The journey of life does not end with death. According to our ancient scriptures and beliefs, the soul is eternal. After death, it leaves the physical body and moves on to other realms, based on the karma (actions) it has performed. The soul can be liberated (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death, or it may take rebirth. In the midst of this eternal cycle, Hindus have a unique tradition dedicated to remembering and honoring their ancestors, called Shradhha Paksha or Pitru Paksha. This is a 16-day period observed to pay respect and offer prayers to those who have left their earthly bodies and entered the afterlife.
Understanding Shradhha Paksha: What It Means The word ‘Shradhha’ is derived from the Sanskrit root word ‘Shraddha,’ which means faith, respect, and devotion. Shradhha Paksha is an important period in the Hindu calendar, usually falling in the lunar month of Bhadrapada (mid-September to mid-October), after the full moon and before Navratri. This fortnight is specifically set aside for the performance of rituals aimed at expressing gratitude to our ancestors, called the ‘Pitru’ (forefathers or departed souls). The goal of these rituals is to ensure peace, nourishment, and liberation for the souls of the departed, and to seek their blessings for prosperity, well-being, and success in the family.
Why is Shradhha Important?
In Hindu philosophy, ancestors hold a special place. They are considered as living in the realm of the ‘Pitru Lok,’ a celestial plane governed by Lord Yama, the god of death. It is believed that the departed souls depend on their living descendants for sustenance through these rituals, as they cannot perform these rites themselves. Offering Shradhha during this Paksha is a way to express gratitude and respect for the sacrifices and contributions of our ancestors. It is also believed that neglecting this duty may result in ‘Pitru Dosha,’ a spiritual imbalance that can bring challenges or misfortunes to the family.
Here’s why Shradhha Paksha is so significant:
- Expressing Gratitude: Our ancestors are the reason for our existence. By performing Shradhha, we acknowledge their role in our lives and express our gratitude. The ritual strengthens the bond between the living and the departed.
- Seeking Blessings: Ancestors are considered to be spiritually evolved. By offering prayers and food, we invoke their blessings, which are essential for the welfare of the family. It is believed that when the departed souls are content, they protect and guide their descendants.
- Maintaining Cosmic Balance: According to Hindu scriptures, the universe is a complex web of connections, and every soul is interconnected. By honoring our ancestors, we are maintaining a balance between the spiritual and material realms, ensuring that the cycle of life continues harmoniously.
- Relief from Pitru Dosha: If ancestors are not remembered and honored through Shradhha, it is believed that they may feel neglected, resulting in Pitru Dosha. This can manifest as family disputes, financial struggles, or health issues. Performing Shradhha helps to alleviate this Dosha, bringing peace and prosperity.
Rituals Performed During Shradhha: A Step-by-Step Guide The rituals of Shradhha are steeped in symbolism and hold great spiritual significance. These rituals help in connecting the living with the departed souls. They are usually performed by the eldest male member of the family, but if the family lacks a male descendant, other family members can also take up this duty. The main offerings in Shradhha include food, water, and prayers, which symbolize nourishment, peace, and liberation for the souls.
Let’s take a closer look at the rituals involved in performing Shradhha.
- Choosing the Right Date
Each family should perform Shradhha on the Tithi (date) corresponding to the lunar phase on which their ancestor passed away. This is called the ‘Tithi Shradhha’ or ‘Mahalaya Shradhha.’ If the exact date is not known, Shradhha can be performed on the last day of Pitru Paksha, known as ‘Sarvapitru Amavasya.’ It is believed that this day is auspicious for all departed souls.
- Purification of Body and Mind
Before starting the rituals, the person performing Shradhha should take a bath to purify themselves, both physically and mentally. Purification is an essential aspect of all Hindu rituals, as it ensures that the offerings are made with a clear heart and mind, free from negative influences.
