Trayodashi Shradh - 30 September 2024

According to the Hindu calendar, the Krishan paksha of Ashwin month is called Pitra Paksha. Pitra Paksha starts from the full moon of Bhadrapad month and continues till the new moon of Ashwin month. According to the scriptures, the Shradh Karma of the person who dies on the date of Shukla Paksha or Krishna Paksha of any month is performed on the same date of Pitra Paksha. It is also stated in the scriptures that if a person does not know his ancestors’ death date it can be performed on Ashwin Amavasya.

What is Trayodashi Shradh?

Triyodashi Shradh tithi is also known by different names at different places. Like in Gujrat, it is also known as Kakabali teras. On the other hand, it is also known as Teras Shardh in many places. Triyodashi tithi is considered Auspicious for the Shradh of dead children. However, in Pitru Paksha the Shradh of the child is performed on his death anniversary on Trayodashi with full rituals. The Shradh performed on this date reaches the dead soul of the child. Performing Shradh on this day helps ensure peace and liberation (Moksha) for departed souls, mitigating Pitra Dosha) and bringing prosperity, peace, and overall well-being to the family.

Trayodashi Shradh Ritual Time:

• 30th September 2024, Monday

• Kutup Muhurat – 11:47 AM to 12:35 PM
• Rohin muhurat – 12:35 PM to 1:22 PM   
• Afternoon time – 1:22 PM to 3:45 PM

Importance of Trayodashi Shradh:

1. Ensuring Peace and Moksha: Trayodashi Shradh is performed to provide solace and liberation to the souls of their ancestors, helping them attain moksha. This ritual aids in their spiritual journey and reduces any karmic burdens they may carry.
2. Mitigating ancestral dosha: Performing Shradh on this day is believed to alleviate the effects of Pitra Dosha, a condition in the birth chart caused by unresolved ancestral issues. This can positively impact familial health, financial stability, and relationship harmony.
3. Blessings for Prosperity: Ancestors' blessings are sought during Trayodashi Shradh, which are believed to remove obstacles and bring prosperity, peace, and success to the family.
4. Fulfilling Ancestors’ Unfulfilled Desires: The rituals help satisfy any unfulfilled desires of the ancestors, ensuring their peace and contentment which in turn brings happiness and fulfillment to the descendants.

Remedies (Upayas) for Trayodashi Shradh:

1. Tarpan ritual: Tarpan is a crucial part of the Shardh ceremony. It involves offering water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, and Kusha grass to the ancestorts. This ritual helps in seeking their blessings and appeasing their souls.
2. Pind daan: Offering Pind Daan involves preparing rice balls mixed with black sesame seeds, honey, and ghee. These are offered to the ancestors to provide spiritual nourishment and help them attain peace.
3. Feedings Brahmins and the needy: Feeding Brahmins the poor and animals is an essential practice of Trayodashi Shradh. It is believed that feeding the needy equate to feeding the ancestors bringing peace and blessings to the family
4. Donating (Daan): Donating clothes, food grains, utensils, or money to the needy is highly auspicious. Offering items that lifetime is believed to please their souls.
5. Reciting Mantras and scriptures: Chant mantras like the “Mahamrityunjaya Mantra,” “Pittra Sukta,” or verses from the “Garuda Purana,” reciting the “Bhagavad Gita” also helps in providing peace and comfort to the departed souls.
6. Light a diya (Lamp) For Ancestors: Light a lamp with mustard oil near a peepal tree or a sacred spot in your home. This lamp symbolizes a guiding light for the souls helping them find their way to peace.
7. Offering of flowers and sweets: Offer flowers especially lotus flowers, and sweets that the deceased liked. These offerings are seen as a gesture of love and respect towards the ancestors.
8. Performing Gau Daan (cow donation): Donating a cow or symbolically performing rituals related to cow donation helps ancestors cross the Vaitarani River, a symbolic barrier between life and the afterlife aiding their journey toward peace.
9. Avoiding tamsik (Non-vegetarian): Refrain from consuming non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and other impure items during Trayodashi Shradh. This ensures that the rituals performed are pure and effective.

Significance of Performing Trayodashi Shradh:

1. Relieving Pitra Dosha: Trayodashi Shradh helps nullify the effects of Pitra Dosha in the birth chart which may cause personal and familial issues including health problems, financial instability and delays in marriage.
2. Spiritual upliftment: The rituals elevate the souls of ancestors ensuring their smooth journey towards moksha and removing any hindrances they may face in the afterlife.
3. Family prosperity and peace: Shradh rituals foster peace, prosperity, and harmony within the family. The blessings of satisfied ancestors are believed to remove obstacles and bring positive energy.
4. Fulfillment of unfinished desires: Performing Shradh helps fulfill the unfulfilled desires of the ancestors ensuring their peace and satisfactions which directly influences the well-being of their descendants.

Conclusion:

Conducting Trayodashi Shradh with dedication and proper rituals not only honors and appeases the departed souls but also ensures that the living family members receive their blessings, bringing prosperity, peace, and protection to the household.