All people of the four castes are to observe Sutak. Sutak for births is different to Sutak of deaths. The length of the Sutak varies depending on how close you are to the person and who has been born or died.
Angira Smruti explains, ‘One becomes cleansed or purified after performing ten days of Sutak following a birth or death in the family’ (Thus Sutak is to purify oneself as one becomes impure or inauspicious following a birth or death). Agni explains ‘Sodako’s (a relationship of 7-14 generation in distance) are purified by performing three days of Sutak’.
During the birth of a boy, Sapindo’s (a relationship of less than seven generations in distance) are purified by a ten day Sutak. Sodako’s are purified by three days Sutak. During the birth of a girl, performing a three-day Sutak purifies Sapindo’s and Sodako’s.
Angira Muni explains the untouchabilitly of those observing Sutak of birth. ‘During a birth Sutak, one may touch other members of the family except the Sutaki (mother who gave birth). If the Sutaki is touched, then one can purify themselves by bathing.’
Pracheta in Haralta explains, ‘The mother should practice untouchabilitly for ten nights in order to purify herself. She should refrain from religious and ancestoral rites for a longer period.’ Paithensi Rishi explains further: ‘The mother that gives birth to a son should perform religious rites only after 20 days following the Sutak (thus, 30 days in total). In the case of a birth to a son, she should perform religious rites only after 30 days (thus, 40 days in total).
Also, in the case of the birth of a son, the first, sixth and tenth days of Sutak are free from Sutak.
Now Shatanand explains the Sutak following the death of a family member. Brihaspati explains:
Dashahena Sapindastu Sudhyanti Pretasutake |
Sodakastu Triratrena Snaanatva Shudhyanti Gotrinaha ||
‘Family members of seven generations (Sapindo) are purified by observing a Sutak of ten days, fourteen generations (Sodako) by observing three days and twenty-one generations (Sagotro) by merely bathing.’
Yagnavalkya and Parashar say, ‘If a child dies before they grow teeth then they can cleanse themselves by bathing. If the child dies before the ceremonial removing of the hair then one day of Sutak is observed and if it dies before Yagnopavit (wearing of sacred thread), then three-day Sutak needs to be observed. Else the full ten days must be observed’.
Kshatriyas, twelve days; Vaishyas, fifteen days; Shudras thirty days and Sat-Shudras, fifteen days of Sutak should be observed.’ Nirnyasindhu Trisachloki explains further, ‘Three days and three nights of Sutak should be performed at the death of an Acharya, mother/father, daughter/son, pious Brahmin, Brahmin who perform Yagnas, the patron of a sacrifice and a sister’s son.’
‘A Pakshini (one and a half days or two days & one night) of Sutak should be performed, on the death of a Pious Brahmin, daughter’s son, a colleague, three types of relatives - mother’s and father’s Foi’s (fathers sister) son, Mashi’s (mothers sister) son and Mama’s (mothers brother) son, student or Shishya, Sasu (mother-in-law), a close friend, Sasra (father-in-law), sister and sister’s son’
If death occurs during the day, Pakshini Sutak is to be observed, i.e. until the stars can be seen the following day. If death occurs at night then Sutak should be observed until sunset the following day.
‘On the death of one’s mother’s mother, Foi, Mashi, Mama, Mami (mother’s-brother’s-wife), one who teaches the Vedas, a country’s king or a town mayor, the Pakshini Sutak should be observed.’
‘On the death of a disiciple (Sishya), Upadhyaya or teacher, a friend, son of one’s Guru, wife of one’s Guru, wife of one’s Acharya, relative of fourteen generations, one who lectures upon the six philosophies of the Vedas, one who teaches the Vedas and one’s Mama, one night of Sutak should be observed.’
‘Death of a person of the same Guru or a person one has contact with need only bathe with their clothes to free themselves of Sutak.’
‘If a daughter’s son or sister’s son dies before Yagnopavit (wearing of sacred thread) then three day Sutak is observed, else Pakshini Sutak is observed. If the child is with family such as a Mama then Pakshini is observed. If child is far away then one day is observed.’
