Rites of Shradh - Pitru Paksha — The Indian Panorama

Pitru Paksha has a special significance in Hinduism. On the days of Shradh, in Hinduism, our ancestors are remembered and their gratitude is expressed. In Hindu religion, if the Pitrus is satisfied, then he blesses his family, due to which happiness, opulence and peace remain in the family. In Hindu religion, one must do Shradh rites and Pind Daan of one’s ancestors. There is a tradition of performing Shradh and tarpan of loved ones on Pitru Paksha. There is also a tradition of performing Shradh on Pitru Paksha. Shradh means reverence. When the Pitru Paksha begins, reverence for the ancestors is expressed. Blessings of ancestors are obtained in Pitru Paksha.

Recognition

According to Hinduism, the souls of three preceding generations of one’s ancestors reside in Pitruloka, the region between heaven and earth. The region is governed by Yama, the god of death, who carries the soul of a dying person from the earth to Pitruloka. When the person of the next generation dies, the first generation goes to heaven and is reunited with the Lord, so the offering of Shradh is not given. Thus, only three generations in Pitruloka are given the shraadh rites, in which Yama plays an important role. According to the sacred Hindu epics, at the beginning of Pitru Paksha, the Sun enters Virgo. With this moment, it is believed that the souls leave Pitruloka and stay in the homes of their descendants for a month until the Sun enters the next zodiac sign – Scorpio – and there is a full moon. Hindus are expected to appease the ancestors in the first half of the dark fortnight.

Story Related to Shradh

When the great donor Karna died in the epic Mahabharata war, his soul went to heaven, where he was offered gold and gems as food. However, Karna needed real food to eat and asked Indra, the lord of heaven, the reason for serving gold as food. Indra told Karna that he had donated gold throughout his life, but had never donated food to his ancestors in Shradh. Karna said that since he was unaware of his ancestors, he never donated anything in his memory. To make amends, Karna was allowed to return to Earth for a period of 15 days, so that he could perform Shradh and donate food and water in his memory. This period is now known as Pitru Paksha.

Rites of Shradh

The man who performs the Shradh should have done the purification beforehand and is expected to wear a dhoti. He wears a ring of Darbha grass. The ancestors are then invited to reside in the ring. Shradh is usually performed with bare chest, as the position of the sacred thread worn by them has to be changed several times during the ceremony. The Shradh includes Pind Daan, an offering to the ancestors of the Pindas (balls of cooked rice and barley flour mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds). In which water is thrown around the food by hand. This is followed by the worship of Vishnu (in the form of Darbha grass, a gold idol, or Shaligram stone) and Yama. The food is divided into several parts, a portion of which is given to the crow. The crow is believed to be the messenger of Yama or the soul of the ancestors. A cow and a dog are also fed, and Brahmin priests are also fed. After all this the family members can have food.

History

As per ancient folklore, when Karna, Kunti’s first son from Mahabharata died, he went to heaven and was offered gold and precious jewels, to which Karna asked Indra that he wish to have food and water, and not these precious jewels. Hearing that Indra replied to Karna that he only donated gold and jewels to people all his life and never offered food and water in the name of his ancestors. To this, Karna told Indra that he didn’t know about his ancestors because he was blessed by Surya deva, the lord of light and day, to his mother, and he has no clue of his ancestors. After this Karna was sent to earth for a period of 15 days so that he could perform shradh for his ancestors and donate food and water. Since then, this period of 15 days is regarded as pitru paksha.As documented in the Garuda Purana Shradh holds major significance in the first year of death. As per the ancient scriptures, it is believed that the soul starts traveling to Yamapuri on the 14th day after death and reaches there in 17 days. They again travel for 11 months to reach the court of Yamaraj. It is said that till the time the soul reaches the court, it has no access to food, water, and clothes. The daan, tarpan, and offerings that we perform during Pitru paksha reach these souls and satisfy their hunger and thirst.

How Shradh Is Performed?

The shradh puja is performed by a male member, mostly the eldest male member of the family, or the eldest son. The shradh requires the participation of a Karta (the doer) and a pandit (the priest). The puja begins when a pandit comes home to perform a havan, after the havan, rice is offered to the departed souls, which is followed by offering food to the pandit. The puja concludes with Dakshina and Daan to the pandit and the needy people. A part of the food that is prepared is also offered to crows, dogs, and cows. In case the date or the tithi of the deceased is not known to anyone then the Shradh ceremonies are performed on Amavasya, the last day of shradh.

What Is Pind Daan

Pind Daan is a duty that every child needs to perform for his deceased parents. Pind Daan is performed by a priest and a food ball made of rice and wheat flour is offered to the departed souls. Offering this special food is considered as Pind Daan. It is believed that after performing the Pind Daan our ancestors achieve moksha.

Dates of Shradh 2022 in Pitru Paksha

– Saturday, 10 September 2022 – Purnima Shraddha, Bhadrapada, Shukla Purnima

– Saturday, 10 September 2022 – Pratipada Shraddha, Ashwina, Krishna Pratipada

– Sunday, 11 September 2022 – Ashwina, Krishna Dwitiya

– Monday, 12 September 2022 – Ashwina, Krishna Tritiya

– Tuesday, 13 September 2022 – Ashwina, Krishna Chaturthi

– Wednesday, 14 September 2022 – Ashwina, Krishna Panchami

– Thursday 15 September 2022 – Ashwina, Krishna Shashthi

– Friday , 16 September 2022 – Ashwina, Krishna Saptami

– Sunday , 18 September 2022 – Ashwina, Krishna Ashtami

– Monday, 19 September 2022 – Ashwina, Krishna Navami

– Tuesday, 20 September 2022 – Ashwina, Krishna Dashami