604--Q&A WITH SWAMIJI- Shraadh

[Guest guest]

Question from Chris:

This shraaddh, I know Swamiji has spoken of it as an expression of

gratitude, but I'm wondering if there is more. After all, I don't need a

special puja to offer my gratitude, a simple prayer will do, won't it?

Does this practice offer practical benefit to the ancestors, ie., light

(spiritual wisdom), or the burning of karmas? When does the benefit

accrue, while they are/were waiting for a body (outside of our time),

or is it at whatever position (embodied or not) they are in at the

present time of the puja according to our reality?

 

Swamiji's response:

You are right. There is always more.

 

The practice does offer benefit to seven generations previous to us and

for seven generations to follow. The benefit accrues at the time we

offer the prayer, takes effect immediately, and is manifest during their

next individual manifestation.