In Sanskrit, Pitru would refer to our ancestors or our forefathers and Paksha would mean the time period. Pitru Paksha is the time when the Hindu community pays homage and respect to their forefathers through means of food offerings. Usually considered inauspicious since this period deals with death and death rites, it is however important that this Paksha is honoured and observed with gratitude and respect.

Understanding Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha is a 16-day lunar period. When the Sun transits in Virgo, it is considered to begin the day of the ancestors. This period is sacred and the ritual of Shradh is carried out during this time as a tribute to our forefathers. If the Shradh rituals aren’t performed on the day of Ashwin Amavasya during Pitru Paksha, then it is believed that the ancestors go back to their world feeling disappointed. Therefore, in order not to disappoint your ancestors and to seek their blessings, you should perform the Tarpan while offering them a mixture of flowers, fruits, food, and water etc. and pray for their salvation.

Significance of Shradh:

Performing the ritual of Shradh ensures that the soul of our ancestors go to Heaven. Performing Tarpan (rituals of Shradh) is said to bring peace to their souls. It is believed that during the Pitru Paksha, our ancestors descend on Earth. It becomes imperative to please them to help their souls and attain peace and get their blessings. It is also necessary to not anger our forefathers in any way during this time, therefore certain activities are prohibited or curtailed to honour and worship them after their death, posthumously.

According to our puranas, before worshiping the Gods, a man should worship his ancestors because it is believed that the Gods are pleased with that. For this on Amavasya, on Shradh we remember our ancestors by doing tarpan and offer food and dakshina to Brahmins or needy people.

Legend Behind the Pitru Paksha

In Hinduism, it is believed that the soul of three generation of our ancestors reside in the Pitrilok, the realm between heaven and earth. This is the territory of Lord Yama, who is considered as the God of Death. Lord Yama is the carrier of the dead from earth to the Pitrilok.

When someone in the next generation dies, the first generation of our dead ancestors move to heaven, becoming one with God and entering Moksh. Thus, as per custom, only three generations in Pitriloka are given Shraddha rites, in which Yama plays a significant role. Pitru Paksha alleviates the sufferings of souls of our ancestors before undergoing rebirth. The ritual of Shradh adds to the happiness in their new birth.

Apart from this, this period of Pitru Paksha is considered very special for the natives whose horoscope shows indication of Pitru Dosh.

Understanding Pitru Dosh

Pitru Dosh is considered as the Karmic Debt of the ancestors that becomes the obligation of the present generations. It is believed that this affliction is someone’s horoscope appears when their ancestors may have knowingly or un-knowingly committed sins or misdeeds or evil acts in their own lifetime. These appear as evil debts in the horoscope of later generations. To overcome the ill-effects of Pitru Dosh, the rituals of Shraddha are performed which please the souls of the ancestors.

Indications Of Pitru Dosh an any Horoscope:

You will know your horoscope has Pitru Dosh, if you face any or all of the following consequences in your life.

• Not getting blessed with harmonious marital life and a child in your life
• If your child falls in the wrong company despite good upbringing
• Any kind of prolonged health issue and accidental or suicidal death
• Having to face all kinds of losses in job and business.
• Frequent obstacles in your life and increased discord within your family
• Very short-lived happiness and prosperity in your life
• A life of unfulfilled potential, poverty and destitution.
• Burden of debt and unresolved issues.

What is the Vedic Logic behind Pitru Dosh?

Pitru Dosh can be attributed to three causes- effects of the planets, deeds of the ancestors and one’s own karma.

