Pitru Paksha 2016 - Time for Honouring Ancestors

By Pt. Vijay Pathak

In 2016, Pitru Paksha is starting from September 16 and will continue till October 01. 15 days of Pitru Paksha starts from the Hindu month Ashwin Krishna Paksha (Pratipada) and finish on new moon day of Ashwin month, also called Sarvapitri Amavasya. In Indian culture, worshipping parents is considered as the greatest form of devotion. People who don’t serve their parents while living with them repent after their death. According to Hindu scriptures, for salvation of ancestors, it is mandatory to have a progeny. For the salvation of his ancestors, Raja Bhagirath brought the holy river Ganga on earth from heaven.

As per the ancient Hindu texts, three major debts are levied on men- Pitra Rin (debt of forefathers), Deva Rin (debt of Gods) and Rishi Rin (debt of sages). Pitru Rina or debt of forefathers is paramount among all. In Pitra Rin, other than father, all elderly family members like mother, grandparents and forefathers are included who helped us in taking birth and to grow in a proper way. Shraddh is an occasion to keep and rekindle the memories your ancestors even after they leave their mortal bodies.

एकैकस्य तिलैर्मिश्रांस्त्रींस्त्रीन् दद्याज्जलाज्जलीन्।
यावज्जीवकृतं पापं तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति।

It means, a man who offers mole with water to his ancestors thrice washes away all his sins since his birth.

Shraddha for a person is performed on the same date, when s/he left this world. According to the scriptures, people who in accordance with their financial capacity devoutly perform ancestors’ śrāddha in Pitru Paksha, all of their wishes come true with the blessings of ancestors. ‘Garuda Purana’ depicts the complete description and the process of Shraddh vividly. During Pitru Paksha, Pitra or ancestors come near to the earth. Shraddh is performed to pacify their unsatiated souls. After performing mahalaya Shraddha, they remain satisfied throughout the year.

There are many reasons behind Pitra Dosh, such as having premature death in the family, insulting honorable family members like parents etc, not doing their funeral and Shraddha properly after their deaths or not performing their yearly shraddha etc. As a result, there is choppiness in family, accidental diseases, distress, and no increment in money, stress despite having all comforts etc can be the effects of Pitra Dosha.

Pitru Paksha Amavasya (the new moon day of Pitru Paksha) is called Sarvpitru Amavasya. On this day, sun is closest to the moon, so the share of ancestors reaches quickly to the moon from the sun and replete the ancestors. That’s why Amavasya Shraddh is certainly fruitful.

अहमेवास्म्यमावास्या मामा वसन्ति सुकृतो मयीमे।
मयि देवा उभये साध्याश्र्चेन्द्रज्येष्ठा: समगच्छन्त: सर्वे।।

Shraddh is performed for all the ancestors on this day. If it is not possible to perform their Shraddha on due date, it is mandatory to do it on Amavasya as it is the last day of Pitru Paksha.