chakram
Srivaishnavam_457
Shanku
Home »  Religion - Events  »Amavasai & Other TharppaNa Mantram (TharpaNa Mantra)   Text Size   
Srivaishnavam  Parambaryam, Traditions &  The Culture that stands Class apart from others

Abasthamba Soothra Yajur Veda Pithru Tharppana Mantram. (TharpaNa Mantra)

Common to Vadakalai Iyenghar, Thenkalai Iyengar & for Iyer

Introduction to Tharpanam (Oblations to the manes)

Click Here for TharpaNa Mantram in Sanskrit (PDF)

Tharpanam means "That offering which satisfies". But what we mean by the word Tharpanam is the offering of water mixed with gingili to the manes. (Dead ancestors). Though we have several ancestors, this offering is addressed to three generations of father, grandfather and great grandfather along with their wives in our family and maternal grandfather, his father and grandfather along with their wives in our mother's birth family. Only those whose father is dead are eligible to do Tharpanam. If maternal grandfather is alive Tharpanam should not be done for his family but restricted to our family. This offering is said to give Punya Bhala to generations.

 All the manes are supposed by our religion to live in the Pithru loka for some time and either be reborn as any being or go to lokas like deva loka, Vaikunta etc or even attain salvation by getting mixed with god. The pithru loka is populated by three group of pithru devas viz, Vasu, Rudra and Adhithya. These devas receive our oblations and make it reach to our manes wherever they are and in whichever form they are. The pithru loka is supposed to be on the unseen side of the moon. This portion gets exposed to sun on the new moon days. It is according to our concept lunchtime for the people populating the pithru loka. These pithrus, since they have left the world are solely dependent on only their progeny to feed them. This feeding is done through Tharpanam. It is believed that if Tharpanam is not done out Pithru devas will curse us so that we may not have male descendents to offer tharpanam to us.

   There are several types of tharpanams: -

 1.Gunda (kuzhi)  tharpanam- the tharpanam that is done in the first ten days of death.

2.Brahma yagna tharpanam-This is the oblation supposed to be done daily to the devas, rishis and pithrus, alongwith daily Sandhyavandanam prayer..

3.Parheni tharpanam- this is the tharpanam, which is supposed to be done on the next day after annual sraddha. This at present is being done after sraddha on the same day, because the priest does not have time to come the next day. Here the tharpanam is offered only to ones pithru varga (paternal side)

4 The regular tharpanam, which is supposed to be done on all amavasyas. Four Month beginnings viz mesha, karkidaga, thula and makara and eclipses. Our ancient scripts advise us to perform tharpanam on 96 days in a year but this is not being done nowadays.

Several Poorva Acharyas have codified the method of tharpanam. Some of them are Apasthambha, Bodhayana; Drahyayana what is given below is the manthras and method of the Apasthambha sutra.of Yajur Veda. There are slight differences in the sankalpam among Iyers and Iyengars.The version followed by both groups of Sri Vaishnavas viz Thenkalai and Vadakalai are given here. It is understood that the tharpanam for Rig Vedis is almost similar but that for Sama Vedis it is different. There are also differences brought about by local practice and family tradition. People are advised to follow their traditions strictly. They have precedence over what is written down here. For example some people do avahanams of Pithrus on two Bugnams known as koorchas. Some on one /Bugnam/koorcha and some on spread darbhams.

There are several rules regarding tharpanam though many of them are not being followed by most of the people. They are: -

1.On the day of Tharpanam, till tharpanam is completed we are not supposed to drink/eat anything.

2.On the day of tharpanam, the daily rituals like Sandhya vandhana have to be first performed. Then before tharpanam one more bath has to be taken.

3.Wet cloth should not be worn during tharpanam nor is it right to wear cloth which was washed a day before and dried. The cloth has to be made wet the same day and dried. Pure white silk cloth can also be worn, but wearing this silk cloth you should not have eaten any food. If wet cloth is not dry, it should be seven times shaken dry in wind before wearing it.

4.Except the tharpanam during eclipse all other tharpanams are to be done after 12 noon. Considering the difficulty, our lawgivers have agreed that it can be done after 8.30 AM.

