Sutak, Patak traditions

👉There are two traditions prevalent in Hindu religion named Sutak and Patak. If someone in any family dies or goes to heaven, then Sutak is installed in that family or house. Sutak is considered in the homes of all the blood relatives of the deceased. Know brief information about what is Sutak and how long it lasts.

👉What is Sutak and Patak: –

👉Sutak is related to the impurities caused by birth and death. The umbilical cord that is cut at the time of birth and the violence that occurs during the process of birth are considered as atonement for the fault or sin that occurs in it. In this way, Sutak is considered to be a form of atonement for the impurity spread by death and the guilt or sin of violence caused by cremation.

👉 Just as Sutak is put in the house after the birth of a child, similarly according to Garuda Purana, the Sutak which is put on the death of a member of the family is called ‘Patak’. The definition of Sutak and Patak is also different from this. As after the death of a person, the clan and family members receive impurity and impurity for a specific period of time, it is called Sutak. Impurity means the opposite of inauspicious and pure is impurity.

👉When does Sutak occur: –

👉 Sutak and Patak are considered at the time of birth, eclipse period, period of woman’s menstruation and at the time of death. The day and time of Sutak is determined differently for everyone.

👉Time of Sutak-Patak: —

1. 👉The relatives of the deceased person have to strictly observe Sutak for 10 days and the person performing the last rites for 12 to 13 days (till Sapindikarana). Basically this Sutak period lasts for one and a quarter month. No one goes to anyone’s house for a month and a quarter. One and a quarter month i.e. 37 to 40 days. One period of the constellation is completed in 40 days. If any Sutak (child is born) or Patak (someone dies) occurs in the house, Sutak or Patak is observed for 40 days.

2. 👉It is also said that after seven generations, 3 days of Sutak is considered, but it is difficult to determine. The number of days for which the other relatives of the deceased (uncle, nephew, aunt, etc.) should observe Sutak depends on the relationship and its information is given in the almanac and religious scriptures. But one who is related to blood has to follow the rules mentioned above.

3. 👉After birth, the impurity caused to the newborn generations is counted for 10 days till 3rd generation, 10 days till 4th generation and 6 days till 5th generation. The generations of people who dine in one kitchen are not counted. There Sutak lasts for 10 days. The mother of a new born has a gestation period of 45 days. The place of delivery is considered impure for one month. That’s why many people take a bath when they come home from the hospital. If a daughter gives birth to a child in Pehar, it lasts for 3 days; if the child is born in her in-laws’ house, she has a sutak period of 10 days.

4. 👉On the occasion of death, there is violence in cremation etc. Patak is considered as a form of atonement for the faults or sins committed in it. The days of Patak are counted from the day the cremation is performed. Not from the day of death. If a member of a family is away, the day he gets the information, he is considered as Patak. If the information is received after 12 days, then purification is achieved by just taking a bath.

5. 👉If any woman in the family has had an abortion, then only the number of days of the month in which it has occurred will be considered as Patak. If any member of the family is a sage or saint, he does not feel the thread of birth and death. But if he dies, he will be deprived of one day.

6. 👉One day of going to someone’s funeral, 3 days of touching a dead body and 8 days of shouldering a dead body is considered impurity. If someone commits suicide at home, it is considered a 6-month long period. Food and water cannot be consumed there for six months. He does not go to the temple nor is the money from that house offered to the temple.

7. 👉Similarly, if a domestic pet cow, buffalo, mare, goat etc. has a child in the house, there is one day’s sutak, but if the child is born away from home, there is no sutak. The milk of a calving cow, buffalo and goat remains impure for 15 days, 10 days and 8 days respectively.

👉Rules of Sutak-Patak:-

1. 👉Do not touch other people in Sutak and Patak.
2. 👉Do not perform any religious or auspicious work and do not participate in social work either.
3.👉 Do not eat food in the queue of others.
4.👉 Do not go to anyone’s house nor take any kind of tour. Stay at home and follow the rules.

5. 👉 If someone is born then worship God keeping in mind the purity and if someone has died then spend time listening to Garuda Purana.

6.👉 After the end of Sutak or Patak period, get purified by taking bath and consuming Panchgavya (a mixture of cow milk, curd, ghee, cow urine and cow dung).

7👉. During the period of Sutak Patak, religious activities like Dev Shastra Guru, worshiping Prakshal, food etc. are prohibited.

8. 👉The person or family in whose house Sutak-Patak lives, no one touches that person and all the members of the family. He doesn’t even consume the food and water there. That family also cannot go to anyone’s house including the temple and should not accept food, water or prasad from anyone.