This guide provides a complete, step-by-step procedure for performing Amāvāsyā Tila Tarpaṇam according to the Bodhāyana Sūtra of the Yajurveda, tailored for the Thenkalai Iyengar tradition.
1. Introduction: The Spirit of Tarpaṇam
What is Tila Tarpaṇam?
Tila Tarpaṇam is a sacred Vedic ritual of offering water mixed with black sesame seeds (tila = sesame, tarpaṇam = to satiate). It’s a profound act of remembrance, gratitude, and nourishment offered to one’s departed ancestors (pitṛs). This ritual is a cornerstone of Hindu ancestral rites, allowing us to honor our lineage and acknowledge the debt owed to those who came before us.
Why is it Performed?
According to Hindu philosophy, every individual is born with a three-fold debt (ṛṇa): to the Gods (devas), to the Sages (ṛṣis), and to the Ancestors (pitṛs). The debt to our ancestors, Pitṛ Ṛṇa, is repaid by continuing the family line and performing rites like Tarpaṇam. These offerings are believed to nourish, please, and grant peace to the ancestors in their realm (pitṛloka), and in return, they bestow blessings (āśīrvāda) upon their descendants for health, prosperity, and spiritual progress.
Who Should Perform It?
This ritual is performed by a man whose father has passed away. If one’s father is alive, he performs it on behalf of the lineage.
When is it Performed?
Tarpaṇam is performed on days when the connection to the ancestral realm is strongest:
- Amāvāsyā: The new moon day of every month.
- Saṅkrānti: The day the Sun transits into a new zodiac sign.
- Eclipses: During a solar (
sūrya grahaṇa) or lunar (candra grahaṇa) eclipse.
2. The Ritual Procedure
This detailed procedure is for a practitioner facing South. All mantras are provided in IAST, Devanagari, and Tamil scripts.
Step 1: Preparations (Pūrvāṅgam)
- Materials: A seat (
āsana), a vessel of clean water and a spoon (uddhariṇī), black sesame seeds, and darbha grass (a 3-bladepavitramand a 7 or 9-bladekūrccam). - Direction: Sit on your
āsanafacing South. - Pavitram: Wear the 3-blade
pavitramon your right ring finger. - Ācamana: Perform
ācamanaby sipping a spoonful of water after each mantra.oṃ acyutāya namaḥ| ॐ अच्युताय नमः | ஓம் அச்யுதாய நம:oṃ anantāya namaḥ| ॐ अनन्ताय नमः | ஓம் அனந்தாய நம:oṃ govindāya namaḥ| ॐ गोविन्दाय नमः | ஓம் கோவிந்தாய நம:
- Prāṇāyāma: With your sacred thread (
yajñopavītam) in the normalupavītīposition (over the left shoulder), perform oneprāṇāyāma.oṃ bhūḥ | oṃ bhuvaḥ | oṃ suvaḥ | oṃ mahaḥ | oṃ janaḥ | oṃ tapaḥ | oṃ satyam | oṃ tat savitur vareṇyaṁ bhargo devasya dhīmahi | dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt || omāpo jyotīraso'mṛtaṁ brahma bhūrbhuvassuvarom ||ॐ भूः । ॐ भुवः । ॐ सुवः । ॐ महः । ॐ जनः । ॐ तपः । ॐ सत्यम् । ॐ तत् सवितुर् वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥ ओमापो ज्योतिरसोऽमृतं ब्रह्म भूर्भुवस्सुवरोम् ॥ஓம் பூ⁴꞉ | ஓம் பு⁴வ꞉ | ஓம் ஸுவ꞉ | ஓம் மஹ꞉ | ஓம் ஜந꞉ | ஓம் தப꞉ | ஓம் ஸத்யம் | ஓம் தத் ஸவிதுர் வரேண்யம்ʼ ப⁴ர்கோ³ தே³வஸ்ய தீ⁴மஹி | தி⁴யோ யோ ந꞉ ப்ரசோத³யாத் || ஓமாபோ ஜ்யோதீரஸோঽம்ருʼதம்ʼ ப்³ரஹ்ம பூ⁴ர்பு⁴வஸ்ஸுவரோம் ||
Step 2: The Great Resolution (Mahā-Saṅkalpam)
Action: Change your poonal to the prācīnāvītī position (over the right shoulder). Hold black sesame and a few darbha blades in your clasped palms on your right thigh and recite the Saṅkalpa.