5.As mentioned earlier nothing should be eaten or drunk before performance of Tharpanam.

6.Oblations should be done with hand full of water and not drops or spoon full of water.

7.The water should be poured out using the space between the thumb and the four fingers.

8.Every time a pinch of black till (Gingili) has to be taken. Care should be taken not to take it using the thumb and the index finger. (Joining Index finger with Thumb is considered as Rakshasa Mudra or the sign of demons).

9.Pithru tharpanam should always be done with poonal hanging from the right shoulder to the left side of the body.

10.The pavithram for pithru tharpanam should be made out of three durbha and the koorcham should be made of 5 or 3 durbham leaves.

11.We should preferably sit on seat made of durbha (durbhasanam) while doing tharpanam and in its absence put few durbhas on the place we are going to sit,

12.Silver vessels are prescribed for used during tharpanam. If not available copper vessels can be used. Under no circumstance should steel or other metal vessels are to be used.

 13.Tharpanam should be done facing east or south. It is believed that it either should be done in our homes or in public holy places like shore of the river, sea active you happen to do it in the place belonging to some one else. We are supposed to compensate the owner of the property.

14.If Amavasya and the first of the month in which tharpanam has to be performed comes on the same day, then tharpanam for the sankramanam (first of the month) should be done.

                                                 Tharpanam*

  1.Perform Achamanam

 

Take minute quantities of water (just sufficient to soak one grain of black gram) three times in the right hand and take it with the following manthra.

1.Om Achyuthaya Nama 2,Om Ananthaya Nama 3.Om Govindaya Nama

Then

Touch with thumb both cheeks saying kesavaaya Nama: - Narayanaaya Nama:  (In each case...to touch the right side first and then left)

Touch with ring finger both eyes saying Madhavaya Nama:  - Govindaya Nama:

Touch with the first finger both sides of nose saying Vishnave Nama: - Madhusoodanaya Nama:

Touch with little finger both ears saying Trivikramaya Nama: - Vamanaya Nama:

Touch with the middle finger both shoulders saying Sreedharaya Nama: - Hrishikesaya Nama:

Touch with all fingers the belly button saying Padmanabhaya Nama:

Touch with all fingers the head saying Damodaraya Nama:

A: For Sri Vaaishnavas of Vada Kalai     

2.Do Pranayamam.

Hold both Nostrils with Thumb and the little and third finger of the hands and recite the following Manthra: -

Om Bhoo

Om Bhuva

Ogum Suva

Om Maha

Om Jana

Om Thapa

Ogum Sathyam

 Om Tatsa vithur varenyam Bargo devasya dhi mahi dhiyo yona prachodayath

Om Apa

Jyothj rasa

Amrutham brahma

Bhoorbuvasuvarom

Touch the ears three times saying

Om, Om, Om

3. And then chant the following manthras: -

  1.Sriman venkata nadarya kavi dargika kesari

   Vedanthacharya varyo me sanni datham sada hruthi

2.Gurubhya tad gurubyascha namo vaga made mahe,

   Vruni mahe cha tatrath yow dampathi jagatham pathi

3.Swasesha bhoodeth mayaa sweeyai sarva parichadai,

   Vidahthum preethamath manam deva prakramade swayam

 4.Shuklam baradaram vishnum sasi varnam chadur bhjam

    Prasanna vadanam dyayeth sarva vigno upa santhaye

  5.Yasyad viratha vakthradhya parishadya para satham,

     Vignam nignanthi vishvaksenam tham asraye.

 B: For Sri Vaishnavas of Then Kalai

Do Pranayamam.

Hold both Nostrils with Thumb and the little and third finger of the hands and recite the following Manthra: -

Om Bhoo

Om Bhuva

Ogum Suva

Om Maha

Om Jana

Om Thapa

Ogum Sathyam

 Om Tatsa vithur varenyam Bargo devasya dhi mahi dhiyo yona prachodayath

Om Apa

Jyothj rasa

Amrutham brahma

Bhoorbuvasuvarom

Touch the ears three times saying

Hari Om

3. Then Chant the following manthras: -

1.Shuklam baradaram vishnum sasi varnam chadur bhjam

    Prasanna vadanam dyayeth sarva vigno upa santhaye

2.Yasyad viratha vakthradhya parishadya para satham,

     Vignam nignanthi vishvaksenam tham asraye

FOLLOWING MANTRAS ARE COMMON TO THENKALAI AND VADAKALAI.

