Dwadashi Shradh - 29 September 2024

According to the belief of the Hindu religion during Pitru paksha, ancestors come to earth from the ancestral world and they themselves become happy after seeing the people of their clan happy. According to the belief during this time their relatives living on earth remember their ancestors through Shradh rituals and also satisfy them due to which they receive the blessings of their ancestors. It is believed that the ancestors who came to earth during Pitra Paksha bless the children who remember them. The ancestors get angry with those who do not perform Shradh and curse them. In such a situation Shradh is performed for the ancestors who died on the same day during Pitru Paksha.

According to Hindu Purana, just as every Shradh has its own importance and purpose similarly Dwadashi Shradh is also said to have special significance. This day is mainly reserved for ascetics which is why Shradh of ascetics is performed on this day. That is, on this tithi there is a tradition to perform Shradh is also performed on this date for those who died on this tithi. It is a part of the broader Shradh ceremonies that honor and appease the souls of departed ancestors helping them transition peacefully to the afterlife.

Shradh Ritual Time:

• 29 September 2024, Sunday
• Kutup muhurat – 11:47 AM to 12:35 PM
• Rohin muhurta – 12:35 PM to 1:23 PM
• Afternoon time – 1:23 PM to 3:46 PM

Importance of Dwadashi Shradh:

1. Ensuring a smooth transition of the soul: The Dwadashi Shraddha helps the soul move from the earthly realm to the ancestral realm 9Pitra Lok). It is believed that the first 13 days after death are vital and this ritual aids the soul’s release from earthy ties.
2. Paving the path for liberation: This ritual assists the soul in its journey towards moksha (liberation) or a favorable rebirth by cleansing it of attachments and sins.
3. Fulfilling duties to ancestors: Performing this ritual helps fulfill the karmic duty (Pitra Rina) to one’s ancestors maintaining the spiritual balance within the family.
4. Invoking blessings from ancestors: The 12th Shradh is believed to bring blessings of peace, protection, and prosperity from the ancestors, safeguarding the family from misfortunes.
5. Relief from Grief: The ritual provides emotional comfort to the grieving family, offering a sense of closure and peace while honoring the deceased.

Rituals and Procedures of the Dwadashi Shradh:

1. Preparation: The family prepares a sacred space with photos of the deceased, flowers, and incense. The area is purified to ensure a respectful environment for the rituals.
2. Pind Daan: Pindas, made from rice, barley, and black sesame seeds, are offered as nourishment for the departed soul symbolizing its physical form.
3. Tarpan (water offering): Water mixed with sesame seeds and sacred grass is offered to ancestors symbolizing spiritual nourishment and peace.
4. Offering food: Special meals including the favorite foods of the deceased are prepared and offered to Brahmins and the needy as a way to honor the departed.
5. Feeding Brahmins and the poor: Providing food and gifts to Brahmins symbolizes feeding the ancestors and is an essential part of gaining their blessings.
6. Recitation of sacred texts: Passages from holy texts like the Garuda Purana and the Bhagavad Gita are read, providing spiritual guidance to the soul and comfort to the family.
7. Charity and donations: Donating food, clothes, and other essentials in the name of the deceased helps earn spiritual merit and blessings.

Remedies Associated with Dwadashi Shradh:

1. Perform Shradh with sincerity: Focus on performing the rituals with devotion as the intention behind the offerings greatly impacts their effectiveness.
2. Feeding animals: offering food to animals like cows, dogs, and birds is considered auspicious and helps appease ancestral spirits.
3. Offering water to ancestors (tarpan): Regularly performing Tarpan, especially during Shradh paksha helps keep the departed souls at peace.
4. Charity and service (Daan): Acts of charity like donating grains and clothes reduce the family’s karmic debts and secure ancestral blessings.
5. Avoid certain foods and activities: Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and celebrations during Shradh to maintain respect and focus on honoring the deceased.
6. Light a diya for ancestors: Lighting a diya daily with ghee or mustard oil is believed to guide the soul toward light and peace.
7. Perform pind daan at sacred places: Conducting Pind daan at sacred locations like Gaya or Varanasi is believed to provide strong spiritual support for the soul’s liberation.

Conclusion:

The Dwadashi Shradh is a deeply meaningful ritual in Hindu tradition that helps the departed soul transition smoothly to the afterlife. By performing these rituals with sincerity and devotion families honor their ancestors, fulfill their spiritual duties and receive blessings of peace, prosperity and protection. This ceremony not only connects the living with their ancestors but also strengthens family bonds and traditions, ensuring the spiritual well-being of future generations.