Tarpanam - A Powerful Water Ritual for Ancestors

The act of offering various substances like food, rice, water, black sesame seeds, etc., to our ancestors is called Tarpanam. ‘Trup’ means ‘to satisfy’ and ‘tarpan’ derives from the root word ‘Trup.’ Tarpanam is a Hindu ritual performed to satisfy ancestral souls and invoke their blessings. All of us owe a debt to our Pitrus/ancestors, for our lives and biological inheritance. In Hinduism, great importance is attached to honouring and expressing gratitude to ancestors. By performing this ritual, we not only honor them but also help them attain Moksha or salvation. Kinds of Tarpanam There are two types of Tarpanam – Pitru and Karunya Tarpanam. In Pitru Tarpanam, one honors recently departed ancestors such as parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. It satiates their hunger and thirst and elevates them to a higher plane. In Karunya Tarpanam, one honors all departed relatives, friends, strangers, plants, trees, pets, animals, birds, insects, creatures, etc., that can be included. When to Perform Tarpanam? Amavasya days, Sarva Pitri Amavasya, and eclipse days are ideal for performing Tarpanam. One should perform it between sunrise and sunset during the daytime and in a part of the house that is not used for sleeping. Why is Amavasya Significant for Ancestral Worship? As per the Vishnu Dharma Shastra, Amavasya is the ideal time to perform all types of rituals for three generations of ancestors. There are 15 different thithis (lunar days) ruled by specific deities. For instance, the moon rules Purnima or full moon, the Nagas rule Panchami, and Pitrus rule the Amavasya thithi. Hence, activities like fasting, doing charity, and performing rites for Pitrus on Amavasya day please our ancestors. Only fatherless sons are eligible to perform the rituals on Amavasya. It is believed to protect the family from all kinds of problems and remove all hurdles in life. Benefits of Performing Tarpanam

• Amavasya Tarpanam bestows the blessings of Yama, the God of Death.
• Performing Tarpanam rituals appeases dead souls and grants them Moksha.
• Ancestral blessings can bestow a long and happy life for one’s family.
• It can bestow wealth, intellect, success, and happiness.
• It grants protection from all types of problems and removes all obstacles.

What do you Need for Tarpanam? Raw rice or white rice flour Black sesame seeds. If a woman is performing the ritual, white sesame seeds are needed. In the case of men, white or brown can also be used if black sesame seeds are not available. Kusa or Darba grass. If it’s unavailable, use a local alternative grass. Pavitram – a ring made using the grass and worn on the ring finger of the right hand. 1 coin or a gold coin. Fresh water in a copper, wood, brass, or silver cup or pot that you can hold in your hand. A clean wooden, brass, copper, or silver plate. Flowers, petals, chandan powder, a clean cloth, or a mat to sit on. Method Create a list of 12 departed ancestors, 6 from your father’s side and 6 from your mother’s side. If you don’t know their names, just write great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, etc. Create a list of souls for whom you wish to perform Karunya Tarpanam. Wear the Pavitram ring on the ring finger of your right hand. Sit on the ground facing the east. Pray to Lord Ganesha first, and then Lord Suryanarayana, the lord of Pitrus or ancestral souls. Cut the Darba grass into 6 pieces, 4 inches in length. Each end of these pieces stands for the 6 generations on both the maternal and paternal sides of your family. Create a grid on a plate, using the stalks of grass, 3 vertical and 3 horizontal. Leave some space in between like a grid for a crossword. Each line should have 3 stalks of grass. As there are 6 lines, you need 18 stalks. Make some chandan paste with a little water and spread it on the Darba grass. On your right hand palm, place a tablespoon of black sesame seeds, a flower or petals, white rice, a coin, and some stalks of Darba grass. Sprinkle some drops of water on the offerings in your hand. Think of your ancestors (by name, if possible) and pray to them as you pour water over your hand. After a while, when you feel ready, pour the remaining water over the right hand and let the offerings in your hand wash off fully.