What practices must one follow on the day of one’s Acaryan’s tiruvadhyayana day? Kindly clarify whether there are any precepts to follow like those that one follows for Acaryan’s Tirunakshatram.
Vidwan’s reply
The smritis ordain that one must observe an Acaray’s tiruvadhyayana day like how one celebrates an Acaryan tirunakshatram. Tiruvadhyayanam can be performed like a shraddham by a disciple. If that is not possible, after performing a special Perumal Tiruvaradhanam, offer a sambhavanai to Acarayan and partake Acarya Sripadha theertham.
How to join GSPK?
Vidwan’s reply
Install the Telegram app on your mobile phone and use the two links below to join the groups.
https://t.me/dgspk
https://t.me/gspkstotras
Further details can be found at http://www.sampradayamanjari.org/
Why are Rudram and Chamakam recited before Brahmotsavam Teerthavaari?
Vidwan’s reply
There is no particular requirement to recite Rudram and Chamakam during Brahmotsavam Teerthavaari. Sometimes they are recited when they happen to be part of a parayanam. For example, starting with prasthaavam a day earlier, they might be recited during teerthavaari; there are no particular requirements to recite them; it might a requirement for Smarthaas.
It is a common practice that ladies undergo samashrayanam after marriage. But, if a lady desires to perform bharanyasam before marriage, is it allowed? If the AcArya of her bharanyasam before marriage and the Acarya of the household of her future husband is different, will bharanyasam performed before marriage yield fruits? And will it be accepted?
Vidwan’s reply
Ladies can undergo samashrayanam after marriage. They can certainly perform bharanyasam before getting married; that bharanyasam will certainly yield the fruits even when the Acarya after marriage is different and it is accepted. Though there are no scriptural ordains, a lady can certainly perform bharanyasam before her marriage.
In our practice, to avoid any conflict that might arise due to association with different Acaryas, and also to satisfy the desire of the groom’s family that both the husband and wife are associated with the same Acarya, we avoid performing bharanyasam before marriage.
It is understood that we perform Prapatti to attain Emperuman as following Bhaktiyogam as a means is impossible in this Kaliyugam. Swami Desikan has mentioned about Agnyaa and Anugnyaa kainkaryam at many instances. Is it a must for a Prappanna to perform Agnyaa kainkaryam as prescribed in the Sruti-Smritis? Moreover, as per Gita that whatever Bhagavan has uttered as karmayoga and Agnyaa kainkaryam are they both one and the same (sathyam vada, speak the truth)? Or are they different?
Vidwan’s reply
One must do Agnyaa Kainkaryam though there is no relationship between this and attaining Moksham because performing Sarangati will lead to Moksham. Not performing Agnyaa kainkaryam will beget sin and we have to undergo punishments for it; so, it is a must that we do Agnyaa kainkaryam.
Karmayogam stated in Bhagavad Gita and Agnyaa kainkaryam are not the same. Irrespective of Karmayogam, Bhaktiyogam, or Gnanayogam, Agnyaa kainkaryam should be done separately. Nitya karma anushtanam-s can be considered as Agnyaa kainkaryam which should be done every single day without fail.
Adiyen lives in a new multi-storey flat where the residents have decided to construct a Vinayakar temple in the premises and all the flat owners had to help. All in our family have performed Bharnyasam and we do not visit other temples but we cannot refuse to participate in this work. There is no need to do anything after the temple construction so please advise.
Vidwan’s reply
As per the scriptures, a prapanna need not aid for a Vianyaka temple but as you have mentioned there are certain compulsions that we cannot avoid. As you possess staunch faith in Srivaishnavism you shall not beget any distress.
You can simply donate money as there is no other way. As we spend on other unnecessary expenses like cable television subscriptions, we can consider this as one such expense.
Adiyen is non-brahmin Srivaishnava; adiyen came to know that performing Sandhya-vandanam will remove all our sins; how to alleviate the sins that I do unknowingly as adiyen is not qualified do sandhyavandanam?
Vidwan’s reply
Those who are not ordained to perform sandhyavandanam can chant the holy names of Bhagavan. One need not fret for not doing so as each of us are ordained by scriptures to perform austerities accordingly.
Though we do not possess the right to perform certain austerities yet there is no dearth in the fruits we derive. For example, women cannot perform duties that are ordained for men. Paricharakas cannot perform the duties assigned to a priest in a temple. It is better that we do the rituals assigned to us. You do not have to worry as you can go to a temple for worshipping Perumal and you can chant his divine names to alleviate from the sins.
