Research highlighting the importance of the ritual of Shraddha in Hindu Dharma !

Scientific research conducted by ‘Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay’ using the ‘UAS (Universal Aura Scanner) to study the spiritual effect of the ritual of Shraddha on the one performing the ritual, the family members and the ancestors

Mrs. Madhura Dhananjay Karve

‘Shraddha’ is the ritual to be performed to reduce the suffering of our departed parents and loved ones and for them to gain momentum in their afterlife journey. Recitation of mantras in the ritual of Shraddha provides subtle energy for the momentum of the ancestors. Ancestors are satisfied by the offering of oblations in the ritual. The dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapad (Krushna paksh) is called ‘Pitrupaksh’. Mahalay shraddha of ancestors performed in Pitrupaksh keeps them satisfied throughout the year. Research conducted on the ritual of Shraddha on behalf of ‘Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay’ is given ahead.

To study the effect of the ritual of Shraddha performed in Ramnathi ashram, on the seekers performing the ritual and on different substances used in the ritual, readings were taken using UAS (Universal Aura Scanner). Analysis of the study and the results are given ahead.

1. Analysis of the observations in the study : The subjects in this study were 4 individuals performing the ritual of Shraddha (Note) and 2 presiding priests. Readings of the subjects and the substances used in the ritual were taken before and after the ritual using UAS. Also the effect of the ritual on the relatives helping in the ritual like the wife of the one performing the ritual or others, and on his ancestors (Photographs of the ancestors) were studied. Readings of the wife of the 4th individual performing the ritual and the photograph of his deceased grandfather were taken.

Note – In this study, the 1st and 2nd individuals have spiritual distress, while the 3rd and 4th individuals do not have spiritual distress. The spiritual levels of the 3rd and 4th individuals is more than 60 percent.

2. UAS readings of the components in the study

2 A. UAS readings of the individuals performing the ritual

Components of the study Negative energy aura (metres) Positive energy aura (metres)
Before the ritual After the ritual Before the ritual After the ritual
1st Individual  13.67 7.88 3.30 6.74
2nd Individual 12.92 7.18 4.80 8.70
3rd Individual 13.77 6.47 4.22 8.65
4th Individual 14.50 7.58 12.93 20.38

2 B. UAS readings of the substances used in the ritual of Shraddha : Since the trend of the readings of the substances (Darbha [a type of grass], Pinda [cooked rice balls mixed with sesame seeds] etc.) in the study were same, only sample readings of one individual are given ahead.

Components of the study Negative energy aura (metres) Positive energy aura (metres)
1. Darba of Pitar Brahman Before the ritual 0 3.63
After the ritual 19.05 0
2. Darba of Dev Brahman Before the ritual 0 3.86
After the ritual 19.23 0
3. Pinda Before preparing Pinda 0 0
After preparing Pinda 5.76 1.00
After offering Pinda 25.10 0
4. Food offered to Pitar Brahman (Note 1) Before food offering (naivedya) 0 5.10
After food offering 14.88 0
5. Food offered to Dev Brahman (Note 2) Before food offering 0 3.97
After food offering 0 9.67

Note 1 – Offering of food to the ancestors through the medium of a Brahman in the ritual of Shraddha

Note 2 – Offering of food to Deities through the medium of a Brahman

Note 1 – Offering of food to the ancestors through the medium of a Brahman in the ritual of Shraddha

2 C. UAS readings of the presiding priests

Components of the study Negative energy aura (metres) Positive energy aura (metres)
Before the ritual After the ritual Before the ritual After the ritual
1st Priest 11.00 5.04 10.05 14.24
2nd Priest 7.50 6.00 16.27 27.21
Photograph of Shri Datta 0 0 17.00 25.10
Wife of the 4th individual 18.62 7.40 6.76 13.83
Photograph of the deceased grandfather of the 4th individual 19.00 8.72 0 3.28+∈

3. Spiritual analysis of the observations in the study

3 A. Negative energy auras of all the four individuals performing the ritual, reduced by approximately 50 percent and their positive energy auras doubled after the ritual

3 A 1. Analysis : Recitation of mantras in the ritual of Shraddha provides subtle energy for the momentum of the ancestors. Ancestors are satisfied due to the offering of oblations in the ritual and give blessings to the one performing the ritual and his family members. The individual performing the ritual is benefited at the spiritual level.

3 B. Darbha and the Pinda were found to have negative energy to a large extent after the ritual

3 B 1. Analysis : The Deities and ancestors are invited by offering darbha. While performing the ritual of Shraddha, ritualistic worship (puja) is performed by placing a pinda in the name of each ancestor on the darbha. The dissatisfied ancestors from Bhuvaloka (Nether region) get attracted to the offering of pinda and leave with their wishes fulfilled, thus gaining momentum for their journey. Hence distress from the ancestors gets reduced. In this process the Raja-Tama atmosphere around the ancestors has an effect on the darbha and pinda.

3 C. Negative energy to a large extent was found in the food offered to the ancestors and high positive energy was found in the food offered to the Deities

3 C 1. Analysis : Food offered (naivedya) to ancestors attracted the Raja-Tama vibrations of the ancestors and the food offered to Deities attracted vibrations of Divine consciousness from the Deities.

3 D. After the ritual of Shraddha, the negative energy of the priests reduced and their positive energy increased

3 D 1. Analysis : The priests having performed the ritual with spiritual emotion (bhav), were benefited spiritually.

3 E. After the ritual, positive energy in the photograph of Deity Datta increased

3 E 1. Analysis : Shri Datta presides over the region of ancestors. By performing worship of Shri Datta, the Datta principle (Divine energy) in the photograph got activated.

3 F. After the ritual, the negative energy of the individual’s wife reduced by 50 percent and her positive energy doubled

3 F 1. Analysis : The family members are also benefited spiritually, by the ritual.

3 G. Negative energy in the photograph of the deceased grandfather of the individual performing the ritual reduced to a large extent and the positive energy increased

3 G 1. Analysis : Recitation of mantras in the Shraddha provides subtle energy for the momentum of the ancestors. Ancestors are satisfied due to the offering of oblations in the ritual and gain momentum. Hence the distress due to ancestors gets reduced.

Reference of the analyses : Sanatan’s Holy text – Spirituality behind the actions in the ritual of Shraddha

4. Conclusion : Due to the ritual of Shraddha, the individuals performing the ritual, their family members and the ancestors, all benefited spiritually. The priests, by conducting the ritual with spiritual emotion also benefited spiritually. The spiritual importance of performing the ritual of Shraddha as advised in the Hindu Dharma becomes evident through this research.

– Mrs. Madhura Dhananjay Karve, Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay, Goa. (02.10.2021)

Email : [email protected]