Adya Sri Bhagavatha maha purushasya Vishnor Agnaya pravarthamanasya Adhya Brahmana Dweethiya parardhe Swetha Varaha kalpe Vaivaswatha manvanthare ashta vimsathi thame kali yuge prathame padhe, jambu dweepe, Bharatha varshe, Bharatha Khande, Mero Dakshine Parswe, Sakabdhe asmin varthamane vyvaharike Prabhavadeenam sashtya samvatsaranam madhye  (name of the year) * Nama samvatsare, (dakshina. /uttara               ayane, (name of the season) rithou, (name of the month in Sanskrit) mase,  (Krishna/shukla)              pakshe   ,   Adhya  (Name of the thidhi-moon phase)  Punya thithou (name of the day in Sanskrit)vasra yukthayam  (name of the star in Sanskrit) nakshatra yukthayam      Shubha yoga -Shubha karana,  Evam guna viseshana visishtayam  asyam  (Name of the thidhi)     Punya thithou,

                 (Change the position of poonal from left shoulder to right shoulder (LEFT MODE))

(Your Gothram)     Gothranam (Names of father, grand father, great grand father)** Sarmanam, Vasu-Rudra-adithya swaroopanam asmad Pithru -Pithamaha-Pithru Pithamahanam, (your Gothram) Gothraa (Names of mother. Grand mother, great grand mother[1]) Namnee, Vasu-Rudra-Adithya swaroopa Asmad Mathru[2]-pithamahi-Prapithamahischa, (Your maternal grand father's gothram) gothraanam  (names of maternal grand father, his father and his grand father) Sarmanam vasu -rudra -adithya swaroopanam asmad mathamaha, mathru pithamaha, mathru prapithamahanam, (Your maternal grand father's gothram) gothraa   (Names of maternal grand mother, maternal great grand mother, Grand mother of maternal grand father) Namnee, vasu-rudra -adithya swaroopa  asmad  mathamahi[3]-mathru pithamahi, mathru prapithamahinam  Ubhaya vamsa pithrunaam akshayya thripthyartham    amavasya[4]   punya kale    Thila tharpanam karishye.

    (Throw away the Durbha (only) held round the fingers along with Pavithram. Change position of poonal to the left shoulder (usual mode), touch water with finger, change position of poonal to right shoulder (left mode))

Arrangement of Koorcham[5] (Bugnam)

East

 North  South

West

(You're sitting west side and facing East)

 

5.Avahanam for pithru varga (Fathers side)[6]

      Wear the poonal in the left mode, take little ellu (black gingelly) and along with water keep on the Bugnam meant for Pithru varga while chanting the following manthras: -

1.Aayatha pithara somya gambhirai padhibhi poorvai prajamasmabhyam dadhatho rayim cha deergayuthwam cha satha saaradam cha.

2.Om bhorbuvaswarom

3,Asmin koorche  (Your Gothra) gothran   (Father's, grand father's and great grand father's name) sarmana vasu Rudra adithya swaroopan asmad pithru-pithamaha-pithrupithamahaan (Your Gothra) gothraa  (Names of mother, grand mother, great grand mother1) namnee vasu Rudra adithya swaroopa asmad mathru[7], pithamahi-pithrupithamahischa dyayami avahayami.

6.Asanam for pithru vargam

     Chanting the manthra below place gingelly on the koorcha

1.Sakrudacchinnam barhirurnna mrudhu,

Syonam pithrubhyasthwa baramyaham

Asmin taseedanthu me pithara somyaa,

Pithamahaa prapithamahaaschaanugai saha.

