prapithamahischa yadasthanam prathishtapayami. Shobanarthe kshemaaya
punaragamanaya cha
16.Sarva Tharpanam (General oblations)
Change poonal to left shoulder (usual) , remove Pavithram, keep it in the
ear, do Aachamanam, Wear the Pavithram, change poonal to right shoulder,Untie
the Koorchs , Take them in hand and along with water and gingelly do a single
Tharpanam chanting
Yesham na matha na pitha na bandhu na anya gothreena the sarve
trupthimayanthu mayoth srushtai kusodhakai[23]
Trupyatha, Trupyatha, Trupyatha
Remove pavithram , untie and throw it away, change poonal to right shoulder
and touch the water.
!7.Brahmarpanam
Offer a hand full of water chanting.
Om Tat sat Brahmarpanamasthu
Do Aachamanam.
Summary meaning in English of various manthras used in
tharpanam
1.Aachamanam
This is a preliminary purification ceremony. Gods Achutha, Anantha and
Govinda are saluted and then the self is purified by chanting the twelve names
of Vishnu.
2.Dhyanam(Vadagalai)
This is a prayer to the God Ganapathi who is supposed to remove all
obstacles on our way in performance of any rite, in this case, ?Tharpanam?
1.I keep always in my mind the devotees of the Lord of the venkata mountain as
my religious teacher
2.With all my attention I bow before that teacher of teachers who are the first
mother and father of this world.
3.I keep my mind on him who lies on the Adhi Sesha attended by Bhoo devi and
Lakshmi
4. I meditate on the dark coloured Vishnu who has four hands and wears white
silk and is always gracefully happy.
5.I bow before Vishwaksena so that what I am starting is completed without
problems.
2.Dhyanam(Thenkalai)
1. I meditate on the dark coloured Vishnu who has four hands and wears white
silk and is always gracefully happy.
2.I bow before Vishwaksena so that what I am starting is completed without
problems.
3.Pranayamam
This manthra is a guide to a breathing exercise as also a prayer. While
chanting Om bhoo,Om Bhuva, Ogum Suva, Om Maha, om jana, om thapa, ogum satyam
we are supposed to keep the left nostril closed and inhale through the right
nostril. While chanting, ?Om tat sa vithur varenyam bargo devasya dhee mahi,
dhi yo yona prachothayad?, we are supposed to close both nostrils and hold the
breath. After this the left nostril is opened and air exhaled till the end of
the manthra.
Hindus believed that that there were six holy worlds above the earth. These
along with earth are remembered in the first part. These worlds are bhooloka,
bhuvarloka, suvarloka, maharloka, janaloka, thapaloka and satya loka. The
second part is the famous Gayathri manthram. It means
?I meditate on that savitha (the sun or the enlightenment within ourselves)
which helps us in our though process, that god which is within me and that all
engulfing power.?
Or
? I meditate on the most holy shining aspect of that God, who helps in
brightening our thought process.?
Then the third part means ? Om is water, it is the light, it is the earth which
gives the food, it is the air which supports life, and it is the ether which is
spread all around .It is also the holy seven worlds.?
By touching the nose the hands are supposed to get polluted and this is
removed by touching the ears thrice.
4.Sankalpam
This is a preliminary rite in every Vedic action. We tell why we are doing
what we do and we also tell, what we are going to do every time. In some cases
like the tharpanam we also tell when we are doing it and where.
To attain the grace of God, through destruction of sins committed by me,
praying the lord of all worlds,
1.I pray god Lakshmi pathi and mention below the auspicious hour, day, star,
moon phase, my knowledge base and the strength of God and salute the feets of
Lord Vishnu.
2.Whether one is in pure or impure state or whatever state one is in, just
by remembering Pundarikaksha that is Lord Vishnu, I get cleaned both outside
and inside.
3.There is no doubt that the sins committed either by mind, or words or by
action go away by remembering the names of Lord Rama.Rama. Rama
4.The moon phase, the day, the star, the yoga and the happenings are all Lord
Vishnu and thus the whole world is filled with Lord Vishnu.Govinda, Govinda,
Govinda.
