Tag Sraddha details

Taittirīya tradition repeatedly emphasizes:
पितृभ्यः स्वधा
This formula forms the basis of all Śrāddha and Homa offerings.
II. WHO ARE THE PITṚS?
Vedic literature classifies Pitṛs into several groups.
Agniṣvāttas
Associated with knowledge and spiritual attainment.
Barhiṣads
Associated with ritual sacrifice.
Somapas
Drinkers of Soma.
Ājyapas
Receivers of clarified butter.
The immediate ancestors invoked during Śrāddha are:
Father
Grandfather
Great-grandfather
and
Mother
Grandmother
Great-grandmother
These are called:
Vasu – Rudra – Āditya forms
respectively.
III. PHILOSOPHY OF ŚRĀDDHA
The word Śrāddha derives from:
श्रद्धया दीयते इति श्राद्धम्
"That which is offered with faith."
Thus faith, not merely food, constitutes the essence of Śrāddha.
According to Smṛti:
श्रद्धामूलं श्राद्धम्
"Faith is the root of Śrāddha."
IV. PRELIMINARY REQUIREMENTS
Time
Most auspicious:
Annual Tithi
Amāvasyā
Mahālaya Pakṣa
Solar transitions
Direction
South-facing.
South belongs to:
यम
Lord Yama and the Pitṛs.
Materials
Darbha grass
Black sesame (tila)
Water
Ghee
Rice
Piṇḍa material