25/09/2026
🌺 WHAT IF THE DAYS WE CALL “ABOUT DEATH” ARE ACTUALLY ABOUT REMEMBERING LIFE? 🌺
Pitri Paksha (पितृ पक्ष) is a sacred period in the Hindu tradition dedicated to those who came before us — our Pitris, our ancestors. 🙏
ॐ पितृगणाय विद्महे
जगत् धारिणी धीमहि
तन्नो पितृः प्रचोदयात्॥
“Mortal is the body, held by death; it is the abode of the immortal, unbodied Self.”
— Chandogya Upanishad
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Pitri Paksha is not simply about death.
It is about memory, gratitude, continuity and our ancestral debt — Pitri Rina.
In the Vedic tradition, the Pitris—our departed ancestors—are associated with Pitri-loka, the subtle realm of the ancestors. Through Tarpan, Shraddha, prayer and offerings, we remember those whose lives made our own possible.
And there is something fascinating here.
The Sanskrit pitṛ, Latin pater and English father share an ancient linguistic connection.
The Rig Veda invokes Dyus Pitā — Father Heaven, while the Vedic vision also recognises the complementary principles of Purusha–Prakriti and Shiva–Shakti.
The remembrance of ancestors is not unique to India either.
From ancient Greece and Rome to Egypt, China and Africa; from Yizkor in Judaism to All Souls’ Day in Christianity and ancestral remembrance traditions in Buddhism and Islam—human civilisations have found different ways to honour those who came before them.
Different traditions.
Different rituals.
One deeply human impulse: remembrance.
🌺 During Pitri Paksha
🪔 Perform Tarpan/Shraddha according to your tradition
🍚 Feed animals or those in need
🧘♂️ Meditate, pray and remember your ancestors
🙏 Practise mindful living
🌿 Keep your actions conscious and sattvic
Traditionally, major auspicious ceremonies and new beginnings are avoided during this period.
We are not separate from those who came before us.
Their lives became part of our journey.
To remember them is to acknowledge that journey.
Om Namo Adyaye 🙏🌺
👉 Watch this space for more posts on Pitri Hreen from Sep 26 to Oct 10 (Mahalaya).
