2018, How Can We Give Liberation (Moksha) and Sadgati to Our Ancestors?

How Can We Give Liberation (Moksha) and Sadgati to Our Ancestors? A Spiritual Perspective Beyond Shraddha and Tarpan

Introduction

A question was asked:

For the liberation (Moksha) of our ancestors, many traditions perform Shraddha, Tarpan, and other rituals. Offerings are made to departed souls in the hope of satisfying them. Various practices exist in the path of devotion (Bhakti Marg). But from the perspective of the Path of Knowledge (Gyan Marg), how can we truly help our deceased ancestors? How can we provide Sadgati (spiritual upliftment) and ultimately Moksha to departed souls?

The Direct Method in Gyan Marg

According to Gyan Marg, there is one direct method to help any departed soul:

Give that soul spiritual knowledge.

Whether the departed soul is:

• Mother, Father, Grandfather, Grandmother, Any ancestor, Any deceased soul

If you genuinely love them and want their liberation, then the question becomes:

How can liberation actually be given?

The answer is simple: Tell the soul: "You are a soul. Remember the Supreme Soul (Paramatma)." Teach the soul self-awareness. Teach the soul to recognize: "You are not the body. You are the eternal soul." This is the highest welfare that can be done for any soul.

The Same Knowledge Applies to Living and Departed Souls

A question was raised: Is this teaching only for departed souls?

The answer: No.

The same truth applies equally to:

• Living souls

• Departed souls

All are souls. The difference is only in the type of body they currently possess.

What Is the Real Meaning of Shraddha?

Traditionally, people offer food, objects, and various earthly items to satisfy departed souls.

The intention is: To please them, To satisfy them, To honor them

However, according to Gyan Marg, there is a higher form of satisfaction.

Instead of merely offering physical objects, one should offer:

• Knowledge of the soul

• Knowledge of the Supreme Soul

• Knowledge of liberation

This gives greater peace and satisfaction to the departed soul.

The Difference Between Human Souls and Departed Souls

Human beings possess a gross body composed of the five elements. This is well known. Departed souls possess a subtle body. According to the discourse, this subtle body consists primarily of:

• Space (Akash)

• Air (Vayu)

• Fire (Agni)

These souls also seek peace. Just as living human beings seek happiness and peace, subtle souls also desire peace.

Why Do Souls Need Power?

In the present age (Kaliyuga), souls have become Tamopradhan. Originally, in Satyuga, souls were Satopradhan.

Over time:

• Satopradhan became Rajopradhan, Rajopradhan became Tamopradhan

As a result:

• Soul power decreased

• Spiritual strength weakened

• Divine awareness diminished

Since the soul is the power behind the body, when the soul becomes weak, its spiritual condition deteriorates.

Therefore, both living and departed souls require spiritual power.

Become Knowledgeable First

The discourse emphasizes: Before helping others, become knowledgeable yourself.

Understand:

• Who am I? Where does the soul reside? What is my original identity?

Become soul-conscious. Realize: “I am a soul." Then practice remembrance of the Supreme Soul.

Teaching Yoga to Departed Souls

What should be taught to departed souls? Teach them Yoga. Here, Yoga means:

The connection between the soul and the Supreme Soul. When the soul becomes aware of its true identity and remembers the Supreme Soul, this spiritual connection is called Yoga. Therefore, one should mentally communicate to departed ancestors: "You are a soul. Remember the Supreme Soul." "Connect yourself with the Almighty Authority." "Remember your original spiritual identity." This becomes true spiritual service.

How to Communicate with Ancestors

The discourse explains a practical method. You may keep a photograph of the departed person. With pure feelings, mentally address them:

"O Father." "O Mother." "O Grandfather." "O Grandmother."

Then explain: "You are a soul." "I am also a soul." "You have forgotten your true spiritual identity for a very long time." "I am giving you the knowledge of the soul." Encourage them to practice remembrance of the Supreme Soul.

Why Spiritual Knowledge Is Greater Than Physical Offerings

In Shraddha rituals, people often offer physical objects. However, physical objects cannot truly be consumed by a subtle soul. What the soul actually requires is:

• Spiritual power, Divine remembrance, Soul-consciousness

Therefore, the greatest gift is not food or material offerings. The greatest gift is knowledge and Yoga.

