Tarpana For Devas, Rishis and Pitris: Regular Procedure
Tarpana For Devas, Rishis and Pitris: Regular Procedure
Tarpana For Devas, Rishis and Pitris: Regular Procedure
Om Rishibhyo Namah
Introduction
External rituals are meant to create the internal visualization needed to affect desirable internal changes in the long run. For example,
one offers a full coconut into fire as poornaahuti (complete offering) at the end of a homam (fire ritual). This is symbolic of
surrendering ones head or ego (sense of I-ness) to god and burning it in the fire of wisdom and becoming free from ego. As one keeps
engaging in this act again and again, the visualization becomes stronger and stronger and ego is slowly reduced.
One important ritual of Hinduism is tarpana. Tarpana means satisfying or satiating. One acknowledges the debt one has to devas
(gods), rishis (sages) and pitris (ancestral manes) and tries to satisfy them using this ritual. Just as gods are invoked in fire in a homam,
pitris are invoked in water in this ritual, then held in the palm and released in a specific way conducive to freeing them.
One owes a lot to ones parents and ancestors. In modern scientific terms, one owes all of ones genetic characteristics to ones parents
and ancestors. Each ancestor is actually present in the person as a genetic characteristic. In karmik terms, one inherits some karmas of
ones parents and ancestors and each ancestor is actually present in the person as a kaarmik predisposition. The latter approach
obviously extends to multiple lives and some karmik predisposition is inherited from the ancestors from a past life too, though they
may not be related to one in this life.
By thinking of the deceased ancestors with gratitude and trying to give them an emancipation, one is actually trying to free oneself
from various kaarmic predispositions that one has as a result of the rina (karmik debt) with several people. One can view this as an
external event of satisfying and emancipating an external entity (a pitri). Alternately, one can view this as an internal event of
satisfying and releasing an internal kaarmik predisposition. Ultimately, it is the latter. However, one needs to externalize first and
perform external rituals, while thinking of what it means internally. This builds up ones visualization and slowly brings about internal
changes and eventually the desired internal change itself. One with living parents also can perform pitri tarpanas for departed
ancestors of this life and previous lives.
Two external spiritual sadhanas are particularly powerful, useful and recommended for every person desirous of fast spiritual
progress:
(1) Homam (fire ritual): Gods are invoked in fire and satisfied with offerings with mantras. Please see the homam website at
http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam for more. In the long run, a regular practice of this ritual increases the subtle fire burning
inside ones subtle body, burns various impediments to spiritual progress and gives clarity, focus and stability to the mind.
(2) Tarpana (water ritual): Gods, sages and manes are invoked in water and satisfied with emancipation given to them. In the long
run, a regular practice of this ritual increases the release of various kaarmik predispositions and weaknesses that are blocking
ones spiritual and material progress.
This document describes the procedure of pitri tarpana with the relevant mantras using a simple approach. This document is the
regular procedure. There are also documents giving a short procedure and a super-short procedure for the benefit of those with
time constraints or problem with Sanskrita language. Download them from http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana.
on a Sunday that has saptami tithi (7th day of the lunar fortnight),
on a Friday that has a nanda tithi (1st, 6th and 11th tithis of the lunar fortnights),
on a Sunday with Moon in Bharani, Krittika or Magha nakshatra, and,
on ones birthday.
On these days, tarpanas not requiring water with sesame seed can be performed, but not the ones requiring water with sesame seeds.
Materials Needed
One needs the following materials:
(1) Water pot made ideally of gold, silver, copper, bronze, brass or panchalohas (five metals). It should ideally not be made of iron,
steel or clay. However, it is better to make compromises when you have no suitable pot, than skipping the ritual altogether.
(2) Some akshatas made by mixing uncooked plain white (or brown) rice grains with turmeric powder and a drop of ghee (clarified
butter) or an oil. In the absence of turmeric powder, just plain rice grains can be used as akshatas. In the absence of rice grains,
use a grain that is locally popular and available.
(3) Black sesame seeds. Try your best to get them. If you cannot get them, use white or brown sesame seeds as a substitute. If you
cannot get any of them, use akshatas (see (2) above) instead of sesame seeds.
(4) Darbhas or kushas, a sacred grass. Each darbha has a sharp edge and a base. You need to hold three of them in your right palm,
while holding and leaving water. If you do not have darbha, use a locally available grass. If that cannot be done, just ignore
darbhas in all directions and proceed without them.
(5) A ring made of darbha, known as pavitram, is to be worn on the right hand ring finger during the ritual. If that is not available, it
is acceptable to wear any ring made of any gemstone or gold or silver. So wear some ring on the right hand ring finger. If that is
not possible, proceed without it.
Sankalpam (vow)
While sitting cross-legged, the empty left-hand palm is placed on the right knee with the palm facing up. Some akshatas are taken in
the right hand, it is closed and the closed fist of the right hand is placed on the left palm with the palm of the closed right fist facing
down (towards the left hand palm). The following is recited to take a sankalpa (vow) to perform this ritual. It means on this
auspicious day and auspicious time, I shall perform tarpana to Devas, Rishis and Pitris to the best of my ability. After reciting it, the
akshatas are dropped on the ground in front of one.
