Pitru Paksha 2024; Honoring The Ancestors

Revealing the Bonds of Karma

Each step we take is supported and guided by our ancestors. Without them, we would not be present on this plane of existence; we are the carriers of the ancestral karmic and energetic conglomerate, shaped into the human being, carrying the eternal battle between becoming a being or becoming a creature. Accordingly, we are stepping into the immensely powerful 16-day period marked by the Moon (Chandra) phase, when our ancestors are believed to come from the Moon's dark side and visit us; it is essential to recognize and perceive the significance this period holds, far transcending ritualistic nature. Each one of us as individuals should immerse ourselves in the sacred guidance of the ancestors in this time frame, honor them, offer our respect and love, ask for forgiveness and support, to help us heal, and offer healing to them and our entire lineage. The movement of grahas and other subtle space bodies signals a special connection between us and our lineage. The soul enters this material, heavy, dense plane of existence, exactly at a point when the planets (grahas), stars (nakshatras), and other bodies, representing the physical manifestation of Gods, are perfectly aligned to create the experiences destined for that soul to experience in that incarnation. This is the law of God, the Universe, the Omnipresent Force, and it cannot be avoided as long as the soul stays in the cycle of rebirths. - Samsara. Curses, blessings, challenges, or prosperity—everything is passed down through generations and our lineage. Each of us must fulfill their duty and karma, that is why we are here; without having any karma, we would cease to exist. This is why this time period is of such importance—to honor our ancestors and heal the karmic ties that bind us to this Maya.

Before we even take our first breath, we inherit both the “good” and “challenging” life circumstances from our ancestors. Just as we inherit physical traits through DNA, we also inherit genetic imprints. These imprints, the sum of our ancestors' actions—whether righteous or erroneous—are woven into our souls. Many of the challenges we face in this lifetime are not entirely our own but a continuation of the karmic journey of our ancestors. According to universal laws, every action has a reaction, meaning, the complex situations we encounter are often the result of our ancestors' deeds or their mentality. Without knowing it, some of us may be blocked by these ancestral influences, struggling despite our best efforts and the best of intentions. These unresolved karmic debts pass through generations until a soul arrives that is destined to purify them and take the path of liberation. That soul, through awareness, intentions, patience, effort, and knowledge from past lives, clears the lineage's karma and ultimately receives immense blessings, which are not meant to be described rationally.

A Time for Ancestral Healing and Gratitude

Pitru Paksha, starting on 17th September 2024 and ending on 2nd October 2024, offers a unique window to connect with our ancestors and help them, and in turn, ourselves. During this period, our ancestors are believed to descend to Earth to visit us. Performing rituals like Shraddha, Tarpan, and Pind Daan is more than a symbolic gesture—it nourishes the souls of our ancestors and helps clear karmic debts, ensuring peace for both them and us. Offering our ancestors food, water, prayers, and devotion and having them in mind is very desirable and auspicious, for this period especially. In 2024, the presence of two eclipses—Lunar on 18th September and Solar on 2nd October—adds complexity to this period. Astrologers consider eclipses inauspicious, but the rituals can still be performed with specific adjustments. For instance, the first Shraddha should be done after the Moksha Kaal, following the lunar eclipse, while the final Shraddha, falling on Ashwin Amavasya, can be performed during the day, as the solar eclipse occurs at night.

Astrological Perspective, Aligning With The Universe For Spiritual Growth

Pitru Paksha’s significance extends beyond mere tradition. Astrologically, it’s a time when the waning Moon and the influence of planets like Saturn and Rahu bring ancestral karma to the surface. These cosmic forces align to create an opportunity to resolve the karma we carry; hence, this time frame is an extremely great and unique occasion for each of us to advance spiritually. By performing rituals in sync with these astrological cycles, not only do we give great honor to our forefathers and purify our lineage, but we also ensure peace and prosperity for the future lives, both for us and our ancestors, our loved ones. However, this year’s Pitru Paksha is particularly special. The presence of eclipses during this period creates an intensified spiritual atmosphere, making it even more important to engage with awareness and reverence. We should bear in mind that failing to honor your ancestors during this time can lead to even greater complications to unresolved karmic debts that may manifest as recurring challenges in not only this life but the following ones as well. Honoring our ancestors during Pitru Paksha is not just about fulfilling an obligation; it’s an act of deep personal and spiritual transformation. When we engage in these rituals, we are not just paying respects—we are healing. The energy of our ancestors lives within us, and by remembering and honoring them, we honor ourselves, because we are our ancestors, and they are us, we are One. We were our grandfather or mother, and we took the physical emanation bravely to settle the energetic wave of karma that teaches the souls, which was lifted with the lack of awareness, ignorance about the repercussions of our deeds, thoughts, and existence, the kind of energy we radiate. This is the way we gradually learn about the Oneness, the coexistence between all of us, all souls, through each of the incarnation. We acknowledge that we are part of a larger continuum, linked to the past, present, and future. As mentioned, offering your ancestors food, water, thoughts, and prayers, expressing gratitude for the life they’ve given you and the challenges they’ve endured, as these challenges shaped your path today, you receive their blessings in ways that cannot always be explained but will undoubtedly be felt. When you perform these rites with sincerity and from the heart, many karmic burdens are lifted, freeing not only you but also your descendants from the weight of unresolved ancestral karma.

Pitru Dosha: Understanding and Resolving Ancestral Debt

In some cases, unresolved ancestral issues manifest as Pitru Dosha—a condition in your horoscope indicating ancestral debt. Pitru Dosha can bring difficulties such as delays in marriage or childbirth, family discord, financial instability, or repeated failures. These challenges are a reflection of unaddressed ancestral karma, a lack of awareness about karmic debts that must be resolved through rituals during Pitru Paksha, and other ways of devotion. If you suspect Pitru Dosha in your horoscope, it’s important to take specific steps to address it. Offering food to the needy, feeding cows, watering sacred trees like the peepal, and making donations to those in need are traditional remedies. By performing these acts of charity, you contribute to your ancestors' peace in the afterlife and clear your own path of obstacles. First and foremost, it is also essential to consult an experienced and knowledgeable astrologer to get deeper and accurate insights about our personal karmic debts, how to address them and perform remedial measures and rituals that are essential both from a much broader perspective, but from our personal as well, taking steps to shape our consciousness towards the divine way, and make a colossal step in advancing as a spiritual being.

Honoring the Past, Healing the Present, Shaping the Future As you engage in these ancestral rituals, remember that your actions today create the karmic legacy for future generations—the karma you will definitely see unfolding, whether in this life or some of the following ones, whether from the perspective of your personal experience or, as a "spectator," witness the experience of your loved ones. Just as you inherit the karma of your ancestors, your thoughts, words, and deeds form the foundation for those who will come after you. By being mindful and aware of your actions, thoughts, and intentions and embodying freedom, compassion, and a non-reactive approach, you ensure that your descendants inherit a light karmic legacy.

Pitru Paksha is more than just a time of ritual—it is a unique opportunity to heal the past, gain clarity in the present, and create a harmonious future. Honoring your ancestors is a way of honoring yourself. You are them, and they are you. By clearing the karmic debts of your lineage, you pave the way for your own spiritual growth and ensure that your descendants carry forward a legacy of blessings instead of burdens. In this sacred period, connect with the cosmic energy of your ancestors, become one with the energy they guide you with, listen to the insights, follow the omens, look around you, and do not be absent with the fast pace of this artificial world and the false mind giving you anxiety about the future. With these acts and thoughts, the pureness of devotion, you will not only ease their journey but also transform your own.

Your ancestors and The Omnipresent Force are always with you, they are you.