Beyond Rituals: Using Black Sesame Seeds Til in Pitrupaksha food

The period of Pitrupaksha, is a solemn and sacred time dedicated to remembering, honoring, and nourishing our ancestors. The Puranas, our ancient guiding lights, emphasize that the offerings made with faith (Shradh) and pure ingredients bring immense satisfaction to the Pitrs, aiding their spiritual journey and, in turn, bestowing blessings upon us. Among the many sacred substances mentioned, black sesame seeds (Krishna Til) hold a place of unparalleled importance.

The Divine Origin and Sacredness of Sesame Seeds (Til)

Before we even speak of Til in Pitrupaksha food, we must understand its inherent sanctity. As your research beautifully points out, the Puranas recount a divine origin for sesame seeds. They are said to have emerged from the very perspiration of Lord Vishnu during His cosmic battle with the demon Madhu. [Vamana Purana, Padma Purana] This divine birth imbues Til with extraordinary purity and power, making it capable of dispelling sins and warding off malevolent forces. Both black and white sesame seeds are used in sacred rites, but the black variety (Krishna Til) is particularly associated with Shradh and ancestral veneration, often considered a hallmark of these rites.

Til: An Indispensable Element in Pitrupaksha Rituals

The importance of Til in the ritualistic aspect of Pitrupaksha cannot be overstated. Our Puranas are replete with injunctions regarding its use:

• Libations ( Offering water mixed with black sesame seeds to the Pitrs is a fundamental act of Tarpan. This simple yet profound offering is believed to quench their subtle thirst and bring them immense peace and “endless satisfaction.” [Agni Purana, Garuda Purana, Kurma Purana]
• Sacrificial Fire (Homa/Agnihotra): Til is an essential ingredient in oblations offered into the sacred fire during Shradh Homa. These offerings, carried by Agni Deva, are believed to reach the ancestors directly. Homas performed with a large number of gingelly seeds are said to destroy even great sins. [Agni Purana, Garuda Purana]
• Purification and Protection: Sesamum is used for purification, even in bathing practices during certain sacred periods like Caturmasya, ridding one of various sins. [Agni Purana] Its presence is believed to create a protective spiritual field.
• Gifting (Daanam): The gifting of Til (Til Daan) during Pitrupaksha or other auspicious times is considered highly meritorious, capable of dispelling sins and granting heavenly rewards. The Tilaparvata Daan (gifting a mountain-like heap of sesame) and Tiladhenu Daan (gifting sesame in the shape of a cow) are specific, powerful forms of charity. [Agni Purana, Matsya Purana, Padma Purana]

Integrating Sacred Til into Pitrupaksha Food Offerings

Now, let us move “Beyond Rituals” in the narrow sense and see how this sacred seed is woven into the very fabric of the food offered to our ancestors and the revered Brahmins during Shradh. The inclusion of Til in Pitrupaksha food is not merely for flavor or texture; it enhances the spiritual potency and acceptability of the offering.

1. Krsara (कृसर – Sacred Sesame Dish):
   • The Puranas explicitly mention the offering of Krsaras, which are described as cooked gingelly seeds. [Agni Purana, Garuda Purana] This could imply a dish where sesame seeds are a primary ingredient, perhaps cooked with rice or jaggery.
   • Sweet balls made of white gingelly seeds are also mentioned as a type of Krsara suitable for Naivedya (offering to deities), which can then be offered to ancestors. [Agni Purana]
   • Offering oblations to the Sun God with Krsaras is said to bring cherished desires, linking sesame-based food to divine appeasement.
2. Enriching Cooked Rice and Other Dishes:
   • Cooked rice mixed with gingelly seeds is specifically mentioned as an offering to Somanatha (Lord Shiva) on a Saptami to get rid of indebtedness. [Skanda Purana] While this is a deity offering, the principle of offering rice with Til is established as sacred.
   • Gingelly seeds are listed among various grains and foods like rice, barley, and wheat that are considered excellent for satisfying the Pitrs. [Matsya Purana, Vayu Purana] This implies their incorporation into various savory and sweet preparations.
   • Pindas (sacred rice balls), the cornerstone of Shradh offerings, are almost invariably prepared with cooked rice, ghee, honey, and a generous amount of black sesame seeds. The Til makes the Pinda more acceptable and potent.
3. A Vital Component of General Offerings:
   • The Puranas state that cooked food offered for Shradh and placed for the Pitrs, alongside side dishes, drinking water, and ghee, explicitly includes gingelly seeds. [Agni Purana, Garuda Purana] This indicates that Til should be a visible and integral part of the entire sacred meal platter.
   • Sesamum seeds are also part of “foodstuffs soaked in ghee” that can be offered in Homa, further blending their ritualistic and culinary roles. [Agni Purana]
4. In Fried Preparations (Implied Use):
   • While direct mention of sesame oil for frying Shradh food is less frequent than ghee, the Puranas do mention offerings of various fried items: Saskuli (rice dough fried), Pupikas (cakes/puffs), Phetikis (fried sweets), and pies or Suka cereal fried in oil. [Agni Purana, Garuda Purana]
   • Given that sesame oil (Til Tel) is a traditional and highly regarded cooking oil in many parts of India, and considering the emphasis on Til itself, it’s plausible that sesame oil was used for frying some of these items, especially if ghee was used more selectively. However, ghee is generally the preferred medium for utmost purity in sacred cooking. The key is that the seeds themselves should be present in the overall offering.

