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Sri Periyava’s Sarvagnathuvam to the fore including a reminder for all of us to abolish silk clothes. (except for the one’s that died naturally which is tough to figure out).
Many Jaya Jaya Sankara to Shri Narayanan for the share. Ram Ram
Experiences with Maha Periyava: The Important Seven
In a gathering of Vaidiks who were experts in officiating and performing rituals, a scholar explained that significance of Sraddha or the annual ceremony performed for one’s forefathers and parents, after their passing away.
Periyava asked, “What is meant by ‘Sapta Pavitrah’ in this ceremony?
A Vaidik explained the meaning of seven sacred items. “They refer to cow’s milk, Sivanirmalyam or water of the Ganga, honey, white silk, daughter’s son, (the right) time (for the performance of the ceremony) and sesame seeds.”
Sri Maha Periyava then gave His explanation:
“The term ‘Savaparpatam’ (in that context) must not be taken to mean the cloth woven from the silk-thread that is obtained by destroying silkworms. The word ‘Savam’ refers to the silk-worm that has died naturally. So the word refers to the silk-dhoti woven from the thread made from silk-worms that have died naturally. That is why even now there is the custom in Kerala, of gifting white silk-dhotis to the Vaidiks who have been invited to officiate in this ceremony. Next, the term ‘Douhityam’. Taking the word to have stemmed from ‘Douhitrah’, that is the son of one’s daughter, it is now commonly held, that it is commendable if this grandson eats at the Sraddha of his maternal grandfather. ‘Douhityam’ means a container made from the horn of the rhinoceros. All animals with horns have a pair of them. But the rhinoceros alone has a single horn. So it is known as ‘Ekasrngi’ or ‘one-horned’. The commentary says ‘Douhityam Ekasrngi Patra Visheshah’,” that is to say ‘the one-horned container is the most appropriate’.
Maha Swamigal could always explain such subtleties in a simple manner and with such ease.
Author: Brahmasri Ramakrishna Dikshitar, Vidwan, SriMatham, Kanchipuram
Source: Maha Periyaval Darisana Anubhavangal
Compiled by Jagadguru Sri Maha Periyava – Kanchi Paramacharya
Hara Hara Shankara
Jaya Jaya Shankara
