Vedic Community Forum

Jai Maa,

Acharya Shunya shared an intimate message about Pitru Paksha with all sadasyas in this audio recording.

In it, we learn more about this sacred 2-week period beginning September 7th, when we are invited to step into remembrance of our Ancestors with reverence.

You will hear a few simple suggestions for observing this sacred time (if you feel called). These include:

1. Take time each day to light a lamp and remember your ancestors. Bring your hands to your heart and remember the known and unknown ancestors who lived.

2. Acknowledge your gratitude to them, regardless of how nobly or flawed they lived, who allowed you to have this moment of contact with Vedic wisdom.

3. Bring in a karmic action as an offering to your ancestors. This could be in the form of making a donation to a worthy cause, feeding the animals and insects outside, or something else - with the attitude of 'Idam na mama' (this is not mine) and the intention that the benefit go to your ancestors.

Even as the Atma (individual soul) never is born or dies, is without beginning or end, in the play of samsara (the narrative we play out in this world), these teachings on Pitru Paksha help us see our connection to the universal All while acting in our individual story that has a lineage of ancestors.

We are reminded that just after Pitru Paksha is Navratri, and anything that gets stirred up during these weeks will be healed and made whole by the Mother Goddess.