Sradha (that which is done with attention and sincerity) is the term
used by Brahmins for the annual death ceremony. I am summarizing here the rules
regarding Sradha as given by Anna in a book called Pithru Pooja and another
book called Pithru yagnam which is compiled by Sri.V.Srinivasan. Both books are
in Tamil. Reading through it , you would soon come to the conclusion that
Sradha according to rules is extremely difficult to perform, due to our pre
occupation with modern life.
Sradha comes from the word Sradha(Trust/loyalty) and indicates the
annual ritual performed to offer food to three generations of our ancestors. It
is believed that when our manes reach the land of the manes(Pithru Loka) , our
one year is one day for them. We are only attempting to offer food and water to
them every day. Normally every one performs Sradha only to his parents but it
should be offered by us to all those to whom we have performed death ceremony,
Real parents in case we are adopted, Grandparents , if they die after the death
of all their sons and brother of father if he does not have a son , brother if
he does not have a son .
1.Some definitions
Kartha- The one who does Sradha
Boktha-He who participates in Sradha representing the manes(Pithrus.)
1.Time for doing Sradha
1.1. Sradha should be performed in the souramana month* , on the phase
of the moon and on the thidhi when the person dies , annually. The thidhi is
that which occurs in the Kudaba kala in Aparahna i.e after 18
Nazhigai(approximately 8 hours after sun rise) . Sradha is to be performed in
the Kudaba Kala of Aparahna only. During the Paksha of Sradha at least for
three one days one should follow all rituals and observe all rules.
1.2. If the thidhi is spread over two days, Sradha should be performed
on that day when Thidhi is there in the afternoon. If both days it is spread on
the afternoon , then it should be performed on the day when it is spread more
in the afternoon. If it is spread equally then it should be done on the first
day.
1.3. If during a month two thithis come , then Sradha should be
performed on the second Thidhi. If one of them happens to be the day when month
starts(Sankramana) , it should be done on the other day.. If both are having
Sankramana , it should be done on the first day.
1.4. If there is no thidhi in a particular month, it should be done on
the thidhi of the previous chandramana month without Sankramana. If it is not
there in the Chandramana month , it should be done in the next souramana month.
(*There are two system of month in India. Souramana month is the
period when Sun stays in the rasi of the month . Chandramana is always from
Prathama for thirty days. Chandramana year will have 360 days. After every five
years, there would be an Athi masa(Extra month))
2.Tripurusha Udesa and yeka purusha Udesa
2.1 When we do Sradha to father, mother , grandfather , grandmother ,
great grandfather , great grandmother , maternal grandfather, maternal
grandmother, wife, brother of father, brother, biological father , biological
mother, we should do Sradha aimed at three generations(Tri Purusha udhesa) .
For all others only his generation would be addressed(Yeka Purusha udesa). The
Sradha where three generations are addressed is called Parvana Vidhana and
where only one generation is addressed it is called Yekodhishta.
2.2. In Sradha being done by ladies in case of Father in law, mother
in law, father, mother, husband, Grandfather , and grandmother, three
generations are addressed. All other cases only one generation are addressed.
2.3. If Sradha is performed by someone representing a lady or child by
taking authorization in the form of Durba grass,, he does not have
Apavasya.(Sacred thread need not be worn on the right shoulder).
3.Homa for whom and when
3.1 When Sradha is performed for father, mother , grandfather ,
grandmother , great grandfather , great grandmother , maternal grandfather,
maternal grandmother, wife, brother of father, brother, biological father ,
biological mother, then only Homa is performed . For others Homa is not there.
3.2 For all sradhas performed by women there is no Homa.
3.3. Homa cannot be performed without the presence of the wife. That
is an unmarried person/widower or one whose wife is absent due to some reason
is not authorized to perform Homa.
4. Procedure when more than one Sradha has to be performed on the same
day.
4.1.If the Sradha of father and mother come on the same day or comes
on a day when the family taint goes away, then the Sradha of father has to be
done first and later Sradha to the mother has to be done.
4.2. If Sradha of father and step mother comes on the same day , after
performing father’s Sradha, cooking has to be done gain , and the Sradha of
step mother has to be performed.
4.3 If the annual Sradha(Apthikam) and Masika(Monthly sradham
performed for one year after death) comes together , then the Aapthika should
be done first and then the Masika.
