SHRAADH - Scientific ExplanationWe have understood in the previous chapters that Pitr Upaasana is not for the benefit of the individual but for the Universal benefit.
Since this is the age where science is predominant, we shall now give a scientific edge to the Shraadh rituals.The word 'science'as we understand is really not complete. Anything that can be proved in the context of ADHYATMIK, ADHIDAIVIK & ADHIBHAUTIK (KNOWLEDGE, ACTION & PHYSICAL) can be truly called science.
For the Shraadh rituals, all the three conditions comply.We shall briefly try and understand this vast topic here.
The three conditions necessary for Shraadh are:
MAN SHAKTI (resolve)
MANTRA SHAKTI (power of the word)
DRAVYA SHAKTI (the power of substances or money)
We also have to consider the time when this is performed namely all amavasya days and the 15 day Shraadh/Mahalya period that occurs in Sep. /Oct. every year.
Next we shall consider the reason for invoking only three generation names in the ritual.
In the earlier chapters, we have not discussed the transition or the 'Nivritti'of the soul that lives as a spirit 'Pret Yoni'. When close relatives wail and cry at the time of death, then the soul of the deceased gets TRAPPED in the emotions and hovers around the loved ones in the state of a 'pret'.
The three powers or shaktis that we have tabulated earlier are all invoked during the Shraadh rituals. Even one of them has the power to dispel any calamity and thus when all three are used together, the effect is naturally enhanced.
MAN SHAKTI-The power of the mind is something we are all familiar with. Learned people know that with this singular power can one rise or fall in life. It paves the way for bondage or for liberation. A mind that is immersed in thoughts is sure to be caught in bondage and the one free from any thoughts can have the doors opened to freedom and moksha.
A devotee can have the vision of his Lord through the power of his mind and a Yogi enslaves all thoughts and is able to cure any illness through mind control. This same energy is utilized in the Shraadh rituals.
First of all, the performer purifies himself by fasting, celibacy and other austerities.
Next, he invokes his ancestors with mantras with total concentration and devotion (Shraadha is the word for devotion in Hindi and thus the term Shraadh is derived from it.) It is a well known fact that when the soul and mind concentrate and remember someone, the result is instant telepathy.
In a room, if we play a sitar, then the other sitars lying there will surely vibrate also. When an inanimate thing can produce such results then why not the mind that has consciousness!
Our scriptures say that a son is the very embodiment of the Father's soul. The two are always close. When such a son in all earnestness invokes his deceased father and grandfather, they are sure to respond when, in the presence of a holy Brahmin, the son performs the rites.
The mind is linked to the moon and the scriptures say that the deceased live in Chandra Lok. Thus the mind is sure to connect them in that realm.
Yogis and Mahatmas are able to liberate their forefathers only by the power of the mind as rituals are not mandatory for them. Their intense penance and Yog Bal gives them the power.Thus we see the importance of MAN SHAKTI.
If for any reason the deceased has attained 'Pret Yoni' and are wandering around and have no abode, are alone, sad and are in a turmoil, they are sure to be liberated.
Next we shall discuss MANTRA SHAKTI.
MANTRA SHAKTIWords have the inherent power to move the world as per their sound. The spoken word if put into wrong use can be very damaging! An accomplished orator can invoke strong sentiments in people who can even be ready to sacrifice their lives or even kill anyone and thus we can have rivers of bloodshed!
Why is a person angry when hurled with bad words and happy hearing words of flattery? The words obviously do not affect you physically in anyway. Needless to say it is the power of the WORD! History students may remember that during the war between Babar and Rana Sangha, the soldiers of Babar were tired and dejected by the clever warfare of Rana Sangha. Babar immediately gave an imposing speech which brought the soldiers back into the fighting spirit! Babar won the battle as a result of his powerful words.
The power of words can be described in so many ways.
A deer hears the music and is easily trapped. A snake dances to the melody of the 'Been'. If gross words have such powers, then what to talk of Vedic mantras! They surely have the power to reach our deceased ancestors and are able to offer them relief and solace.
