Sohra Sraddha Praarambha (Pratipada Shraddha)/Dwitiya Shradhha

Sorha Sradhha starts from today

Pitri Paksha
The 16-day Pitri Paksha has a big role to play in the beginning of the Dashain, 16 days of Pitri Paksha started from today. These 16 days are the homage fortnight to ancestors, ancestor means Pitri in Sanskrit so these days are called Pitri Parksha.

Ancestors (Pitri) taken as the center of God and the ancestral homage (Pitrikarma) is taken as the center of the eternal rites. Sorha Shraddha further clarifies the height and importance of Vedic Sanatan rites. These 16 holy days are called by different names like Sohra Shraddha, Pitripaksha, Kagant, Jitiya, Mahalaya Paksha, Pitru Pokho etc.

Starting from the full moon, this aspect lasts till the day of the Aaunshi. In Pitri Paksha, it is believed that ancestors come and live in the homes of their descendants on earth. Hindus perform Pitrikarya i.e. shraddha on the death tithi of their ancestors, on the day of shraddha, there is a special bustle in the house.

What is Shradhha?
Shraddha is one of the important deeds in Vedic Sanatan Hindu rites which is usually performed by the eldest son, if not the eldest son then other sons or brothers and even sisters of the family perform this. On the day of Sarvapitru Aunshi, the son pays homage to the fathers on both his father's and mother's side.

Participation of Daughters in Shradhha, a discourse
Based on the Hindu scriptures that the son is the path to salvation, the issue has been linked to anti-feminist and gender inequality from various angles. But the fact is, son and daughter both have their equal right, importance and different crucial roles in family and rituals. In every good deed and rite of Sanatan Dharma, the presence of the son as the doer has been given priority, but women have been given the same importance. Shraddhakarma cannot be completed without the presence of nieces and nephews. Sons and daughters are the same for ancestors and the role of daughters in Pitrikarma and ceremonies is very commendable since prehistoric time. Religion and culture have given equal place to both children. Religion does not discriminate anywhere.

Now from the concept of Pitri and their world, it is believed that there are three generations of ancestors living in this world between heaven and earth. There is a belief in this ancestral world that crossing Baitarni river will lead to heaven. It is believed that Indra is the king of the heavens and Yama is the king of the ancestral world.

Scriptural citations of Sorha Shradhha.
Danvir Karna, who died in the battle of Mahabharata, was given gold and silver ornaments as food in heaven.

Out of curiosity as to why King Indra gave him gold, silver, etc., when he needed real food for hunger, Karna asks King Indra of heaven.
In the answer, Indra makes it clear that Danvir Karna donated only gold and silver for the rest of his life and did not donate food to his ancestors, this is why his account on heaven had no provision of real food. The legend that Karna was sent back to earth for 16 days after Indra said that he had not donated food to his ancestors in his lifetime. It is considered as the beginning of the Pitri Paksha. In Vedic Sanatan Sanskar, Pitrikarma i.e. shraddha is usually performed twice, regular shraddha is performed on the tithi of exact death and another shraddha is performed during the period of Sorha shraddhas.

Pratipada and Dwitiya Shradhha
Sanatana people (Pitris) who died in Pratipada and Dwitiya tithi are offered "Shradhha Karma" today. Normally, Pratipada is a day before dwitiya but this year both tithis have collided.

May peace and happiness prevail in every family with the beginning of this year's Sorha Shraddha, may the blessings of the Pitri remain forever, may the door of heaven be opened and may the Pitris live in peace!

Suyog Dhakal