Guest guest Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Pranam, Narasimhaji, i read postings selectively and therefore have missed several useful information on tarpana. the message u have posted is indeed very informative. though one knows that sun symbolises the soul and moon the mind i never thought in terms of " subtle " karmas being burnt thru homam and " gross " karmas of pitris being burnt thru tarpana. There have been years of trying one thing after another in the hope of dissolving karmas. Sometimes i doubted my own sincerety...sometimes i thought my karmas must indeed be very deep rooted. In my years of trying to find answers thru astrology i blamed 3 retro planets for the deep rooted karmas. In terms of your posting from the archives i see things in a slightly different light. Sun is conjoined with combust retro Mercury which in turn is closely conjoined with Ketu making it a malefic. Sun is aspected by retro Mars and of course Rahu. The only saving grace is that Jupiter is also there with Sun. So maybe there are lots of subtle karmas to be burnt. As for the Moon it is aspected by retro exalted Saturn from the house of rin (6th) as well as retro Mars (8th H) and conjoined with lagnesh Venus (self). So maybe there are lots of gross karmas to be dissolved thru tarpana. And because Moon is with Lagnesh maybe tarpana is even more necessary. i sincerely believe in the energies around us and a whole subtle world waiting to be accessed / experienced. Even though at present there is no direct experience of such a world, maybe as things progress...there may be tranformations...to enable a better understanding of these things... Sorry, for asking who is Rama at the end of Ramayana...but i would still like to know how deities are invoked in fire. I have been performing the bare minimum homam that u described in one of your messages. i follow all the 7 steps described there. In step number 5 where u say " pick any deity and any mantra " , i recite " om gam ganapataye namah " . In step no.6 while pouring ghee i recite " om bhuh swahaa, om bhuvah swahaa, om suvah swaaha, om bhurbhuvahsuvah swahaa, om shri vishnave swahaa, om namo rudraaye pashupataye swaaha " . Then i place a piece of dry coconut in the hom and sit for meditation. Is the deity invoked at this point? If i want to include pitri tarpana also in this, how do i go about it? Don't know if i am done! There is a long way to go.... Best regards, vinita , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr wrote: > > Namaste Ram ji, > > Shraaddham is an offering of balls of solid food for deceased ancestors on special occasions. > > Pitri tarpana is an offering of water for pitris (deceased ancestors who are stuck with some desires) to satisfy them. Not so long ago, every Braahmana used to perform a brief pitri tarpana everyday, as a part of daily rituals. This is not without reason. > > * * * > > The thoughts of the minds around us do have a subtle impact on our mind. When too many depressed, sad or frustrated people are around you, it will have a negative effect on you. Similarly, when some peaceful and blissful people or elevated souls are around you, it will have a positive effect on you. Thus, thoughts in the minds around you does have an impact on you. > > This is particularly true with respect to the minds of people who have genetic/kaarmik links/debts with you. When minds of such people are in great distress or great excitement, it has an impact on your mind. > > If a deceased ancestor to whom you have a kaarmik debt has some strong desires and unable to progress to a higher loka or be reborn, his thoughts and desires will have an impact on your mind. > > Thus, we invest our mental energy praying for their relief. While offering balls of solid food (shraaddha) on special occasions, pray that the ancestor may get an appropriate body again to fulfil remaining desires. While leaving water in pitri tarpana, pray that the ancestor's desires may be satisfied and the ancestor may be overcome the weaknesses. By praying for helping an ancestor, you are indirectly helping yourself, by removing a powerful negative influence on your mind and getting rid of some weaknesses. > > Unfortunately, the extremely simple ritual of pitri tarpana is out of fashion today. However, so many people will benefit tremendously if they do it atleast once every month if not daily. Vimalananda says that he will pick pitri tarpana if there is only one ritual he can perform. > > * * * > > Not long ago, every orthodox Braahmana used to perform a fire ritual and a water ritual (tarpana) everyday. Rituals use external symbols to induce internal changes. These two rituals are really important and useful rituals. > > A small comparison of homam and tarpana is reproduced from archives: > > -------------------------- > One word on Homam