Scriptures say that 'OM' IS A COMPLETE MANTRA BY ITSELF.It is like a bridge and when we once cross the bridge, we are sure to achieve results just as Lanka was conquered once the bridge was built across the ocean.
When OM is recited, the invoked deceased is sure to enter the body of the performing Brahmin in the form of VAYU and can then surely be released from the spirit world. Manu Maharaj emphasizes the need to listen to the Puranas, Dharma Shaastras, Mahabharat and the branch of the Vedas that one belongs to.
How then can the lowly spirits face the power of the mantras embedded with Om and other powerful mantras?
In the last verse of Katha Upanishad (where the fruit of hearing the text is written) it says that whosoever hears this story of Nachiketa can get immediate release from the spirit world.
THIS IS THE POWER AND EFFECT OF THE WORD.
Let us now study the effects of DRAVYA SHAKTI
DRAVYA SHAKTI
(This word is very difficult to translate .The dictionary says -substance-----anything that divides, combines and flows through a set of changes is DRAVYA).
This shakti is no less powerful to release the spirit. Dravyas have celestial powers .Scientists in laboratories do wonders with different substances. The medical science depends totally on different substances to cure illness.Rare diseases can be cured by partaking medicines. 'Brahmi Booti' can give total concentration whereas 'Bhang'can give delusions. All these are dravyas-(substances).Some even have the power to cure by merely keeping close to the body. The root of 'Sahdevi' plant can eliminate high temperatures.
During Shraadh, substances that can release the spirits (give them TRIPTI) are used.
During a special time called GAJCHHAYA YOGA, if honey is mixed with certain substances, the Pitrs are supposed to get instant release. Rishis had contemplated on these substances and verified their powers and thus milk, ghee etc. continue to be used till date for the ritual.
Black Sesame and Kusha grass are 2 other substances used besides milk and ghee (dhrit). However the most important thing to remember is that the main ingredient is total sincerity and belief in the rites.
If BELIEF is missing, there is no Shraadh. The total ritual will be merely a charade. In science, we have seen that if even one substance is missing or if the ratio of any substance is incorrect, the results will surely not be as expected. In fact, by administering such a medicine a person may even die. Similarly, our ancestors may not receive any benefit if the rites are not performed correctly. They may even have adverse effects.
So we have seen the magical power of these three energies (SHAKTIS). Whatever the state of the deceased, these rites have the powers to free them and satiate them. These three parameters can be tested in any scientific manner. The deeper we reflect on these thoughts, the more faith can be had.
Next we shall discuss-
Why AMAVASYA and the MAHALYA /SHRAADH period?
We have discussed earlier that in the framework of creation, there is a place for Rishis, Devtas and Pitrs.
The Rishis are predominant in the field of Knowledge.
The Devtas and Pitrs rule the world and its management.
Keeping in mind the different temperaments of the three, the Lord Almighty has created a system whereby each one gets a turn to rule in the world.
This way there would be no clashes and each one's ruling period can be of harmony .The others who are not ruling have to adapt to the ruler! Such is the wisdom of the creator!
Now according to this, the first half of the day is ruled by the Devtas and the second half by the Pitrs (manes -- a word commonly used in English).The Shukla paksh or the waxing moon period is allocated to the Devtas and the Krishna Paksh or the waning moon period is allocated to the Pitrs.
The seasons have also been divided.-
Spring, summer and monsoon to the Devtas.
Autumn and winter to the Pitrs.
Uttrayan or winter solstice is for the Devtas.
Dakshinayan or summer solstice to the Pitrs.
All of them manage the periods allocated to them with extreme dexterity and very smoothly.
In the text SHATPAT BRAHMAN (2-1-3-1) there is a mention of the above.
Why AMAVASYA?
There is a difference in the time period of Pitrs and our time period, just like there is a time difference between us and of someone residing in a different country.
We know that the sun is millions of miles away from the earth.
When it 'rises', we call it morning and when it is overhead it is noon and when it appears to 'set', it is evening.This is our 1 day. On the other hand, the distance between the moon and the sun is not that much as the distance between the sun and earth. Pitrs are in the realm of the moon so they naturally see the sun much more then we can on the earth.
