If Dwadasi ends before sunrise, when must paranai be done? It is before sunrise or like the usual Dwadasi paranai?
Vidwan’s reply:
Whatever the occasion, one must not partake food before sunrise. Hence, even when Dwadasi ends before sunrise, paranai must be done only after sunrise. In such instances, when Dwadasi does not exist, unlike the usual paranai, it is enough if it is done within six nazhigai-s. No paranai before sunrise.
Can we adorn the utsava murtis (Idols) of Azhvar-s and Acharya-s with colored clothes?
Vidwan’s reply:
Azhvar and Acharya idols can certainly be adorned with colored clothing.
When thirumanjanam is performed at temples, the priest directly pours the tender coconut water from the coconut on Perumal’s tirumeni without transferring the water first to another ceremonial vessel. Is there any reason for this?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, there is a reason. It is said that when transferring the tender coconut water to a vessel, the water is considered to be impure. Hence, this practice.
Is it mentioned in the Agama shastra that Perumal must be adorned with only one yellow or white cloth during the thirumanjanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Agama shastra does not stipulate that Perumal needs to be adorned with only one cloth. But for the comfort of Perumal tirumeni and that thirumanjanam is performed properly without too many clothes cluttering Perumal tirumeni, only a single cloth is adorned on Perumal. Only we have the restriction that we must not take a bath with a single cloth. The scriptural ordains apply only to us. Perumal is not subjected to scriptural rules! Hence, a single cloth is adorned for formality.
If the functions and rituals are conducted at home if the priest who conducts the rituals and functions happens to be younger than the kartA, can the kartA prostrate before the priest while offering sambhavana?
Vidwan’s reply:
KartA can certainly prostrate the priest even when the priest is younger than him while offering sambhavana.
Srivaishnava-s can certainly prostrate before another Srivaishnava who is younger. But abhivadanam is not performed before a younger Srivaishnava. And he will also not do the pratyabhivadanam. Pratyabhivadanam means blessing the other person. But one is justified in prostrating a younger Srivaishnava.
Can Kunkumum be offered along with sandal wood paste to Salagrama Perumal during Tiruvaradhanam?
Is recitation of Azhvar-s pasuram-s such as Tiruppavai, Tiruppallandu, etc. (Tiruvaradhana sevakalam), part of Vadakalai tradition?
In the compound/perimeter walls of temples at Tirumala and Tirucchanur, are there any figurines of lions individually or along with Garuda.
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not mentioned anywhere that kunkumum is to be offered. So, it is not a must. Only the offering of sandalwood paste is mentioned. We have addressed a related detail before – kumkumum is not an original substance. Hence it is enough if sandal wood paste alone is offered. Not sure when you say kumkumum, whether you are referring to saffron (Kunkuma poo). If so, it can be included while griding the sandal wood paste. Or if you are referring to kumkumum purchased from shops, no need to offer that.
Recitation of Azhvar pasuram-s during Tiruvaradhana sevakalam is part of Vadakalai tradition and is followed everywhere. In all houses, there is no Tiruvaradhanam without Tiruppavai recitation.
Not sure why you have this doubt as all traditions follow the same practice during Tiruvaradhanam. At all houses, there is not Tiruvaradhanam without Tiruppallandu, Tiruppavai (cittrancirukaalE, etc.) during satrumurai.
The term ‘Simha’ connotes superiority/eminence – Simhasanam, Purushasimham, etc. Among the animals, the lion (Simha) is the supreme, king of animals. Perumal is superior and supreme. Raghavasimham is a divine name of Perumal. All His entourage are superior.
We are aware of Garudman. Among his vahana-s, simha vahana is superior. This is the perspective from which this should be viewed and from a demi-gid perspective. Even when demi-gods have Simha vahana, it does not mean that Garuda should not have one. At that same time, Garudman must not be installed in the temples of demi-gods as he is the eternal resident (Nityasuri) and is mentioned as such in the Vedas. As per the purana-s he is the vahana of Perumal. Mahabharata mentions his divine history and that he sought a boon that must be a servitor only to the Bhagavan and be His vahana. Hence he must not be consecrated in the temples of demi-gods.
What is the difference between the antaryami Perumal and the avesha avatara Perumal? Where and how does Perumal’s avesha avatara take place?
Vidwan’s reply:
Antaryami Perumal is an in-dweller in all; that is, within sentient and insentient beings Bhagavan is present in a divine form. When one intends to perform Yogam, one can meditate on this form of the antaryami Perumal. Generally, Perumal is present within everyone.
