Honouring our ancestors; gratitude; oil massages

The Adiveda Weekly #18

Sep 18, 2022

Hari Aum Sadhakas!

Today’s edition is about understanding the role of our ancestors and honouring them. Most of us do not remember even our parents after a few years of their demise, much less our ancestors and even if we do, it’s only a passing thought. However, it’s an undeniable fact that we stand on the shoulders of those that have gone before us. Remembrance of our ancestors is so important that Hinduism has kept aside a special fortnight to help us recollect. This year, it starts on 11th September and ends on 25th September.

The Hindu way of life

Mahalaya Paksha is the lunar fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada/Ashwini (September/October) in the Hindu calendar, in which Hindus pay homage to their ancestors or pitrus. Hence, it is also known as Pitru Paksha or the fortnight of the ancestors. This fortnight comes in the krishna paksha or the waning phase of the lunar month.

Pitrus (ancestors) do not come to the earth plane at all times. It is believed that they visit the earth during these fifteen days in subtle bodies and seek our attention. Thus, Mahalaya Paksha is a very important timespan to connect with them and acquire their blessings.

Reflection of the week

“Our rishis well knew that gratitude was not a strong point with human beings. Therefore, they kept not just a special day but a whole fortnight to think of our ancestors and show our gratitude to them. Gratitude is a most evolving emotion. It cleanses the mind and brings a sense of peace and well-being.”

For your everyday practice

Water the plants and feed the birds daily.

We owe a great debt to nature – the soil, the rivers, the plants and so on since our very existence depends on her. This we repay by looking after the land, the trees, the rivers, birds and other animals. We must water the plants, give food and water to the birds and feed some animals before eating our own food.

For your health and well-being

A daily oil massage.

An oil massage, either self-administered, or administered by someone else, can be very calming to Vata (the air + ether dosha). When Vata is out of balance, one is prone to more anxiety, feeling unsettled etc. A firm and caressing oil massage just before one’s bath/shower is hence a wonderful routine to begin incorporating daily. Take time to attend to your body as you rub the oil into your skin. Coconut oil is a good base oil if you tend to run hot, whereas sesame oil is a good base oil if you tend to run cold.

By Dr. Poorna Menon, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

From Vanamali Mataji’s desk

The modern generation does not realise how far the blessings of our parents and elders can take us. Everyone celebrates the great festivals like Navaratri, Diwali etc. but very few go out of their way to remember their ancestors. In Hinduism, we have placed great importance on the blessings of our elders.

The offerings to the ancestors during this period are known as shraddh. Only the three generations preceding us who are still in Pitru Loka will benefit from these rites, since others have gone on to other worlds and may even have been born again.

Normally the offerings consist of what is known as “pinda.” This is a ball made of cooked rice mixed with til (sesame) seeds. One ball each is made for every one of the ancestors whom we can remember starting with our own parents and going back to three generations. This is important since it connects us to our lineage. A person thus gets to know his three preceding generations. Of course he knows the names of his sons and grandsons. Hence, a bond is created for seven generations including you. The rituals during the Pitru Paksha emphasize the fact that our ancestors and the current generation and the next unborn generation are connected by blood ties. These rituals are supposed to enhance the possibility of the departed souls to rise to higher realms of existence. The rituals can also satisfy the unfulfilled desires of the departed ones that may be acting as a hindrance to their onward journey to the higher realms.