Pitru Paksha Puja: How performing Pitru Paksha Puja can affect relationships | – Times of India

Pitru Paksha or Shradh is a 16-day ritual in Hinduism to pay respect to the ancestors. The Pitru Paksha Puja refers to a ritual for worshipping the departed souls. Such benefits from Pitru Paksha Puja are not only for an individual but for the well-being of the whole family. It also has profound effects on one’s relationships. The ancient ritual is very deeply rooted and followed in Hindu mythology and astrology.We spoke to astrologer Vishal Bhardwaj, Founder of Predictions for Success, about this and here he lists how Pitru Paksha Puja performed during Shraad affects different aspects of one’s life and relationships:
Repayment of debt and getting blessings of one’s ancestors
Pitru Paksha Puja provides an opportunity to pay back the debt to one’s ancestors for their sacrifices and contributions. The puja requests blessings from one’s ancestors to seek their protection and guidance. This puja, therefore, reduces the malignifying influence of planets representing ancestral lineage (Pitru Dosha) in natal charts to balance out the emotional being as well as bring sound general overall well-being.
Karmic resolution and planetary alignment
All karma yet to be settled between the elders and their descendants gets cleared by this puja. The cleansing helps in healing emotional wounds and helps bind closer bonds. This puja coincides with the Sun’s transition into the Virgo zodiac sign, which holds within itself a process of introspection and purification. This allows people to get rid of their emotional baggage and foster empathy.
How does Pitru Paksha Puja benefits one’s relationships?

Pitru Paksha Puja develops harmony and understanding among family members by resolving misunderstandings between the family members and strengthening bonds.
The puja frees people from emotional baggage and helps them develop compassion in relationships.
Knowing that your ancestors made such contributions usually builds the capacity for growing healthy relationships.
Protect people and their relationships from negative energies; thus they may be safe and secure in all aspects of life.
Pitru Paksha Puja induces spiritual growth, which ultimately makes all relationships meaningful and purposeful.
How to perform this Puja
Pitru Paksha Puja needs to be done with utter dedication and devotion to pacify the ancestral spirits, release karma and negative energies, get ancestral blessings, induce spiritual growth.
For doing Pitru Paksha Puja the following steps are followed according to Hindu Mythology. It includes waking up early, taking a bath and cleaning the home. Prepare Satvik food to invite Brahmin at home. Offering Tarpana, a mixture of kusha grass, and black sesame seeds mixed with water to gods and ancestors. Pind daan, offering rice balls to ancestors. Offering a portion of food to cows, dogs, and crows. Feeding the Brahmin. Touching their feet and seeking their blessings.
And so, Pitru Paksha Puja enables harmony with ancestors by facilitating further intense practice of harmony in relationships. It can make a difference in your life if you solve the karmic energies by honouring your ancestors.
Taking a step into the ancient tradition of Pitru Paksha Puja can transform relationships, and foster love, respect, and understanding. And while paying homage to your ancestors, never forget that they can only provide their blessings and guidance to live a happy and balanced life.