Importance of Shraddha and Its Underlying Science

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The term 'shraddha' (Special rites performed for the departed ancestors) conjures up an incorrect impression, one of unscientific and ostentatious ritualistic activity, in the minds of the younger generation belonging to the modern scientific age. This is the result of absence of any formal education on Dharma (Righteousness), indifference towards understanding Spirituality, influence of western culture, anti-Dharma organisations targeting traditions and customs in Hindu Dharma with a continuous barrage of hate-filled criticism. A line of thinking, as given ahead, is also prevalent in the society about snreaone. People, who lack faith in ritualistic worship or snreddne, and consider social service superior, have very naive views. They say that instead of performing shreoane for the pitars, they would rather donate food to the poor or provide help to schools! And, many of these people do actually put their views into practice. This is as absurd as saying, 'Instead of performing surgery to treat a particular disease, we will donate food to the poor or provide help to schools'. Since the spiritually potent mantras recited during the shraddha rites have the subtle power of providing momentum to the subtle-bodies of pitars, they can progress to a higher subtle-region of existence after the rites have been performed. This reveals the folly in the above mentioned views. Therefore, the objective of this Holy text is to remove the veil of ignorance and blind-faith of the people who maintain this line of thinking, and to change their thinking so that they develop a positive and spiritual perspective towards the sacred shraddha rites prescribed by Hindu Dharma.

Bharatiya culture says that, just as we serve our parents and close relatives when they are alive as part of abiding by our Dharma, we have certain duties unto them after their death. The shraddha rites provide us with an excellent opportunity to fulfil these duties and repay our debts unto the pitars. The snreootie rites are necessary so that the journey after death of our parents, . who have taken our utmost care during our childhood, becomes comfortable and without any distress, and that they acquire sadgati (Momentum for moving to the next higher region). If snreoane is not performed, the desires of the pitars (Deceased ancestors) remain unfulfilled. Negative energies make easy victims of such desire-riddled pitars and then, enslave them. In all likelihood, they then use them to cause distress to their own family members. By performing shredtibe, we get relieved from the distress caused by the otters, and our life on earth becomes comfortable. If shraddha is performed on a particular day, titht (Date as per the Hindu lunar almanac) and as per the position of the lunar asterisms, then, apart from the duty unto the pitars getting fulfilled, some specific benefit can also be obtained. Through such aspects, the importance and benefits of performing snrsddtie have been elaborated in this Holy text.

This Holy text also includes valuable information on various types of snreoane rites such as Nenot, Maha/aya, Btierent and Tripindt, who should perform these rites, the time and place for performing shreddne, what if appropriate Brehmens (Priests) are not available to perform the rite, necessary food items cooked for the rites, do's and don'ts for the individual performing shraddha and the individual consuming the food of shrecatie, process of performing shraddha, method of offering food to the pitars and Deities, ways and means to overcome obstacles faced while performing shreaatie etc. This Holy text also clarifies common doubts such as how the food offered to the Brebmens actually reaches the pitars, what is the science underlying a crow pecking the pinde etc.

We pray unto the Holy feet of ShrT Guru that by studying this Holy text, may everyone attain a virtuous intellect to conserve the cultural wealth in the form of 'shraddha', inherited by us from our great Sages, may shreaone be performed with faith, and may the spiritual pro.press of the pitars and the self be achieved.

**Contents and Sample Pages**