Har Har Mahadev Dear readers, how are you guys, hope you are doing well
Friends, in today's post we will know how to perform Shraddha if nothing is nearby. That is, if someone does not have money, does not have food to feed, is not a Brahmin, etc. then how to perform Shraddha, because it is very important to perform Shraddha. This gives satisfaction to the ancestors.
How to perform Shraddha if nothing is nearby?
Definition of Shraddha and Pitriyagya
The work that is done ritually with devotion for the purpose of ancestors is called Shraddha - 'Shraddhaya Pitrna Uddishya Vidhina Kriyate Yatkarma Tat Shraddham.' The word Shraddha is derived from devotion only.
'Shradharthamidam Shraddham',
'Shraddhaya Kritam Sampaditmidam',
'Shraddhaya Diyate Yasmat Tacchhradham' and 'Shraddhaya Idam Shraddham'.
That is, the special rituals performed with devotion for the purpose of one's deceased ancestors are known as Shraddha. This is also called Pitriyagya, the description of which is found in religious scriptures like Manusmriti, Puranas and many other texts like Veeramitrodaya, Shraddhakalpalata, Shraddhatattva, Pitridayita etc.
According to Maharishi Parashar, what is called Shraddha?
According to Maharishi Parashar - 'The work which is done with devotion with the help of Til (Yav) and Darbha (Kush) and mantras in the place, time and vessel by Havishyadi method, is Shraddha.'
According to Maharishi Brihaspati and Maharishi Pulastya, what is called Shraddha?
According to the words of Maharishi Brihaspati and Maharishi Pulastya mentioned in Shraddhatattva - 'The special act in which cultured (well cooked) food containing milk, ghee and honey is offered to Brahmins with devotion for the purpose of ancestors, is called Shraddha.'
What is called Shraddha described in Brahmapuran?
Similarly, the characteristics of Shraddha are also written in Brahmapuran - 'Whatever is given to a Brahmin with due respect in the place, time and character for the purpose of ancestors is called Shraddha.'
What does a person achieve by performing Shraddha?
The living being who performs Shraddha with a calm mind, becomes free from all sins and attains liberation and does not come back to the worldly cycles.
Therefore, a living being must perform Shraddha for the satisfaction of his ancestors and also for his own welfare. In this world, there is no other more beneficial solution than Shraddha for the person performing Shraddha.
What is the benefit of performing Shraddha?
This fact has also been confirmed by Maharishi Sumantu-
Shraddhaat Parataram Nanyachchreyaskarmudahritam.
Tasmat sarvaprayatnen shraddha kuryadvichakshanah ॥
That is, there is no other beneficial solution better than Shraddha in this world, hence an intelligent person should perform Shraddha diligently.
Om Not only this, Shraddha increases the life span of its celebrant, keeps the family tradition intact by providing a son, accumulates wealth, infuses strength and virility in the body, provides affirmation and Expands fame and provides all kinds of happiness.
Shraddha not only makes the worldly life happy, it also improves the afterlife and ultimately also provides salvation.
Freedom from Shraddha by Markandaya ji
Markandaya ji has said –
Ayu: Prajaam Dhanam Vidyaam Swargam Mokshan Sukhani Ch. Praychchanti and Rajya Pitr: Shraddhatarpita.
That is, after being satisfied with the Shraddha, the ancestors grant long life, progeny, wealth, knowledge, kingdom, happiness, heaven and salvation to the Shraddha performer.
Result of Shraddha mentioned in Atri Samhita
Atri Samhita says – Those who are engaged in ancestral rituals (Shradhan rituals) like sons, brothers, grandsons or daughters-in-law, they definitely attain Paramagatiko. It is even written in it that-
Upadeshtanumanta ca loke tulyphalau smritau.. That is, the one who performs Shraddha, the one who knows its rituals, the one who advises to perform Shraddha and the one who approves of Shraddha – all of them get the virtuous results of Shraddha.
Loss due to not performing Shraddha
One gets goosebumps after knowing the harm caused by not performing Shraddha in our scriptures. Therefore, it is very important to be familiar with the principles of Shraddha and be prepared for its rituals.
