My grandson has completed 9 years and in the 10th year. Like to know what the appropriate age for Upanayanam is. Should this be performed in the odd or even numbered age? Which age – the completed years or the running age, should be considered? Some say that Upanayanam must be performed only during even numbered age and not in odd numbered age; is this correct? Pray clarify.
Vidwan’s reply:
As per the statement ‘Upanayanam bhramanasya ashtamE’, Upanayanam is performed in the eight year. Some perform this on the 8th year after conception.
But there are no restrictions on conducting Upanayanam during odd-numbered ages. It is ordained that it must be performed before 16 years old; if conducted after 16 years, Gayathri mantra will not yield any benefit. Upanayanam can be performed any time between 7 and 16 years of age. There are no authoritative statements (Pramaanam) that mandate the performance of Upanayam either during odd or even-numbered ages.
What are important festivals of Ayyangars?
Some households perform Lakshmi puja on days such as Deepavali, Amavasyai, etc. Because elders perform tarppanam on those days, festivals are not celebrated.
Kindly list and provide a brief explanation on the festivals celebrated by our elders.
Vidwan’s reply:
Ayyangars’ important festivals are
Vishu in the month of Chittirai
Dakshinaaya punya kalam
Upakarma
Tiruvaadippuram
In some households, Adi 18
Sri Jayanthi
During the month of Purattasi – Navarathri, and in particular Maha Navami and Vijayadasmi
Tula Vishu
Deepavali
Sankranti
Adi and Thai Amavasyai, in certain households
A few observe Karadaiyaan Nonbu
Srirama Navami
Nrisimha Jayanthi
Tirunakshatram days of Azhwars and Acharyas
These are the festivals that are celebrated. Fasting and Paranai are observed on certain festival days such as Sri Jayanthi, Sri Rama Navami, Sri Nrisimha Jayanthi, etc.
It is a practice to celebrate Deepavali as a festival and also perform tarppanam for Amavasyai. Lakshmi puja is observed in a few households.
In all festivals, it is a practice to pray to Perumal. On festival days preparing special offerings, and going to temples to worship Perumal are some of the specific practices for a festival. On the Tirunakshatram days of Azhwars and Acharyas, it is a practice to recite the pasurams of the respective Azhwars.
Because of diabetes, to control sugar level, adiyen uses brown rice only. Can we use brown rice to prepare offerings to Perumal during Tiruvaradhanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
We must first offer to Perumal all the food before we partake. There is no harm in offering brown rice to Perumal.
What is the link to access the back issues of Sudarshanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
To access back issues, join the Telegram group
https://t.me/GSPKSudarsanam
These can be browsed through from our website https://www.sampradayamanjari.org/sudarsanam/
Can we listen to upanyasams uploaded in internet (youtube) during Asauca period? What can and cannot be done during Asauca period?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not wrong in listening to Stotra patam and upanyasams during Asauca period.
One must perform the Nityakarma Anushtana like Sandhyavandanam during Asauca period.
But visiting temples, worshipping Perumal at home, and prostrating elders at home are prohibited during Asauca period.
Adiyen wants to perform Samashrayanam and Bharanyasam; can adiyen do this on my own or should it be done along with my husband?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is appropriate to perform both along with your husband.
Why do we omit Abhivadanam while prostrating a Sanyasi?
Vidwan’s reply:
When we render Abhivadanam to a Sanyasi, he has to do Pratyabhivadanam (bless). As Sanyasis are liberated from worldly affairs, they can neither bless nor condemn anyone. Hence, we do not render Abhivadanam to them.
It is stated that only after performing Madhyanikam, Thiruvaradhanam can be done; as our children had to go to office, food is prepared before 8am and Madhayanikam is done before 7.30am and food is offered to Perumal after Thiruvaradhanam. Please clarify whether after performing Thiruvaradhanam, can adiyen do Madhyanikam at the stipulated time?
Vidwan’s reply:
When we have time to perform Thiruvaradhanam, we can do Abhigamanam mentally and offer food to Perumal and pack food for children. Madhyanikam can be performed during Madhyanikam kalam and later if possible one can offer milk or fruits during that time for Perumal.
When an own brother-in law attains Paramapadam, can we celebrate annual festivals, or should we observe theetu for a year?
Vidwan’s reply:
One should not celebrate any festivals for one year on the demise of one’s own brother-in-law. It is not called theetu, as theetu ends by 13th day.
