I’m
sorry if I ruffle a few feathers, but I have a tendency to understand the
reason behind doing things before blindly following them. So every year, just
before the festivities, we have this period called Shraddha. After years of
watching pooris and kheers, I thought if Shraddha was all about food. I’m aware
that the food is a part of feeding the Brahmin, but it’s just a part of it.
·
From
what I read, the purpose of the ritual is to provide momentum to the deceased
to proceed from Pitru region to a higher plane of existence.
·
If
people leave with unfulfilled wishes, the same must be fulfilled (by people who
are paying their respect) so that their souls can proceed to a better place
from a negative region.
Another
source,
states:
According
to Garuda Purana, after thirteen days of the death soul starts its journey for
Yamapuri and it takes seventeen days to reach there.
The
soul travels through Yamapuri for another eleven months and only in twelfth
month it reaches to the court of Yamaraj. During the period of eleven months it
has no access to the food and the water. It is believed that Pindadan and
Tarpan done by the son and family members satisfy the hunger and the thirst of
the soul during its journey till it reaches the court of the Yamaraj.
Shraddha,
a Sanskrit word, means faith. It is an opportunity to return the favors of our
ancestors, society, sages and God. The spiritual emotion is important, and not so much the ritual itself. The ritual must be performed with
sincerity.
All in all, I feel it’s
a period to remember our ancestors (people who we loved day in and day out),
think about every memory that we created with them and think of ways to carry
forward their legacy.
Feeding
the Brahmins with sumptuous food is a part of the ritual. Looks like we focus
on that aspect a little too much.
Talking
of food, I wish its Subway and coffee for my afterlife journey.
