Pitr Paksha

The dark fortnight of Ashvina (September-October) is known as Pitr Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha. This is an occasion to perform rites for the departed ancestors to keep their souls indebted for years. Pitra Paksha is performed for the departed immediate relatives usually up to 3 preceding generations.

Pitra Paksha is performed from the 1st day / tithi of the Ashwin month and goes up to the following New Moon (Amavasya) day. Each of these 15 days is dedicated to the Sraddha of those ancestors who had met eternity on that particular day/tithi.

 For this purpose “Shraddha” is performed with a belief that the dead ones would alive amongst us. Yamaraja, the Lord of death allows the souls to come down to the earth and receive offers from their descendants. This practice is made to the dead “pitris”. The last day of this period, the new moon day, is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites.

History:

One of the very important personalities of Mahabharata, Karn (supposedly brother-like to Pandavas) who is fondly remembered as “Daanveer Karn” made lots of charity in form of jewels, money, land etc. When he died and ascended to heaven, he got all that he gave in form of charity in multiples.

But, he didn’t get food as he did not give food-charity. He starved for days and finally asked the “Yamraj” if he could get a chance to make for this deficiency. Yamraj allowed him and granted a period of 14 days to go back to the earth and make for it. These 14 days were used by Karan to give numerous food-charities.

Thus, in Hindus it is considered very auspicious to donate food in form of Shraad to poor, as whatever donated is supposed to reach directly to one’s ancestors. During these days and especially on the day of new moon it is believed that the soul of the dead ones (Atmas), are permitted by Yamaraj to reach earth and receive the benefits of these rites from their children.

According to Lord Krishna “The soul never dies”, it only transforms from one external form (body) to another, Thus it is believed that in whatever form our ancestors exist, the charity during this time surely reaches them.

The sons performing the rites of Pitra- Paksha are free of any Pitr-dosh and are eligible for Pitr-lok. It lasts for a fortnight and the day to perform the rituals depend on the Tithi, calculated according to the Hindu calendar...

Rituals:

According to Hindu mythology and beliefs, there are three main debts - Devarina (Debt to the gods), Rishirina (Debt to the Guru) and Petranina (Debt to the forefathers). Although most people prefer to perform Shraddhas at their homes but performing Shradhas at holy places like Gaya, Varanasi, Haridwar and some other holy places like Badrinath also has been accorded much greater significance. Many Hindus perform the Sraddha or Pitr Paksha at these places also.

Generally Shraddha is performed by the eldest son or some other elder male member of the family who in honor of the dead offers oblations. Part of the food offering is also given to the cows and the crows.

After the Shraddha is performed, the deceased attains a position among the Petris or Divine Fathers in their blissful abode called Pitri-loka. Shradhha is generally performed by a son and is considered to be more efficacious. Ritual of Shraddha should be performed for one's grandfather, father on the paternal side and the mother etc on the maternal side.

Hindus residing in India and abroad observe this dark fortnight by taking bath thrice, with partial fasting, etc. Brahmins are also fed and gifts are offered to the poor. Pindas or balls of rice and meal are offered to the dead relatives by the surviving relatives.

Many hindu families perform Shaddha or the Pitr Paksha by offering specially made sweets and food to the departed soul through “Tarpan”, offering food to Cow, Swan (dog), Crow and Keet (insects). After the Tarpan food is offered to Brahmins and finally the Brahmins are offered new clothes and Dakshina. The head of the family remains on fasting till this whole process is completed and only after this the entire family takes the same food as Prasada.

Shraadh:

During the period of Pitr-Paksha, children- specifically the sons of the family are supposed to perform the ritual of “Shradh” on the “tithi” of the death of their fathers and mothers.

The food and prayers offered during this time is believed to reach directly to the ancestors. It is during this fortnight in the entire year that the Atmas of our ancestors transcend to earth with the permission of “Yamaraj” to give blessings to their children and receive their offerings.

• In making the offering of Shradh”, the first offering should be made to the Deity of fire(agni), as by making this offering the Rakshasas are not able to do any disturbance to the process of “shrad.”
• The cake offered during Shraadh Puja, is supposed to be offered to the descended father first, then the grandfather and finally to the great grand-father. These offerings would reach to one’s ancestors only if done with true intensions and devotion. During the offering of the cake, Savitri mantra should be chanted and other mantras as guided by some religious practitioners.
• Tarpan, that is offering of water, an important ritual for the entire Pitr-Paksha, should be performed.
• Gifts and clothes are then distributed to the Brahmin, as a part of the Shraad ceremony.
• This performance of Shraad and Tarpan, relieve the ancestors from hunger and provide peace to their soul.

These collective rites of a son towards his father are known as “Sapindi Karana”.

Tarpan:

In the memory of their ancestors Hindus offer religious offerings of water called Tarpan during Pitr-Paksha. These offerings are made to the Gods, Rishis, Devas, and especially to one’s ancestors. “Tarpan” is offered during all 15 days in Pitr-Paksha. As this rite is very religious and has specific significance thus, there is a fixed manner to offer Tarpan, which as follows:

• In a dish of half filled water add some milk, sugar, honey, a few grains of barley, a few drops of ghee, and flowers petals
• Now face east and keep 3 pieces of Kush grass across both palms forming a cup and offer this water in the dish – NOT on the ground – in the name of as many deities as possible.
• Then face north and offer water in the name of the Rishis
• Then face south and now add till (Sesame seeds) into the water and offer this in the name of the Pitrs (forefathers).
• Only after all offerings have been completed then the dish of water is dropped on a plant.
• This can be repeated as many days as one desires in the 15 days.

