Pitru Tarpana, and Devasa/Thithi:
Spiritual chords connect all of Brahma's creations that have life. (This includes the connections between us and celestial bodies that are drawn on in the Brahmana (Rishi) Astrology) and the warp and weft of Karma decides into which Kula and circumstances we are born. This is one of the reasons for "genetically inherited" diseases and congenital deformities and also evidences the compassion of Brahma, for the subject can then have the benefit of the family experience in dealing with this.
Each of us is more closely connected with the spiritual essence of our manes than with others. Perhaps over and over again through thousands of years. Often, one of them functions as our Guardian and ethereal guide through life as a proxy for Brahma.
(Note that, unlike in Jainism, Budhism or Vaishnnavism, humans are always reincarnated as humans and not as insects, or animals in Brahmanism)
The spiritual essence of our Manes need sustenance and this is the spiritual essence of food and water.
The spiritual essence of a grain of rice or a drop of water is sufficient to sustain the spiritual essence of our manes for a long time. However, when they remain unfed, they are forced to take that to which they are not entitled to derive the essential energy to perform the tasks they have been allocated there. In the spiritual world rules are very strict, and such behaviour is considered and punished as theft.
Other than the ancestor (if it is an ancestor) allotted to watch over you through life, your Manes cannot access the physical world easily at all times as they are otherwise busy, but only at certain designated times, such as the New Moon or their own anniversary of passing if within the last three generations.
Hence, we make our offerings and oblations to our ancestors at designated times and days. We do offer more than they may need so that they can share with those deprived of sustenance through the neglect of their descendants and so gain great merit.
The spiritual essence of both my father and my mother remind me in events or through dreams when the time approaches for their annual ceremony. It is this important to them.
Remember that you are connected with your manes and to all of Brahma's self manifestation through spiritual chords. When you train yourself or purify yourself sufficiently you can see both the spiritual chords, which are concentrated as auras around creatures (including trees, rocks, planets) and receive their signals.
Offering oblations and food offerings (pinda) is more than a sacred duty. It helps you by strengthening those connected to you most closely.
Via: S Suchindranath Aiyer
Source: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1070486283094345&id=100003989518451