vs Tarpana. In homam, you are calling devatas and the medium is fire. In tarpana, you are calling pitris and the medium is water. Both sadhanas are applicable to all people irrespective of whether watery signs/planets are strong or fiery signs/planets in their horoscope. > > In homam, devatas come in fire and burn your blocking karmas to purify you. In tarpana, pitris come in water and free you from vasanas (conditioning of the mind) that were karmically inherited from them. If you have genes from (and rina with) an ancestor who was lustful or angry or jealous and the consciousness of the deceased ancestor is still having those thoughts, you will also suffer from such thoughts due to the connection and may even commit some bad karmas because of the weaknesses. You can free yourself from the rina by working on giving a rebirth to that ancestor. If the ancestor's consciousness is attached to a new body, the thoughts and cravings of that consciousness will not affect your consciousness in the same way. Thus, tarpana aims to cut off a strong source of bad karmas, while homam burns off previously committed bad karmas. Both are very important sadhanas for spiritual progress. > > Devatas are very subtle forms of consciousness. Their self-identification is to what is known as soul and represented by Sun. They work on your individual soul and free it from the karmas it carries. Pitris are grosser forms of consciousness with strong attachments and desires. Their self-identification is with what is known as mind and represented by Moon. You may note that Sun and Moon are associated with Devas and Pitris in the hora chart of astrology. Fire and water are the natural media for them respectively. > > Devas and pitris have different ways of working and influencing us and helping our spiritual progress. But both are relevant to all of us and have a role to play in our spiritual evolution. Worshipping devas in fire and satisfying pitris in water are very important. > -------------------------- > > Best regards, > Narasimha > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana > Spirituality: > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org > > > , Ramakrishnan Krishnamurthy <ramki108@> wrote: > > > > Dear Narasimha, > > > > Thanks for this valuable manual. Could you enlighten me on the difference between Pitri Tarpana and Shraddham? I believe Shraddham is performed once a year on the thithi of demise of one's father (to be performed by the eldest son). There are some variants such as performing it during the Shraddha Paksham instead of on the actual thithi, every year. Also, have heard of a Gaya Shraddham, which is to be performed once in a lifetime, and which makes it unnecessary to perform yearly Shraddham subsequently. > > > > Have tried to search for material on this but have not succeeded so far. At least if you can provide information on some sources, it would be a great help. > > > > Thanks and regards, > > Ram > > > > --- On Fri, 12/6/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr@> wrote: > > > > Namaste, > > > > Now a Vishnu sahasra naama homam manual is available. It contains a very short procedure for Vishnu sahasra naama homam. It is very detailed and pretty much anybody can follow it. > > > > Those who regularly chant Vishnu sahasra naama stotram should be able to perform a homam if they spend an extra 10 minutes, after a little practice. For those who are pressed for time and yet want to do a homam, a super-short procedure involving one verse is also given. > > > > The manual is available in English language, with mantras given in Sanskrit/Hindi, English, Telugu, Kannada or Malayalam scripts. > > > > In addition to this manual, manuals for Mahaganapathi homam, Chandi homam, Krishna homam, Shiva homam, Mahalakshmi homam, Sani homam and Kuja homam are available. More will be coming later. > > > > Chanting Vishnu's 1000 names is very powerful in this age. It is the best antidote for many problems, material and spiritual. Fire of a reasonable size augments the effect. The philosophy of fire ritual is explained in the manual. > > > > This is a part of the effort to enable a community of sadhakas who worship various deities in fire, as per the command of the divine Mother to my spiritual master at Kalikambal temple in Chennai in March 2006. > > > > Please go to the homam website below to download the manuals. It is hoped that spiritual sadhakas interested in homam will benefit from this and also help in increasing collective dharma in this world with their contribution. Please feel free to spread this link among interested people. > > > > Any philosophical or practical questions on homam or any spiritual sadhana can be discussed on the . > > > > Best regards, > > Narasimha > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Dear Vinita, Step 5 is