Significance of Pithrupaksha – Mahalayapaksha

The Hindu Sanathana Dharma believes that the Mahalayapaksha/Pithru Paksha is an auspicious occasion to please one's ancestors who arrive on the Earth to bless their lineage.   The people who worship Pithrus and meticulously perform ancestral rites would be blessed with happiness and peace in their life.  The people who does not perform any of these ancestral rites, would   compel their ancestors to return to their abode with the hunger and thirst, they get so disappointed and displeased by this act and return to their abode, due to this the family may have to undergo constant conflicts, unexpected and accidental death, lack of peace and prosperity, mental agony, and physical ailments.  Therefore, it is highly propitious to perform charities, contributions, ancestral rites, etc.. are during these days.

There is a legend of two brothers Jogi and Bhoge, who lived with their families in different houses. The elder one Jogi was rich and the younger was poor, but these two brothers were too close to each other.  The wife of Jogi was proud of her wealth, but Bhoge’s wife was pleasant and modest. The auspicious Pithru Paksha arrived Jogi’s wife requested her husband to perform the ancestral rites, Jogi was not interested in it.  Jogi’s wife felt if her husband did not perform the rite, the villagers may talk about it and spread rumors.  She informed her husband that she can make all arrangements with the help of the wife of Bhoge, so it is not a matter for her to cook and serve the guests.  She planned to be with her parents and one of the best opportunities to invite her parents for a meal and spend a good time with them.    Jogi thought it would be fine, so he sends his wife to invite her parents.   As planned by Jogi’s wife, on the day of Pithrupaksha, she invited the wife of Bhoge to work in the kitchen, so that she cooks sumptuous meals for the entire family. Bhoge’s wife arrived early in the morning and started preparing the meal, she cooked various sweets and savories, after that returned to her home to prepare for the ancestral rite.  During the afternoon, Joge’s Pithrus arrived in his home and found his in-laws, there was no enthusiasm to perform the rite in the family, so the Pithrus arrived in Bhoge’s house.  Bhoge was sincerely performing the ancestral rites, simple offerings were given to Pithrus,  there was no elaborate cooking to serve the Bhramin because  Bhoge was extremely poor.  The Pithrus felt sorry for Bhoge who has nothing much to offer for his ancestors, they wished If Bhoge had wealth, he would have performed the ancestral rites with a sumptuous meal, they blessed Bhoge with an abundance of wealth.    Soon, Bhoge attained all those comforts and wealth with the blessing of Pithru, but he did not leave his simplicity and virtues.  The next year Pithrupaksha arrived, Bhoge performed elaborately the ancestral rite  with grand meal and charities, he served the Brahmins and offered generous contributions.  The Pithrus were immensely pleased with the deeds of the couple and blessed him with an abundance of wealth and happiness.

Significance of Pithrupaksha – Mahalaya Paksha

There are a few legends from scriptures emphasizes the importance of Pithrupaksha and performance of ancestral rites on these days.  The Shraddha rituals performed in these days would provide an abundance of meritorious reward to the performer, material well-being, including virtuous offspring, wealth, happiness, prosperity, and peace.

It was believed that homage to the ancestors/Shraddha ceremony was initiated on the Earth by the valorous and righteous King Karna of Mahabharath.  He was an ardent devotee of Lord Surya, who performs the sun worship and gives an abundance of charities to the poor and needy in the form of grains and precious gems, gold, etc.  After the great war of Kurukshetra, Karna was killed on the battlefield and attained heavenly abode.  He was received in the abode of Indra with great honor for his righteous deeds.  During the time of the meal, he was served with an abundance of gold, gems and precious ornaments.  He was shocked to see the precious gems in place of a sumptuous meal.  He asked Lord Indra “ Oh! Lord, why are you serving me with gems and gold ornaments in place of an ordinary meal, while others are having normal food in the heavenly abode.”  Lord Indra said “ Oh! Karnna, you were one of the most valorous and righteous rulers who perform an abundance of charities on the Earth.  None was left without serving properly with the grains and gold coins from your doors.  Unfortunately, you have not performed the ancestral rite in your lifetime and you did not serve your ancestors with a morsel of grain.  All your subjects were highly pleased with your charity, but your ancestors are not satisfied yet.  Hence, you have served here with all those things you have offered as a charity on the Earth.”  Karnna enquired Lord Indra how to resolve the issue and to please his ancestors; Lord Indra advised Karnna to go to Earth and perform Shraddha/homage to ancestors and make them satisfied.  Karnna sincerely followed the instruction of Lord Indra.  He arrived on the Earth and performed the ancestral rites during the sun was on Kanyarashi/Sun transition period on the constellation Virgo, it is believed that during this period of time the moon gets closer to the Earth, which is known as the abode of Pithrus.  During these days, the ancestor expects their offspring to offer food and water to wave off their hunger.   The meals prepared following strict austerities are offered to Pithrus and the remaining are served to Bhramins, people in need and cows so that it will reach the Pithrus who appears in the subtle form on the Earth.  Thus Karnna initiated the practice of performance of homage to ancestors for the first time on the Earth.

