Pitru Paksha 2025: Why did Mother Sita perform the Pind Daan of King Dasharath? The story of her curse and boon

The time of Pitru Paksha is considered very sacred in Sanatan Dharma. According to the scriptures, the souls of Pitrulok attain peace and salvation by the Tarpan, Pind Daan and Shradh Karma performed during this period.

It is clearly mentioned in the Garuda Purana that the Shradh of ancestors should not be stopped under any circumstances. If the son is absent, then the daughter or daughter-in-law of the house can also fulfill this duty. We get the proof of this fact from that episode of Ramayana, when Mother Sita herself performed the Pind Daan of her father-in-law, King of Ayodhya Maharaj Dashrath.

Occasion of Pitru Paksha

When Shri Ram, Laxman and Mother Sita were residing in Dandakaranya during the exile, Maharaj Dashrath left his body in separation from Ram. Time passed, and when the auspicious occasion of Pitru Paksha came, Shri Ram, Laxman and Sita ji reached the banks of the Phalgu River at Mahatirtha Gaya Dham. This place is very famous for the tarpan and pind daan of ancestors.

According to the story, Shri Ram and Lakshman went towards the city to bring the necessary materials for the preparation of Shradh, and Mother Sita started waiting for them on the shore.

Invocation of Dashrath ji’s Soul

Time passed, but Lord Ram and Lakshman did not return. Meanwhile, the auspicious time for Pind Daan was passing. Then Dashrath ji’s soul appeared and asked Mother Sita to perform Pind Daan.

Sita ji said in surprise, “Father! How can the daughter-in-law perform the Shraddha if the son is alive?”

Then Dashrath ji said, “O Sita! In the law of Yamalok, the daughter and daughter-in-law are also considered to be the lineage of the family. If the son is unable to perform the Shraddha due to any reason, then his duty can be completed by the daughter or daughter-in-law. Time is passing fast, if Pind Daan is not done now, my soul will not get peace.”

On hearing the words of the father, Sita’s heart was filled with religious sentiments, and she decided to perform this great deed.

Pind Daan by Mother Sita

Sitting on the banks of the holy river Phalgu, Sita started the ritual of Pind Daan. She performed the Shraddha by taking the cow, Banyan tree, Ketaki flower and Phalgu river as witnesses. Offering holy sand and water, Mother Sita completed the Pind Daan of Dashrath ji with her own hands. At the same moment, Dashrath ji’s soul was satisfied and went to Pitriloka.

Test of Truth and Falsehood

After some time, Shri Ram and Lakshman returned. When Sita ji narrated the entire incident to them, they were surprised. They asked for proof and said, “Who were the witnesses of this act?”

Sita Ji immediately called the river, cow, Banyan tree and Ketaki flower to testify. But the surprise was that three out of four witnesses, Phalgu river, cow and the Ketaki flowers—lied and said that they did not see anything. Only the Banyan tree accepted the truth that it was Mother Sita who performed the Pind Daan of Dashrath ji.

Curse and Boon of Mother Sita

Seeing this scene, Mother Sita’s heart became agitated. She cursed all three witnesses who lied.

The Phalgu River was cursed that it would become waterless. Since then, the Phalgu River of Gaya has remained covered with sand most of the time, and Pind Daan is performed in its sand only. The cow was cursed that although it would be worshiped, it would be forced to eat the leftovers of people. The Ketaki flower was cursed so that it would never be accepted in the worship of God.

At the same time, Mother Sita blessed the Banyan tree that spoke the truth that it would have a long life and would be worshiped for ages. This is the reason why the Banyan tree is still considered long-lived and worshiped.

This sacrifice of Mother Sita shows that there is no difference between men and women in serving and offering tarpan to ancestors; rather, faith and religious sentiments are paramount. Even today, when we see Pinddaan being performed on the banks of the river Phalgu in Gaya, this story comes alive in our minds. The sand of the Phalgu River, the Ketaki flower, which is not offered in worship, and the long-lived Banyan tree are all eternal witnesses of that incident.