where you are invoking God in the fire. I do not recall the instructions for super short homam. How ever, this is the flow: 1. You seek permission to do homam 2. Do pranayamam to calm yourself and focus 3. You announce your intention of doing homam 4. You start the fire and purify it (by saying Om Bhu: swahA 8 times while dropping ghee) 5. pick any deity and any mantra - This is where you are invoking god. If you do not know the sanskrit slokas for invoking god, just say Oh <selected deity> please come and stay in the fire. Then you can recite the mantra with a om swaha in the end and drop a drop of ghee in the fire. 6. Put some thing for naivedyam and conclude by om bhu swaha etc. 7. Put some raisins/plain cooked rice for the ganas of the deity you selected around the homakundam and put the dry coconut into the fire (this is symbolisism for giving up your ego) 8. Do any kind of japam/dhyanam in front of the fire. 9. Invite the deity back into you and pray the god to complete any thing you did incomplete and give away the doership of the homam to the god him self (i.e. try to convince yourself that God made you do the homam and you just carried on His will. Best regards, Vijay , " vinita kumar " <vinitakuma wrote: > > Pranam, Narasimhaji, > > i read postings selectively and therefore have missed several useful information on tarpana. the message u have posted is indeed very informative. though one knows that sun symbolises the soul and moon the mind i never thought in terms of " subtle " karmas being burnt thru homam and " gross " karmas of pitris being burnt thru tarpana. > > There have been years of trying one thing after another in the hope of dissolving karmas. Sometimes i doubted my own sincerety...sometimes i thought my karmas must indeed be very deep rooted. > > In my years of trying to find answers thru astrology i blamed 3 retro planets for the deep rooted karmas. In terms of your posting from the archives i see things in a slightly different light. > > Sun is conjoined with combust retro Mercury which in turn is closely conjoined with Ketu making it a malefic. Sun is aspected by retro Mars and of course Rahu. The only saving grace is that Jupiter is also there with Sun. So maybe there are lots of subtle karmas to be burnt. > > As for the Moon it is aspected by retro exalted Saturn from the house of rin (6th) as well as retro Mars (8th H) and conjoined with lagnesh Venus (self). So maybe there are lots of gross karmas to be dissolved thru tarpana. And because Moon is with Lagnesh maybe tarpana is even more necessary. > > i sincerely believe in the energies around us and a whole subtle world waiting to be accessed / experienced. Even though at present there is no direct experience of such a world, maybe as things progress...there may be tranformations...to enable a better understanding of these things... > > Sorry, for asking who is Rama at the end of Ramayana...but i would still like to know how deities are invoked in fire. I have been performing the bare minimum homam that u described in one of your messages. i follow all the 7 steps described there. In step number 5 where u say " pick any deity and any mantra " , i recite " om gam ganapataye namah " . In step no.6 while pouring ghee i recite " om bhuh swahaa, om bhuvah swahaa, om suvah swaaha, om bhurbhuvahsuvah swahaa, om shri vishnave swahaa, om namo rudraaye pashupataye swaaha " . Then i place a piece of dry coconut in the hom and sit for meditation. > > Is the deity invoked at this point? > > If i want to include pitri tarpana also in this, how do i go about it? > > Don't know if i am done! There is a long way to go.... > > > Best regards, > vinita > > > > , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr@> wrote: > > > > Namaste Ram ji, > > > > Shraaddham is an offering of balls of solid food for deceased ancestors on special occasions. > > > > Pitri tarpana is an offering of water for pitris (deceased ancestors who are stuck with some desires) to satisfy them. Not so long ago, every Braahmana used to perform a brief pitri tarpana everyday, as a part of daily rituals. This is not without reason. > > > > * * * > > > > The thoughts of the minds around us do have a subtle impact on our mind. When too many depressed, sad or frustrated people are around you, it will have a negative effect on you. Similarly, when some peaceful and blissful people or elevated souls are around you, it will have a positive effect on you. Thus, thoughts in the minds around you does have an impact on you. > > > > This is particularly true with respect to the minds of people who have genetic/kaarmik links/debts with you. When minds of such people are in great distress or great excitement, it has an impact on your mind. > > > > If a deceased ancestor to whom you have a kaarmik debt has some strong desires and unable to progress