Pitr-Pakasha

[sapodila]

Hindus observe this time in rememberance of their deceased ancestors. Can anyone tell me where would I find "Kush grass"?

[dhal]

where r u? in trinidad?

[Sumana]

yup she down here...
you now up2 now, i can't recognise dhoob grass :(

[Sumana]

ok...I know this is spam...but the sad face kinda...weird :S

[Triniboy108]

we have some dhoob grass growing right infront of my house... :D

[brag]

I thought it was koos grass (vetevier) they use. Or were you asking for doob for something else?

[sapodila]

where r u? in trinidad?
NY only have dry up Kush grass.........dhal..........yuh have some that's green and fresh?


ok...I know this is spam...but the sad face kinda...weird :S
Talk bout weird??????? :lol:

[dhal]

nah..usually, the day b4 it's needed, my dad does go in d bush an get some...

it looks kinda like razor grass 4 those of u who doh no...sumi, doob grass is grow in ppl lawn sometimes....

[Solachica]

Sando Hill have it

[sapodila]

nah..usually, the day b4 it's needed, my dad does go in d bush an get some...

it looks kinda like razor grass 4 those of u who doh no...sumi, doob grass is grow in ppl lawn sometimes....
doob gras plentiful......all over my backyard..........will have too check a plant shop that carries tropical plants and grasses.

[Sumana]

nah..usually, the day b4 it's needed, my dad does go in d bush an get some...

it looks kinda like razor grass 4 those of u who doh no...sumi, doob grass is grow in ppl lawn sometimes....


yeah mommy tell me to go in the neighbour yard for it...and i'm usually like burr...and i pass the job off on the neighbour son :D gotta love that boy

[Mivo]

Pitr Paksh 2008 09/15-09/29

[sapodila]

Pitr Paksh 2008 09/15-09/29

So wey we getting KUSH Grass this year? Anybody coming my way? Meh Husband would like tuh get some please.

[Mivo]

Sap you can check with your pundit, I believe you can use a fig tree instead eh

[sapodila]

Sap you can check with your pundit, I believe you can use a fig tree instead eh
You wouldn't believe this.........The bossman went tuh Valley View and got it. He bring back some, called up is pals and distributed to who needed. One of his friends told him that kush grass is growing somewhere around Hollins Ferry Road too, that he was going to get some ..........go figure!

[Mivo]

Priti Paksh starts 09/05 thru 09/18/09

[brag]

Pitr Paksha (The Memorial Period for the dead)

http://www.hknet.org.nz/asaucham-pitr-paksha.html

The Pitr (forefathers) Paksha (phase of the moon) or simply "The auspicious period for remembering those who have passed away" is very significant in the Hindu culture. In writing this article we hope to enlighten people from all cultures as to why we honour this very auspicious period of 15 days which comes in the dark half phase of the month of Ashwini (around September), set aside as a Memorial and thanksgiving to the departed souls, who, when on this Earth, made some contribution to make it a better place. We acknowledge our indebtedness to these ancestors at this period. It is an observance accompanied by intense bhakti (devotion) to the Supreme Lord. This year (2005) Pitr Paksa is between 18th September to 3rd October.

Especially in South Africa many Hindus observe this very important period for just a few days. Now that’s just not right. On the 18th September Pitr Pakse starts and continues for 15 days (until the 3rd of October). Many offer food after three days when they are performing their havan. That’s incorrect. This memorial period is not only for three days rather it’s for 15 days. If a guest comes to your house will you make the guest starve? No of course not then why are they being not fed daily. Remember you do not have to cook 10-15 preparations. Whatever you cook for yourself on that day you can offer to the Pitrs. How is this done? On a tray place a banana leaf. On the banana leaf place a teaspoon of all the food that was cooked. Then in a corner of your yard in a clean place offer the food together with a small cup of water or milk. Say " all my ancestors please partake in this prashad". Then leave that food. One should do this for 15 days. On the last day you can either perform a havan or donate in charity (whatever you like and can afford – like 3 three types of grains, fruits, vegetables…) to your family priest or a poor person.

All religions, sects, even tribes follow different observances when a member of the family passes on. The rites are based on certain beliefs and convictions enshrined in religion. One of the cornerstones of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) is the belief in the eternity of the Atma (Soul). The Atma leaves the body at death but life does not end there but continues after death as Lord Krishna says in Bhagavata Gita 2.20 "For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. The soul is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain."

The final rites after death are called Antyeshti, during which the body is cremated or buried depending on the age of the deceased. The ceremonies performed after the 10th, 13th day followed by the 6th, 12th month, and yearly ceremonies are all called Shraddha. The annual Shraddha performed during Pitr Paksh falls into the same category of rituals.