4.4. If Sradha addressed to three generations(Parvana) and
Ekodhishta(One addressed to one generation) comes on the same day , first
Parvana has to be performed and then Ehkodhista with new cooking.
4.5. The Sradha of father or mother which was not performed due to it
occurring in the middle of after death ceremonies of father or mother should be
performed after Sapindikarana day. But if the Sradha is of anybody else except
the parents then it should be done only after the first death anniversary
Sradha.
4.6.Before the Sapindikarana of mother or father , we should not
perform the Sradha of anybody else. But the Sradha of mother or father should
be done before the sapindikarana of others. If for some reason the
sapindikarana of mother or father is delayed, the Sradha of any of the others
can be performed after 12th day.
4.7. On the same day two sradhas should not be performed addressing
the same manes That is Sradha or mane worship coming on fixed days and Sradha
on special occasions come (like that during eclipse) then performing that of
the special occasions would give the effect of the one which comes on fixed
days.
4.8 In case of Sradha being performed by ladies is stopped by their
getting periods , they should do it after the time when they take purificatory
bath.
4.9 If Sradha is stopped due to birth or death taint, then it should
be performed after the taint goes away. If Sradha is not performed due to
forgetfulness or due to some other reason(Being in a foreign country/priest not
available etc) , then it should be done on the Ekadasi of Krishna Paksha or
Amavasya day.
4.10. If we happen to perform death ceremonies to mother or father in
law during the first year of death of our parents, then their Sapindikaranam
should be performed after the annual ceremony of the parents only.
5.Materials for Sradha(Sradha dravya)
5.1.If for some reason it is not possible to present Vasthram ( Cloth)
to the Brahmins during Sradha , at least , they should be given a sacred
thread(Yagnopavita).
5.2. The food for Sradha should be cooked in ghee. Some people believe
that , since Gingelly is used during the Sradha , Gingelly oil could also be
used.
5.3.Millets , cowpea seeds , horse gram , Drum stick, Ash gourd,
Bottle gourd , , asafetida and all western vegetables should not be used for
Sradha. ( In some families in Kerala, Snake gourd is specially used.)
5.3.1 Black gram, black Gingelly , wheat, cowpea, bitter gourd, jack
fruit , mango , Pomegranate, Curry leaf, lemon, Banana fruit, Ilanthai fruit,
gooseberry , grapes, pepper, snake gourd, Kandan Kathiru, honey , ghee,
Kandasari sugar, Jaggery , sea salt, Cow milk, Yam , colacasia, Jeera ,
Cardamom, Lablab beans Thoothuvalai, Pirandai, Curd prepared out of cow’s milk
and Banana pseudo stem can be used for cooking in Sradham.
5.3.2. Some people use Coconut , mustard , Bengal gram , ash gourd, wood
apple and Chillies. Follow the customs of your house.
5.4. Fruits, sweet preparations , milk, curd and Ghee there is no
taint due to sesha. That is even if they are offered to the manes, the
remaining material can be used by all others.
6,Sradha devatha(Gods of Sradha)
6.1 Viswe devas
The Viswe devas are addresses as Puroorava-ardhrava during the Sradha
of householders and as Sadhu-Guru in case of Sanyasins.
6.2 Pithru devas
Father is addressed as Vasu , Grandfather as Rudra and great grandfather
as Adithya. In case of Sradha of father’s brothers and elder brother, they and
their two previous generations should be addressed as Vasu-Rudra-Adithya.
3.Maha Vishnu
Instead of calling a Brahmin and making him Maha Vishnu , in many case
Maha Vishnu is simply assumed to be present and no one represents him.
7.The effect /results of Sradha
The performance of Sradha makes devas happy by the Homa, the people in
heaven by food offering to Brahmins , The people in Yama’s world by Pinda
dhana(offering of rice balls), The human beings by good food , the devils and
ghosts by what is left over , the people in hell by the cooked rice which is
sprinkled (Vikira annam) and the people unknown by the food offered to the
crows.
8.The type of Sradhas
8.1 Anna Sradha which is done using cooked rice
8.2 Aama Sradha which is done using uncooked food
8.3 Hiranya Sradha which is done using money only
8.4. He who has a living father does not have the right to do rituals
of Pithrus. But he should do Brahma Yagna (without the Pithru part), Nandi
sradham and Theertha sradham. For him the gods addressed are same as that done
by his father. He cannot do Gaya Sradha.