Remembering the Almighty Authority

The discourse teaches that departed souls should be reminded: The Almighty Authority resides in Paramdham. The Supreme Soul is:

• Formless, Luminous, Beyond the physical world

The soul should be encouraged to remember the Supreme Soul continuously. Through this remembrance, spiritual power is received.

Playing Spiritual Knowledge for Ancestors

An interesting suggestion is given.

One may play:

• Spiritual discourses

• Knowledge videos

• Teachings about the soul

• Teachings about liberation and Jeevan Mukti

Not only may the intended ancestor hear these teachings, but other subtle souls present nearby may also receive benefit. As these souls hear spiritual knowledge, they may become:

• More peaceful, More satisfied, More spiritually powerful

Powerful Ancestors Can Help Descendants

The discourse further suggests that some ancestor souls may already belong to higher categories of souls.

When such souls gain:

• Soul-consciousness, Spiritual power, Yoga with the Supreme Soul

Their strength increases. Such empowered souls may then help their descendants spiritually.

Do Departed Souls Need Physical Things?

A question was asked: If a departed soul becomes soul-conscious and practices Yoga, does it still require physical offerings?

The answer given: No. As soul power increases through Yoga, dependence on physical desires decreases. The soul becomes satisfied through spiritual power rather than material offerings.

The Historical Origin of Shraddha

The discourse provides an explanation for the origin of Shraddha. According to this explanation: Many souls remained in the subtle world during transitional periods of cosmic time.

Some of these souls experienced suffering. At that time, people did not possess complete spiritual knowledge. Many departed souls still retained impressions and desires related to:

• Food, Drink, Physical experiences

Because of these lingering desires, they sometimes sought satisfaction through the living. Gradually, practices developed where people offered food and other items to departed souls. Over vast periods of time, these customs became established traditions.

Why Some Souls Remain Near Earth

When souls become heavily Tamopradhan, they lose spiritual power. Without sufficient power, they may be unable to rise to higher subtle realms. As a result, they may remain associated with earthly regions and environments. This is one reason why some souls are believed to remain near families, homes, or familiar locations.

Should Traditional Rituals Still Be Performed?

The discourse gives a balanced answer. If a departed person strongly believed in certain rituals and specifically requested those rituals before death, then family members may choose to perform them. However, if both you and the departed soul understand spiritual knowledge, then spiritual education and Yoga may provide a higher benefit.

Helping Souls Reach Higher Realms

The ultimate objective is to increase the soul's power. As spiritual power increases, the soul can ascend to higher realms. The discourse mentions progression through higher lokas, including:

• Bhulok, Bhuvarlok, Swarg Lok, Maharlok

However, ultimate liberation is attained only when the soul reaches Paramdham and becomes equal to the Supreme Element (Param Tatva), thereby attaining Moksha.

The Original Home of the Soul

Departed souls should be reminded: "You came to Earth for a purpose." "You have now left the physical body." "Your effort should be directed toward returning to your original home." The soul's true destination is not Earth. Its ultimate destination is its original spiritual abode.

The Final Conclusion

The discussion concludes that the highest Sadgati for a departed soul comes through:

• Spiritual knowledge (Gyan)

• Soul-consciousness (Atma Swarup)

• Remembrance of the Supreme Soul (Yoga)

• Spiritual power obtained from Paramatma

Rather than merely offering physical objects, one should offer knowledge that enables the soul to progress toward liberation. By giving knowledge and teaching Yoga, one assists the departed soul in advancing toward:

• Peace, Spiritual power, Higher realms, Ultimate Moksha

Reconstruction Notes

1. References to "our other videos" likely refer to:

   • How to practice Yoga

   • How to become soul-conscious

   • Mukti and Jeevan Mukti

   • The nature of Paramdham

   • The form of the Supreme Soul

2. The discussion regarding Brahma's first 50 years and the transition into the second half of Brahma's lifespan appears to explain the historical development of ancestor-related traditions across vast cosmic cycles.

3. The explanation regarding subtle souls retaining desires for food and sensory experiences corresponds to Bapuji's recurring teachings that subtle-body souls may continue carrying impressions (Vasanas) even after leaving the gross body.

4. The statement regarding liberation through becoming "equal to the Supreme Element" reflects the teaching that complete liberation occurs when the soul reaches Paramdham and attains a state of supreme purity and peace.

Paramshanti.