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Who is a Pitri
After death of a person, the body is destroyed. But the mind, the intellect and the Awareness that activated the body during its life time does not die, but exist as energy thought vibrations. This energy is called as “Pret Aatmaa” and can be energized by offering rice and sesame seeds on all New Moon Amaavasyaa days of the month. The “Pret Aatmaa” time scale is of one day is equal to human 30 days. The Pret Aatmaa will have emotional bonding for 365 human days or their 12 days. Only if their emotional bonding is shredded they get into a energy level called “Pitri”. This is why for one year “Tithi” ritual is done by the family of the diseased person. After 365 days, there is no more emotional connection. After one year the Pret Aatmaa is transformed in to Pitri, and they can accept offering from any human being of the world. After attaining the Pitri state, the energy vibration becomes fit to be identified with a new human body.

To be qualified for a human body of choice, “Punya” or meritorious debit should be available. If not done any merits while living as a human, at Pitri level at least they can achieve merits by doing a Selfless act. The only Selfless act is to bestow “Energy” to Human beings of the earth, who are not related to them. This action bestows merit for Pitri to attain a human birth.

Those who have Energy debits for Materialistic and Spiritual progress are benefited by Pitri’s blessings. Men, women, children can do this Pitri worship or Tarpan. That is done only after their death. By doing this every month on New Moon day removes many materialistic problems in life and help us to progress spiritually. This is of immense belief.

Honoring every month Ancestors on new Noon Moon day is one of the 5 duties of every Human being. This is done in all ancient cultures. If due to physical ailment someone cannot do it for all the 12 months, then they can do on the most important day called Mahaalaya Ammavasyaa, The dark fortnight of Aswaayuj or Aashwin Lunar month (September-October) which is better known as the Mahaalaya Paksh 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.

What is "Pitri Dosh"?
Let us understand what is Pitri Dosh ? Why it is so critical ? What are the effects of Pitri Dosh on one's life ? How to remove obstacles occurred from Pitri Dosh?

There are many ways by which Pitri Dosh can occur. According to general information from various Puraan, Pitri Dosh occurs when the soul of our ancestors and departed forefathers does not get peace (Shaanti) due to any of the following main reason, and there may be others.

(1) Bad deeds (bad Karm) of our ancestors in earlier life, knowingly or unknowingly, are embarrassing their souls,
(2) Bad deeds (bad Karm) of children, knowingly or unknowingly, are embarrassing the soul of ancestors,
(3) Lack of fulfillments of parental desires of our ancestors,
(4) A sudden and unnatural death of any relative ancestors in early age,
(5) If someone fails to remember and honor the ancestors properly,
(6) If certain wishes are remained attached with the soul of the ancestors, etc.

It is stated in the ancient text that Pitri Dosh occurs if any ancestors up to the 7th generation on the father's side and up to the 4th generation on the mother's side have expired at an early age or have had an unnatural death. Our ancestors are not only our family members or relatives, but also our teachers, mentors, role models , friends, and guardians, who have contributed to our welfare and growth in this or previous life. This creates an implied obligation on us to respect them and their parental desires and calls for following good deeds. If by any chance this is not followed by anyone, it may embarrass the souls of the ancestors, which, in turn, becomes Pitri Dosh.

Simple Ways to Identify Pitri Dosh
Astrological combinations and calculations are used to precisely find out the exact problem and related solution of Pitri Dosh. Such astrological calculations are good, but they are far more complex and hard to understand for a common man. Then how a common man can identify if he is under the bad influences of Pitri Dosh ? Well, there are some signs and methods given in the ancient texts, which help a person in identifying Pitri Dosh. Following are the most important signs to identify the existence of Pitri Dosh.

1. Children are falling sick repeatedly.
2. The couple has problem in conceiving the child, i.e. problem in getting pregnant.
3. Repeated miscarriages.
4. Only a girl child is being conceived repeatedly.
5. Quarrels among family members without any reasonable reason.
6. The person's educational and career growth is obstructed.
7. Disruption in educational and career growth and success.
8. The family doesn't grow and faces many problems repeatedly.
9. The family faces spirit like and black magic like effects repeatedly.
10. Those who are physically and mentally handicapped may have such affliction

How to Identify if Someone is Suffering from Pitri Dosh?
The effect of Pitri Dosh can also be found using the Vaidik Astrology. According to Vaidik Astrology, Pitri Dosh occurs when Sun and Moon are afflicted with Raahu and Ketu. It also has a direct connection with Hindu Mythology.

According to Hindu Mythology, the AMRIT (Potion of Immortality) came out of the ocean during Saagar Manthan. Lord Vishnu took Mohinee Roop (a Beautiful-Mesmerizing Lady) to distract the Daanav (Evils) and subsequently started distributing Amrit among Devtaa and Daanav, starting with Devtaa. One Daanav feared that the Daanav will not get the Amrit and will get over by their turn. Therefore he changed his getup like Devtaa and sat between Soorya Dev (Sun) and Chandra Dev (Moon). Soorya Dev and Chandra Dev recognized the Daanav and informed Lord Vishnu in Mohini Roop, who used his weapon Sudarshan Chakra to cut-off that Daanav's head. However, he had already drank the Amrit so he became immortal and from that time onwards the head is known as Raahu and the tail is known as Ketu. Ever since that time onwards Rahu and Ketu are the bitterest enemies of the Sun and the Moon. And since then, Raahu and Ketu are trying to punish the Sun and the Moon, and tries to swallow them.

