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The term 'Shradh or Shraddha' (Special rites performed for the departed ancestors) conjures up an incorrect impression, one of unscientific and ostentatious ritualistic activity, in the minds of the younger generation belonging to the modern scientific age. This is the result of absence of any formal education on Dharma (Righteousness), indifference towards understanding Spirituality, influence of western culture, anti-Dharma organisations targeting traditions and customs in Hindu Dharma with a continuous barrage of hate-filled criticism. A line of thinking, as given ahead, is also prevalent in the society about shradh.
People, who lack faith in ritualistic worship or shradh, and consider social service superior, have very naive views. They say that instead of performing shradh for the pitars, they would rather donate food to the poor or provide help to schools ! And, many of these people do actually put their views into practice. This is as absurd as saying, 'Instead of performing surgery to treat a particular disease, we will donate food to the poor or provide help to schools'. Since the spiritually potent mantras recited during the shradh rites have the subtle power of providing momentum to the subtle-bodies of pitars, they can progress to a higher subtle-region of existence after the rites have been performed. This reveals the folly in the above mentioned views. Therefore, the objective of this series of articles is to remove the veil of ignorance and blind-faith of the people who maintain this line of thinking, and to change their thinking so that they develop a positive and spiritual perspective towards the sacred shradh rites prescribed by Hindu Dharma.
Bharatiya culture says that, just as we serve our parents and close relatives when they are alive as part of abiding by our Dharma, we have certain duties unto them after their death. The shradh rites provide us with an excellent opportunity to fulfil these duties and repay our debts unto the pitars. The shradh rites are necessary so that the journey after death of our parents, who have taken our utmost care during our childhood, becomes comfortable and without any distress, and that they acquire sadgati (Momentum for moving to the next higher region). If shradh is not performed, the desires of the pitars (Deceased ancestors) remain unfulfilled. Negative energies make easy victims of such desire-riddled pitars and then, enslave them. In all likelihood, they then use them to cause distress to their own family members. By performing shradh, we get relieved from the distress caused by the pitars, and our life on earth becomes comfortable.
We live in BHULOK. After death, our Pitra ( ancestors) go to PITRALOK, which is a level above Bhulok. But the final destination is BHUVARLOK and beyond. Till the time of the death the soul is wandering in various worlds, Pitra Paksha is the occasion to pacify the departed ancestors by performing Shradh.
As per classics if Shradh is performed with whole devotion, the ancestors bless the native with comforts of life. It is imperative for person to perform Shradh to safe guard oneself and preceding generations from Pitr Dosha. If Pitra dosha is present in chart native himself and his family members may encounter various problems like-Inability to get married, Marital concerns, infertility, problems in begetting child, loss of Job and finances, critical health concerns etc.
The rituals of Shraddha are generally performed by an eldest son or an eldest male member of the family. While performing Shradh, one should pay special attention to three things – piety, control over anger and avoiding hastiness. Meditation, mantra repetition and prayerare done for the peace and attainment of salvation by departed soul.
Bhramins are offered food, new clothes, sweets, fruits and dakshina, for it is believed that whatever is given to the Brahmins reaches the departed souls.
In addition one can also do Mahadaan. The Mahadaan offerings give relief to the ancestor, person get freed from curse of Pitra Dosha or did not face hardships on account of cursed by pitras. In additional this bestows positive luck to descendants. The Blessings by Pitra's can greatly help the individual to progress in life andhis/her problems are reduced to a Great extent.
The items of Mahadaan consists of Ganga Jal , Mustard Oil , Ghee , Rice ,Wheat , Salt , Sugar ,Chana ,Kali Urad Dal ,Umbrella , Shoes/socks or chappals , Steel utensils-5 (glass,plate,spoon,katori,lota) , Blanket ,White cloth-dhoti+gamcha , Towel ,Fruits, Mithai, Coconut , Banana ,Cooked food-mathi/sag/poori halwa ,Dals (dry-5) ,Vegetables-5 , Milk , Yogurt ,Bangles/suhaag things or janau , Comb ,Mehndi ,Nav Ratan , Gold, Silver , Jaun , Kale Til , Supari/Paan , Lavang, Ilaichi , Dhoop/aggarbatti (incense stick)
Things to be avoided during Pitr Paksh (kanagat)
During the period of Shraadh, usually people avoid buying or wearing new clothes, hair-cut shall also be avoided. Auspicious activities like marriage, settling marriage, any kind of birth ceremony etc. are prohibited during this period Abstain from Non Veg food, Hard Drinks and Products containing Tobacco. Avoid eating as Guests at others place. it is said that during the shradh while eating at another's home the host's Pitr get transferred to the guest, and then the guest takes on an unwanted Pitr with him/her and eventually fall in 'salt-debt'. this is only removed by an balancing act or Remedial Puja's.
It is believed that if shraadh is performed with whole devotion, ancestors feel satiated and they bless the person with wealth, children, knowledge, joys, pleasures and a total life.
Shradh (Kanagat) is an important ritual as per Indian traditions. As you already know, it is performed to pay respect and offer moksha to departed ancestors' souls.
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