What is the mantra to be chanted while offering water to ancestors?

What is the mantra to be chanted while offering water to ancestors?

 

Offering water to ancestors is a common ritual in many cultures, especially in Hinduism, where it's referred to as "Tarpan" or "Shraddha". The mantra chanted while offering water to the ancestors might vary based on regional practices, lineage, and specific traditions. However, one commonly used mantra in Hinduism is:

"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"

Translation: "I bow to the Lord who resides in the hearts of all beings"

But during the ritual, you typically invoke the names of the ancestors you're offering the water to, by stating their name and then followed by a phrase like:

"Tripyatam" (May you be satisfied or may it please you)

However, it's important to learn and practice this under the guidance of a knowledgeable person or priest, especially if you're unfamiliar with the process. They can provide the specific mantras appropriate to your family tradition or the specific lineage you follow.

Remember, the sincerity and devotion with which you perform the ritual are more important than the exact wording. It's the intention of remembering and paying respect to one's ancestors that holds the significance. What is the mantra to be chanted while offering water to ancestors?

Offering water to ancestors

Types of Tarpan: There are six kinds of Tarpan:

Dev-Tarpan: Offering to the gods.

Rishi-Tarpan: Offering to the sages.

Divya-Manav-Tarpan: Offering to divine humans.

Divya-Pitru-Tarpan: Offering to divine ancestors.

Yama-Tarpan: Offering to Yama, the god of death.

Manushya-Pitru-Tarpan: Offering to human ancestors.

           

Method to Offer Water to Ancestors:

After taking a bath in a river, water is offered to ancestors with barley, black sesame seeds, and a red flower, facing the southern direction and reciting a specific mantra.

Steps for the Ritual:

Preparation: First, ensure you have clean water, a mat (preferably made of kusha grass), a large plate or brass plate, raw milk, rose petals, a garland, kusha grass, betel nut, barley, black sesame seeds, and the sacred thread (Janeyu) near you. Sit on the mat and perform the purification ritual, called "Aachman", three times while chanting: "Om Keshavaya Namah", "Om Madhavaya Namah", and "Om Govindaya Namah".

Purification: After Aachman, sprinkle water on yourself for purification. Then, using the Gayatri mantra, tie your tuft of hair and apply a tilak (a mark on the forehead). Wear the ring made of kusha grass on the ring finger.

Taking a Resolve (Sankalpa): Hold water, betel nut, coin, and flower in your hand and take a resolve. State your name and lineage and then say: "For the purpose of attaining the fruits mentioned in the Shruti (Vedas), Smriti (Scriptural texts), and Puranas, I perform this Tarpan for Devas, Rishis, and ancestors."

Invoking the Deities and Sages: Take rice in hand and invoke the deities and sages. Sit facing the east, and arrange the kusha grass facing the east. Offer Tarpan to deities from the tip of the fingers of your right hand and similarly to the sages.

Offering to Divine Humans: Face north, wear the Janeyu around your neck like a necklace, and sit with folded hands. Offer water between the palms to divine humans. Use fingers for offering to deities and the thumb for the ancestors.

Offering to Ancestors: Turn south, move the Janeyu over the right shoulder, take black sesame seeds in the plate, and then in hand. Invoke the ancestors by saying, "Om, may the ancestors come forth, accept this water offering." Offer Tarpan using the space between the thumb and the index finger. While offering, state your lineage and name, followed by the ancestor's name, and say, "May you be pleased with this offering of water mixed with sesame seeds." Repeat this for three generations of ancestors. Offer this water 16 times in the east, 7 times in the north, and 14 times in the south.

Concluding Offerings: If you don't remember the names of the ancestors, mention Lord Rudra, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma. Offer water to the Sun God. Then, offer incense made of jaggery and ghee. After that, set aside five offerings, known as Panchbali.

Conclusion: Take water in hand and say "Om Vishnave Namah" three times, dedicating the ritual to the feet of Lord Vishnu. Through this act, your ancestors will be pleased and fulfill your desires.

What is the mantra to be chanted while offering water to ancestors?

 

 

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