This example is customized for the Thenkalai tradition with Kauṇḍinya (paternal) and Bhāradvāija (maternal) gotras. The pañcāṅga (time/date) portion is an example for Sydney, Australia on September 6, 2025.
oṃ śuklāmbaradharaṁ viṣṇuṁ śaśivarṇaṁ caturbhujam |
prasannavadanaṁ dhyāyet sarvavighnopaśāntaye ||
yasya dviradavaktrādyāḥ pāriṣadyāḥ paraḥ śatam |
vighnaṁ nighnanti satataṁ viṣvaksenaṁ tamāśraye ||
śrī-bhagavad-ājñayā bhagavat-kaiṅkarya-rūpam śrīman-nārāyaṇa-prītyartham
adya śrī-bhagavataḥ mahāpuruṣasya viṣṇorājñayā pravartamānasya ādya-brahmaṇaḥ dvitīya-parārdhe śrī-śvetavarāha-kalpe vaivasvata-manvantare aṣṭāviṁśatitame kaliyuge prathame pāde... krodhī-nāma-saṁvatsare, dakṣiṇāyane, varṣa-ṛtau, siṁha-māse, kṛṣṇa-pakṣe, amāvāsyāyāṁ puṇya-tithau, sthira-vāsara-pūrva phālgunī-nakṣatra-yuktāyāṁ... asyāṁ amāvāsyāyāṁ puṇya-tithau...
amāvāsyā-puṇya-kāle, vasu-rudra-āditya-svarūpāṇāṁ asmat pitṛ-pitāmaha-prapitāmahānāṁ kauṇḍinya-gotrāṇāṁ... vasu-rudra-āditya-svarūpiṇīnāṁ asman mātṛ-pitāmahī-prapitāmahīnāṁ... vasu-rudra-āditya-svarūpāṇāṁ asman mātāmaha-mātuḥpitāmaha-mātuḥprapitāmahānāṁ bhāradvāja-gotrāṇāṁ... vasu-rudra-āditya-svarūpiṇīnāṁ asman mātāmahī-mātuḥpitāmahī-mātuḥprapitāmahīnāṁ ubhaya-vaṁśa-pitṝṇāṁ akṣayya-tṛptyartham, darśa-śrāddha-pratinidhi-tila-tarpaṇam adya kariṣye.
ॐ शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् ।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये ॥
यस्य द्विरदवक्त्राद्याः पारिषद्याः परः शतम् ।
विघ्नं निघ्नन्ति सततं विष्वक्सेनं तमाश्रये ॥
श्री-भगवद्-आज्ञया भगवत्-कैङ्कर्य-रूपम् श्रीमन्-नारायण-प्रीत्यर्थम्
अद्य श्री-भगवतः महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया प्रवर्तमानस्य आद्य-ब्रह्मणः द्वितीय-परार्धे श्री-श्वेतवराह-कल्पे वैवस्वत-मन्वन्तरे अष्टाविंशतितमे कलियुगे प्रथमे पादे... क्रोधी-नाम-संवत्सरे, दक्षिणायने, वर्ष-ऋतौ, सिंह-मासे, कृष्ण-पक्षे, अमावास्यायां पुण्य-तिथौ, स्थिर-वासर-पूर्व फाल्गुनी-नक्षत्र-युक्तायां... अस्यां अमावास्यायां पुण्य-तिथौ...
