Namaste,
It is a matter of deep satisfaction to this old heart that you inquire not just how to perform the sacred rite of Tarpan, but how to perform it correctly. Understanding the essential Tarpan dos and donts is crucial, for these guidelines, flowing from the profound wisdom of our Puranas, ensure that our offerings are pure, respectful, and truly effective in bringing peace (śānti) and satisfaction (tṛpti) to our revered ancestors (Pitṛs) and the celestial beings we honour.
Think of these guidelines not as rigid restrictions, but as signposts on a sacred path, ensuring our energy flows in the right direction and our offerings are received in the appropriate manner. As a humble servant who has long contemplated the verses of the Brahma Purana, Garuda Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Padma Purana, Varaha Purana, and others, allow me to illuminate these vital points for you.
Tarpan Dos and donts: Ensuring Your Sacred Water Offerings Are Performed Correctly
Performing Tarpan is a dialogue across realms, a subtle yet powerful act of connection. Like any meaningful conversation, it requires certain etiquette and understanding. Following the Tarpan dos and donts derived from scripture helps us maintain the sanctity and efficacy of this dialogue. Let us first explore the practices we should embrace.
The Sacred ‘Dos’: Practices to Embrace in Tarpan
These are the actions and attitudes that align our Tarpan practice with Dharmic principles and Puranic injunctions:
1. DO Offer with Utmost Devotion and Faith (Shradhaur Bhakti)
This is the absolute foundation. More important than any external detail is the internal state of the performer.
- Significance: The very word ‘Shraddha’ (from which the ceremony often encompassing Tarpan gets its name) means faith, sincerity, and devotion. Without Shradh, the ritual becomes mere mechanics. Your heartfelt feeling is the energy that carries the offering.
- Puranic Basis: The Skanda Purana repeatedly emphasizes faith. It notes that performing Pitṛ Tarpan “with devotion” (bhaktyā) yields great merit and that faith itself delights the ancestors.
2. DO Use Appropriate Materials for Respective Beings
Tarpan is often offered not just to Pitṛs but also to Devas (Gods) and Rishis (Sages). The materials mixed with the water should vary accordingly.
- For Devas (Gods): Use pure water mixed with flowers and scents. Rice grains (akṣata) are often used instead of sesame seeds. Perform facing East or North (Linga Purana).
- For Rishis (Sages): Use pure water mixed with Kuśa grass (Darbha) and scents. Perform facing East or North (Linga Purana).
- For Pitṛs (Ancestors): Use pure water mixed with black sesame seeds (kala til / कृष्ण तिल) and scents. The Linga Purana and Garuda Purana specifically mandate gingelly/sesame seeds for Pitṛs. The Padma Purana emphasizes using black sesame for manes. Perform facing South.
3. DO Wear the Sacred Thread (Yajñopavīta) Correctly
For those who wear the Yajñopavīta, its position changes based on whom the offering is made to, signifying different modes of respect and energy flow.
- For Devas: Upavīta – Worn in the usual manner, over the left shoulder and under the right arm (Linga Purana, Garuda Purana, Padma Purana).
- For Rishis/Humans: Nivīta – Worn like a garland around the neck (Linga Purana, Garuda Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana).
- For Pitṛs: Prācīnāvīta – Worn over the right shoulder and under the left arm (Linga Purana, Garuda Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana). This is crucial for Pitṛ Tarpan.
4. DO Use Both Hands for Pitṛ Tarpan (During Shraddha Context)
When performing Tarpan as part of a Shraddha ceremony, the method differs slightly from other offerings within the same rite.
- Significance: Using both hands signifies completeness and deep respect in the offering of libation.
- Puranic Basis: The Brahma Purana explicitly contrasts this with the single-handed offering of the Pinda (rice ball), stating Tarpan requires both hands. The Padma Purana also alludes to this distinction.
5. DO Recite Names, Gotra, and “Tṛpyatām”
Personalizing the offering makes the connection more direct.
