Pitri Paksha observances – Cove and John Swami urges Green Field residents to preserve traditions
Swami Shivashankaranadaji speaking with children from Green Field community
In observance of the period of Pitri Paksha in the Hindu Calender, the Guyana Sevashram Sangha (Cove and John Ashram) on Sunday distributed 100 food hampers and clothing to the less fortunate living in the depressed community of Green Field, East Coast Demerara, as residents were urged to preserve their traditions.
The community was specially selected for the distribution after members of the ashram visited the area and observed residents needed help. Doing the distribution process were administrator and spiritual leader of the Sangha, Swami Shivashankaranandaji Maharaj, members, and students from the Hindu College dormitory.
According to the Swami the outreach was a way of expressing gratitude to the departed souls for the contributions they made in society.
Maharaj said during the period of Pitri Paksha, it is recommended that persons remember the good legacy of their foreparents and to continue to trend along the same path. He said the period of Pitri Paksha is set aside specially to recognise the sterling contributions of ancestors and in recognition Hindus offer prayers and daan (charitable donations in the form of foodstuff).
He explained that as such the Ashram and kind donors contributed food items in the name of their departed ones.
“Whatever act or contribution done in the name of the departed soul, it helps that soul to further develop wherever it is, during this time Karana, one of the great warriors of the Mahabharrat came back to earth to give charity and that was done in the form of food.”
He also used the opportunity to call on parents to encourage their young ones to upkeep the tradition and for them to make offerings during the period to those families who have departed.
“Pitri Paksha is a way of seeking blessings from the ancestor; we can do so by prayers and giving charity through food hampers.”
Swami showered gratitude on all the donors for making the outreach programme a success.
Speaking with residents of Green Field, the Swami encouraged the mixed community of mostly fishers, to take time off for prayers. He encouraged them to believe in God and to always think positive, and that if they want to achieve things in life then they need to make sacrifices. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Sangha for the timely donation.
The outreach programme is part of the seva aspect of the ashram in reaching out to the less fortunate. Many outreaches have been held by the ashram in many communities throughout Guyana.
