It is believed that those who perform remedies for Pitra dosha shanti during shraddh gets relief from pitra dosha. There are many causes and remedies mentioned in shastras for pitra dosha.
As per the belief, it is believed that the soul of the dead ancestors of a family residing in the Pitra Lok i.e a realm between the heaven and the earth visit earth during ashwin krishna paksha. According to Matsya Purana, when Sun enters into the Virgo sign in the month of Ashwin, yamraj allow the ancestors to visit the earth and meet their descendents.
Hence, the ceremonies of Shraddh are performed during this time for the peace of ancestor’s soul and happiness for the future generations. According to the belief, those who do not perform these ceremonies have to suffer from pitra dosha, leading to various troubles in life.
Pitra Dosha is formed if anyone in the family dies unnatural death or it happens many times. It can also happen if family members do not offer water and food to their manes or do not remember their manes in the spiritual activities. Pitra Dosha occurs if no one in the family is interested to perform spiritual tasks or if any family member kills a cow or destroys a foetus in the womb. In these situations, Sun and Rahu form conjunction in the ninth house in the birth chart of that person who is afflicted by Pitra Dosha.
According to the astrologer, the ninth house is the house of father and Sun as a Karaka planet of father is also the Karaka planet of progress, age, promotion and spirituality. If malefic Rahu and shadow planet affects this planet then it forms Grehan Yoga and Pitra Dosha as well. If this Yoga is present in the horoscope, the person gets delayed support of his luck and he has to struggle a lot to achieve success on the work front.
Reasons For Pitra Dosha
There are various reasons for occurrence of Pitra dosha such as untimely death. It can also happen if family members do not offer water and food to their manes or do not remember their ancestors in the spiritual activities.
The sorrows of the families include, inability to get a child or a job, money loss, professional difficulties or household conflicts and so on. The future generation is not able to achieve their goals and accomplishments. To get relief from such suffering, the descendants must perform special ceremonies for the peace of their ancestors. It is said that before pleasing the lord, one should please their own ancestors.
Effect of Pitra Dosha
According to Markandeya Purana, those who perform pitra shraddh are blessed with child birth, wealth, wisdom, and other pleasures of life. On the other hand, those who don't perform have to suffer from the consequences of pitra dosha. This is the reason performing tarpan, pinddan, and shraddha with respect and faith have significance in hindu culture.
Remedies For Pitra Dosha
In the krishna paksha of ashwin month, shraddh must be perform on the date of the death of ancestors with proper rituals. Sesame, kusha, flowers, rice, pure ganga jal are included in the water. The priest should be donated food, clothes, money etc. according to one’s potency. Shraddh should be performed with full faith and respect for the ancestors.
People who don’t know the date of death of their manes can perform all these activities for pacification of their ancestors on the day of Amavasya. On every Amavasya, put Kheer in the ash of cow dung cake and recall your manes in the south direction and apologize for your mistakes and Karmas. It is one of the beneficial remedies.
Mahalaya shraddh is celebrated from Bhadra Shukla Purnima to Ashwin Krishna Amavasya.
During this time performing auspicious ceremonies and new works are prohibited during this period. Those who do not perform shraddha have to suffer from the consequences of pitra dosha.