Namaste all, from 8 september for 2 weeks I have decided to do the ''tharpanam'' ritual as follows from Dr. Pillais website:

http://www.pillaicenter.com/Tarpanam.aspx

You may scroll down to the list of materials and instructions. I have a few questions.

I have four questions.

1) What is your opinion on this ritual? Is it truely beneficial? If it is I would love to do this for my beloved ancestors.

2) Is there a way to thank all existence? (As in not just your blood lineage)
Also can I do that at the same time, or must I wait for a seperate new moon

3) I was reading somewhere about a vedic interpretation of this where there is a hellish planet called ''put'' : and the only purpose of this ritual is for the ''putra'' to help liberate the father. On the other hand common concensus leads me to believe that it is for ancestors stretching far before your parents. My parents are still alive. Is it okay to do this?

4) There is also an interpretation that says the Vedic purpose of marriage is only in order to Birth a ''putra'' who can help free his father from ''put'' and there is no other purpose. What is your view on this?

Thanks.