Time to Express Heartfelt Gratitude

The 2nd half of the Bhadrapada month marks the significant Shradh period, falling right before the auspicious Navratri festival. The period is also known as Pitru Paksha (fortnight of ancestors). It’s the period to express heartfelt gratitude to ancestors and forefathers.

Shradh is a beautiful tradition and it is the duty of every child to maintain this tradition in a family. During this period of 15 days, people follow various rituals and pay respect to those who are no more on this earth.

A Festival of Pure Faith

Know that the word ‘Shradh’ is derived from the word ‘Shraddha’, that means ‘pure faith’. So, one needs to deliver their offerings to the ancestors with pure dedication for their salvation. Further, during this time, children perform Tarpan Kriya as well, which is a way of gratifying the ancestors so that they can gain salvation from any unfulfilled desires.

People also make a ‘Pind’ (mound) with rice, milk and sesame seeds and offer it to birds and animals on specific days. All these unique rituals are a way to show gratefulness. Children keep in their hearts the sweet remembrance of their parents through these rituals.

Never Fail to Fulfil your Duties Now!

These rituals are important, yet along with that try not to disrespect your parents when they are still alive. It doesn’t matter how much you have achieved in life, if you are not giving respect to your parents, everything is worthless.

You are indebted forever to your mother who brought you to existence. She gave birth to you and also gave a meaning to your life by showering her unconditional love and emotions upon you. It is your ultimate duty to give back to her while she is alive.

Also, never forget your father who helped you see the world by carrying you on his shoulders when you were yet to start walking on your own. You are what you are today due to the hard work and discipline inculcated in you by your father. Your very existence would have been in peril had it not been for the selfless love of your parents.

Parents are God sent angels on this earth to take care of you. Never forget their contribution in your life. Fulfil their wishes, come what may, and for that, take inspiration from some of the greatest sons of India.

India, the Land of Respectful Offspring

Many incredibly obedient children have been born in this great country. These children did not think twice before accepting unimaginable problems in life, just to fulfil the wishes of their parents.

Who can forget the sacrifices by Lord Ram? It’s just the love and respect of His parents that motivated Lord Ram to roam in forests for 14 long years. The words of His father and respecting those words were the most important duty to Him. The same respect was behind Shravan Kumar’s courage that motivated him to carry his old parents on his shoulders to fulfil their wish of embarking on a pilgrimage.

Just imagine his Shraddha Bhav, the Emotion of Reverence. When King Dashrath injured him by mistake, Shravan Kumar just said, ‘it’s unfortunate that now I can’t fulfil my parents’ pilgrimage desire.’

And when he was about to die, he said in a trembling voice, do me a favour, take this water, that I collected and quench the thirst of my parents as they are thirsty, and he died.

Such respect and love for parents’ wishes are at the core of India’s great culture and tradition. The story of Pundarik or Pundalik, one of the earliest Kundalini Yoga practitioners from Maharashtra, is yet another story of immense love for parents.

Lord Krishna Tested Pundarik’s Devotion to Parents

Pundarik took great care of his parents and fulfilled all their wishes. Once Lord Krishna decided to test his devotion towards his parents and came to his doorstep saying, ‘Come out! I have come to your door.”

But Pundarik was in the service of his parents. To not disrespect God, he quickly thought of a way to offer Him a seat. He took a brick, threw it towards the door and asked God to take a seat on it while he kept serving his parents. God, being attached to His true devotees, stood on the brick and waited for him. When his parents fell asleep, Pundarik came out and greeted Lord Krishna.

Pleased with his devotion towards his parents, God told him to ask a wish. Pundarik said, ‘O Lord Krishna, kindly ensure that my devotion to my parents stays strong forever and I can continue to serve them and also, please stay in this form with me.’

Lord Krishna fulfilled both his wishes and remained in the form of Vitthal Dev in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. Even today, millions of devotees visit Lord Vithoba temple and remember Pundarik’s inspirational dedication towards his parents.

So, such is the tradition and culture of our country when it comes to giving respect and serving parents. Carry out this tradition further, always respect your parents and do follow the rituals during the auspicious period of Pitru Paksha when they are no more with you.