Gautran Daan

Gotra Daan, also called Gautran Daan, is a ritual that is performed for a departed soul in which the Gotra(biological lineage) of the deceased is offered or donated to ensure that the deceased's spirit is released from earthly bonds and progresses towards freedom (moksha).  
 

Aspects of Gotran Daan

Symbolism:

Gotra is a representation of one's ancestry in Hinduism, especially through the male line. It is thought that by offering Gotra Daan, the soul is freed from ties or commitments to the family, allowing it to transcend the cycle of birth and death.  
 

Performed During Shraddha:

This ritual can be performed during Pitru Paksha, a time to honor departed ancestors, or it can be an aspect of Shradh or death rites (like Antyesti).  
 

Freedom from Ancestral Bonds:

The ceremony marks the completion of the soul's obligations to its kin and descendants, allowing it to move forward on its spiritual path.  
 

Invocation of Ancestors:

Prayers are performed for the tranquility of the family's ancestors (Pitru) during Gotra Daan. Offerings of food (Pinda Daan), water (Tarpan), and other symbolic objects are part of this.  
 

Ritual Components:

They offer things like water (Tarpan) and pinda (rice balls) to their ancestors. In addition to prayers for the deceased soul's peace and release,mantras are recited. 
 

Purpose

: 
Cutting the spiritual bonds that bind the deceased to their earthly ancestry is the aim of Gotra Daan. For the soul to achieve tranquilly in the afterlife or progress on its spiritual path, it helps guarantee that it is released from the karmic bonds of family responsibility.  

This ritual is an essential aspect of Hindu rituals for funerals, highlighting the significance of detachment from material obligations for the soul's progression.  
 

Mantra:

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Pitaram Gotram Parityajami  
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya  
Salutations to Lord Vasudeva (a form of Lord Vishnu), who is often invoked as the protector and liberator of souls.  
 

Pitaram Gotram Parityajami

I relinquish the Gotra of the ancestors (Pitru), symbolically freeing the soul from familial bonds.  

This mantra is chanted during the offering process, while invoking the ancestral spirits and requesting their blessings for the deceased to attain peace and liberation (moksha).  

Gotra Daan includes: Purification, Sankalpa, Invocation, Vishnu Abhishek and Pujan, Pitru Tarpan, Gotra daan, Pind daan, Mantra Japa 1100 times, Brahmin Bhoj, Aarti.

No prasad is sent with the puja.