Pitra Paksh

The following period of 15 days is called Pitra Paksh, dedicated to our Pitras. Pitra Paksh is to perform rituals for our ancestors to get their blessings. We must perform Tarpan which satisfies the spirits of our ancestors for one whole year. It is possible that a family may suffer if timely Tarpan is not done to Pitra Devatas. We do Tarpan for the departing souls of our last three generations. Satisfied Pitras during Shradh can help humans get the blessings of Vasu, Rudra, Aditya, Nakshatra, and Devatas. Satisfied Pitras can also bless you with long life, health, wealth, knowledge, heavenly abode and Moksha.

Contrary to what might one assume, during Pitra Paksh neither do you need to create any fire rituals (Hawan) nor do you need to worship any God. This ritual is among you, Brahmin and your Purvaj (ancestor) only. The 14th day during Pitra Paksh or Chaturdashi is the day when Tarpan and Shradh Karya should be done for those who had accidental death. The 9th day or Navami of Pitra Paksh is the day when Tarpan and Shradh Karya should be done for those who died as Sumangali, which means who were not widow during their death.

Mahalaya is called Sarvapitri Amavasya which is falling on 14th October this year. If following rituals properly, it can help Pitras step further towards Moksha Siddhi and descendants free from Karmic Pitra Dosha due to bad, immature illicit deeds in their lifetime which were against the ancestral principles. Afterwards, we may get their blessings for health, wealth and happiness and son in this life.

In The ninth house of the horoscope is the house of father, guru and ancestors. It is the house of Dharma. Planet Sun represents father in the natal chart. When the Sun is in the 9th house along with Rahu, Ketu or Saturn then an inauspicious Yoga in horoscope is formed, as Pitra Dosha. It depicts a person hasn’t done the Samskaras (rituals) or his duties towards his ancestors properly, it also indicates unnatural death in the blood line because proper rituals (Pinda Daan or proper Shradh) were not done.

During such instance, you can follow some of the rituals mentioned below in these days of Pitra Paksha:

1. Among the best remedies for such Doshas is doing (offering) Pinda Daan Kriya in Gaya (Bihar).
2. One should do Tarpan, Pind Daan, etc of his ancestors during this time.
3. Avoid non vegetarian food, onion, garlic in Pitra Paksha.
4. Offering water to Banyan tree during this time. (Remembering your ancestors)
5. One of the best thing done is: Offering or doing Daan of food on the Sarva Pitra Amawasya, to Brahmins and the poor (You can offer the food which your ancestors used to love eating).

A few of the vital rituals are elaborated on this section of the post: 

𝗝𝗮𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀: During Pitra Paksh, it is imperative to extend offerings to our forebears through a unique ritual known as Jaal Daan. This intricate ceremony involves a blend of black sesame seeds (Til), Jaal, and Kusha Grass. This sacred practice spans 15 days of Pitra Paksh.

𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀: Pinda Daan is a ceremonial act where a meal, comprised of their favorite foods (excluding non-vegetarian items), is prepared and presented to the Pitras on the specific Tithi (date) of their departure. In cases where the Tithi is unknown, Pinda Daan can be conducted on Mahalaya, also known as Sarvopitra Amavasya.

𝗗𝗮𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀: Honoring Ancestors by Name: Engaging in acts such as providing a meal to Brahmins, feeding cows, and making donations to temples in the name of Pitras can alleviate Pitra Dosh. The potency of Jaal Daan and charitable acts amplifies significantly when done in the name of one’s father, returning blessings multiplied by a factor of 100. Similarly, performing Tarpan and charity in the name of one’s mother yields returns magnified by 1000 times. Contributions in the name of a sister bring back blessings multiplied by 10,000 times, while honoring a brother through Tarpan, Shradh Kriya, and charity results in immeasurable benefits. Pitra Paksh thus emerges as a profoundly advantageous period for humanity. Amidst reflections on ancestors, loved ones, and family, one can receive blessings for a prosperous and healthy life. It presents a golden opportunity to accumulate good karma while steering clear of ancestral curses.