How to perform tarpan for your departed ancestors in Pitru Paksha?

Pitru Paksha has special importance in Hinduism. This period lasts from Bhadrapada Purnima to Ashwin Amavasya. It is described in the scriptures that during this holy time, Pitru Dev comes near his descendants on earth and expects satisfaction from them. Therefore, Tarpan, Shradh, Pinddaan and donation done with devotion give peace to the ancestors and bring happiness, longevity and prosperity in the life of progeny.

Those who do not remember their ancestors experience obstacles in life due to Pitru Dosha. Therefore, Tarpan for ancestors is both a religious duty and spiritual debt remission for us.

Importance of Tarpan

It is described in the Vedas and Puranas that when we offer water to the ancestors, they become satisfied and give blessings. With their blessings, there is peace in the family, happiness of children, health and prosperity. This is the reason why Pitru Paksha is considered a festival of spiritual responsibility.

Materials Required for Tarpan

Kusha, Kush-Pavitri for wearing, Akshat (uncooked rice), barley, black sesame seeds, bronze flowers or white flowers without fragrance, pure water (in a copper vessel), holy seat, lamp, incense, offering, etc.

Kusha has special importance in Pitru Puja; it is said in the scriptures that tarpan without Kush does not reach the ancestors. Therefore, hold Kush-Pavitri in the right hand and then give Aachman and Arghya.

Tarpan Muhurta

On every day of Pitru Paksha, take a bath after sunrise and wear pure and simple white clothes. Tarpan from after Brahma Muhurta to the morning time is considered the best. On the day when the Shradh date of your family tradition comes, perform tarpan with special devotion. If the date is not known, then tarpan can be performed with a resolution on every day of Pitru Paksha or on Sarva Pitru Amavasya.

Method of Tarpan

Take the help of a learned Pandit to perform tarpan for ancestors. If you are performing pitra puja yourself, then take a bath in the morning and purify yourself, face east and wear a sacred thread. Take a resolution for ancestors,

“Today, I, the son of a mother named (mother’s name) and a father named (father’s name), (my own name), take a resolution to perform Pitru Tarpan in my house to get the happiness and blessings of all the ancestors of my clan and lineage and to achieve the manly pursuit of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.”

After this, perform tarpan for the gods with water and Akshat. After that, perform tarpan for the sages with water and barley. Now face north and perform human tarpan with water and barley only. Lastly, sit facing south and offer tarpan to ancestors with black sesame seeds, water and kaas flowers or white flowers.

After offering tarpan with full devotion, surrender at the end and conclude the puja by remembering God and ancestors.

Donation and Brahmin Food Service

After offering tarpan, it is very pious to offer food, clothes, dakshina and Brahmin food. If possible, feed the needy people and give donations, etc. Take a pledge to serve cows, donate education, etc.

The scripture says, “Daanam pradhaanyam.”

That is, especially the donation given during Pitru Paksha gives many times more results.

Conduct, Restraint and Precautions

In offering tarpan, follow sattvik food and purity without ego.

• Avoid alcohol, meat, unsattvik behavior and harsh words.
• Do not do things prohibited in tradition; consider the family ritual as the most important.
• Offer the Tarpan water in flowing water or on a Peepal-Vat tree or a holy place.

The Pitru Paksha reminds us that our existence is a prasad of the blessings and accumulated merits of our ancestors. Therefore, during this holy period, perform Tarpan with rituals, wear Kush-Pavitri, offer sesame water with “Swadha,” and illuminate your life with peace and prosperity with the blessings of ancestors.

“Pitrudevo Bhava”
Worshiping ancestors opens the door to the path of salvation.