Shradhdh

 It is the Mahalaya period currently. In daily parlance, it is known as the "Pitru Paksha". It is customary to perform huge rituals like some puja, and the Brahmin bhojan, et al. Neither my brothers nor I follow this typical practice. 

Instead, annually during the "Pitru Paksha", I go to the Maha Mrutyunjay Temple in Kothrud. Twice a year, on Ashtami and on Dwadashi shradhdh, I pray there for Papa and Aai respectively, and offer dakshina to the Brahmin there. 

Well, do the souls of our ancestors return to our world during the Pitru Paksha? I do not know enough about such issues. Yes, to accompany Aai during the Chaturmas, I read almost all the Upanishads, discussed them with her, tried to understand them. But, no, I have not read the 'Garud Purana'.  Hence I do not know enough. 

According to the Bhagwad Geeta, "bahuni me vyatitani" is the idea about rebirth. Both my parents were truly good people. No, this is not a daughter speaking. Everybody, who knew them, would say so, does say so.  Their earlier births must have been good, and being the extremely contented, decent individuals that they basically were, they must be happy right now, too, wherever they are.

What then is the meaning of the ritual? For one thing, for sure, it is a heartfelt remembrance. It is a deeply meant message of gratitude, too. Somewhere, somehow, it is an act of humility wherein my ego is humbled before a ritual their generation believed in. In that sense, I am maintaining a connect with the tradition.

And the dakshina? True, prizes are instituted in their memory. Yes, every death anniversary, there is some donation to a worthy cause. Then, why the dakshina during the Pitru Paksha? Oh, yes, I do have issues with the greedy indifference of the typical "bhataji" behaviour which, I do think, brings a bad name to us, the entire Bramhin community. 

Yet I give the "dakshina" with utmost, genuine devotion. Why? Well, when I search within myself, I realise that somehow it is an act of social justice as well. Well, within my Brahmin community, there are some roughly put twenty per cent Brahmins who are well off. The majority, though, is in extreme dire condition.

With no reservations of any type, the EBC ten per cent category is shared with everyone, many Brahmins face extremely tough times. Visit any two tier city, the rural area, and you would know the horrible realities. During the COVID period, for instance, the "bhikshuk" community had extremely tough times. People were concerned with the daily needs of the Budhwar Peth women, but not the "bhikshuk" Brahmins!

As it is, most temples in Maharashtra, at least ninety per cent, have non-Brahmins as the "bhataji" or "pujari". This IS a fact that can be objectively proved. So the majority of Brahmins do not have any valid, regular source of income. All the ills that follow poverty are faced by the Brahmins. May be, my small little "dakshina" helps ease that day for the family of that 'bhataji'!?!

May be, the sigh of happiness which that family feels for that day reaches as some indescribable bliss, unmeasured blessing for my family. May be, a circle of goodness, and its better after-effects, is thus complete. Yes, till I am alive, I shall continue the practice.

Pratima@This blog, I realise, is a minor act of self-analysis.