2.Pithru-pithamaha, pithru pithamahanam mathru[8] -pithamahi -prapithamahinaam cha idam asanam, thiladhi sakalaradhanai swarchidham

7.Avahanam for mathamaha varga (maternal grand fathers side)

Wearing the poonal in the left mode, take little ellu (black gingelly) and along with water keep on the Koorcha meant for mathru varga while chanting the following manthras: -

1.Aayatha mathu pithara somya gambhirai padhibhi poorvai prajamasmabhyam dadhatho rayim cha deergayathwam cha satha saaradam cha.

2.Om bhorbuvaswarom

3,Asmin koorche (Maternal grand father's gothra) gothran (Names of maternal grand father, maternal great grand father and grand father of maternal grand father) sarmana vasu Rudra adithya swaroopan asmad mathamaha-mathru pithamaha-mathru prapithamaha (maternal grand father's gothra) gothraa  (Names of maternal grand mother, maternal great grand mother, grand mother of maternal grand father) namnee vasu Rudra adithya swaroopa asmad mathamahi[9]-mathru pithamahi-mathru prapithamahischa dyayami avahayami.

8.Asanam for mathru vargam

     Chanting the manthra below place gingelly on the mathru varga koorcha

1.Sakrudacchinnam barhirurnna mrudhu,

Syonam pithrubhyasthwa baramyaham

Asmin taseedanthu me pithara somyaa,

Pithamahaa prapithamahaaschaanugai saha.

2.Mathamaha-mathru pithamaha-mathru prapitha mahaanaam, Mathamahi-mathru pithamahi-mathru prapithamahischa idam asanam, thiladhi sakalaradhanai swarchidham

9.Pithru varga tharpanam

Offer tharpanam with hand full of water mixed with black ellu on the koorcham for Pithru vargam after each manthra

a.        Pithru tharpanam (Oblation to father)

1.Udheerathamvara uthparasa,

Unmadhyama pithara somyasa

Asum ya eeyuravyaka ruthagna

Sthene avanthu pitharo harveshu,

   (/Fill in Your gothram) Gothran  (Father's name),

Sarmana vasu roopan mama pithrun swadha namastharpayami.

2.Angeeraso Na pitharo navagwa,

Adharvano byagava somyaasa,

Thesham vayugum sumathou yagniyanaa mapi

Badre soumanase syama

 (Your gothram) Gothraan  (Father's name),

Sarmana vasu roopan mama pithrun swadha Nama tharpayami.

3.Aa yaanthu Na pithara somyaso Agni

Shwatha[10] prathibhir deva yanai

Asmin yagne swadhaya maadhayanthwadhi bruvantha[11] they avanthasman,

(Your Gothram) gothraan  (Fathers name),

Sarmana vasu roopan mama pithrun swadha Nama tharpayami.

b. Pithamaha tharpanam (oblation to grand father)

 1.Oorjam vahanthiramrutham grutham paya keelalam

Parisrutham swadha sdha tharpatatha me pithroon,

  (Your gothram)  Gothraan  (Grand fathers name),

Sarmana Rudra roopan mama pithaamahaan swadha Nama tharpayami.

2.Pithrubhya swaadhavibhya swadha Nama

Pithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha Nama

Prapithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha Nama

  (Your gothram) Gothraan  (Grand father's name),

Sarmana Rudra roopan mama pitha mahaan swadha Nama tharpayami.

3.Ye cheha pitharo ye cha neha,

Yagscha vidmayagm u cha Na pravidma,

Agne thaan veththa yadi the jathaveda

Sthaya praththagm swadhaya madanthu

(Your gothram) Gothraan   (Grand father's name)                           '

Sarmana rudra roopan mama pithamahaan swadha namastharpayami

c. Prapithamaha tharpanam (oblations to great grand father)

a. Madhu vaathaa ruthaayathe madhu ksharanthi sindhava

Maadweer Na santhwashadhi

  (Your Gothram) Gothraan  (Great grand father's name),

Sarmana adithya roopaan mama prapithamahan swadha Nama tharpayami.

