To what extent is this belief true? Do such rituals genuinely help the soul, or are they primarily meant to bring comfort and peace to the family and loved ones who remain behind?
The rituals prescribed for the departed are only for the period after death, as far as the Rigveda and the Atharva Veda go. Their purpose is to assist the journey of the soul that travels in the vital sheath on its further journey. Though here too it has been overelaborated later.ย
The custom of annual ritual for the departed is based on certain portions of the Garud Purana. But it is doubtful if the Rishis of this Purana is one person or there have been additions later on. It is also doubtful if these annual rituals were meant for all and forever or in some special circumstances such as suicide or accidental deaths.
Well, given the fact of rebirth that Hindus accept, the practice of annual shraddh does not make a logical spiritual or occult sense. In the Western world, there is something equivalent but done for all the departed on a particular day.ย
In any case, there is no real authority, scriptural or otherwise, to engage in annual sraddh for the departed. In fact, continuing to try getting in touch with the person while he has already passed on may open doors to the play of dark vital forces that use the sheaths or imprints left behind by the departed. These imprints or fragments of the vital body may float around for some time and play with earthly beings. It is perhaps to dissolve these that such annual rituals were started, but these beings of the vital world start playing their games only if we take interest in them or open some kind of internal communication with them. In fact, such communications with the departed is not good either for the departed or for those left behind. If at all something of their sheath is lingering, it stays longer simply because of the communication with earthly beings. It is nothing but a deceptive play, as the soul does not linger very long near the earth atmosphere. It moves on to complete its further journey through lives, which is how it should be.ย
Yes, there is a lot of psychological comfort as well through these rituals but a comfort that paradoxically prolongs the misery by keeping the memory active and thereby keeping the consciousness tied to the past. It is best to let go off the departed and keep our face turned towards the future.ย
Affectionately,
Alok Da
