.The word ‘Pitr Paksha’ comprises of two words ‘Pitr’ which means ancestors and the ‘Paksha’ which mean the phase of the moon. The auspicious period in the dark fortnight of Ashwina (September-October) is known as Pitr Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha. It is a 16-lunar day period and is also known as Pitri Pokho, Pitru Paksha, Sola Shradh, Kanagat, Jitiya and Apara Paksha. This is an occasion to pacify the departed ancestors by performing rites to repay debts to the ancestors.
Pitr Paksha is observed from the Purnima of the Bhadrapada and continues till the following New Moon day (Amavasya) which is known as Sarvapitri Amavasya, Mahalaya Amavasya or simply Amavasya. During this period of 16 days, the Shraddh or Tarpan of the ancestors is performed on the Tithi on which they met eternity. Apart from this, each day is dedicated to the Tarpan of all the ancestors in this period.
Significance:
According to the Hinduism, the body is destructible but a soul is eternal. It can neither be created nor can be destroyed. Lord Krishna in Bhagwat Gita says, “for the soul, there is neither birth nor death at any time. The soul is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain.” The Pitra Paksha rites liberate a soul from the vicious circle of life and death and it
attains salvation. The Shraddh of Pitra Paksha involves oblations to three
preceding generations by taking their names and also by taking the names of the family tree or Gotra.
These rites are performed by the current generation to repay the debts of ancestors. It is said that the ancestors (Pitrs), gods (Devas) and ghosts (Pretas), when are propitiated, bestow health, wealth, wisdom, longevity and eventually salvation.
Legend of Pitr Paksha:
Hindu Purana says that there exists a zone between heaven and earth, which is known as Pitr-Loka. All the ancestors or Pitrs dwell in this place. This zone is governed by Yamadeva or god of death. The person of the first generation goes to heaven only when the person of the second generation dies and hence the death rites or Shraddh for the person of the first generation are not completed. Therefore, in Pitr Paksha the Shraddh of ancestors of three preceding generations is done to propitiate them.
It is believed that the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Virgo at the beginning of this period. On this day, the departed souls of ancestors or forefathers leave the Yamaloka or the abode of Yama and descend to earth to acknowledge the rites performed by their descendants until the Sun enters next zodiac sign which is Libra.
Legend Of Karna In Mahabharata
According to the epic Mahabharata, when Karna died, his soul was sent to heaven. There he was offered only gold and silver ornaments as food. He asked King of Gods, Indra, the reason for serving him ornaments as food, but not the real food. Lord Indra told him that he had only donated gold and silver ornaments to the needy people, but never donated the real food to his ancestors.
Karna said he was not aware of his ancestors and thus, doesn't donate anything for them. Indra gave him 15 days period to go back on earth and donate food and other offerings on the name of his ancestors. He came back and performed the rituals of Shraadh or Tarpan for the peace of souls of his ancestors.
Time and Place of Shraddh
The Shraddh or Tarpana of the ancestors is performed on the Tithi on which they passed away, but there are certain exceptions to it. The fourth day or Chautha Bharani and the fifth day or Baharani Panchmi are allotted for people who died in the previous year. Avidha Navami is for married women who died before their husband. Ghata Chaturdashi is for people who died in sudden and violent death. The Mahalaya or Sarvpitri Amavasya is for all the ancestors and forefathers.
A descendant usually performs Shraddh or Tarpana at his home, but people perform these rites at pilgrimages like Gaya, Allahabad, and Kashi also.
Rituals of Shraddh:
The rituals of Shraddh are generally performed by the eldest son or an eldest male member of the family. He wears a Dhoti in the morning after taking bath. He also wears a ring of Kusha grass. The male performing Shraddh should have gone through the sacred-thread ceremony as the position of sacred-thread needs to be changed several times during the rites. After that, oblations are given to ancestors (Pitrs) and gods(Devas) which is known as Tarpana. The Shraddh ritual also involves Pinda-Dan which is an offering to the ancestors in the form of balls of cooked rice, barley, and ghee. A grand meal is prepared which is offered to the cow, dog, crow, and insects. The Brahmins are fed and are offered alms. The whole family eats the food as Prasada after this whole process is completed.
What Not To Do While Performing Shraadh?
Let's check out the things that we should avoid while performing the Tarpan rituals during Shraddh.
Do not use non-vegetarian items for preparing food.
Do not consume alcohol while performing the rituals.
Avoid haircuts or shaving while performing the rituals.
Never use iron vessels for preparing or serving food.
Do not perform rituals in the evening, dusk and dawn.
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