8.Some rules of Sradha
8.1 Both Kartha and Boktha should not eat anything after eating the
ritual Bhojanam after the Sradha.
8.2.We can do Koosmanda Homam for removing our sins before Sradha.
8.3. We should start doing Oupasana at least four days before Sradha.
The fire of Sradha is lit from the Oupasa agni.
8.4.For performing Sradha Kudhabha time , Douhithra (daughter’s son)
and black Gingelly are very important.
8.5 . It is believed that black Gingelly was got after Varaha Avathara
and prevents evil spirits from entering our house.
8.6.We should not ask our Brother to participate in the Sradha as a
Boktha(representative of our manes
8.7. Sick person or one who do not know Vedas cannot be a Boktha.
8.8.He who has married a girl who is not A kanya cannot be a Boktha.
8.9. During the monthly periods of a lady, her husband cannot be a
Boktha
8.10. People who do not have a wife and a son cannot be a Boktha.
8.11He who has participated in a Sradha as Boktha cannot be a Boktha
for another three days.
8,12. The one wants and requests to be made as a Boktha is ineligible.
8.13.Yogi, Jnani , Sama Vedi and Douhithran (daughter’s son) are
preferred to be Bhokthas.
8.14 . He whose wife is more than 3 months pregnant cannot be a
Boktha.
8.15He who has shaved in that Morning cannot be a Boktha
8.!6 He who is suffering from leprosy , infected nail or teeth cannot
be a Boktha
8.17 . He who has to perform first death ceremony of his father cannot
be a Boktha
8.18.When two Brahmins come , the younger one should represent the
Pithrus and the elder one the Viswedevas.
8.19. People who can afford should give silk Dhoti(5 years) and
Uthareeyam (3 yards) to the Bokthas
8.20 At least we should present the same quality of Dhoti which we
normally wear.
8.21. People who cannot afford should at least give a Sacred
thread(Yagnopavitha)
8.22. The Kartha should start the Sradha only after wearing a new
Yagnopavitha.
8.23. The Kartha should never get angry on the Sradha day.
8.24 He should not take food in somebody else’s house at least for a
month before the Sradha. This could be at least 3 days when it is not possible
to do otherwise.(Food from teacher, sister, uncle and father in law can be
taken)
8.25 Oil bath should not be taken within the seven day period
preceding the Sradha
8.26.He should not lie on a cotton bed or make love in those seven
days
8.27 We should not wash the feet of the Brahmin with Pavithram. It
should be removed and tucked in the ear.
8.28 For Viswedevas it is Chathurasram and for Pithrus it is circle
below the Plate on which feet are washed.
8.30. The water used for washing the feet of Viswedevas is holy and
should not mix with water used to wash the feet of Pithrus.
8.40 The remaining ghee which is used for Homa should not be consumed
8.41 Cooking should be done in Ghee. It could be done in coconut oil
or Gingelly oil as per the custom of our forefathers
8.42.Seasoning with mustard is not done by some and some others do it.
This is determined by the practice of our forefathers.
8.43 . The Kartha and his wife should wear cloths washed and dried on
the same day.
8.44.All food articles should be washed before cooking.
8.45 Relation or servant should not be employed for cooking
8.46 A lady who is nearing time for periods or one who has just taken
the purificatory bath cannot cook.
8.$7 Cooking should not be done with wert cloth
8.58 You can shake the wet cloth seven times and then wear it and cook
8.59 If we happen to go to toilet during the time of cooking, we
should take bath and restart the cooking
8.60 A pregnant lady or a sick lady should not cook
8.61.A widow who has not shaved her head should not cook
8.62. While cooking, we should not keep on talking
8.63 People who have drunk coffee should not cook
8.64 The Sradha should be performed in our own house. If not possible
, we can give rent and then perform it.
8.65 Food for Sradha should not be cooked in steel vessels
8.66 Thilaka and sound of bell should not be there during Sradha time
8.67 The hair should be tied
8.68 The rice should be prepared last
8.69 when we serve rice on the leaf steam should come out of it.
8.70 The leaf used for taking food of the Brahmins should be buried in
the soil. Some people put it in an unused well, In towns some people give it to
the cows. This is not correct. But if there is no other go do it.
8.71.,Theleaves should be removed before the final blessings.