Sant Kanhopathra

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Kanhopathra!

Chapter – 4

Sadhashiva Malagujar was deeply hurt and disappointed to know that young Kanhopathra left Mangalweda forever.  He wanted to take revenge upon the courtesan girl who refused his proposal.  He sought the help of the ruler of Bidar.  He persuaded the King to bring back the celestial Apsara like courtesan girl Kanhopathra back to Mangalweda.  The King heard of  incomparable beauty of Kanhopathra wanted to keep her as a concubine.  He sent his men to bring back Kanhopathra from Pandharpur forcefully.   Kanhopathra took shelter in the sanctum of Lord Panduranga, she took refuge at the lotus feet of Panduranga.  The King’s men threatened to destroy the temple if Kanhopathra did not heed the orders of the King.  She appealed for the last meeting with her beloved Lord Vittobha, and took last breathe at the feet of Lord Panduranga.  There are different opinions about the death of Sant Kanhopathra, she merged the form of light with the Lord Panduranga, and her mortal coil was buried near the southern part of the temple.

Kanhopathra greets Lord Narayana, Lord Srihari, Lord Lakshmipathi, Lord Manmatha, Lord Sripathi, Lord Krishna, as the savior of distressed people.  She expresses her concern and insecurities of life all through the poems as she was born in the clan of a courtesan; she was completely surrendered at the lotus feet of Lord Vittobha.  She emphasizes the significance of utterance of sacred names of Lord Hari which keeps the Lord of death away, purified the sins of Ajamila, a hunter turns out a great sage Valmiki, Pingala attained Moksha.   In this way, she was hoping to attain the lotus feet of Narayana.  She sang praising the virtues of Sant Gnandev and his siblings.   As a daughter of courtesan, she was always been under threat of men of high rank, felt insecure in the society; she took the shelter at the feet of Lord Panduranga to protect her from the evil eyes of the men in the society, when she was forced to be a concubine of King of bidar, she sincerely prayed to Lord Vittobha to protect her otherwise it would be a stain on his name .

Sant Kanhopathra

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Kanhopathra!

Chapter – 3

Kanhopathra was not willing to pick up the traditions of the courtesan as a profession, so she has the only choice left to marry somebody and lead an ordinary life.  She did not find her choice; she wanted her groom more attractive than her with good character, and loving.   But that was something which impossible to happen, she was the loveliest woman like celestial Apsara.

There are two legends about Kanhopathra’s journey to the path of spirituality.   One is that there was a female servant Hausa who was the care-taker of Kanhopathra cultivated the essence of devotion in Kanhopathra.  The other legend describes, once it was Ashada Shuklapaksha Ekadashi, a group of Varkari saints was conducting a pilgrimage to the famous shrine of Panduranga.  These huge numbers of devotees walking several miles by foot from their hometown took rest in Mangalweda.   They continued singing and praising Lord Panduranga in the whole night, it enthused the devotion and love for Panduranga in Kanhopathra, the reverberating sounds of musical instruments which she was used to singing and dance with did not bring any happiness all these years were surprisingly sounded nectar to her ears, the whole atmosphere was mesmerizing with the devotion to Lord Panduranga brought her in a state of supreme bliss.  She left home in the dark, joined with the group of Varkari saints, she had a conversation about Lord Vittobha with them, they briefed Lord Vittobha excels the loveliness of Goddess Mahalakshmi who is the epitome of beauty.  Kanhopathra enquired, will Lord Panduranga accept her as she was born in the family of a courtesan.  They said if Panduranga accepts Kubja, Ajamila, and devotees belong to untouchables, he would definitely accept her as his devotee.  It inspired her to conduct a journey in search of Panduranga who resides in the Srikshethram.  That night, she joined with the Varkari saints singing and praising the glories of Lord Panduranga.   She marvelously sang and danced, praising the Leela/pastimes of Lord,  Kanhopathra soaked in tears singing the separation of Lord Krishna from his beloved Radharani,  she spent the whole night in this way and returned home to get permission from her mother to leave to Pandharpur.  The mother and daughter argued for hours, finally, she sneaked out of the home in the darkness.  She joined with the Varkari saints and walked several miles by foot singing in praise of Lord and arrived in the shrine.   She has envisioned the unparalleled beauty of Lord Panduranga, she found all those virtues she  was seeking in her groom; she wedded Panduranga as her husband and spent the rest of the days in Pandharpur.  She spent her days sung in praise of glories of Lord Vittobha, she merrily danced before him, she cleaned the shrine and she has completely withdrawn herself from the worldly matters and lived a life of an ascetic.   She sang and danced before Panduranga in a state of ecstasy.  The people of Pandharpur praised her intense devotion and virtues, thus she had earned huge respect among the people.

Sant Kanhopathra

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Kanhopathra!

