.png)
In Hinduism, Pitru or Pitri Paksha [Sanskrit: पितृ पक्ष] holds a very important ritual, as it is believed to pay homage to ancestors through food offerings. These 16 days period is considered not to be auspicious as the death rite is performed for the ancestors which is known as Shraddh or Tarpana. The Pitri Paksha begins on Sarvapitri Amavasya. Over this period, the sun transits from the northern to the southern hemisphere and as per Hindu tradition, as the southern celestial sphere is considered that to be of the ancestors (Pitru), hence special religious rites are performed during the entire period.
Hindus hold a special denotation upon the concept of 'Aatma'(Soul). It is believed that, the souls of three preceeding ancestors of a person resides in the 'Pitrilok'. The Pitrilok is a realm in between the heaven and the earth , which is ruled by Yama, the God of death. During this period, ancestors are offered prayers along with food and water to attain salvation 'Moksha' until their next birth or bringing happiness to those who have already in their rebirth. Also, performing this ritual is considered righteous to stay away from 'Pitrudosh'. The term Pitrudosh literally means the bad karma performed by the ancestors/forefathers during their lifetime. As per the Hindu astrology, any ancestor if they have performed a crime, wrongdoing, mistakes or sins in their lifetime, then their entire generation has to suffer because of such Karmic debts. Generally, Pitrudosh is attributed to three major causes like:
Effects of the planets
Deeds of the ancestor(s)
Self Karma
Performing Shraddh during the Pitru Paksha is believed to be one of many remedies to cut down Pitrudosh.
The male performing the Shraddh takes a purifying bath beforehand and wears a dhoti. Adorned with a ring of Darbha/Durva grass, he invokes the ancestors to reside in the ring. The Shraddha ceremony is typically conducted bare-chested to facilitate the changing of the sacred thread worn by him multiple times. Pinda Dana, an offering of Pindas (cooked rice and barley flour balls mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds) along with the symbolic release of water from the hand, is a key ritual.
Following this, Vishnu is worshipped in various forms, such as Darbha/Durva grass, a gold image or Shaligram stone, along with Yama. A special food offering is then cooked and presented on the roof, with its acceptance signified by the arrival of a crow to devour the food, believed to be a messenger from Yama or the ancestors. Additionally, a cow and a dog are fed, and Brahmin priests are honoured with food. Once the ancestors and Brahmins have partaken in the meal, the family can proceed with their lunch.
Comments