Deva Tarpana
The first to be performed is Deva Tarpana, satiation of various gods who run this universe. They are also microcosmically present in
each person as various good qualities inside that person. Place the water pot in front of you. Sit facing the east direction. The right
knee should be in contact with the ground, while the left knee should be out of contact with the ground (i.e. place the left leg over right
leg so that left knee is a little above the ground). Put some akshatas in the water pot, hold the water pot on the right hand palm, cover it
with the left hand palm and say the following to request the presence of gods, rishis etc in that water pot. It means may Brahma etc
gods and Kashyapa etc sages, may all the great ones who live in the stomach of the cosmic egg of creation come here.
om agni tpyatm ida satila jala tasmai svadh nama ||1|| tasmai svadh nama ||2|| tasmai
svadh nama ||3||
om soma tpyatm ida satila jala tasmai svadh nama ||1|| tasmai svadh nama ||2||
tasmai svadh nama ||3||
om yama tpyatm ida satila jala tasmai svadh nama ||1|| tasmai svadh nama ||2||
tasmai svadh nama ||3||
om aryam tpyatm ida satila jala tasmai svadh nama ||1|| tasmai svadh nama ||2||
tasmai svadh nama ||3||
Next 3 mantras are for all the manes that were burnt by fire or carried by water or elevated beings that just left the body.
om agniu tt pitara tpyantm ida satila jala tebhya svadh nama ||1|| tebhya svadh
nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3||
om somap pitara tpyantm ida satila jala tebhya svadh nama ||1|| tebhya svadh
nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3||
om barhiada pitara tpyantm ida satila jala tebhya svadh nama ||1|| tebhya svadh
nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3||
Yama Tarpana
These are offerings to Lord Yama, who is the keeper of dharma and judge of peoples karmas. Release water (in the style previously
mentioned) whenever you encounter a namah.
mama sarvajanmeu pitara tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama ||1||
tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of fathers father in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu pitmah tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama
||1|| tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of fathers fathers father in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu mtara tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tbhya svadh nama
||1|| tbhya svadh nama ||2|| tbhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of fathers mother in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu pitmahya tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tbhya svadh nama
||1|| tbhya svadh nama ||2|| tbhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of fathers fathers mother in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu patnya tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tbhya svadh nama
||1|| tbhya svadh nama ||2|| tbhya svadh nama ||3|||
mama sarvajanmeu pataya tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama
||1|| tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of son in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu putr tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama ||1||
tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of daughter in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu kany tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tbhya svadh nama ||1||
tbhya svadh nama ||2|| tbhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of step-mother in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu mtmah tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama
||1|| tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of mothers fathers father in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu bhrtara tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama
||1|| tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of sister in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu bhaginya tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tbhya svadh nama
||1|| tbhya svadh nama ||2|| tbhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of fathers brother in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu pitvy tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama
||1|| tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of mothers brother in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu mtul tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama
||1|| tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of step-brother in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu vaur tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama
||1|| tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of mother-in-law in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu gurava tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama
||1|| tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of gurus wife in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu gurupatnya tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tbhya svadh nama
||1|| tbhya svadh nama ||2|| tbhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of sishya (disciple) in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu iy tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama ||1||
tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of friend in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu sakh tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama ||1||
tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of a dear one in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu ptajan tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama
||1|| tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
To beings who played the role of one born in the same lineage in various lives to you:
mama sarvajanmeu svakulajt tpyantm ida tilodaka svadhyibhya tebhya svadh nama
||1|| tebhya svadh nama ||2|| tebhya svadh nama ||3|||
Customization for Specific Deceased Persons
The exhaustive list above covers various people who were close to us in various lives and left a kaarmik imprint on our soul and
resulted in some kaarmik predispositions in this life.
Now, if you want to offer tarpana to a specific deceased person, use the following customization. Based on whether the deceased is a
man or woman, pick the correct mantra from below. Substitute the gotra, relation and name in the mantra to get a customized mantra.
If the deceased person is a man from List A:
Gotra gotra mama Relation Name tpyatm ida tilodaka tasmai svadh nama ||1|| tasmai svadh nama
List B (others):
Wife: patn Husband: pati Son: putra Daughter: kany
Daughter-in-law: putrapatn. Sons son: pautra Sons daughter: pautr
Son-in-law: jmt Daughters son: dauhitra Daughters daughter: dauhitr
Brother: bhrt. Sister: bhagin
Step-mother: spatnamt. Step-father: spatnapit
Step-brother: spatnabhrt Step-sister: spatnabhagin
Fathers brother: pitvya Mothers brother: mtula
Conclusion
While releasing water continuously in the style previously mentioned, recite the following verses.