Is Pitra Dosh really a curse of ancestors?

Is Pitra Dosh really a curse of ancestors?

Is this true or a mere superstition?

Pitra Dosh is a big phenomenon in Hindu dharma, and more and more people are spending time, effort and money in performing rituals to free themselves of this "ancestral curse". The philosophy behind this is that if we caused some unhappiness to our ancestors when they were alive, or if we have easily forgotten the ancestors who have left us, their souls are displeased and heap curses on us. Sounds too far-fetched? Many people don't seem to think so.

Pitra Paksha

Pitra Paksha is the name of the phase when Hindus perform certain rituals to honour their ancestors with feelings of respect and love, but in today's times, it seems to be more out of fear of misfortune or to seek material favours. The 15-day period starts with Pratipada Shraadh and ends with Sarvapitri Amavasya. Since that Amavasya day marks the beginning of Ashwin Navataras, the Pitra Paksha is also known as Mahalaya Pitra Paksha.

The Ritual Of Shraadh

The ritual in remembrance of one's ancestors is known as Shraadh. Though shraadh can be performed at home, it is considered extra special if one travels to certain places - like Gaya in Bihar, Varanasi and Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, Haridwar and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, and Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu to perform the Pitra Paksha shraadh ritual.`

A Common Effort

Pitra Paksha is a common time for all Hindus to perform shradh for their ancestors together. Otherwise, the shradh thithi or death anniversary is when one performs shradh for one's ancestors. Yet another date when one can perform shradh is on amavasya (no moon day) every month.

Dos and Donts of Tarpan

Offering of water and other symbolic items, accompanied by recitation of mantras, to the souls of departed ancestors - is known as tarpan. Considering the solemnity of the occasion, brightly coloured or strongly scented flowers are not used for this ritual. Neither are iron vessels used for shradh karma, with only silver vessels being used. Eating betel leaf, taking oil massage etc - considered symbols of pleasure - are to be avoided by the person performing the shradh. For the same reasons, refraining from using kasturi (deer musk), gorochan and rakt chandan, are advised. Eating food from outside sources is also prohibited for a person doing shradh. After the dont's, come the do's: black sesame seeds are considered auspicious at shradha, as is use of kusha grass (dharba).

The Shradh Feast

After shraadh, it is customary to feed at least two sadhaks or Brahmin priests, who may have helped you to perform the ceremony also. Then, it is a must to place some food on the porch wall or balcony ledge so as to invite crows to feed upon the meal, as a crow is symbolic of our ancestors in Hindu philosophy. When a crow pecks at the food, it's as if an ancestor is tasting the meal - which is why sumptuous dishes are cooked for the shradh feast. Pitra, or Pitru, refers to the lineage of one's deceased ancestors who are believed to exist in soul form.

Why Appease Ancestors?

When Pitras are satisfied, the Hindu belief is that the Devatas known as Vasus (incharge of wealth), Rudras (incharge of protection and courage), and Adityas (incharge of health), will be pleased and grant favours accordingly.

Daan or Donations

Àfter shradhkarma, ten articles can also be donated to Brahmans. The mahadaan or great donation items include the cow (Gowdaan or godaan), the foremost donation; land (Bhumi Daan), which one can hardly afford and can therefore keep a symbolic lump of clay on a thali, take a sankalp and donate to a Brahmin along with some dakshina in the form of money; black sesame seeds; gold (swarn daan); ghee (ghrit daan) made of cow's milk; clothes (vastra daan); donation of cereals (dhaanya daan); jaggery (gud daan); silver (rajat daan) and salt (lavan).

Shradh Mantra

After shradhkarma, a prayer is offered to Maha Vishnu, with the recitation of this mantra: Yasya Smirtya cha Namoktaya Tapoyagya Kriyadishu, Newnam Sampurntam Yati Sadhyo Vande Tamchayutam

Recitation From Scriptures

The Upanishads mention the story of Nachiketa, where Lord Yama describes to the devoted Nachiketa the journey of a soul. Then, recitation of the Ganga Avatarana chapter from Valmiki Ramayan is said to grant satisfaction to Pitra and thus ensure their blessings upon us.

