How To Perform Tarpan

Dr Roshan Singh – Jyotishacharya Shastri Pundit (Rohininandan das)

As per the Hindu calendar, Pitru Paksha a fortnight-long period dedicated to departed souls. During this phase, we are meant to please our deceased ancestors, seek their forgiveness, and rid ourselves of Pitru Dosha (curse of our ancestors). This is achieved through various rituals like Shraadh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan. These are performed on the tithi on which they met with eternity. Pitar Paksha commences on September 17 and ends on 2 October. The first water offering is done on Wednesday 18th September starting at 04h38 and the last water oblation should be done in the morning of the 2nd October.

The word tarpan comes from the root word “trup” which means satisfying others. People, sages, the souls of ancestors, and the Gods will be satisfied by offering them water. This ritual is called tarpan. When those whose names were invoked during the performance of the tarpan have been satisfied, Hindus believe that they will bless with happiness and contentment those who offered water. The host of the tarpan will be satisfied in return. When the souls of ancestors are satisfied, they leave in peace. In their departure, they bless the host with success, wealth, brilliant intellect, glowing personality, and longevity, among others.

Pitru Tarpan is the ritualistic homage performed for the souls of departed ancestors. Water is offered to their souls or pitar. The souls of the ancestors expect from their descendants this offering of water or udak. The tarpan has to strictly follow some prescribed methods of performance. According to Hindu sacred tradition, the tarpan should be performed by a river but this is not possible in the society in which most people living away from India therefore this is done at ones home.

Items needed:

• Water
• Milk
• Raw rice
• Black or white sesame seeds
• Jav seeds
• 18 coins, (coins can be reused for each day)
• Chandan
• Flowers or petals
• Kusha grass

Prepare the offering:

• Cut the Kusha grass into 6 equal pieces, around 4 inches long. (This represents 6 generations on both sides of your family)
• Line the 6 pieces of Kusha grass vertically on a tray or large leaf, leaving a little space between each.
• Make a paste with chandan by adding water to it; spread the paste onto the kusha grass.
• Place 3 coins on each piece of grass at the top, middle and bottom.
• Sprinkle some water over these items.
• Sprinkle flowers over these items
• Sprinkle some sesame seeds and white rice on the tray or big leaf.

The Offering:

In a dish of water add some milk, flower petals, sesame seeds and jav. Make a ring of the Kusha Grass and put it on the ring finger of your right hand. Take three strands of Kusha grass and place them across both your cupped palms. 

• Say the following :

“I invite 6 generations of my ancestors on my mother’s side and 6 generation of ancestors on my father’s side to accept this offering”.

Dip both your cupped hands into the dish of water and pour water with left hand over the mixture in your right hand, and let everything fall onto the kusha grass, coins and flowers.

Make three offerings towards the left, three offerings towards the right and three forward offerings. This is done while you face the south.

You may drop the remaining water from the dish on kusha grass the you have placed in front of you.

Say a sincere prayer: “Use this energy and be healed, be at peace, cross into the light and please bless me and your progeny.”

Wash your hands. You may accumulate the offering remnants and discard it later after the 15 days have ended or dispose of it in your garden.

I wish to offer my most humble blessings to you and your family.

May your ancestors return back home, back to Godhead.

Your ever well wisher

Dr Roshan Singh – Jyotishacharya Shastri Pundit