5.In the second ionic division of lord Brahma who acted according to the
wishes of the prime God Lord Vishnu, In the great period of the white Varaha,
in the extended reign of Vaivasvatha manu, in the 28th time period which is the
first step of Kali yuga,
At the Indian sub continent of the Indian continent of the great Jambu
island, In the south of the Meru mountain, In the year of the saka
timeperiod starting with the year Prabhava, in the solstice,
in the season, in the month of
In the waning/waxing period of the moon, in the day
of the moon crescents, in the day, in the
star, in the holy period which is for good action, which results in
good, and in the period which has many other good properties, in the day
of moon crescents, I do oblations with thil(gingelly) and
water for destruction of all my sins and for the favour of the god, to my
father whose name is who is of the form of vasu, who belongs to the
gothra , to my grand father whose name is who is
of the form of Rudra, who belongs to the gothra , to my
great grand father whose name is who is of the form of adithya and
who belongs to the gothra , as also to my mother(grand mother if she
mother is alive) who is of the form of vasu and who belongs to the gothra
and whose name is , to my grand mother (great grand mother if
mother is alive) who is of the form of Rudra who belongs to the gothra
And whose name is , to my great grand mother (her
mother if mother is alive) who is of the form of Adithya and who belongs to the
Gothra and whose name is , to my maternal
grand father who is of the form of Vasu and who belongs to the gothra
and whose name is , to my maternal great grand father
who is of the form of Rudra, who belongs to the gothra and whose
name is , to my great grand father of my mother who
is of the form of Adithya and whose name is ,
to my maternal grand mother who is of the form of vasu, who belongs to the
gotra and whose name is , to my maternal great grand mother who
is of the form of Rudra, who belongs to the gothra and whose name
is , to my great grand mother of my mother who is of the form of
adithya who belongs to the gothra and whose name is
.for their perennial satisfaction ,
5.Avahanam(For my fathers side)
1.Hey revered manes, who have observed soma yaga, please travel through the
royal path , and take part in this rite, which has been adopted by your
ancestors. And bless me with children wealth and long life,
2.Om is the sound of the holy lands, which are above this earth.
3.I meditate on my father, grandfather, great grandfather whose names are
who were belonged to the
gothra and whose respective forms are that of Vasu, rudhra and adhithya
and my mother, grand mother and great grand mother [24] whose names are
who belonged to the
gothra and whose respective forms are that of Vasu, Rudhra and
Adhithya and request them to occupy this koorcham.
6.Asanam (For my fathers side)
1.Hey leaves of Durbha plant, I spread thine very soft leaves , which were
only cut once here so that my manes can sit on you. Let my father, grandfather,
great grandfather who are of the form of the moon sit on you along with their
companions.
2.I give seat to my father, grandfather, great grandfather and my mother,
grandmother and great grandmother[25] and worship them with gingelly.
7.Avahanam(For my maternal grand father?s side)
1.Hey revered manes, who have observed soma yaga, please travel through the
royal path , and take part in this rite, which has been adopted by your
ancestors. And bless me with children wealth and long life,
2.Om is the sound of the holy lands, which are above this earth.
3.I meditate on my maternal grandfather, maternal great grandfather,
grandfather of maternal grandfather whose names are
who were belonged to the
gothra and whose respective forms are that of Vasu, rudhra and adhithya
and my maternal grand mother, maternal great grand mother and grand mother of
maternal grand father [26] whose names are
who belonged to the
gothra and whose respective forms are that of Vasu, Rudhra and
Adhithya and request them to occupy this koorcham.
8.Asanam (For my maternal grand fathers side)
1.Hey leaves of Durbha plant, I spread thine very soft leaves , which were
only cut once here so that my manes can sit on you. Let my maternal
grandfather, maternal great grandfather, grand father of maternal grandfather
who are of the form of the moon sit on you along with their companions.
2.I give seat to my maternal grand father, maternal great grand father, grand
father of my maternal grand father and my maternal grand mother, maternal great
grand mother and grand mother of my maternal grand father[27] and worship them
with gingelly.
9.Oblations to paternal ancestors
a. Oblations to father
1.Let all those manes who are in the earth because they did not perform dutiful
rites. Those manes who are great because they carried out fire sacrifices and
those of average stature because they performed the rites prescribed to them,
receive my oblations and bless me. Let those who do not trouble and know about
the rites that I perform save me. I offer this oblation of this food mixed
with water to my father whose name is and who is born in
the gothra and who is the form of vasu.