The Sanskrit word Pitr embraces God in all His aspects, the earliest sages, and our immediate ancestors to the third generation, and all our departed friends and relatives.

The followers of Sanathan Dharma (Hindus) express their gratitude and devotion by oblations of water (Tarpan) in memory of these ancestors. Oblations are made to God, to the Devi/Devas, Rshis and to our ancestors. The offerings are performed daily for 15 days. Tarpan is done as follows: In a dish of half filled water add some milk, sugar, honey, a few grains of barley, a few drops of ghee, and flowers petals – mix these items. Now face East and keep 3 pieces of Kush grass across both palms forming a cup and offer this water in the dish – NOT on the ground – in the name of as many deities as possible. Then face north and offer water in the name of the rishis. Then face south and now add til (Sesame seeds) into the water and offer this in the name of the pitrs (forefathers). Remember that the water is only offered in the dish. Only after all offerings have been completed then the dish of water is dropped on a plant. This can be repeated as many days as one desires in the 15 days.

Havans (except Wedding, Sacred thread ceremonies, Katha and Jhunda and so forth are not performed) during this period is recommended. Food prepared MUST FIRST be offered to the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna/Rama/Vishnu then that offered food becomes sanctified food (Prashad) and only then must that prashad be offered to the forefathers. By performing it in this way the forefathers bless that family immensely since they are eating Vishnu prashad, which relieves them very quickly, from whatever bad situation they are in. Charity should also be performed at this time, as this is most beneficial.

Is Pitr Puja Necessary?

Some people are of the opinion that Pitr Puja should not be performed because the Atma or the deceased has already taken birth again. It might have been born as an animal, bird, insect, human form or whatever form that the soul would receive in accordance with the karmas (actions good or bad) of previous lives. After the Sapindi ceremony (the 13th day ceremony performed 13 days after the cremation of the deceased), the Pitr Puja becomes obligatory on the descendants. Every human being has to pay three debts with which he is reborn and that is (1) indebt ness to the Supreme Lord, (2) to the Rishis, and (3) to the forefathers. Now what does it matter if the soul is re-born? A simple analogy from everyday life will make it clear. A person named Ram owes a sum of money to Gopal who was residing at a certain address at the time when the debt was incurred. Subsequently, Gopal changes his place of residence, and begins to live at another place. Does this absolve Ram from his indebtedness? No. After all death is the leaving of one body by the Atma and birth is the taking on of a new body. Bhagavad Gita (2.22) aptly describes the process "Just as one removes old clothes and puts on new ones, so does the Jivatma abandon an old body and obtain a new one" For further elucidation we may liken transmigration of the Soul to one abandoning a house which is old and beyond repair and taking residence in another home. Besides, Pitr Puja is a memorial service in which the devotee remembers as well as prays, addressing the departed he says: "O Pitrs in whichever form you may be, wherever you may be, we wish to remember and pray for your peace and welfare". Auspicious mantras are recited for the welfare, prosperity and peace of all beings.

References: Bhagavat Gita,

Garuda Purana,

Astaang Shraddha Paddhatee

[brag]

When we meet our ancestors in worship, how much do they inform us about our origins and health issues? For more information about the research you may google the topic.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v4 ... 24-01.html (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v461/n7263/edsumm/e090924-01.html)

Editor's Summary
24 September 2009

Meet the ancestors: Indian population history from gene screening

Analysis of genetic variation in 132 individuals from 25 diverse groups in India reveals that two ancient, genetically divergent populations are ancestral to most Indians today. One lineage, termed Ancestral North Indian, is genetically close to Middle Easterners, Central Asians and Europeans. The other, Ancestral South Indian, is not close to any group outside the subcontinent. The answers to several long-standing questions emerge from this work. It seems that 'caste' has been a powerful force shaping marriage in India for thousands of years — some anthropologists argued that its current strength was a product of British colonialism. And the enigmatic 'Negritos' of the Andaman Islands are identified as an ancient isolate from the Ancestral South Indian population. Allele frequency differences between population groups are high, in part due to the custom of within-group marriages, so it is likely that there is an excess of recessive diseases in India that can be screened for and mapped genetically.

News and Views: Human genetics: Tracing India's invisible threads
One measure of the extraordinary level of human diversity found in India is the use of 15 languages on its banknotes. The genetic underpinnings of that population diversity are yielding to whole-genome analysis.

Aravinda Chakravarti

doi:10.1038/461487a

Full Text | PDF (1,273K)

Article: Reconstructing Indian population history
David Reich, Kumarasamy Thangaraj, Nick Patterson, Alkes L. Price & Lalji Singh

doi:10.1038/nature08365

Abstract | Full Text | PDF (586K) | Supplementary information

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[brag]

Who knows why saps is gone, may be not enough discusion.