Shraddha or Shraddh is a ceremony, often performed annually, in propitiation of ancestors known as Pitru. Sage Pulastya says that the word Shraddha is derived from sraddhayaa deeyate yasmath, which means that whichis performed with great faith. The faith referred to here is the faith in the Vedas, whose dictats are taken as incontrovertible and which enjoin its performance as a duty. Significantly Shraddha or faith and Medha or intelligence are deified in the Vedas.
The important constituents of a Sraddha are Arghya (water libation), Havana (fire offering), the feeding of brahmins,Pindadhan, Vikira, Dakshina and Tarpana.Holy brahmins are fed in a worshipful manner, after invoking on them the souls of departed ancestors and three generations identified with Vasu, Rudra and Aditya on the paternal or maternal side, as the case may be.
The darba or kusa grass and til(sesame) are two significant materials used in the performance. According to the Padmapurana, kusa grass and black til sprang from the body of Lord Vishnu. Since Vishnu is anathema to evil, the use of til prevents shraddha offerings from being pilfered by them. Use of kusa renderes the whole ceremony holy. Silver vessels are recommended to be used as ancient Pitrus milked Svadha in a silver vessel and the use and gifting of such vessels pleases them.
Orgins of The Shraddha
The origins of the shraddha ceremony are described in the Varaha Purana. Sage Atreya, born in the line of Manu had a son named Nimi.Nimi's son performed tapas for a thousand years but passed away and Nimi was plunged into inconsolable grief with his son's memories haunting him day and night. Consoling himself after great effort on a dwadashi of the Magha month he prepared food that his son loved and invited seven Brahmins to partake in the meals chanting his sons name all the time.
While this was happening Sage Narada entered his home and Nimi was embaraced for what he had been doing. He confessed,choked with emotion,to the Sage, that he had tried to console himself by assuming that he was feeding his son andasked for his forgiveness for the foolish act. The Sage asked him not to fear as he had done nothing wrong and asked him to take refuge in his Pitrus who would protect him.
Reassured, Nimi entered into deep contemplation of his Pitrus. They appeared before him and informed him that his son was safe with them in Pitru Loka and there was no adharma in what he had done. They told him, that in fact, Brahma himself had ordained this ceremony and had compared it to sacrifice. they blessed him for what he had done.From that day the Shraddha became an important part of Hindu ceremonies.
How does feeding Brahmins in the present feed ancestors who passed a long time ago?
The Matsya purana answers this question. In the Shraddha the souls of the departed ancestors are invoked on the holy Brahmins invited and Pitrus are directed to the venue of the ceremony by the Visvedevas or universal spirit. Hence the souls of the ancestors, identified with Vasu, Rudra and Adityas - the Shraddha deities, are present and we worship them.The food and oblations offered in the fire along with uttering the names of the departed are converted by the mantra and faith into food appropriate for the current bodies of the departed souls and carried to them by the Shraddha deities and Agni, the God of fire who access to the departed and gratify them. The Pitrudevatas after completion of the Shraddha, gratified by the worship , bless the performer with health, wealth, children and prosperity and return to their abode.
Whatever the religious merit or otherwise of the Shraddha, it definitely helps us recall with affection and gratitude the memory of our elders and benefactors, which is an ennobling experience in itself.
How we can help
We have made arrangements to help you perform rituals for your ancestors at Kashi on the banks of the Ganges. Puja will be performed for your ancestors and annadhan will be done for Brahmin priests. Annadhan will include food, clothes and sacred thread. It will be performed during Pitra Paksha or if availability permits on Mahalaya.If you may be interested kindly let us know well in advance by sending an email to mahesh@saranam.com
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