Should one sit or stand to perform thiruvaradhanam for Perumal?
Vidwan’s reply
As per the Ahnika grantham, we should sit until we do Bhuta shuddhi and manasa yagam during thiruvaradhanam. Later for Bahya yagam, that is external offerings like arghyam, padhyam, etc. we should offer them while standing.
Adiyen is desirous of rendering Bharanyasam but people of my house are not co-operative and cite reasons to delay. I could not teach my twenty-year-old daughter about its significance because the elders and my husband feel that it is not an important ritual. As my Acaryan’s place is far away, they cite distance as a reason and dissuade me for going to worship. I wish that my daughter should adhere to this tradition. Is there a way for better prospects?
Vidwan’s reply
Reciting Swami Desikan’s Nyasa Daskam every day will remove the obstacles to perform Bharanyasam. Perumal will show you the path.
You can also recite Adaikkalpathu. Perumal will grant you the association of Acarya and the grace of Acarya. Perumal will show you the way and make you render Bharanyasam.
When should we recite Ashtakshara mantra? Should it be while reciting Acarya thanian or during sandhyavandanam? How many times should we chant? I have heard its glory and benefits through Vidwan-s but need clarification on how many times and when to chant it.
Vidwan’s reply
Ashtakshara japam should be done during sandhyavandanam, also all three times. It is enough that you can chant them during sandhyavandanam and apart from this time there is no need to do it separately. You can refer Ahnika grantham or ask your preceptor for chanting the same.
During dvadasi should we partake the salt less paranai without touching the teeth? I have heard vaguely in my younger age that one has to take three morsels of it, kindly clarify.
Vidwan’s reply
During paranai, sundakai and agathi keerai are to be taken salt less, but there is no rule that it has to be taken without touching the teeth. There are no such restrictions that it has to be three morsels. Both sundakai and agathi keerai have to be eaten before partaking the cooked food. As some might just eat only a leaf of agathi keerai and leave the rest, you might have heard three morsels in terms of inducing to eat more rather than a rule.
During Ekadasi, can we offer cooked rice to Perumal? Can we offer milk or fruits every day to Perumal?
Vidwan’s reply
One can certainly offer cooked rice to Perumal on ekadasi but we cannot partake it. Perumal does not insist that we offer him what we do not partake. Whatever we partake we shall offer them. So, there is no need to offer cooked rice on ekadasi. Temples offer pure cooked rice especially because it is a must that temples have to do it. But we should not partake them as per the rule.
One has to offer cooked food every day; we can offer milk and fruits on those days when we could not offer cooked food.
Notes:
Everyday milk and fruits can be offered to Perumal but apart from it, offering cooked rice known as ‘suddha annam’ is important and only when we could not offer cooked food, offering curd or milk and fruits are permitted.
During Ammavasyai, while doing tharpanam can we draw kolam after cleaning the kitchen counter and floor?
Vidwan’s reply
Yes, many households follow the practice of drawing kolam after cleaning the kitchen during Ammavasai tharpanam.
My father attained Paramapadam during June 2021. Coming June 1st is his varushaptikam (first annual ceremony). My mother lives with me
When should I perform Gaya shraddham? What is its importance?
What is Akshaya Vatam?
Must Rameshwaram Sethu snanam be completed along with Gaya shraddham?
Must we go on pilgrimage only after completing all of the above?
Due health reasons, my mother cannot travel to Gaya and other places. Is it alright for only adiyen and my wife to travel for Gaya shraddham and Sethu snanam?
Vidwan’s reply
Only after completion of varushaptikam, Gaya shraddham must be performed. References on Gaya shraddham are found in Srimad Ramayana, “yeshta vyaa bahavaa putraaH yad ekopi agayaam vrajet”. That is, one must beget several sons in the hope at least one of them will perform Gaya shraddham. Gaya shraddham is important.
Akshaya Vatam is a divine place at Gaya.
It is a common practice that when one goes on a pilgrimage to the North, one also goes on pilgrimage to divine places in the South. In our tradition, we do not go to Rameshwaram. Only Sethu snanam is required at Dhanushkodi, which must certainly be done.
There is no need to complete all of these before going on a pilgrimage. Once varushaptikam is completed, one can go on pilgrimage.
It is alright if your mother is unable to accompany you to these places. As a son you can do the needful.
Can we offer cooked food to Perumal in the Ever Silver vessel? In what kind of utensils should we offer food?
