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Synonyms
Pitr Paksha, Mahalay Paksha.
The dark fortnight, which falls in the Hindu
calendar month of Bhadrapad, is referred to as mahalay
paksha or pitrupaksha.
Significance
The subtle tamasik yama
frequencies reach the earth in higher proportions during
the four Hindu calendar months (chaturmas) following the
Hindu New Year day (Gudhipadva).
The yama frequencies operate also in Lord Yama’s region
(Yamalok) with the help of the subtle Shiva and Minakshi 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 shraddha 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.
Observance
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Hindu scriptures
state that the mahalay shraddha may be performed everyday
from the full moon day (pournima) till the new moon day
(amavasya) of the month of Bhadrapad. However, if this
is not possible then it is customary to perform the mahalay
shraddha on the date (tithi) of this fortnight corresponding
to that of one’s father’s death (if applicable). |
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The ritual of shraddha should be performed for one’s
deceased father, grandfather, great-grandfather on
the paternal side and the mother, grandfather, great-grandfather
on the maternal side. One can also perform these rites
for one’s deceased stepmother, grandfather, great-grandfather,
great great-grandfather, grandmother, great-grandmother,
great great-grandmother, wife, son, daughter, paternal
uncle, maternal uncle, brother, paternal aunt, maternal
aunt, sister, son of paternal uncle, son-in-law, nephew
(sister’s son), father-in-law, mother-in-law,
teachers, priests, friends, the Guru and disciples.
The names of all those alive should be excluded from
these rituals.
The table below gives the shraddha
to be performed for particular individuals on various
dates.
Date
(tithi) of Hindu month
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Name
of the shraddha
|
Meant
for whom
|
Specialty
of the ritual
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| 1. |
The
fourth (chaturthi)or the fifth (panchami)
[during the reign of the Bharani lunar
asterism]
|
|
Bharani |
One
who has passed awayduring that year
|
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| 2. |
The
ninth day (navami)
|
|
Avidhva navami* |
A
woman ancestor who has passed away before her
husband
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Instead
of the Shraddha rituals, a meal is offered to
a married woman (savashna)
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| 3. |
The
thirteenth day (trayodashi)
|
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Balabholaniteras
(its name in Gujarat, India)
|
Child
ancestors who have passed away
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Offering
to crows(kakbali)
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Ghatchaturdashi |
Ancestors
who had an accidental death
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*Avidhva navami: The ninth day (navami) of the dark
fortnight of the Hindu month of Bhadrapad is referred
to as avidhva navami. On this day, the rite for the
departed (shraddha) is performed for one’s mother
or any other woman in the family, who did not die a
widow. It is customary to offer a meal to a Hindu priest
(brahmin) as well as a married woman (suvasini) on
such an occasion.
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In these rituals,
instead of deities, a class of demigods residing in heaven,
described as dhurilochan (dhuri: smoke, lochan: eyes;
their eyes remain half closed due to smoke) should be
invoked. If possible, two brahmins in the name of deities,
three for each of the three oblations offered (parvanas)
during the sacred period (parva) and one each in the
name of the deceased ancestor should be invited. If this
is not feasible then in all five brahmins should be invited;
one in the name of the deities, one each for the three
oblations and one for all the ancestors. |
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If it is not possible
to perform the mahalay shraddha on the appropriate date
(tithi), it may be performed on a later appropriate date
till the sun reaches the Scorpio (Vrushchik) solar sign. |
Conclusion
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 shraddha, 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 Western countries.
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.
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 Saints can tell with certainty if one
is suffering or will suffer due to ancestors’ souls.
One can assess if one is undergoing such problems, that are
not resolved despite trying various conventional methods,
and take the spiritual measures to overcome these problems.
The worship of Lord Datta is recommended, chanting (repeating)
the Name Sri
Gurudev Datta 3, 6, or 9 malas per
day depending on the severity of the problem. Ultimately,
though, sincere daily spiritual
practice is the only way to ensure a Blissful life
and passing on to heaven or higher heavens after physical
death.
[Reference: Holy
Festivals, Religious Festivals and Vowed Religious Observances,
compiled by H.
H. Dr. Jayant B. Athavale and Dr. Mrs. Kunda Athavale,
published by the Sanatan.]
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