अमावास्या-पुण्य-काले, वसु-रुद्र-आदित्य-स्वरूपाणां अस्मत् पितृ-पितामह-प्रपितामहानां कौण्डिन्य-गोत्राणां... वसु-रुद्र-आदित्य-स्वरूपिणीनां अस्मन् मातृ-पितामही-प्रपितामहीनां... वसु-रुद्र-आदित्य-स्वरूपाणां अस्मन् मातामह-मातुःपितामह-मातुःप्रपितामहानां भारद्वाज-गोत्राणां... वसु-रुद्र-आदित्य-स्वरूपिणीनां अस्मन् मातामही-मातुःपितामही-मातुःप्रपितामहीनां उभय-वंश-पितॄणां अक्षय्य-तृप्त्यर्थं, दर्श-श्राद्ध-प्रतिनिधि-तिल-तर्पणम् अद्य करिष्ये।
ஓம் ஸு²க்லாம்ப³ரத⁴ரம்ʼ விஷ்ணும்ʼ ஸ²ஸி²வர்ணம்ʼ சதுர்பு⁴ஜம் |
ப்ரஸந்நவத³நம்ʼ த்⁴யாயேத் ஸர்வவிக்⁴நோபஸா²ந்தயே ||
யஸ்ய த்³விரத³வக்த்ராத்³யா꞉ பாரிஷத்³யா꞉ பர꞉ ஸ²தம் |
விக்⁴நம்ʼ நிக்⁴நந்தி ஸததம்ʼ விஷ்வக்ஸேநம்ʼ தமாஸ்²ரயே ||
ஸ்ரீ-ப⁴க³வத்³-ஆஜ்ஞயா ப⁴க³வத்-கைங்கர்ய-ரூபம் ஸ்ரீமன்-நாராயண-ப்ரீத்யர்த²ம்
அத்ய³ ஸ்ரீ-ப⁴க³வத꞉ மஹாபுருஷஸ்ய விஷ்ணோராஜ்ஞயா ப்ரவர்தமாநஸ்ய ஆத்ய³-ப்³ரஹ்మణ꞉ த்³விதீய-பரார்தே⁴ ஸ்ரீ-ஸ்²வேதவராஹ-கல்பே வைவஸ்வத-மந்வந்தரே அஷ்டாவிம்ʼஸ²திதமே கலியுகே³ ப்ரத²மே பாதே³... க்ரோதீ⁴-நாம-ஸம்ʼவத்ஸரே, த³க்ஷிணாயநே, வர்ஷ-ருʼதௌ, ஸிம்ʼஹ-மாஸே, க்ருʼஷ்ண-பக்ஷே, அமாவாஸ்யாயாம்ʼ புண்ய-திதௌ², ஸ்தி²ர-வாஸர-பூர்வ பா²ல்கு³நீ-நக்ஷத்ர-யுக்தாயாம்ʼ... அஸ்யாம்ʼ அமாவாஸ்யாயாம்ʼ புண்ய-திதௌ²...
அமாவாஸ்யா-புண்ய-காலே, வஸு-ருத்³ர-ஆதி³த்ய-ஸ்வரூபாணாம்ʼ அஸ்மத் பித்ருʼ-பிதாமஹ-ப்ரபிதாமஹானாம்ʼ கௌண்டி³ந்ய-கோ³த்ராணாம்ʼ... வஸு-ருத்³ர-ஆதி³த்ய-ஸ்வரூபிணீனாம்ʼ அஸ்மந் மாத்ருʼ-பிதாமஹீ-ப்ரபிதாமஹீனாம்ʼ... வஸு-ருத்³ர-ஆதி³த்ய-ஸ்வரூபாணாம்ʼ அஸ்மந் மாதாமஹ-மாது꞉பிதாமஹ-மாது꞉ப்ரபிதாமஹானாம்ʼ பா⁴ரத்³வாஜ-கோ³த்ராணாம்ʼ... வஸு-ருத்³ர-ஆதி³த்ய-ஸ்வரூபிணீனாம்ʼ அஸ்மந் மாதாமஹீ-மாது꞉பிதாமஹீ-மாது꞉ப்ரபிதாமஹீனாம்ʼ உப⁴ய-வம்ʼஸ²-பித்ரூʼணாம்ʼ அக்ஷய்ய-த்ருʼப்த்யர்த²ம், த³ர்ஸ²-ஸ்²ராத்³த⁴-ப்ரதிநிதி⁴-தில-தர்பணம்ʼ அத்³ய கரிஷ்யே.
Step 3: Preparing the Sacred Space (Āsana Sthāpanam)
- Purify the Ground: While remaining in the
prācīnāvītīposition, touch the water and recite the following mantra to banish interfering entities.apahatā asurā rakṣāṁsi piśācā ye kṣayanti pṛthivīmanu | anyatreto gacchantu yatraiṣāṁ gataṁ manaḥ ||अपहता असुरा रक्षांसि पिशाचा ये क्षयन्ति पृथिवीमनु । अन्यत्रेतो गच्छन्तु यत्रैषां गतं मनः ॥அபஹதா அஸுரா ரக்ஷாக்³ம்ஸி பிஸா²சா யே க்ஷயந்தி ப்ருʼதி²வீமநு | அந்யத்ரேதோ க³ச்ச²ந்து யத்ரைஷாம்ʼ க³தம்ʼ மந꞉ || - Prepare the Seat: Create the sacred seat (
āsana) for the ancestors.- Lay down a “bed” of darbha grass with the blades oriented East-West.
