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How To Pray For Ancestors In Hinduism: A Comprehensive Guide

In Hinduism, paying homage to ancestors is an important tradition rooted in the concept of Pitru Tarpan, which involves expressing gratitude and seeking blessings from the departed souls. This practice is typically done during Shraddha rituals, on specific days like Pitr Paksha (Pitru Paksha) or Amavasya (new moon day). Praying for ancestors is considered a way of ensuring their peace in the afterlife and securing the blessings of the Pitrs (ancestors).

Here’s a guide with all the essential information, including simple prayers, puja steps, clothing, deities, mantras, and practical tips for modern times.


Key Deities to Worship for Ancestor Prayers

  1. Yama Dharmaraja: The god of death and justice who oversees the fate of departed souls.
  2. Pitrs (Ancestors): Venerating the ancestral spirits to ensure they rest in peace.
  3. Shiva: The destroyer and transformer, who helps guide souls toward liberation (moksha).
  4. Vishnu: The preserver of the universe, who maintains cosmic order and grants blessings.
  5. Goddess Shakti (Durga or Kali): The Divine Mother who empowers, protects, and purifies.
  6. Parashurama: The sixth avatar of Vishnu, closely associated with rituals and the ancestral lineage (gotra).

Ideal Clothes to Wear and Their Colors

For performing ancestral prayers, simplicity and purity are emphasized. The ideal clothes include:

  • White: Traditionally, white symbolizes purity and peace and is often worn during rituals for the departed.
  • Yellow: Represents auspiciousness and is sometimes preferred.
  • Unstitched Cloth: Men can wear a white dhoti, and women can wear a white sari or simple cotton clothes.

For more modern times, modest, clean, and traditional attire in light colors can also be worn, especially when time or setting doesn’t allow for traditional garments.


Simple Puja Steps for Ancestor Worship

  1. Preparation:

    • Select a clean and peaceful area for the ritual.
    • Wear clean, traditional clothes (preferably white or yellow).
    • Set up a clean platform with a photo or representation of your ancestors.
    • Prepare offerings (tarpana) like water, milk, honey, black sesame seeds, rice, flowers, fruits, and sacred leaves (like tulsi or darbha grass).
  2. Invocation of Deities:

    • Light a lamp or deepa (preferably with ghee or oil) and burn incense sticks.
    • Invoke Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles with the mantra:
      • Om Gan Ganapataye Namah (ॐ गं गणपतये नमः)
  3. Offer Water and Sesame Seeds (Tarpana):

    • Facing south (direction associated with Yama and ancestors), take water in your hand mixed with black sesame seeds and rice grains.
    • Recite the following prayer, offering the water to your ancestors:
      • Mantra for offering Tarpana:
        • Om Pitṛbhyo Namah (ॐ पितृभ्यो नमः)
          Meaning: "Salutations to the ancestors."
  4. Chant Mantras for Deities and Ancestors:

    • Yama Dharmaraja:
      • Om Yamaya Namah (ॐ यमाय नमः)
        Salutations to Yama, the god of death and justice.
    • For Lord Shiva:
      • Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat (ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्, उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्)
        Meaning: We meditate on the three-eyed Lord Shiva, may he grant us liberation from the cycle of death.
    • For Vishnu:
      • Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya (ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय)
        Meaning: Salutations to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe.
    • For Goddess Shakti:
      • Om Dum Durgayei Namaha (ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः)
        Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Durga, the Divine Mother.
    • For Parashurama:
      • Om Sri Parashuramaaya Namah (ॐ श्री परशुरामाय नमः)
        Meaning: Salutations to Lord Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu.
  5. Final Offering:

    • Offer flowers, fruits, and sacred leaves to the photo of your ancestors.
    • Offer food (naivedya) as part of the ritual, and distribute it as prasadam (blessed food).
  6. Conclude with a Prayer for Peace:

    • Recite the following prayer to ask for the peace and liberation of your ancestors:
      • Om Shanti Shanti Shanti (ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः)
        Meaning: May there be peace in all realms.

Simple Prayers

  • Prayer for Ancestors’ Peace:

    • Om Pitṛbhyo Namah, Swasti Prājābhyah Paripālayantām Nyāyena Mārgēna Mahīmahīśāh, Gobrāhmaṇēbhyaḥ Śubhamastu Nityam, Lokāḥ Samastāḥ Sukhino Bhavantu
      Meaning: May the ancestors be at peace, may the rulers rule justly, and may all beings be happy.
  • Prayer to Yama for Guidance:

    • Yamaaya Dharmaraajaaya Mrityave Cha Antakaaya Cha | Vaivasvataaya Kaalaaya Sarvabhoota-Kshayaaya Cha | Audumbaraaya Dadhnaaya Neelaya Parameshtine
      Meaning: Salutations to Lord Yama, the embodiment of righteousness and the guide of souls.

Mantras

  • Mantra for Ancestral Peace (Shiva Mantra):

    • Om Namah Shivaya (ॐ नमः शिवाय)
      Chanting this mantra helps in attaining peace for the departed souls and liberation.
  • Mantra for Ancestors:

    • Om Pitruganaya Vidmahe Jagadharayaye Dhimahi Tanno Pitara Prachodayat
      Meaning: We meditate upon the ancestors, the supporters of the world. May they guide us.

Rare and Relevant Facts

  1. Pitr Paksha (Pitru Paksha): This is the most auspicious time in the Hindu calendar to honor ancestors. It usually lasts for 15 days in the lunar month of Bhadrapada.
  2. Kush Grass: In Vedic rituals, kush grass is often used in the Tarpana process, symbolizing purity and protection.
  3. Offerings in Rivers: It’s a tradition to perform rituals near water bodies like rivers or the sea, as water is believed to reach ancestors easily.
  4. Role of Brahmins: It is customary to feed Brahmins as part of Shraddha rituals, as they are seen as representatives of the spiritual energy of the ancestors.
  5. Modern Modifications: In today’s fast-paced world, you can perform these rituals at home, and even vegetarian food offerings suffice when it is difficult to arrange the traditional full offerings.

Practical Steps for Modern Times

  1. Simplified Home Rituals: If it’s difficult to visit temples or rivers, perform the rituals at home in a clean, dedicated space with proper offerings.
  2. Monthly Amavasya Rituals: Even if Pitr Paksha is missed, performing simple prayers and offerings on Amavasya (new moon) is a practical way to continue the practice regularly.
  3. Environmental Contributions: Some modern Hindus plant trees or donate to charitable causes in the name of their ancestors, as an offering to benefit their departed souls.
  4. Digital Shraddha: In today’s age, several families engage online with priests for conducting shraddha virtually, ensuring that geography is no longer a limitation for performing the rituals.

By following these practical steps, Hindus can easily pay homage to their ancestors in both traditional and modern ways, ensuring peace and blessings for generations.