Remembering My Father: A Shradh of Love and Spiritual Release :
The air today feels different. It’s a bit quieter, a little more reflective. The smell of dhoop and freshly cooked food fills the house, not just with fragrance, but with memories. Today, on this Shradh, I perform these sacred rituals not as a formality, but as a heartfelt act of love, a bridge between two worlds, and a prayer for my father’s journey.
It's been a while since he left, but today, I feel his presence so strongly. Shradh is not just about remembering; it is about honoring. It is about acknowledging that while the physical form may have departed, the soul, the essence of the person, is eternal. As I prepare the pindas, each one a symbol of our connection, I am not just mixing rice and flour. I am pouring in every memory, every lesson, and every laugh we shared.
The act of offering this food is a spiritual one. It is a way of nourishing his soul on its onward journey. In the Hindu tradition, the Shradh ceremony is believed to help the departed soul find peace and progress towards Moksha – the ultimate spiritual liberation. Today, my prayer is simple yet profound: "May your soul be at peace, Baba. May you be free from all attachments, all pain, and all sorrow. May your path be clear, leading you to that supreme light."
I remember his hands – strong and calloused from a lifetime of hard work, yet so gentle when they held mine. I remember his voice – a mix of stern wisdom and heartwarming humor. Today, I speak to him in my heart, telling him that everything is okay. That we are all fine, and that his legacy of love and integrity lives on in us.
The pindas are placed, the prayers are chanted, and the offerings are made. It's a symbolic release. As I perform these rituals, I feel a sense of letting go, not in a way that suggests forgetting, but in a way that trusts his soul's journey. This is not a goodbye. This is an offering of love and a blessing for his liberation.
He is no longer bound by this world, and my love for him is a gentle push, a soft wind at his back, guiding him towards spiritual freedom. Today, I do not mourn his absence. I celebrate his journey. I celebrate his life. And with every chant, every offering, I pray that his soul finds its true, eternal home in Moksha.
May your spirit soar, Baba. You are loved, you are remembered, and you are free.
Danny@vikramgulati.com