Distance is of importance when viewing anything.
Our 15 days is 1 day for the Pitrs as they see the sun continuously.
The other 15 days is their -night.
Therefore our 1 month is their 1 complete day also called AHORATRA in Sanskrit.
During this 1 month, we need to partake at least 30 meals if not 60! The Pitrs are fed on only 1 day -Amavasya- on the other hand. On Amavasya day, the sun is overhead of the moon and the moon thus cannot emit any light causing complete darkness on earth.
Since Krishna Paksh or the waning moon period is allocated to the Pitrs, it is actually their day time. The period of the Bright moon or Shukla Paksh is their night time.
According to the scriptures, from the 8th day of Krishna Paksh till the 8th day of Shukla Paksh is their day and night. The middle of this is Amavasaya day their-afternoon (time to eat)
Therefore---
8
th day to the 14
th day of Krishna Paksh-----Morning of Pitrs.
1
st day till the 8
th day of Shukla Paksh ------Evening of Pitrs.
No Moon /Amavasya is the 15
th day ----their afternoon.
The above details should leave no doubts in our mind regarding feeding of Brahmins on Amavasya days.
The food of devtas is SOM (moonlight).
During the 14 days of Shukla Paksh they partake of Som from the moon.
On Amavasya day as there is no light, they cannot partake any SOM (nectar/moonlight).
The food that is offered to Pitrs is also predominantly fed on moonlight and by feeding them on Amavasya day, the fury and the wrath of the devtas can be avoided.
Due to the absence of moonlight, the Devtas are relaxed and ignorant of the offerings being made to the Pitrs.This way harmony is maintained in the cosmic order.
SHATPAT BRAHMAN (2-4-2-7) has the above details.
Ashwin Krishna Paksh is the time of Shraadh during September/October.
WHY?
Sharad Ritu is the 1
st among the seasons allocated to the Pitrs which begins their period of rule. This starts in the month of Ashwin Krishna Paksh.
Thus there are three variables
- Sharad Ritu
- Ashwin Krishna Paksh
- Dakshinayan
Thus forming Pitr Yoga /Raj yoga.
In Shatpat (2-4-2-24), Pitrs are mentioned as seasons. They are the ones responsible for changing the seasons. Our health depends on seasons. It is only proper to welcome the Pitrs .
Thus these 14 days is the right time to perform the rituals to satiate the Pitrs and welcome them. Now the question may arise why all 14 days are utilized for this?
The answer is really simple. The welcoming is always according to the status of the one being welcomed! Any ordinary person when he arrives at our place will be merely offered jaggery and water but we shall surely serve sweetmeats to a dignitary. Normally we eat more on festival days and since these 14 days are the festival days of the Pitrs why not celebrate all 14 days in their honour!
According to astrology, when the sun rises in the zodiacal sign Aries (Mesh Raashi) it is considered EXALTED. When in Virgo (Kanya Raashi) it is considered near debilitation.
From 10 degree of Virgo to 10 degree of Libra (Tula Raashi) it is considered debilitated.Each zodiac sign is of 30 degrees. If for some reason one is not able to perform the Shraadh during Ashwin Krishna Paksh period, then it can be performed when the sun rises in the next sign -Scorpio (Vrischik Raashi)
The scriptures say that all offerings are to be made to the Sun Lord and from this head office it is then distributed. During the period of the sun's debilitation, the distribution thus takes place faster from Kanya raashi during Ashwin Krishna Paksha.
The HAVYA (food) and KAVYA (articles) offered to the Devtas also reaches faster as the devtas stay close to the sun.
RITUALS and their scientific explanations----
Why are only the Father, grandfather and great grandfather invoked? Why not those before them? The answer is not very difficult!
Pitr Loks have all the deceased and when we invoke our father, we attach the name of grandfather for identification.
In this mortal world when we leave behind a will, we do the very same. If something is to be sent to someone called Girdharilal, we may want to add his father's name so that it reaches the correct person as there may be many Girdharilals.
