Pitri means ancestors and Paksh means “on behalf of”. Therefore Pitra Paksh means “on behalf of the ancestors” and it’s a special time of the Hindu year dedicated exclusively to the remembrance and special honouring of the ancestors.
In addition to the normal activities associated with a person’s profession or their Varna Dharma, and the duties in the various stages in life or Ashram Dharma, a person’s daily routine includes the performance of five duties which are named Panch Maha Yagyas. These are the minimal practices which guide a person in everyday life and ensure peace, material and, most importantly, spiritual growth.
The Panch Maha Yagyas or five daily obligations are:
1. Devta Yagya or worship to the divine
2. Brahma/Rishi Yagya or study of the scriptures
3. Pitri Yagya or honouring of the ancestors
4. Bhuta Yagya or serving the needy, both mankind and animals
5. Manush Yagya or honouring guests.
Devta Yagya takes the form of daily prayer and meditation in the home and in mandirs. This practice allows one to become God conscious in all daily activities and arouses a sense of togetherness and unity in the family. As the adage goes, the family that prays together stays together.
Brahm or Rishi Yagya is the practice of studying the Holy Scriptures. This infuses the mind with divine knowledge. This Brahm Yagya is also a means of showing gratitude to the saints and rishis who have made great sacrifices to ensure that we have a body of knowledge which may be used to guide and direct our lives in the right direction. Study of the scriptures enriches our minds and builds our prem (love), bhakti (devotion) and shradhaa (faith). It also equips us with knowledge that may be shared with others and used to defend our way of life.
Bhuta Yagya is the provision of physiological amenities for the needy, both humankind and animals. It includes giving of food, shelter and clothing. This daily practice is based on the pillars of Sanatan Dharma, namely daya (compassion) and daan (charity). We are expected to give some of our wealth, resources, time and expertise to those who are in need. Bhuta Yagya is carried out on a large scale at our Swaha Hindu centres and branches where we encourage humanitarian programs, all with the intention of fulfilling our daily obligation to the volatile and needy.
Manush Yagya forms the basis of many of the unique practices of the Hindu. Sanatan Dharma says “Atithi Devo Bhava – a guest is like God”. We serve guests with love, respect and reverence at all times, offering gifts, food, drinks and seating to those who step into our abode. This Manush Yagya is greatly manifested in our puja and yagyas, where thousands of dollars are spent in providing accommodation, gifts and food to ensure that all guests are comfortable and happy, since their happiness is a blessing to us as the Puja Karta.
Pitri Yagya, like all other daily duties, must be practised every day of our lives. It is a great blessing to us to recognize and honour our ancestors, from the sages and rishis to our blood lineage. We are who we are because of the sacrifices and love of our ancestors. As Hindus, we should be forever grateful to our ancestors for the sacrifice they have made in fighting and standing for our dharma, even in the face of death. Genetically we are ever evolving, and we are a product of all the virtuous and positive characteristics of the ancestors. Therefore we owe the greatest debt of gratitude to our past. Such actions as Pitri Yagya will not only nourish their souls but also bring families and communities together, thereby enhancing the present for a better future for all.
