#IgnorantHindu is a project I picked up after realising how less the new generation knows about Hindu festivals, culture, mythology and rituals and how at times this lack f 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, MakarSankranti, 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 connect send an 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, understood and a ritual most of us are unaware of. Hence, I have redone the whole page with as much additional information as I could find or represented it in a better way.
DEATH
Shardh is all about post-death journey and peace of soul. Death is the only certainty in life after birth. Yet, humans are afraid of death and don’t want to talk about it. Even in the Insurance Advertisements, death seems to be a taboo subject.
Hindus have sanskaras and rituals for every stage in life. Shradh is the ritual after death and is performed Shradh is the ritual primarily done by the son (or another eligible relative) post-death. Naturally, anyone doing Aatm Shradh or Jivachchraadha; last rites of self while still alive is not a subject discussed often.
SHRADH IS THE ULTIMATE RITUAL.
Antyeshti or Shradh is the ultimate final ritual that is performed to break the body-soul connection. It ensures the soul is released from earthly attachments. Even the person, who performs Shradh with scriptural formalities, as per his capabilities – 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
When a person performs his last rites in his lifetime for the sake of his spiritual welfare, it is called Jivachchraadha (last rites while alive) or Aatm Shradh, and then the person is free from the bondage of his action. He is like a yogi. Now it does not matter if the last rites are performed or not, because by doing the aatm shradh the person no longer has human bondage. There is no longer a worry as to who and if anyone will perform shradh after death. And even after Aatm Shradh, children have the option to do the Shradh on the designated tithe. So, If shradh is performed for a person who has done Aatm Shradh, both the deceased and the person performing Shradh benefit spiritually.
Aatm Shradh can be done in any month. It does not have to wait for the shradh dates- as the person is still alive. However, there are recommended 5-7 days of the month when Aatm Shradh is best performed.
ARE YOU READY FOR AATM SHRADH OR JIVACHCHRAADHAPADHATI.
If you are interested in performing Aatm Shradh, one presumes you will do it with utmost sincerity. And it is essential, as you must get to the right place and take the services of the right knowledgeable pandit/panda. Ensure everything is done in the prescribed way to gain the effect/result you want. It is mentally challenging because you are doing a ritual that should preferably be performed by your next generation after your death.
AATM SHRADH or Jivachchraadhapadhati
Aatm Shradh is typically performed by a childless person. Today, many do it because they are unsure if their children or their relatives will do 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, expectations on the next generation.
The rising popularity of Aatm Shradh is also a reflection of changing lifestyles and values. And a reflection next generation’s ignorance, belief and knowledge of rituals. Many see these rituals as old traditions and superstitions with no scientific rational thinking.
The new generations are losing bonds with their parents. Lifestyles have created distances. Social media and mobile have added to the distance of nearness in such relationships. Many times, there are nuclear families, and empty nests and the emotional connection and care for parents is decreasing. Not only this is leading to a demand for self-reliant old homes and care centres. Expecting, children to perform the last rituals with complete sincerity may be too much to ask. Aatm Shradh is the solution
It is not that people do not know of Aatm Shradh. However, they fear societal reactions. They don’t know how to explain their desire to perform Aatm Shradh. So, first of all, there is nothing wrong in doing it. Aatm Shradh is mentioned in Garur Puran. However, Manu Smriti prohibits such rituals.
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.
THE DETAILED AATM SHRADH – Jivachchraadhapadhati CODE.
The detailed Jivachchraadha ritual can be performed in five days from the Krishnapaksh Dwadash (12th day after Purnima- towards Amavasya) to Shuklpaksh Pratipada (first day after Amavasya) of any month. There is no do-by-yourself guide. It should be performed by a person with knowledge of the rituals. It is more engaging when the facilitator is able to explain why the ritual is being done because, in Aatm Shradh or any other Shradh or rituals, sincerity comes from knowing. Below I am detailing the process, but don’t ask what the rituals are and why they are performed. I am no one to explain them.
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.
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BLOG/70/2020/#IgnorantHindu/007 revised Blog/019/2022
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