Across the Hindu religion it is believed that after death, the soul incarnates into a new form and embodies as animal, bird, reptile, human or any other form depending on the Karmas (deeds) in one’s past life.
Thus, as one’s ancestors would have attained a new form after death, many people believe that why is Pitr-Puja necessary.
It is obligatory in Hindu tradition:
In Hindu tradition the 13th day after the cremation is termed as “Sapindi”, or “Tervi”. It is after these 13 days of ceremonies that Pitr-Puja becomes must for every son. There are three debts that every human being is supposed to pay, which are:
* Inde
bt ness towards the Supreme lord.
* Indebt ness towards Rishis.
* Indebt ness towards one’s forefathers/ ancestors.
As according to Bhagwad Gita
"Just as one removes old clothes and puts on new ones, so does the Jivatma abandon an old body and obtain a new one"
Thus, it is only the house and body that the soul changes, but whatever we as children are indebted to our ancestors should be repaid, because the soul never dies. The pitr-Puja performed by the sons and grandchildren in memory of their ancestors, is preceded with the thought that: "O Pitrs in whichever form you may be, wherever you may be, we wish to remember and pray for your peace and welfare".
The Puja reaches to one’s ancestors only if it is performed with due dedication and intensions. Various mantras are also chanted during the Puja.
Pitr Paksha Video