Prem Namaste, Vanakum, Hare Krsna, Jai Shri Krsna, Jai Shri Ram
All glories to our eternal Parents Shri Shri Radha
Krsna.
All glories to the most merciful Shri Shri Lakshmi Nrsimhadeva.
All
glories to Srila Prabhupada, and the other wonderful and inspiring gurus.
All
glories to the wonderful servants of the Supreme Lord.
Questions and Answers
QUESTION
Is there a need to do a 40-day ceremony after birth or death?
ANSWER
Definitely not! There is no such observance in our scriptures. But in the Sat Kriya Sara Dipika (page 150) 10 days for a brahmana and 30 days for a non-brahmana contamination period is observed.
QUESTION
Does the widow have to wash off her Sindoor on the death of her husband?
ANSWER
There is no scriptural backing for such a ritual. However, the widow ceases using the Sindoor in the traditional manner.
QUESTION
what is Go-dan
ANSWER
Go-dan? Go means the cow and dan means gift. So Go-dan is the giving the gift of a cow to a Brahmin. This is an extremely important prayer that one performs in one’s life.
QUESTION
When should go dan be performed
ANSWER
Many people are under the impression that this prayer is only performed when one is about to die. This is a great misunderstanding. This prayer should be done when one is fit and in a healthy mind. When one performs this prayer when one is fit and healthy then its efficacy is increased 1000 fold, if a sick man makes the gift its efficacy is only a 100 fold. If his son gifts something on behalf of the dead, the gift is indirect and its efficacy is rendered as normal. (Garuda Purana Preta Kand Chapter 47 verses 37-38)
QUESTION
what should be given in the go-dan puja
ANSWER
Sesame seed, iron, gold, cotton, salt, seven types of grains, earth and a cow. The dying person should give these 8 precious gifts to a brahmana. The wise have prescribed the gift of salt to be given freely and it opens the doorway to the other world. (Garuda Purana Preta Khanda chapter 4 verses 7-8,14)
QUESTION
What is Ekadashi?
ANSWER
Ekadashi is a Sanskrit word, which means 'the eleventh day'. Ekadashi occurs twice in a month, in the bright fortnight and the dark fortnight. One can find these dates on Indian calendars. The special feature of Ekadashi is a fast that one abstains from grains, eating meat, shaving and cutting one’s nails. Lord Krishna says that is a person fasts on Ekadashi, “I will burn up all his sins. Indeed this day is the most meritorious day for destroying all kinds of sins.” Ekadashi was created as the Supreme Medicine to remove the disease of the material world of having a miserable material body and mind that is full of suffering. According to scriptures we take on sins (and even more obstacles in one’s life) on this day if we consume grains since PAAP PURUSHA (sin personified) resides only in grains on this day. Also grains eaten on this day becomes harmful and remains undigested and turn toxic in the body-giving rise to various diseases and ailments. If any part of the body is overworked (generally the stomach is the most overworked organ), there will be dislocation of the working of the body. So, in fasting (like on Ekadashi) the energy is equally distributed, as the digestive function is not there. But, there should be no overdoing in fasting. Fasting is supposed to cause buoyancy of feeling and not fatigue. So people who are sick and cannot observe a total fast can take milk, fruits, water, and fruit juices and vegetables. People, who are perfectly healthy and are confident, observe a complete fast. This helps in control of mind and will. When one eats especially heavy foods, the blood circulation is accelerated towards the digestive organs, on account of which blood circulation to the head gets decreased after food is taken and so you feel sleepy and the thinking faculty practically ceases to function. Hence, there is no advantage in giving the physical system work on days you want to do devotional service unto God.
QUESTION
What are we not supposed to eat on Ekadashi?
ANSWER
The thumb rule is that if you feel that the food that you will be consuming has grains then you shouldn’t consume… but this is a basic guideline.. Please note that there are many gray areas as to what to eat or what not to eat.. Abstain from: - grains (cereals, breads, wheat, flour, beans, rice, dhals, green beans, roti, coffee, etc) meat, jeera, mustard seeds, hing, soomph, methi seeds, shop turmeric (you can use whole turmeric).
