Why should one perform Pithru Sraaddha??? - Glory of Mahalaya Pithru Paksham
Pithru Yagna
Maathru Devo Bhava; Pithru
Devo Bhava; Aachaarya Devo Bhava; Athithi Devo Bhava; Worshipping
these four categories is given highest significance and importance in Hindu
Dharma. Among the four, Mathru (Mother) and
Pithru (Father) Aachaarya (Guru) have attained greater prominence since they
are the people who are responsible for our birth, culture (samskaara) and
existence. They are the one who have
contributed for our welfare and growth; they are our friends; philosophers and
guides; they are our mentors and our role models. Maata-Pithru seva (serving
parents) when they are alive and performing Pithru Yagna after their departure
has been prescribed as the best way to get discharged from Pithru Runa.
One may get a basic doubt as
to how can one serve his parents after their death. This is where Vedas/Upanishads
come into picture; prescribes certain rituals to be performed in a Vedic way that
pleases not only the forefathers but also Pithru Devathas and Samastha
PithruAntharyami Lord Vishnu. We find several sacred texts (Puranas) like Garuda Purana,
Vaayu Purana, Agni Purana, Matsya Purana, Maarkandeya Purana; Dharma Saastras
etc… referring about the sacred rites to be
performed to forefathers; its merits and implications of not performing.
Pithru Yagna (performing
sacred rites to forefathers) is one of the best traditions of Hindu philosophy
that is being followed since ages. PITHRU YAGNA is one of the Pancha MahaaYagnas (five great
sacrifices) prescribed for a devout Hindu. Having taken birth on this sacred celestial Karma Bhoomi Bhaaratha;
one should get discharged
mainly from three types of Runas (Debts) viz. Deva
Runa, Rushi Runa and Pithru Runa (includes Mathru Runa). It becomes an ardent duty &
responsibility of a son to perform Pithru Yagna.
Hindu Dharma prescribes
that they should be worshipped on a daily basis while they are alive and also
when they depart from this world. When
they leave this world it becomes the Vedic duty of their descendants to worship
their departed souls on a daily basis (through Brahma Yagna) apart from
performing Shannavathi (96 specific days in a year); during Parvakaala like
Uttaraayana, Dakshinaayana, during Eclipse time; during Pithru Paksha; through
annual ceremony; through
Theertha/Kshethra sraaddha; Pushkara sraaddha; while performing marriage/upanayana
(Naandi sraaddha) etc.
It is believed that the souls will attain peace with sacred rituals/rites
performed especially during Pithru Paksha and Pithrus will bestow their
blessings to those who perform for the welfare and prosperity of their Vamsam
(dynasty). It is said that departed
souls for whom these rituals/rites are not performed will wander aimlessly on
Earth; embarrassed it will manifest in the form of Pithru dosha resulting in
nagging problems/sufferings related to marriage, progeny, health, lack of
growth and prosperity, nagging domestic problems etc. It is believed that
performing sacred rites to forefathers will work as a remedy for Pithru dosha.
It is said and believed that
one will get discharged from Pithru Runa by begetting a son (continuity of
generation); by serving the Parents; by performing Pithru Yagna (sacred rites
to forefathers). A son is known as Puthra. The
word Puthra if it is split into two it becomes Pu + Thra. Pu means Punnaama a name of Naraka loka and Thra means to rescue.
Therefore Puthra means the one who rescues his parents and other ancestors from
Punnaama Naraka. Ignoring forefathers;
Moola Purushas of one’s lineage; is like ignoring one’s own existence. Perhaps Pithru Yagna is one
of the best traditions that have descended from Vedic days.
In this materialistic modern
world with changing perceptions, when dhaarmic duties and responsibilities are
slowly getting vanished; it is disheartening that people don’t even remember names
and Gothra of their ancestors. For such of those who cannot observe these
rituals on a day to day basis, perhaps Paksha Masam or Pithru Paksha comes as a
boon to make up these lapses.
Some people who have
visited Gaya Kshethra and performed Gaya Sraaddha are under the impression that
they need not further perform Pithru Sraaddha. It is only myth. There is no
such injunction and it has to be performed as long as one is alive. Garuda Purana says
that, one may think twice before performing any other ritual or austerity but
not (should not) the Pithru Kaarya which
gives Akshaya Thrupthi (everlasting
satisfaction) to forefathers that can be performed again and again.
