The need and importance of performing Mahalaya Pitru Paksha
Shradh is mentioned in the Mahabharata. Here is an important quote on Mahalaya Shraddha.
The householder who does not perform shradh during the
period when the Sun is in the Virgo sign (pitru paksha shradh fortnight), how
will he earn money and be gifted with a healthy child as he would have enraged
the deceased ancestors’ souls?
Additionally, the abode for deceased ancestors’ souls
remains vacant till the Sun moves from Virgo and Libra sign to the Scorpio
sign. The abode for deceased ancestors’ souls remaining vacant during
this period implies that the deceased ancestors’ souls come closer to their
descendants for blessing them and if Shradh is not performed, they give curse
to their descendants and return.
Due to this, it is important to perform Shraddha during this
period.