Significance Of Pitra Paksh Or Shraddh

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The word Pitra paksh means the time of offering prayers to the departed souls of our ancestors. According to the Hindu calendar the fifteen days of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksh) of the Bhadrapada month is known as the Pitra paksh or the Mahalaya paksh. These are the auspicious days to perform the post-death rites to the departed forefathers.

On all these fifteen days, offerings are made to the departed souls. Puja is also performed for those whose names and manner of death is not known. Rites and rituals like pind daan, shraddh and tarpan are performed on all the days under the guidance of a priest. The last day of the pitra paksh known as the Mahalaya Amavasya is considered the most important and highly sacred.

Story Behind Pitra Paksh:

The story why Pitra paksh is specifically observed during this time span goes back to the time of Mahabharata. According to the legends, Karna, who was one of the heroes of the war could not find food after his death. As his soul went on to the higher realms, he found large amounts of gold and diamonds but no food. This was because though he was a kind hearted person and donated plenty of gold and diamonds, He had never donated any food to the needy.

So, Karna prayed to Lord Yama, the God of death for some solution. With His grace Karna returned to Earth during this paksh or fortnight. He donated food to the hungry and returned to the highest realm where his soul belonged. Hence, annadana or giving food to the hungry forms a central part to this ritual.

Persons performing the rites on these days observe certain disciplines very strictly. Like they do not shave or indulge in any kind of pleasure during this time. No new purchases or business is undertaken during this time. Feeding the deserving and needy Brahmans is a must.

It is believed that the departed souls of our ancestors attain peace through these rituals and rites performed during Pitra paksh. In return they give blessings to the ones who perform these rites. It is also said that the souls for whom these rites have not been performed wander aimlessly on Earth.

Pitra paksh is a fortnight of remembering those who have left us and the time to pray for their souls. Hence the rites and rituals are followed with great devotion and faith.