to a higher loka or be reborn, his thoughts and desires will have an impact on your mind. > > > > Thus, we invest our mental energy praying for their relief. While offering balls of solid food (shraaddha) on special occasions, pray that the ancestor may get an appropriate body again to fulfil remaining desires. While leaving water in pitri tarpana, pray that the ancestor's desires may be satisfied and the ancestor may be overcome the weaknesses. By praying for helping an ancestor, you are indirectly helping yourself, by removing a powerful negative influence on your mind and getting rid of some weaknesses. > > > > Unfortunately, the extremely simple ritual of pitri tarpana is out of fashion today. However, so many people will benefit tremendously if they do it atleast once every month if not daily. Vimalananda says that he will pick pitri tarpana if there is only one ritual he can perform. > > > > * * * > > > > Not long ago, every orthodox Braahmana used to perform a fire ritual and a water ritual (tarpana) everyday. Rituals use external symbols to induce internal changes. These two rituals are really important and useful rituals. > > > > A small comparison of homam and tarpana is reproduced from archives: > > > > -------------------------- > > One word on Homam vs Tarpana. In homam, you are calling devatas and the medium is fire. In tarpana, you are calling pitris and the medium is water. Both sadhanas are applicable to all people irrespective of whether watery signs/planets are strong or fiery signs/planets in their horoscope. > > > > In homam, devatas come in fire and burn your blocking karmas to purify you. In tarpana, pitris come in water and free you from vasanas (conditioning of the mind) that were karmically inherited from them. If you have genes from (and rina with) an ancestor who was lustful or angry or jealous and the consciousness of the deceased ancestor is still having those thoughts, you will also suffer from such thoughts due to the connection and may even commit some bad karmas because of the weaknesses. You can free yourself from the rina by working on giving a rebirth to that ancestor. If the ancestor's consciousness is attached to a new body, the thoughts and cravings of that consciousness will not affect your consciousness in the same way. Thus, tarpana aims to cut off a strong source of bad karmas, while homam burns off previously committed bad karmas. Both are very important sadhanas for spiritual progress. > > > > Devatas are very subtle forms of consciousness. Their self-identification is to what is known as soul and represented by Sun. They work on your individual soul and free it from the karmas it carries. Pitris are grosser forms of consciousness with strong attachments and desires. Their self-identification is with what is known as mind and represented by Moon. You may note that Sun and Moon are associated with Devas and Pitris in the hora chart of astrology. Fire and water are the natural media for them respectively. > > > > Devas and pitris have different ways of working and influencing us and helping our spiritual progress. But both are relevant to all of us and have a role to play in our spiritual evolution. Worshipping devas in fire and satisfying pitris in water are very important. > > -------------------------- > > > > Best regards, > > Narasimha > > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana > > Spirituality: > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org > > > > > > , Ramakrishnan Krishnamurthy <ramki108@> wrote: > > > > > > Dear Narasimha, > > > > > > Thanks for this valuable manual. Could you enlighten me on the difference between Pitri Tarpana and Shraddham? I believe Shraddham is performed once a year on the thithi of demise of one's father (to be performed by the eldest son). There are some variants such as performing it during the Shraddha Paksham instead of on the actual thithi, every year. Also, have heard of a Gaya Shraddham, which is to be performed once in a lifetime, and which makes it unnecessary to perform yearly Shraddham subsequently. > > > > > > Have tried to search for material on this but have not succeeded so far. At least if you can provide information on some sources, it would be a great help. > > > > > > Thanks and regards, > > > Ram > > > > > > --- On Fri, 12/6/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr@> wrote: > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > > > Now a Vishnu sahasra naama homam manual is available. It contains a very short procedure for Vishnu sahasra naama homam. It is very detailed and pretty much anybody can follow it. > > > > > > Those who regularly chant Vishnu sahasra naama stotram should be able to perform a homam if they spend an extra 10 minutes, after a little practice. For those who are pressed for time and yet want to do a