Who are Ancestors?

Ancestors are those that once inhabited on the Earth Planet like us but they left before us. This is inclusive of our family ancestors, Regional Ancestors, lineage ancestors, historical and political ancestors as well as anyone who crossed our life path at some time or another and left the planet.

Hindus believe a lot in ancestral blessings and their healing power. Our heritage today is what our ancestors left behind for us in the form of our habits, genetic patterns, lifestyles, thought patterns and a lot more. Having gained so

Much from them it is only fair to acknowledge that they were once here and to pay our respects in whichever way we can. Rituals and traditions are the most commonly known methods but here I wish to touch upon a very important aspect. Not only do we incur ancestral blessings by keeping their memories alive but we also benefit by honoring them by doing noble deeds and caring for those dear to them.

Let us acknowledge a hard to digest fact that our ancestors or Pitru were not necessarily in a blissful state when they departed. Some died fighting illnesses while some died protecting the counties of their belonging. Some departed suddenly without any pre notice and others left having suffered in their lifetime. Some of those souls might not be at rest even though we like to say “Rest In Peace” . They need solace! They need comfort! They need healing! And! We can offer that by invoking their blessings alongside doing charitable deeds under their names or honoring what they believed in.

As a reiki healer I have learnt that healing can be sent to the disturbed souls even after years of their departure. Healing can be sent by feeding the poor and needy and by providing them clothing and shelter, not forgetting to make provisions for their educational needs. Healing can be done for the several who died incognito in calamities and wars by offering a Shraadh Tarpan.

Let us honor and heal them for in return we shall be healed and become free from ancestral karmic debts.