Shradha or Shraadha

This word is pronounced as Shraadha. It is an occasion celebrated differently in different parts of India in different ways. It refers to the rites done by the children as an oblation to their deceased parents and forefathers. The Full moon and the subsequent fortnight in the month of Bhadarva is the time given to observing these rites. This is followed by the celebration of Navratri, the festival in Honor of Shakti.

In one of the Puranas there is the story of Varah Bhagwan, an incarnation of Vishnu Bhagwan, who created 3 Pindas out of his mouth and placed them facing south on a darbha (a wooden stick). This stick is generally difficult to burn also.

Pinda refers to the body. I have described the spiritual eye in great detail elsewhere. However, the center of the spiritual eye can be considered as the mouth of “Varah” or “God” and when facing south or downward, 3 Pindas or bodies were made. The 3 bodies refer to the causal or karana deha, sukshama or subtle body and the gross physical body. The darbha where the Pindas are placed is the sushumna nadi (which generally does not burn even though the body is cremated). Thus this is the creative aspect of God.

The 9 days that follow it, is the reversal of the path ! That is called Navratri or the celebration of Shakti leading us back to God.

Now back to the rites. Shraadha has been described in Riga Veda and Yajur Veda. During Shraadha, on the “tithi” day of the deceased parent or ancestor, the son or household person should invite Brahmins to their home. The brahmin is usually offered “Pinda” and “water”. He may partake in it or sometimes it is placed outside for the birds to enjoy. It is believed in that case the ancestors come in the form of “Khechar” or birds and are satisfied with the oblation. However, in different parts of India, this ceremony is done differently.

The meaning of such an “unusual” ceremony is as follows. After a person passes away, most souls are “lost” for a while “stuck” in different hells or lower heavens unable to come back to the gross world to fulfill their desires. They are thus in the skies of the subtle world. The word khechar has the following meaning – khe means sky and char meaning roamer – roamer of the skies. Thus, to the short sighted, the ancestors are “birds” while in reality they are souls stuck in the subtle world or in darkness. When the ceremony is done, the objective is to give them a “Pinda” or body so they may come back to this gross physical world and continue their journey back to God. The reason for using water has a deeper significance which has been described in greater detail in the fourth chapter of Gita.

The above ceremony is true for those who are unable to meditate under the influence of the divine. For those with an awakened shakti, the method is done in meditation. Here, the Yogi meditates deeply and sends out deep messages of Peace and Love and Happiness. These deep meditations, surcharged with an “active prana” reaches the ancestor through “astral fluid” (water) and gives him or her the chance of paying off their sins quickly and the ability to have a new body quicker. The reason for calling a brahmin is that since most people cannot reach this depth of meditation, the Brahmin or “enlightened” person can do this for them.

This has been described by Paramhansa Yogananda also as the right thing to do on the day of the passing of the relative. If the person who has passed away already has acquired a new body, this meditation would bring the ancestor or parent peace and happiness even in their new body.

Lastly, Gurudev used to say, “Never eat at a place where the ancestors have gone wayward. Otherwise you become, in part responsible for helping their ancestors achieve salvation of some sort” He then continued and said, “Nowadays, every house in this age has ancestors that have gone wayward”. He also said, “In his kula, there is no need for Shraadha. No one goes wayward”.

I once asked Gurudev about a Bhajan written by Narsinh Mehta, “Vaishnava jaana to tene re kahiye,…..Bhane Narsainyo tenu darshan karta, kul ekoter tarya re” meaning upon having the darshana of a true Vaishnava, you give salvation to 71 generations of your ancestors. I asked him if it was true and he said it was true and I humbly bowed to him and he smiled – hinting that he had offered salvation to 71 generations of my ancestors.

Ancestors who have gone wayward, often cause a lot of conflict and pain – that is not dependent on the karma of the individual. Such ancestors often “haunt” individuals but when such families go to the feet of great Saints, the ancestors have a chance of salvation. If you read the book, Punarudaya – the life story of Narayntirth Maharaj there is a story relating to this.

In my own case, my father had started to write Ganesh Chalisa prior to his death. His intention was to give it to 12 Brahmins and it would take his difficulties away. He could not finish the task and I wrote the Ganesh chalisa once and gave it to Gurudev. I had forgotten about it. A few years later, Gurudev out of the blue reminded me of it and smiled – hinting once again, he had taken care of my father.

Since the situation is appropriate, I will narrate one more story. My fathers uncle had given everything up and stayed at Karnali, a holy place on the edge of the river Narmada, near Chandod. He had tried to practice Yoga but probably had not reached much success. I felt sorry for him. I was at Gurudev’s feet and asked Gurudev, if I should bring him here for his darshana. Gurudev closed his eyes for several minutes and then said, No, everything is fine. I did not understand very clearly what he meant or what had transpired.

Many years later, I was standing and suddenly Babaji appeared before me (Paramhansa Yogananda’s Param Guru”). He blessed me and said, I have come at the request of your fathers uncle. Thus, Gurudev had given my great uncle one of the highest form, short of moksha, liberation by sending him at the feet of Babaji!

Lastly, I should let my children know, that no Shraadha is needed for me. The great beings, will take care of me! Gurudev, during my last visit had told me 3 things.

1) I have finished my responsibility towards you

2) You will always have a human body till you reach Moksha

3) You will not suffer the pain of birth and death.

Such is greatness of my Gurudev – Sombargiriji.  I bow to him repeatedly.