In Hinduism, the entire period of Pitru Paksha is considered very important and during this time Shraddha Karma is performed for the ancestors. It is believed that for the entire sixteen days of Pitru Paksha, the blessings of the ancestors remain by performing Shraddha and offering water to them.
With this spirit, people remember their ancestors in Pitru Paksha and perform many deeds for their peace. Many times it happens that during Pitru Paksha, a member of the house dies and the Sutak period begins.
In such a situation, the question comes to mind that should other ancestors be shraddha performed during this time? Is it forbidden to perform Shraddha rituals like other rituals in Sutak? To know the answers to these questions, we spoke to Pandit Manish Sharma Ji of Ujjain. Let us tell you what are the rules of Shraddha when someone dies in the family?
When someone dies during Pitru Paksha, Sutak is applied
According to Garuda Purana, as soon as a person dies in the family, there is a Sutak in the house. During the Sutak period, there is a tradition of stopping many auspicious and religious works. For this reason, if Shraddha Karma is already being performed and tarpan is being done for the ancestors, then these deeds should be stopped as soon as Sutak is observed.
In the same way that Shraddha Karma is not worshiped in the Sutak period, Shraddha Karma is considered to be the worship of ancestors and it is also forbidden to do this work in Sutak.
Shraddha rituals are not performed in the house for three years.
Pitru Paksha or anytime if someone dies in the family, then Shraddha Karma is not performed immediately after that. In the third year, when the ancestors of the deceased ancestors are matched and Pind Daan is done near the holy river, after that the Shraddha rituals start again.
For this reason, it is believed that after the completion of three years after the death of a person, the process of matching the ancestors takes place by ritual and after that the Shraddha of all the ancestors starts again.
What to do if someone in the family dies?
If someone in the family dies during Pitru Paksha, then first of all, the rites associated with death and the rules related to Sutak should be followed. During that time, you should stop all the work of Shraddha Karma, Pind Daan, Tarpan etc. for other ancestors. The Panchbali karma to be done during this time should also be stopped and some work should be done keeping in mind the rules of Sutak.
Pitru Paksha is considered to be the time for the ancestors to perform Shraddha Karma, but if Sutak is done during this time, then you should stop the Shraddha Karma of the ancestors.
