Tarpana Malayalam
Tarpana Malayalam
Tarpana Malayalam
Om Rishibhyo Namah
Introduction
External rituals are meant to create the internal visualization needed to affect desirable internal changes in the long run. For example, one offers a full coconut into fire as poornaahuti (complete offering) at the end of a homam (fire ritual). This is symbolic of surrendering ones head or ego (sense of I-ness) to god and burning it in the fire of wisdom and becoming free from ego. As one keeps engaging in this act again and again, the visualization becomes stronger and stronger and ego is slowly reduced. One important ritual of Hinduism is tarpana. Tarpana means satisfying or satiating. One acknowledges the debt one has to devas (gods), rishis (sages) and pitris (ancestral manes) and tries to satisfy them using this ritual. Just as gods are invoked in fire in a homam, pitris are invoked in water in this ritual, then held in the palm and released in a specific way conducive to freeing them. One owes a lot to ones parents and ancestors. In modern scientific terms, one owes all of ones genetic characteristics to ones parents and ancestors. Each ancestor is actually present in the person as a genetic characteristic. In karmik terms, one inherits some karmas of ones parents and ancestors and each ancestor is actually present in the person as a kaarmik predisposition. The latter approach obviously extends to multiple lives and some karmik predisposition is inherited from the ancestors from a past life too, though they may not be related to one in this life. By thinking of the deceased ancestors with gratitude and trying to give them an emancipation, one is actually trying to free oneself from various kaarmic predispositions that one has as a result of the rina (karmik debt) with several people. One can view this as an external event of satisfying and emancipating an external entity (a pitri). Alternately, one can view this as an internal event of satisfying and releasing an internal kaarmik predisposition. Ultimately, it is the latter. However, one needs to externalize first and perform external rituals, while thinking of what it means internally. This builds up ones visualization and slowly brings about internal changes and eventually the desired internal change itself. One with living parents also can perform pitri tarpanas for departed ancestors of this life and previous lives. Two external spiritual sadhanas are particularly powerful, useful and recommended for every person desirous of fast spiritual progress: (1) Homam (fire ritual): Gods are invoked in fire and satisfied with offerings with mantras. Please see the homam website at http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam for more. In the long run, a regular practice of this ritual increases the subtle fire burning inside ones subtle body, burns various impediments to spiritual progress and gives clarity, focus and stability to the mind. (2) Tarpana (water ritual): Gods, sages and manes are invoked in water and satisfied with emancipation given to them. In the long run, a regular practice of this ritual increases the release of various kaarmik predispositions and weaknesses that are blocking ones spiritual and material progress. This document describes the procedure of pitri tarpana with the relevant mantras using a simple approach. This document is the regular procedure. There are also documents giving a short procedure and a super-short procedure for the benefit of those with time constraints or problem with Sanskrita language. Download them from http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana.
On these days, tarpanas not requiring water with sesame seed can be performed, but not the ones requiring water with sesame seeds.
Materials Needed
One needs the following materials: (1) Water pot made ideally of gold, silver, copper, bronze, brass or panchalohas (five metals). It should ideally not be made of iron, steel or clay. However, it is better to make compromises when you have no suitable pot, than skipping the ritual altogether. (2) Some akshatas made by mixing uncooked plain white (or brown) rice grains with turmeric powder and a drop of ghee (clarified butter) or an oil. In the absence of turmeric powder, just plain rice grains can be used as akshatas. In the absence of rice grains, use a grain that is locally popular and available. (3) Black sesame seeds. Try your best to get them. If you cannot get them, use white or brown sesame seeds as a substitute. If you cannot get any of them, use akshatas (see (2) above) instead of sesame seeds. (4) Darbhas or kushas, a sacred grass. Each darbha has a sharp edge and a base. You need to hold three of them in your right palm, while holding and leaving water. If you do not have darbha, use a locally available grass. If that cannot be done, just ignore darbhas in all directions and proceed without them. (5) A ring made of darbha, known as pavitram, is to be worn on the right hand ring finger during the ritual. If that is not available, it is acceptable to wear any ring made of any gemstone or gold or silver. So wear some ring on the right hand ring finger. If that is not possible, proceed without it.
Sankalpam (vow)
While sitting cross-legged, the empty left-hand palm is placed on the right knee with the palm facing up. Some akshatas are taken in the right hand, it is closed and the closed fist of the right hand is placed on the left palm with the palm of the closed right fist facing down (towards the left hand palm). The following is recited to take a sankalpa (vow) to perform this ritual. It means on this auspicious day and auspicious time, I shall perform tarpana to Devas, Rishis and Pitris to the best of my ability. After reciting it, the akshatas are dropped on the ground in front of one.
