Purpose of shraadh is to give respect to our ancestor who are no longer with us. With saying this, please be practical on how you do this.
It is somewhat practical in India as you will find Cow, Dog, Crow and even Brahmin (who most likely interested in making money for his family off you).
In western world, this is not practical unless you have family dog. Yes you will find Brahmin but again it will cost you almost ‘arm & leg” as his fees.
Now from what I understand is on shraadh day one offer food to cow, dog, crow understanding that our ancestor may have been in any one of this living thing. Question I have is “Can you recognize them as your an ancestor?” Can they recognize you as their past family member? If answer is yes then by all mean you should continue. If answer is no then why go through this?
This is my belief: Once soul depart body, soul is no longer belong to you as your family member. Yes soul never die,meaning it does take next life as their ‘Karma”. Doing pooja – Tarpan will not give peace to their soul. It will only please your mind, and may make few brahmin reach (as they are most greedy at taking advantage of your blindfaith).
In western world,Vaas (putting kheer-poori or other food for crow or cow or dog) is wasting food because their is no crow or cow to eat them.
If you must, feed hungry, instead of doing tarpan-pooja, donate to appropriate charity where it will be more useful for those who needs it.
One recommendation for charity: Donate to funeral home where your fund will utilize for doing cremation (Agnisanshkaar) for orphan or poor who barely can afford it.
Be practical …….be a HUMAN…… Follow HUMANITY
-સંજય ના જય શ્રી રામ
]]>The absolute formless God, Sadashiv appeared in the form of “Lingodbhav Moorti” exactly at midnight on Maha Shivratri. That is why all Shiva devotees keep vigil during the night of Shivratri and do “Shivlingam abhishekham” at midnight.
Anyone who worships Shiva on the day of Maha Shivratri is freed from all bondages and sins of Karma and moves on the path towards Moksha. Devotees who worship Lord Shiva with true devotion on Mahashivratri are freed from all sins and are blessed with health, wealth and success.
You need to get up in the early morning and take bath in warm water added with black sesame seeds. It is believed that taking bath in this water on the auspicious day of maha shivratri will purify your soul and body.
After taking bath devotees should take Sankalp to observer full day fast and to break the fast on the next day. During Sankalp devotees pledge for self-determination throughout the fasting period and seek blessing of Lord Shiva to finish the fast without any interference. Hindu fasts are strict and people pledge for self-determination and seek God blessing before starting them to finish them successfully.
Shiva Puja should be done during night. Shivaratri Puja can be performed one time or four times during the night. The whole night duration can be divided into four to get four Prahar to perform Shiva Puja four times. Devotees who want to perform single Puja should do it during midnight.
As per the pooja vidhi of maha shivratri, Shiva linga abisheka has to be done with six different materials. The materials are as follows,
* Milk is for the blessing of purity and piousness.
* Yogurt is for prosperity and progeny.
* Honey is for sweet speech.
* Ghee is for victory.
* Sugar is for happiness.
* Water is for purity.
After the Abhishek ritual, Shiva Linga is adorned with the garland made of Bilva leaves. It is believed that Bilva leaves cool down Lord Shiva.
After that Chandan is applied to the Shiva Linga which is followed by lighting lamp and Dhupa. The other items which are used to adorn Lord Shiva include flower of Madar (मदार) which is also known as Aak (आक), Vibhuti which is also known as Bhasm. Vibhuti is sacred ash which is made using dried cow dung.
The mantra to chant during Puja duration is ॐ नमः शिवाय (Om Namah Shivaya).
OR
|| Om Trayambakam Yajaamahe
Suganghim Pushtivardhanam
Urvaarukmiva Bandhanaan
Mrityor Mokshiya Mamritaat ||
[The meaning of the Mantra is as follows:]
I worship thee, O sweet Lord of transcendental vision (the three -eyed one or Lord Siva). O giver of health and prosperity to all, may I be free from the bonds of death, just as a melon (or cucumber) is severed effortlessly from its bondage or attachment to the creeper.
Devotees should break the fast next day after taking bath. Devotees should break the fast between sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi to get maximum benefit of the Vrat.
NISHITA KAAL PUJA TIME = 24:26+ to 25:15+ ( Nishita time when Lord Shiva appeared on the Earth in the form of Linga)
Duration = 0 Hours 49 Mins
Next Day Maha Shivaratri Parana Time = 07:02 to 15:45 (the time window to break the fast on next day.)
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