For the Shraadh ceremony, the great grandfather's name is also attached in case there is someone having the same name as father and son.
In all likelihood there will not be any one else having similar names for three generations!
This way, our oblations will reach the correct destination.
If perchance, three generations do have similar names even then the ritual requires only three generations names to be invoked.
Generally when there is a dispute, 2 witnesses are called to resolve the issue. Similarly great grandfather and grandfather act as witnesses so that the son's oblations are received by the father.
Our Pitrs have three Devtas-
VASU, RUDRA, ADITYA
We also have three Gunas or traits in us namely-Raj, Sat and Tamas.
During a marriage ceremony also, names of three generations are taken to solemnize the oaths.
In Atharva Ved (18-2-49), there is a reference to the three -father, grandfather and great grandfather. Manu Maharaj confirms the same.
The 4
th generation is the one performing the ceremony so no need of the 5th generation.-Ref---Manu Smriti (9-186).
We only respect or acknowledge those who are related to us. The closer the relation, the stronger the bond. Usually we have memories till our great grandfather. Beyond that, the relationship seems distant and not that important. After 7 generations, the GOTRA (lineage) also ceases to be the same.
All this talk that we are having about relationship is actually based on Semen based relationship. We all know that humans are born from the semen of man.
Scientists believe that there are 84 parts in semen.
28 are produced by his own body and the rest 56 are inherited by him from father and forefathers
Let us now see how these 56 parts are obtained.
From father-21
From grandfather-15
From great-grandfather-10
From the 4
th one before him-6
From the 5
th one before him---3
From the 6
th one before him---1
Thus 21+15+10+6+3+1=56
Suppose Girdharilal has a son, then he shall pass on 21 from the 28 parts of his OWN semen. Thus 7 parts will remain with him. As he has received 56 parts from his fore-fathers he shall pass on 35 of these to his son and thus 21 remain with him. Needless to say he always will have 28 parts with him---21+7=28.
The 35 passed on by Gidharilal to his son can be divided like this---
From his father----15
From his grandfather----10
From his great grandfather-6
From the 4
th great-grandfather---3
From the 5
th great-grandfather-1
From the 6
th great -grandfather- nothing.
This way the chain carries on and one generation keeps getting deducted. A person thus has a 6 generation connection! Including the person concerned (the one performing the Shraadh) we can say there is a hierarchy of 7 generations.
Only 21, 15 and 10 parts have the capacity to create another human being .This is the reason why only three generations that contribute 21, 15 and 10 parts are invoked. Since there is a relationship established by the semen it is only natural that the son's offerings reach the father and grandfather.
Our next query is-How are the Pitrs satisfied?
When a person dies, the body made up of 5 elements is set to flames. Only the subtle body goes out of the gross body. This subtle body does not walk. It needs a palanquin and this palanquin is the ethereal body.
The Pind-daan is performed to help the deceased exit from this world.
Before setting the body to flames, 5 Pinds are offered.
1. Shav
2. Panthak
3. Khechar
4. Bhoot
5. Saadhak.
They represent the 5 elements.
For the next 10 days, 10 Pinds
1. Shareer Purak
2. Karnakshi-Nasika-Purak
3. Glans-Bhuj-Vaksh Purak
4. Nabhi Ling Guda Purak
5. Janu Jangha paad Purak
6. Marm Purak
7. Sarv Naadi Purak
8. Dant Purak
9. Bal veerya ojh Purak
10. Kshuda Purak
(All these names seem to suggest all parts of the body e.g. .Karanakshi Nasika means ears, eyes ….)
On the 4
th day, 1 pind is offered which symbolizes Antah-Karana. (Our soul)
For 10 days thus, 16 Pinds are offered.
They are called "Malin Shodashi". They are called Malin(impure) as the days just after the death are considered impure. It is thus considered that all these offerings have made the Bhogyataan shareer 'Saangh'.
The word Bhog means gratification. Thus the body that is gratified becomes 'Saangh'. After the 11th day, when the impure state is not there, 16 more Pinds are offered which are called "Madhyam Shodashi".
