Mahalaya Paksha
(Authored by – Smt. Chandrimā Kalbāg, with inputs from Shrī Chaitanya Gulvāḍy and Shrī Kris͟hṇānand Maṅkīkar, based on research from the Sunbeam Archives and ChitrāpurGPT
Mahālayā Paks͟ha Prārambha on Pratipadā, the first day after Bhādrapada Pūrṇīmā (full moon day) marks the beginning of the Pitṛ Paks͟ha (a fortnight dedicated to honouring departed ancestors). It extends through Kṛs͟hṇa Paks͟ha (the dark fortnight of the waning moon), culminating in Mahālayā Amāvāsyā (the new moon day), which usually falls on the 30th day of Bhādrapada māsa.
Pañcha Mahāyajña-s (five great sacrifices) are the obligatory duties of an Āhitāgni (one with consecrated fire – a householder) in Sanātana Dharma to live in harmony with the universe and atone for unintentional sins:
• Brahma Yajña / Ṛs͟hi Yajña: Honouring sages and teachers, reciting and studying the Veda-s, imparting knowledge.
• Deva Yajña: Honouring/Propitiating the deities or cosmic forces.
• Pitṛ Yajña: Honouring the elderly and making offerings (tarpaṇa and shrāddha) to the departed ancestors and relatives.
• Manus͟hya Yajña (Atithi Yajña): Honouring human beings.
• Bhūta Yajña: Being compassionate to all living creatures, including animals, birds, and insects.
During Pitṛ Paks͟ha, tarpaṇam and shrāddha offerings are made to the departed ancestors of three preceding generations, for which Mahālayā Amāvāsyā is considered to be particularly auspicious.
In Sanātana Dharma, death is considered to be a transitory event, where the Jīva crosses over from one life to the next, depending upon the accumulated results of one's karma. After death, the disembodied Jīva needs succour from its descendants to journey through the loka-s, birth-death-rebirth till it attains Moks͟ha. During Vedic times, Āhitāgni-s were obliged to offer Piṇḍapitṛyajña on every Amāvāsyā. Now a days, shrāddha rites are performed on the tithi of the individual’s passing away or on any day during the Pitṛ Paks͟ha.
Shrāddha offerings typically include:
● Tarpaṇam (sanctified water, with mantra-s)
● Black Til sesame seeds
● Piṇḍa-s - three rice balls with a darbha grass kept across, for each of the three generations of departed ancestors (father, grandfather and great-grandfather). Piṇḍa-s are prepared by mixing cooked rice with black sesame seeds.
The shrāddha rites are received by the guardian deities of the pitṛ-s – namely the Vasu-s, Rudra-s and Ᾱditya-s, who convey the essence of them to the concerned soul. Piṇḍa-s and other food items prepared for the departed ancestors are placed for crows, as the pitṛ-s enter the crows' bodies in subtle form to accept them.
The shrāddha-kartā honours respected Brāhmaṇa of a different gotra (lineage) to bring puṇya for the departed ancestors, to hasten their journey towards Moks͟ha.
The entire rites are offered to Bhagawān Vis͟hṇu with a samarpaṇa mantra, seeking forgiveness for shortcomings or errors in the performance of the shrāddha rites, with prayers for accruing spiritual benefits towards Moks͟ha. The shrāddha rites are meant for departed ancestors, but shower blessings upon the shrāddha-kartā and other descendants too.
Mahālayā Amāvāsyā also marks the day that Devī Durgā begins her journey towards Bhūloka (Earth) to inspire us to shun evil and perform good deeds in our Nitya-Karma, guiding us on the path to Moks͟ha.