‘Pitru Sadhana’ at Badrinath Dham

बहूनि सन्ति तीर्थानि, दिवि भूमौ रसासु च।
बदरी सदृशं तीर्थ, न भूतं न भविष्यति।।

(There are many pilgrimages on this earth, but there were not any like Badrinath Dham in past nor will be in future.)

In the month of September 2022, during Pitru Paksha, I was blessed to attend a two days ‘Pitru Sadhana’, organized by my Guruji Sadguru Swami Krishnanandji Maharaj’ at Sadguru Dham Ashram, Badrinath.

This January, my father left for the heavenly abode. I very much wanted to perform Pitru Sadhana for him, to convey my gratitude to him for the life he gave me. As soon as I got the message of the Pitru Sadhana camp being organized at Badrinath, I looked forward to being part of it. I had visited Badrinath Dham earlier also but doing ‘Pitru Sadhana’ at Badrinath Dham was spiritually fulfilling.

In Hinduism, Pitru Paksha is known as the ‘Period for Ancestors’ and is a fortnight per the Indian Lunar calendar in the month of Bhadrapada.  Pitru Paksha has a different significance in Sanatan Dharma. According to the scriptures, it is believed that during these days, our Pitrus (ancestors) come down to the earth from Pitruloka, to meet their descendants in a subtle form. According to the traditions, during this period, it is believed that – Pind Tarpan, Upasana, and prayers paves the way for liberation from conflicts caused by the pre-karma of life.

Though Pitru Paksha is normally associated with conducting rituals for ancestors, and during this period, most of the auspicious activities are suspended but many do not know the great potential hidden during this period. From the perspective of spirituality, Pitru Paksha is that virtuous period of soul and spiritual growth, in which maximum results are possible with minimum effort. Spirituality considers this period to be the best for the welfare of the soul, that is to achieve Moksha, the concept of being beyond the cycle of life and death.

‘Pitru Sadhana’ at Badrinath Dham

‘Badrinath Dham’ needs no introduction to millions of Hindus for whom it is the most sacred and spiritual center as divine Lord Badri Vishal is believed to be in the meditation position in this place.

As per legend, once Sage Narada rebuked Lord Vishnu for indulging in worldly pleasures. The Lord then decided to do penance at Badrinath. On seeing Lord Vishnu doing penance in open harsh conditions in the Himalayas, Goddess Lakshmi took the form of a Badari Tree (Jujube Tree) and gave protection from the adverse weather. After this divine incident, the place got the name Badrinath and Vishnu got the name, Badari Narayan.

The temple is located in the Himalayas at a height of 10,170 feet and on the banks of the river Alaknanda which flows through the mountains, and downstream at Dev Prayag, it merges with river Bhagirathi to form the scared river Ganga.

In the vicinity of the Badrinath temple is Brahma Kapal which is a ghat on the banks of the river Alaknanda, and is of great importance to Hindus, as at this place they pay homage (Shraddha) to the departed souls. As per the legend, Lord Brahma exists at this place and thus if someone does Shraddha Karma for the departed souls of his or her family, they get salvation from the cycle of birth and death. It is said that there is no need to perform Pind Tarpan anywhere else after performing it at the Brahma Kapal.

As Sadguru Swami Krishnanandji Maharaj says, “In Purana, it has been said that there has not been a pilgrimage like Badrinath in the past, nor will there be in future. I have said many times that the major cause of our sorrow is the sadness of our ancestor’s side. The karma of one’s previous birth and the great yoga of the ancestors decides the course of our lives. If the ancestor remains unhappy, then the person suffers here in the world. The business does not run, you do not get a good job, there are no further children, and the lineage does not grow. Many physical and worldly sufferings come from the ancestors. That is why Pitru Sadhana is important. Badrinath is the highest pilgrimage – like the Supreme Court. When the judgment is done in the Supreme Court, will there be a hearing in the Lower Court? Gaya is the lower court and the other places where Pind Daan happens – Kashi, and Kedarkhand, are the high courts, and Badrinath is the Supreme Court. Many people do not accept the judgment of the Lower Court, or the High Court and from there go to the Supreme Court. But one has to agree to the judgement of the Supreme Court! Not all cases go to Supreme Court!” (Translated from Hindi Reference: Read)

I and my husband travelled to Badrinath via Dehradun. Dehradun to Badrinath was by road, the journey almost took 14 hours as for heavy rains roads were broken through out the route.  But once we reached Badrinath, darshan of the temple in midst of snowclad mountains just washed away all the tiredness.

The two days of Pitru Sadhana started first with taking bath at 4:00 am in the Tapt Kund (Hot Water Kund) which is located near to the temple and then performing the rituals along with the discourse by Guruji explaining the importance of Pitru Sadhana. The sadhana ended with the Visarjan (immersion) of pinds and puja samagri (material) in the river Alaknanda.

As we travelled back, we were deeply satisfied and filled with immense gratitude to our Guruji Sadguru Swami Krishnanandji Maharaj for giving us this opportunity to perform the Pitru Sadhana under his guidance and blessings.

Rakhi Sunil Kumar

Joshimath

Golden Himalaya View, near Joshimath on way to Badrinath

Pitru Sadhna at Sadguru Dham Ashram, Badrinath