Why is Shradh necessary...?

Shradh is a tradition of Sanatana Dharma which, according to Hinduism, is celebrated as a festival every year from the full moon of Bhadrapada Shukla to the new moon of Ashwin Krishna. According to Hindu belief, during this period, there is a tradition of performing Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan for one's deceased parents, relatives, gurus, and at least two generations of ancestors like grandparents, maternal grandparents, etc., after their death. It is believed that if this tradition is not performed विधि पूर्वक (according to rituals), the deceased soul does not get liberation from the earthly realm and that soul, entering the realm of ghosts, creates an atmosphere of discontent, illness, quarrels in the family, and causes defects like childlessness, marriage obstacles, and financial loss, which is called Pitru Dosh. According to the Brahm Purana, not performing the Shradh ceremony for the deceased soul causes so much suffering to the ancestors in the other world that they become distressed, and their displeasure manifests as a Pitru curse, causing extreme suffering. But on the other hand, their being pleased also blesses the family with material happiness, honor, lineage, and wealth, because according to the Puranas, the ancestors have the ability to both curse and bless, just like the gods. Therefore, every year, according to the Sanatana tradition, every person should perform the Shradh ceremony of their deceased ancestors according to their family lineage and scriptural rites during these 15 days, so that they can receive their grace and blessings from their ancestors.

What is Shradh? & The Greatness of Shradh The meaning of the word Shradh is related to श्रद्धा (faith/reverence), because in Sanatana culture, if we remember our ancestors and deceased parents and gurus with gratitude, appreciation, and affection, and for their sake, we satisfy a Brahmin at the proper time, place, and date according to our family traditions by giving them food, water, Pind (ritual food balls), clothes, etc., then it is called the 'Shradh' of that person. By doing this, we express our gratitude to those deceased persons, so that respect for their good deeds in our lives can be expressed, and the feeling of reverence for them also remains alive, and we can be freed from the debt of our ancestors (Pitri Rin). Some people consider Shradh a conservative tradition. Their opinion is, what is the justification of food, water, wealth, clothes, and Pind Daan, Tarpan, etc., for a deceased person? But the Vedas and Puranas describe the rituals related to Shradh, which reflects its importance. According to the Yajurveda, after leaving the body, the deceased soul takes on a new body and gets another life and body according to its past deeds. This journey from one birth to another is infinite and invisible. To make this journey smooth until salvation and nirvana, their descendants on earth perform rituals and worship through four methods: Havan, Pind Daan, Tarpan, and Brahmin Bhoj.

Whatever is offered to the ancestors with the chanting of their name and gotra, Vishvadevas and Agnivashtas deliver it to them. The havya and kavya received through the rituals provide the deceased soul with the strength to reach the ancestral world (Pitrilok). It is also necessary for the descendants of the soul to do this for the sake of duty, because the deceased souls are subtly present and accept the food, water, and fragrance of the Havan offered in the Shradh rituals. If the ancestors have attained the realm of gods, the food offered to them is received as 'amrit' (nectar); in the realm of Gandharvas, it is received as 'bhog' (pleasures); in the animal realm, as 'trin' (grass); in the Naga realm, as 'vayu' (air); in the Yaksha realm, as 'paan' (drink); in the Rakshasa realm, as 'amish' (meat); in the Danava realm, as 'maans' (flesh); in the ghost realm, as 'rudhir' (blood); and upon becoming human, as 'tripti karak padarth' (satisfying substances) fit for consumption. The body of the deceased soul is satisfied by the food offered to a Brahmin on earth, who is considered the representative of the ancestors; the subtle body and mind are satisfied by the food offered in the fire; and all the birds wandering in the sky are satisfied by the Agnihotra, which gives strength and satisfaction to the deceased soul.

