Pitra Dev

It is often seen in the horoscope that there is a yoga of “Pitra-dosham” which is considered very deadly for the children.It is a clear indication of curse of ancestors. Also, the blessings of our ancestors are very important for the success in life. As per hindu calendar, the Krishna paksh (fortnight) of Ashwin month is very important for remembering our ancesters. During this period rituals performed for the pacification of departed souls is called as “Shradh”. After the death soul travels various planes(levels). It suffers accoding to the its deed performed on the earth. Shradh ceremony is performed to provide the solace to the soul. The last day of shradh is considered as the most important one . It is held on amavasya tithi. The pitras are believed to be the ruler of this tithi(date). Similarly offering water to souls is called “Tarpan” ceremony. As per rule the eldest son of the deceased should perform this ceremony. Otherwise spouse or brother or son-in-law are qualified to perform it. The shradh or tarpan performed on teerath is considered as best. The easiest way is to donate the food liked by the ancestors. It should be donated to Brahmin, crow and cow.Sesame seeds mixed with water is considered very sacred in the offerings. All the auspicious works are prohibited during this period. There are 6 kinds of tarpan

1) Devtarpan

2) Rishitarpan

3) Divyamanavtarpan

4) Divyapitratarpan

5) Yamtarpan

6) Manushyapitratarpan

Mantra to be recited at the time of tarpan is-

Om ye bandhava abandhva va yenya janmani bandhva |

Te sarve triptimayantu maddattenambuna swadha ||

This simple remedy is very important to ward off many hidden evils in horoscope.

Somvati Amavasya

When no moon day(Amavasya) fall on Monday(somvaar) then the day is called 'Somvati Amavasya'. The most important ritual associated with this day is bathing in sacred rivers.Its importance is told by Bhishma to Yudhishter that one who baths in sacred rivers,that will be  relieved from disease. It is also  called "Rog Mukti snan".Also the Amavasya is ruled by our ancestors  and its signification increased many times when it coincides with Monday.  'Tarpan' performed on this day is considered very auspicious to get the blessings from the deceased souls.Charity done on this day is equivalent to donating thousands cows. Parikrama(revolve) around Peepal tree for 108 times is one of the important ritual. "Om Namo Bhagwatey Vasudevay" is the mantra which could be chanted while doing parikrama in a clockwise direction. Peepal tree is considered as the manifistation of "Tridev",the Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh. Somvati Amavasya is equivalent to 100 eclipse which shows the importance of this day.This day is excellent for fasting for the longevity of happy married life.

Amrit Paan

In jyotish(astrology), the Sun is considered as the Soul and Moon as subtle mind. In our puraans moon is describe as a God riding a chariot with three wheels. This chariot is hauled by ten horses. During its entire journey, the Moon passes through all the twenty-seven Nakshatras of a zodiac. It is rays of the sun which causes moon to appear as bright. The sun not only causes the formation of day and night but also act as a source of nourishment for the celestial sphere. Sun lights up all the places in the entire world except Brahmaloka. Sun’s rays that reach Brahmaloka return back turn into ineffective by the glow of Brahma. One of the Sun’s rays named Sushumna nourishes the Moon during its brighter phase(Shukla Paksha) in the form of nectar. Then during the darker phase(Krishna Paksha), the Gods drink the phases of the Moon, which are actually , ambrosia accumulated during the shukla paksha. When two days are left for the completion of Krishna paksha i.e. Chaturdashi and Amavasya, Pitragana drink the remaining two phases of the Moon. At the begining of amavasya moon is 12.5 degrees away from the sun. This is a crucial phase of journey of moon towards sun. At this moment the stage is set for the moon to enter the surya-loka. That day, the Moon first enters the water then the plants and creepers and ultimately enters the Sun’s sphere. That is why, on this day anybody who cuts trees or even plucks a leaf commits crime equal to killing of Brahmin . On the day of Amavasya, Pitragana drink the nectar from the Moon . Pittraganas are the ruling diety for the amavasya tithi. It is very auspicious to do tarpan for the ancestors on amavasya tithi.

Tulsi-Ek Shakti

In the Hinduism, Tulsi(a plant,basil) is very dear to Lord Vishnu. It is believe that one who worship lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves, is dear to lord Vishnu. That is why Tulsi is also known as “Vishnu priya”.The month of Kaartik is very important for tulsi pooja. On ekadashi tithi of kaartik shukal paksh devotees celebrates the marriage ceremony of Tulsi with lord Vishnu. This is called Tulsi vivah. Lord Vishnu granted boon to Tulsi that a place is considered to be the most sacred pilgrimage where exists the holy Tulsi plant. It is believed that the lord of death does not dare to enter a place, where exists a holy basil plant. If one take bath with water, in which basil leaves have been mixed, gives virtues similar to that of all the pilgrimage. The deities and all the places of pilgrimages have their dwelling places in whole of the basil-plant. Even the soil underneath the holy basil plant is of such great importance, that if it is applied on the forehead, all the sins of a man gets destroyed. Wearing a string of beads consisting of basil-seeds makes a man free from the fears of death. Medically it is proved that the Tulsi plant is helpful in curing many diseases. Some important consideration has to be kept in mind while doing Tulsi pooja.There are some days during which it is prohibited to pluck or water Tulsi leaves. They are Sundays,Amavasya,Dwadashi,Sakraanti(Transit of sun into new sign). The leaves should be collected before the prohibited time.