Samhitha recommends an activity that clears blockades in the journey of life. One must perform the activity at prescribed times of a year. The goal of the activity is to help one dedicate time at regular intervals to offer respects and gratitude to pithrude:vathas, departed ancestors. The activity is called srardha because it is to be done with sraddha, attention resulting from gratitude. When departed ancestors are unhappy, it affects our life in a way that does not let things progress for us. You may wonder…

To understand this, let’s look at Lord’s set up of the world.

Lord set up a process and created a structure to bring us into this world. He appointed Aniruddha as the adhishta:na de:vatha, the pervading caretaking authority, for the process of bringing new life into the world.

Lord set up a process and established a structure to protect us while we are here. He appointed Pradyumna as the pervading caretaking authority for the process of protecting life in the world.

Lord set up a process and created a structure to take us to the next step post current life. He appointed Sankarshana as the pervading caretaking authority for the process of shedding the due bodies, death.

Lord set up a structure to liberate us from the cycle of birth and death resulting from one’s karma. Lord Srimannarayana is taking care of this activity Himself.

Starting the day of departure, there is a set of recommended activities to perform for 10 days. Post that, there are 2 days of events; concluding with another 2 days of events. This process is called Vykunta uthsavam or Paramapada uthsavam. Anyone following Vyshnava sampradaya adopts this process.

Then, the sons or son-in-laws or any others as wished by the departed soul must visit Gaya and perform the recommended process and offerings at Vishnu Pa:dam. Post this, the same must be performed at Bramhakapa:lam.

Once this process is completed, one is neither required to perform any process every month of the first year nor every year. However, out of love and respect for them, the family members can perform a sankalpa based process allowing them to feel connected and blessed by the departed souls.

One does not need to be the follower of Vyshnava sampradaya or belong to a caste to offer respectful concern or interest for departed souls. It is a duty that we must practice so we stay grounded about our origins.

Is it true that not performing srardha blocks the departed soul from attaining moksha, the state of ultimate liberation and joy?

No! It is not true that all these recommended activities grant a departed soul moksha, the ultimate state of existence. However, they allow us to fulfill our responsibility of showing our gratitude for them. Because, we are indebted to them for having taken some part of them in forming the body we are currently in. When it comes to granting moksha, it is only God who takes the full responsibility of the journey of a departed soul.

I didn’t know all of these earlier, what do I do now?

If you remember the thithi on the day your parents or ancestors have departed from this world, you can begin offering respect and gratitude to them as prescribed above. If you do not remember, then you can offer the same on the day of ama:va:sya during the Maha:laya pakshas, the last 15 days of the month Bha:drapada.

For all those ancestors who did not have a Vykunta uthsavam or Paramapada uthsavam performed after their departure or for those who do not know of this process but you wish to do your part of wishing them mo:ksha, the eternal abode of Lord Srimannarayana, you can take part in Vaibhave:shti. It is an ishti, a guided prayer that gives you a chance to pray Lord for fulfilling your desire for the sake of departed ancestors.

-From the discourse of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
Vaibhava Ishti,
Mahalaya pakshas(the last 15 days of Bha:drapada)
– 2^nd Oct 2024, Divya Saketham