- Place the Kūrccam on top of this bed, with its tip pointing South. This creates a perpendicular arrangement.
<-- PRACTITIONER (Facing South) --> (West) <---- Darbha Bed ----> (East) (West) <---- Darbha Bed ----> (East) ^ | Kūrccam (Tip South) | v SOUTH - As you prepare the seat, recite this mantra:
sakṛdācchinnaṁ barhir...
Step 4: Invocation (Āvāhanam)
Action: With folded hands, formally invite the ancestors onto the Kūrccam with the following mantra.
āyāta pitaraḥ somyā gambhīraiḥ pathibhiḥ pūrvyaiḥ |
prajāmasmabhyaṁ dadato rayiṁ ca dīrghāyutvaṁ ca śatāśāradaṁ ca ||
आयात पितरः सोम्या गम्भीरैः पथिभिः पूर्व्यैः ।
प्रजामस्मभ्यं ददतो रयिं च दीर्घायुत्वं च शताशारदं च ॥
ஆயாந்த பிதர꞉ ஸோம்யா க³ம்பீ⁴ரை꞉ பதி²பி⁴꞉ பூர்வ்யை꞉ |
ப்ரஜாமஸ்மப்⁴யம்ʼ த³த³தோ ரயிம்ʼ ச தீ³ர்கா⁴யுத்வம்ʼ ச ஸ²தாஸா²ரத³ம்ʼ ச ||
Step 5: The Main Offerings (Pradhāna Tarpaṇam)
Action: For each of the following 24 lines, take a fresh pinch of black sesame, add water, and offer it through the Pitṛ-tīrtha (the space between your thumb and index finger) onto the Kūrccam. Each offering must be made three times.
Paternal Line (Kauṇḍinya Gotra) (CHANGE to your Gotra)
kauṇḍinya-gotrān asmat pitṝn svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiकौण्डिन्य-गोत्रान् अस्मत् पितॄन् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि கௌண்டி³ந்ய-கோ³த்ராந் அஸ்மத் பித்ரூந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமிkauṇḍinya-gotrān asmat pitāmahān svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiकौण्डिन्य-गोत्रान् अस्मत् पितामहान् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि கௌண்டி³ந்ய-கோ³த்ராந் அஸ்மத் பிதாமஹாந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமிkauṇḍinya-gotrān asmat prapitāmahān svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiकौण्डिन्य-गोत्रान् अस्मत् प्रपितामहान् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि கௌண்டி³ந्य-கோ³த்ராந் அஸ்மத் ப்ரபிதாமஹாந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமிkauṇḍinya-gotrāḥ asman mātṝḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiकौण्डिन्य-गोत्राः अस्मन् मातृः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि கௌண்டி³ந्य-கோ³த்ரா꞉ அஸ்மந் மாத்ரூʼ꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமிkauṇḍinya-gotrāḥ asmat pitāmahīḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiकौण्डिन्य-गोत्राः अस्मत् पितामहीः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि கௌண்டி³ந्य-கோ³த்ரா꞉ அஸ்மத் பிதாமஹீ꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமிkauṇḍinya-gotrāḥ asmat prapitāmahīḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiकौण्डिन्य-गोत्राः अस्मत् प्रपितामहीः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि கௌண்டி³ந्य-கோ³த்ரா꞉ அஸ்மத் ப்ரபிதாமஹீ꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி
Maternal Line (Bhāradvāja Gotra) (CHANGE Gotra to your Uncle’s Gotra)
bhāradvāja-gotrān asman mātāmahān svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiभारद्वाज-गोत्रान् अस्मन् मातामहान् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि பா⁴ரத்³வாஜ-கோ³த்ராந் அஸ்மந் மாதாமஹாந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமிbhāradvāja-gotrān asman mātuḥ pitāmahān svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiभारद्वाज-गोत्रान् अस्मन् मातुः पितामहान् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि பா⁴ரத்³வாஜ-கோ³த்ராந் அஸ்மந் மாது꞉ பிதாமஹாந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமிbhāradvāja-gotrān asman mātuḥ prapitāmahān svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiभारद्वाज-गोत्रान् अस्मन् मातुः प्रपितामहान् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि பா⁴ரத்³வாஜ-கோ³த்ராந் அஸ்மந் மாது꞉ ப்ரபிதாமஹாந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமிbhāradvāja-gotrāḥ asman mātāmahīḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiभारद्वाज-गोत्राः अस्मन् मातामहीः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि பா⁴ரத்³வாஜ-கோ³த்ரா꞉ அஸ்மந் மாதாமஹீ꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமிbhāradvāja-gotrāḥ asman mātuḥ pitāmahīḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiभारद्वाज-गोत्राः अस्मन् मातुः पितामहीः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि பா⁴ரத்³வாஜ-கோ³த்ரா꞉ அஸ்மந் மாது꞉ பிதாமஹீ꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமிbhāradvāja-gotrāḥ asman mātuḥ prapitāmahīḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmiभारद्वाज-गोत्राः अस्मन् मातुः प्रपितामहीः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि பா⁴ரத்³வாஜ-கோ³த்ரா꞉ அஸ்மந் மாது꞉ ப்ரபிதாமஹீ꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி
Other Relations (Jñāti, Ācārya, etc.)
