Sarva Pitru Amavasya
Sarva Pitru Amavasya (also known as Mahalaya Amavasya) is the last day of Pitru Paksha.
This Amavasya date falls in the month of Ashwin (after Bhadrapada Purnima) and is considered extremely important for paying homage to ancestors, offering tarpan and pind daan.
What is special about this day?
• This date is used to perform Shraddha for all ancestors (pitras) whose death date is unknown, or for whom Pind Daan could not be performed due to some reason.
• Therefore, it is called the Amavasya of all ancestors.
• Shraddha, Tarpan, and donations performed on this day reach all ancestors, known and unknown, of the same gotra and non-gotra generations.
Mythological belief:
• It is believed that Yamraj sends the ancestors to earth on this day so that they can accept the Shraddha and Tarpan performed by their descendants.
• There is a description in Garuda Purana that:
“Agyaat tithi mritanaam cha sarveshaam pitranaam tu
.
That is, for those ancestors whose death date is not known, Shraddha should be performed especially on Amavasya.
What should be done on Sarva Pitru Amavasya?
1. Perform Shraddha and Tarpan:
• Offer tarpan to ancestors with Kush, sesame seeds and water.
• Perform Pind Daan - Offer Pindas made of rice, sesame seeds and ghee in flowing water.
2. Feed Brahmins:
• Call Brahmins and feed them Satvik food, give them clothes, Dakshina etc.
3. Feed cows, crows, dogs, and girls in the form of Gayatri:
• All these are considered symbols of ancestors.
4. Donate:
• Donate food, clothes, sesame seeds, jaggery, Dakshina etc. to the needy.
Why should we perform Shradh on Sarva Pitru Amavasya?
If the date of death is not known, there is an opportunity to remember and satisfy all the ancestors.
Removal of ancestral sins. Obstacles in life, childlessness, poverty etc. are removed.
Virtuous benefits: This day gives virtue equal to many yagyas.
Spiritual balance. Ancestors get peace and descendants get blessings.
conclusion:
Sarva Pitru Amavasya is a sacred day that gives us the opportunity to repay our ancestors' debts and pay our respects.
Performing Shraddha and Tarpan on this day removes many obstacles in life and bestows the ancestors' blessings.
Why should Brahmins be fed on this day?
Feeding a Brahmin = Satisfaction for the ancestors
• According to the scriptures, when a Brahmin is fed with devotion and regularly, that food reaches the ancestors spiritually.
• Verse:
“Brahmanebhyah pradatam hi pitribhyo hyuppadyate.”
(Donations and food given to a Brahmin reach the ancestors.)
Feeding Brahmins and donating on Sarva Pitru Amavasya pacifies the sins of ancestors and brings happiness and peace to the home.
• Feeding Brahmins is a “tribute” to ancestors.
• It is a religious and spiritual means of freeing oneself from ancestral debt.
Virtuous results and spiritual balance:
• Feeding a Brahmin on this day gives:
o Satisfaction to ancestors up to seven generations,
supported by Garuda Purana and Dharmashastras:
“Yadi Bhojyam Na Deyam Syat Tarpanam Nisphalam Smritam.”
— Garuda Purana
Meaning: If food is not offered to a Brahmin, then even offering water alone does not yield full results.
How to feed a Brahmin?
1. Do it with purity and devotion.
2. Respect the Brahmin by washing his feet and applying tilak before the meal.
3. Serve Satvik and pure food – without onion and garlic.
4. After the meal, donate Dakshina, clothes, fruits etc. as per your capacity.
5. In the end, offer tarpan and pray by taking the name of ancestors.
conclusion:
Feeding Brahmins on Sarva Pitru Amavasya is not only a religious act but also the best way to show gratitude towards ancestors, remove ancestral sins, and earn virtue. It brings peace, prosperity and spiritual balance in our lives.