It is well known that a dead person cannot even take his physical body in this great journey, then how can he take Patheya (food and water)? At that time, he gets whatever his relatives give him during the Shraddha ritual.
The scriptures have made provision for Pind Daan after death. First of all, during the funeral procession, six bodies are given, which serve the purpose of pleasing the presiding deities and removing obstacles caused by ghosts etc. Along with this, through the ten Pindas given in Dashagatra, the living being attains the spiritual subtle body.
This marked the beginning of the great journey of the dead person. Now further he needs Patheya (food on the way – food, water etc.), which he gets from the Pinda Daan given on Uttam Shodashi.
If his relatives, sons and grandchildren do not give him food, he suffers greatly due to hunger and thirst.
Distress to the one who does not perform Shraddha (described in Brahmapuran)
This is the story of the sufferings of a dead person due to not performing Shraddha. Now let us talk about those who do not perform Shraddha.
Friends, even those who do not perform Shraddha have to face hardships at every step.
The dead creature is forced to suck the blood of its relatives who do not perform Shraddha - Shraddha na kurute mohat tasya raktam pibanti te. Described in (Brahmapurana)
At the same time they also curse – ..Pitrastasya Shapan Dattva Prayanti Cha. This is given in chapter 401,2 (Nagarkhand) of Skandha Purana. Then this cursed family has to face hardships throughout their life.
In that family, no son is born, no one remains healthy, no one lives long, no welfare is achieved in any way and after death one has to go to hell.
Read more- Wonderful story of five ghosts, Garuda Gyan 25
It is also said in the Upanishad that 'Devapitrikaryaabhyam na pramaditavyam' i.e. man should never be negligent in the work of gods and ancestors. Pramad leads to prativaya.
How do ancestors attain Shraddha?
It is natural to be curious as to how the ancestors get the food items etc. given in Shraddha, because according to different deeds, the soul gets different status after death.
Someone becomes a god, someone an ancestor, someone a ghost, someone an elephant, someone an ant, someone a Chinar tree and someone a grass.
How can an elephant's stomach be filled with a small lump given in Shraddha? Similarly, how can an ant eat such a big mass? Gods are satisfied with nectar, how will they be satisfied with Pinda?
The scriptures have given a clear answer to these questions that with the help of Naam-Gotra, the divine ancestors like Vishvedev and Agnishwat etc.
make the ancestors receive Havya-Kavya (the material received by the Gods and ancestors). If the father has reached Devyoni, then the food given to him becomes nectar there.
In humans, he gets it in the form of food and in animals, he gets it in the form of grass. In Nagadi Yonis, in the form of air, in Yakshayoni, in the form of water and in other yonis too, it definitely satisfies him by receiving Shraddha objects in the form of pleasurable substances.
Just as a calf, in some way or the other, finds its lost mother in the cowshed, in the same way the mantra, in some way or the other, brings the given object to the living being.
Name, Gotra, faith in the heart and the things given with proper resolution, the mantra recited with devotion reaches them. Even if a living being has passed through hundreds of births, satisfaction always reaches him.
Brahmin - Fulfillment of Shraddha even with food
Generally there are two processes of Shraddha - 1- Pind Daan and 2- Brahmin food. Those who reach Devlok or Pitralok after death, when called by mantras, immediately come to Shraddha Desh from those worlds and eat food through the invited Brahmins.
Being micro-receptors, their food is consumed by inhaling the microscopic particles of food and they become satisfied. Vedas have said that by feeding Brahmins, it is attained by the ancestors.
What is the meaning of Immodanam Ni Dadhe Lokajitam Brahmaneshu Vishtarinaam Swargam?
Immodanam ni dadhe lokajitam brahmineshu vishtarinaam swargam. (Described in Atharvaveda)
(Im Odanam) I am establishing this Odnopalakshit food (Brahmaneshu Ni Dadhe) among the Brahmins, this food is full of expansion and is going to win the heaven. Clarifying this fact Manuji has written-
Yasyasyen sadashnanti havyani tridivaukasah. Kavyani Chaiv Pitrah Kim Bhootmadhikam Tatah ॥
That is, from the mouth of a Brahmin, the Gods eat the Havya and the ancestors eat the poetry. It is written for the ancestors that due to their actions, they live in space in a pneumatic body. These ancestors living in space feel satisfied just by hearing that 'Shraddha Kaal has come'.