• Planetary Combinations:

1. When Rahu-Ketu or Saturn is posited in 5th house and Sun becomes malefic.
2. When Rahu-Ketu are with any of the planets and is placed in 6th, 8th or 12th house
3. When 9th house/ lord from lagan or from Moon is under the influence of Rahu-Ketu.
4. When Saturn is placed in 5th house or connected with 5th, 8th 9th or 12th house
5. When Sun and Saturn are in the same house or having Drishti (affecting each other).
6. If Saturn is afflicting the Moon, then it is said that Pitru Dosh is from maternal side, but if it is afflicting Sun, then the Pitru Dosh is from paternal side.
7. For this to happen, the 5th lord/house should also be afflicted.
8. If Sun or Jupiter are forming a conjunction or aspect on Rahu or Ketu
9. If there is a combination of Sun and Rahu or Sun and Saturn in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 9th and 10th house of the horoscope.
10. If Rahu is in the ascendant and the lord of the ascendant is placed in the 6th, 8th or 12th house.

• Deed of the Ancestors

1. The deeds of your ancestors also decide whether there would have Pitru Dosh in your horoscope or not.
2. Any evil deed, intentional or unintentional, past sins or misdemeanor often affects your Pitru Dosh in this life in your horoscope.

• Your own Karma

1. Your own karma plays a significant role. Therefore, it is very important that you follow the right path in your life and work with honesty and sincerity.
2. You should remain humble and polite with everyone. ‘Karma hits you back’; if you treat someone badly, then you’re likely to have Pitru Dosh in your horoscope.
3. Unethical approach to accomplish your goal or manipulating things according to your comfort level, by neglecting the feelings of others.
4. Misusing your powers and position to suppress someone.
5. Spreading rumors about someone with wrong intentions.

These are all the major reasons that can give Pitru Dosh in your horoscope.

Specific Pitru Paksha Dates and Time in 2022:

Rituals of Shradh are performed according to the lunar calendar. In 2022, Pitru Paksha will begin on 10th September, Saturday and end on 25th September, Sunday. The date of the puja is determined based on the tithi of the death of the ancestor. Below is the complete list of Shradh dates of 2022.

• 10th September 2022 (Saturday) – Purnima Shradh
• 10th September 2022 (Saturday) – Pratipada Shradh
• 11th September 2022 (Sunday) – Dwitiya Shradh or Dooj Shradh
• 12th September 2022 (Monday) – Tritiya Shradh
• 13th September 2022 (Tuesday) – Chaturthi Shradh and Maha Bharani Shradh
• 14th September 2022 (Wednesday) – Panchami Shradh
• 15th September 2022 (Thursday) – Shashti Shradh
• 16th September 2022 (Friday) – Saptami Shradh
• 18th September 2022 (Sunday) – Ashtami Shradh
• 19th September 20221 (Monday) – Navami Shradh
• 20th September 2022 (Tuesday) – Dashmi Shradh
• 21st September 2022 (Wednesday) – Ekadashi Shradh
• 22nd September 2022 (Thursday) Dwadashi Shradh or Magha Shradh
• 23rd September 2022 (Friday) – Trayodashi Shradh
• 24th September 2022 (Saturday) – Chaturdashi Shradh
• 25th September 2022 (Sunday) – Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Amavasya Shradh

Remedies to eliminate Pitru Dosh:

Below are listed some of the general remedies to remove the ill effects of Pitru Dosh from your horoscope. Following them

• Offer food to crows/birds, street dogs and sweepers daily (if possible) or on Amavasya (New Moon Day) and during Pitru paksha
• Serve the elderly, your parents and needy people
• Give charity to hospitals or to any physical challenged people, especially on Amavasya (New Moon Day)
• Feed cows when you can with green fodder
• Never ill-treat or disrespect your wife, sister or mother. Always pay regard and respect to the women in your life and otherwise.
• Offer water to the Banyan tree.
• Offer food to Brahmins on every Amavasya (New Moon Day) or donate raw food items to Brahmins/underprivileged people every month.
• Light a Deepak/candle in your courtyard/balcony daily or at least on Amavasya in remembrance of your ancestors.

Tarpan or offering food to our forefathers by conducting proper rituals during the Pitru Paksha, on the death anniversary of the ancestors, is a great remedy to overcome the pain and suffering. These remedies will help you to neutralize the ill-effect of Pitru dosh in your horoscope and help you to reduce suffering and lead a good life.