b. Madhu nakthamuthoshasi madu math parthivagam

Raja madhu dhourasthu Na pitha

  (Your gothram)   Gothraan   (great grand father's name),

Sarmana adithya roopan mama prapithamahaan swadha Nama tharpayami

c. Madhumanno vanaspathir madhu magma asthu soorya,

Maadweer gavo bavanthu Na

 (Your gothra) Gothraan   (great grand father's name),

Sarmana adhithya roopan mama prapithamahaan swadha Nama tharpayami.

d. Mathru tharpanam[12](Oblations to mother)

 1.  (Your gothra) Gothraa (mother's name)                      

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami

2.  (Your Gothra) Gothraa   (Mother's name)                    

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami

3. (Your Gothra)  (Gothraa   (Mother's name)                    

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathu swadha namastharpayami

e. Pithamahi tharpanam[13](oblations to paternal grand mother)

1. (Your Gothra) Gothraa (Grand mother's name)                     

Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi swadha namastharpayami

2. (Your Gothra) Gothraa (Grand mother's name)                      

Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi swadha namastharpayami

3. (Your gothra) Gothraa  (Grand mother's name)                     

Namnee Rudra roopa mama pithamahi swadha namastharpayami

f. Prapithamahi tharpanam[14](Oblations to paternal great grand mother)

1. (Your Gothra).  Gothraa   (Great grand mother's name)                    

Namnee adithya roopa mama prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami

   

2. (Your Gothra) Gothraa   (Great Grand mother's name)                    

Namnee adithya roopa mama prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami

   

3. (Your Gothra) Gothraa   (Great Grand mother's name)                    

Namnee adithya roopa mama prapithamahi swadha namastharpayami

   

10.jnaatha jnatha pithru varge tharpanam Oblation to unknown manes of paternal sides)

 

a. Jnaatha jnatha pithroon swadha Nama tharpayami

b. Jnaatha jnatha pithroon swadha Nama tharpayami

c. Jnaatha jnatha pithroon swadha Nama tharpayami

        Oorjam vahantheeramrutham grutham paya keelalam parisrutham swadha stha tharpayatha me pithroon trupyatha thrupyatha thrupyatha.  

11.Mathamaha varga tharpanam (oblations to ancestors of maternal grand father)

Offer tharpanam with hand full of water mixed with black ellu on the koorcham for Pithru vargam after each manthra

a. Matha maha tharpanam (Oblation to maternal grand father)

1.Udheerathamvara uthparasa,

Unmadhyama pithara somyasa

Asum ya eeyuravyaka ruthagna

Sthene avanthu pitharo harveshu

(Maternal grand father's Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father's name),

Sarmana vasu roopan mama matha mahaan swadha namastharpayami.

2.Angeeraso Na pitharo navagwa,

Adharvano byagava somyaasa,

Thesham vayugum sumathou yagniyanaa mapi

Badre soumanase syama

(Maternal grand father's Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father's name)                                                                     

Sarmana vasu roopan mama matha mahaan swadha Nama tharpayami.

3.Aa yaanthu Na pithara somyaso Agni

Shwatha prathibhir deva yanai

Asmin yagne swadhaya madhayanthwadhi bruvantha the avanthasman,

 (Maternal grand father's Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father's name), sarmana vasu roopan mama matha mahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

b. Mathru pitha maha tharpanam (oblation to grand father of mother)

 

 1.Oorjam vahanthiramrutham grutham paya keelalam

Parisrutham swadha sdha tharpayatha me pithroon,

 (Maternal grand father's Gothra) gothran (Maternal great grand father's name)                                                                           

Sarmana Rudra roopan mama mathu pithaamahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

 

2.Pithrubhya swaadhavibhya swadha nama

Pithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha nama

Prapithamahebhya swadhavibhya swadha nama

(Maternal grand father's Gothra) gothran (Maternal great grand father's name)                                                                              

Sarmana Rudra roopan mama mathu pitha mahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

 

3.Ye cheha pitharo ye cha neha,

Yagscha vidmayagm u cha na pravidma,

Agne thaan veththa yadi the jathaveda

Sthaya praththagm swadhaya madanthu

(Maternal grand father's Gothra) gothran (Maternal great grand father's name)                                               

Sarmana  rudra roopan mama mathu pithamahaan swadha namastharpayami

 

c. Mathu Prapithamaha tharpanam(oblations to great grand father of mother)

1.Madhu vaathaa ruthaayathe  madhu ksharanthi sindhava

maadweer na santhwashadhi

(Maternal grand father's Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father's grand father'sname)                                                                                       

Sarmana  adithya roopaan mama mathu prapithamahan  swadha namas tharpayami.

