Dr Rekha Jad
To feel rooted is to experience a deep sense of connection, belonging, and stability — as though we are firmly anchored in who we are and where we come from. Respecting and expressing gratitude to our ancestors bestows exactly this grounding, reminding us of the continuum of life that flows through generations. Across faiths — Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism — traditions of thanksgiving to both blood and spiritual ancestors have existed, affirming that remembrance of lineage is universal.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar beautifully captures this essence:
“Recognize the contribution of your ancestors & feel grateful. Gratefulness is always liberating! While your soul is always free, your body is the continuum of life from your ancestors. However their life was, you are here because of them. So be grateful!”
Sanatan Dharma acknowledges this truth profoundly, dedicating the Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada to Pitrapaksh — sixteen lunar days devoted to honouring one’s forebears. This sacred period is marked by reflection, gratitude, and spiritual connection with one’s lineage.
Shraddha — the ritual performed during this time — derives its meaning from shraddha (faith and devotion). Without heartfelt sincerity, the ritual loses its essence. Offerings of pindas (rice and sesame balls), food, or even simple tarpan (sprinkling of water symbolising the eternal flow of life) become acts of devotion that connect us to those who came before us.
Tradition holds that during these sixteen days, the portals to Pitrlok — the ancestral realm governed by Yama, the god of death — open, allowing ancestors to visit and bless their descendants. By offering food, charity, and compassion, particularly feeding the poor and animals such as cows, one not only fulfils a sacred duty but also receives blessings of prosperity in return.
The Mahabharata beautifully illustrates the importance of this observance. After Karna’s death, he was offered only gold and jewels in the afterlife, for he had donated wealth generously but never food. Yearning for sustenance, he was allowed to return to earth for fifteen days to offer food to his ancestors. From this legend arose the ritual of Pitrapaksh, underlining the value of devotion and nourishment over material wealth.
It is believed that three preceding generations of ancestors reside in Pitrlok, awaiting the offerings made by their descendants. Such rituals ease their journey and bring joy to their souls, ensuring harmony across realms. Similar practices are seen worldwide, with Christianity observing All Souls’ Day in memory of the departed.
Hinduism, with its vast canopy of beliefs, treats every creation as sacred — rivers as mothers, mountains as fathers, the moon, stars, and sun as divine. By nature, it honours life in all its forms and continues this reverence even for souls that have departed the physical body.
In keeping these traditions alive, we not only honour those who came before us but also set an example for generations to come. Let us strive to become the kind of ancestors our descendants will thank.
The post Honouring Our Ancestors: The Spirit of Pitrapaksh appeared first on Daily Excelsior.