Pitru Paksh - significance of the 16 day ritual culture

Pitru Paksh is a period of 16 days in the Hindu calendar when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors (Pitrs) through food offerings and rituals. It is also known as Mahalaya Paksha or Shraadh. In this article, we will explore the significance, belief, scientific relevance, origin, and rituals of Pitru Paksh.

Significance

Pitru Paksh is a time to express gratitude and respect to one’s ancestors, who are believed to have a significant influence on one’s life and destiny. According to Hindu scriptures, the souls of the departed ancestors reside in the Pitru Loka, a realm between heaven and earth. By performing Shraadh rituals and offering food to the Pitrs, one can appease them and seek their blessings for the well-being of the family.

Pitru Paksh also has a scientific relevance, as it coincides with the autumnal equinox, when the sun crosses the celestial equator and the day and night are of equal length. This is considered a conducive time for performing spiritual activities and connecting with the higher realms. Moreover, offering food to the Pitrs is also a way of preserving the gene pool and honoring the genetic heritage of one’s ancestors.

Origin

The origin of Pitru Paksh can be traced back to the Mahabharata, an epic that narrates the Kurukshetra war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. According to a legend, after the war was over, the Pandava prince Yudhishthira performed a Rajasuya Yagna (a royal sacrifice) to become the king of Hastinapura. However, he was advised by sage Vyasa to also perform a Tarpana (a water offering) to his deceased ancestors and relatives who had died in the war. Yudhishthira did as instructed and offered water and sesame seeds to the souls of his ancestors. He was surprised to see that his grandfather Bhishma, who was still lying on a bed of arrows on the battlefield, also received the offerings. Bhishma then explained that this was because he had a boon from his father Shantanu that he could choose his time of death. He also told Yudhishthira that this period of 16 days was an auspicious time to perform Shraadh for one’s ancestors, as they would be pleased and grant boons to their descendants.

Another legend relates Pitru Paksh to Karna, the son of Surya (the sun god) and Kunti (the mother of the Pandavas). Karna was known for his generosity and charity, as he would donate gold and jewels to anyone who asked him. However, he never offered food and water to his ancestors or Brahmins (the priestly class). After his death in the war, he reached heaven and was offered food made of gold by Indra (the king of gods). Karna was puzzled by this and asked Indra why he was not given normal food. Indra told him that this was because he had only donated gold and not food in his life. Karna realized his mistake and asked Indra to send him back to earth for 16 days so that he could feed his ancestors and Brahmins. Indra granted his wish and Karna performed Shraadh during this period. This is why Pitru Paksh is also known as Karna Paksha.

When is it followed

Pitru Paksh falls in the second half (Krishna Paksha) of the lunar month of Bhadrapada (August-September) in the Hindu calendar. It begins on the first day after the full moon (Purnima) and ends on the new moon day (Amavasya). The new moon day is also known as Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya, when Shraadh can be performed for all ancestors irrespective of their date of death. 

Rituals followed

The rituals followed during Pitru Paksh vary according to different regions, communities, and traditions. However, some common elements are:

• Taking a bath in a river or a lake before sunrise and wearing clean clothes.
• Offering Pinda Daan (balls made of rice, sesame seeds, honey, ghee, etc.) to the Pitrs at a sacred place such as a temple, a river bank, or a peepal tree.
• Offering Tarpana (water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, kusha grass, etc.) to the Pitrs while reciting mantras and their names.
• Offering food (especially cooked in silver or copper vessels) to crows, cows, dogs, and Brahmins, as they are considered to be the representatives of the Pitrs.
• Reading scriptures such as the Garuda Purana, the Agni Purana, or the Bhagavad Gita that describe the journey of the soul after death and the importance of Shraadh.
• Avoiding non-vegetarian food, alcohol, onion, garlic, shaving, cutting hair, wearing new clothes, celebrating festivals, buying new things, etc. during this period.

The significance of each day in the 16-day period of Pitru Paksh is based on the lunar calendar and the date of death of one’s ancestors. Each day is assigned to a specific type of ancestor or a specific cause. Here is a brief summary of the significance of each day:

• Purnima Shradh: This day is for those who died on a full moon day. It is also the first day of Pitru Paksh.
• Pratipada Shradh: This day is for those who died on the first day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the second day of Pitru Paksh.
• Dwitiya Shradh or Dooj Shradh: This day is for those who died on the second day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the third day of Pitru Paksh.
• Tritiya Shradh: This day is for those who died on the third day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the fourth day of Pitru Paksh.
• Chaturthi Shradh and Maha Bharani Shradh: This day is for those who died on the fourth day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the fifth day of Pitru Paksh. Maha Bharani Shradh is a special ritual for those who died an unnatural or violent death, such as by accident, suicide, murder, or war.
• Panchami Shradh: This day is for those who died on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the sixth day of Pitru Paksh.
• Shashti Shradh: This day is for those who died on the sixth day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the seventh day of Pitru Paksh.
• Saptami Shradh: This day is for those who died on the seventh day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the eighth day of Pitru Paksh.
• Ashtami Shradh: This day is for those who died on the eighth day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the ninth day of Pitru Paksh.
• Navami Shradh: This day is for those who died on the ninth day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the tenth day of Pitru Paksh.
• Dashmi Shradh: This day is for those who died on the tenth day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the eleventh day of Pitru Paksh.
• Ekadashi Shradh: This day is for those who died on the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the twelfth day of Pitru Paksh.
• Dwadashi Shradh or Magha Shradh: This day is for those who died on the twelfth day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the thirteenth day of Pitru Paksh. Magha Shradh is a special ritual for those who were great scholars, sages, or saints in their life.
• Trayodashi Shradh: This day is for those who died on the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the fourteenth day of Pitru Paksh.
• Chaturdashi Shradh: This day is for those who died on the fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight. It is also the fifteenth day of Pitru Paksh.
• Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Amavasya Shradh: This day is for all ancestors irrespective of their date of death. It is also the sixteenth and final day of Pitru Paksh.

Pitru Paksh is a time to remember and honor one’s ancestors and seek their guidance and protection. By performing Shraadh with devotion and sincerity, one can ensure the happiness and prosperity of oneself and one’s family. Pitru Paksh is also a time to reflect on one’s own life and actions and strive to follow the path of righteousness and dharma.