Pay homage to ancestors
The soul incarnates into a physical body, birth after birth depending on the kind of karmas, which one does during his/her lifetime. There are certain souls who don’t reincarnate, either because they have finished their karmic cycle of bhulok (earth) or because they are stuck in a different dimension of existence and are unable to manifest in the human body, as their karmic imbalance does not entitle them a human birth.
These souls go to a different dimension of existence called the pitrlok or the lok of the ancestors. Whatever dimension or level of existence that they are in, unless they are freed from the cycle of birth and death, they need energy from their offsprings to attain karmic balance.
Shradhs are an important part of the Hindu/Vedic culture. This year, the 16-day lunar period called the pitr paksha began on September 19, the day of poornima (full moon day) and will end on October 4, sarvapitri amavasya (no moon day). It is said that on these days, the alignments of stars and constellation is such that the gateways of other dimensions open and our ancestors are allowed to visit earth.
What most of us do not know is that the concept of shradh did not exist in Satyug, as it was natural for the children to perform rituals in the name of their ancestors and do charity. The ancestors did not have the burden of any paap (negative karmas) and hence salvation or rebirth was assured. So the need to propitiate them did not arise. It was only when the yug changed, the need to perform shradh was felt.
The ritual of shradh started when King Surya performed the Aswamedha yagna. Unable to locate the white horse, he ordered his 60,000 sons to bring back the horse. The 60,000 princes searched and finally found the horse tied beside Sage Kapil who was meditating. As soon as they attacked the sage, he opened his eyes and his power burnt everyone. King Bhagirath was also the descendant of King Surya.
So in order to free his troubled ancestors, Bhagirath called upon River Ganga to earth. Bhagirath was the first one to perform shradhs by washing the sins of his ancestors by the Ganga and by doing charity and havans in their name. Henceforth, shradh began.
Ancestors depend on their children and grandchildren to do good deeds in their name and to chant specific mantras — both these acts free the souls from bondages of these not so desired yonis or levels of existences.
It is the duty of the family members to perform certain rites like tarpan and annadaan (offering food to the poor) in the names of the departed during pitr paksha.
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