Pitru Paksha And Mahabharata: Know The Connection Between Mythological Tale And Shradh

Pitru Paksha is a 16-day period observed by Hindus to pay homage to their ancestors. They perform shradh, donate in the name of their ancestors, and do good deeds. However, not many know that the event has an association with Mahabharata, a legendary Hindu epic. Did you know that Karna was sent to Earth for 15 days after he died?

Pitru Paksha And Mahabharata: Legends Of Karna

Karna was an important character in Mahabharata. He was the eldest son of Kunti, mother of Pandavas, and fought on behalf of Kauravas. He was killed by Arjuna during the war between cousins.

He was known for his kind heart. Legends describe him as Daanveer Karna. When he died, and his soul reached heaven, he suffered from hunger. Anything he touched turned into gold.

Plagued with hunger, Karna and his father, Lord Surya (Sun), went to meet Lord Indra to seek a solution to the problem. Indra said that though Karna was known for his big heart, he always donated gold to the needy. He never donated food during shradh. Therefore, Kuru ancestors cursed him.

Since Karna was not aware of his bloodline, he never performed shradh in their names or donated anything to the needy for their moksha. To clean his conscience, Karna was permitted to descend on Earth for 14-15 days.

He was suggested to perform shradh in the name of his ancestors. He donated food and water to hungry and needy people in the memory of his ancestors. This period came to be known as Pitru Paksha. Many legends say that Karna and Lord Surya visited Lord Yama, instead of Lord Indra.

Pitru Paksha And Mahabharata: Legends Of Yudhishthir

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It is believed that during the war of Mahabharat, thousands of lives were lost. To pray for the peace of souls of the deceased, Dharmraj Yudhishthir, the eldest among Pandavas, visited Bodh Gaya. Since then, the place has been associated with shradh during Pitru Paksha. It is believed to be the sacred place where if you visit to perform pind daan, the ancestors are believed to reach heaven and bless their clan with good luck and prosperity.

Another mythological tale mentions a conversation between Bhishma Pitamaha, great-grandfather of Pandavas and Kauravas, and Dharmraj Yudhishthir. He was teaching him about the first time Pitru Paksha was ever observed. He told him about the story of Maharishi Nimi.

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Due to the untimely death of his son, Maharishi Nimi was engulfed with grief. He started praying for his ancestors. Impressed with his devotion, ancestors appeared before him to tell him that his son had been living with them.

The ancestors told the rishi that since he performed the last rites of his son like anyone would do for their ancestors, therefore, his soul was at peace. Post his encounter with his ancestors, Maharishi Nimi started spreading his knowledge about Pitru Paksha and shradh.

Bhishma Pitamaha passed on the knowledge of shradh to Dharmraj Yudhishthir, following which he performed penance in Bodh Gaya and prayed for the souls he, his brothers, cousin, and family killed during Mahabharata.

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