Details of Pitru Shraddh
Shraddh is one of the most significant and ancient annual ritual – Puja Vidhi of Sanatan Dharma as per sacred scriptures. Shradh period starts from the Purnima – full moon day of Bhadrapada to Amavasya also famous as Shraddh Paksha. The main idea behind this ritual to be performed is for salvation of soul of ancestors and showcase honour, respect and devotion towards ancestors. As per the Garuda Puran and Markandeya Purana the key scriptures for various after death rituals, son must perform this Puja Vidhi for salvation of father and ancestors will bestow wealth, health, long life and Moksha. There are lots of tales attached with Shraddh, one is related to Lord Varah – third incarnation of Lord Vishnu introduced Shraddh on the earth. Lord Varah had created three pindas from his molar tooth and placed it on kusha – grass, these 3 Pindas resembles as the father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Other legend is associated with Lord Brahma, Rishi Atri and his son Rishi Nimi. After the death of son, Rishi Nimi invoked his ancestors for protection under the guidance of Narad Muni. He fed Brahmins with thought of his deceased son. Later on during meditation he found that due to this activity his son got the respectable position in Pitru Lok.
Another one is related with Karna – well known donor and elder brother of Pandava. After the death of Karna, his soul transcended to heaven, where he was offered gold and jewels as food and not the eatable food. Thus Karna asked Indra about the reason for serving gold as food. Indra told Karna that he had donated gold and everything except the food to his ancestors during Shraddha.
Offering of rice, black sesame, cow’s milk, ghee, sugar and honey, Kusha in form of the Pind to the ancestors with reciting Gayatri Mantra is most important part of Shraddh. Tarpan means Trupt or satisfy is the offering of water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, kusha grass and white flours to God, Sages, ancestors’ soul and human beings and satisfying them. As per the Ayurveda black sesame holds great characteristics to absorb the negative energy from inside and outside. Feeding brahmins known as Brahmin Bhoj, donate to poor people completes the Shradh ritual. The crow is considered as the form of ancestors and come to our house in the afternoon on the appointed date to receive Shraddha. Thus every Indian family offer food to crow during this period.
