PITRAPAKSHA / SHRADH
Shradh is a Sanskrit word which means “Shraddha” (anything done with sincerity). It is a ritual performed to provide peace to soul of the ancestors and salvation for them. It is believed that only after Shradh is performed that a soul can attain moksha. It is performed with objective that a “Jiva” may attain better life in next birth. It is performed for peace of three generation of “Pitra”.
Every year Shradh commences from the 1st date of Ashwin month and lasts till amavasya. A period of 15 days is devoted to our departed ancestors. This year “Pitra Paksha” or Shradh begins on 9th September 2014.
The elder son or grandsons performs the rites. The family remembers the death tithi (date by Hindi Calendar) and the Shradh is performed on the same tithi of Pitra paksha.
In the rites performed there is pind-daan which is a mixture of Cereals & seeds in the form of pind. The offering is made with mantras and procedures carried out by Brahmans. After this the Brahmans are fed. Food is also offered to Crows (who symbolizes our ancestors), cows and ants.
Tarpan is the offering of water and other symbollic items with recitation of mantras.
Purpose of Shradh is to repay our debts to our ancestors by gratifying of their Spirits and make free their sins.
It is one of the most important and noble sanskars. It is very important that the performer understands what he/she is doing and does so with FULL FAITH & BELIEF. Only then the true intent of ritual will be fulfilled. It can be performed at home but it is special if one travels to Gaya, Kashi or Haridwar or such places.
It is said in scriptures that pitra are not capable of doing anna or jal daan. In search of relief they visit their descendants during pitrapaksha and once satisfied they shower blessings on the family with good lucks & fortune in all aspects of life.
However if shradh is not done the pitra feed on the good karmas of their descendants & misfortune falls on them.
Baba says that during Shradh, the pitra descend to our world and be with their families in anyform be it Shadow or wind etc.
They seek Shradh sanskar for evolving their soul and attaining moksh. Also they need the ‘anna’ & ‘Jal’ dan for their satisfaction.
Baba say many Hindu Scriptures / Shashtra’s have firmly stated the importance of doing Shradh Kriya. He says this Sanskar is as old as Creation. It is an arrangement of God. God created 3 loks / 14 Bhuvans. One of the loks like Brahmlok, Shivlok, Devlok is “Pitralok” where our ancestors move to after their death.
He says just like we pray to appease devas, Shivji, Ramji, Narayan Bhagwan we must dedicate certain sanskars / karm for our pitras also.
In Brahm Puran (84/85 Chapter) it states
“Shradam Vidhanatah Kritva Narah
Poorna Sukhi Bhavet”
i.e only those are completely happy who do Shradh Kriya.
It is belived that no work can be successfully performed without blessings of Pitra. And doing Shradh invokes blessings of our ancestors.
As per Garud Puran, Shradh ritual helps soul of our pitra to cross over Vaitarni River to attain Moksha.
Various puran like Brahma Puran / Padma puran states :
“Atar pitah Sharira drudhiram pivanti”
i.e if Pitra are unhappy, they thrive on the blood of their descendants. Various kinds of misfortune befalls & unhappiness prevails.
Baba says that Shradh Sanskar not only Satisfies our pitra it also fulfills the needs of others creatures of this world. i.e Brahmans, birds, ants, cows, plants etc
The person who does the Shradh sanskar also benefits from this. Good fortune & luck becomes his companion. He progress materialistically as well as spiritually.
Baba says “pitra” are more powerful than devtas. They are directly or closely connected to the family and their impact is stronger if Shradh is done with gratitude and dedication. It satisfies the pitra and contributes to the progress of their soul & they attain moksha.
However if not performed, the pitra get angry and curses the family & great many troubles start bothering them. This is also called “Pitradosh”. It is said that even God cannot waive the curse of a Pitra.
Baba advised that since we gain property, land, money, house etc from our ancestors. We owe it to them to do Shradh if nothing is gained from them atleast this human body was descended from them & are in debt for the same.
Baba says there are 8 division of pitralok. 4 are with form and 4 are invisible. They are powerful & capable of many thing. However they are incapable of anna & jal daan. And they accept whatever their descendants give them.
Once satisfied they bless their family & if not curse befall the family. Children become bad, money is lost, sick prevails etc.
Baba says that whichever body form the pitra are in (elephant, human, ant etc) the pind daan or Tarpan reaches them. They accept it according to their form. During this period of pitrapaksha they come to earth & accept the offering from whichever lok they are in. The distribution is somewhat like salary distribution. This system is part of Ishwars creation and organization.
“Swaha” & “Swadha” are two devis who are assigned the Karma of taking the offering to devtas (Swaha) & Pitras (Swadha) respectively.
Baba narrates a story to us to explain that this is not an imaginary thing but a certain fact. Bhagwan Ram does Shradh for his pitra & with deep affection & faith offers pind daan. Sitaji is sitting next to him as he performs the rituals. After sometime Sitaji goes away from there. When asked why she replied that She saw her father in law Dashrathji and other ancestors come & accept the offering. She felt if they saw her in “Tapasvani” attire they would be unhappy. As Raja Dashrath had died when he saw Shri Ram as a taparvi. This proves the Shradh was done even in the time of Shri Ramji & ancestors do come & accept the offering.
Baba says that if someone is not wealthy enough to do Brahman anna daan, he can simply do pind daan, if Brahman are not there pind can be given to Cows.
If even this is not possible then at least one can cut some grass & feed to cows remembering the pitra.
If even that is not possible baba says just sit in isolation, raise your hands with Sincerity, gratitude & shradha, pray to the pitra & offer them the “Shraddha” & “Bhav”.
It is important to have gratitude and intention to pay homage. Baba says that on death the soul takes the form of a “prêt” which is aggressive if not pacified cause lots of trouble.
On doing Shradh kirya it becomes pitra & moves to pitralok and also becomes peaceful. Here slowly it moves towards spiritual growth & moksha.
Baba narrates that even in Guru Granth Sahib, there is stress on the importance of Shradh Kriya. Third Guru Amardas ji when on his death bed instructs his disciples in detail to do Shradh Kriya for him.
Even in Bhagavad Gita it is stated that if Shradh kriya is not done the pitra come adhogati or descend to lower levels.
Thus Baba has always advised and encouraged one and all to be grateful to our pitra and do the Shradh kirya that is owned to them.
During this period traditionally people do not buy or wear new clothes / Avoid haircut. No auspicious activities like marriage etc take place.