During the 16 day period of Pitra Paksh, portals to the dimension of our ancestors (Pitrilok) open, and they are allowed to come and visit us.
The practice of propitiating the ancestors has been there since antiquity, across the globe. In India it is the Pitra Paksh, in China, Singapore & Malaysia it is called the Hungry Ghost Festival, in Indonesia and Bali Hari Raya Galungan, in Thailand Sat Thai, in Cambodia Pchum Ben, Kalan Gwav in Celtic countries and All Saints Day and All Souls Day in Europe.
Feeding, nurturing and serving cows and bulls deserves a special mention in satiating the Pitris. Our scriptures describe the Vaitarni River which has to be crossed by all souls after leaving the body. This can be an excruciating and horrifying experience for the soul. It is said that this river can be crossed effortlessly by holding the tail of a cow or a bull. However the entitlement to find this cow or bull after death is limited to those who have performed gauseva during their birth or whose future generations are serving the cows and bulls in their stead.
If a person does not perform seva for his/her pitris, then the dis-satisfaction of the ancestors translates as various kinds of disturbances around him/her in the form of family discord’s, infighting, financial strain, difficulty in having a child or if there is a child, then troubles surrounding him/her. This is termed as the Pitr Dosh. Our shastras prescribe paying off the debts we owe to our ancestors (who are responsible for granting us this birth and the body), within our lifetime, with complete gratitude or shraddha, The process is called Shraadh hence. If you do not believe in this, you are welcome to come to Dhyan Ashram and communicate with your ancestors through pitri yagyas and ask them for yourselves !
Daily yagyas will be conducted at Dhyan Ashram Yagyashala for Pitra Paksh from 26 September to 10 October. For more information, reach us at [email protected]
Ashwini Guru ji is the guiding light of Dhyan Ashram and an authority on Vedic Sciences. His book, 'Sanatan Kriya: The Ageless Dimension' is an acclaimed thesis on anti-ageing. Log on to www.dhyanfoundation.com
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