Raahu and Ketu are not planets. They are actually the intersection points of the orbit of the Moon and the elliptic. The intersection points in the North is called Raahu or the North node or the dragon's head and the intersection points in the South is called Ketu or the south node or the dragon's tail. Indian Saints and Rishi's have given them the status of planets since these points have great influence on the lives of individuals and are called Chhaayaa Grah (Shadow Planets) or Kaarmik planets. Raahu and Ketu are responsible for certain bad yogas in the horoscope of individuals.

The Saints and Rishi's have woven many facts in the mythology to give a meaning of Solar (Sun) and Lunar (Moon) Eclipse. Another meaning is that Raahu gives the result at a cost of losing the body. And Ketu gives the result at a cost of losing the head. Means, the person under the effect of Raahu or Ketu has to loose one thing to get another. Additionally, whenever there is any kind of connection between Raahu and Ketu and the Sun and the Moon, it mostly gives inauspicious results.

At the core of Astrology, Pitri Dosh is one type of Yog, which is formed by various combinations and placements of planets and houses. As per Astrology system, Sun is the symbol of Father. Furthermore, the 10th house in the horoscope also indicates Father and related aspects. Hence, if any negative combination of Sun or the 10th house, indicates presence of some kind of Pitri Dosh.

Pitri Dosh Yoga is formed when Raahu and Ketu are with any of the planet and are placed in the 6th, 8th and the 12th house. Many a times, this Yog is also formed in the 5th house also. In another combination, when 9th House, 9th Lord, 9th House from the Moon or the Lord of 9th House from the Moon is under influence of Raahu and Ketu this indicates Pitri Dosh.

Apart from this, it is also said that if Raahu is situated in 2nd, 6th 8th and 12th House then it is considered as Pitri Dosh.

At many places, Saturn is also hold equally responsible for different forms of Pitri Dosh. When Sun and Saturn are in the same house, or having Drishti (affecting each other), it is also considered as Pitri Dosh.

Saturn also represents our ancestors. If Saturn is afflicting Moon then predict that Pitri Dosh is from maternal side, while if Saturn is afflicting Sun, then predict that the Pitri Dosh is from paternal side. For this to happen, the 5th lord/house should also be afflicted.

According to Brihat Paraashar Horaa Shaastra, the various curses from previous births can be seen in a horoscope. Brihat Paraashar Horaa Shasatra gives a list of combinations which indicates Pitri Dosh and other related Dosh with its remedies. The combinations given in Brihat Paraashar Horaa Shaastra are:

1. Sun in his debilitation Raashi and in the Navaansh of Saturn is hemmed in between Malefics in the 5th House;
2. Sun, as Lord of the 5th, posited in a Trikon with a malefic, is hemmed in between malefics and is also aspected by a Malefic;
3. Jupiter occupies the Raashi of Sun, the Lord of the 5th is with Sun and Lagna and the 5th are occupied by Malefics;
4. Lord of Lagna, devoid of strength, is in the 5th and the Lord of the 5th is combust and Lagna and the 5th are occupied by Malefics;
5. there is exchange of Houses between the Lords of the 5th and the 10th and Lagna and the 5th are occupied by Malefics;
6. Mars, as the Lord of the 10th, is associated with the Lord of the 5th and Lagna, the 5th and the 10th are occupied by Malefics;
7. Lord of the 10th is in the 6th, 8th, or 12th, Jupiter is in a malefic Raashi and the Lord of Lagna and the 5th are associated with Malefics;
8. Sun, Mars and Saturn are in Lagna and the 5th and Raahu and Jupiter are in the 8th and the 12th;
9. Sun is in the 8th, Saturn in the 5th, the Lord of the 5th is associated with Raahu and Lagna is occupied by a malefic;
10. Lord of 12th is in Lagna, Lord of 8th in 5th and Lord of 10th in 8th;
11. Lord of 6th is in 5th, Lord of 10th in 6th and Jupiter is associated with Raahu.

Simple ways to identify Pitri Dosh

Do We Look the Pitri Dosh from 2nd House from Lagna?
As far as my knowledge goes Pitri Dosh / Shaap etc are seen from 5th house from Lagn. Sri Sharmaji has not said who has to do Shraaddh. Pitri Shaap is different from Pitri Dosh. Dosh comes when the annual Shraadh is not done by the male progeny. It is sufficient if the eldest among the siblings does the Shraaddh. In some cases people do not do the last rites immediately after death as per Shaastra. In such cases the Sookshm Shareer (astral body) continues to wander in the vicinity of the place where death took place and this affects seven generations of the dead person. After the death, as per Hindu Braahman rituals, on 12th day, the Sookshm Shareer is sent away from the place where the  person died or from his residence after satisfying the the soul with everything through Daan (donations). Usually the Dosh in such cases are reversed by doing Gayaa Shraaddh to all the ancestors and worship of Kul Devtaa.
[Ramachandran]

On the date the person had died, means that Tithi day, the Pitri should be satisfied by doing Poojaa, and Tarpan.
When this Karm is not done by children, it is called Pitri Dosh. It affects mainly male people in the family. In future they may not get even male birth in that family.