Pitra Kriya Superior to Dev Kriya?

In some religious texts, it is considered more important to do Pitra Kriya (ritual for a forefather) than Dev Kriya (ritual to please a God). The importance of shradh is mentioned in ancient scriptures like Garuda Purana, Matsya Purana, Vishnu Purana, Vayu Purana and Manu Smriti, which underscore the benefits of performing shraadh. They say our ancestors bless us with all the joys of life - like marriage, children and material wealth.

Science Behind Shradhkarma

The reason for shradhkarma is supposed to have a scientific as well as logical reasoning. The human body is said to be made up of five koshas – Annamaya Kosha (body), Pranmaya Kosha (heart), Manonaya Kosha (mind), Vigyanman Kosha (wisdom and knowledge) and Anandmaya Kosha (blessings). These five koshas are intertwined with one another so as to help one transcend the cycle of life and death and attain liberation or merging with the Supreme.

Bhootas And Gatis

After death, four koshas remain in this world. The koshas keep moving and their movement is called Bhootgati. These Koshas leave the body one by one. In the end, when human body is burnt, the soul is said to depart from human body and all the koshas enter Pret-Yoni. Manomaya Kosha is said to be very important in this yoni. So, it is the human body which ends at the time of death and the soul residing in the body, bears pleasure and pain because of desires still present in this yoni.

The End Of Desires

When these desires end, then this kosha is also liberated. All the other three Koshas attain Devgati. Now, Anandnaya Kosha remains alone and this gati is called Ishtgati. It denotes both manifestation and completion of the physical universe in total. In Ishgati, the being does not feel pleasure or pain and reaches Surya Lok.

How Rebirth Happens

From Surya Lok, it comes back to earth by the rays of the sun and enters the womb. In the tenth month, it takes birth as human. Those who are liberated after death, their five koshas are also liberated and they do not suffer in any one of these Gatis.This is the natural cycle, which indicates that a being mainly faces two types of Gatis after death. One is Liberation and second is being trapped in a continuous cycle of life and death. In the first case, a being is liberated from all pains and desires. In the second case, being has to go or bear four Doshas and Yonis.

Insatiated Lust

Bhoot Yoni dies after the body is burnt, that is why a dying person hardly stays in that Yoni. At this time, there is no reason to perform any Shradhkarma or yagya. Of course, pind daan can be done. The duration of staying in Pretyoni depends upon the lust and desires of the dying person. The more it is involved in lust, the more it has to stay in Pretyoni and suffer. One cannot perform any Karma or religious work; neither can it experience physical pain or happiness because of its karma. Both virtuous and vicious get liberation from their subtle body after bearing the fruits of their karmas (good or bad) and when their desires are gratified.

Bad Karma Of Pitra

It is evident that by performing Shradhkarma in Shradhpaksha for the peace of ancestors souls in this birth, deceased ancestors get liberation from their bad deeds or sins. That is the reason those who are physically present in this world, perform shradkarma for their dead ancestors during Pitra Paksha.

Shraddha In The Shradh

The purpose of Shradh is to repay any debts we owe to our deceased ancestors by gratifying their spirits as well as to make free of their sins. The importance of performing Shradhkarma with full devotion has been mentioned in the Shastras. According to Shastras, "Shradya pitran udishya vidhina kriyate yatkarm tat shradham", meaning, "whatever acts or deeds you perform with devotion for your near and dear ones who have died, is called shradh."

Sincerity A Must

This is the point I've been trying to make: That the essence and purpose of this beautiful Hindu ritual is to remember and express gratitude to ancestors who are connected to their descendents in so many ways. If one does not include the important ingredient of love, it remains a meaningless ritual that equals exchange of money to priests, a day spent doing rituals that seem like a waste of time and voicing mantras without understanding their true purport.

The Best Homage

Another way to honour one's departed ancestors, whose souls will in effect also bless us, may be to remember them in our daily rush, follow their relevant teachings and honour their spirit, and if time and money permits, to perform these rituals as well, not the other way round...

Om Namah Shivay