The Ganpati festival finishes, leaving us with much happiness and many good memories. Now it’s time for the preparation of Navratri. But wait, there’s a gap of sixteen days between these two festivals, and this period is also a significant event we call Pitru Paksha. For sixteen days, in Hinduism we perform Dhana, Puja, Havan, and many religious ceremonies to remember our ancestors. Out of curiosity, I asked my father why we do this. He said… it’s our old tradition.
“Every year, I visit the building’s terrace to offer food in memory of my father and mother. It’s believed that when a crow accepts the offering, it signifies that my ancestors have accepted my prayers.” It’s truly amazing that we honor and remember our ancestors in this way.
Then I learned about “Pitru Dosh.” What is it? Dad shared this information with me: Pitru means ancestors, and Dosh means fault or deficiency. Thus, it literally means “ancestral fault.”
Reasons: It is believed that Pitru Dosh occurs for several reasons, including:
- Unperformed Shraddh: Not performing the annual Shraddh rituals (offering and prayers) for deceased ancestors.
- Dissatisfied Ancestors: Ancestors whose last rites were not performed correctly, or who died unnaturally, or who had unfulfilled wishes.
- Disrespect: Showing disrespect towards elders or ancestors during their lifetime.
- Negative Karma: Accumulation of negative karma from past lives, which might be related to ancestors’ actions or neglected duties.
But while doing all this, a thought came to mind: do we care about the wishes of those who are still with us? Many are not as lucky as us, whose mom and dad are still with them. I recalled a movie scene where a father worked in a company, living with his wife and son. Everything was fine until the father retired and fell sick, unable to work anymore due to his illness. The son got married and started his own family. One day, the father’s spectacles broke, and he asked his son to get a new pair. The son immediately refused the demand, but at the same time, his granddaughter asked for money for a field trip, and he immediately gave it to her. A few years later, the father passed away, and during Pitru Paksha, the son started performing dana/dharma and offering food to the needy. The question arose: why do you do this now? Why not earlier, when your father needed your support the most? They said they do it to avoid Pitru Dosh. I said, “It’s Putra Dosh!” There can never be a Pitru ka Dosh (ancestors). Even if you ask for forgiveness once, they will forgive you; their heart is so vast.
Bachpan mein aise pal aate hain jab ek bache ko apne Maa-Baap ki sabse zyada zarurat hoti hai. Parents tirelessly do everything for their children, never hesitating to make sacrifices, even compromising their own well-being. I remember my friend, Anil. His father passed away during his childhood, and he faced immense struggles just to meet daily needs. He started distributing newspapers early every morning, while his mother worked tirelessly, cleaning and washing in multiple homes.
I’ve witnessed the incredibly tough times my friend faced, and it serves as a powerful reminder: what are we waiting for? Before those precious names, ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad,’ stop ringing on your phone forever, let’s commit to showing our love and appreciation.
Let’s make an effort to connect daily, whether through a phone call or, if they’re close by, a visit. Ask about their wishes – perhaps there’s something they’ve always wanted to do or experience. Surprise them with thoughtful gifts, just as they delighted you with unexpected joys during your childhood. Plan a special outing every few months, taking them wherever their heart desires.
Aur hamesha, hamesha daya aur izzat se baat karein. Agar koi galatfehmi ho jaye, toh turant dil se maafi maangein, unka pyaar itna bada hai ki maaf karna pakka hota hai.
They endured so much, sacrificing and working tirelessly for us, often even through their own pain. Why postpone showing our gratitude?
Aaiye aaj se hi apne Maa-Baap ke din khush aur meaningful banayein. Yeh sirf ek zimmedari nahi, balki humara dharma hai.
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