Mahaalaya Pithru Paksha is the best opportune time to pay obeisance
and salutations to forefathers and seek their blessings. Worshiping forefathers
through Pithru Yagna pleases the supreme Lord Vishnu who is Prapitaamaha of the
universe. If Lord Brahma is creator of this world; Lord Vishnu is the Creator
of the Creator. If Lord Brahma is Pitaamaha then Lord Vishnu becomes Prapitaamaha.
Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama Stothram (sloka # 104) eulogizes Lord Vishnu as
Prapithaamaha. He is the great grandfather; father of all fathers; samastha PithruAntharyami.
I take this opportunity to
appeal to one and all eligible to perform these rites, please, perform them
without fail, without counting upon the benefits one has derived from
fore-fathers. If not started earlier
please, start doing it at least now. Better be late than never. Today's alive are tomorrow’s forefathers.
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
Related posts (links given below)
Sridhar said……. (09.09.2009)
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog ever since we spoke last time. Wanted to bring to your kind attention that the posting The Glory of Pitru Paksham was made to the Vishwa mAdhva Sangha mailing list today.
G.R.Raghunatha Rao said...(08.09.2009)
To day (9th sept, Wednesday) is Panchami Tithi with BharaNi star set apart as Day for ‘Maha BharaNi shradhdha Day’ under Paksha MAsa,
I was looking to the details in books as well on net about MahabharaNi Shraddha and happen to come across a good link giving details about the glory of this Pitru Paksh, indicating how much we must be grateful and owe to our parents. Our duties in performing rituals during this period to our ancestors.
I thought that I must bring this link to the information of our group(s) so that many may be benefitted ( not for those who are aware of the system) in going thro’ the article written so vividly. The author has described the duties and responsibility of a son to his departed father as Pitru RuNa.
The author Courtesy:bhargavasarma
www.bhargavasarma.blogspot.com
Shri Sarmaji
ReplyDeleteI read your article on Mahalaya Paksha which inspired me to go to the temple and do Pithru Tharpana for my dear father and mother.
I had done it before once or twice but somehow I never cared too much about it - until I read your artice which made me realize that I owe it to myself to honor my departed parents. Thank you very much.
Sincerely
Raghu Rao
Dear Sri Raghu Rao
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for reading the article and getting motivated.
Best regards
bhargavasarma
I was curious to know something. Since our Hindu religion believes in reincarnation, is it not possible that our deceased ancestors have already reincarnated (other than those who have attaine Moksha)? So what would be the goal of performing Pithru karyas when there is a possibility that the ancestors do not exist as souls and are in fact some living beings in an animate form in the universe? When we say "aavahayam" to them, how can they "exhibit their presence" if they are in physical bodies and not in spiritual forms as souls. Any comments?
ReplyDeleteBest regards
It is a hypothetical question. How do you know that they are reborn or attained moksha? It is not that simple as you think so. It will happen as per one’s Karma phala. That’s why scripts prescribe Pithru sraaddha should always be performed as Saptaanna (seven varieties) that we come across when we perform Chataka Sraaddha. Having taken birth on this Karma Bhoomi; a man is required to perform certain activities which are mandatory. One such action is Pithru Karma/ Pithru Yagna. Why will sacred scripts prescribe activities which are dubious? Don’t have any such misconception.
DeleteI suggest please read the following articles published in my blog wherein I have tried to clarify (within my limitations) certain frequently asked questions. Links given below…
Why should one perform Pithru Sraaddha?
http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2009/09/pithru-yagna-glory-of-pithru-paksham.html
Sraddhaaya Charitam Sraaddha (FAQ & A)
http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2009/09/pithru-yagna-glory-of-pithru-paksham_04.html
I also suggest, please read Garuda Purana at least once to get dispelled from your doubts.
http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2011/09/garuda-purana-glory-significance.html
radhe krishna, thanks for the information on pitru yagna. it is very useful for the younger generation who do not believe in all these things. it is paining very much that the younger generations attitude towards dharma and not obeying their parents andgreat saints teaching and counsellings. one such saint[pontiff] was sri chandra sekhara saraswathiji of sri kanchi kamakoti mutt, kancheepuram whose charithram and voices you can find in youtube in the name of paramacharya arpudangal who everybody believes the incarnation of lord siva to establish the vedas in this age of kali which is disappearing day by day. he was the staunch believer of vedas, dharmasasthras and lived with strict anushtanams and made people follow to some ext ent when he was alive. i do not know the greatness of him but through internet we are able to know how a pontiff should be by listening to many devotees experience with our guru when he was alive. guru evahi saranam. jai sri gurunatha!
ReplyDeleteThank 'U' Jaisri Krishnan
ReplyDelete