Today Friday, September 18th is Mahalaya Amavasya. Please let us recite the following Mantra preferably in the morning. Virodhi nAma samvathsarey DakshinayaNe, Varsha Rudhow, Kanya mAse KrishNa pakshe, Avamavasyayaam puNyathithow, Brugu vaasara yukthayAm PoorvaphalgunI nakshathra yukthAyAm, Saadyayoga ChathushpaathakaraNa evanguna viseshena visishtAyAm asyAm vardhamAnAyAm Amavasyaayam puNyathithow (pracheena vidhi - change your holy thread to right hand shoulder) .......gothrANaam, vasu rudra aditya svaroopAnAm asmath pithru pithAmaha prapitAmahAnAM (not having mother) mAthru pithAmahee prapithAmaheenAm (having mother) pithAmaheepithupithAmahee pithu prapithAmaheenAm (uncle lineage) gothrAnAm vasu rudra Adhitya svaroopAnAm asmath sapatneeka mAtAmaha mAthup pithAmaha mAthup prapithAmahAnAm upaya vamsa pithrunAm akshayya thrupthyarhtham Amavasyayam punyakAle darsha shrAddham thila tharpana roopene adhya karishye.
Everyone has responsibility to discharge duties and one among them is "Pithru karma". We are required to perform Shraarddha Karmas (pithru karma) after the passing away of Parents. Failure to perform the enshrined duties, such as this one, will earn the wrath of Pithrus (departed souls) and ultimately cursed by them. "Pithru tharpanam" means "to satisfy our departed souls of forefathers" The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September-October) is known as the Mahalaya Paksha or the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. The last day of this period, the new moon day, is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites. The renowned hero of the Mahabharata, Karna, when he left the mortal coil, ascended to the higher worlds and the great charity he had done here was returned to him hundredfold. But, it was all gold and silver; there was no food, as he had not done any food-charity! He prayed to the god of death. So, he was sent back to earth for fourteen days, to make up for this deficiency. For fourteen days, he fed Brahmins and the poor, and offered oblations of water. On his return to the higher regions, he had food in plenty. It is these fourteen days that are commemorated in the Mahalaya Paksha. Due to the grace of the god of death, it has been ordained that offerings made during this period benefit all the departed souls, whether they are connected to you or not. Charity in the form of food is important during this observance. Life depends upon food. You cannot preach religion to empty stomachs. This human body is the most important vehicle for realising God. How precious must food be which keeps the body fit for Yoga! The gift of food is the greatest gift. Therefore, give food in plenty, not only during the Mahalaya fortnight but all through the year. Those of us who would like to know more about this Mahalaya, Please click the link below to read : http://hinduism.about.com/cs/audiomusic/a/aa092003a.htm?nl=1 It is highly beneficial to recite/listen as many as possible of the following 10 sthotras by clicking the link below by all the family http://hinduism.about.com/od/prayersmantras/ss/aarti_hinduhymn.htm
