Right now the Pitru (Shraddha) Paksha is going on and today is the Ashtami Tithi of this Paksha. Today, Shraddha rituals will be performed for those people who died on Ashtami Tithi. Along with men, the women of the family can also perform Shraddha rituals and charity for the ancestors.
According to Ujjain's astrologer Pt. Manish Sharma, there is a mythological story that Goddess Sita had performed auspicious deeds like Pinddaan, donation and tarpan for King Dasharath. According to the story, Shri Ram, Laxman and Sita had gone to Gaya pilgrimage area to perform Pinddaan for King Dasharath during Pitru Paksha.
At that time Shri Ram-Laxman had gone somewhere for some work, then Sita was waiting for them on the banks of the river Falgu. At that time, the soul of King Dasharath appeared to Devi Sita and said that you should perform Pind Daan for me. Obeying her father-in-law's orders, Sita performed Pind Daan, Tarpan etc. auspicious deeds for King Dasharath. The soul of King Dasharath was satisfied with the Pind Daan performed by his son's wife on the banks of the river Falgu and he blessed Sita.
Pitru Paksha is a festival to remember the ancestors of the family
In Pitru Paksha, our ancestors are remembered with reverence, this is why this Paksha is also called Shraddha Paksha. Actually, this is a festival to remember the ancestors of the family. We should also remember our ancestors, do some work in their name, due to which they can get peace of mind, for this purpose there is a tradition of doing religious deeds in Pitru Paksha.
If a dead person does not have a son then his wife can perform the Shraddha
If a dead person does not have a son, then on the death anniversary his wife should perform Pinddaan, Shraddha and Tarpan as well as charity. A daughter-in-law can also perform Shraddha rituals for her dead mother-in-law and father-in-law.
If a dead person has no children and no wife or parents, then his family members can perform Pinddaan, Shradh and Tarpan.
On Amavasya (2nd October) of Pitru Paksha, Shraddha should be performed for all the ancestors in the family. While performing Shraddha, one should meditate on all the ancestors.
If there is no one in the family of a deceased person to perform Shraddha rituals, then his disciple or a friend can also perform Shraddha in his name.
Graphics Source: NavJivanIndia | VaskarAssets
