Tarpana

Tarpaṇa (Sanskrit: तर्पण, Kannada: ತರ್ಪಣ) is a term in the Vedic practice which refers to an offering made to divine entities. It refers to the act of the offering as well as the substance used in the offering itself. Tilatarpana (तिलतर्पण, ತಿಲತರ್ಪಣ) is a different but associated term that is sometimes confused with Tarpana. Tilatarpana is a specific form of Tarpana involving libations offered to the Pitrs (deceased ancestors) using water and sesame seeds during Pitru Paksha or as a death rite.

(i) Tarpana means Arghya, an offering. It is offered to all devas as well as the Navagrahas whenever mulamantra is recited as japa. (ii) Instances of welcome Tarpana are:

(iii) Cow's milk (raw, unheated, and unpasteurized), water, sugar, saffron, cardamom, borneo-camphor, etc. are mixed and used as the offering according to the requirements.

(iv) One Tarpana (or Arghya) is offered for the recitation of every ten moolamantras and one for part thereof.

(i) Tilatarpana is the Tarpana (or Arghya) offered to Pitrus (departed ancestors) by male descendants who do not have a living father.

(ii) This is offered at the first annual shraddha (death anniversary) and during subsequent annual shraddhas, amavasyas (new moon days), sankramanas (solar ingresses), eclipses, and during visits to selected holy places of pilgrimage...

(iii) Method of offering Tilatarpana:

The posture of hand while offering Tarpana varies for offerings made to devas (Gods, Goddesses and Navagrahas), rishis (sages) and pitrus (departed ancestors).

Gingelly is not to be confused with Sesame which is from large tree; Gingellyis a small seed storing energy and hence considered a favorite of all Devas, Shani (Saturn) and pitrus. Lord Ganesha is commonly offered pancha-kajjaya, a delicacy made using sesame. Lord Shiva is worshipped with sesame seeds (tilakshata). For Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Saraswati, Gingelly seeds are used in any of their favorite eatables and offered to bestow their special favors on the worshippers. Besides, it is used as a homa dravya (an ingredient in the fire offerings) in many havans and homas. Therefore, tila (Gingelly) and tilatarpana should not be decried as inauspicious.

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