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There’s a tamizh saying goes like this – ” sarithiram theriyaavittal, tharthriyam thirattivarum”. (If one doesn’t know about (own) history, misfortunes will always chase after him/her).
Sorry to sound negative at the beginning of the post, but often, many tend to forget their root or ancestral/family tree due to a few reasons. And the most common one will be ignorance of the parents or grandparents to pass down the value to the next generation.
I am not condemning those who are unaware of it. Still, it’s sad to know those who purposely did not bother about their own ancestral root or takes it lightly or even being intentionally ignorant about it. One always has to remember that we owe this physical body that we are inhabiting now to all our ancestors!
In the Chinese community, even if the family does not practise any religion, they would still have an altar for their ancestors to show gratitude and appreciation for who made the current generation possible. We could not be here today without our ancestors, but to many, it is just a superstitious practice to “worship” the deceased!
There’s big difference between worship and being grateful, lets look further on what is it all about.
It was Aadi ammavasai yesterday, where Hindus or Indians will pay their respect and gratitude to their ancestors in many ways. I was just as ignorant as many out there who have never performed Tarpanam (a gratitude prayer for the ancestors or deceased) all these years. Yes, I was one of the “Tharthriyam“ people, but thanks to many kind souls out there who explained the benefits and reason behind it, I performed my rites yesterday.
Hence, I decided to pass down the information/ knowledge that I learnt from the learned.
What is Tarpanam?
There’s 2 part of tarpanam rites:
Pitru Tarpanam & Karunya Tarpanam.
Pitru Tarpanam is for our ancestors, and Karunya Tarpanam is offered to departed relatives, friends, strangers, pets, animals, birds, insects, creatures, plants, trees and other departed beings.
These Tarpanams can be performed at the temples, home or “anywhere” that you feel comfortable.
Why should it be done, ideally in the temple?
For first-timer like me who have no prior experience, I would prefer to be guided by the priest and have the positive energy from the temple (energy sanctum) channelled to my physical body. And for those who have prior experience in performing the rites, you may do it at your home.
And to those who are working around the clock and do not have the leisure to do it at the temple, you can find a clean and quiet place and perform the rites.
How to perform it at home?
I stumbled upon an easy to follow, step-by-step guide on AstroVed to do Tarpanam at your place.
Check out the video below :
How to do it anywhere or anytime?
Timing is a significant factor in offering prayers, but let us be practical, we are no more in the era where we work when the sun rises and return home when the sun goes down. Many of you might work odd hours, and I believe that should not be an obstacle for you to offer your gratitude.
- Just find a quiet place, sit down comfortably facing east/northeast direction.
- Visualise a white light in between your eyebrows.
- Imagine the white light is getting bigger and brighter.
- Alternatively, you can think of your departed ancestors that if you still have a recollection of how they look, i.e., grandfather or grandmother. Imagine they are the white light, coming towards you, touching you or hugging you.
- You can say this :
My dear ancestors,
Please stand with me (your name), child of (parents name).
Be with me at this moment, and guide me along my road with a cool head and a clear mind.
I am a root of your root, soil of your soil, bone of your bone and blood of your blood.
Listen to my sincere prayers, keep the gifts of perfect health, wealth and prosperity close so that we may honour and grow your legacy.
I have not forgotten my commitment to our lineage; I vow never to forget.
Thank you.
It is considered as a practice of saying thanks to your ancestors.
However, if possible, please do perform the rites in the temple or at home in a proper setting.
And only if you are really tied up with something, and if it is impossible, you can use this method.
When to perform Tarpanam?
It is believed that the most impactful & sacred day to do it is on Aadi Ammavaasai (new moon on the month of hindu calendar Aadi). Aadi Amavasai assumes greater importance because every year during this period, the sun moves towards the South, and hence it is called the Dhakshinayana (Dhakshin: South; ayana: Travel).
It is the first New Moon day of this period; hence it is believed to be the most powerful day to perform Tarpanam rituals for your ancestors. It signifies that you are grateful and remembering what your ancestors have done for you and wish for a blessed and fruitful month ahead. Its another way of planting a positive affirmation within yourself.
Tarpanam can also be performed on the death anniversary of the ancestors or parents and also Ammavasai (new moon) of every month.
So….
We feel very positive when we get some praises and appreciation, don’t we? Similarly, we feel good when we speak positive about someone who has done so much for us or our surrounding, right?
To me, the base understanding of performing Tarpanam is an act of gratitude. And to be grateful, one do not need to be religious or agnostic, all you need is, to be human.
In Reiki practice, one of the important principle is The Attitude of Gratitude, always be thankful to everyone and everything. Spread positivity and receive it abundantly without any expectation.
I wish you all healthy, happy and peaceful life!
Feel free to share your thoughts about this blog post in the comment.
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