Determine the Pitri Dosh from Chart
To determine Pitri Dosh analyze your own chart in this light that
--9th Lord should exchange places with the 6th Lord, or
--the Sun should be in the 6th House while the 6th Lord should be in Sinh Raashi.
--Another indication is that Sun should be in the Martian Sign or Navaansh and Sun should be in a Baadhak Raashi (usually looked when taking Prashn) and the Sun should have been associated with Saturn.
--if there are combination of planets found in horoscope that can be judged as affected by ancestors curse are :
(1) Sun + Saturn, Sun + Raahu, Mars + Saturn, Moon + Saturn, Moon + (Raahu or Ketu).
(2) Or even Sun + Mars aspected by 3rd House, 7th House, 10th aspect of Saturn or Sun + Saturn aspected with the 4th or 8th aspect of Mars. These are combination direct indicator.
(3) Sun as Aatm Kaarak associated with 8th lord or Moon as Aatm Kaarak associated with the 8th Lord.
(4) Natural Pitri Kaarak Sun associated with 9th Lord and 6th Lord.
(5) If it is really found in your chart then you must perform periodical Pind Daan or offer Daan to Braahman etc as per customs and live a simple life trying not to exploit others too much for your benefits only.
[Dhirendranath Misra]

What is Pitri Paksh and Shraaddh?
Vaidik Astrology prescribes many remedies for all the problems, from simple to complex and cheapest to costly. There are many ways available to nullify the effects of Pitri Dosh. Some of the ways are described below.

It is believed that satisfying our ancestors and forefathers, we can have their blessings for peaceful and happy life. For the peace of the souls of our ancestors it is advices to perform Shraaddh. Shraaddh is the ritual and ceremony performed for the departed souls of our ancestors. According to ancient texts, the Shraaddh is performed during dark fortnight (Krishn Paksh) in the month of Aashwin (September-October) which reaches to the ancestors immediately and their souls will rest in peace. On the last day of the fortnight, ie Amaavasyaa oblations are offered to all those dead ancestors whose Tithi (Date according to Hindu Calendar) of dead is not known.

Hindu Puraan are full of details about Shraaddh, especially Brahm Puraan, Garud Puraan, Agni Puraan and Matsya Puraan. Lord Yam himself explained the importance of Shraaddh performed during Pitri Paksh. All the sinful deeds committed by the ancestors are cleansed by the Shraaddh, and all the ancestors bless those performing the Shraddh rituals.

The customs and the rituals performed during Pitri Paksh vary regionally. Some people fast on that day, and some do not shave for the fortnight. Some performs Poojaa and some offer food to the crows. According to Hindu mythology, crows represents forefathers, therefore crows are offered food in these days. On each day of the fortnight oblations of water and Pind or balls of rice and meal are offered to the dead relatives by the surviving relatives. This process is also called Pind Daan. Pind Daan is generally done in the Pitri Kshetra (Area). According to Puraan, a Pitri Kshetra has been divided into five parts. Out of these ---

(1) Bodhigayaa as Shir Kshetra,
(2) Vaitaranee as Naabhi Kshetra,
(3) Peethaapur as Padaar Kshetra,
(4) Siddhpur as Maatri Kshetra and
(5) Badareenaath as Brahm-kapaalee Kshetra.

Thus, all these five-Pitri Teerth are various organs of one body.
(1) Bodhi Gayaa Kshetra is very famous, ancient and holy pilgrim for dedicating Pind Daan for ancestors and forefathers. That is situated on the bank of Falgu River in Bihaar state.
(2) Naabhi Gayaa Kshetra is situated at Jajpur village on the bank of Vaitaranee River in Udeessaa state. It is also known as Naabhi Kshetra. Vaitaranee River is famous in Puraan wherein it is mentioned that after death one has to cross Vaitaranee River and the person who has performed good deeds during his life time can only cross the river very easily. But by performing Pitri Tarpan Poojaa here, one can make his forefather cross this river.
(3) Paad Gayaa Kshetra is situated at Peethaapur at Tamil Naadu state on the Madra-valter railway line. It is situated near Raj Mahendri station.
(4) Siddhpur is known as Maatri Gayaa Kshetra is situated in Mahasaanaa district of Gujaraat state. Parashuraam performed Pind Daan of his mother in Siddhpur. Pind Daan and Shraddh ceremony are performed on the bank of Bindu Sarovar.

Performing Shraaddh is also considered as the offering of our respect and gratitude towards our ancestors. Many times performing only Shraaddh is not sufficient enough to remove the Pitri Dosh. Special rituals and Poojaa have to be performed in order to remove the evil effects of Pitri Dosh.

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