Tarpanam

''Tarpana'' or (, , , ) is a term in the Vedic practice that refers to an offering made to divine entities. It refers to the act of offering as well as the substance used in the offering. ''Tilatarpana'' (, , , ) is a specific form of ''tarpana'' involving libations offered to the '' pitri'' (deceased ancestors) using water and sesame seeds during ''Pitru Paksha'' or as a death rite.

''Tarpana'' is a form of ''arghya'' (an offering). It is offered to all devas as well as the Navagrahas whenever mulamantra is recited as japa.

Instances of welcome ''tarpana''

* For ''devis'':
** for Lakshmi, “” ( Śrī Sūkta 4), "One who is satisfied and who satisfies those who offer Her Tarpana"
** for Tripura Sundari, “” (''Lalita Sahasranama'' 178, 974), "One who is satisfied by just a single drop of Tarpana"
* Cow's milk (raw, unheated, and unpasteurized), water, sugar, saffron, cardamom, borneo-camphor, etc. are mixed and used as the offering.
* One ''tarpana'' (or ''arghya'') is offered for the recitation of every ten ''mulamantra''s and one for part thereof.

''Tilatarpana''

''Tilatarpana'' is the ''tarpana'' (or ''arghya'') offered to '' pitrs'' (departed ancestors) by male descendants who do not have a living father. This is offered at the first annual ''shraddha'' (death anniversary) and during subsequent annual shraddhas, ''amavasyas'' (new moon days), ''sankramana''s (solar ingresses), eclipses, and during visits to selected holy places of pilgrimage.

Offering ''tilatarpana''

* Black ''tila'' (gingelly) seeds, used along with water as the offering.
* The '' yagnopavita'' (sacred thread) is to be worn in the opposing position (i.e., on the right shoulder, which is termed as , or ''apsabhya'' in Sanskrit).
* A ''pavitra'' (ring) made of '' kusha'' grass should be worn on the ring finger of the right hand and ''kusha'' grasses in left fingers horizontally called ''tekusha''.

Posture of hand

The hand while offering ''tarpana'' varies for offerings made to ''devas'' (Gods, Goddesses and Navagrahas), ''rishis'' (sages) and ''pitrus'' (departed ancestors).
:(a) For '' devas'', the offering is made to flow over the eight fingers of both hands adjoined together other than the thumb known as ''dev tirtha''
:(b) For ''rishis'', the offering is made to flow between both palms adjoined, the tarpan dripping between both palms known as ''rishi tirtha''
:(c) For '' pitrus'', the offering is made to flow over the left side of the left palm and the thumb of the left hand known as ''pitru tirtha,'' the ''janeu'' or ''yagnopavita'' resting on right shoulder falling to left side on the hip. This is known as ''upsavya'' as the '' yagnopavita'' is resting on the left side so the ''pitru tarpan'' should be offered with the left hand. This is the reason to circumambulate the deceased anti-clockwise. The left hand should be used for ''pind danam''. In all other rituals apart from ''pitru shraddha,'' the use of the right hand is compulsory.

Gingelly

Gingelly is different than sesame, which is from a large tree; gingelly is a small seed that stores energy and hence is considered a favorite of all ''Devas'', '' Shani'' (Saturn) and ''pitrus''. Lord Ganesha is commonly offered ''pancha-kajjaya'', a delicacy made using sesame. Lord Shiva is worshipped with sesame seeds (''tilakshata''). For Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Saraswati, gingelly seeds are used in their favorite eatables. It is used as a ''homa dravya'' (an ingredient in the fire offerings) in many ''havans'' and ''homas''. Therefore, ''tila'' (gingelly) and ''tilatarpana'' should not be dismissed as inauspicious.

Reasons for offering ''tarpana''

It is believed that one's '' pitrs'' eagerly await ''tarpana''. If no offering is made, they return to their places disappointed, and the descendant misses their blessings that he would have received, if he had performed his filial duties. ''Kosha Kushi''  is an important ritual item used in the Tantric worship of the Divine Mother and represents the ''yoni'' and womb of the Goddess, as well as the astral body within the physical body and the microcosm within the macrocosm.

References

Bibliography

* ''Tarpana Vidhi Vidhana'', authored by Sri Gunjur Ramachandra Sastry, published by Srinidhi Prakashana, Bangalore 560053 INDIA

The Sacred Books of the Hindus, Chapter 4, pg 21

External links

Sanskrit


Detailed Tarpana Vidhi (Tharpana/Tarpan Vidhi) Procedure in Sanskrit and various other Indian languages



Bodhayana tarpanam mantras

Yajurveda apastambha sutra tarpanam

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Rituals in Hindu worship
Hindu practices
Hindu rituals related to death
Water and Hinduism