These are 'Manojav' i.e. the movement of these ancestors is like the movement of the mind. By remembering this, they come to Shraddha Desh and get satisfied by eating food with the Brahmins. Not everyone can see them because their body is pneumatic.
Regarding this subject, it is also said in Manusmriti that the ancestors reside secretly among the Brahmins invited for Shraddha. Like the breath of life, they walk while walking and sit while sitting.
During the Shraddha period, the ancestors come in the form of life or air along with the invited Brahmins and sit and eat food with those Brahmins. After death the ancestors have a subtle body, hence no one can see them.
It is also said in Shatapatha Brahmana that 'Tir iva vaai pitro manushyebhyaah' i.e. due to being of subtle body the ancestors are hidden from humans.
Therefore, due to being having a subtle body, they are dominated by water, fire and air, that is why they do not face any hindrance in moving between worlds.
Prosperity of Shraddha even in lack of money
Everyone's financial situation is not the same. Sometimes there is shortage of money, in such a situation the ritual of Shraddha is mandatory, from this point of view the scriptures have made some arrangements regarding the ratio of money-
(1) If there is shortage of money to buy food and clothing, then in that situation Shraddha should be performed with vegetables.
Tasmachchradham Shakairpi Yathavidhi Naro Bhaktya
(2) If there is no money even to buy vegetables, then collect money by selling grass, wood etc. and with that money buy vegetables and perform Shraddha. This Shraddha has been done with a lot of hard work, hence the results are lakhs times.
(3) Due to specific country and time, even wood is not available. In such a situation, the scriptures said that Shraddha can be performed with grass. Cut the grass and feed it to the cow. This arrangement has been given by Padmapuran. Along with this, it has presented a small incident in this regard-
Read more- Garud Gyaan 6 | 16 routes on the way to Yamlok
An incident related to lack of money
A person was suffering greatly from lack of money. He did not have enough money to buy vegetables. Thus, he was not in a position to perform Shraddha even with vegetables.
Today was the date of Shraddha. The 'Kutap Kaal' had also arrived. After this period, Shraddha could not be performed. The poor man got scared and started crying - how to perform Shraddha?
A scholar suggested him - now is the Kutap period, cut the grass quickly and feed it to the cows in the name of the ancestors. He ran and cut grass and fed it to the cows. As a result of this Shraddha he attained heaven.
How to perform Shraddha when even grass is not available?
Atat Punyaprasadena Gatosau Suramandiram. (Padmapuran, Srishti) is described. That is, such a situation arises that it is not possible to get even grass. Then how to perform Shraddha?
The solution to this issue in the scriptures is that when it is not possible for the Shraddha performer to get even grass due to the time of the day, then the alternative to the Shraddha is that the Shraddha performer should go to a secluded place. Raise both the arms and pray to the ancestors with the following verse:
Na measti vittaam na dhanaam cha naanyacchhraadhopayogyam swapitannatosmi.
Tripyanthu Bhaktya Pitro Mayaitau Kritau Bhujau Vartmani Marutasya ॥
(Described in Vishnupuran) That is, O my ancestors! I neither have money nor grains etc. suitable for Shraddha. Yes, I have reverence and devotion for you. I want to satisfy you with these. May you be satisfied. I have raised both my arms in the sky (as per Shastri's order).
A person having resources should not be stingy in Shraddha work - 'Vittashathyam na samacharet', he must perform Shraddha with special devotion with his available resources.
It seems clear from the above mentioned options that Shraddha must be performed in some way or the other. The scriptures have clearly stated the rules for performing Shraddha and have also prohibited not doing it.
Just perform Shraddha-
Ato Moolai: Phalarvapi Tahapudkatarpanai: Pitrutriptin Prakurvit 11
Don't skip Shraddha - Naive Shraddha Vivarjayet. (Dharmasindhu)
Shraddha officials
Mainly the son has the right to perform the Shraddha of his father. If there are multiple sons, all the activities from funeral to Ekadshah and Dwadshah should be performed by the eldest son. In special circumstances, the younger brother can also do it with the permission of the elder brother.
