Respected elders,
Every year, during the upAkarma observance, we offer gratitude and homage to
the kANDa R^iShi-s associated with our particular veda shAkhA. In
particular, for the kR^iShNa yajur veda taittirIya shAkhA, we chant the
following mantra-s during the kANDa r^iShi tarpaNam:
(i) prajApatim kANDarshim tarpayAmi
(ii) sOmam kANDarshim tarpayAmi
(iii) agnim kANDarshim tarpayAmi
(iv) viSvAn devAn kANDarshIn tarpayAmi
(v) sAmhitIr devatA upanishadas tarpayAmi
(vi) yajnikIr devatA upanishadas tarpayAmi
(vii) vAruNIr devatA upanishadas tarpayAmi
(viii) brahmANaGM svayambhuvam tarpayAmi
(ix) sadasaspatim tarpayAmi
It is my understanding that the first four lines above refer to the 4 kANDa
r^iShi-s - prajApati, soma, agni and vishvedevAH. However, I am unsure about
the following questions and would be grateful to learn from knowledgable
elders in this forum:
1. BhagavAn veda vyAsa is the compiler and editor of the 4 veda-s. However,
the fact that we remember the 4 kANDa r^iShi-s every year during upAkarmA
and utsarjana indicates that they must have played a momentous role in the
transmission of the veda-s. In addition, between upanayana and vivAha
samskAra, every brahmacAri is enjoined to perform the catvAri veda vratAni
to propitiate each kANDA r^iShi before commencing the study of the
associated saMhitA portion. What is the specific contribution of the kANDa
r^iShi-s that earns them this high place of honor in the vaidika saMpradAya?
2. Since the taittirIya saMhitA consists of 7 kANDa-s, what is the division
(mapping) of these 7 kANDa-s amongst the 4 kANDa r^iShi-s?
3. During the upAkarma observance, we perform *nava* kANDa r^iShi tarpaNa.
Who are the remaining 5 r^iShi-s whom we worship thus? What is the
significance of propitiating them?
4. Moreover, in the prayoga associated with these tarpaNa mantra-s, we seem
to differentiate in the manner of pouring water - the first 7 being r^iShi
tIrtha, the 8th being brahma tIrtha and the 9th being deva tIrtha. Why this
distinction and what is its origin?
5. We perfrom tarpaNam by wearing the sacred thread as a garland (nivItam).
What is the significance behind this?
I would be very grateful for your kind elucidation of this matter. If I have
erred in my understanding as stated above, I would appreciate being
corrected by the esteemed members of this forum.
With respectful namaskAram-s,
Ramesh
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