The period of Pitru Paksha in Mirzapur is considered especially sacred for seeking peace for the souls of ancestors. If you are currently residing far away from home, or even living abroad, and wish to offer Tarpan to your ancestors, this information can guide you effectively. Renowned scholar Acharya Anupam Maharaj from Vindhyadham has detailed very simple and accessible ways to perform Tarpan for ancestors. He explained that even if you are away from home and lack elaborate arrangements, you can still offer Tarpan from your current location and pray for the peace of your departed family members.
Different Types of Tarpan and Directional Rules
According to Acharya Anupam Maharaj, if a person is in their native village, they can call upon their family priest, teacher, or any knowledgeable scholar to perform the rituals properly. Tarpan is categorized into three main types, namely Deva Tarpan, Pitru Tarpan, and Preta Tarpan. Additionally, Rishi Tarpan is considered the highest form and is performed facing the northern direction. Deva Tarpan dedicated to deities is conducted facing the eastern direction, while Pitru and Preta Tarpan must always be performed facing the southern direction.
Specific Materials and Directions for Tarpan Rituals
When offering Tarpan to ancestors, one must face south, mix black sesame seeds in water, and release it from the side of the thumb. For deities in the east, barley is added to the water and offered from the front part. In the northern direction for Rishi Tarpan, the water is poured from between the two fingers using unbroken rice grains. Keeping these precise procedures in mind allows anyone to conduct the rituals with proper devotion regardless of their location.
Acharya Anupam Maharaj explained that if you do not have a priest or any formal arrangements available, there is no need to worry. In such a scenario, take a bath in the morning, hold pure water, and face the southern direction. If you wear the sacred thread, put it on over your shoulder. Adopting the traditional posture by leaning slightly to the left, take water in your palm, remember your deceased parents or other departed relatives, and offer the water three, five, or seven times while reciting the phrase for offering along with their names.
Simple Mantra and Ritual Offerings
Along with the water offering, take some rice grains in your hand and pray for your ancestors by chanting the name of the deity three times. Doing this faithfully ensures that your ancestors feel satisfied and nourished without any doubt. Throughout the fifteen days of Pitru Paksha, one should ideally feed a Brahman every single day. If managing this for fifteen days is not possible, you should feed five, eleven, or twenty-one Brahmans on the specific ancestral tithi observed in your household.
During these offerings, provide them with white garments, umbrellas, blankets, footwear, and utensils. Donate the best possible clothes and offer financial dakshina according to your personal financial capacity to please the departed souls. Furthermore, always set aside portions of food for a dog, a crow, and a cow. If preparing three separate portions is not feasible, mentally remember them, set aside a single portion, and feed it to a cow or a dog to complete the ritual obligations successfully.
