Essentials of Hinduism - Apara Karmas

Essentials of Hinduism

Apara Karmas

Apara Karmas are Rituals done after the death of an individual (known as Antyeshti or Funeral), as well as, Rituals done on a Periodical Basis known as Shraddha for the Ancestors in the Pitru Loka.

The Antyesthi Procedures involve Rituals done after death of an individual followed by the cremation of the Body. These rituals are done along with appropriate Mantras involving Prayers to Lord Agni. Following this, from day 2 to day 12 with the exception of some days in-between, Apara Karmas have to be done in the house with the help of a Priest. During these days the Soul of the dead Person stays in the House. On the 12th day the Soul leaves the House on its Long Journey to Pitru Loka. 13 th day is the conclusion of these long Ceremonies and is a day of Auspicious occasion. The House Purification is done today with Punyahavachana and other related Veda Mantras. The Priest reads passages from the Garuda Purana and describes the onward journey of the soul. Generally it is not advisable to read Garuda Purana inside the house on regular days. Various danas are given to help the soul cross over peacefully by overcoming the hurdles on the way.

Shraddha is a Religious Ceremony performed annually for the departed Ancestors known as Pitrus. Shraddha derived its name because it has to be performed with complete faith (faith in Vedic ceremonies). Among the important rituals of a Shraddha are the Arghya (Offering Water), Havan (Fire Offering), Feeding of the Brahmins, Pinda dana, Offering Dakshina and Tarpana. Holy Brahmins are fed in a worshipful manner, after invoking in them the Souls of the departed Ancestors of three Generations identified with Vasu, Rudra and Aditya on the Paternal or Maternal side, as applicable. The Pitrus who live in the Pitru Loka in the form of Spirits are brought into the Shraddha Venue by the Vishvedevas or the Universal Soul. The Darbha (Dried Grass) and Til (Sesame Seed) are two significant materials used in the performance of Shraddha.

To justify the faith regarding the Shraddha Performance by us in this Bhu Loka is an explanation. The question regarding lack of Faith in Shraddha is: How can the Religious Offerings in the Fire here on the Earth turn into different forms of Food suitable for the Ancestors in the Pitru Loka? Answer: Suppose we are remitting a Money Order in the Indian currency at a local Post Office or Bank to our Son studying in a Foreign Country. We get confirmation from our Son that he has received the Money in Pounds in London. In this Case Example, the Rupee Currency got correctly converted to the Equivalent Pound Currency for use by our Son in London. In the similar manner, the offerings here on the Earth are suitably converted into different forms of Food suitable for the Ancestors in the Pitru Loka. Therefore, we have to perform Shraddha with Complete Faith in the Rituals and the associated Mantra Chants.

Chapter Re-cap:

1) Apara Karmas are as important as Purva Karmas.

2) Apara Karmas are Mandatory Karmas that we have to perform for the departed Souls.

3) Not performing the Annual Shraddha and Periodic Tarpanas may even result in curse from the departed Souls.

4) Shraddha and the Tarpana have to be performed with Complete Faith in our Rituals as well as in the Mantras associated with them. This is very important.

5) This is a reminder about what we stated in Chapter 5, Brahma Yajna – one of the three Tarpanas that is performed is Pitru Tarpana. It should be noted that this Tarpana is a Nithya Karma.

6) Essentially, Tarpanas have to be performed on the Monthly Amavasya Day (New Moon Day) and the Annual Shraddha on the Thiti Day of one or both Parents’ death.

7) Be in close contact with your Family Priest well in advance of the Shraddha and Tarpana days to make sure you do not miss them.

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.