Shraaddha
Shraaddha
(Ancestor Worship by Maharaj Washdev Sharma)
The Origins recorded in our Purans:
THE RITUAL OF SHRAADDH
From the Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva, Section LXXXIV + Sec.XCII
Shri Bhishma Pitamaha said: When my father Maharaja Santanu of great energy departed from this world, I proceeded to Gangadwara for performing his Shraaddha.
When Observed:
BADO, This year dates fall from 28th Sept 2004, 1st tithi (Purnima) till 13th October 2004 Last tithi (Umas).
Pitra Paksha, Mahalay Paksha: The dark fortnight, which falls in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapad, is referred to as Mahalay Paksha or Pitrupaksha.
Shraaddha is mainly divided into three types –
DASHGAATRA PINDA DAAN - Performed for ten days beginning from the day on which person has died. (Gawoh Jee Maani-feeding of the cow for 10 days)
EKADASHA' is performed on the eleventh day while ‘SAPINDAN’ is performed on the twelfth day.
YEARLY SHRADDH OR ANNUAL SHRADDH - This Shraaddha is performed annually on the death anniversary of our dearly beloved.
Significance:
The subtle tamasik yama frequencies reach the earth in higher proportions during the above-mentioned period during Bado. The yama frequencies operate also in Lord Yama’s region (Yamalok) with the help of the subtle Shiva and Parvati frequencies. Since departed ancestors’ subtle bodies reside in this region, one can reach the ancestors during especially this fortnight, with the help of the predominant yama frequencies. Hence, Hindus consider this fortnight to be ideal for performing rites for ancestors, believing that during this period, subtle bodies of deceased ancestors from Lord Yama’s region (Yamalok) visit their relatives on earth. So if the rite of Shraaddha is performed on one of the days in this fortnight, then the subtle bodies of deceased ancestors remain gratified for the rest of the year.
The Pitrupaksha fortnight is a reminder of our subtle existence and the spiritual or subtle measures needed in the form of last rites (antya sanskar) and other rites like Shraaddha, to ensure a smooth passage from existence in the physical to the subtle planes. By focusing solely on gross sciences, many of these subtle measures are not practiced, even forgotten, especially in Modern times. This has led to significant number of the population suffering from problems created by the subtle bodies of ancestors, who suffer in inferior planes, as their smooth passage was not ensured.
Effects of Shraaddha ceremony:
The benefits: 'Shraaddha' holds a very important place in Sanaatan Dharma. A dead man's soul attains salvation if the Shraaddha is performed. If Shraaddha is not performed then the soul does not rest in peace and undergoes painful experiences. Therefore, it is our duty to help our ancestors attain salvation by performing 'Shraaddha'.
'Shraaddha' not only liberates the ancestors but it is benedictory for the performer as well, because when we perform 'Shraaddha' our ancestors become pleased and bless us with wealth, prosperity and happiness. The 'mantras' chanted during Shraaddha ceremony, being indestructible sound energy reaches the dead ancestors' soul through the atmosphere and space.
Inability to get married, marital disharmony, difficulty in conceiving a child, miscarriages, bearing mentally retarded or handicapped children, death during childhood, etc., are some of the indications of suffering due to ancestors’ subtle bodies.
However, only Astrologers and Saints can tell with certainty if one is suffering PITRA DOSH IN HOROSCOPE - Any horoscope showing a Pitra-dosha indicates that the person in question has not performed Shraaddha for his ancestors. If the ritual necessary for its elimination is not performed then a man faces numerous problems and instability in his life
Since Navaratra falls right after Shraaddha the whole step by step guide how to do Navaratra puja is also on this site mentioned below.
(Ancestor Worship by Maharaj Washdev Sharma)
The Origins recorded in our Purans:
THE RITUAL OF SHRAADDH
From the Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva, Section LXXXIV + Sec.XCII
Shri Bhishma Pitamaha said: When my father Maharaja Santanu of great energy departed from this world, I proceeded to Gangadwara for performing his Shraaddha.
When Observed:
BADO, This year dates fall from 28th Sept 2004, 1st tithi (Purnima) till 13th October 2004 Last tithi (Umas).
Pitra Paksha, Mahalay Paksha: The dark fortnight, which falls in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapad, is referred to as Mahalay Paksha or Pitrupaksha.
Shraaddha is mainly divided into three types –
DASHGAATRA PINDA DAAN - Performed for ten days beginning from the day on which person has died. (Gawoh Jee Maani-feeding of the cow for 10 days)
EKADASHA' is performed on the eleventh day while ‘SAPINDAN’ is performed on the twelfth day.
YEARLY SHRADDH OR ANNUAL SHRADDH - This Shraaddha is performed annually on the death anniversary of our dearly beloved.
Significance:
The subtle tamasik yama frequencies reach the earth in higher proportions during the above-mentioned period during Bado. The yama frequencies operate also in Lord Yama’s region (Yamalok) with the help of the subtle Shiva and Parvati frequencies. Since departed ancestors’ subtle bodies reside in this region, one can reach the ancestors during especially this fortnight, with the help of the predominant yama frequencies. Hence, Hindus consider this fortnight to be ideal for performing rites for ancestors, believing that during this period, subtle bodies of deceased ancestors from Lord Yama’s region (Yamalok) visit their relatives on earth. So if the rite of Shraaddha is performed on one of the days in this fortnight, then the subtle bodies of deceased ancestors remain gratified for the rest of the year.
The Pitrupaksha fortnight is a reminder of our subtle existence and the spiritual or subtle measures needed in the form of last rites (antya sanskar) and other rites like Shraaddha, to ensure a smooth passage from existence in the physical to the subtle planes. By focusing solely on gross sciences, many of these subtle measures are not practiced, even forgotten, especially in Modern times. This has led to significant number of the population suffering from problems created by the subtle bodies of ancestors, who suffer in inferior planes, as their smooth passage was not ensured.
Effects of Shraaddha ceremony:
The benefits: 'Shraaddha' holds a very important place in Sanaatan Dharma. A dead man's soul attains salvation if the Shraaddha is performed. If Shraaddha is not performed then the soul does not rest in peace and undergoes painful experiences. Therefore, it is our duty to help our ancestors attain salvation by performing 'Shraaddha'.
'Shraaddha' not only liberates the ancestors but it is benedictory for the performer as well, because when we perform 'Shraaddha' our ancestors become pleased and bless us with wealth, prosperity and happiness. The 'mantras' chanted during Shraaddha ceremony, being indestructible sound energy reaches the dead ancestors' soul through the atmosphere and space.
Inability to get married, marital disharmony, difficulty in conceiving a child, miscarriages, bearing mentally retarded or handicapped children, death during childhood, etc., are some of the indications of suffering due to ancestors’ subtle bodies.
However, only Astrologers and Saints can tell with certainty if one is suffering PITRA DOSH IN HOROSCOPE - Any horoscope showing a Pitra-dosha indicates that the person in question has not performed Shraaddha for his ancestors. If the ritual necessary for its elimination is not performed then a man faces numerous problems and instability in his life
Since Navaratra falls right after Shraaddha the whole step by step guide how to do Navaratra puja is also on this site mentioned below.
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