How do we conquer desires (greed) and anger (hatred) to constantly keep thinking of Emperuman?
Vidwan’s reply:
To conquer desires and anger, one must control the mind; to Arjuna’s statement that it is very difficult to control the mind, Krishna agreed and said it can be achieved through practice and renunciation. Hence one must keep attempting to successfully conquer them.
We must increase our involvement with Perumal through Perumal kainkaryam, participating in kalakshepam, performing the daily spiritual and religious austerities, etc. As one involves more and more in these, the focus on material matters will decrease leading to a decrease in desires and anger. Kannan has mentioned this in Srimad Bhagavadgita.
Adiyen’s mother had undergone Bharasamarpanam at the feed of 44th Srimad Azhagiya Shingar. She attained Acharya Tiruvadi a few days ago. Adiyen has done Bharanyasam under the current Srimad Azhagiya Shingar. Adiyen’s regret is the query – what atonements must adiyen do for the sins committed at my mother knowingly and unknowingly? Kindly advise how they must be performed. Will certainly carry out all the required pitru karyams diligently.
Vidwan’s reply:
Any mother, even when her child has committed an offense against her, will never wish that her child must suffer for that; you could have prayed to her for forgiveness for the sins committed while she was alive; if you have to atone now, you could go the sanctum of the mother of all worlds and ask for forgiveness for the sins committed.
How many days before one’s daughter’s marriage can one take part in sraddha ceremony as a participant?
Vidwan’s reply:
For any auspicious occasion, once the respective patrikA (documenting the specifics of the function) is finalized and documented, it is not a practice to participate in any such ceremonies.
Can we partake Pongal as a light refreshment/tiffin on tharpanam days?
Vidwan’s reply:
As Pongal is prepared out of rice, it is not a practice to partake it as a tiffin on tharpanam days.
Can we partake Thulasi on the day of Ekadasi fasting?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not in practice to partake thulasi during Ekadasi fasting.
Who is referred to as kinsmen with 10 days asaucam (PangAlis), who are 3-day dAyAdis? Kindly elaborate.
Vidwan’s reply:
Those who have the right to their share of assets are dAyAdis; if a father has two or four children, the assets are divided among the children; since they acquire the division of assets, they are called ‘PangAlis’ in Tamil.
If a father has two sons, they are second generation; if both the sons have two sons each, they are the third generation; in this manner, those who are in seven generations, are kinsmen with 10 days of asaucam; those who are in the 8th to 14th generation are 3-day dAyAdis.
Some households perform tharpanam for twelve months in addition to ashtaka-anvashtaka tharpanam; some households perform tharpanam only for four months of the year citing they follow the practice of their household elders; please clarify.
Vidwan’s reply:
Performance of 12 maasa pravesha tharpanam falls under the category of superior ritualistic practice; performance of 4 maasa pravesha tharpanam comes under the mediocre/middling category of ordinary ritualistic practice; one does this as per one’s convenience; there is no harm.
Except for Dhanur month, in which other months can we perform Tiruvaradhanam before sunrise? On occasions, if there is a need to visit a temple early in the morning or if there is a need to travel when to perform Tiruvaradhanam? Similarly, on such occasions, when to perform Sandhyavandanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Only during Dhanur month, Tiruvaradhanam is performed before sunrise. During other months, if an eclipse is around, it can be performed before sunrise. During other times, it is a practice to perform Tiruvaradhanam only after Sandhyavandanam, etc. If there is a need to travel, offer arghyam before sunrise, perform upasthanam after sunrise, and immediately perform Madhyanikam followed by Tiruvaradhanam; on alpa Dwadasi (Dwadasi exists only for a very few nazhigai-s) days, Tiruvaradhanam can be performed before sunrise.
Should we do sankalpam mentioning the tithi (date), vAra (day), and nakshatram (star) during Salagrama Tiruvaradhanam?
When should pratha-sandhya be performed before Dhanur month aradhanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, it is in practice to mention the day, date, and star during Salagrama Tiruvaradhanam.
Dhanur month aradhanam should be performed before sunrise after which Sandhyavandanam is done. If the sunrise has already occurred, Sandhyavandanam should be performed first followed by Dhanur month Tiruvaradhanam.
It is mentioned that two types of fasting to be followed for Ekadasi; one is nirjala upavasam (fasting without partaking water) and the other one is jAgarana upavasam (fasting without sleeping). Does our tradition observe jAgarana fasting and what are the opinions of our Acharya-s and exponents of our tradition regarding this?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, we can certainly observe jAgarana fasting if one has the strength to observe. It is considered to be superior.
