608. Shraadh, Paying Homage To Ancestors - 3. Swami Tejomayananda.

 

Scriptures tell us to perform shraadh for our ancestors, only up to a particular generation. For those who are unable to do the ceremony every year, certain special rites can be performed in Gaya. After this, we do not have to do the ritual every year. The scriptures give us many such options!

You will be astonished to know that a person is permitted to do his own shraadh during his lifetime. For those who have faith in rituals and who doubt if their children will perform them in the future, here is a way out! When someone takes sannyasa, they do their own atmapindam, their own shraadh . So deep and complete are the shastras that they take care of all contingencies.

The answer is very clear. Every action produces a result. Hence the result of the karma will certainly help the particular jiva, wherever the jiva may be. People belonging to other cultures may not perform these rituals, but they do, in some way, remember their loved ones on their death anniversaries, in their own way, according to their traditions.

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