Death is the only certainty in life and the least discussed or understood subject. It is equally important as birth. Religiously, different sects have treated the process and the rituals associated with it differently. In Hinduism, after Atim Sanskar, cremation and the immediate period of mourning post-cremation, Shradh is an important ritual typically performed by the son for the post-death journey and peace of soul.
SHRADH.
Shradh is the final ritual that aims to break the body-soul connection. It releases the soul from earthly attachments. Even the person, performing Shradh frees himself from all kinds of sins and is liberated from the bondage of life and death. Shradh helps both the person performing and the person for whom it is being performed.
AATM SHRADH
Typically, a childless person performs Atma Shradh. Today, many do it because they are unsure if their children or relatives will perform the Shradh after their death. Many do it to ensure proper Shradh rituals are observed. And a few do it so there is no pressure or expectations on the next generation. The rising popularity of Aatm Shradh is a reflection of changing lifestyles and values. It reflects the next generation’s ignorance, belief and knowledge about the traditional rituals. Many in the new generation consider them old traditions and superstitions with no scientific rational thinking.
New generations are losing their bond with their parents. Lifestyles have created distances, and social media and mobile phones have added to the distance of nearness in such relationships. There are often nuclear families and empty nests, and the emotional connection and care for parents are decreasing. Many consider that expecting the children to perform the last rituals with complete sincerity is too much to ask. And here, Aatm Shradh becomes the solution.
When a person performs his Shardh in his lifetime for spiritual welfare, it is called Jivachchraadha (last rites while alive) or Aatm Shradh. After Atma Shradh, the person is like a yogi. It no longer matters if the person’s last rites are performed or not. Doing am shradh frees the person of human bondage. There is no longer a worry about who and if anyone will perform shradh.
Aatm Shradh can be done in any month. It does not have to wait for the shradh dates. However, it is suggested that a five-day Jivachchraadha ritual be performed from the Krishnapaksh Dwadash (12th day after Purnima—towards Amavasya) to Shuklpaksh Pratipada (first day after Amavasya) of any month.
Many find doing Atma Shradh mentally challenging. Though Atma Shradh can be done in any month, there are a few recommended dates. Moreover, children can still do the Shradh if desired.
Aatm Shradh has been restrictive in its application in the past. Many frown upon the practice, and society is still not fully aware of the ritual. Unaware of the process but under no illusion of their tenuous relationship, many still don’t know how to explain their wish for Aatm Shradh.
SHRADH MADE EASY
There are packages to help you take through the ritual. There are plans for PIND DAAN, SHRADH and ASHTI VISHARJAN. One can pre-book them and be assured that rituals will be performed in complete commercial sincerity. I could not find a package for Jivachchraadha or Aatm shradh – but presume it should be in line with the regular Shradh package. Now pick the holy place and the package you may want to do Jivachchraadha.
PREFERRED PLACE FOR AATM SHRADH.
Bhagwan Janardan Temple at the top of Bhasma Koot in Gaya, Bihar, is one of the most preferred places to do the three-day ritual of Aatma Shradh. It is said that Lord Vishnu accepts Pind as Lord Jaganath Swami. The first day is the PRAYISHCHIT SANKALP day, the second day, Bhagwan Janadan Abhishek and Maha Pooja where, rice pind is surrendered to Bhagwan Janardan. The third day is for Havan and Vishnu Panchamruth Maha Pooja.
THE DETAILED AATM SHRADH – Jivachchraadhapadhati CODE.
There is not a do-by-yourself guide. Atma Shradh should be performed by a person who knows the rituals. It is more engaging when the performer ( the priest) explains the rituals as sincerity comes from knowing. Below, I am detailing the process as culled from different sources. However, I cannot guarantee the information or the ritual and will not be able to answer if you ask me- why the ritual is performed.
The Five Days Atma Shradh Process.
DAY 1 – AATM SHRADH
Perform Prayaschit Anushtan for Adhikaarprapti which includes Purvanga ( first part) and Uttarang ( last part) kritya for Prayaschit; Das Mahadaan, Ashta Mahadaan and Panchdhaneydhudaan etc. Daan is giving things without expecting anything in return.
Das Mahadaan refers to 10 Important things a person can donate. They are (1) Cow (Go Daan), (2) Land (Bhumi Daan), (3) Sesame Seeds (Til Daan), (4) Gold (Swarna Daan), (5) Ghee (Ghrita Daan), (6) Clothes (Vastra Daan), (7) Money (Dhaanya Daan), (8) Jaggery (Gur- Mistri daan), (9) Silver (Rajat Daan) and (10) Salt (Lavana/Namak Daan).
