Remembering our ancestors

Shraadh, also known as pitr paksh, is a 16-day period dedicated to the ancestors. It is a period wherein the Hindus remember and pay homage to the departed souls of family members through some rituals prescribed in the scriptures.

The entire concept of Shraadh revolves around sending good vibes, positive feelings, good wishes and joy to the departed souls, wherever they might be.

It is believed that Lord Yama, the god of death, had offered a boon to mankind which states that the offerings done during this period would immediately reach the departed souls, wherever they are, whether in form or formless state, whether in human birth or not.

In this period, elaborate food preparations are made consisting of sweets, savouries and all those items which the departed souls liked. It is believed that the joy we get by preparing and eating these particular food items directly reaches the soul.

Prayers, pujas, homas, yagnas are performed by the pundits along with mantra chanting in the name of the departed ancestors. These too help us to remember our ancestors and pray for their well being and happiness.

The special food prepared during the occasion is then first offered to the Brahmins. Brahmins are considered to be the rightful entities to consume this special food. It is believed that the essence of this food, through these Brahmins, reaches the ancestors giving them peace, happiness and satisfaction.

Departed ancestors could be either in any one of these seven lokas — bhur loka, buva loka, swar loka, maha loka, jnana loka, tapa loka or satya loka in appropriate bodies or they may be in the space in astral body waiting to enter another physical body. In whichever body they are and in whichever condition they are they would receive the benefit of prayers on earth.

The benefit could reach the ancestors by way of divine sound heard by them or sweet nectar taste or a peace giving vision or beautiful smell or a feeling of motherly lovable touch.

There are chances that the ancestors, for whom the various rituals are performed during this period, have been reborn in our world and are around us. In their new form we cannot recognise them but after the shraadh ritual the vibrations would spread in the whole universe and they would search the ancestral soul wherever they are and in whichever form they are and give them the benefit of rituals.

Sadguru Rameshji is a modern age spiritual guru and founder of Poorna Ananda, a centre for spiritual evolution and joyful living. Visit www.poornaananda.org