 

2.Madhu nakthamuthoshasi madu math parthivagam

raja madhu dhourasthu na pitha

(Maternal grand father's Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father's grand father'sname)                                                                                                                                          

Sarmana adithya roopan mama mathu prapithamahaan swadha namas tharpayami

 

3.Madhumanno vanaspathir madhu magma asthu soorya,

Maadweer gavo bavanthu na

 (Maternal grand father's Gothra) gothran (Maternal grand father's grand father'sname)                                                                                                                                                      

Sarmana adhithya roopan mama mathu prapithamahaan swadha namas tharpayami.

 

d.Mathamahi tharpanam[15](Oblations to maternal grand mother)

1.(Maternal grand father's gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother's name)                     

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathamahi swadha namastharpayami

  

2. .(Maternal grand father's gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother's name)                                                        

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathamahi swadha namastharpayami

 

3. .(Maternal grand father's gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother's name)                                                                 

Namnee vasu roopa mama mathamahi swadha namastharpayami

 

e.Mathru Pithamahi tharpanam[16](Oblations to grand mother of mother)

1.(Maternal grand father's gothra) gothraa (Maternal great grand mother's name)                                                       

Namnee Rudra roopa mama mathu pithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

2. .(Maternal grand father's gothra) gothraa (Maternal great grand mother's name)                      

Namnee Rudra roopa mama mathu pithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

3. .(Maternal grand father's gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand mother's name)                      

Namnee Rudra roopa mama mathu pithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

f. Mathu Prapithamahi tharpanam[17](Oblations to great grand mother of mother)

1. .(Maternal grand father's gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand father's grand mother's name)                     

Namnee adithya  roopa mama mathu prapithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

2. .(Maternal grand father's gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand father's grand mother's name)                      . .                                     

Namnee adithya  roopa mama mathu prapithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

3. .(Maternal grand father's gothra) gothraa (Maternal grand father's grand mother's name)                      . .                                           

Namnee adithya  roopa mama mathu prapithamahi  swadha namastharpayami

   

12.jnaatha jnatha  matha maha varga tharpanam (Oblation to unknown manes of  maternal grand father side)

a.Jnaatha jnatha mathu pithroon swadha namas tharpayami

b. Jnaatha jnatha mathu pithroon swadha namas tharpayami

c. Jnaatha jnatha mathu pithroon swadha namas tharpayami

        Oorjam vahantheeramratham grutham paya keelalam parisrutham swadha  stha tharpayatha me mathu pithroon trupyatha thrupyatha thrupyatha.

 

13.pradhakshinam

 Change poonal to usual pattern from left shoulder

(Chant and rotate in the same place clock wise)

Devathabhya pithrubhyascha maha yogibhya  eva cha

Nama swaadhai swaahayai  nithyameva namo nama.

 

Some versions ask us to chant  this Manthra for Pradakshinam

 

Namo va pitharo rasaya ,

Namo va pithara sushmaya,

Namo va pitharo jeevaya,

Namo  va pitharo swadhayai.

Namo va pitharo manyave,

Namo va pitharo ghoraya,

Pitharo namo vo ya ethasmin lokestha,

Yushmagusthe nuye asmin  loke,

Manthenu ya ethasmin lokesya,

Yuyyanthesham vasishta bhooyastha,

Asmin loke  ahanthesham vasishto bhooyasam.

14.Namaskaram (salutations)

 

Change poonal to the left side pattern from right shoulder

Recite with folded hands

Pithru-Pithamaha-Prapthamahebhyo nama

Mathru -pitha mahi -prapithamahebhyo nama[18]