2.Our manes who are known by names such as Angeeras, atharwas, and brugus ,are
of very great character and they all have great affection to their descendents.
Let them who should be worshipped by doing fire sacrifices be is our mind doing
good and bless us. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my
father whose name is and who is born in the gothra
and who is the form of vasu.
3.Let my manes who have not done fire sacrifices but have reached pithru loka
arrive here by the path taken by Gods. Let them get satisfied by this offering
of food mixed with water and let them talk good of us in the other world and
bless us with further and further progress. I offer this oblation of this food
mixed with water to my father whose name is and who is
born in the gothra and who is the form of vasu.
b. Oblations to grandfather
1.Hey gods who love water , carry suitable food, nectar, ghee, blood and
toddy to my manes if by chance they are born as men, tree, creeper and men of
the lower caste and make it suitable food for them and also become food for
them. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my grand father
whose name is and who is born in the gothra
and who is the form of Rudra.
2.I salute my father, grand father and great grand father who like the food
called swadha which is mixed with water and offer them the food which is
swadha. I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my grand father
whose name is and who is born in the gothra
and who is the form of Rudra.
3.Hey God of fire who is all knowing, You know my manes who are present here,
who are not present here, those who are known to me because they departed not
long ago, those are not known to me, . Please take this food with water, which
I am offering to them and let all my manes become happy. I offer this oblation
of this food mixed with water to my grand father whose name is
and who is born in the gothra and who is the form of
Rudra
c. Oblations to great grandfather
1.Let air do me (who is offering these oblations) good and rivers and
medicinal plants give me sweetness I offer this oblation of this food mixed
with water to my great grand father whose name is and
who is born in the gothra and who is the form of Adhithya.
2.Let night and day do me good. Let earth give me sweetness and very good
quality food. Let the sky , which is like my father not trouble me with no rain
or excess rain and grant me pure pleasure. I offer this oblation of this food
mixed with water to my great grand father whose name is
and who is born in the gothra and who is the form of Adhithya.
3.Let trees bless me by giving fruits. Let Sun god give me energy without much
hot weather. Let cows give me sweet milk. I offer this oblation of this food
mixed with water to my great grand father whose name is
and who is born in the gothra and who is the form of adhitya.
d, e. f. Mother , grandmother , great grandmother[28]
Three oblations each are offered without any ?riks(prayer chant) to the
lady ancestors with the manthra
?I offer this oblation of this food mixed with water to my mother (grand
mother, great grand mother) whose name is and who is
born in the gothra and who is the form of vasu.(Rudra for grand
mother, Adithya for great grand mother.) ?
10.Oblations to unknown manes of the father?s side.
This is offered thrice with the chant.
?I offer this swadha food which is mixed with water to my known and unknown
manes of my paternal side.?
Hey gods who love water , carry suitable food, nectar, ghee, blood and toddy
to my manes if by chance they are born as men, tree, creeper and men of the
lower caste and make it suitable food for them and also become food for them.
Oh manes please get satisfied, please get satisfied and please get satisfied.
The Tharpanam for the manes of the maternal grandfather side(11 and 12) is
same as that of paternal side except the manes of the maternal grand fathers
side are mentioned so as to avoid repetition this meaning is not given/
13.Pradakshinam
Salutations to gods, manes and great sages.
Salutations to food, fire sacrifice daily
The meaning of the alternate manthra:-
Oh manes salutations ,
To your spirit,
Your strength,
Your soul,
Your food, which is swadha,
Your anger,
And your strong punishment.
Let those people whom you are with ,
Obey you.
You kindly do as per our wishes.
Please be friends to those whom you are
With in Pithru loka and be a good home for them.
For those who are in this earth,
Let me a good home.
.
14.Namaskaram (Salutations)
Salutations to father-grand father and great grandfather,
Salutations to mother-grand mother-great grandmother
Salutations to maternal grandfather, his father and his grand father
Salutations to maternal grandmother, maternal great grandmother and great
grandmother of maternal grandfather.
The meaning of alternate manthra.
Oh manes who are great in blessing and in action,
Be pleased to depart by either the old way
or through the land of yama or any other way,
Please grant us wealth and good luck.
Please tell the Vasu, adhithya and devathas,
About the food that I offered you.