The Sacred Synergy: Til and Ghee (Ghrita)

The Puranas frequently highlight the potent combination of sesame seeds and Ghee in sacred offerings.

• Ghee, the “Liquid Gold,” is often described as an auxiliary to the essential sesame seeds and sacrificial twigs in fire oblations. [Agni Purana]
• Dishes like Pindas and other rice preparations are invariably enriched with both Til and Ghee. This divine pairing enhances the sanctity, purity, and efficacy of the offerings, creating a powerful conduit for conveying our reverence to the ancestral and divine realms.

Ensuring Ancestral Satisfaction (Pitru Tripti) with Til

The primary purpose of Til in Pitrupaksha food and rituals is to ensure the profound and lasting satisfaction of our Pitrs.

• Offering water mixed with gingelly seeds brings “endless satisfaction” to ancestors. [Kurma Purana]
• A Shradh performed perfectly with Darbha grass and gingelly seeds is particularly emphasized. [Vishnu Purana]
• It is sternly warned that if items like gingelly seeds, pies fried in oil, etc., are not given in a Shradh, the offering may be claimed by Yama (the Lord of Death) or less auspicious entities, indicating that the ancestors might not receive their due. [Garuda Purana]
• Offering balls made of gingelly seeds at the time of Shradh helps ancestors attain their desired spiritual goals and grants everlasting satisfaction. [Matsya Purana]

The Puranic emphasis is so strong that, as with honey, even if sesame seeds are physically unavailable for some unavoidable reason, the sincere intention and verbal mention of offering them carries significant weight.

Practical Ways to Include Til in Pitrupaksha Food:

Beyond the ritual Tarpan and Pinda Daan<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>, here are simple ways to incorporate these sacred seeds into the Brahmin Bhojan or the food platter offered to ancestors:

1. Til Chawal (Sesame Rice): Prepare plain steamed rice and, just before serving, gently mix in roasted black sesame seeds and a spoonful of pure ghee.
2. Til Ladoo/Revdi (Sesame Sweets): Small, Sattvic sweets made from roasted black sesame seeds and jaggery (with a touch of ghee) can be a part of the sweet offerings. This aligns with the Krsara concept of sweet balls made from gingelly seeds.
3. Garnish on Vegetables/Dal: A light sprinkle of roasted black sesame seeds can be added as a garnish to simple Sattvic vegetable preparations or dal, signifying their inclusion.
4. In Breads/Pancakes (if part of tradition): If your family tradition includes certain types of flatbreads or pancakes (like chila made from permissible flours), a small quantity of sesame seeds can be incorporated into the dough or batter.
5. Direct Offering of Seeds: A small portion of clean, black sesame seeds can be placed on the offering platter as a distinct item.

Important Considerations and Prohibitions

While Til is exceptionally auspicious for Pitru Karya, the Puranas also offer a few cautions:

• Offering Tarpan with gingelly seeds is sometimes advised against on specific days like Sundays, Fridays, and certain tithis (seventh, thirteenth lunar days), or during twilight hours. If unavoidable, white sesame seeds might be preferred at such times. [Agni Purana, Padma Purana]
• There’s a general scriptural guideline that suggests that apart from eating sesame, anointing the body with its oil/paste, or gifting it, other uses of sesame might lead to undesirable consequences. [Manu Smriti, though context is key]. This primarily cautions against frivolous or inappropriate uses, not its sacred inclusion in food for Pitrs.
• Accepting gifts (Pratigraha) of sesame seeds by an unlettered or undeserving person can be problematic, similar to accepting gold or cows. [Agni Purana] This pertains to the recipient, not the sacred act of offering by the performer of Shradh<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>.

In Conclusion: The Subtle Power of Sacred Seeds

In the light of the profound wisdom from our Puranas, black sesame seeds (Krishna Til) are undeniably central to the sacred observances of Pitrupaksha, both in ritual and in the food offered to our ancestors. Their divine origin, their unparalleled capacity to purify, protect, and please the Pitrs, and their explicit requirement in rites like Tarpan, Homa, and Pinda Daan establish their fundamental importance.

By consciously and respectfully incorporating Til in Pitrupaksha food – whether in Pindas, as Krsara, mixed with rice, or as part of other Sattvic preparations – we are not just adding an ingredient. We are infusing our offerings with an ancient, divine power that ensures the efficacy of our rites and brings profound satisfaction to our ancestors. This sacred seed acts as a vital link, carrying our love, gratitude, and nourishment across the veil to those who paved our way.

May your understanding of this sacred tradition deepen your devotion, and may your offerings, sanctified by Til and prepared with a pure heart, bring eternal peace to your Pitrs and abundant blessings upon your lineage.

|| हरि ॐ तत् सत् ||