Later, after 1 year, 16 more Pinds are offered called "Uttam Shodashi"
Malin Shodashi for the gross body
Madhyam shodashi for the subtle body.
Uttam Shodashi for the causal body.
By offering these 48 Pinds, the son enables the deceased's soul to go wherever it has to go. We all know that we have three bodies-gross, subtle and ethereal. The offering of 16 pinds symbolizes the 16 kalas (attributes) of a human.
Reference Atharva Ved (18-4-64) and (18-4-52).
"O! Pitrs the limbs and other parts of the body that have been engulfed by Agni devta during the cremation ceremony may you resurrect them so that they can help you on your way to swarg-lok."
The Pind daans thus help the departed soul to proceed on his onward journey and once there to receive all that he needs. A jeevatma enjoys pleasures till the last day of his life and continues to carry these emotions even after he has ceased to live in the gross body.The jeevatmas thus keep expectations from their sons to fulfill their needs as they are not able to do that on their own. They do not have a gross body to accomplish anything and their abilities are reduced in the other realm. They can only enjoy what comes in front of them.
Nature takes care of this.
VAYU gives them the strength to move about, but at the same time they are afraid of the air-ratio in them as it may alter their route to Chandra-Lok. The journey may get delayed or curtailed.The Pitrs can gravitate to Chandra-Lok when their Somya Praan increases. Scientific fact is that similar objects attract. Part of a whole gets attracted to the whole.
An Indian will mingle with an Indian in a big cosmopolitan group.
Similarly when mud is thrown up into the sky it is attracted to the earth down (as mud is part of the earth).
Flames of a fire tend to go upwards to the sun as fire is part of the sun.
In the same way, if the air that moves the soul is more, then the body will just drift from here to there and thus not reach the destination.
We can help them by increasing the Somya Praana in them.
What is this Somya Praana?
For this we have to know the Vedic viewpoint of the creation of the world. Vedas reveal that at the beginning of creation was 'consciousness.' (Prana-Tattva)The other name for that is Agni.
This was divided into 2- Bhrigu and Angira.
Bhrigu Pranas are called Somya Pranas
Angira Pranas are called Agneya Pranas.
Bhrigu's offspring was 'Anna'
Angira's offspring was 'Annanad'
To understand this, let us take the gross manifestation of fire to illustrate the above. When we light fire, we have 2 parts namely flame (Jwala) and ashes (Angaar).
Flames are Bhrigu.
Ashes are Angira.
The Nirukta(etymology) explains that the flames go upwards and give light .They are not Dahaak(which burn) but are Shaant(that does not scorch)and so can be called Somya-Praana.
On the other hand ashes are Dahaak (which burn) and so can be called Agneya Praana. According to the Vedas it is these 2 Praanas that run the universe. Arudrata, Mrivuta, Somya are synonyms for 'Praana'.
Shushukta (dryness), Kadhorta(toughness) are the synonyms for Agneya Praanas. All matter is produced by offering SOM to Agni.
To explain further-----
Let us take the example of a farmer.
He ploughs the field to move the top level of earth (only three fingers deep), so that the medium of fire in the earth is contacted.While conducting a yagna, the same principle is adapted. An Indian farmer may not have read the Vedas but does farming according to Vedic principles. This Indian culture is deeply embedded in all Indians and carries on in every generation.
When the heat or 'agni' is contacted, the som (seed) is embedded in the field. From this, roots shoot up. If the farmer digs deeper than the three fingers depth the Arudra (Wet), Som is exposed and thus the seed implanted will not get the heat to grow. Once the seed bursts, then the heat of the sun (Agneya Prana) may kill the process of germination. For this reason, the field is watered and som offered to the seeds in this way. This is the Leela of the Lord!
By watering the plant, the heat of the sun does not dry the seed nor does the heat in the soil kill the seed. Total balance is thus achieved. The heat in the soil spreads the seed and the roots in the soil horizontally and the heat of the sun helps raise the plant vertically. The seed is thus able to become an enormous tree with flowers and fruits.