15.Udwasanam
This is the same as Avahana manthra except that the manes are asked
to go their place and are requested to come again and again.
16.Sarva Tharpanam.(general oblations)
Let all those manes who do not have mother, father, friends , others of their
family or even others belonging to other gotras to do tharpanam for them
partake this water mixed with gingely and be satisfied., be satisfied, be
satisfied.
17.Brahmarpanam
I do give all this to the great god Brahma so that faults are pardoned.
II Brahma Yagnam
This is supposed to be done by all Brahmins daily after Madhyahnikam. This
is a worship of Vedas and honouring and satifying the devas, rishis and
Pithrus.The Manthra starting with ?Vidhyudhasi?.? Means
Oh God, you are the lightning which is in between the clouds and you know my
sins.and I seek the part of that power of yours. Daily.
The vedic chants have the following meaning:-
1.I worship the god of fire who is the first god in all fire sacrifices, who
is the one who conducts and who is the conductior of the fire sacrifice and who
is capable of giving all wealth.(Rik Veda)
2.Oh calves of cows, To supply us food as well as make us worship god, you
graze and return. Let the god savithru give you good grazing(Yajur veda)
3.Oh God of fire, be pleased to come.You should be pleased accept our
worship.Please make the fire sacrifice that we do to the devas.(sama veda)
4.Oh Gods who like water, Apart from quenching our thirsts, you should fulfill
all our desires and grant us good things.By your grace let sorrow vanish from
our lives and let happiness come.(atharvana Veda)
Meaning for the sloka starting with ?Vrushtirasi?.?
You are rain,You will cut off my sins,.
After this several oblation is offered to devas, rishis, Vedas and pithrus.
Appendix
1.Names of Nakshatras in Sanskrit for sankalpa
S.No Tamil Malayalam Sanskrit
1. Aswathi Aswini Aswini
2. Bharani Bharani
Apabharani
3. Karthigai . Karthiga Kruthiga
4. Rohini Rohini
Rohinee
5. Mriga Siarm Mageeram Mriga Seersha
6. Thiruvathirai Thiruvathira Arudhra
7. Punarpoosam Punartham Punarvasu
8. Poosam Pooyam Pushya
9. Ayilyam Ayilyam Aslesha
10. Magam Makam Magha
11. Pooram Pooram Poorva
phalguni
12. Uthiram Uthram Uthra
Phalguni
13. Haastham Atham Hastha
14. Chithirai Chithra Chitra
15. Swathi Swathi Swathi
16. Vishagam Vishakam Vishaka
17. Anusham Anizham Anuradha
18. Kettai Ketta
Jyeshta
19. Moolam Moolam Moola
20 Pooradam Pooradam Poorvashada
21. Uthradam Uthradam Uthrashada
22. Thiruvonam Thiruvonam Sravana
23. Avittam Avittam
Sravishta
24. Chathayam Chathayam Satha bishak
25.. Poororattathi Poororattathi Poorva
proshta pada
26 Uthrattathi Uthrattathi
Uthara proshtapada
27. Revathy Revathy
Revathee.
2. .Names of days of week in Sanskrit for sankalpa
1.Sunday- Bhanuvasara
2.Monday- Induvasara
3.Tuesday-Bhouma vasara
4.Wednesday-Soumya vasara
5.Thursday- Guru vasara
6.Friday- Brugu vasara
7.Saturday- Sthiravasara
3. .Names of months in Sanskrit for sankalpa
S.No Tamil Malayalam
Sanskrit
1. Chitthirai Medam
Mesham
2 Vaikasi Edavam
Rishabha
3 Aani Midhunam
Midhuna
4 Aadi Karkidagam
Karkada
5 Aavani Chingam
Simham
6 Puratasi Kanni
Kanya
7 Iyppasi Thulam
Thula
8 Karthigai Vrischigam
Vrucchiga
9 Margazhi Dhanu
Dhanu
10 Thai Makaram
Makara
11 Masi Kumbham
Kumbha
12 Panguni Meenam
Meena
4.Names of the seasons
1.Vasantha Ruthu Chithirai-Vaikasi Medam-edavam
2,Greeshma Rithu Aani-Aadi Mithunam-karkidagam
3.Varsha Rithu Aavani-purattasi Chingam-Kanni
4.Sarad Rithu Ippasi-Karthigai Thulam-Vrischigam
5.Hemantha Rithu Margazhi-Thai Dhanu-Makaram
6.Sishira Rithu Maasi-Panguni Kumbham-Meenam
. .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Meaning of the manthras at the end.
