Remembering your ancestors, next 2 weeks (non-Amma)

[Guest guest]

It's auspicious to pray for your ancestor's for the next 2 weeks. If

you want, you can make dough balls out of 1/2 rice flour and 1/2 wheat

flour and mix in sesame seeds, putting these out for crows. And

offer water that has some sesame seeds sprinkled in it (pour this on

the ground). I get my sesame seeds from the asian

market because you can find them in large bags for a decent price. I

usually get black, for my homas and making candy.

 

I think technically, you're supposed to offer specifically to souls on

same day of the forthnight in which they died, but prayers in general

to your deceased family is the main theme. Prayers for their peace

and them blessing you, that is. It's a Buddhist thing about there

being *thirsty ghosts* everywhere, so it's not unusual to see one

blessing some water and pouring it on the ground somewhere, anytime of

the year. And putting out food for crows (ie, to your ancestors) is

one of the 5 daily sacrifices, supposedly for Hindu's.

 

More information from here:

http://www.riiti.com/2007-09-shraddh_ceremony_2007.html

 

In the Brahmpuran, it is said that in the dark fortnight (Krishna

Paksha) of Ashvin (This year from 15th sept 2008 to 29th Sept 2008),

Yama frees all souls so that they can visit their children to accept

the food they offer at the shraddh ceremony. Those who do not offer

food to their forefathers during this period attract wrath and many

have to suffer if cursed by them. Coming generations may suffer on

account of this lapse. It is also customary to perform shraddh on the

death anniversary of the deceased. The ceremony aims at feeding

Brahmins until they are content.

 

In the Manusmriti, 3/275, it is written:

 

" Whatever one offers ceremoniously and with devotion to the deceased

reaches them in heaven in imperishable and eternal form " .

 

In the Garudapuran it is said:

 

" When shraddh is performed to their satisfaction, the deceased bless

successors with age, a son, fame, salvation, heaven, glory, stability,

strength, prosperity, cattle, happiness, money, growth and eternal

blessings " .(snip)

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But according to here:

www.riiti.com/2007-09-pitra_paksha_shraddha-tarpan_do_and_dont.html

 

Don't offer the food/water on the 14th day:

 

1. Krishna Paksha (dark half) is better than Shukla Paksha (light

half, waxing) for Tarpan (offering of water) and Shraddha.

 

2. After Noon time is better than before Noon for Tarpan and Shraddha.

 

3. Must Invite and offer food to Brahmin.

 

4. SILVER Patra (utensil) is best for offering food, Tarpan and

Pind-daan. (ManuSmriti 3/202)

 

5. Do not perform Chaturdashi Shraddha. By offering food and water to

your ancestors on this 14th day of Ashwin Krishna Paksha

(Pitra-Paksha), you may unwantedly be put into a war or quarrel. Young

people in your house may start dying in their early age.

 

Perform only when some has died in War/accident (Akal Mrityu).

 

You can perform Chaturadashi's shraddha on next day (Amavasya-new moon

day).

 

6. No Shraddha has been prescribed for abortive child.

 

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Interesting tidbit from here, about soul at time of death:

http://www.riiti.com/2008-06-death_and_after_-_garuda_purana.html/2

 

Lord Krishna said– " The soul leaves the mortal body with great

reluctance because the attachment with the mortal world exists even

after his death. Yamdoots, descend down to earth to take the soul of

the dying man to Yamloka. Those who have committed grave sins are tied

with ropes and taken to Yamloka with great humiliation but virtuous

souls are taken with honour and due respect. Yamraj- the Lord of Death

receives the virtuous soul with all the honour and respect and metes

out punishment to those who had committed sins during their lives. In

his dark complexion and with a buffalo as his mount and with a noose

and iron stick in his hands, Yamraj appears terrifying. On the other

hand, the sight of lifeless body appears disgusting and people try to

dispose it off as quickly as possible because it is worthless without

a soul. So, one must try to make the best use of this mortal body by

indulging in good deeds before the day of his final journey arrives

otherwise he would be left with nothing but regrets at the time of his

death.

 

" O Garuda! Death comes at the predetermined time, which remains fixed

and unaltered under all circumstances. A man's sense organs become

weak and his body feeble, which gets inflicted with numerous diseases

in his old age. At the time of his death, man experiences unbearable

pain and he begins to loose his consciousness. Yamdoots arrive and

begin to retrieve the soul from the body and this aggravates the pain.

Ultimately, the soul, which is not more than the size of a thumb,

reluctantly comes out from the body as the attachment with the world

exists even after his death. But, a virtuous person does not go

through all these painful experiences at the time of his death. The

soul has to take birth in different species as well as go through

cycles of countless births, deaths and rebirths in order to taste the

fruits of his Karmas.