ācāryān svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(आचार्यान् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / ஆசார்யாந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)ācārya-patnīḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(आचार्य-पत्नीः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / ஆசார்ய-பத்னீ꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)gurūn svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(गुरून् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / கு³ரூந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)guru-patnīḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(गुरु-पत्नीः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / கு³ரு-பத்னீ꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)sakhīn svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(सखीन् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / ஸகீ²ந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)sakhī-patnīḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(सखी-पत्नीः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / ஸகீ²-பத்னீ꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)jñātīn svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(ज्ञातीन् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / ஜ்ஞாதீந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)jñāti-patnīḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(ज्ञाति-पत्नीः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / ஜ்ஞாதி-பத்னீ꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)amātyān svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(अमात्यान् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / அமாத்யாந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)amātyāḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(अमात्याः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / அமாத்யா꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)sarvān svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(सर्वान् स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / ஸர்வாந் ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)sarvāḥ svadhā namaḥ — tarpayāmi(सर्वाः स्वधा नमः — तर्पयामि / ஸர்வா꞉ ஸ்வதா⁴ நம꞉ — தர்ப்பயாமி)
Step 6: Concluding Rites (Upasaṁhāram)
- Final Offering: Pour water around the Kūrccam in an anti-clockwise direction three times while reciting:
ūrjaṁ vahantīramṛtaṁ ghṛtaṁ payaḥ kīlālaṁ pariśrutam | svadhāstha tarpayata me pitṝn — tṛpyata tṛpyata tṛpyata ||ऊर्जं वहन्तीरमृतं घृतं पयः कीलालं परिश्रुतम् । स्वधास्थ तर्पयत मे पितॄन् — तृप्यत तृप्यत तृप्यत ॥ஊர்ஜம்ʼ வஹந்தீரம்ருʼதம்ʼ க்⁴ருʼதம்ʼ பய꞉ கீலாலம்ʼ பரிஸ்²ருதம் | ஸ்வதா⁴ஸ்த² தர்பயத மே பித்ரூந் — த்ருʼப்யத த்ருʼப்யத த்ருʼப்யத || - Consecration: Change the poonal back to the
upavītīposition (left shoulder). Perform Ācamana. Offer a final spoonful of water to the divine, letting it flow over your fingertips while reciting:brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam | brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ brahmakarmasamādhinā ||ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर् ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् । ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना ॥ப்³ரஹ்மார்பணம்ʼ ப்³ரஹ்ம ஹவிர் ப்³ரஹ்மாக்³நௌ ப்³ரஹ்மணா ஹுதம் | ப்³ரஹ்மைவ தேந க³ந்தவ்யம்ʼ ப்³ரஹ்மகர்மஸமாதி⁴நா ॥ - Completion: Untie the
pavitramfrom your finger and discard it with the other used darbha. Perform a final Ācamana.
3. Comprehensive Appendix
A. Meanings of Key Mantras
apahatā asurā...: “May the interfering spirits, demons, and negative forces that dwell on this earth be driven away. Let them go elsewhere, to wherever their minds lead them.” (A purificatory mantra for the ritual space).udīratāmavara...: “May the lower, higher, and middle-ranking ancestors who are benevolent arise. May those ancestors who have passed on, who are unharming and know the cosmic law (ṛta), protect us in this offering.” (An initial invitation to all three generations).āyāta pitaraḥ...: “Come, O benevolent ancestors, by the profound and ancient paths. Bestow upon us progeny, wealth, long life, and a hundred autumns of well-being.” (A formal welcome, requesting blessings).ūrjaṁ vahantīramṛtaṁ...: “(O waters), you who carry strength, immortal nectar, ghee, and nourishing essence, you aresvadhā(the offering). Satisfy my ancestors. Be satisfied, be satisfied, be satisfied!” (The final offering, praying for complete satiation).
