When the rain soaked and washed and flowed, all the Nepali land was drenched in rain this time, now the water has reached this year, the clouds have returned. Heartfelt obeisance to all the relatives, loved ones and animals who experienced the rain of this year, welcome on this auspicious day of the first day of Sorha Shraddha.
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, ancestors 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 mornings, the morning weather has started to give a hint with the fragrance of the festival, that is, the blueness of the sky and the cleanliness of the clouds are decreasing temperatures in these mornings, which give the feeling of Dashain in Nepal. Looking up at the sky, it seems as if pearls are scattered like pieces of clouds. Isn't these all hints of Dashain?
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. This year will be very different from previous, as COVID risk condemns crowds and travels but our utmost prayers with ancestors to end this sooner could be. 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.
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.
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!
World Peace Day 2021: “Recovering Better for an Equitable and Sustainable World” 
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनस्,
सर्वे सन्तु निरामया,
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु,
मा कश्चिद् दुखभागभवेत्,
ॐ शान्तिस् शान्तिस् शान्तिस्
That is, may all be happy, may all be able to recognize good. May all be healthy and may no creature suffer. Present this psalm of peace from 'Upanishad', with the wish of world peace.
Wishing peace from a country where the Buddha was born, where many countries have expressed their desire for peace in the form of a chaityas at Lumbini, where the World Peace Stupa stands above Baidam Lake and giving the world a dimension of silken love and peace, whose people are famous around the world for peace and friendship. And where Mount Everest touches the sky spreading the air of peace all over the world.
The 9th edition of the Geneva PeaceTalks will be held on Tuesday 21 September 2021. Livestreamed from the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the event is organised under the United Nations' official theme for the International Day of Peace: “Recovering Better for an Equitable and Sustainable World”
This time around the world, the cities are calm due to the Corona terror, but the tide of unrest has risen in the minds, the landslide of impulse has gone, it is clear that the world needs more peace and unity than other years. Even so, the slogan for this year's World Peace Day is "Shaping Peace Together".
Sanatan Sampradaya, which practices Yagyas, Hom, Swasthis, etc., has included the door of world peace in its traditions and culture for centuries. Today, it is time to deepen this door and connect communities and civilizations around the world.
Peace is not only a spiritual term but also an essential requirement of human civilization. Today, the world community stands proudly on the bench of justice, with ample examples of peace being dealt with on Peace Day. Terrorism, agitation, murder, violence, inhumanity, and inhumane chains are somehow entangled all over the world.
It is necessary to institutionalize the establishment of peace in the eyes of the Rohingya from Myanmar to the Syrian refugees who have been living on bombs and ammunition for decades and the citizens of many countries including Afghanistan and Iraq. The United Nations General Assembly in 2016 has declared September 21 as World Peace Day.
The trumpet blown from the United Nations Peace Garden on September 15, 2017, has sounded the voice of world peace. Let that voice go through Syria, Afghanistan, and Libya and reach every corner of the world. May the wave of peace spread from the summit of Mount Everest to the bottom of the Dead Sea.
The peace of the past years has been used only as a political and philosophical term, sometimes between religions and sometimes between mystics. Today, by the 106th anniversary of World War I, new rulers have killed twice as many people in various series and many names.
Let it be remembered that peace is not only the word of Gautama Buddha but also the responsibility of all. Let's walk with virtue in our heart, walk on the path of intimacy and forgiveness. Today's generation needs to be taught the lesson of world brotherhood.
Happy World Peace Day from Buddha's country to the world community! A lamp will be lit at the World Peace Stupa in Pokhara, Nepal today, wishing for world peace.
World Alzheimer's day 2021 "Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer's"
Today we want to talk about a unique disease in the context of World Alzheimer's Day. Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects a person's natural memory, behavior, and expression. It is a disease of the nervous system. Initially, the symptoms of Alzheimer's appear as emotional and behavioral changes, and later Alzheimer's can lead to a complete loss of memory.
About 70 percent of the causes are hereditary, while other causes include hypertension, severe head injuries, and depression. Extremely busy lifestyles and lack of time for yourself, stress, obesity, and lack of physical exercise also increase the risk of Alzheimer's. It is almost impossible for a person with Alzheimer's disease to return to normal even after long-term treatment. To fight Alzheimer's disease, we all need to make some improvements in public awareness and lifestyle. Daily exercise, a balanced diet, a normal lifestyle, balanced expectations from life, and daily yoga practice can help prevent Alzheimer.
If any of us understand that Alzheimer's only occurs in old age that may not be entirely true. Such diseases seen and read-only in movies and stories can come into our own lives due to our helter-skelter. According to a 2015 study, there are about 30 million Alzheimer's patients worldwide, and the number may have increased, but no new study report has been released. World Alzheimer's Day is celebrated on September 21 of each year to raise public awareness of such issues. The theme for the 2021 campaign is Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer's and it is all about the power of knowledge. During the campaign, we are shining a light on the warning signs of dementia and the importance of a timely diagnosis. September is also celebrated as the month against Alzheimer's. Let's all be aware of this disease.
Suyog Dhakal
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