Ancestral or intergenerational trauma healing through the observance of
Pitru Paksha
It is said that when we honour and remember our ancestors during this time, they bestow health, wealth, knowledge and longevity, and ultimately salvation (moksha). -- Hareesh
According to the Hindustan Times, Pitru Paksha became "a thing" when Karna (one of the main characters in the Indian epic, the Mahabharata) died. Upon his soul reaching heaven, he found himself extremely hungry because every food item he touched turned to gold. Both Karna and his farther Surya (the Sun deity) asked Indra why this was happening, Indra acknowledged Karna had been extremely generous in his daily donations of gold but that he had never offered food to his ancestors during Pitru Paksha. This caused his ancestors to curse him. Karna's family history had been hidden from him most of his life so he responded to Indra genuinely stating he was not aware of who his ancestors were. However, it is said he proclaimed with great sincerity to make amends and offered to return to earth for a period of 15 days to perform shraadh rituals and donate food and water in the memory of his unknown ancestors. Although this may have been observed prior to this legend, as the Sanatan Dharma predates Hinduism, this is the legend that establishes the 15-day period that came to be known as Pitru Paksha in popular culture.
Starting on the full moon (purnima) of September 29th of this year and going through the new moon (amavasya) of October 14th is the 2023 Pitru Paksha. It is always the immediate fortnight and full moon, after the big festival for Ganesha.
The last night of the 15 day period of Pitru Paksha is thought to have the most significance. It always falls on the Mahalaya Amavasya (new moon) and marks the night before Navaratri, "9 Nights of the Goddess" (the inspiration behind Shero Fest).
Although the rites and traditions may be dressed differently, the sentiment is similar-esque to Day of the Dead in that it is considered a time period when the ancestors come to visit the Earth loka/realm and should be honored with food offerings and other religious or spiritual rites. It is also interesting that food offerings are given to crows (symbol for Yama) but also cows and dogs. A dog plays an important role for the indigenous cultures who started Day of the Dead.
From a tantric and yogic perspective, this is considered a time of ancestral healing or clearing of intergenerational trauma which can assist in moksha (liberation, the "goal" of yoga). One such practice for this is a specific altar building and prostration practice.
Hindu observance may include bathing in the morning, food offerings during sunrise (sometimes to crows to appease Yama), specific puja, havan and daan. According to Hindustan Times, "during this time, no festivities are allowed and no new things are bought." It is advised that no new anything is started during this time period.
I don't like generalizations but there exists information that can be found that claims only three generations are given certain (Shraddha) rites in the Indian traditions. This is because it is thought that it is only the souls of the previous three generations that abide in the Pitriloka, a realm between Heaven and Earth, ruled by Yama (god of Death). Additionally it is justified that tarpan is not offered because after three generations, the souls have moved on to "Heaven".
Sadguru of Isha Foundation may disagree (quote and link to his article below), considering the last day of Pitru Paksha a day for blessings and gratitude toward the generations both known and, Karna-style, unknown.
How we can observe and practice
Feel inspired but not trained in this culture's traditions? No problem! Here are some basics from one of my teachers, Hareesh:
"Our ancestors come down to earth to bless us and in return we can do a ceremony to feed them, light a diya ( candle ) and offer our prayers to them. Pitru Paksh (can be thought of as a way to) repay our debts to our ancestors and it is one of the most important debts we have to repay in this lifetime as our ancestors reside within our mortal systems.
It’s is advisable to keep a vegetarian diet and avoid alcohol to keep a more sattvic diet to keep our anger or emotions at bay or neutral. Our inner balanced state is always reflected externally. For these 14 days, we honor the ancestors through abstaining from intoxicants, eating more frugally, and making offerings to the ancestors. You can set up an ancestor altar for this purpose; this should be separate from your liberation altar. If you’re familiar with prostration practice, this is a good time for that as well. If you have any ancestors to make amends with, that’s also a good idea.
During this time it is advisable to show honour and gratitude to our deceased family members from our mothers and fathers side by offering forgiveness, grace, love and compassion, and also by feeding the needy or less privileged as an offering."
Extra notes:
Water offerings (tarpan) or rituals can be done by rivers. Sesame seed is popular for a food offering (and probably safe for crows ;) ). Additionally cooked rice, and barley can be good food offerings and are generally safe for animals.
October 14th will be the first official day of Shero Fest to encompass this Mahalaya Amavasya, the final day of Pitru Pakash. Details for this event (a prostration opportunity offering) coming soon.
