Pitr Paksha (The Memorial Period for the ancestors)
Pitr (ancestors) Paksha (phase of the moon) or simply “The auspicious period for remembering those who have passed on” is very important and significant in the Hindu culture. The Sanskrit word Pitr embraces God in all His aspects, the earliest sages, and our immediate ancestors to the third generation, and all our departed friends and relatives. In writing this article we hope to enlighten people from all cultures as to why we honour this very auspicious period of 15 days which comes in the dark half phase of the month of Ashwini (September/October), set aside as a Memorial and thanksgiving to the departed souls, who, when on this Earth, made some contribution to make it a better place. We acknowledge our indebtedness to our ancestors in this period. It is an observance accompanied by intense bhakti (devotion) to the Supreme Lord.
On the 4th of September at 18h04 Pitr Paksa starts and continues until the 18th September (Ends at 20h45). But Pitr Paksha officially starts on the 5th September. Why you may ask? Well when the sun rises in the morning of the 4th, Purnima (Full moon) is still in progress and thus that day becomes Full moon. In the morning of the 5th when the sun rises Pratipat (the first day of the dark moon) is transiting and thus the start of Pitr Paksha officially starts from the 5th September.
All religions, sects, even tribes follow different observances when a member of the family passes on. The rites are based on certain beliefs and convictions enshrined in religion. One of the cornerstones of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) is the belief in the eternity of the Atma (Soul). The Atma leaves the body at death but life does not end there but continues after death as Lord Krishna says in Bhagavata Gita 2.20 “For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. The soul is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.”
The final rites after death are called Antyeshti, during which the body is cremated or buried depending on the age of the deceased. The ceremonies performed after the 10th, 12th/13th day followed by the 6th, 12th month, and yearly ceremonies are all called Shraddha. The annual Shraddha performed during Pitr Paksh falls into the same category of rituals.
So many cultures pray to their ancestors like in Sub-Saharan Africa, Red Indians (in North America), the Chinese, the Vietnamese, the Koreans, the Christians (Roman Catholic church) in November celebrate all souls day. Christians offer flowers, wreaths, and grave decorations and candles, on graves year-round, as a way to honour their dead. Hispanics, celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on or around All Saints Day (1st Nov). During Samhain in Ireland the dead were supposed to return, and food and light were left for them. Lights were left burning all night. They are so many other cultures as well that perform ancestor worship. Due to space we have just but mentioned a few.
But it seems that many Hindus are just embarrassed at performing these prayers or is it due to laziness. This I cannot answer for sure but Hindus should be very proud in performing these sacred prayers… It’s just not an Indian thing as some do say.
Especially in South Africa many Hindus observe this very important period for just a few days. Now that’s just not right. Now many offer food after three days when they are performing their havan. That’s incorrect. Shree Yamaraj-ji releases our ancestors in this period for them to accept food that has been offered to them by their descendents. This memorial period is not just for three days rather it’s for 15 days. If a guest comes to your house will you make the guest starve? No of course not then why are your ancestors not being fed daily. Remember you do not have to cook 10-15 preparations daily to offer to your ancestors. Whatever you cook for yourself on that day you can offer to your ancestors.
Is Pitr Puja Necessary? : -Some people are of the opinion that Pitr Puja should not be performed because the Atma or the deceased has already taken birth again. It might have been born as an animal, bird, insect, human form or whatever form that the soul would receive in accordance with the karmas (actions good or bad) of previous lives. After the Sapindi ceremony (the 12th/13th day ceremony performed 12/13 days after the cremation of the deceased), the Pitr Puja becomes obligatory on the descendants. Every human being has to pay three debts with which he is reborn and that is (1) indebtness to the Supreme Lord, (2) to the Rishis, and (3) to the ancestors. Now what does it matter if the soul is re-born? A simple analogy from everyday life will make it clear. A person named Ram owes a sum of money to Gopal who was residing at a certain address at the time when the debt was incurred. Subsequently, Gopal changes his place of residence, and begins to live at another place. Does this absolve Ram from his indebtedness? No. After all death is the leaving of one body by the Atma and birth is the taking on of a new body. Bhagavad Gita (2.22) aptly describes the process “Just as one removes old clothes and puts on new ones, so does the Jivatma abandon an old body and obtain a new one” For further elucidation we may liken transmigration of the Soul to one abandoning a house which is old and beyond repair and taking residence in another home. Besides, Pitr Puja is a memorial service in which the devotee remembers as well as prays, addressing the departed he says: “O Pitrs in whichever form you may be, wherever you may be, we wish to remember and pray for your peace and welfare”. Auspicious mantras are recited for the welfare, prosperity and peace of all beings.