ASHT MAHADAAN refers to daan of (1) Sesame Seeds ( Til ), (2) Iron (Loha), (3) Gold (Sona) , (4) Cotton (Rui- Kapas)) , (5) Salt (Namak) , (6) Sapth Dhaan (seven grains), (7) Land ( Bhoomi Daan) and (8) Cow ( GoDaan).
PANCHDHANEYDHUDAAN: It refers to daan of the five types of grains (1) Urad dal, (2) Moong Dal (3) Wheat (Rice) and (5) Seasame however it in its new monetised avatar refers to (1) Rice grains, (2) Unhusked rice grains, (3) Salt, (4) Money and (5) Pulses.
DAY 2 – AATM SHRADH
Shaalgrampujan. It is one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu and is established as a Red or black colour stone found near or on the Gandak river. Jaldhaneydhu sthapan and puja. Vasurudradityapavanashradh relates to the trinity of Brahma ( creator), Vishu (administrator) and Shiva destroyer). Bhagvatsmaranpurvak Raatrijaagran – reciting of Bhagwat Geeta path and Ratri Jagran ( keeping awake at night).
DAY 3 – AATM SHRADH
Putulka Nirmaan is the making of the doll or what is referred to as putla. Shashtpindaan – donating six pind. Putaldaahkriya is placing the putla on the funeral fire. Dashgatr Pindadaan, as the human body has 10 main parts, hence ten pind are given on 10 days during shradh however in Aatm Shradh, these are given away on day three of the ritual- symbolising making of the complete human body. . Shyanaadi – the sleep-related kritya for the soul.
DAY 4 – AATM SHRADH
Madhyamshodashi, making the connection (Madhyam/medium) between the Shradh performer and the Preta (Aatm). Aadhyashradh- final rites. Shhayadaan ( giving bed as daan), Vrishotsarg- sacrificing the bull sacrifice but it has more to do with ‘setting free’ of the bull, Vaitaranigodaan, donating a cow, the soul would hold its tail of the cow while crossing river Vaitarani, a river marking the boundary of Yama’s kingdom while crossing it, the soul is purified of all its sins.
It is said that the righteous pure souls see it filled with nectar and water while the sinful see it filled with blood.
Uttamshodashshradha provides food and water that the soul needs during its journey. Here 16 pind daan is done.
DAY 5 – AATM SHRADH
Sapindikaran shradh, here the dead is introduced ( meets ) pitras ( ancestors). Symbolic in the case of Aatm Shradh as the person is alive. It is followed by Ganesh Ambika Pujan and Kalashpujan ( a small lotta type vessel- with a large base and small mouth- tied with holy threads and with a coconut facing the sky), Shhayadaan ( giving bed), Paddaan, some places it is considered as giving away a Mattress and other places it is giving away of the slippers/footwear. The latter is more practised. Finally the Brahman Bhojan, a feast for Brahmins is done which marks the completion of the fulfilment of the Aatm Shradh act.
PRESCRIBED READING.
One can read more about it in the Jivachchraadhapadhati [Mahatmya evam Prayogvidhisahit ](No.2067 First Edition) inspired by Pandit Shriramkrishnaji Shastri published by Gita press, Gorakhpur. You can online order it here. Only 48 results in Google for Jivachchraadhapadhati- are a reflection of how popular it is.
PROJECT IGNORANT HINDU.
#IgnorantHindu is a project I picked up after realising how little the new generation knows about Hindu festivals, culture, mythology and rituals and how, at times, this lack of information makes them defensive. In the process, I, too, learned many new things.
Till now under the Ignorant Hindu, I have covered Aatm Shradh, Adhik Mass, Baishaki, Balipratiprada, Bhai Duj, Bihu, Diwali, Dhanteras, Dussehra / Vijyadasmi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa, Holi, Janmashtami, Karva Chauth, Makara Sankranti, Mahashivratri, Navratri, Raksha Bandhan, Ram Navami, Shradh and Pitra Shradh. Many readers have been kind enough to connect and share regional nuances of these festivals- which I have gladly incorporated, giving due credit to them. I wish that more such inputs come in – so that these pages get richer in content over time. If you have some more information and would like to contribute, please email or DM me on Twitter at S_kotnala.
Surprisingly, one of the pages that had huge traction is AATM SHRADH. Maybe it is the least known and understood ritual. Hence, I have redone the whole page with as much additional information as I could find.
You can send an email or connect on Twitter S_kotnala. To subscribe to the weekly updates click here.
BLOG/70/2020/#IgnorantHindu/007 revised Blog/019/2022 updated September 2024
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