Gaya the only place to conduct last rites for parents and pets

It is a unique Tamil tradition to bless youngsters thus: May you beget 16 and live a great life. It is derived from the Vedas, and one interpretation of this blessing is that, if a man were to have 16 children, at least one of them would make a pilgrimage to Gaya after his death and conduct the pinda ritual after which the father’s soul can progress and rest in peace in the other world.

An ancient sloka says a son has three duties. The first line, Jeevito vakya karnathu, says the son should abide by his father’s wishes, as exemplified by Rama. The second,  Pradhyartham bhoori bhojanathu, recommends that after the death of the parents, the son should conduct annual rituals at home and feed Brahmins. The third line, Gayanam pinda dhanam, recommends that the son visit Gaya and offer pinda (rice) to his parents and other ancestors. Puranas say only a person who does all three of the above merits the definition of a good son.

The importance of Gaya, in Bihar, has an interesting history. There was once an asura by the name of Gaya, who was at least thousand times more powerful than even Hiranyakashyap, because of his penance. When he undertook a severe penance, Brahma was worried. He sought Mahavishnu and informed him about Gayasura’s tapas. If he seeks a boon I have to oblige him. He may turn into an evil superpower, which means you will have to take another avatar.” Mahavishnu laughed and said, “Don’t be so negative all the time. First find out what Gayasura wants.” 

Accordingly, Brahma visited the asura and asked him to end the penance and asked him what he wanted. Gayasura said, “Whoever touches me should go to heaven, I will bear the weight of their sins.”

His selfless wish astounded Brahma who granted him the boon. Accordingly, everyone touched Gaya, got rid of their sins and went to Heaven. This left a gaping hole in Yama’s kingdom of hell. “It is not that I feel jobless, but how can everyone go to Heaven?” Yama complained. Brahma and Vishnu held a consultation meeting and it was decided that the only way to end this was to end Gayasura’s life.

Accordingly, they went to Gayasura’s land. Seeing Brahma, Vishnu and the entire pantheon of Gods, Gaya was pleased and sought their pleasure. 

“We want one thing from you,” said the Gods. “I am delighted to serve you, please tell me,” responded Gayasura. “We have to conduct a huge yagam in this place, but for that I need you to make your body the hearth on which the agni kudam can be lit,” said the Gods. He readily agreed.

When the yagam progressed, Gaya lay down on the ground. However, he kept twitching and try as they all might, his body refused to stay still like a plank or brick, a prerequisite for raising the agni kudam. Vishnu then created His own images of Janardhanan, Pundareegan and Gadhagaran, and sent them to be placed on Gayasura’s body. However, Gaya continued to twitch and twist. Mahavishnu then descended on Gaya, places his foot on Gayasura, and rests his gada on him. Gayasura thanked Vishnu for His blessings (placing a foot on him) and sought one last blessing before his life ebbed. Once again, he asks for a selfless boon. Gayasura asked the Gods to make Gaya a kshetram, a last frontier for the soul of all lifeforms. “Whoever comes and prays here, and does pinda dhanam, You should allow that person’s soul and that of his ancestors to go to Heaven.” Vishnu agreed.  

Gaya further said, “People of all caste and community should be allowed to pray for their pets, and make pinda dhanam for them as well.” A pleased Vishnu blessed him and Gaya remains one of the unique places on earth where pinda dhanam is done for all including pets.