How to observe Pitr Paksha: -In this period one should not consume any meat, alcohol and other intoxicants. One must offer food and tarpana (water oblations) to ones ancestors daily during the day light hours. One should not perform weddings, Katha and Jhunda, Sacred thread ceremonies, one cannot move into a new house and sign important papers, start a new job, start a new business venture and so forth. BUT one should perform charity, deity worship, daily Sandhya (offering of Surya jal, etc), japa, study of scriptures, fasting like Ekadashi, Agni Hotra (a 10 second havan performed at the junction of sunrise and sunset) and so forth.
How to offer food to your ancestors: -
Food prepared MUST FIRST be offered to Lord Krsna/Raam/Vishnu then that offered food becomes sanctified food (Prashad) and only then must that prashad be offered to the ancestors. By performing it in this way the ancestors bless that family immensely since they are eating Krsna/Raam/Vishnu prashad, which relieves them very quickly, from whatever bad situation they are in. The prashad must be offered in the daylight hours as Shree Yamaraj-ji releases our ancestors at sunrise and they must return to Pitr-Loka (the ancestor world) at sunset. On a tray place a banana leaf. On the banana leaf place a tablespoon of all the food that was cooked. Go to your prayer place and offer the food first to God (Lord Krishna/Raam/Vishnu). Leave the food at the prayer place for about 10 minutes. Thereafter take a little of each of the food and put back into the pot. The food in the pot is now Krishna/Raam/ Vishnu prashad. Now take the tray with the food and go to a corner of your yard facing South in a clean place offer the food together with a small cup of water or milk. Say “ all my ancestors please partake in this prashad”. Then leave that food. One should do this for 15 days. On the last day (the 18th September before 20h45) you can either perform a havan or donate charity (whichever suits you and can afford – like 3 three types of grains, fruits, vegetables…) to your family priest or a poor person.
Finally many people have emailed me asking what if for example one of their ancestors became a cow, what happens then. Good question. Obviously the cow is not going to come to your house to eat the food that you offered. What happens is that the food (the merits) that you have offered to that ancestor goes to that person or in this case the cow. In the Garuda Purana Preta Khanda II 19. 26-27 Shree Garud-ji asks: “ O Lord Vishnu, things are gifted by the relatives at home in the favour of the deceased. How do they reach the deceased and who receives them?” Lord Vishnu replied “ O Garuda, Varuna dev (the deva in charge of the oceans) receives those gifts and hands them over to Me. I give them to Suryadev, and from Suryadev the deceased person obtains them” so from the above verse its quite clear whatever you give on behalf or the food that you offer to you ancestor, the food/gift goes go to that entity in whatever form it is in.
What is Tarpana: -The followers of Sanathan Dharma (Hindus) express their gratitude and devotion by offering oblations of water (Tarpana) in memory of their ancestors. Humans have three types of debts when they are born viz. debt to Lord Krsna and the devas, debt to the Rishis and finally debt to ones departed ancestors. ‘Trup’ means satisfying others. The word ‘Tarpana’ has been formed from the root word ‘Trup’. Offering water to Lord Krsna, the devas, the rishis and one’s ancestors one satisfies them immensely and through it is called Tarpana. The objective of performing Tarpana is that Lord Krsna, the devas, the rishis and one’s ancestors whose names are pronounced while performing Tarpana, should bestow happiness on the performer. The offerings are performed daily for 15 days. For your information we have provided the mantras and procedure on how to perform Tarpana daily during Pitr Paksha.
After taking a bath in the morning one should wear clean fresh clothes. You should try to perform the Tarpana outside by your prayers place. Then in a dish of half filled water add some milk, sugar, honey, a few grains of barley, scent, and flowers petals – mix these items.
Now face east and keep 3 pieces of knotted Kush grass across both palms forming a cup and offer this water every time you chant “trip-ya-taam” in the dish – NOT on the ground.
Offerings to God and the devas: - Please note again that at the end of each mantra i.e. “trip-ya-taam” offer the water into the dish.
