New Delhi, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : Pitru Paksha holds significant importance in Sanatan Dharma. This 16-day period is dedicated to performing rituals like Tarpan and Pind Daan for our ancestors, seeking peace for their souls and their blessings for our families.
It is believed that offering Tarpan during this time grants ancestors liberation and helps alleviate ancestral curses. However, many may not realize that before honoring our ancestors, we pay homage to revered sages. The rituals do not begin with ancestors but with the worship of sages.
According to the Brahma Purana, one must honor their ancestors only after remembering the sages. Just as any auspicious task begins with prayers to Lord Ganesha, the rituals of Pitru Paksha commence on the full moon of Bhadrapada with the worship of Sage Agastya. It is said that performing Tarpan in Agastya’s name liberates ancestors, preventing them from wandering in search of water throughout the year.
A fascinating tale from the Mahabharata’s Van Parva recounts the story of two cruel demon brothers, Atapi and Vatapi. Atapi possessed a magical ability to resurrect any deceased creature, while Vatapi could assume any form. Together, they devised a horrific plan to kill sages. Vatapi would disguise himself as a goat or food, and Atapi would invite a sage to dine. Once the sage consumed the meal, Atapi would call Vatapi, who would tear himself out of the sage’s stomach, and they would feast on the dead sage.
Distressed, the sages sought help from Sage Agastya, known for his wisdom and austerity. One day, he visited the demon brothers. Following their plan, Atapi prepared a sumptuous feast from Vatapi and served it to Agastya, who consumed it all. After the meal, Atapi called out for Vatapi, but this time, something unexpected happened.
Agastya immediately blessed a handful of water and declared, “The one you are calling will never emerge again, for I have digested him—Jirna Vatapi.” Hearing this, Atapi was struck with fear and charged at Agastya, but the sage turned him to ashes with his spiritual power. This event occurred on the full moon of Bhadrapada. Following the demise of the demons, the tradition of offering Tarpan in the names of Sage Agastya and his wife Lopamudra began.
In addition to Agastya, many other revered sages are honored during Pitru Paksha. This includes the Saptarishis, Sage Vasishtha (who interpreted the Vedas and taught religious principles), Sage Jamadagni (father of Lord Parashuram and a promoter of dharma), Sage Vishwamitra, Sage Bharadwaj, Sage Gautam, and Sage Kashyap.
According to scriptures, these sages have imparted knowledge, religion, and culture to humanity, making them divine figures. By honoring them, we free ourselves from debts to the sages, ensuring that our offerings reach our ancestors without hindrance. Without the blessings of the sages, ancestral worship is considered incomplete.
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