QUESTION
What are we supposed to consume on Ekadashi
ANSWER
The thumb rule is that if you feel that the food that you will be consuming has grains then you shouldn’t consume… but this is a basic guideline.. Please note that there are many gray areas as to what to eat or what not to eat.. Whole turmeric, clean salt, cinnamon sticks, clean oil, butter, ghee, ginger, chilli, curry leaves, maas (yogurt), cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, clean sugar, rooibos tea, spinach, dhania, thyme, peppers, ground pepper, mint, green bananas, fresh cream, sour cream, bay leaves. Potatoes, tomatoes, peanuts, cabbage, pumpkin, butternut, gem squash, carrots, lettuce, all kinds of fruits, paneer.
QUESTION
What is the Narayana Bali Prayer
ANSWER
Lord Vishnu said to Sri Garudaji: “The Narayana Bali rites is performed in all cases of abnormal death which is defined as follows: death by fasting, one who is killed by animals, death by arson, death by a curse, death by cholera or any disease or great ailment, who commit suicide, fall from a mountain, tree or any height, who hang themselves to death, who are drowned in a tank, river or ocean, death by muggers or robbers, by snake bite, struck by lightning, murder and persons who are great sinners – for such persons O Garuda, the rite of Narayana Bali (offerings to Lord Narayana) should be performed.”
QUESTION
Should a priest (pundit), brahmin consume meat, drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes
ANSWER
Now a Brahmin is considered to be the head or the leader of the society. Generally Brahmins are those who perform yagnas (fire sacrifices), pujas and so forth for people in general. In South Africa he is called a Pundit (Priest). Lord Krsna specifies the qualities of a priest in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 verses 1-3, Chapter 18 verse 42. A Priest/Brahmin is not allowed to smoke or consume alcohol (there is loss of tranquility, cleanliness, self-control, austerity…); he is not allowed to consume meat (there is loss of cleanliness, purity, purifications of one’s existence, self-control, austerity, compassion for all living entities, gentleness, loss of tranquility, an increase of envy, passion…). And then in Manu Simriti 11.94/95 this is stated “Brahmins should never drink wine, liquor or intoxicants of any kinds, because intoxicants, wine, liquor and meat of animals are the food of Yakshas, Rakshasas and Pishachas (all kind of non-Vedic people and even demons). So they must not consume”.
QUESTION
Is the 3-day havan after death mentioned in our scriptures?
ANSWER
This is a concoction and not prescribed in our scriptures. From the verses of the Sacred Garuda Purana if one performs the 3-day havan for the deceased, the family members will incur the wrath of the deceased. When one offers pindas for the 10 days i.e. one for each of the 10 days then the new body is formed. {On the first day by offering the first pinda the head is formed, by the second, the ears, eyes and nose are formed. By the third, the neck, shoulder, arms and chest are formed. By the fourth pinda, the navel and private parts are formed. The fifth pinda the thighs and calves are formed. The sixth pinda all the vital organs are formed. By the seventh pinda the nerves are formed, by the eight pinda the teeth and hair are formed. By the ninth pinda semen is formed. By the 10th day fullness is achieved and hunger is satisfied.{Garuda Purana Preta Kanda Chapter 5 verses 31-37}. So by the 3rd day when one offers the daily pinda only up to the neck/chest is formed. The new body of the deceased is only formed in 10 days, thus by performing the 3-day havan you are shant-ing (ending) the process but the new body is still incomplete. Now this is where the problem arises. Garuda Purana states that one has to perform the 10-day and 13th day prayer, and so forth to form the new body, which takes 10 days. There are no short cuts in life especially in the final rites.
QUESTION
But my priest says we must perform the 3-day havan. So whom do I believe?
ANSWER
This is a very common question. Firstly if a priest performs the 3-day havan ask him where about is it stated that a 3-day havan should be performed upon the death of a person. He will state that it is in scriptures. Then ask him which scripture and what verse. This will stump him since nowhere in scriptures is the 3-day havan mentioned.
QUESTION
Is there a need to perform or observe a 40-day ceremony after a birth or a death?