Thus, being peaceful and satisfied, some souls are freed from the cycle of life, while some are reincarnated on earth according to their karma. To reach their correct destination through this method, the deceased souls expect the Shradh ceremony from their relatives so that they do not have to wander in the cosmic energy if they are unsatisfied. Thus, by satisfying the ancestors, a person also moves on the path of liberation. If the Shradh ceremony performed for ancestors is seen beyond arguments and opposition, it is also a tradition born out of the emotional attachment reflected by connecting with the memory of one's ancestors and showing respect and honor to them, which certainly helps in improving, understanding, and enriching mutual relationships and family values.

How to perform Shradh? Who is entitled to perform it? According to the Markandeya Purana, Shradh and Pind Daan are two aspects of the same word. In Shradh, there is a custom of feeding Brahmins and relatives to fulfill the food-related needs of the deceased soul. In Pind Daan, ancestors are considered to be present in the form of a Pind, i.e., in the five elements, and round Pindas are made by mixing black sesame seeds, barley, milk, honey, etc., in rice or barley flour and offered to the ancestors with reverence. In addition, a portion of the offering is also taken out for cows, dogs, crows, rats, and ants.

Usually, people observe Shradh traditions according to their family customs, time, and capacity. But even if there is no time and capacity, the Shradh can be completed by the subtle act of remembering one's ancestors with reverence every day and joining hands, because Shradh is connected with the feeling of reverence. But if there is time and capacity, Shradh should be performed according to Vedic traditions because it enriches the family's mutual attachment and values. It is believed that Shradh and Tarpan should be performed by the deceased's son, grandson, brother, nephew, maternal nephew, and grandson, i.e., the male members of the family. However, in the absence of a son or any male in the family, the option of performing Shradh is also valid for the eldest daughter, wife, daughter-in-law, and elderly woman of the house. To give this system a logical recognition on the basis of religion, the epic Ramayana also mentions the incident of Sita ji performing Pind Daan for her father-in-law, Maharaj Dashrath, on the banks of the Falgu river in Gaya ji. According to the Garuda Purana, in the absence of any woman in the family, this ritual is also valid if performed by the family priest, a friend, a disciple, or other relatives. To keep the traditions alive and to maintain their importance, religious leaders permit all of them to perform the Shradh ceremony.

What to do for the pacification of Pitru Dosh?

1. Ancestors are always pleased by respecting one's parents and the elders of the house, as well as the wife, sister, daughter-in-law, daughters, and other women.
2. Except on Sunday, offer water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, rice, sugar, raw milk, and Ganga water to the Peepal tree every day. During Pitru Paksha, offering this water at the root of the Peepal tree every day, circumambulating it, and then asking for forgiveness from the ancestors also removes the Dosh.
3. On every Amavasya (new moon day), white things like milk, yogurt, rice, sugar, white clothes, fruits, and flowers, along with dakshina (offering), should be given to a worthy Brahmin in the name of one's deceased ancestors.
4. If one can afford it, a cow should be donated to a poor Brahmin. Otherwise, on Amavasya, preparing food for the ancestors and feeding it to a cow, or feeding green fodder to a cow also satisfies the ancestors.
5. Observing a fast on Sunday and offering Arghya to the sun every day by filling a copper or brass pot with water and adding roli, rice, and a red flower also helps the ancestors to ascend.
6. Fruit-bearing trees like Peepal, Banyan, and Amla, besides others, should be planted and protected in the memory of one's ancestors.
7. Arranging for food and water for humans and animals/birds also pacifies Pitru Dosh.
8. Get a recitation of the Shrimad Bhagwat and Akhand Ramayan done by making a sankalpa (vow) in the name of the ancestors. In addition, continuously practicing the recitation of Vishnusahasranam, Durga Saptashati, Sundarkand, and Gajendra Moksha, and distributing these religious books also pacifies Pitru Dosh.
9. Place pictures of your ancestors on the south wall of the house, light a mustard oil lamp in front of them, and do not sleep with your feet towards the south.
10. Serve your gurus, celebrate the death anniversaries of your ancestors, worship Shiva, serve and help the poor and needy, and take a vow of honesty.