Chapter – 2

As Shyamabai was too old to perform the task of a courtesan, it was the responsibility of Kanhopathra to perform music in front of the visitors in the house. She understood her mother wanted her to continue as a courtesan, she performed music and dances in front of the rich and wealthy men of the village, but she did not find pleasure or peace in it.   Her home reverberated with the sounds of various musical instruments and music, but she did not find any happiness. She received an abundance of praise, valuable gifts and contributions from the men who visited her home.  That too does not make her happy.    Shyamabai took all efforts to keep Kanhopathra in the family profession of a courtesan, but her mind was with Lord Vittala.  She was not willing to sell flesh for money and follow the footsteps of her mother.  It was believed that Kanhopathra was born to a rich man Sadhashiva MalaGujar in Mangalweda, but there was no clear evidence of her birth details.  Kanhopathra grown to a beautiful young lady, her beauty is often compared to celestial Apsaras.  She was well-trained in music and dance from the early years of childhood, she became a talented singer and dancer, in fact, she was one of the finest dancer and singer of that period.

As a courtesan, it was a part of their responsibility to visits rulers and emperors who present them with huge wealth, precious ornaments and valuable gifts.  But Kanhopathra did not follow any of these norms of a courtesan life,  she was a woman of moral values and devotion to Lord Vittobha.  Many rich and respectable men crowded in her place to listen to her music, and Sadhashiva Malagujar was also one among them.  Kanhopathra had to face molestation from Sadhashiva Malagujar, although Shyamabai took all the efforts to convince him to spare Kanhopathra who is supposed to be his daughter.  But none of these worked for long, Sadhashiva continued to trouble the mother and daughter, her wealth started deteriorating, Shyamabai had to offer her daughter to Sadhashiva.  But Kanhopathra who had strong will power and devotion and faith upon  Lord Panduranga made her way out of all these troubles.

Sant Kanhopathra

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Kanhopathra!

Chapter – 1

Sant Kanhopathra was a Marathi poet who lived during the 15^th century; she was a staunch a devotee of Lord Panduranga.  She has written several verses known an Abhang sung in praise of the glories of Lord Panduranaga.  Kanhopathra's birthplace was Mangalweda, there was not much information about her father.  She was born to Shyamabai who was a courtesan by profession.   The little girl Kanhopathra was introduced to music and dance at a small age, with the hope that she might become one of the finest dancers and earn more money in the future.  She was innocently picked up all those art forms taught to her with serenity and love for Lord Panduranga.  Kanhopathra's devotion to Lord Vittobha was intense, her profession as a singer did not bring much respect or security in the society, she believed that Lord Vittobha is the only protector.   Kanhopathra had to follow the same profession as a singer as she was born to the daughter of a rich courtesan Shyamabai.  She was supremely gorgeous with an attractive appearance.  The rich and respected men of Mangalweda used to throng in her place to listen to her melodious voice.  As she was born in the family courtesan, Kanopathra had to go through the humiliation and vulgar comments of the men used to visit her house, it often hurt her pride.  As years passed, Kanhopathra thoroughly understood which are the sinful act and pious deed.    Shyamabai dearly wanted to send her daughter married off to a respectable family, so that she will be protected from the wicked eyes of the rich men in the village.  Kanhopathra lived in a palatial house and served by a number of maids.  Shyamabai wanted her daughter to get all those comforts throughout her life and most importantly respect from society.  Those days, courtesans were considered as mistresses of rich men,  always be in the association of high-class men of the society, they were considered as low, and have no respect in the society, men crowds in her place for physical comforts.  The children born to these courtesans were treated as illegitimate, boys find their ways out of the family, girls remain within the family and continue the traditions of a courtesan.  These courtesans inherit huge wealth and extravagant lifestyles, but their personal life in the society was of little importance, they were refused to marry in a respectable family and live a life of ordinary people.   Usually, a girl from the family of a courtesan won’t be accepted as a daughter-in-law in any of the respected families, they were not treated with respect in society.

Mahavathar Babaji –The Master of Kriyayoga

Pranams at the lotus feet of Babaji!

Chapter – 3

An incident happened in the life of Sant Ramgopal was mentioned in the  ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’.  Once Lahiri Mahashay was giving lectures on scriptures in his house.  Sant Ramgopal was present in the audience; he was advised to go to the Ganga ghat in that night.  Sant Ramgopal was a little surprised and followed the order of his preceptor.  He witnessed a brilliant ray that appeared from nowhere and turned out it was Mahayogi Babaji.

Sant/Saints are who immerses in supreme bliss, never bother about material comforts or worldly affairs.  Siddhas are those who have attained the highest of knowledge in a supreme field, like astrology, Yoga, Vedashasthra, Dhanurvidhya, and supernatural powers with their extreme Tapasya.  There are two types of incarnations, one is supreme Lord incarnate  on the Earth in the form of human and performs the specific tasks, and  it is called ‘Avathar’, there is another type of ‘Avathar’ of supreme Lord who reflects his virtues on the pious soul.  These incarnations are for a limited period to perform the specific task on the Earth after the completion of the tasks they return to their abode.  The Siddhapurushas are those who have attained the highest of the spiritual state, lives for thousands and thousands of years, without the consciousness of worldly matters.  Mahavathar is the supreme title,   one who has abandoned the sense of birth, all the worldly bondage and reached above the highest of the consciousness.