Why Pitr Paksha:

Across the Hindu religion it is believed that after death, the soul incarnates into a new form and embodies as animal, bird, reptile, human or any other form depending on the Karmas (deeds) in one’s past life.

Thus, as one’s ancestors would have attained a new form after death, many people believe that why is Pitr-Puja necessary.

It is obligatory in Hindu tradition:

In Hindu tradition the 13th day after the cremation is termed as “Sapindi”, or “Tervi”. It is after these 13 days of ceremonies that Pitr-Puja becomes must for every son. There are three debts that every human being is supposed to pay, which are: 

Indebt ness towards the Supreme lord.

Indebt ness towards Rishis.

Indebt ness towards one’s forefathers/ ancestors. 

As according to Bhagwad Gita: 

"Just as one removes old clothes and puts on new ones, so does the Jivatma abandon an old body and obtain a new one" 

Thus, it is only the house and body that the soul changes, but whatever we as children are indebted to our ancestors should be repaid, because the soul never dies. The pitr-Puja performed by the sons and grandchildren in memory of their ancestors, is preceded with the thought that: "O Pitrs in whichever form you may be, wherever you may be, we wish to remember and pray for your peace and welfare".

The Puja reaches to one’s ancestors only if it is performed with due dedication and intensions. Various mantras are also chanted during the Puja.

Pitr Dosh:

According to ancient Vedic Scriptures everyone is indebted to one’s ancestors. Shraadh performed during the month of Pitr Paksha is a way to pay homage to one’s ancestors and receive their blessings. Although funeral rites are considered inauspicious, Shraadh is very auspicious and sacred especially in Hindu religion.

It is believed that during Pitr Paksha the departed ancestors leave their abode of Yama and come down to the earth to take rites from their descendants.

In Hindu tradition the 13th day after the cremation is termed as “Sapindi”, or “Tervi”. It is after these 13 days of ceremonies that Pitr-Puja becomes must for every sPitr-Pakshaon.

hen there is Pitr-dosh in somebody’s horoscope it is normally observed that, the family faces some financial, health related problems.

There seems to be a negative energy all around that stops the growth and development of the person or family.

Reasons behind Pitr dosh occurrence:

Pitr Dosh occurs when the souls of one’s ancestors are not in peace due to any of the following reasons:

Certain wishes, that are not fulfilled and are remained attached with the soul of the ancestors.

If someone fails to remember and honor the ancestors properly.

Bad deeds (bad karma) of children, knowingly or unknowingly, are embarrassing the soul of ancestors.

A sudden and unnatural death of any relative ancestors in early age.

Bad deeds (bad karma) of our ancestors in earlier life, knowingly or unknowingly, are embarrassing their souls.

Lack of fulfillments of parental desires of our ancestors, etc…..

Ways to identify Pitr Dosh:

The exact nature of Pitr Dosh can only be identified after some astrological calculations using one’s horoscope. Although for a common man, these calculations are hard to understand, and thus, there are some common problems associated with Pitr-Dosh.

• Repeated illness of children. Problem in conceiving a child.
• Regular Miscarriages.
• Quarrels in the family creating mental stress without a reason.

 Common remedies: 

• Make balls of rice and ghee and feed them to cows and fish every Sunday.
•  Charity and services to poor, beggars, old age people, one’s parents.
•  Worshipping Lord Vishnu is a well known remedy of Pitr Dosh Nivaran.
• If possible, performing Kanya daan (to perform the marriage of a girl) of a Brahmin Kanya.
• Perform Rudrabhishek (Rudra Abhishek) in the name of the KUL or ancestors.

Dedicated rituals for Pitr Dosh Nivaran:

There are some Pujas that are especially prescribed for Pitr Dosh Nivaran. These Pujas are performed at particular places in India only.

One such puja is “Narayan Nagbali Pooja”, which is performed at:

• Trambakeshwar in Nashik
• Chandod near Vadodara in Gujarat
• Kala Hasti in Tamil Nadu
• Haridwar

Significance:

The day of Pitr Paksha or Mahalaya Amavasya has great significance and importance for all Hindus residing in India and abroad. It is the annual festival for propitiating the spirits of our ancestors, with devout prayers for peace. Hence performing the rites of Shraddha on this day would gratify the souls of our ancestors for years.

According to Hindu religious belief, on the Mahalaya Amavasya, there is a conjunction of the sun and the moon and that the sun enters the sign Virgo (Kanya). On this day, the departed ancestors leave their abode of Yama and come down to the earth to take rites from their descendants.

The most vital difference between Funeral rites and Shraddha is that, while funeral rites are considered inauspicious, Shraddha is considered auspicious and gratifying.

Pitra Paksha Time:

Pitr-Paksha or Mahalay Paksha is the dark fortnight which falls during the Hindu calendar months of Ashvin and Bhadrapad (September to October). According to the Hindu mythology, during Pitr-Paksha deceased ancestors from Lord Yamaraja's region visit their homes on earth during this time.

This fortnight is a time for performing rites, Shraaddha, to deceased ancestors to keep their souls gratified for years. It is obligatory in Hindu tradition for a son to perform Shraadh for their ancestors as it is a form of paying regards to them.

Also it is believed that whatever offering is made during this time, directly reaches to one’s forefathers. It is only after the Shraddha, that a son attains a position among the Petris or Divine Fathers in their blissful abode called Pitri-loka

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