Are sprinkling milk on snake pit during Adi and Thai Fridays and setting up Golu after Bharasamarpanam considered having association with other Devatantaram (Demi-gods)?
Vidwan’s reply:
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Description automatically generatedSetting up Golu after Bharanyasam is considered as Bhagavat Aradhanam. We have uploaded a video on the importance of Navarathiri through the link below.
Some households are following the custom of sprinkling milk on the snake pit as the elders feel it is appropriate to follow their household custom. We shall do this as Bhagavad Aradhanam and some Acarya-s specify it is not wrong if we do this as a Kainkaryam to Adisesha. It is crucial that we consider offering milk as Bhagavad Aradhanam.
Can we mentally chant Rama Nama during a period of asaucam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, we can mentally chant Rama Nama during asaucam.
What is the meaning of Kalakshepam and what is the eligibility for Kalakshepam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Kalakshepam means spending time meaningfully. Kalakshepam is to spend time effectively in understanding the Srisukti-s of our Purvacharya-s and to have a clear grasp of the Granthams.
Samashrayanam is an important eligibility to attend Kalakshepam. Those who have done Samashrayanam and Bharanyasam should undergo Kalkshepam from an Acarya as per the rules.
Should we observe theetu for ten days and one year if asaucam occurred in the sibling’s family of my father-in law with whom we are not in touch for more than ten years?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, theetu must be observed even if you are not in touch with them for more than ten years.
Adiyen’s father left us more than 20 years ago. When we go to know in 2018 that he has passed away, my mother did not agree for performance of any karmas. But recent difficult situations at home make us wonder if these are due to pitru dosham. I have spoken to my father 6 years ago. Without knowing the tithi on which he attained paramapadam, how to perform the karmas?
Is it appropriate to go to temples or undergoing samashrayanm under this situation?
Note: During the annual ceremony for my maternal uncle this Aippasi, I had sat for the Nimittika sthanam.
Vidwan’s reply:
We shall provide a response later.
Adiyen, Lord Oppilliappan is our kuladeivam; at home should we cook food without salt and offer it to Perumal?
Vidwan’s reply:
There is no one need to cook food without salt for those who have Lord Oppiliappan as their kuladeivam.
What are the important differences between Pancharathram and Vaikanasam?
Vidwan’s reply:
These are two different Agama-s that are followed for Thiruvaradhanam of Perumal.
Vaikanasa Agama was written by Saint Vikanasa. Pancharatram was propagated by Perumal Himfself. Both are appropriate and are followed by the elders.
Vaikanasa consists of many Veda mantras and Pancharatram is full of Tantric mantras.
While Vaikanasa Agama is practiced only by the families who belong to that lineage ,Pancharathram can be initiated to others and can be practiced by anyone accordingly. This is the significant difference while mantras vary for both.
What is the method to practise Astakshara japa? Can it be chanted along with Dvayam and Carama slokam? Should we sit or stand while reciting and how many times a given day should this be recited?
Vidwan’s reply:
Ahnika Grantham contains the methods for reciting Astakshara, Dvaya mantras, etc. There are differences in traditions that require Astakshara mantra to be chanted either standing or seated.
As far as Dvaya mantram and Carama slokam, they must chant while seated. I think they cannot be recited while standing.
Tiruvastakshara mantram is to be recited based on the respective traditions followed.
It is a practice for ladies to recite Astakshara mantram and Dvayam mantram while sitting. After reciting the Dhyana sloka taught by the Acarya first, the japam must be done with the eyes closed, hand covered with a cloth for keeping count, as taught by the Acarya. Astakshara mantram, Davaya mantram and Carama slokam must be recited a minimum of 10 counts.
Should we feed crows daily?
Vidwan’s reply:
It depends on one’s practise of the respective household.
What are Anushtanams? Can you please explain it through a video?
Vidwan’s reply:
We shall try to upload them in detail later based on the convenience of our Vidwans.
After Bharanyasam adiyen could not worship Acarya thaniyan-s due to physical debility. Is this an offence committed against the Acaryan?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not an offense if one is unable to worship due to sickness. It is an offense when an able person does not take any effort to recite the thaniyan.
For example, if one could not worship with their body, one can still chant vocally or mentally because the mind does not experience pain.
It is pertinent that one should worship either physically, mentally, or vocally.
