Observe pujas to appease ancestors

Why are our pithru (people who went to heaven before us) so important? According to Veda sastra, when a person is born in this earth, he is indebted to three entities, and should pay his dues to all three. In the first place a man is indebted to the earliest rishis , since we are all born of their seeds. If one were to strictly adhere to the recommendations listed in the sastra then one’s debt to the rishis is squared, since all they want is perpetuation of an effective, time-tested system. 

Next, there are the devas. We all live on this earth only because of them, as they provide us with air, water and other necessities for life forms to breath, grow and flourish. We need their blessings everyday, even as we owe them our lives. How does one repay a deva? Considering that they “feed’’ only on yagams , it is important to hold as many yagams as possible. Many people believe yagams have come to a stop as there are no princely states anymore. This is a misconception. Although yagams were conducted by the ruling monarch at one time, there are many conglomerates and other entities who conduct yagams. Taking part in such yagams is one way of appeasing those we are indebted to. Another way to appease devas is to observe íshti’. This day is marked in your daily calendars, but most of us may not make note of it. Ishti signifies the day when devas feel hunger. One should observe íshti as per the guidelines given by one’s family priest. 

Lastly, we are all indebted to our pithru , our family elders who have  passed on. It is said that the departed souls are happiest when a man and woman get married, beget a child and perpetuate the family line. If one is unable to have a child of one’s own, for whatever reason, then adoption is recommended. One should raise a child and pass on the value system in its entirety as far as possible, in order to please one’s ancestors. The other important practice that should be observed is the pithru puja. 

According to traditional knowledge, on every new moon day, our ancestors feel hungry. Water and til are the only things that will satiate  them. Today, most of us consume idli or upma on fasting days or on new moon days, deluding ourselves into thinking we are strictly not eating a full, rice-based meal. That is delusional. On new moon days, and on Avani Avittam , one should consume seven til seeds and have plenty of water and observe fast. By far the most important task for a man every year is to observe the srardham. This should be done on the day of the titi, and not on the death anniversary as per the calendar. Consult your priest if you are in doubt... People often say, “Instead of doing sradham , I will feed 100 indigent people. They will be happy and that should be better than conducting the sradham. 

The punya for feeding 100 poor people will definitely accrue to the person, but it cannot weigh in place of pithru puja. A number of people engage in debates on this. They say where is the proof for all this? Some things can only be felt—they cannot be explained. For example, if someone comes and asks you to explain hunger, how can you do that? A person has to personally experience hunger, after which he should eat well on order to understand what hunger is. Similar is the case with srardham .