If all the brothers have a joint family, then the annual Shraddha can also be performed at one place by the eldest son. If there are different sons, then their annual Adi Shraddha should be performed separately.
If there is no son, then there are various provisions in the scriptures for the presiding deity. According to Smriti Sangraha and Shraddha Kalpalta, the officials of Shraddha are said to be son, grandson, great grandson, daughter's son, wife, brother, nephew, father, mother, daughter-in-law, sister, nephew, Sapindi and Sodkar - in the absence of the former, then the latter respectively. Have the right to perform Shraddha.
According to Vishnu Purana, only a son, grandson, great-grandson, brother, nephew or a man born in his Sapinda progeny is entitled to perform Shraddha rituals. If all these are lacking then the progeny of the Samanodak or the Sapinda or Samanodak from the maternal side have the right to it.
If both the maternal and paternal clans are destroyed then only the woman should perform this ritual or (if there is no woman) someone from her friends should do it or the king should perform all the ghostly rituals using the money of the familyless deceased.
According to Hemadri, the entire ritual of Pind Daana etc. of the father should be performed by the son only. In the absence of a son, the wife should do it and in the absence of a wife, the brother should do it.
Markandeya Purana has told that since the king is the brother of all the varnas. Therefore, in the absence of all the devotees, the king should use the money of the dead person to get all the half-life rituals like cremation done properly by the relatives of his caste.
Different types of Shraddha
Many types of Shraddha have been described in the scriptures, but here only those Shraddhas are mentioned which are very necessary and ritualistic. Three types of Shraddha have been mentioned in Matsyapuran – Nityam Naimittikam Kamyam Trividham
There are three types of Shraddha - Nitya, Naimittik and Kamya-Bhed.
Five types of Shraddhas are mentioned in Yama Smriti – Nitya, Naimittik, Kamya, Vriddhi and Parvana.
Nitya Shraddha – Shraddha performed daily is called Nitya Shraddha. Vishvedev is not present in this and in case of infirmity, this Shraddha can be fulfilled by just providing water.
Naimittika Shraddha- Ekodishta Shraddha is called Naimittika Shraddha, in this also Vishvedev is not present.
Kamyashraddha- Shraddha performed for the fulfillment of any wish is called Kamyashraddha.
Vriddhi Shraddha - The Shraddha that is performed during the auspicious occasion of birth of a son and marriage etc. is called Vriddhibadh (Nandibaddh).
Parvan Shraddha- The Shraddha which is always performed (including Vishvedev) on Pitripaksha, Amavasya or festival date etc. is called Parvan Shraddha.
12 types of Shraddha have been described in Vishwamitra Smriti and Bhavishya Purana.
In Vishwamitra Smriti and Bhavishya Purana, twelve types of Shraddha have been mentioned - Nitya, Naimittik, Kamya, Vriddhi, Parvana, Sapindan, Gosthi, Shuddharth, Karmang, Daivik, Yatrarth and Pushtyarth. Almost all the Shraddhas are summed up in the above mentioned five Shraddhas.
The one whose gathering is performed among the ancestors is called Sapindan Shraddha.
Read more- Should we read Garuda Purana while alive or not?
What is done in a group is called Gosthi Shraddha.
The Shraddha in which food is offered to Brahmins for the sake of purification is called Shuddhartha Shraddha.
The Shraddha that is performed in the rites like Garbhadhan, Seemantonnayan and Punsavan etc. is called Karmang Shraddha.
The Shraddha that is performed for the gods through special havishyas on Saptami etc. dates is called divine Shraddha.
The Shraddha that is performed with Ghrit while going cross country for the purpose of pilgrimage is called Yatrarth Shraddha.
The Shraddha that is performed for physical or economic progress is called Pushtyarth Shraddha.
All the above mentioned types of Shraddha are of two types, Shrauta and Smarta-Bheda. Pindapitriyag is called Shrota Shraddha and the Shraddha from Ekodishta, Parvana and Tirtha Shraddha till death is called Smartashraddha.