Om brahmaa trip-ya-taam Om vishnus trip-ya-taam Om rudras trip-ya-taam Om prajaapati trip-ya-taam Om devaas trip-yan-taam Om chandaamsi trip-yan-taam Om vedaas trip-yan-taam Om rishiyas trip-yan-taam Om puraa-naa-caaryaas trip-yan-taam Om gandharvaas trip-yan-taam Om devyas trip-yan-taam Om itaraa-chaar-yaas trip-yan-taam Om apa-sa-rasas trip-yan-taam Om devaa-nugaas trip-yan-taam Om naagaas trip-yan-taam Om samvat-sarah saavayavas trip-yan-taam Om saaga-saas trip-yan-taam Om parvataas trip-yan-taam Om saritas trip-yan-taam Om manush-yaas trip-yan-taam Om yak-shaas trip-yan-taam Om rakshaansi trip-yan-taam Om pishaa-chaas trip-yan-taam Om supar-naas trip-yan-taam Om bhootaani trip-yan-taam Om pashavas trip-yan-taam Om vanas-patyas trip-yan-taam Om osha dha-yas trip-yan-taambr>
Om bhoota-graa-mash chatur-vidhas- trip-ya-taam Then face north and offer water in the name of the rishis. Offerings to the Rishis: - Om mareeshis trip-yan-taam Om atris trip-yan-taam Om angiras trip-yan-taam Om pulast-yas trip-yan-taam Om pulahas trip-yan-taam Om kratus trip-yan-taam Om vasish-thas trip-yan-taam Om bhrigus trip-yan-taam Om naaradas trip-yan-taam Om prachetaas trip yan-taam Om sanakas trip-yan-taam Om sanandanas trip-yan-taam Om sanaatanas trip-yan-taam Om kapilas trip-yan-taam Om aasuris trip-yan-taam Om bodhus trip-yan-taam Om panchas-hikas trip-yan-taam Then face south and now add til (Sesame seeds) into the water and offer this in the name of the pitrs (ancestors). Father (Pita) (please note that if your father is still alive then this mantra is skipped.) Om Asmat Pita (say your father’s name) trip-ya-taam Paternal Grandfather (Aaja) Om asmat pita-maho (say your Paternal Grandfather’s name) trip-ya-taam Paternal Great Grandfather (Par-Aaja) Om asmat pra-pita-maha (say your Great Paternal Grandfather’s name) trip-ya-taam Mother (Mata) (please note that if your Mother is still alive then this mantra is skipped.) Om asman mata (say your Mother’s name) devi trip-ya-taam Paternal Grandmother (Aaji) Om asmat pita-mahi (say your Paternal Grandmother’s name) devi trip-ya-taam Paternal Great Grandmother (Par-Aaji) Om asmat pra-pita-mahi (say your Great Paternal Grandmother’s name) devi trip-ya-taam Maternal Grandfather (nana) Om asman mata-maho (say your Maternal Grandfather’s name) trip-ya-taam Maternal Great Grandfather (Par-Nana) Om asman pra-mata-maho (say your Great Maternal Grandfather’s name) trip-ya-taam Maternal Great great grandfather (Vridha Nana) Om asmat Vridha pra-mata-maho (say your Great great Maternal grandfather’s name) trip-ya-taam Maternal Grandmother (Nani) Om asman mata-mahi (say your Maternal Grandmother’s name) devi trip-ya-taam Maternal Great Grandmother (Par-Nani) Om asmat pra-mata-mahi (say your Great Maternal Grandmother’s name) devi trip-ya-taam Maternal Great Great grandmother (Vridha Nani) Om asmat vridha pra-mata-mahi (say your Great Great Maternal grandmother’s name ) devi trip-ya-taam Now for the other family members like your cousins, your friends etc you can chant this mantra. Om asmat (his/her full name) nam amukee devee trip-ya-taamidam. Remember that the water is only offered in the dish. Only after all offerings have been completed then the dish of water is dropped on a plant. This can be repeated as many days as one desires in the 15 days. References: Bhagavat Gita, Garuda Purana, Astaang Shraddha Paddhatee Thank you for taking time to read this article. We are trying to reach out not only to Hindus but to others of other faiths as well. By compiling and publishing these articles we hope that others will understand what a beautiful and diversified way of life Hinduism (Sanathan Dharma) really is. Please alert your friends and family of this website. You may pass these articles to friends and family who do not have access to the Internet or even print them and keep them in a file. These articles are published so that it will be a reference to you and your family when you need clarification of certain topics. Jai Shree Krishna. ***Certain excepts are taken from the article on “Shraddha” from the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir***