god of ancestors pitru: Aryama is counted among the Nitya Pitras. In this universe, it is the Nitya Pitras who create the body. The ancestors get satisfaction only when they are satisfied.
In the tenth chapter of Gavat Geeta, Shri Krishna has said – Anantashchasmi Naganan Varuno Yaadsamham.
Pitrinamaryama chasmi yam sanyamtaamaham.
—’I am Ananta (Sheshnag) among the serpents and Varuna, the lord of the aquatic animals. I am Aryama among the ancestors and Yama among the regulators.’ Aryama is considered to be the king of the ancestors and Yamaraj the judge. Aryama is the lord of all the ancestors of Pitriloka situated in the lunar sphere. Aryama also keeps the account of which ancestor belongs to which clan and which family. Aryaman is the third son among the twelve sons of sage Kashyap and Devmata Aditi, who is also called Aryama. He is the sixth form of Aditya and in the form of air, he transmits life force and resides as the soul of nature. As the god of ancestors, he has authority over the cycle of morning and night and the Milky Way is his path. Among the stars, he is the lord of Magha constellation. Aryama is counted among the Nitya ancestors. In this universe, the Nitya ancestors create the body. Only when they are satisfied, the ancestors get satisfaction.
At the time of Shraadh, water is donated in their name. In Pitru Paksha, there is a ritual of worshiping Pitru Dev Aryama. If there is Magha Nakshatra on Trayodashi Tithi in Pitru Paksha, then worshiping ancestors gives special results. It is believed that on this day Pitru Dev Aryama himself accepts the Tarpan, Pinddaan and Shraadh Karma given by humans along with ancestors, hence it is also called ‘Magha’ Shraadh. According to mythological beliefs, after death, Yamraj frees the dead souls for sixteen days, so that they can go to their relatives and accept the Tarpan and bless them.
Pitru Paksha starts when the Sun enters Virgo, hence it is also called Kanagat. Only the ancestors of three generations are considered to be in a god-like status, hence Shradh is performed only for three generations. These include father, grandfather, great grandfather and mother, maternal grandfather, great grandfather. In the scriptures, father is considered equal to Vasu, grandfather is considered equal to Rudra and great grandfather is considered equal to Aditya. In the scriptures, it is said in the praise of Aryama—
Om Aryama Na Tripyataam Idam Tilodakan Tasmai Swadha Namah.
Om Mrityorma Amritam Gamay.
That is, Aryama is the best among the ancestors. Aryama is the god of ancestors. Salutations to Aryama. Oh! Father, grandfather and great grandfather. Oh! Mother, maternal grandfather and great grandfather, I salute you again and again. May you lead us from death to immortality.
Ashwini Kumar
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