homam, a super-short procedure involving one verse is also given. > > > > > > The manual is available in English language, with mantras given in Sanskrit/Hindi, English, Telugu, Kannada or Malayalam scripts. > > > > > > In addition to this manual, manuals for Mahaganapathi homam, Chandi homam, Krishna homam, Shiva homam, Mahalakshmi homam, Sani homam and Kuja homam are available. More will be coming later. > > > > > > Chanting Vishnu's 1000 names is very powerful in this age. It is the best antidote for many problems, material and spiritual. Fire of a reasonable size augments the effect. The philosophy of fire ritual is explained in the manual. > > > > > > This is a part of the effort to enable a community of sadhakas who worship various deities in fire, as per the command of the divine Mother to my spiritual master at Kalikambal temple in Chennai in March 2006. > > > > > > Please go to the homam website below to download the manuals. It is hoped that spiritual sadhakas interested in homam will benefit from this and also help in increasing collective dharma in this world with their contribution. Please feel free to spread this link among interested people. > > > > > > Any philosophical or practical questions on homam or any spiritual sadhana can be discussed on the . > > > > > > Best regards, > > > Narasimha > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Thankyou, Vijaya ji. yes, i roughly follow the same steps. i will try to put more focus and attention while reciting the mantras. also need to surrender more completely....with devotion at the end. thankyou once again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Namaste Narasimha, We do not have control over our birth and death. In that case, what does this statement mean? " You can free yourself from the rina by working on giving a rebirth to that ancestor." I have heard from elders and learned members in my family and people that until tarpana or shraddha is provided, the spirits would be roaming around and if we perform this ritual, the spirit would take the body to fulfil it's remaining desires. Isn't this contradicting "control over birth and death" statement? Are we not playing God here by helping the ancestor in providing him with the rebirth? Your inputs will help me in understanding the essence of tarpana and rebirth more clearly. Thanks & Regards, --Murahari - manoj sharma Saturday, June 13, 2009 12:42 AM Re: Pitri Tarpana Question (Re: "Vishnu Sahasra Naama Homam"..) JAI MAANarsimha ji & othersNamaskari am sharing one thing, but don't want to disturb you.my native village is in Kurukshetra and there is a water pond in almost every village the elders told us that you can worship or meditate any devta or devi standing in these ponds, your spiritual progress will magnifying by many folds. one day a old village prist also told that when the fire homa is not possible due to rain (in our tradition the homa done in open) then you can invoke the deva in water and perform the ahuti in it.thanks--- On Sat, 13/6/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: Namaste Ram ji, Shraaddham is an offering of balls of solid food for deceased ancestors on special occasions. Pitri tarpana is an offering of water for pitris (deceased ancestors who are stuck with some desires) to satisfy them. Not so long ago, every Braahmana used to perform a brief pitri tarpana everyday, as a part of daily rituals. This is not without reason. * * * The thoughts of the minds around us do have a subtle impact on our mind. When too many depressed, sad or frustrated people are around you, it will have a negative effect on you. Similarly, when some peaceful and blissful people or elevated souls are around you, it will have a positive effect on you. Thus, thoughts in the minds around you does have an impact on you. This is particularly true with respect to the minds of people who have genetic/kaarmik links/debts with you. When minds of such people are in great distress or great excitement, it has an impact on your mind. If a deceased ancestor to whom you have a kaarmik debt has some strong desires and unable to progress to a higher loka or be reborn, his thoughts and desires will have an impact on your mind. Thus, we invest our mental energy praying for their relief. While offering balls of solid food (shraaddha) on special occasions, pray that the ancestor may get an appropriate body again to fulfil remaining desires. While leaving water in pitri tarpana, pray that the ancestor's desires may be satisfied and the ancestor may be overcome the weaknesses. By praying for helping an ancestor, you are indirectly helping yourself, by removing a powerful negative influence on your mind and getting rid of some weaknesses. Unfortunately, the extremely simple ritual of pitri tarpana is out of fashion today. However, so many people will