ANSWER
Definitely Not! There is no such observance required by our scriptures. However in the Sat Kriya Sara Dipika (Page 150) mentions “a 10 day contamination period for a Brahmin and a 30 day contamination period for a non-Brahmin should be observed”. NB: In this contamination (aashauca) period one should refrain from visiting the temple, study of scriptures, perform havans, Deity worship in the temple, entertaining guests, entering a new house, any type of Samskara (purificatory rite), shaving of the hair or cutting nails. An example: imagine that you have passed stool and have not taken bath. So of course you cannot go your prayer place or a temple since you have not taken a bath. So in the same way in this 10 or 30-day period if you visit a temple and so forth it is like passing stool and not taking a bath and visiting the temple.
QUESTION
Why do people in general stop all routine (daily) Puja to the Supreme Lord and other Deities, during the period called Pitr Paksa?
ANSWER
Stopping of routine Puja for the duration of Pitr Pakse is incorrect. In fact daily Puja (Sandhya) must be completed before Pitr Puja and Tarpana (water oblations). This is a time to worship and pay respects to the forefathers but that dos not mean that one should stop one daily puja.
QUESTION
So when do we stop daily (routine) Puja?
ANSWER
Daily Puja is stopped only during Sutak (contamination) caused by the death of a person. Actually all the rituals performed during this period constitute “Puja”
QUESTION
How long does Sutak caused by death and birth last?
ANSWER
For Death, Sutak lasts until the Sapindi (performed on the 13th day) is done. For Birth of a child of Brahmin parents the Sutak lasts for 10 days and for Non-Brahmin parents 30 days (Sat Kriya Sara Dipika p150).
QUESTION
Is a father permitted to light the funeral pyre at the cremation of his son, or perform the other funeral rites?
ANSWER
The Garuda Purana (11.19) states, “ A father should neither light the pyre, nor himself perform the Antyesti Samskara (Funeral rites) or any ceremony related to the death of his son.”
QUESTION
What is the Chhamai Ceremony (the apology ceremony)?
ANSWER
Wedding or the Sacred Thread Ceremony may be performed if it urgent after the performance of a special ceremony called Chhamai, which is generally, performed on the 14th, 16th, 17th, day or 1 ½ months or 5 ½ months from the date of the deceases demise. Now generally one does not perform any prayers for one year, but one has to be practical. What if on the 11th month of the deceased demise there’s another death in the family, so for another year you cannot perform pujas. Now imagine if this carried on for 10 years. It means you cannot perform puja for 10 years. Of course NOT. So that’s why we have the Chhamai ceremony (an apology) ceremony. Once this ceremony is performed you can perform any prayer thereafter.
QUESTION
Does the widow have to wash of her sindoor on the death of her husband?
ANSWER
There is no scriptural backing for such a ritual. However, the widow ceases using the Sindoor in the traditional manner.
QUESTION
What is Tilanjali?
ANSWER
After the cremation / burial, the performer of the last rites offers three anjali (handfuls) of water mixed with til (sesame seeds) on a Kush grass planted in the ground. This act is called Tilanjali. It marks and emphasizes the complete severance of bodily relationships between the deceased and the relatives. Henceforth the departed one exists in the memory; and is remembered by the appropriate memorial services, performed during Pitr Pakse.
QUESTION
What is the significance of the practice of touching fire, iron and water on returning from the cremation ground?
ANSWER
Fire, water and iron are considered especially important times of purification. Therefore, the close relatives returning from the cremation purify themselves by touching water, fire and iron with a syringaberry branch and then sprinkling the water on themselves. After this ritual they enter the house and take a bath.
QUESTION
Where is the Das Gatr (10th day ceremony) performed?
ANSWER
It is generally performed at a riverbank but it can also be performed at a lake, well, temple.
QUESTION
Is the Priest/Brahmin permitted to accept daan (cash) or kind during the first 10 days after death, for his services?
ANSWER
NO! Even for the performances of the last rites he should not accept any type of daan
QUESTION
What is Pitr Paksha?
ANSWER
The Pitr (forefathers) Paksha (phase of the moon) or simply “The auspicious period for remembering those who have passed away” is very significant in the Hindu culture. We honour this very auspicious period of 15 days which comes in the dark half phase of the month of Ashwini (around September), set aside as a Memorial and thanksgiving to the departed souls, who, when on this Earth, made some contribution to make it a better place. We acknowledge our indebtedness to these ancestors at this period. It is an observance accompanied by intense bhakti (devotion) to the Supreme Lord. Pitr Pakse is not only for three or four days rather it’s for 15 days. We must offer food for 15 days just as a guest comes to ones house you must give him food.