16 occasions of Shraddha
There are 16 occasions for Shraddha. Twelve Amavasyas of twelve months, Satyayuga, four Yugadi Tithis of the beginning of Tretadi Yugas, fourteen Manvadi Tithis of the beginning of Manus, twelve Sankrantis, twelve Vaidhriti Yogas, twelve Vyatipat Yogas, fifteen Mahalaya Shraddhas (Pitrapaksha), five Ashtakas, five Anvastakas and five Purvedyu:-
It is necessary to perform Shraddha on the date of death and in Pitru Paksha.
In the present times, most of the people do not perform Shraddha considering it useless. Among those who perform Shraddha, some perform Shraddha with devotion as per the rules and regulations. But most of the people perform Shraddha from the point of view of rituals. In fact, only Shraddha performed with faith and devotion as prescribed in the scriptures provides all kinds of welfare.
Therefore, every person should keep performing all the Shraddhas mentioned in the scriptures at the right time with devotion. Those who are not able to perform all the Shraddhas mentioned in the scriptures, they should at least perform Shraddha on the death anniversary of their deceased ancestors on the Kshayah-annual date and in the Pitru Paksha of Ashwin month.
In which side is it appropriate to perform Pitra Shraddha?
Ancestors have a special relationship with Pitru Paksha. The day of ancestors starts from Bhadrapada Shukla Purnima, which lasts till Amavasya. Shuklapaksha is said to be the night of ancestors. That is why it is said in Manusmriti that the ancestors have one Ahoratra (day and night) equal to one month of human beings. There are two sides to the month.
For humans, the Krishna Paksha is the day for the work of ancestors and the Shukla Paksha is the night for the ancestors to sleep. This is the reason why there is a tradition of performing Pitrushraddha in the Krishna Paksha-Pitrapaksha of Ashwin month.
By doing this the ancestors get food every day. That is why special glory of performing Shraddha during Pitripaksha has been written in the scriptures. Maharishi Jabali says-
Putrāṇāyustathāṃ Rogyāmaiścharyamatulaṃ and .Prapnoti Panchemaan Kritva Shraddhaṃ Kaamanśa Pushkalan ॥
The meaning is that by performing Shraddha in Pitru Paksha, one gets son, longevity, health, immense wealth and desired things.
Brief method of Shraddha
In general it is mandatory to perform Shraddha at least twice a year. Apart from this, it is also mandatory to do it on festival dates like Amavasya, Vyatipat Sankranti etc. Apart from this, there is a method to perform Shraddha.
(1) Kshayatithi- Annual Shraddha should be performed on the date on which a person dies. There is a provision in the scriptures to perform Ekoddishta Shraddha on the date of decay (in some states Parvan Shraddha is also performed.) Ekoddishta Shraddha means donating a body only for the deceased and providing food to at least one Brahmin and at most - -At most three Brahmins should be fed.
(2) Pitru Paksha - There is a rule to perform Parvan Shraddha mainly on the date when a free person falls in Pitru Paksha. As far as possible, this must be done on the date of father's death.
In Parvana Shraddha, father, grandfather (grandfather), great grandfather (grandfather), wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother - thus, Shraddha of six persons is performed in three Chats.
Along with this, Shraddha of six people will be performed in three Chats - Matamaha (Maternal Grandfather), Pramatamah (Great Grandfather), Old Grandfather (Old Great Grandfather), Spouse i.e. Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Elder Great Grandmother - Here too, Shraddha will be performed for six people.
Apart from this, another platform is placed on which Pind Daan is performed for the nearest relatives. Apart from this, two world gods are worshiped. In this way, Parvana Shraddha is completed by performing nine chaats.
In Parvana Shraddha, food should be offered to nine Brahmins. If it has to be reduced then only three Brahmins can be fed. If a good Brahmin is not available then at least one Satvik Brahmin who offers Sandhyavandan etc. should be served food.
Dear readers! We hope you liked the post. Will meet again with the next post in Devotional Story. Till then take care of yourself, stay happy and keep sharing happiness with others.
Jai Jai Shri Radhe Shyam
Thank you.
