By Simran Sukhnani
Copyright timesnownews
Every year, Indian households perform rituals during the fortnight of Pitru Paksh by offering food to the ones who have left the world and gone to a different realm. They also dedicate prayers and show their love to the departed ones. But there’s something more that lies behind these offerings, a deeper spiritual meaning and belief. This is that during the Pitru Paksh, our ancestors walk really closely with us; listening, blessing and guiding those who are still here, their descendants. Do our ancestors return to guide us during pitru paksh? According to Hindu mythology and tradition, Pitru Paksh is that time of the year when the veil between the realms of the living and the dead are the thinnest. It is popularly believed that during this time the departed souls, or our pitrus, come down to the earth and spend a fortnight here to visit their families. The rituals of shraddha and tarpan are also performed to show gratitude to our ancestors for keeping us safe and provide nourishment along with peace to their souls. When we do this, it ensures that they are showering blessings on our future generations as well. Many spiritual practitioners and astrology experts believe that this the period when our dreams, intuitions and insights may carry ancestral messages as they act like little nudges or reminders from our loved ones who continue to watch over us. Most auspicious time for spiritual healing and karma balanceOne may think this fortnight period is about remembrance but that’s not all. It is also seen as an auspicious window for initiating karmic healing. In Vedic belief, karmas, balance sheets or unresolved tasks or energies can pass down generationally also. This often affects relationships, health and even prosperity. By offering prayers and acts of service like feeding others or charity can help during this time. Families also attempt to release the burdens and invite positive ancestral energies. Meditation, fasting and other rituals are done during the Pitru Paksh so as to cleanse the individual and the lineage and balance the karmic accounts. It’s often referred to as the most spiritually potent time of the year to heal generational wounds and strengthen family bonds across realms. Pitru paksh: a cosmic reminder that we carry the dreams of our ancestors Beyond just the rituals, Pitru Paksh also serves as a cosmic reminder of our ancestral roots and their dreams that we carry forward. Every success that we enjoy and every tradition we uphold, is essentially a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of those who have come before us. As we honor our ancestors, we are also acknowledging the promise we have made to carry forward the lineage, their unfulfilled dreams, values and their resilience to keep going. Spiritually, this awareness grounds us, it reminds us that our lives are not isolated journeys but continuations of a much larger story. The modern relevance of pitru paksh In today’s fast-paced world, Pitru Paksh offers a moment of pause. Even if one doesn’t follow traditional rites, simply lighting a lamp, expressing gratitude, or spending time in reflection can foster a sense of connection and belonging. Spiritual healers often emphasize that remembering ancestors with love creates a field of positive energy that strengthens family harmony and personal peace.
