The new-moon is Hinduism is called Amavasya. Many Hindus are familiar with the Amavasya ancestor memorial festival of Pitru Paksha, it arrives in the early fall right after the Ganesh Festival (here). But did you know that according to the Varaha Purana every new moon (Amavasya) is set aside as a time for us to remember our ancestors? According to legend at the creation Lord Brahama (god of creation) formed the 'Tanmatras’ (subtle forms of matter). These Tanmatras were very virtuous beings and quickly ascended to the heavens to worship the gods. These righteous beings than requested to become the “Pitris”, the spiritual ancestors of humankind. But to be able to maintain their semi-divine status they would need “sustenance”, meaning they would need to be venerated by humans. Because of their faithfulness, Lord Brahma assigned them the monthly new-moon of Amavasya as a date when they would be remembered and praised by their descendants. This is why on the new moon day many Hindus will do “Sraddha” or “Tarpan” for their forefathers who have passed on into Pitr-Lok (realm of the ancestors), leaving out food dishes for them. Family is one of the most stressed upon values in all of Hinduism (here) and our ancestors are what connects us to our extended family. It would take little time for young Hindus to prepare a small plate for their departed parents, grandparents and great-grandparents on this very auspicious occasion, and to maintain this as a monthly ritual throughout the year. Tale from the Varha Purana below.
VARAHA PURANA
TANMATRAS
Describing the importance of amavasya, sage Mahatapa told Prajapal- “Once, while lord Brahmawas just about to commence the process of creation, suddenly ‘tanmatras’ (subtle forms of matter) revealed themselves from his mind. All of them being extremely virtuous were eager to go up in the sky to do penance because lord Brahma requested them to become the ‘pitras’ (ancestors) of the human beings. All the tanmatras then requested Brahma to make arrangement for their sustenance. Lord Brahma blessed them by saying- ‘I assign to you the auspicious day of amavasya. Anybody who performs the rituals of ‘tarpan’ (libation) on this day would become absolved of his sins. You would sustain yourselves on various things like water, sesame seeds, and kusha grass which are offered by human beings to their ancestors on this day.’
THE APPROPRIATE TIME FOR PERFORMING SHRADHA
Describing the auspicious time for performing the rituals of shradha, Markandeya told Gurumukh- “A person desirous of performing the rituals of ‘kamya shradha’ can do so on any of the following days- a) at the commencement of uttarayan or Dakshainayan. b) at the time when vyatipat yoga takes place. c) at the time when vishu yoga occurs. d) during both solar and lunar eclipses. e) if troubled by the evil influences of a constellation or a planet. f) if troubled by nightmares. g) at the time when the Sun changes its position from one zodiac to another. The various nakshatras like Anuradha,Vishakha and Shwati are considered to be very auspicious for performing shradha- especially, if the day happens to be amavasya. Shradha performed on such a day pacifies the ancestor’s soul for eight years. Similarly the combination of amavasya with either ‘pushya nakshatra’ or ‘punarvasu nakshatra’ is believed to pacify the ancstor’s soul for twelve years. Some other days which are considered to be very auspicious for performing shradha are- the third day of the bright half of the Hindu month Vaishakh, the nineth day of the bright half of the Hindu month Kartik, the thirteenth day of the dark half of the Hindu month Bhadrapad and amavasya falling in the Hindu month of Magh. A man desirous of performing shradha can do so on any of the above mentioned days. He should take bath in a holy river and offer ‘tarpan’ (libation) to his ancestors.
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