Avesha avatara is when Perumal specifically makes His power (Shakti) or trait/character/form (Svarupa) enter into another being. Antaryami is common while avesha is when Perumal enters his power within specific individuals and through whom he carries out specific acts for specific objectives – an example is Parashurama avataram. Though Perumal is antaryami in everyone, only because Perumal entered into Parashurama (Avesha avataram), he was able to carry out incomparable acts. Similarly, the incarnation of Vyasa. There are many Jnani-s; but only Vyasa complied and categorized the Vedas, composed Mahabharata, Vedanta Sutra, collated the Purana-s, etc. These cannot be accomplished by human beings. These were possible only due to Perumal’s avesha avatara – by Perumal making his unique prowess enter into a being and through that being carries out such acts. This is avesha avatara.
When must a son begin to perform amavasyai and masa pirappu tharpanam-s after ascension to Paramapadam of that person’s father?
A famous upanyasakar says that for those who have only daughters as their offspring (people with no sons), rituals such as masikam and shraddha need not be performed; kindly clarify.
Vidwan’s reply:
After one’s ascension to Paramapadam, once sapindeekaranam is done, amavasyai or masa pirappu tharpanam, which ever comes first, can be commenced. If sapindeekaranam is on the day of a tharpanam, after sapindeekaranam and sodakumbham, the tharpanam for that day must be commenced on that day itself.
If the deceased has daughter and no son, daughter’s son (dauhtira) must perform all the riutals.
During pitru tharpanam, is taking sesame seeds in the palm first before adding tirtham to it for offering a proper procedure? Or is offering the tirtham already mixed with sesame seeds to bhugnam is the correct procedure?
Vidwan’s reply:
During tharpanam, first sesame seeds are taken in hand followed by adding tirtham to it, which is then offered to bhugnam accompanied by recitation of mantra.
Balaji is a name for Tiruvenkatamudaiyan Srinivasa Perumal. What is the meaning of that name and what is the reason for that name? Because of this name, a few still say that it is Murugan and Shakti, which is agonizing.
Vidwan’s reply:
It is said that the child form of Kannan during Krishnavatara himself appears at Thirumala as Tiruvenkatamudaiyan. Balaji is the name of the child Kannan. In the North, ‘Bala’ means child. ‘Ji’ is a term of respect. Combining both terms, Kannan was called Balaji during Krishnavatara. To stress that Kannan himself has come as Tiruvenkatamudaiyan, Svami Desikan says “kaNNan aDiyinai kATTum veRpu”.
Venkatachala Mahatmyam very clearly mentions the connection between Krishnavatara and Tiruvenkatamudaiyan. It also says that Yashoda herself reincarnated, et al. Hence the divine name Balaji.
There is no connection at all to say that Tiruvenkatamudaiyan is Murugan, Shakti, etc. No one has the name Balaji.
After doing bharasamarpanam, for the benefit of the family can atonements such as griha shanti, sarpa shanti, etc. be performed?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not a practice to perform shanti homams after doing bharasamarpanam. Bharasamarpanam means that we have submitted the soul/atmA unto Emperuman. So, need to perform atonements like griha shanti and sarpa shanti. One can chant Perumal’s Sahasranamam.
Similar to the kunkuma archana performed for Thayar, can Sahasranama archana for Perumal be done with kunkumam (what else can be used instead of flowers)?
Vidwan’s reply:
Not aware whether kunkuma archana is performed for Perumal. Kunkumam is suitable for Thayar. As we know, it is flowers and Thulasi for Perumal. This could be to differentiate female and male categories.
We tear up while reciting Divya Prabandham or Desika Stotram during Tiruvaradhanam or while worshipping Perumal at temples. More specifically, is it right for us to tear up during Tiruvaradhanam? While reciting shloka, words are choked while tears run down. Are we committing any offense?
Vidwan’s reply:
If tears well up because of one’s devotion towards Perumal, it is considered a form of offering based on bhakti. ‘svara nEtrAnga vikriyA’. Struggling to recite while tears run down during a stotra recitation is due to Bhagavad bhakti. These are not offences and there is no need to fear this and stop recitation. It will please Perumal to continue the devotion with such a devotional attitude. Svami Desikan says “bibhrato bhASpabindhUn”.
If dashasu happens to be on the day of Ekadasi, can we partake uppuma first, witness Bali, and partake sojji?
Adiyen’s periyamma has attained Acharya Tiruvadi. On sapindeekaranam, can her brothers, sisters, and those who are from the next generation partake at the place of ceremony?
Vidwan’s reply:
It can be done as mentioned in the query. But there is no stipulation that males need to partake before Bali.
Generally, they do not partake during sapindeekaranam.
