Pitru Paksha: A Bridge to Afterlife

Hindus are bound by their Dharma, and they follow a unique ritual called Pitru Paksha. During this occasion, they pray for the souls of their ancestors by offering food. It is believed that those who don’t offer food and water to their ancestors during this occasion will not receive anything in their afterlife. The story behind the origin of Pitru Paksha is worth knowing.

The Pitru Paksha ritual, Source: Web Dunia

India stands as a land steeped in rich culture, where a tapestry of rituals is woven with unwavering faith. From baby showers to housewarming ceremonies, from bidding farewell to ancestors, every milestone in our lives is intricately tied to rites and rituals. Among these, Pitru Paksha is a death-related ritual performed during the dark half of the Hindu Lunar calendar, a time to pay homage to and honour our departed ancestors. This 16-day-long observance holds the belief that Yamraj, the lord of death, grants the ancestors the opportunity to receive offerings from their descendants. In Sanskrit, Pitr Paksha translates to 'fortnight of the paternal ancestors', wherein descendants remember their forebears by offering food and water, symbolising a journey toward the afterlife.

Whenever a soul departs from a Hindu family, the observance of Shradh is undertaken to provide solace to the departing spirit. Shradh, derived from the word Shraddha, embodies faith. This auspicious ritual permits mourners to memorialise their ancestors by offering them sustenance. Typically, this food is presented to cows, crows, and dogs. It is believed that these offerings entice our ancestors, who take the form of birds and animals to partake in our heartfelt tributes. In several regions, Brahmin priests are invited to partake in offerings of Kheer, a sweet rice pudding, aiming to please the ancestral spirits.

According to Hindu scriptures, each human carries various forms of debt, which must be repaid in the course of life. One such debt is known as Pitru Runa or ancestral debt, and during Pitru Paksha, the occasion arises to fulfil this debt. Speaking of ancestral debts, a legend emerges from the Mahabharata war involving Daanveer Karna. Upon his death, he was granted a place in heaven for his virtuous deeds. However, to his dismay, he found himself unable to consume food. Each time he touched a morsel, it transformed into gold and precious gems. Seeking a solution, Karna and Surya Deva approached Lord Indra, who revealed that Karna had donated gold and jewels throughout his life, neglecting to offer food and water. This oversight led his ancestors in the spirit realm to curse him, as he deprived them of nourishment.

Stricken with remorse, Karna sought forgiveness, unaware of his ancestral existence, and vowed to correct his mistake if granted the chance. Permission was granted, and Karna returned to Earth for fifteen days, engaging in rituals to offer food and water, thus repaying his ancestral debt. These fifteen days, during which Karna amended his transgressions, came to be known as Pitru Paksha.

Offering food to the crows during Pitru Paksha, Source: Web Dunia

While Pind Daan (food offerings for the departed) is often performed through Brahmin priests, others opt to offer food to crows. An intriguing story from the Ramayan explains this practice. When Sita Mata was near her hut, a crow persistently pecked at her feet, drawing blood. Observing this, Lord Rama intervened by releasing an arrow that blinded the crow. To this day, crows are believed to see through one eye only. Years later, when Rama returned to his kingdom, he encountered a crow in distress and bestowed a blessing upon it. In return, the crow received the ability to perceive the past, present, and future. Lord Rama pledged that ancestral offerings would remain incomplete without a morsel set aside for the crow. Since then, it's believed that departed ancestors assume the form of crows during Pitru Paksha, visiting their descendants.

The tradition isn't confined to India alone; it's practised in various corners of the world. For instance, in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, involves offering candied pumpkins, sugar skulls, and cherished dishes to honour ancestors. Similarly, in Italy, All Souls' Day, every year on 2 November commemorates forebears. This act of honouring departed souls stands as a sacred rite, acting as a bridge connecting the earthly realm to the afterlife.