Tribute to ancestors.

- Shraddha is performed in special time for sixteen days from Bhadarva Sud Poonam to Bhadarva Vad Amas. This Shraddha Paksha is known as Pitripaksha and Mahalaya.

Sarva Shraddhaya Dutt Shraddha means if it is done faithfully, it is called Shraddha. Bhadravana Krishnapaksha is called Shraddha Paksha. These are the days of paying homage to one's ancestors. There is a tendency all over the world to do something to preserve the memory of one's ancestors. In every society of our country, in every class, in the name of ancestors, Yajna, Tapa, Dan, Satsang, food for the hungry, help to the poor, etc. are done.

Shraddha is performed for a special period of sixteen days from Bhadarva Sud Poonam to Bhadarva Vad Amas. This Shraddha Paksha is known as Pitripaksha and Mahalaya. Shraddha means faithfully pleasing one's parents. Shraddha is the satkarma and tarpana that is faithfully performed for the satisfaction and peace of the departed soul. Gentlemen who have died are called fathers. In patriarchy these fathers bless their family on earth. If the parents are happy, it brings happiness in the home.

The scriptures say that Shraddhakarma should be performed on the same date of Bhadarva month on the date on which a relative dies in any party during the year. The date on which a relative dies is called Shraddhatithi. The scriptures show that if one does not remember the date of death of one's ancestors, then in that case Bhadarvani Amas can be offered to him. That is why Amas is called Sarvapitru Amavasya. In addition, if someone dies prematurely, his shraddha is performed on the fourteenth day. In the same way father's shraddha is performed on the eighth day and mother's shraddha is performed on the day of Nom.

True shraddha can be done by going to an old age home or an orphanage to meet their needs or by helping a poor but gifted student. The one who does good deeds behind his ancestors gets immense peace of mind. And he feels fulfilled.

In the Vayupurana, Brahmaji has said that those who do shraddha etc. in terms of nourishment of human beings, their fathers will always give them confirmation and children. According to the Brahmavaivartapurana, all those who have died in childhood are satisfied with the water of Marjan. On the day of Shraddha, family members should give up work, anger, greed, lust, ego and hatred and perform pious deeds.

Donations should be made to the poor and helpless. The wealth we use in Shraddha Karma should be earned sincerely. Two days in a year are considered suitable for this. The first is Punyatithi and the second is Shraddha Paksha. Shraddha is performed in the family for up to three generations.

If the son is not alive then the grandson or great-grandson should also do the shraddha, then the widow can also do the shraddha. If there is no son, the husband can also shraddha the wife. Cultured offspring fulfill the unfinished tasks of their ancestors. Lord Rama also remembered his ancestors only through his good deeds. Children should continue the good deeds of their ancestors.

The best thing to do in memory of ancestors is to plant trees. In today's age, raising mango, purple, guava, chiku etc. fruit trees in the memory of ancestors is the greatest virtue. Apart from this, raising trees like Billy Ashoka tree, Piplo, Vad, Neem, Tulsi etc. also gives immense merit. In the memory of the fathers, help should be given for the spread of knowledge, sacrifices should be made, things can also be donated to the Supatras. Chanting of Gayatri Mantra or Ishta Mantra, the giver of good intellect, Balivaishva Home, feeding the hungry etc. can be done. It is the blessing of the Father that makes us happy.

Ancient scriptures describe two paths, Devayan and Pitruyan. The path of the fathers is called Dakshinayan. The patriarchal world is attained by skillfully acting according to the Vedas. Therefore, human beings should make the life successful by adopting the Dakshinayan path by doing the best deeds. Shraddhatarpan should be kept.

Immediately after the patriarchy comes the holy festival of Navratri to accumulate power.

- Harsukhlal C. Vyas