B. Glossary of Ancestral Terms
The terms used in the 24 offerings refer to specific relations:
- Paternal Line:
pitṝn: Deceased Fatherpitāmahān: Paternal Grandfatherprapitāmahān: Paternal Great-grandfathermātṝḥ: Deceased Motherpitāmahīḥ: Paternal Grandmotherprapitāmahīḥ: Paternal Great-grandmother
- Maternal Line:
mātāmahān: Maternal Grandfathermātuḥ pitāmahān: Maternal Great-grandfather (Mother’s Father’s Father)mātuḥ prapitāmahān: Maternal Great-great-grandfather (Mother’s Father’s Father’s Father)mātāmahīḥ: Maternal Grandmothermātuḥ pitāmahīḥ: Maternal Great-grandmother (Mother’s Father’s Mother)mātuḥ prapitāmahīḥ: Maternal Great-great-grandmother (Mother’s Father’s Father’s Mother)
- Other Relations:
ācāryān: Spiritual Preceptorsgurūn: Teacherssakhīn: Friendsjñātīn: Known Kinsmen/Relativessarvān/sarvāḥ: All other departed souls (male/female) to whom one owes a debt.
C. Tarpaṇam Calendar: Saṅkrānti for All 12 Months
For Tarpaṇam on Saṅkrānti days, modify the saṅkalpa with the appropriate phrase from the table below.
| Solar Month | Tamil Month | Zodiac (Rāśi) | Saṅkalpa Phrase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meṣa | Chithirai | Aries | meṣa-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Vṛṣabha | Vaikāsi | Taurus | vṛṣabha-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Mithuna | Āni | Gemini | mithuna-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Karkaṭaka | Ādi | Cancer | karkaṭaka-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Siṁha | Āvaṇi | Leo | siṁha-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Kanyā | Puraṭṭāsi | Virgo | kanyā-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Tulā | Aippasi | Libra | tulā-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Vṛścika | Kārthigai | Scorpio | vṛścika-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Dhanuḥ | Mārgaḻi | Sagittarius | dhanuḥ-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Makara | Thai | Capricorn | makara-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Kumbha | Māsi | Aquarius | kumbha-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
| Mīna | Paṅguni | Pisces | mīna-saṅkramaṇa-puṇya-kāle... |
D. Special Occasions: Eclipses
- Solar Eclipse (
Sūrya Grahaṇa): Performed at the start of the eclipse. Usesūryoparāga-puṇya-kāle... - Lunar Eclipse (
Candra Grahaṇa): Performed at the end of the eclipse (mokṣa kāla). Usecandroparāga-puṇya-kāle...
E. A Note on Vadakalai Practice
While this guide details the Thenkalai procedure, Vadakalai practitioners may observe some differences, such as performing a preliminary deva-ṛṣi-pitṛ tarpaṇam with water and rice, using three separate kūrccams, and a slightly different opening to the Saṅkalpa. One should always follow their family’s tradition.
F. A Note on Direction (East vs. South)
A common point of confusion is the direction to face. The rule is simple and depends on who the rite is for.
- Facing East (For Devas): The direction of the rising sun is for all auspicious rites for the Devas, such as daily Sandhyāvandanam and Pūjā. The poonal is on the left shoulder (
upavītī). - Facing South (For Ancestors): The direction of the ancestral realm (
pitṛloka) is for all rites for the ancestors, including Tarpaṇam. The poonal is on the right shoulder (prācīnāvītī).
4. Further Resources
For those interested in delving deeper into the scriptures and traditions, the following resources may be helpful:
- Sanskrit Documents: A comprehensive digital library of Sanskrit texts.
- Sri Vaishnava Home Page (Prapatti.com): A detailed resource for Vaishnava philosophy and practices.
- The Internet Archive: Contains scanned copies of older books on Hindu rituals, including translations of the Gṛhya Sūtras.
- YouTube Links
Why, What and How?
Vaathiyar Recording of the procedure
Meaning and Pronunciation of the Mantras