- Significance: Invoking the ancestor by name and lineage (Gotra) directs the offering specifically. Adding “Tṛpyatām” (तृप्यताम् – May they be satisfied) expresses the core intention of the rite.
- Puranic Basis: The Brahma Purana directly instructs this practice during Tarpan. The Skanda Purana also mentions uttering ‘Gotre‘ during the rite.
6. DO Offer Onto a Pure Spot on the Ground
The final destination of the offered water is important, especially for Pitṛs.
- Significance: The earth element is closely associated with the ancestors. Offering onto pure ground allows the essence to be absorbed appropriately.
- Puranic Basis: The Brahma Purana clearly states that water libation for manes should be made on a pure spot on the ground, calling the earth their everlasting abode. This contrasts with offering into water or retaining it in vessels.
7. DO Face the Correct Direction
Direction aligns the offering with the realm being addressed.
- For Devas/Rishis: Generally East or North (Linga Purana).
- For Pitṛs: South is the traditional and strongly recommended direction, aligning with Yama Loka and Pitṛ Loka (Markandeya Purana reference in input, supported by Garuda/Skanda in previous discussions).
8. DO Use Darbha Grass Appropriately
Kusha/Darbha grass plays a vital role in purification and as a conduit.
- Significance: It purifies the offering and the performer, and specific ways of holding it enhance the ritual’s efficacy.
- Puranic Basis: The Skanda Purana details holding straight Darbhas between the thumbs for humans/sages (with Nivīta) and using double the number mixed with sesame for Pitṛs (with Prācīnāvīta).
9. DO Perform Tarpan Regularly (As Appropriate)
Consistency strengthens the connection and ensures continuous blessings.
- Significance: Regular remembrance keeps the bond strong.
- Puranic Basis: The Garuda Purana mentions specific periods for regular water offerings (e.g., nine days post-cremation), implying the value of regularity. Daily Tarpan (Nitya Tarpan) is also a practice for many.
10. DO Offer Even with Limited Means
Lack of wealth should not be a barrier to honoring ancestors.
- Significance: The sincerity of the offering matters more than its material value. Simple water and sesame offered with devotion are powerful.
- Puranic Basis: The Skanda Purana encourages even a learned man without wealth to perform Shraddha (implying Tarpan), highlighting the importance of the act itself.
11. DO Cleanse After and Maintain Calmness
Concluding the ritual properly is also important.
- Significance: Maintains personal purity and integrates the calm state achieved during the ritual.
- Puranic Basis: The Garuda Purana advises cleansing teeth after water offerings and remaining calm, desireless, and free from envy at the conclusion.
The Important ‘donts’: Actions to Avoid in Tarpan
Equally important is knowing what not to do, as mistakes can diminish the ritual’s efficacy or even yield negative results. These are key points among the Tarpan dos and donts:
1. DON’T Use Impure Sesame or Place It Incorrectly
The purity and handling of sesame seeds (til) are critical, especially for Pitṛs.
- Why Avoid: Using impure til or placing it improperly (e.g., on other body parts besides the hand holding the water) is considered highly disrespectful and counterproductive.
- Puranic Warning: The Brahma Purana delivers a stark warning: performing Tarpan with sesame kept on limbs out of delusion is like offering one’s own skin, flesh, blood, and bone. The water thus offered becomes like blood, rendering the act sinful and displeasing to the ancestors. This is one of the strongest “donts” mentioned.
2. DON’T Offer in Inappropriate Locations/Ways
Where and how the water is released matters significantly.
- Why Avoid: Offering into impure places or in a manner that prevents the water from reaching the earth element negates the purpose.
- Puranic Prohibitions: The Brahma Purana forbids several scenarios:
- Offering libation on dry ground while standing in water.
- Offering libation into water while standing on the ground.
- Standing in water to offer libation to the manes (one should come out to a pure spot).
