Determination of Lunar Days

Here are the deities [ancestors] involved: The triad of father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; the mother’s triad; the maternal grandfather’s triad; along with the wife, son, brother, and the mother’s own brother and sister. The father and mother are also [honored alongside] others such as the wife, father-in-law, brother, teacher, and students; these are all considered "ancestors" Pitrus during the Mahalaya ritual the 'Great Gathering' of ancestors during the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada, at holy pilgrimage sites Tirtha, and during water libations Tarpana. This is stated in various scriptures such as the Smritis. During the latter fortnight, in the offering of the water-gift Arghya, one should perform the offerings separately, but should offer only a single rice-ball Pinda.

One whose mother is alive Jivan-matruka should perform the rite for the maternal grandfather as a "single-destined" rite Ekoddhishtaa simplified rite focused on one specific individual rather than the three generations of ancestors, rather than the communal style Parvana. This is because the other [female ancestors] are omitted. Regarding the sisters: even if the maternal grandfathers are accompanied by their wives, if one has the means, one should perform the rites for the maternal grandfathers separately. In this case, who should be honored? One should invite all into a single Brahmin and worship them. For teachers and gurus, the Ekoddhishta method should be used during the Mahalaya with great effort. Others say that for those who lack a [living] father, the communal Parvana style is already established.

Here, the Universal Gods Vishve Devah are named Dhuri and Lochana. This rite for deceased fathers and others must be performed even by one whose father is still living Jivatpitruka. Katyayana an ancient sage and author of ritual texts states: "If the father is deceased, but the grandfather is still living, or if the father has lost his status [fallen from grace], the son should offer to those three [ancestors above him]."

However, the Kurma Purana one of the eighteen major Hindu religious texts says: "One whose father is living should not perform the New Moon rite Darsha Shraddha, the Gaya rite, or the rites of the latter fortnight, nor should he perform the libations with sesame seeds." This [restriction], however, refers to ancestors other than one's own direct line, or perhaps refers specifically to "desire-based" Kamya rites.

Furthermore, a rite without rice-balls Pinda-rahita may be performed by one whose father is living. But regarding the rice-balls, the scriptures say: "One whose father is living should never perform the rites for the deceased Preta-karma with rice-balls, even if they have passed away." This is an absolute rule. However, certain rites like the Anvashtaka rituals for female ancestors and the mother’s rite are exceptions based on specific scriptural commands.

Regarding the daily water libations Tarpana during the fortnight-rite, they should not be performed every day. The Mahalaya rite for the deceased should be performed on the subsequent day. Naradatta says: "One should perform the Fortnightly Rite with joy, but the water libations should be done day by day. In the Mahalaya, the sesame-water should be offered only once, on the following day." In this context, the rite described by Naradatta is considered highly praiseworthy. In the Fortnight of the Ancestors, this is declared to be of great importance.

If the communal rite for the mother Matru-Parvana is to be done for the satisfaction of the maternal grandfathers, it must be performed. Even if the grandfather is living, the communal rite for the great-grandfather should be done. If one or two [ancestors] are deceased while the father is still living, the son should perform the "single-destined" rite Ekoddhishta, but he should not perform the full sacrificial rite Yaga.

Regarding the timing: if the annual rite falls during this period, the annual Parvana or Ekoddhishta should be performed. If the rite is not performed now, it should not be moved to the next fortnight or later, as stated there.

Regarding the New Moon Amavasya: Bodhayana an ancient teacher of the Vedic tradition said: "When the Sun resides in Virgo original: 'Hanse kara-sthite', an astrological reference to the Sun in the sign of the Virgin, that New Moon is of great merit. It is like the 'Shadow of the Elephant' Gaja-Chhayaa rare and auspicious astrological alignment perfect for ancestral rites." One should perform the rites according to the rules when the Moon is in the appropriate constellation.

This concluded the procedure for the Mahalaya in the month of Bhadrapada. Now begins the month of Ashwin.

The Month of Ashwin

On the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the rite for the maternal grandfather Matamaha-shraddha is prescribed. In the text Hemadri, it is said: "Whether the father is just born [living] or deceased, one should perform the maternal grandfather's rite on the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin." This explanation from the Dharma-Sangraha is to be accepted, as stated in the Nirnaya-Dipa.

On this first day of Ashwin, one should perform a single communal rite for the maternal grandfather and offer the rice-ball during the mid-morning period Sangava. This should be done even if the father or the maternal uncle is living. This rite should be performed between dawn and mid-morning. This must also be performed during a leap month Mala-masa, as the prohibition against special rites in a leap month does not apply here. It is specifically noted that this must be performed by one whose father is still living.

Regarding the rice-balls, some say they should be offered, while others disagree. One whose father is living should generally avoid the offering of rice-balls in rites for the deceased. This is the summary of the debate.

The Nine Nights (Navaratri)

The Navaratri festival begins on the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin. This first day Pratipada should be joined with the following day Saryuta for the purpose of the fast; it should not be taken if it is "cut off" or incomplete. On this day, one should avoid the first sixteen Ghatikas a unit of time equal to 24 minutes; sixteen ghatikas equals roughly 6.5 hours after sunrise.