Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations
Self performance of antyeShTi kriyA (last rites)
Que: Since I have no children of my own, can I go to Kashi and myself do my antyeShTi kriyA?
Ans: Such thinking is wrong. BhIShma PitAmaha was a brahmachAri, so we all offer tarpaNam to him. For those who have no children, others would give tarpaNam. How?
It is customary to keep a piNDam for those born in our kulam during the ArAdhanA of our ancestors. In that way, someone born in your kulam would include you for the purpose (ye agni dagdhA ye anagni dagdhA). It is customary to say during the tarpaNam, "I offer this water for those who died as orphans, with no mother, father, relatives or children."
Therefore, it is not necessary for self performance of antyeShTi kriyA while with no children is alive. We approach the tIrtha sthalas Gaya and Kashi to satisfy our ancestors. In those days, people used to spend their last days in Kashi just to let their death happen in that sacred place. Such people did not themselves do their own last rites there.
The Dharma Shastra says that the purpose of one having a putra is that he would offer the piNDam for the parents. If everyone starts doing self performance of the last rites, then the advice of Dharma Shastra would become meaningless, because no one would bother about having a son!
(Answer by Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Feb 09,2009, p32)
Garuda Puranam and the sonless parents
Que: It is customary to read Garuda Puranam during the last a person's last rites are performed, in order that the deceased's AtmA would get shAnti. But then the Garuda Puranam says that those who had no sons and died would reach a kind of hell meant for such people. My parents have only us--five daughters, no son. They are pious and adhere to their dharma. What would be their fate when they are dead?
Ans: Perhaps the statement in the Garuda Puranam that the putra is one who rescues a person from the hell of put is the cause of your concern. The purpose of Garuda Puranam is to stress that we should not forget our dues to our deceased parents, because we are only made of their jIva aNus. Death and the misery that follows it are inevitable, so without getting oneself lost in the misery, one should ensure proper performance of the last rites of the deceased, this is the message of Garuda Puranam. If one gets the feeling that the deceased has been rescued to the shore by proper performance of last rites, that would give distinction to such duties.
The explanations in the Puranas should be seen in context and the right meaning obtained. The purpose of Shastras is to emphasize that a putra is desirable for vaMsha vRuddhi.
For those who have no sons, the Shastras would direct the last rites to be performed through the daughter's son. If there is no daughter's son, the Shastra says that the daughter can perform the last rites. Thus the Shastra gives alternate choices with the emphasis that if no eligible relative is there, a person who is not a relative can also do the last rites. The Shastras direct that even the orphans should be given the last rites.
(Answer by Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Feb 09,2009, p32)
रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥
To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.
--viShNu purANam
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