8.72 The Kartha should not clean his teeth with brush or stick on the
day of Sradha and on the day before
8.73 The Bokthas should not touch each other They should not talk
during meals but show their requirements by pointing them out with their
fingers
8.74 They should not keep Payasam and ghee remaining on the leaf after
they eat. They should keep a small quantity of every other thing
8.75 They should eat slowly and take sufficient food so that they do
not feel hungry at night.
8.76 Vasu, Rudra and Adithya are Sradha devathas
8.77Byjoing these devas along with them , our pithrus would only be
happy.
8.78 All rituals addressed to devas should be done with Yagnopavita on
the left shoulder. The water offering(Tharpana) should be offered to them
straight. They should be worshipped by rice
8.79 All rituals addressed to the Pithrus should be done with
Yagnopavita on the right shoulder. Water offering should be through the space
between thumb and the next finger to the sides. They should be worshipped by
Gingelly.
8.80 When the Brahmins are taking food Abisravana mantras should be
chanted so that Rakshasa are kept away. If we do not know these mantras ,
Brahmins who know them should be employed to chant them. They should be given
fees for doing so.
8.81 In case of Yekodishtam, Sapindikaranam , Masikam , Anumasikam,
Nandi Sradham Abisravana Mantras should not be chanted.
8.82 . If some eaten food from one Brahmin falls on another Brahmins
leaf. The leaves should be removed and they should be again served food in the
new leaf. They should not get up.
8.83 Till the Brahmins finish their food , the fire of Homa should be
maintained. If it goes out, the Sradha has to be redone.
8.84 The pinda meant for crow(Vayasa Pinda) should be protected till
it is eaten by a crow.
8.85 Though all serving and other rituals are done first to the
Brahmin representing the devas. Getting up after finishing the food should be
done first by Brahmin representing the Pithrus.
8.86 After Pindas are offered put little of the rice in the mouth. In
some families they only smell it.
8.87 Pindas can be put in water or fire. If the Sradha is performed in
sacred waters , it should be put in the river
8.88 Till the Sradha is over , Pundra and Rudraksha should not be
worn.
8.89 The Kartha and Boktha should not drink anything except water.
Boktha can put Thamboola.
He should not do any other ritual that day. He can do Sandhya Vandana
only after Chanting Gayathri ten times. If he is ding Oupasana ,m it should be
got done by somebody else. He should not accept any Dhana(charity) that day.
8.90 If crow takes Pinda from east , you will get wealth. If it takes
from south, you will get disease, If it takes from west, you would go on a
tour. If it takes from north, your longevity would get reduced.
8.91. If it is Ekadasi , the Kartha can and should take the food
offered to the manes.
8.92 Since the dead people become devas, Sradha Pithru sesham of
people younger to you and of your wife can be taken.
8.93 Even if they are married ladies can eat Pithru sesham of mother,
father and brother
8.94But if they become widow they are not supposed to eat it.
8,95 There is no pithrusesham in case of father in law and uncle.
8.96The para heni Tharpanam should be performed next day to sradham.
It should be done next day early morning at 4 AM. After doing it a bath has to
be taken, If father is alive there is no Paraheni Tharpana in the Sradha of
mother. There is no Paraheni Tharpana in case of Sapindikaranam, Anumasikam ,
Nandi and Apthikam.
8.97 Brothers who have divided their property should do Sradha
separately.
8.98 If they live in separate houses, they should do it separately.
Joining only on Sradha day and the eldest one only doing is not correct. If
mother is alive all brothers should do it together.
8.99 Gingelly should not be taken by thumb and the next finger.
8.1000Sradha should be performed during Mahalaya P, Bharani Ashtami
and Vyadheepada are special
8.101 Nandi Sradha is an auspicious function.
Sradha should be done first according to rules Some people use grass
instead of Dharbha and Barley instead of Gingelly. The Pariseshachanam round is
not done in anti clock wise directions. Swadha(food of Manes) is not offered.
It should be done during Garbha danam , Pumsavanam, Seemantham, Jathakarmam,
Nama Karnam, Annaprasanam, Choulam , Upanayanam, Graha pravesam etc.People who
cannot afford can perform Nandi as Aama Sradha or Hiranya Sradha.
In Nandi Two Brahmins representing Viswa deva, two Brahmins for
grandfather and two for father should be represented
copied from
http://brahminrituals.blogspot.com/2011/05/sradha-vidhi-rules-of-sradha.html
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