QUESTION
Is Pitr Puja Necessary?
ANSWER
Some people are of the opinion that Pitr Puja should not be performed because the Atma or the deceased has already taken birth again. It might have been born as an animal, bird, insect, human form or whatever form that the soul would receive in accordance with the karmas (actions good or bad) of previous lives. After the Sapindi ceremony (the 13th day ceremony performed 13 days after the cremation of the deceased), the Pitr Puja becomes obligatory on the descendants. Every human being has to pay three debts with which he is reborn and that is (1) indebt ness to the Supreme Lord, (2) to the Rishis, and (3) to the forefathers. Now what does it matter if the soul is re-born? A simple analogy from everyday life will make it clear. A person named Ram owes a sum of money to Gopala who was residing at a certain address at the time when the debt was incurred. Subsequently, Gopala changes his place of residence, and begins to live at another place. Does this absolve Ram from his indebtedness? No. After all death is the leaving of one body by the Atma and birth is the taking on of a new body. Bhagavad Gita (2.22) aptly describes the process “Just as one removes old clothes and puts on new ones, so does the Jivatma abandon an old body and obtain a new one” For further elucidation we may liken transmigration of the Soul to one abandoning a house which is old and beyond repair and taking residence in another home. Besides, Pitr Puja is a memorial service in which the devotee remembers as well as prays, addressing the departed he says: “O Pitrs in whichever form you may be, wherever you may be, we wish to remember and pray for your peace and welfare”. Auspicious mantras are recited for the welfare, prosperity and peace of all beings.
QUESTION
what is the yam ka diya… (yama deepa daan) A.K.A janm diya, jem dia…?.
ANSWER
This lamp is lit the previous evening on Diwali to apease Lord Yamaraja… In the Purana’s there is a katha (story) on the yam ka diya or simply Yamaraja’s Lamp… is lit the previous evening i.e this evening around 18h00… why this is performed very briefly is that a princess was told that according to her husbands janam kundali (birth chart) her husband would die from a snake bite when he married and thus his wife knew this and she decided to stay up that night and she lit lamps all around her house and chanted many mantras and performed so many prayers that when Shri Yamaraja came in a form of a snake in the morning he was so amazed and taken aback at her devotion that he didn’t killed her husband… So this lamp is lit by many women for long life of their husband… please do keep this lamp in a clean place outside of ones house.
QUESTION
what is Vijay Dasami?
ANSWER
On the tenth day of the waxing moon of Padmanabha (Ashvina) month (this year it falls on the 21st October 2007), occurs Vijayotsava. On this day Lord Ramachandra heard from Shri Hanumanji beneath the Sami tree that he had found and seen Sita in Sri Lanka. Hearing this, Ramachandra held a festival, and then set out for Sri Lanka. On this day one may perform prayers to Lord Ramachandra and then in His honour feed the poor. This is a popular festival in north India, where, on this occasion, large paper effigies of the demon Ravana are burned to the resounding chants of Victory to Rama, Victory to Rama.
QUESTION
Menstruation and why it seems to be such a big people with Indian culture ?
ANSWER
About the menstruation. Well you are very fortunate that Mother Nature has given you and other women such a boon. By having your monthly periods, your “Bad” blood is flushed from your system, and men do not have this. The only downside is the pain. When you have your periods there are many restrictions. This is not to alienate a woman; rather it is from a health and cleanliness point of view. You should not perform deity worship; go to your prayer place, because at this time whatever you come into contact with, becomes contaminated. In some really orthodox societies women are confined to a certain room where little contact is made. This is the proper procedure and makes sense but due to time, place and circumstances, this is rarely practice now. An example to be given here is if you pass stool until you bath whatever you touch becomes unclean (I’m sure you would not go to your prayer place) so in the same way when you are in you monthly until your 3rd or 4th day and when you wash your hair you become clean. After you have had your hair bath on the 3rd or 4th day try to do a maha cleanup of your house sprinkle hardi water or Ganga water all around your house. During this time you should try and rest as much as possible. Do not go out late at nights, near trees, rivers, the ocean, and etc. Here subtle bodies frequent. During your period time you emit a certain odor, which is very pleasing to these subtle bodies, and you attract them unknowingly. Thus at these times make sure that you are adequately protected but having a knife on you at all times and chanting protective mantras. I am not saying these things to scare you rather young adults disregard these things as rubbish. This is a big mistake. With the period blood you can do a lot of “funny” things if you know what I mean. Make sure that you dispose of it correctly and no one gets a hold of it.