- Setting Up the Sacred Space
The Shradhha rituals are performed in a clean and sacred area, usually in the family’s home or near a temple or river. A small altar is set up, where the portrait or memory of the departed ancestors is placed. The presence of Lord Vishnu in the form of ‘Kusha grass’ and ‘Pindas’ (small balls of cooked rice and barley flour) is also symbolically invoked.
- Invocation of Ancestors (Pitru Tarpan)
The most important part of the Shradhha ceremony is the invocation of the ancestors. The performer offers water mixed with black sesame seeds and barley, called ‘Tarpan,’ while reciting the names of their ancestors. Tarpan is a form of libation meant to quench the thirst of the departed souls. As the water is offered, it is believed that the ancestors receive nourishment and peace.
- Offering of Food (Pind Daan)
The ritual of ‘Pind Daan’ is considered highly sacred. Pindas are small rice or barley flour balls, mixed with black sesame seeds and sometimes ghee (clarified butter). These are offered to the ancestors, symbolizing the physical and spiritual nourishment of the departed souls. It is believed that the ancestors consume these offerings and, in return, bless their living descendants with health, happiness, and prosperity.
Once the Pindas are offered, they are usually placed near a sacred tree or riverbank, where birds or animals consume them. This symbolizes the final release of the soul from worldly attachments.
- Feeding the Brahmins and the Poor
After offering the Pindas, it is customary to invite Brahmins (priests) to partake in a meal. Feeding the Brahmins is considered equivalent to feeding the ancestors themselves. Along with Brahmins, feeding the poor and needy is also an important part of the ritual. It reflects the Hindu belief in charity (Dana) and compassion for all living beings. The food offered typically consists of satvik (pure) meals, which include rice, dal (lentils), seasonal vegetables, fruits, and sweets, avoiding any non-vegetarian food or alcohol.
- Recitation of Sacred Texts
During the Shradhha rituals, sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita or Garuda Purana may be recited. These scriptures contain verses about life, death, and the journey of the soul after death. Their recitation brings peace to the departed souls and helps in their spiritual liberation (moksha).
- Prayers for Universal Well-being
While Shradhha is primarily aimed at honoring one’s own ancestors, Hindus believe in the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ meaning the world is one family. Therefore, during Shradhha, prayers are also offered for all departed souls, including those who have no one to perform rites for them. Special prayers are recited for those who died untimely deaths or under tragic circumstances, seeking peace for their souls.
- Offering Cows and Other Animals
In some Hindu traditions, after the Shradhha rites, offerings are also made to cows, dogs, crows, and other animals, as they are considered sacred and representative of ancestors. Feeding them is believed to bring good fortune and divine blessings.
- Karna Bhojan: A Feast for Family
At the end of the Shradhha, the family gathers for a meal, sharing the offerings made to the ancestors. This meal, known as ‘Karna Bhojan,’ signifies the completion of the rites and the sharing of blessings with the family. It is a time for reflection, unity, and remembrance of the deceased.
Significance of the Animals Involved in Shradhha Different animals are associated with different roles during Shradhha. Crows are considered messengers between the living and the dead. It is said that if a crow accepts the offering of food made during Shradhha, it is a sign that the ancestors have received the offerings. Similarly, cows are considered holy in Hinduism and symbolize purity and nourishment. Feeding cows during Shradhha is believed to bring peace to the departed souls and good fortune to the family.
Spiritual Benefits of Performing Shradhha The performance of Shradhha has several spiritual and worldly benefits:
- Fulfillment of Ancestors’ Desires: By performing Shradhha, we help in fulfilling any unfulfilled desires or duties of our ancestors, giving them peace and closure in the afterlife.
- Spiritual Growth: The act of remembering and honoring ancestors through these rituals brings humility, gratitude, and spiritual growth. It reminds us of the impermanence of life and the importance of living with righteousness.
- Removal of Pitru Dosha: As mentioned earlier, neglecting Shradhha may result in Pitru Dosha, which can cause various challenges in life. Performing Shradhha removes this Dosha, bringing peace, harmony, and success to the family.
