This is one of the much hype periods of the year for Hindus –Mahalayam. Mahalayam means a place of large gathering. Our Pitrus (ancestors) are believed to come to earth to stay more free here for these 15 days to do good to their progeny. It is said that we should do our duty to do srardham, Hiranya srardham or at least tarpanam, the three types of rituals done for them. It is also scientifically believed that the Pithru Loha (the dwelling place of our ancestors) are nearer to our earth during the period of Mahalaya (15 days before the start of Navarathiri, the festival for Goddess Durga, Saraswathi, Lakshmi).

It is also said that many human beings who were totally neglected by their wards after their death, or who have no issues to do the rituals after death will be craving for – will anybody do that rituals for me? They are called as Jeevakarunya Pithrus. That is the reason why much importance is given to Mahalayam by Hindus. It is the opportunity to render our duty to our ancestors – be from our family or outside. That is one of the unique aspects of Hinduism - a person does the religious rites for a person not known to him at all.

This is the spice of that ritual.. This is the spirit behind it. There is the other side of it too. It has become more commercial now a days, both from the point of view of doer and the commander. The basic purpose behind it is forgotten. Sons who never cared about their parents during their life time, started pouring love and affection to them after their death. The so called commanders (some of them claim themselves as the sole custodians of Shastras and who can take us nearer to GOD), who do the rituals are money – minded and rush through the rituals. The executors are doing that rituals not with the real Bhakthi (worship) but with only the Bhaya (fear) of things that may erupt if not done. The real juice is discarded, retaining only the husk. It happens in many other cases as well. People recite Gita, Quran or Bible thinking that all their sins will be going off after recitation.. By reciting the holy, we don’t get rid of our evils. What is more important is that we should follow at least the minimum that is being mentioned in the holy verses.

These Holy verses are like the Milestones - showing the path towards the right destination - they can’t take us towards the place. It is we who have to undertake the journey towards the destination, with the following of the instructions given therein. If we take shelter with the milestone, we can never reach the destination. We have to march towards the destination, with the clear directions mentioned in the verses.. That instructions given by the holy verses are more important than the holy verses themselves. If we take only the Holy verses without following any, we take only the husk not the juice. It is again a sugarless coffee then.

As said rightly, GOD loves spiritual fruits not the religious nuts.

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