In the very same way, the creation of humans is also the Agni in the semen of men which starts a new life. Our life is also sustained by the fire in our stomach that digests the food and helps us live.
We offer the food as Som to the fire in the stomach called JADHRAGNI. The food we eat has more of the element earth and hence we have to drink a lot of water to satisfy the ratio of Som in the body.
Machines that run on fuel like charcoal or fire have the same principle. The manifestation and working of creation is dependent on Agni & Som. Products like wheat, vanaspati also have this Agni-Som cycle. Some vegetables have more water like-- Khas, Til, rice and moong. The proof of this is that to cook rice we need a lot more water than to cook wheat.
We can further divide the food into saatvic, rajasic and tamasic.
Rice is sattvic.Yav is rajasic.Til is tamasic.
For the performance of Shraadh, we use all the above three. Water is offered twice which symbolizes the Som element. This way, the Pitrs get the Som element and are nourished. They are able to reach Chandra lok. This is the scientific secret of Pind Daan.
The question is- Who delivers this Soma Praana to the Pitrs?
Through the medium of fire and the light of the sun and the moon, the Pitrs get nourished.The moon gets it light from the sun.When we offer milk, curds to the Yagna fire, the subtle manifestations of these dravyas rises upwards. The term given in Sanskrit is APPAH or SHRAADHA.The rays of the sun absorb them and the moon in turn receives them from the light of the sun. The Pitrs get nourished through this moonlight.
The father who gives life to his son by the AGNEYA in his semen becomes his own son's son by virtue of receiving nourishment once he leaves the mortal body. The son looks after the welfare of the father by Pind Daan and this way the cycle gets completed.Rig Veda echoes this in 1-79-9.
What about the Pind that is offered on the DURBHA GRASS and not into the yagna fire? How does that reach the manes?
We need to recapitulate all the topics that we have discussed.
There are 4 main steps for Shraadh:- Homa
- Pind Daan
- Tarpan
- Feeding of Brahmins
HOMA is offered to the fire.
PIND DAAN to the Durbha Grass
Reference Rig Veda (18-4-35) and Atharva Veda (11-1-18)
The meaning would be-----
"I am offering food as Homa to the fire which nourishes my father, grandfather and great grandfather. May these souls accept our offerings and reach the realms where the Punya aatmas(good souls) reside. Our offerings have been made holy by Vedic mantras and the ghee etc. make it sweet and nutritious. This Pind is made with water and rice."
TARPAN- Is mainly of Til and water which also have Soma Prana.
Reference is there in Atharva Veda (4-34-7).
'May the offerings of the Tarpan through water reach you and may they please you in swarga (heaven)."
If a Havan (sacrificial fire) is not possible for some reason, a lamp is lit which symbolizes 'Agni'. In that case the flame of the lamp does the same work of delivering the Soma Praana to the Pitrs.
BRAHMIN FEEDING-Some people are very skeptical about this but we do find a reference of this in the Vedas.Atharva Veda (4-34-8) 'I offer food to the Brahmins, I feed them---'. The feeding of Brahmins is important in Shraadh whereas in other Dev Yagnas it is not mandatory.
How does the Kavya (OFFERINGS) reach the manes?
We have seen that fire is the medium by which the devtas and the Pitrs receive our offerings. Vedas say at the time of creation, the Brahmin, Fire and the Gayatri Chhand all appeared from the mouth of 'Prajapati'. From this we know that Brahmins are also related to 'fire'.
By feeding them, the Soma Praana present in the food is sure to reach our Pitrs.The Brahmins also recite the Gayatri and so by the celestial powers of these mantras the Pitrs are satiated. The fire in the stomach of the Brahmin is equivalent to the fire of the yagya.
The food reaches in the APPAH or SHRAADHA form and not in the gross form. We have seen how completely far sighted and how clever the whole system is. If we establish a bond with our Pitrs by pleasing them we are sure to be happy in this world and in the other world.
Lecture by Poojya Swami Gangeshwaranandji concluded on 24th and 25th October 1938 at Ahmedabad.