Considerations of Sootak (Impurity due to Birth) / Paatak (Impurity due to Death)
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One of the reasons for the troubles we face could be not following the rules related to Sootak.
Sootak is associated with the impurity caused by birth and death. At the time of birth, the act of cutting the umbilical cord and other forms of minor violence involved in the birthing process result in certain karmic impurities, and Sootak is observed as a form of atonement for those.
Impurity due to birth (Sootak):
Up to 3 generations: 10 days
Up to 4 generations: 10 days
Up to 5 generations: 6 days
Note: For people eating from the same kitchen, the generation is not counted—full 10 days of Sootak are observed.
The mother (post-delivery) observes 45 days of Sootak.
The place of delivery is considered impure for 1 month, which is why many people take a bath upon returning from the hospital.
For one’s daughter:
If childbirth happens at her parental home: 3 days of Sootak
If it happens at her in-laws' place: 10 days of Sootak for them, and none for us.
For servants/maids:
If childbirth happens in our house: 1 day of Sootak
If outside: no Sootak for us.
For domestic animals (like cows, buffaloes, goats, etc.):
If they give birth at home: 1 day of Sootak
If outside the home: no Sootak
Milk from cows, buffaloes, and goats that have given birth is considered impure:
Cow’s milk: 15 days
Buffalo’s milk: 10 days
Goat’s milk: 8 days
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Paatak (Impurity due to Death):
Paatak relates to the impurity caused by death. The violence involved in funeral rites like cremation leads to karmic stains, and Paatak is observed as atonement.
Impurity due to death:
Up to 3 generations: 12 days
Up to 4 generations: 10 days
Up to 5 generations: 6 days
Note: The count of Paatak days starts from the day of cremation, not from the day of death.
If a family member is abroad or away, their Paatak begins from the day they receive the news.
If the information comes after 12 days, a ritual bath is enough for purification.
In case of miscarriage:
The number of months the fetus had developed = number of days Paatak to be observed.
If someone in the family becomes a monk/sage/ascetic, they are not bound by Sootak or Paatak related to their family.
However, if they die, their family observes 1 day of Paatak.
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Special cases:
Attending someone else's funeral: 1 day of impurity
Touching a corpse: 3 days
Carrying the body (shoulder): 8 days
If someone in the house commits suicide, 6 months of Paatak is observed.
Examples include:
A woman sets herself on fire out of attachment or detachment from her husband
A student commits suicide after failing an exam
Anyone who dies blaming themselves
In such cases, the house is considered impure for 6 months, and:
No wise person should eat or drink water there
No one should visit a temple or offer temple donations from that house
Even water from that house should not be consumed for six months
Immoral men or women are believed to carry a continuous Paatak with them.
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Important Observations:
During the period of Sootak or Paatak:
Worship of deities, reading scriptures, offerings, and other religious activities are prohibited
Even touching temple items is forbidden
Donations to the temple or placing money in donation boxes is not allowed
However, glancing at deities, walking around the temple, chanting prayers or mantras already memorized, mental worship, or chanting on fingers is permitted according to scriptures.
In some places, people avoid going to the temple during Sootak/Paatak and bring back consecrated water to purify their home/shop afterward. This act is said to bind one with great sin if done improperly.
Believe it or not, this is considered the truth.
Ignoring it may result in suffering, pain, or hardship.
Understanding these practices is important so that, during future birth or death events in the family, we avoid unknowingly accumulating karmic stains.
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〰️〰️🔸〰️🔸〰️〰️
One of the reasons for the troubles we face could be not following the rules related to Sootak.
Sootak is associated with the impurity caused by birth and death. At the time of birth, the act of cutting the umbilical cord and other forms of minor violence involved in the birthing process result in certain karmic impurities, and Sootak is observed as a form of atonement for those.
Impurity due to birth (Sootak):
Up to 3 generations: 10 days
Up to 4 generations: 10 days
Up to 5 generations: 6 days
Note: For people eating from the same kitchen, the generation is not counted—full 10 days of Sootak are observed.
The mother (post-delivery) observes 45 days of Sootak.
The place of delivery is considered impure for 1 month, which is why many people take a bath upon returning from the hospital.
For one’s daughter:
If childbirth happens at her parental home: 3 days of Sootak
If it happens at her in-laws' place: 10 days of Sootak for them, and none for us.
For servants/maids:
If childbirth happens in our house: 1 day of Sootak
If outside: no Sootak for us.
For domestic animals (like cows, buffaloes, goats, etc.):
If they give birth at home: 1 day of Sootak
If outside the home: no Sootak
Milk from cows, buffaloes, and goats that have given birth is considered impure:
Cow’s milk: 15 days
Buffalo’s milk: 10 days
Goat’s milk: 8 days
---
Paatak (Impurity due to Death):
Paatak relates to the impurity caused by death. The violence involved in funeral rites like cremation leads to karmic stains, and Paatak is observed as atonement.
Impurity due to death:
Up to 3 generations: 12 days
Up to 4 generations: 10 days
Up to 5 generations: 6 days
Note: The count of Paatak days starts from the day of cremation, not from the day of death.
If a family member is abroad or away, their Paatak begins from the day they receive the news.
If the information comes after 12 days, a ritual bath is enough for purification.
In case of miscarriage:
The number of months the fetus had developed = number of days Paatak to be observed.
If someone in the family becomes a monk/sage/ascetic, they are not bound by Sootak or Paatak related to their family.
However, if they die, their family observes 1 day of Paatak.
---
Special cases:
Attending someone else's funeral: 1 day of impurity
Touching a corpse: 3 days
Carrying the body (shoulder): 8 days
If someone in the house commits suicide, 6 months of Paatak is observed.
Examples include:
A woman sets herself on fire out of attachment or detachment from her husband
A student commits suicide after failing an exam
Anyone who dies blaming themselves
In such cases, the house is considered impure for 6 months, and:
No wise person should eat or drink water there
No one should visit a temple or offer temple donations from that house
Even water from that house should not be consumed for six months
Immoral men or women are believed to carry a continuous Paatak with them.
---
Important Observations:
During the period of Sootak or Paatak:
Worship of deities, reading scriptures, offerings, and other religious activities are prohibited
Even touching temple items is forbidden
Donations to the temple or placing money in donation boxes is not allowed
However, glancing at deities, walking around the temple, chanting prayers or mantras already memorized, mental worship, or chanting on fingers is permitted according to scriptures.
In some places, people avoid going to the temple during Sootak/Paatak and bring back consecrated water to purify their home/shop afterward. This act is said to bind one with great sin if done improperly.
Believe it or not, this is considered the truth.
Ignoring it may result in suffering, pain, or hardship.
Understanding these practices is important so that, during future birth or death events in the family, we avoid unknowingly accumulating karmic stains.
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