Ayodhyaa Kaand - The Relevance of Shraadha Offerings
SANT TULSIDAAS RAAMAAYAN
THE RELEVANCE OF SHRAADHA OFFERINGS
AYODHYAA KAAND
यहि विधि दाह क्रिया सब कीन्हीं - विधिवत न्हायतिलांजलि दीन्हीं ।
शोधि स्मृति सब वेद पुराणा - कीन्ह भरत दशगात्र विधाना ॥
Yahi vidhi daaha kriyaa sab keenhee(n) – Vidhivata nhaaya-Tilaanjali deenhee(n)
Shodhi Smriti saba Veda Puraanaa – Keenhee(n) Bharata Dasha-gaatra vidhaanaa
Translation
(Having been summoned to Ayodhyaa, Bharat learnt of the passing of his father, Emperor Dashratha. He now makes preparation for the funeral rites.)
Following what was prescribed, various requisites were gathered and a pyre erected. Upon that pyre, the body of Emperor Dashratha was cremated.
Bharat then proceeded to perform Tilaanjali (libation consisting of black til and water) in accordance with the injunctions of the authoritative texts.
That dutiful son now pursued the Dashgaatra ceremony which he undertook adhering to the declarations of the relevant, acknowledged books.
Interpretation
There are three states of consciousness – Jaagrit (awake), swapna (dream) and sushupti (deep sleep). In deep sleep, the form known as Sookshma Shareer temporarily leaves the body as transmigration takes place. It is in this form one’s ancestors are able to receive offerings although, reincarnation may have already occurred. Aryamaa Dev, who is a projection of Suruj Naaraayan, plays a key role in delivering offerings that are made to those who have departed.
The importance of Shraadha offerings is underlined by the fact that although Emperor Dashratha secured an enviable hereafter, his sons deemed it necessary to make the relevant libations. Garuda Mahaa Puraana declares that negative forces like the Daanavas and the Daityas are destroyed if they hover around those departed ones to whom black til is ceremoniously offered.
After cremation, Bharat made the necessary preparations to observe the Dashgaatra ceremony (Shaving Ceremony) in accordance with the recommendations of the Shaastras. This is performed on the tenth day after cremation, Day 1 being day of cremation. Ten Pindas constitute the main offering and they are offered to ensure that when reincarnation takes place, the ten parts of that body will be fully functional. Pindas are small balls of ground white rice combined with milk, honey, ghee and black til.
There is a suggestion in the Puraana that one Pinda can be offered each day after cremation leading up to the tenth day but this maneuver will need the guidance of one who is qualified. It is more feasible in our circumstances to perform the undertaking on the tenth day, under the direction of a capable guide.
When the Dashgaatra is completed, the deceased in the form of the Sookshma Shareer departs to visit various pilgrimages and other places of worship on Earth. The Pindas provide sustenance.
The Sookshma Shareer, not visible to the normal naked eye, returns for its final visit before heading off to Pitri Loka where it will join its ancestors for a period of one Lunar Year. In this Shraadha ceremony (Bhandaara), sixteen Pindas are offered (Mahaa Garuda Puraana, Dwiteeya Khand, Chap. 5). Counting cremation as Day 1, Braahmins return on the 12th day, Kshatriyas on the 13th, Vaishyas on the 16th and Shudras on the 24th.
As aforementioned, 10 Pindas are geared for the wellbeing of the reincarnated body. The other six are for Shree Brahmaa, Shree Vishnu, Bhagwaan Shiva, Suruj Naaraayan, Yam Raaj and Aryamaa Dev. A fruitful hereafter depends on the input of these divine beings. On the cremation day, six Pindas are also offered to the following – the Deities of the plot of land, the Deities of the village/town, the Deities of surrounding towns, the wandering souls at the cremation site, the deceased and the pyre.
When the Lord incarnated as Shree Raam along with His major amsas (projections) – Bharat (Lord Vishnu, the Sustainer), Lakshman (Lord Shiva) and Shatrughna (Lord Brahmaa), they upheld all the rites of passage for the deceased. These practices are a template for man.