benefit tremendously if they do it atleast once every month if not daily. Vimalananda says that he will pick pitri tarpana if there is only one ritual he can perform. * * * Not long ago, every orthodox Braahmana used to perform a fire ritual and a water ritual (tarpana) everyday. Rituals use external symbols to induce internal changes. These two rituals are really important and useful rituals. A small comparison of homam and tarpana is reproduced from archives: ------------ --------- ----- One word on Homam vs Tarpana. In homam, you are calling devatas and the medium is fire. In tarpana, you are calling pitris and the medium is water. Both sadhanas are applicable to all people irrespective of whether watery signs/planets are strong or fiery signs/planets in their horoscope. In homam, devatas come in fire and burn your blocking karmas to purify you. In tarpana, pitris come in water and free you from vasanas (conditioning of the mind) that were karmically inherited from them. If you have genes from (and rina with) an ancestor who was lustful or angry or jealous and the consciousness of the deceased ancestor is still having those thoughts, you will also suffer from such thoughts due to the connection and may even commit some bad karmas because of the weaknesses. You can free yourself from the rina by working on giving a rebirth to that ancestor. If the ancestor's consciousness is attached to a new body, the thoughts and cravings of that consciousness will not affect your consciousness in the same way. Thus, tarpana aims to cut off a strong source of bad karmas, while homam burns off previously committed bad karmas. Both are very important sadhanas for spiritual progress. Devatas are very subtle forms of consciousness. Their self-identification is to what is known as soul and represented by Sun. They work on your individual soul and free it from the karmas it carries. Pitris are grosser forms of consciousness with strong attachments and desires. Their self-identification is with what is known as mind and represented by Moon. You may note that Sun and Moon are associated with Devas and Pitris in the hora chart of astrology. Fire and water are the natural media for them respectively. Devas and pitris have different ways of working and influencing us and helping our spiritual progress. But both are relevant to all of us and have a role to play in our spiritual evolution. Worshipping devas in fire and satisfying pitris in water are very important. ------------ --------- ----- Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- , Ramakrishnan Krishnamurthy <ramki108 wrote:>> Dear Narasimha,> > Thanks for this valuable manual. Could you enlighten me on the difference between Pitri Tarpana and Shraddham? I believe Shraddham is performed once a year on the thithi of demise of one's father (to be performed by the eldest son). There are some variants such as performing it during the Shraddha Paksham instead of on the actual thithi, every year. Also, have heard of a Gaya Shraddham, which is to be performed once in a lifetime, and which makes it unnecessary to perform yearly Shraddham subsequently. > > Have tried to search for material on this but have not succeeded so far. At least if you can provide information on some sources, it would be a great help.> > Thanks and regards,> Ram> > --- On Fri, 12/6/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote:> > Namaste,> > Now a Vishnu sahasra naama homam manual is available. It contains a very short procedure for Vishnu sahasra naama homam. It is very detailed and pretty much anybody can follow it.> > Those who regularly chant Vishnu sahasra naama stotram should be able to perform a homam if they spend an extra 10 minutes, after a little practice. For those who are pressed for time and yet want to do a homam, a super-short procedure involving one verse is also given.> > The manual is available in English language, with mantras given in Sanskrit/Hindi, English, Telugu, Kannada or Malayalam scripts.> > In addition to this manual, manuals for Mahaganapathi homam, Chandi homam, Krishna homam, Shiva homam, Mahalakshmi homam, Sani homam and Kuja homam are available. More will be coming later.> > Chanting Vishnu's 1000 names is very powerful in this age. It is the best antidote for many problems, material and spiritual. Fire of a reasonable size augments the effect. The philosophy of fire ritual is explained in the manual.> > This is a part of the effort to enable a community of sadhakas who worship various deities in fire, as per the command of the divine Mother to my spiritual master at Kalikambal temple in Chennai in March 2006.> > Please go to the homam website below to download the manuals. It is hoped that spiritual sadhakas interested in homam will benefit from this and also help in increasing collective dharma in this world with their contribution. Please feel free to spread this link among interested people.