- Performing Tarpan into water (like a bucket) or into vessels (like keeping it in the offering pot). The Garuda Purana also prohibits Tarpan in vessels. The offering should be released onto pure earth or a suitable receiving surface representing earth.
3. DON’T Perform with Anger or Agitation
The performer’s mental state directly impacts the ritual’s energy.
- Why Avoid: Anger, haste, or agitation creates negative vibrations that contaminate the offering and displease the ancestors.
- Puranic Advice: The Brahma Purana specifically advises against being wrathful (kruddha) during the Tarpan rite. The Garuda Purana advises calmness at the end.
4. DON’T Use a Single Hand for Pitṛ Tarpan (in Shraddha)
As mentioned in the ‘Dos’, the correct procedure involves both hands for Pitṛ Tarpan during Shraddha.
- Why Avoid: Using a single hand (except for Pinda) might be seen as disrespectful or incomplete for the water libation in this context.
- Puranic Basis: Mandated by Brahma Purana and implied by Padma Purana.
5. DON’T Use Black Sesame Indiscriminately (Timing Matters)
While black sesame is essential for Pitṛs, there are times when its use is traditionally restricted.
- Why Avoid: Certain days and times are considered less suitable for invoking ancestral energies with potent substances like black sesame.
- Puranic Caution: The Skanda Purana advises Brahmanas seeking welfare to generally avoid libations with (black) gingelly seeds on Sundays, Fridays, the 7th (saptamī) and 13th (trayodaśī) lunar days of the bright fortnight, and during nights or twilight (sandhyā). If Tarpan must be done at these times, it suggests using white gingelly seeds instead. This is a nuanced but important ‘don’t’ regarding material usage.
6. DON’T Delay Tarpan or Shraddha Unnecessarily
Procrastination in performing these sacred duties is discouraged.
- Why Avoid: Ancestors eagerly await these offerings, especially during designated times like Pitrupaksha. Delay can cause them distress.
- Puranic Emphasis: The Skanda Purana urges that Shraddha and Tarpan be performed without delay, whether at the prescribed time or not (implying it’s better done late than never, but promptness is ideal).
7. DON’T Offer Seat Improperly (If Unsure)
Small details matter, and performing actions incorrectly out of ignorance can be problematic.
- Why Avoid: An improperly offered seat (using Darbha) might not be accepted by the Pitṛs.
- Puranic Caution: The Skanda Purana cautions that if one is ignorant (ajñāna) of the proper procedure, offering a seat with Darbha grass in hand might lead to it being rejected by the Pitṛs. This emphasizes learning the correct method or performing simply with devotion.
8. DON’T Use Non-Black Sesame for Pitṛs (Out of Delusion)
Reiterating the importance of the correct type of sesame.
- Why Avoid: Black sesame holds specific properties deemed suitable for Pitṛs. Using white sesame (meant for Devas) out of ignorance or delusion is improper.
- Puranic Basis: The Padma Purana notes that offering non-black sesame to the manes out of delusion is not proper.
Conclusion: Performing Tarpan with Reverence and Awareness
The path of Dharma is one of mindful action. By understanding and adhering to these Tarpan dos and donts, illuminated by the compassionate wisdom of our Puranas, you ensure that your sacred offerings are made with the utmost respect, purity, and effectiveness.
Embrace the ‘Dos’: Offer with devotion, use the correct materials and postures for each being, invoke names with reverence, offer onto pure ground facing the proper direction, and maintain a calm, faithful heart.
Carefully avoid the ‘donts’: Guard against impurity in materials and mind, avoid improper locations and timings for specific offerings, use the correct hand gestures, and do not delay your sacred duties.
Following these guidelines transforms the act of Tarpan from a mere ritual into a profound spiritual practice – a bridge of love and sustenance connecting you to your ancestors, inviting their blessings, and fostering peace within your lineage and your own soul. May your Tarpan always be performed with enlightened awareness and bring immense satisfaction to all those you honour.
|| कल्याणमस्तु ||