Pitri Paksh-Visiting An Honoured Tradition: Part II

Significance of Daan

The ritual of Daan, or the act of giving, finds special significance during Pitri Paksha, as emphasized in several Hindu scriptures. This practice is not only extended to fellow humans—particularly Brahmins and the poor—but also to various living beings, including birds (notably crows), insects (such as ants), and animals (like dogs and cows). The Garuda Purana, one of the principal texts discussing posthumous rites, highlights the importance of offerings and the belief that through these acts of kindness, one not only serves the living but also nourishes the departed souls.

In Hindu philosophy, the concept of Daan is intricately linked with karma and dharma. Giving during Pitri Paksha is seen as a way of transferring merit to one’s ancestors, ensuring their peace and well-being in the afterlife. The Upanishads and other Vedantic texts emphasize that the act of selfless giving without expectation is an expression of one’s higher duty (dharma) and reflects one’s connection to the cosmic order (rta). It is believed that by offering food to those in need and feeding creatures like crows (considered messengers of ancestors), one propitiates and satisfies the ancestors, ensuring their blessings for the living descendants.

The inclusion of animals and insects in the Daan ritual reflects the Sanatan Dharma’s worldview, which upholds the interconnectedness of all beings in the cycle of life, death, and rebirth (samsara). Every act of giving is thus a symbolic offering to the universe, acknowledging that life, in all its forms, is sacred and integral to maintaining cosmic harmony.

Origins and Scriptural Foundations

The Vedic Tradition: The Rig Veda, one of the oldest Hindu texts, includes hymns and references to ancestors or “Pitris” as beings in a different celestial realm. The Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda also make references to rituals related to ancestors, particularly the idea of offering sacrifices (Pinda) to the Pitris. However, there is no direct mention of a 15-day observance in these Vedic texts. Instead, offerings for ancestors are part of the broader Vedic ritual culture.

Post-Vedic Scriptures: The idea of Pitri Paksh, as a specific observance, likely became more formalized in the post-Vedic period. The Grihya Sutras, part of the Kalpa texts (3rd–4th century BCE), give detailed instructions on conducting ancestral rites, known as Shraddha. The Mahabharata and Ramayana also emphasize the importance of Shraddha, with detailed stories of how failure to conduct these rites leads to unrest for departed souls. The Garuda Purana, one of the major Puranic texts, explains Shraddha ceremonies and highlights the importance of offering Pindas (balls of rice) to ensure the souls of ancestors find peace.

The Garuda Purana is perhaps the most comprehensive in detailing the rituals associated with Pitri Paksh. It mentions that by offering food and water to the ancestors during this time, their souls are nourished and helped to transition peacefully. The Vishnu Purana also underscores the importance of performing Shraddha during specific lunar phases.

Interestingly, texts like the Bhagavad Gita offer a more detached view of ancestor worship. In one verse, Lord Krishna reminds Arjuna that the wise neither grieve for the living nor the dead, underscoring the transient nature of life and death. In another, Krishna warns that those who worship ancestors or deities other than himself will only reach the realms they venerate, while his devotees attain his eternal presence.

When Arjuna raises this issue 

सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च।*

पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः।।1.42।।

(वर्णसंकर कुलघातियों को और कुल को नरक में ले जानेवाला ही होता है। श्राद्ध और तर्पण न मिलने से इन- (कुलघातियों-) के पितर भी अपने स्थान से गिर जाते हैं।)

Lord Krishna apparently doesn’t share the concern shown by Arjuna. In Verse 2.11, he says that those who are wise, neither grieve for those who have left this world nor for those who are living.

अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे।*

गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः।।2.11।।

Further, In Chapter 9, Lord Krishna has rather discouraged worshipping of ancestors, if the objective is to seek Him.

यान्ति देवव्रता देवान् पितृ़न्यान्ति पितृव्रताः।*

भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम्।।9.25।।

(देवताओं के पूजक देवताओं को प्राप्त होते हैं, पितरपूजक पितरों को जाते हैं, भूतों का यजन करने वाले भूतों को प्राप्त होते हैं और मुझे पूजने वाले भक्त मुझे ही प्राप्त होते हैं।)

This detachment from ancestor rituals contrasts sharply with the fervour surrounding Pitri Paksh today.

(To Be Continued….)