> > Any philosophical or practical questions on homam or any spiritual sadhana can be discussed on the .> > Best regards,> Narasimha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2009 Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 Dear Murahari, Ancestors are not necessarily stuck if certain rituals are not done. But, in case somebody is stuck, some rituals can help. Rituals are just rituals in the beginning and do not mean much. As one does a ritual with some mental focus and desire, slowly the desired result occurs. If one's ancestor who is stuck gets freedom of rebirth after rituals by one, one is not necessarily playing god. One is only playing a part. We affect the lives of many low level organisms like bacteria, viruses etc with many little things we do. It is not necessarily playing god. Due to debts between various beings, god creates situations where one being can have a major impact on the life of another being. It is not playing god, but a privilege given based on the play of debts. Best regards,NarasimhaDo a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpanaSpirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - Murahari Vadapalli Wednesday, June 24, 2009 8:48 PM Re: Re: Pitri Tarpana Question Namaste Narasimha, We do not have control over our birth and death. In that case, what does this statement mean? " You can free yourself from the rina by working on giving a rebirth to that ancestor." I have heard from elders and learned members in my family and people that until tarpana or shraddha is provided, the spirits would be roaming around and if we perform this ritual, the spirit would take the body to fulfil it's remaining desires. Isn't this contradicting "control over birth and death" statement? Are we not playing God here by helping the ancestor in providing him with the rebirth? Your inputs will help me in understanding the essence of tarpana and rebirth more clearly. Thanks & Regards, --Murahari - manoj sharma Saturday, June 13, 2009 12:42 AM Re: Pitri Tarpana Question (Re: "Vishnu Sahasra Naama Homam"..) JAI MAANarsimha ji & othersNamaskari am sharing one thing, but don't want to disturb you.my native village is in Kurukshetra and there is a water pond in almost every village the elders told us that you can worship or meditate any devta or devi standing in these ponds, your spiritual progress will magnifying by many folds. one day a old village prist also told that when the fire homa is not possible due to rain (in our tradition the homa done in open) then you can invoke the deva in water and perform the ahuti in it.thanks--- On Sat, 13/6/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: Namaste Ram ji, Shraaddham is an offering of balls of solid food for deceased ancestors on special occasions. Pitri tarpana is an offering of water for pitris (deceased ancestors who are stuck with some desires) to satisfy them. Not so long ago, every Braahmana used to perform a brief pitri tarpana everyday, as a part of daily rituals. This is not without reason. * * * The thoughts of the minds around us do have a subtle impact on our mind. When too many depressed, sad or frustrated people are around you, it will have a negative effect on you. Similarly, when some peaceful and blissful people or elevated souls are around you, it will have a positive effect on you. Thus, thoughts in the minds around you does have an impact on you. This is particularly true with respect to the minds of people who have genetic/kaarmik links/debts with you. When minds of such people are in great distress or great excitement, it has an impact on your mind. If a deceased ancestor to whom you have a kaarmik debt has some strong desires and unable to progress to a higher loka or be reborn, his thoughts and desires will have an impact on your mind. Thus, we invest our mental energy praying for their relief. While offering balls of solid food (shraaddha) on special occasions, pray that the ancestor may get an appropriate body again to fulfil remaining desires. While leaving water in pitri tarpana, pray that the ancestor's desires may be satisfied and the ancestor may be overcome the weaknesses. By praying for helping an ancestor, you are indirectly helping yourself, by removing a powerful negative influence on your mind and getting rid of some weaknesses. Unfortunately, the extremely simple ritual of pitri tarpana is out of fashion today. However, so many people will benefit tremendously if they do it atleast once every month if not daily. Vimalananda says that he will pick pitri tarpana if there is only one ritual he can perform. * * * Not long ago, every orthodox Braahmana used to perform a fire ritual and a water ritual (tarpana) everyday. Rituals use external symbols to induce