Vidwan’s reply
Generally, food should not be offered in utensils made of iron; if we cook in vessels made of iron, we have to offer them in another type of vessel. Moreover, Ever Silver is made of iron and it is not considered sacred to offer food in such a vessel. Vessels gilded with silver, brass, or white lead can be used to offer food.
Most importantly, utensils used for Perumal should be exclusive (called ulpathiram) such that it is not used by us.
Can we offer payasam made of sugar to Perumal?
Vidwan’s reply
Generally, elders of those days do not take sugar, but these days the sugar is not considered impure so we can use sugar.
Is re-marriage appropriate? What do the scriptures say about re-marriage?
Vidwan’s reply
Scriptures say that a girl must not remarry at all. As dharmanushtanam is important for a male, he is allowed to re-marry for the sake of performing them.
We live in multi storey apartment, if other saints visit near our place what should we do?
Vidwan’s reply
If other saints who are not a Srivaishnava visit nearby houses, we need not do anything.
We need not visit them as we do not have any association with them, it is better to avoid them. Even if we happen to see them by chance, we need not offer any type of utmost respect.
Should we treat Sri Rama Navami like Ekadasi, and Dwadasi thaligai the subsequent day to Perumal? What should we offer on Sri Rama Navami during Perumal Tiruvaradhanam?
Vidwan’s reply
Two types of traditions are followed for Sri Rama Navami.
In Munitraya Sampradayam, on Sri Rama Navami day there is a practise of observing vratam like Ekadasi and offering festive food the next day. As vratam is observed on Rama Navami, cooked rice cannot be offered; fruits can be offered along with Sri Rama Navami panagam and vadai paruppu. The next day is treated like Dwadasi paranai where festive food like paruppu thirukannamadu is offered along with other food.
As per Sri Sannidhi (Ahobila Mutt) tradition, paranai is done on the same day as Sri Rama Navami. After performing Perumal Tiruvaradhanam, during the afternoon festive food like thirukannamadu, panagam, vadai paruppu is offered along with other food and can be partaken the same after the offerings.
My Periyappa’s wife (Periyamma) attained Acaryan thiruvadi on a Dasami; can adiyen observe Ekadasi vratam the next day? Adiyen has started observing nirjala upavasam (total fasting without water) for a few months now.
Vidwan’s reply
Ekadasi vratam should always be observed irrespective of any asaucam.
Adiyen’s husband’s sister passed away last week on Panchami tithi; she was a spinster. How many days I and my children should observe asaucam? Must we re-commence the light of Perumal lamp, Tiruvaradhanam, etc. only after asaucam ends? Adiyen’s husband had also passed away eleven months ago.
Vidwan’s reply
As per the books there are ten days of asaucam for gynatha-s upon a spinster’s demise. From what we heard elders have observed three-days asaucam for the demise of unmarried women. For a spinster’s demise, the brother needs to observe three days of asaucam and that applies to the wife as well.
A married son should observe three-days asaucam and a married daughter should observe one and a half days asaucam for their aunt, respectively. Asaucam is over by just taking a head bath for an unmarried daughter or son upon the demise of their aunt.
Can men apply Thayar’s Kumkum as Srichuranam?
Vidwan’s reply
Men should preferably use yellow Srichuranam; if it is not available then Thayar Kumkum can be used.
Should one observe a strict code of madi and acaram while performing Thriumanjanam for Salagrama deities and Acarya Padukai-s? if a prappana could not follow such observance will it be an hindrance to attain moksham or will Perumal rectify our omissions through minor punishments? Adiyen could not follow the strict code of the prescribed observance and am striving to do my best, hence this question.
Vidwan’s reply
Yes, it will come under the prescribed 32 misdeeds (apacarams) when we do not observe purity during the thriumanjanam of Salagrama deities and Acarya padukai-s. As we must touch the deity to perform thirumanjanam, we should maintain physical cleanliness. It is good to know that you are striving to follow the prescribed observance and please maintain cleanliness to your utmost ability.
Do we have any mantra for purifying flowers that are bought from vendors as we are unsure of their acaram or can we purify the flowers by sprinkling waters and then offer them to Perumal?
Vidwan’s reply
It is considered special if we offer flowers grown at our homes or pluck flowers from other places than buying them outside.
Buying flowers for money from a shop is called krayakreetam, an indifferent act. We can purify the store-bought flowers by chanting ‘bhuH bhuvaH suvaH’ or by chanting Tiruvashtakshara mantra and sprinkling little water only as there is a rule that lots of water should not be sprinkled on flowers.
