Relation Between
Souls, Pinds, Rebirth & Attaining Moksha
Hindus strongly
believe that spirits of the dead hover around without getting
salvation till Pind Daan offering is made to them. With the
offering made as a part of the process called 'shraddha,' (Shradh,
Shraadh) Pitru Paksha (16-lunar day period as per
Hindu calendar) is considered as an important occasion for
providing salvation to deceased souls. Once it is performed, souls
are satisfied and attain salvation (moksha). With these days
falling generally in the month of September every year, the ritual
is mainly based on making food offerings for the departed souls
that allow souls of their ancestors to be freed from the cycle of
birth and death.
The
two different types of pujas that can be offered at all the
following places include:
- Dev Pujas
- Worship for pleasure to God
- Pitri Pujas
- Worship for pleasure to Ancestors
Some of the
common rituals performed include:
- TriPindi &
Narayan Bali Shradh: For family where there has occurred
accidental death and the deceased person has departed without
completing his/her normal life span on Earth
- Pitambara &
Baglamukhi Pooja: For getting rid of and defeating enemies,
winning judgment of court and for self protection from certain
dangers
- Shri Lakshmi
Sahastracharn Pooja: For attaining prosperity, wealth &
affluence in family
- Nav Grah Shanti
Pooja: To remain untouched by any malefic effects of planets
of solar system
- Vinayak Shanti
Pooja: To get rid of serious diseases like those related to
Heart, lungs like T.B. and impotency. The puja is also helpful for
defeating the enemies
Apart from these,
some of the other ancestor rituals (Shradh,
Shraadh) performed
include:
- Panchak Shanti Karma
- Pinda Daan
- Tarpan
- Annual Shradh or Shradh in Pitri Paksh
- Pitri Shanti
- Mool Nakshatra Shanti