* Please refer Panchangam(almanac) for the names or get the particulars.For
Sanskrit names refer at the end of compilation.These particulars for every
tharpanam is given in www.keralaiyers.com and www.brahmanas.org .
** It is recommended that you substitute these names in various places and take
a print out for your use .Contact family elders if you do not know this
information.
[1] Names of grand mother, great grand mother, Fathers great grand mother if
mother is alive
[2] In case mother is alive, this would be
pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa
[3] In case mother?s mother is alive , this would be mathamahasya
mathu-pithamahi-prapithamahischa
[4] Mesharavi punya kale for tharpanam done on Mesha
sankramam(chittirai-makaram first)Karkadaga ravi punya kale( for tharpanam done
during adi=Karkidaga Sankramam(Adi first), Thula ravi punya kale for tharpanam
done during thula masam first(Iyppasi first), makara ravi punya kale for
tharpanam done on makara sankramam(Thai first), Suryoparaga punya kale for
tharpanam done during solar eclipse, Somoparaga punyakale for tharpanam done
during Lunar eclipse and In case of Paraheni tharpanam done after Sraddham,
?Purvedya maya krutha mathru pithru prathyabdhika sradhangam thila tharpanam
karishye. Please note in case of paraheni tharpanam, the offering(tharpanam) is
made to only paternal side pithrus.
[5]In some families they only use one koorcham.
[6] People using only one koorcha, please do avahanam chanting ?Asmin koorche
vargodhaya pithroon dhyayami avahayami?
[7] In case mother is alive, this would be
pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa
[8] In case mother is alive, this would be
pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa
[9] In case mother?s mother is alive , this would be mathamahasya
mathu-pithamahi-prapithamahischa
[10] Some books say ? pitharo manoja vaso agnishwatha?
[11] Some books say ? madantho adhi bruvanthu?
[12] If mother is alive instead of mathru tharpanam perform pithamahi
tharpanam.In the manthras replace mathu with pithamahi.
[13] If mother is alive instead of pithamahi tharpanam perform prapithamahi
tharpanam.In the manthras replace pithamahi with prapithamahi
[14] If mother is alive instead of prapithamahi tharpanam perform pithru
prapithamahi tharpanam.In the manthras replace prapitha mahi with pithru
prapithamahi.
[15] If maternal grand mother is alive instead of matha mahi tharpanam
perform matha mahasya mathu tharpanam.In the manthras replace mathamahi with
mathamahasya mathu.
[16] If maternal grand mother is alive instead of mathu pithamahi tharpanam
perform matha mahasya pithamahi tharpanam.In the manthras replace mathu
pithamahi with matha mahasya pithamahi
[17] If maternal grand mother is alive instead of mathu prapithamahi tharpanam
perform mathamahasya prapithamahi tharpanam.In the manthras replace prapitha
mahi with matha mahasya prapithamahi.
[18] If mother is alive recite Pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithru prapapitha
maheebhyo nama
[19] If maternal grand mother is alive then Mathamahasya mathu-mathamahasya
pithamahi-matha mahasya prapithamaheebhyo nama.
[20] People doing tharpanam on one koorcham chant? Asmad koorchat vargodhaya
pithrun yadastanam prathishtapayami.?
[21] In case mother is alive, this would be
pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa
[22] In case mother?s mother is alive , this would be mathamahasya
mathu-pithamahi-prapithamahischa
[23] Some books say ? Yesham na matha na pitha na mithra gnanthi bandhawa ? and
some others say ?yesham na pitha na bratha na puthro na anya gothrina?
[24] grand mother, great grand mother, fathers great grand mother in case
mother is alive
[25] grand mother, great grand mother and father?s great grand mother in case
mother is alive.
[26] Maternal grand father?s mother, maternal grand fathers grand mother,
maternal grand fathers great grand mother in case maternal grand mother is alive
[27] Maternal grand father?s mother, maternal grand fathers grand mother,
maternal grand fathers great grand mother in case maternal grand mother is alive
[28] Grand mother, great grand mother and fathers great grand mother in case
mother is alive.
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