‘If a pious Brahmin dies at one’s own house then three night of Sutak are observed. If he dies in the town then one night is observed.’ In this way Sutak is to be observed according to country, time and ability.’ Shatanand explains that the duration of Sutak is also dependent on the age of the person who dies.
Untouchability is now outlined. One should not touch those who are observing the Sutak of Death. Also if the birth of a child is found out after ten days then Sutak need not be observed. In Parashar Madhav, Deval explains, ‘In birth Sutak, once the days of Sutak have passed, one need not observe Sutak.’ This is not the case with Sutak of death though. Vrudh Vaishista explains, ‘If one finds out about the death after six months, then Pakshini should be observed. If after nine months then one day and if more, then one needs only to bathe to purify themselves.’
The above applies if death occurs in the same country. For death overseas, one need only bathe. Brihaspati clarifies ‘overseas’: ‘Deshantara (overseas) applies if there is a large river in the middle, if there is a range of mountains in between or if the language changes between the areas.’
However, this does not apply to the death of one’s mother or father: Smrutyarthasar explains, ‘Even if the death of one’s mother or father occurs in some distant country and one hears about if after a year, their sons should still observe the Sutak for the full ten days. Similarly husbands and wives should also perform the full ten-day Sutak in the event of death of their partner.’ Hemadri and Linga Purana explain, ‘Vairagis and Yogis need not observe Sutak. In the event of death of their mother, father or Guru, they should bathe only.’ Sadhus should also in this way observe Sutak.
Now is explained the situation where another Sutak strikes when one Sutak is being performed. Yama in Parashar Madhava explains, ‘If a birth Sutak strikes when another birth Sutak is being observed then the first Sutak purifies the second Sutak (therefore need not be observed). Similarly a death Sutak during a death Sutak can be resolved. However a death Sutak during a birth Sutak cannot be resolved in this way and so the full death Sutak needs to be observed. Similarly if a three-day Sutak comes during a ten-day Sutak then the three-day Sutak is resolved but if a ten day Sutak comes during a three day Sutak then the ten-day Sutak has to be observed fully.’
Kurma Purana explains exemptions to Sutak, ‘Naistikas (the devoted), Vaanprastas (retired), Yatis (ascetics), Brahmancharis (celibates) and Satpurushas (men of truthful qualities) have no Sutak outlined for them. Similarly the degenerated (Patita) have no Sutak. There is also no Sutak for those that die in a battle.’ ‘In times of Dukala (famine), one need only bathe to resolve Sutak.’ Daksha in Sudhiratnakar explains, ‘These Sutaks are for times of Svastha Kaala (able, fortunate). During Apatkaala (calamity) Sutak is void.’
Trinsachloki explains, ‘If Sutak strikes for those with Satra (a period of 2-14 weeks when a Yagna is performed), those observing a Vrata, a king, a minister, a sacrificial priest (Brahmin), one with excelled learning, a doctor, a professional, an architect, an ill person, a poet, a washer and one who makes mats, then one needs to only bathe.’
‘If Sutak occurs whilst one performs Daan (donation), Upanayan (wearing of sacred thread), Yagna (sacrific), Pratishta Vidhi (installation ceremony), Chaul (removing of hair), Tirtha Yatra (pilgrimage), goes overseas to earn money, Japa (chanting), Lagna (wedding) or Utsav (celebrations), then one needs to only bathe to purify themselves.’
In this way Sutak has been described. It is important that we use this information and make sure we observe the Sutak appropriately. I’m sure we’ve all questioned whether we need to observe Sutak or bathe in the event of a death of a relative in the past. Here Shatanand has given us specific information and so it is our duty to understand this and observe the Sutak. All too often we disregard the mother’s side of the family and do not observe Sutak when clearly we should. There is a lot of information in this Sloka and a lot of it may be confusing, as it is not clear what we should observe. In such situation you should consult with a Sadhu or someone who is well versed in these issues. If in doubt the 10-day Sutak should be observed as initially stated by Lord Swaminarayan. Shatanand explains that he will explain prohibitions of Sandhya Vandana etc. during Sutak later.