After someone dies, people say “May his soul rest in peace.” This wish clearly indicates that there may be millions of souls who are not resting in peace. All souls are ancestors of someone living today. In Vedic astrology they are known as “Pitra” (ancestors).
A restless soul can cause a lot of trouble for his successors. In astrology it is called “Pitra dosha”. There are special references in astrological classics like “Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra” and others on this topic. There are references in “Puranas” also on this topic. The methods of analyzing this affliction in the native’s horoscope, its effects on the native and his family members, and corrective measures for the problems have also been discussed in detail in the astrological classics.
The curses of the ancestors can cause serious health problems that can become so complicated that doctors may fail to diagnose the disease and prescribed medications may become totally ineffective. The problem goes beyond the realm of medical sciences.
Symptoms such as abnormal behavior, uncontrollable anger, inflicting fatal injuries on others, depression, suicidal tendencies, uncontrollable pain that persists even after medication; rashes on parts of the body with no visible cause, nausea may have some relation to such curses. Many of these problems have a cyclical occurrence and seem to be related to the movement of the planets. These relationships show that complicated health problems are due to “Pitra dosha” and steps should be taken to solve these problems through astrological methods suggested in astrological classics. A psychiatrist and an astrologer can work together to find a solution to such complicated problems.
Apart from the medical problems mentioned above, the “Pitra dosha” can cause some more problems like:
a) No children
b) Repeated abortions
c) Family disputes
d) Health problems in the family
e) Obstacles in career and education for no apparent reason
f) Inability to marry.
g) Addiction
h) Birth of children with mental disabilities
i) Death of children at an early age
In the horoscope, the “pitra dosha” can be judged by the afflictions to the 9th lord and the 9th house from the “lagna” (ascendant) and the Moon. If simultaneously the Sun is also affected by Saturn, “Rahu” or “Ketu”, karmic problems are further intensified. If, simultaneously, Luna is also afflicted, the problem becomes more complicated.
Prescribed methods for dealing with ancestor-related problems are available in many religions. Ancestors generally focus on the successors of their own family. The best way for the successor is to pray to the divine for forgiveness. Since the ancestors are also considered divine souls, forgiveness should be sought from them as well. Every restless soul is restless because it is waiting for “mukti” (salvation). The successors must take the measures prescribed in the religious texts for the “mukti” of the souls of the ancestors.
According to Vedic astrology, the following steps should be taken to solve the problems of “pitra dosha” as reflected in the horoscope.
a) One must take a vow to provide unconditional services to parents and elders. This helps to get the grace of the ancestors.
b) Good conduct and charity towards people in need are necessary. The good behavior of the people who are at our service is also necessary. Both are recommended to eliminate the “pitra dosha”
c) It is recommended to worship Lord Vishnu because all souls eventually merge into the great entity of Lord Vishnu. This fusion is called “mukti”.
d) Worship of any “Samarth Sadguru” like “Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi” will also be helpful because Sadguru are like beacons guiding us towards the great divinity of the Almighty.
e) One must take responsibility for the marriage of a girl preferably from a poor family to obtain the grace of God and the ancestors.
f) Worship should be done for the “mukti” of the souls of the ancestors as suggested and prescribed in the classics.