Online guidance on the topic of ‘Pitrupaksha and Shraddha vidhi : Clarification of doubts’

Important guidance through special discussions jointly held by Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) 

Perform ‘Shraaddha’ and chant ‘Shri Gurudev Datta’ every day for repaying the debt of ancestors! – Sadguru Nandkumar Jadhav

 

Jalgaon : Hindu Dharma advises repaying 4 types of debts which are ‘Dev-rhun (debt unto God)’, ‘Rhushi-rhun (debt unto sages)’, ‘Pitru-rhun (debt unto the ancestors)’, and ‘Samaj-rhun (debt unto society)’ for God realisation. Under ‘Pitru-rhun’, it is required to make efforts for repaying the debts of ancestors for the emancipation of their souls after death. Performing ‘shraaddha’ is important for the emancipation of ancestors’ souls. This ritual can be performed through a ‘Purohit (priest)’ if possible. Where ‘Purohit’ or the material required for this ritual is not available, one can make a resolve for the liberation of ancestors’ souls and perform ‘Aam-shraadha’, ‘Hiranya-shraadha’; or offer food to a cow. It is also necessary to regularly practise spirituality for the ancestors’ souls to get ‘gati (momentum attained after death)’ and protection from the distress of unhappy ancestors. Along with ‘Shraadha’ ritual, everyone should chant ‘Shri Gurudev Datta’ at least for 1-2 hours during ‘Pitru-Paksha’, advised Sadguru Nandkumar Jadhav, the ‘Dharmapracharak’ of Sanatan Sanstha during the online special discussions program jointly organised by Sanatan Sanstha and HJS on the occasion of ‘Pitru-Paksha’.

Sadguru Nandkumar Jadhav said further that

1. Many times, performing ‘Shraadha’ ritual is not given importance due to lack of ‘Dharmashikshan’ amongst Hindus; so also following western culture and their attitude of treating Hindu Dharma inferior to other religions, but even now, thousands of people from many western countries come to India and perform ‘shraadha’ at different religious places.

2. Manu, Raja Bhagirath are some of the first persons who performed ‘Shraadha’ and undertook severe penance for the emancipation of their ancestors. There is also a reference of performing ‘shraadha’ by Prabhu Shriram in ‘Treta-Yuga’; besides, references of performing ‘Shraadha’  rituals are found even during the period of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; therefore, instead of falling prey to the propaganda of the so-called progressive factions, one should perform these rituals as per one’s capacity during the period of Corona pandemic for repayment of debt unto ancestors.

3. Our ancestors remain unhappy if we don’t perform ‘shraadha’. That creates problems. ‘Shraadha’ rituals help ancestors to move on to higher ‘loka’ from ‘Martya loka’. Hindu Dharma is the unique Dharma that advises performing ‘shraadha’ for progress even after death.

4. Presently, due to the lack of ‘Dharmashikshan’, people are advised to donate money to social organisations or orphanages instead of performing ‘shraadha’ which is a wrong concept. A religious act has to be done as per ‘Dharmashaastra’ only then ‘Pitru-rhun’ is repaid.