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Tharpanam - Iyers
[Oblations to the Manes]
Compiled by P. R. Ramachander

Introduction

Tharpanam means "That offering which satisfies". But what we mean by the word Tharpanam is the offering of water mixed with sesame 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 and 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. Both versions 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 Vibhuti or Namam but there are certain families who do tharpanam wearing these. 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.

I. 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.
Om Achyuthaya nama
Om Ananthaya nama
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 Smarthas:
2. Ganapathi Dhyanam:
Recite the following manthra slowly hitting the forehead with both fists together:
Shuklambaradharam Vishunum Sasi Varnam ChathurBhujam,
Prasanna Vadanam Dyayeth Sarva Vigna Upa Santhaye.

3. 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

4. Do Sankalpam
Mamo Partha Samastha Duritha kshaya dwara Sri Parameshwara Preethyartham.
Apavithra pavithro va Sarvavastham gathopi va,
Ya smareth pundarikaksham sa bahyanthara suchi
Manasam vachikam paapam karmana samuparjitham
Sri Rama smarane naiva vyapohathi na samsaya
Sri Rama-Rama Rama
Thidir Vishnu thada vaara nakshatram Vishnureva cha,
Yogascha karanam Chaiva sarvam Vishnu mayam jagat
Sri Govinda Govinda Govinda

B. For Sri Vaaishnavas of Vada 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
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.

C. 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
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 SMARTHAS AND VAISHNAVAS OF 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)*** Namnee, Vasu-Rudra-Adithya swaroopa Asmad Mathru**** - 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***** - mathru pithamahi, mathru prapithamahinam Ubhaya vamsa pithrunaam akshayya thripthyartham amavasya****** 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)

* Refer to Panchangam (almanac) for the names or get the particulars. For Sanskrit names refer at the end of compilation.
** 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.
*** Names of grand mother, great grand mother, Fathers great grand mother if mother is alive
**** In case mother is alive, this would be pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa
***** In case mother’s mother is alive, this would be mathamahasya mathu-pithamahi-prapithamahischa
****** 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.

Arrangement of Koorcham [in some families they only use one koorcham]
East - Pithru Varga Koorcham
North South - Mathamaha varga koorcham
Durbha Durbha - West

5. Avahanam for Pithru Varga (Fathers side)*
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:
a. Aayatha pithara somya gambhirai padhibhi poorvai prajamasmabhyam dadhatho rayim cha deergayuthwam cha satha saaradam cha.
b. Om bhorbuvaswarom
c. 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 mother) namnee vasu Rudra adithya swaroopa asmad mathru**, pithamahi-pithrupithamahischa dyayami avahayami.

* People using only one koorcha, please do avahanam chanting "Asmin koorche vargodhaya pithroon dhyayami avahayami".
** In case mother is alive, this would be pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa

6. Asanam for Pithru Vargam
Chanting the manthra below place gingelly on the koorcha
a. Sakrudacchinnam barhirurnna mrudhu,
Syonam pithrubhyasthwa baramyaham
Asmin taseedanthu me pithara somyaa,
Pithamahaa prapithamahaaschaanugai saha.
b. Pithru-pithamaha,pithru pithamahanam mathru* - pithamahi - prapithamahinaam cha idam asanam, thiladhi sakalaradhanai swarchidham

*In case mother is alive, this would be pithamahi-prapithamahi-pithruprapithamahischa

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:
a. Aayatha mathu pithara somya gambhirai padhibhi poorvai prajamasmabhyam dadhatho rayim cha deergayathwam cha satha saaradam cha.
b. Om bhorbuvaswarom
c. 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* - mathru pithamahi-mathru prapithamahischa dyayami avahayami.

* In case mother’s mother is alive, this would be mathamahasya mathu-pithamahi-prapithamahischa

8. Asanam for Mathru Vargam
Chanting the manthra below place gingelly on the mathru varga koorcha
a. Sakrudacchinnam barhirurnna mrudhu,
Syonam pithrubhyasthwa baramyaham
Asmin taseedanthu me pithara somyaa,
Pithamahaa prapithamahaaschaanugai saha.
b. 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)
i. 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.
ii. 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.
iii. Aa yaanthu na pithara somyaso agni
shwatha* prathibhir deva yanai
asmin yagne swadhaya maadhayanthwadhi bruvantha** they avanthasman,
(Your Gothram) gothraan (Fathers name),
sarmana vasu roopan mama pithrun swadha namas tharpayami.

* Some books say "pitharo manoja vaso agnishwatha"
** Some books say "madantho adhi bruvanthu"

b. Pithamaha tharpanam (oblation to grand father)
i. 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.
ii. 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.
iii. 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)
i. 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.
ii. 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
iii. 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* (Oblations to mother)
i. (Your gothra) Gothraa (mother's name)
Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami
ii. (Your Gothra) Gothraa (Mother's name)
Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami
iii. (Your Gothra) (Gothraa (Mother's name)
Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami

* If mother is alive instead of mathru tharpanam perform pithamahi tharpanam. In the manthras replace mathu with pithamahi.

e. Pithamahi tharpanam* (Oblations to paternal grand mother)
i. (Your Gothra) Gothraa (Grand mother's name)
Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi swadha namastharpayami
ii. (Your Gothra) Gothraa (Grand mother's name)
Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi swadha namastharpayami
iii. (Your gothra) Gothraa (Grand mother's name)
Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi swadha namastharpayami

* If mother is alive instead of pithamahi tharpanam perform prapithamahi tharpanam. In the manthras replace pithamahi with prapithamahi

f. Prapithamahi tharpanam* (Oblations to paternal great grand mother)
i. (Your Gothra). Gothraa (Great grand mother's name)
Namnee adithya roopa mama prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami
ii. (Your Gothra) Gothraa (Great Grand mother's name)
Namnee adithya roopa mama prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami
iii. (Your Gothra) Gothraa (Great Grand mother's name)
Namnee adithya roopa mama prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami

* If mother is alive instead of prapithamahi tharpanam perform pithru prapithamahi tharpanam. In the manthras replace prapitha mahi with pithru prapithamahi.

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.

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