internal changes. These two rituals are really important and useful rituals. A small comparison of homam and tarpana is reproduced from archives: ------------ --------- ----- One word on Homam vs Tarpana. In homam, you are calling devatas and the medium is fire. In tarpana, you are calling pitris and the medium is water. Both sadhanas are applicable to all people irrespective of whether watery signs/planets are strong or fiery signs/planets in their horoscope. In homam, devatas come in fire and burn your blocking karmas to purify you. In tarpana, pitris come in water and free you from vasanas (conditioning of the mind) that were karmically inherited from them. If you have genes from (and rina with) an ancestor who was lustful or angry or jealous and the consciousness of the deceased ancestor is still having those thoughts, you will also suffer from such thoughts due to the connection and may even commit some bad karmas because of the weaknesses. You can free yourself from the rina by working on giving a rebirth to that ancestor. If the ancestor's consciousness is attached to a new body, the thoughts and cravings of that consciousness will not affect your consciousness in the same way. Thus, tarpana aims to cut off a strong source of bad karmas, while homam burns off previously committed bad karmas. Both are very important sadhanas for spiritual progress. Devatas are very subtle forms of consciousness. Their self-identification is to what is known as soul and represented by Sun. They work on your individual soul and free it from the karmas it carries. Pitris are grosser forms of consciousness with strong attachments and desires. Their self-identification is with what is known as mind and represented by Moon. You may note that Sun and Moon are associated with Devas and Pitris in the hora chart of astrology. Fire and water are the natural media for them respectively. Devas and pitris have different ways of working and influencing us and helping our spiritual progress. But both are relevant to all of us and have a role to play in our spiritual evolution. Worshipping devas in fire and satisfying pitris in water are very important. ------------ --------- ----- Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- , Ramakrishnan Krishnamurthy <ramki108 wrote:>> Dear Narasimha,> > Thanks for this valuable manual. Could you enlighten me on the difference between Pitri Tarpana and Shraddham? I believe Shraddham is performed once a year on the thithi of demise of one's father (to be performed by the eldest son). There are some variants such as performing it during the Shraddha Paksham instead of on the actual thithi, every year. Also, have heard of a Gaya Shraddham, which is to be performed once in a lifetime, and which makes it unnecessary to perform yearly Shraddham subsequently. > > Have tried to search for material on this but have not succeeded so far. At least if you can provide information on some sources, it would be a great help.> > Thanks and regards,> Ram> > --- On Fri, 12/6/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote:> > Namaste,> > Now a Vishnu sahasra naama homam manual is available. It contains a very short procedure for Vishnu sahasra naama homam. It is very detailed and pretty much anybody can follow it.> > Those who regularly chant Vishnu sahasra naama stotram should be able to perform a homam if they spend an extra 10 minutes, after a little practice. For those who are pressed for time and yet want to do a homam, a super-short procedure involving one verse is also given.> > The manual is available in English language, with mantras given in Sanskrit/Hindi, English, Telugu, Kannada or Malayalam scripts.> > In addition to this manual, manuals for Mahaganapathi homam, Chandi homam, Krishna homam, Shiva homam, Mahalakshmi homam, Sani homam and Kuja homam are available. More will be coming later.> > Chanting Vishnu's 1000 names is very powerful in this age. It is the best antidote for many problems, material and spiritual. Fire of a reasonable size augments the effect. The philosophy of fire ritual is explained in the manual.> > This is a part of the effort to enable a community of sadhakas who worship various deities in fire, as per the command of the divine Mother to my spiritual master at Kalikambal temple in Chennai in March 2006.> > Please go to the homam website below to download the manuals. It is hoped that spiritual sadhakas interested in homam will benefit from this and also help in increasing collective dharma in this world with their contribution. Please feel free to spread this link among interested people.> > Any philosophical or practical questions on homam or any spiritual sadhana can be discussed on the .> > Best regards,> Narasimha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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