The Story behind why menses is considered impure: This story is from the Srimad Bhagavatam. Indra is the king of the upper planets where the devas reside. The demonic beings reside in the lower Patala planets. We on earth are in the middle. Indra and the devas are intermittently involved in wars with the demons. Once the demons did a powerful fire sacrifice and conjured up a gigantic warrior, who, because of taking birth from the sacred fire was also a brahmana. After a gruesome battle Indra killed the warrior with his lightning weapon but because the warrior was a brahmana Indra received sinful reaction for the killing of a brahmana. Because the Devas have control over material nature Indra spread his sin all over the universe: The earth took some of the sin and thus some part of the earth became deserts, water took some of the sin and manifests that sin as bubbles and froth, trees took some of the reactions which are visible in the flowing of sap from trees, the entire womanhood took some sin and manifest that sin as the signs of menstruation every month. Before this woman did not have to go through menses. For the full unedited, uncut version please refer to Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6 Chapter 9 verses 4-10.
In the Garuda Purana Preta Khanda 32.7-10 states: - “ The first four days of menstrual flow of blood shall be avoided when the sin of a Brahmin’s slaughter resides in her. Brahma had removed this sin from Indra and apportioned a fourth in women. A woman becomes pure on the fourth day. After seven days, she becomes pure enough to take part in the worship of the ancestors and deities. If conception takes place within seven days the progeny is impure.”
Question: - I am a female; can I pray to Shri Hanuman by the Jhunda/prayer place and chant the Hanuman Chalisa when I have my menstrual cycle???
Answer: - Why not Shri Hanumanji being a pure devotee of the Lord and he is above identifying with the self. He does not discriminate between male and female. He sees everyone with equal vision. Yes I am aware when I perform pujas women always ask me why they are always put down when it comes to Hanuman puja. I find that rather annoying when men and in general older folks behave like this because who is cooking the food and making the preparations like Rot, etc… a female has much right as a male to perform pujas to Shri Hanumanji clean or not. Another thing to mention many females feel embarrassed to let anybody know about their unclean period. But why should they. It’s a gift from God. It’s a cleansing time. So the question is should a female chant Hanuman Chalisa when she is unclean??? Certainly yes, and the answer is in the Hanuman Chalisa itself. “Bhoota pishaacha nikata nahin aavai / mahaaveera jaba naama sunaavai.” what this means is when Hanuman’s (Mahaveer’s) name is chanted all ghosts and the like run and disperse from that place. Wherever a female in her monthly cycle goes she leaves a trail of odour, that is above the human sense of smell BUT is very very pleasing to these Bhuta’s (ghosts), pisacha (a certain type of ghosts that trouble young children). As the female walk they follow her and “smell” and “eat” this odour. Yes they “eat” the odour. (That’s why we burn lobhan or incense at night because if there are any negative forces lurking around the smell from the lobhan or agarbatti neutralizes their intentions). That’s why especially during the menstrual cycle the Hanuman Chalisa should be chanted. Yes I know this will create a raucous amongst the Hindu community about what I have just said but people need to wake up and smell the “coffee”. Hinduism is above fanaticism. We are a practical culture and that’s why we survived for thousands of years. If one has a problem with this then answer this. Many wedding and funerals are performed with the female still in her cycle period. Are you going to stop the wedding or funeral – of course not? Lets rise up from these stubborn beliefs and be practical.
Compiled (for the upliftment of Sanatan Dharma- the Eternal
Religion)
Narottam Das 031 4020 449 or 082 714 1504
E-mail
nd@h4all.org