Scriptures do not say that one must physically prostrate, but it is considered a defect if a healthy person fails to do so.
From what age one must observe Ekadasi Vratam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Ekadasi vratam must be observed at all ages. After annaprashnam is performed for a child, it is not a must that the child should be fed with cooked rice during Ekadasi; instead, it can be fed with broken rice. When this is put into practice even for a few months old child, it may progress to Nirjala upavasam (fasting without even drinking water) over a period of time.
Should Sumagali-s partake tiffin during tharpanam like men?
Vidwan’s reply:
Sumangali-s do not partake tiffin during tharpanam like men.
During Ekadasi, if we have the fortune of receiving aravanai/Ksheeraanna prasadam of Periya Perumal, can we partake it during the next day, on Dwadasi?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, one can keep aside the aravani/ksheeraanna prasadam and partake the prasadam the next day after Dwadasi paranai.
On 13/01/22, both Bhogi and Vaikunta ekadasi occurred simultaneously; during such occurrences should we observe Vratam or offer festive food for Perumal and partake them?
Vidwan’s reply:
Vratams are for us only and not for Perumal. One can offer festive food to Perumal and partake it. It is up to the individual whether to fast or accept food. If they feel Vratam is more important than the festival then they can observe vratam or if they feel the festival is important, they can offer special food during that day and partake it, but broken rice should be used for cooking.
Observing vratam on a Ekadasi is considered more sacred than partaking festive food.
Can women celebrate Kanu festival for their brothers after performing Sarangati? Can a woman participate in kanupidi during periods?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, women can celebrate Kanu for brothers after Saranagati.
Even during periods time also she can keep kanu pidi but must do so separately.
If a masikam could not be performed during a month, can it be done along with the subsequent month’s masikam? What are the prescribed rules?
Vidwan’s reply:
If a missed masikam is done with the subsequent month’s masikam, two people are seated for the Pitru sthanam. After mentioning both masikams in the sankalpam, ‘tantrena karishye’ is included in the sankalpam.
For example, when 4th and 5th masikams are done together, in the Vishvedeva varnam of Vishnu varnam, ‘turiiya panchamaana maasike tantrena karishye! Turiiya panchamaana maasike shrarddhe vishve devaartham bhavadakshana kartavyaH Vishnu devaartam bhavadakshana kartavyaH’ is recited.
For the two seated in the Pitru sthanam, one must recite ‘turiiya maasikaarte bhavadakshana kartavyaH’ while the second person recites ‘panchamaa maasikarte bhavadakshana kartavyaH’, while seating them.
Likewise, during dattam (giving away an offering/charity), for those who are seated in Pitru sthanam, it is done separately; rest all are done together.
Can marriage be done between boy and girl of the same gothra as per our sampradayam?
Vidwan’s reply:
As per our sampradayam persons of the same gothram cannot be married to each other.
Generally, in society widows are not allowed to participate in auspicious functions. Why are they being avoided? Are these new rules brought in by us or are these scriptural ordains? Are these accepted by our preceptors? Is this applicable for Srivaishnava women who had done Prapatti? If those who have done Prapatti are Nityasumangalis, then what is the harm in inviting them for auspicious functions? Please pardon this query if it is inappropriate.
Vidwan’s reply:
This should be understood from the standpoint of our Sampradayam. Couples are given importance in Grihastashrama and they are considered distinguished. As per the ordains of scriptures and Sampradayam, kainkaryam has to be done as couples. A single man or woman is not given importance.
The husband loses the eligibility of doing certain Vaidika karmas if the wife is not alive; similarly, women are prevented to participate in auspicious functions. Our tradition has considered couples participation as ideal.
It is appropriate for a Prappana to realize that Emperuman is the only Paramapurusan and all of us are the ladies. There is no barrier in rendering services to Emperuman. A single woman can still go to temples, recite Stotra-s, Pasurams and render kainkaryam to their ability.
Scriptures and Sampradayam have laid down prescribed rules for certain tasks. Even people of this world follow the rules that are applicable.
For e.g., like how widowers are not eligible to perform Yagyam, bachelors are not eligible to perform aupasana and a question shall not arise why because only married men are eligible. Similarly, there are prescribed rules for kainkaryam based on the varnashrama. Elders have been practising the ordained rules and it is best for us to do the same. Engaging in sampradayam as a couple is considered appropriate even from the perspective of Acarya.