Deva Tarpana
The first to be performed is Deva Tarpana, satiation of various gods who run this universe. They are also microcosmically present in each person as various good qualities inside that person. Place the water pot in front of you. Sit facing the east direction. The right knee should be in contact with the ground, while the left knee should be out of contact with the ground (i.e. place the left leg over right leg so that left knee is a little above the ground). Put some akshatas in the water pot, hold the water pot on the right hand palm, cover it with the left hand palm and say the following to request the presence of gods, rishis etc in that water pot. It means may Brahma etc gods and Kashyapa etc sages, may all the great ones who live in the stomach of the cosmic egg of creation come here.
HxI gx ZeZxi | HxI pyrJ ZeZxi | HxI kbJ ZeZxi | HxI eRxeZyJ ZeZxi | HxI bpxJ ZeIZxi | HxI bpJ ZeIZxi | HxI pspJ ZeIZxi | HxI kbxJ ZeIZxi | HxI BbyZxJ ZeIZxi | HxI QIbxIsy ZeIZxi | HxI pbxJ ZeIZxi | HxI ErjJ ZeIZxi | HxI MIckxJ ZeIZxi | HxI AeksJ ZeIZxi | HxI bpxdMxJ ZeIZxi | HxI dxMxJ ZeIZxi | HxI sxMkxJ ZeIZxi | HxI ekZxJ ZeIZxi | HxI skyZJ ZeIZxi | HxI idrxJ ZeIZxi | HxI jxJ ZeIZxi | HxI kxIsy ZeIZxi | HxI eyqxPxJ ZeIZxi | HxI sekYxJ ZeIZxi | HxI hZxdy ZeIZxi | HxI eqpJ ZeIZxi | HxI pdsZjJ ZeIZxi | HxI HxrcjJ ZeIZxi | Rishi Tarpana
You need to continue to sit facing east with the right knee in contact with earth. You need to use the water containing akshatas and do the same way as in Deva tarpana. Use the following mantras.
HxI KqeJ ZeZxi | HxI AZyJ ZeZxi | HxI psyrJ ZeZxi | HxI pyqxiyZJ ZeZxi | HxI MZiJ ZeZxi | HxI hkbxRJ ZeZxi | HxI RibyJ ZeZxi | HxI AIMykxJ ZeZxi | HxI KJ ZeZxi | HxI hMJ ZeZxi | Change of Sacred Thread and Sitting Style
Now sit facing the north direction. If you are wearing the sacred thread, wear it like a necklace. Normally, sacred thread for men is worn above the shoulder on the left and below the shoulder (i.e. at the hip level) on the right. However, wear it like a normal necklace now, around the neck. Change its position without removing it from the body. Sit without touching either knee to the ground, i.e. with raised knees.
HxI sdKJ ZeZxi | HxI sdKJ ZeZxi | HxI sdIbJ ZeZxi | HxI sdIbJ ZeZxi | HxI sdxZdJ ZeZxi | HxI sdxZdJ ZeZxi | HxI sdZKixkJ ZeZxi | HxI sdZKixkJ ZeZxi | HxI KeymJ ZeZxi | HxI KeymJ ZeZxi | HxI BskyJ ZeZxi | HxI BskyJ ZeZxi | HxI pxXJ ZeZxi | HxI pxXJ ZeZxi | HxI eIPqyLJ ZeZxi | HxI eIPqyLJ ZeZxi |
HxI AyJ ZeZxi CbI sZymI RmI Zs scx diJ||1|| Zs scx diJ||2|| Zs scx diJ||3|| HxI sxiJ ZeZxi CbI sZymI RmI Zs scx diJ||1|| Zs scx diJ||2|| Zs scx diJ||3|| HxI jiJ ZeZxi CbI sZymI RmI Zs scx diJ||1|| Zs scx diJ||2|| Zs scx diJ||3|| HxI AkixJ ZeZxi CbI sZymI RmI Zs scx diJ||1|| Zs scx diJ||2|| Zs scx diJ||3||
Next 3 mantras are for all the manes that were burnt by fire or carried by water or elevated beings that just left the body.
