Our life is part of a chain of events that began many years ago. It began with our ancestors. Most of our ancestors have vanished in the mists of time, and we don’t even remember their names or histories. At the most, we may remember our grandparents or great-grandparents. But even those whom we do not know have played a part in our birth on earth. Without them, we would have no existence.
It is not just our birth on earth; the life we live today, with all its attendant comforts, is also due to those forgotten ancestors. They might have been humble farmers, for instance, eking out a living, braving harsh circumstances, but their efforts were the first step toward our current life. Every ancestor contributes to the edifice of their descendants’ lives. Their hard work and sacrifices to create a good life for those who came after them cannot be ignored. They need to be acknowledged and honored. This is why most cultures have rituals and festivals to remember, honor, and express gratitude to dead ancestors.
In India, too, with its rich and ancient culture, people honor their ancestors. Hindus, for instance, dedicate an entire fortnight to deceased ancestors. This period is called Pitru Paksha. People perform rituals like Shraddh and Tharpanam to appease ancestral souls on these days. They also make donations and perform acts of charity to pay homage to them.
There is an interesting story in the Scriptures about the importance of such rituals. Here is the story.
Karna and Shraddh
The tradition of performing Shraddh during Pitru Paksha originated with Karna, an important character in the Mahabharata epic. Karna was the illegitimate son of Kunti, mother of the Pandavas, and the Sun god. A charioteer raised him after Kunti abandoned him. Karna was very generous and, throughout his lifetime, donated gold and other valuables to the poor.
After his death in the Kurukshetra war, his soul reached heaven. There, he got only gold and jewels to eat and drink. When he asked Indra the reason for it, Indra pointed out that though he had donated gold and other things to the needy, he had never offered any food to his ancestors. Karna replied that he did not know who his ancestors were. He asked Indra to permit him to return to earth and offer food to his ancestors. Indra agreed, and Karna returned to earth for a fortnight to appease his ancestors by performing Shraddh.
Hindus believe that during the Pitru Paksha fortnight, their ancestors descend to earth to bless them. Hence, they perform rituals like Tharpanam, Shraddh, and Pind Daan to please them.
They also believe that performing these rituals helps their ancestors cross over from Pitru Loka, where their souls reside after death, to their ultimate destination.
What is Shraddh?
Shraddh is usually performed by the eldest son of a family or a male family member. After he takes a bath, he wears a ring made of Kush grass, which represents benevolence and is used to invoke one’s ancestors. Pind Daan is a ritual involving an offering of rice balls, sesame seeds, and barley flour. The next step is to invoke the blessings of Lord Vishnu using Darba grass, which is also a holy grass. Darba grass can remove obstacles in one’s life. Specially prepared food is offered to the ancestors. The food has to be eaten by crows which represent ancestral souls. Once the crow has eaten, food is offered to Brahmin priests, after which the family members eat.
Pitru Paksha: Dos and Don’ts
People read sacred texts like the Garuda Purana, Agni Purana, and the tales of Nachiketa and Ganga Avataram during this time.
One should avoid the following things during Pitru Paksha.
1. Pitru Paksha is not ideal for new beginnings. So, avoid beginning something new. Do not buy or wear even new clothes. One should also not wash or cut one’s hair or shave during this period, especially on Mahalaya Amavasya, which is the last day.
2. Avoid getting married, celebrating the birth of a baby, moving into a new home, launching a new business, etc., during Pitru Paksha.
3. Do not eat non-vegetarian food, and avoid eating onion and garlic.
4. One should perform the rituals sincerely, or it will displease the ancestors. Clear the mind of all negative thoughts and pay homage to your ancestors with gratitude and veneration. Avoid pleasurable activities during this time.