HxI Ayr BxJ eyZkJ ZeIZxi CbI sZymI RmI ZhJ scx diJ||1|| ZhJ scx diJ||2|| ZhJ scx diJ||3|| HxI sxiexJ eyZkJ ZeIZxi CbI sZymI RmI ZhJ scx diJ||1|| ZhJ scx diJ||2|| ZhJ scx diJ||3|| HxI gktyrbJ eyZkJ ZeIZxi CbI sZymI RmI ZhJ scx diJ||1|| ZhJ scx diJ||2|| ZhJ scx diJ||3|| Yama Tarpana
These are offerings to Lord Yama, who is the keeper of dharma and judge of peoples karmas. Release water (in the style previously mentioned) whenever you encounter a namah.
HxI HxI HxI HxI HxI HxI HxI HxI HxI HxI HxI HxI HxI HxI
jixj diJ | HxI jixj diJ | HxI jixj diJ | ckikxRxj diJ | HxI ckikxRxj diJ | HxI ckikxRxj diJ | iZp diJ | HxI iZp diJ | HxI iZp diJ | AIZKxj diJ | HxI AIZKxj diJ | HxI AIZKxj diJ | ppsZxj diJ | HxI ppsZxj diJ | HxI ppsZxj diJ | Kxmxj diJ | HxI Kxmxj diJ | HxI Kxmxj diJ | skhZjxj diJ | HxI skhZjxj diJ | HxI skhZjxj diJ | Hbigkxj diJ | HxI Hbigkxj diJ | HxI Hbigkxj diJ | bcxj diJ | HxI bcxj diJ | HxI bcxj diJ | dzmxj diJ | HxI dzmxj diJ | HxI dzmxj diJ | ekiryd diJ | HxI ekiryd diJ | HxI ekiryd diJ | pKxbkxj diJ | HxI pKxbkxj diJ | HxI pKxbkxj diJ | PyZxj diJ | HxI PyZxj diJ | HxI PyZxj diJ | PyZMexj diJ | HxI PyZMexj diJ | HxI PyZMexj diJ |
Pitri Tarpana
These are offerings to various deceased ancestors of various lives. First place the water pot in front of you, bow to it and say the following. This means may my ancestors come here and accept my water oblations.
ii skRr eyZkJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of fathers father in various lives to you:
ii skRr eyZxitxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of fathers fathers father in various lives to you:
ii skRr eeyZxitxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of mother in various lives to you:
ii skRr ixZkJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of fathers mother in various lives to you:
ii skRr eyZxitJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of fathers fathers mother in various lives to you:
ii skRr eeyZxitJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of wife in various lives to you:
ii skRr eZjJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of son in various lives to you:
ii skRr eZxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of daughter in various lives to you:
ii skRr KdxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of step-mother in various lives to you:
ii skRr sxeixZkJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of mothers father in various lives to you:
ii skRr ixZxitxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of mothers fathers father in various lives to you:
ii skRr eixZxitxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of mothers fathers fathers father in various lives to you:
ii skRr peixZxitxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of mothers mother in various lives to you:
ii skRr ixZxitJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of mothers fathers mother in various lives to you:
ii skRr eixZxitJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of mothers fathers fathers mother in various lives to you:
ii skRr peixZxitJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||2|| ZxhJ scx diJ ||3||
To beings who played the role of brother in various lives to you:
ii skRr hxZkJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of sister in various lives to you:
ii skRr hMydJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of fathers brother in various lives to you:
ii skRr eyZpxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of mothers brother in various lives to you:
ii skRr ixZmxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of step-brother in various lives to you:
ii skRr sxehxZkJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of step-sister in various lives to you:
ii skRr sxehMydJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of fathers sister in various lives to you:
ii skRr eyZhMydJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of mothers sister in various lives to you:
ii skRr ixZhMydJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of father-in-law in various lives to you:
ii skRr qqkxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of mother-in-law in various lives to you:
ii skRr qqkeJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of guru (teacher) in various lives to you:
ii skRr MkpJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of gurus wife in various lives to you:
ii skRr MkeJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZxhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of sishya (disciple) in various lives to you:
ii skRr qyrxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
ii skRr sLxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of a dear one in various lives to you:
ii skRr BeRdxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1||
To beings who played the role of one born in the same lineage in various lives to you:
ii skRr sKmRxZxJ ZeIZxi CbI ZymxbKI scxjyhJ ZhJ scx diJ ||1|| Customization for Specific Deceased Persons
The exhaustive list above covers various people who were close to us in various lives and left a kaarmik imprint on our soul and resulted in some kaarmik predispositions in this life. Now, if you want to offer tarpana to a specific deceased person, use the following customization. Based on whether the deceased is a man or woman, pick the correct mantra from below. Substitute the gotra, relation and name in the mantra to get a customized mantra. If the deceased person is a man from List A: Gotra MxZJ ii Relation Name ZeZxi
Zs scx diJ||3||
If the deceased person is a woman from List A: Gotra MxZx ii Relation Name ZeZxi
Zs scx diJ||3||
If the deceased person is a man from List B: Gotra MxZJ ii Relation Name ZeZxi If the deceased person is a woman from List B: Gotra MxZx ii Relation Name ZeZxi
In all the cases, the word "Gotra" in the mantras is to be replaced by the gotra name of the deceased person (e.g. Vasishtha, Gautama, Angirasa, Bharadwaja, Kaushika, Atri etc). Gotra of a person traces to the Rishi (sage) from whom the family line originated. If the gotra is not known, one can use Achyuta (APZ) for those who prefer Vishnu and Shiva (qyp) for those who prefer Shiva, as the default gotra. The word "Name" in the mantras is to be replaced by the actual name of the deceased person. The word "Relation" in the mantras is to be replaced by the Sanskrit word describing the relationship of the deceased person to you. Get it from the following tables. Please note that tarpana can be offered to several specific people. In that case, repeat the above mantra by inserting the gotra, name and relationship corresponding to each. Get the Sanskrit words for relationship from the table below. List A (paternal/maternal ancestors): Father: eyZx Mother: ixZx Fathers father: eyZxitJ Fathers mother: eyZxitz Fathers fathers father: eeyZxitJ Fathers fathers mother: eeyZxitz Mothers father: ixZxitJ Mother's mother: ixZxitz Mothers fathers father: eixZxitJ Mothers fathers mother: eixZxitz Mothers fathers fathers father: peixZxitJ Mothers fathers fathers mother: List B (others): Wife: ez Husband: eZyJ Son: eZJ Daughter: Kdx Daughter-in-law: eZez Sons son: eZJ Sons daughter: eZz Son-in-law: RxixZx Daughters son: btyZJ Daughters daughter: btyZz Brother: hxZx Sister: hMydz Step-mother: sxeixZx Step-father: sxeeyZx Step-brother: sxehxZx Step-sister: sxehMydz
peixZxitz
Fathers brother: eyZpJ Mothers brother: ixZmJ Fathers sister: eyZhMydz Mothers sister: ixZhMydz Father-in-law: qqkJ Mother-in-law: qqkez Male teacher: MkJ Male teachers wife: Mkez Female teacher: Mkz Female teachers husband: MkzeZyJ Disciple: qyrJ Friend: sLx A dear one: BeRdJ One born in the same lineage: sKmRxZJ
Conclusion
While releasing water continuously in the style previously mentioned, recite the following verses.
dkKr sisr jxZdxs P j yZxJ | ZrxI BexjdxjZzjZ smymi ijx || j gxIcpx gxIcpx jdRdy gxIcpxJ | Z ZeyiLymx jx jxsxhypxIQZy || j i Km meeyIWxJ eZbxk pypkRyZxJ | ZrxI ty biI Cbis ZymxbKI || BgsigekI bpkryeyZixdpxJ | ZeIZ eyZkJ sk ixZ ixZxitxbjJ || AZzZKmKxUzdxI sebzedypxsydxI | BghpdxZ mxKxZ Cbis ZymxbKI ||
Now throw away the remaining water in the pot, clean it and take fresh water in it. Put back the sacred thread in the normal way (see previous sections for the description). Sit facing the east. While saying the following, offer fresh water through the region marked as 1 in the picture (tips of fingers) to gods, like in Deva tarpana described earlier.
HxI skxj diJ | HxI gY diJ | HxI Aj diJ | HxI eayp diJ | HxI pkYxj diJ | HxI pyrp diJ |
Say the following and think that you have surrendered the doership of the just finished action to the Lord. Now you should try to completely abandon the thought that you did it.
Add jaxqyKZd bpkryeyZ ZkeYxLd KkiYx hMpxd eyZskez Rdxkbd pxsbpJ ezjZxI d ii | HxI ZZ sZ | HxI skI qz KrxkeYis | HxI mxKxJ sisxJ sLydx hpIZ | HxI sk RdxJ sLydx hpIZ | HxI qxIZyJ qxIZyJ qxIZyJ |