Healing Ancestral Wounds: A Spiritual Guide to Pitra Dosh

Dear All,

Whenever we feel a blockage in attracting success, wealth, or harmony in our relationships, and we consult an astrologer, we are often told that we have Pitra Dosh. We’re then advised to perform various rituals or remedies. But is it real?
How can our own lineage curse us? What did we do to deserve this?

Most of us barely know much about our ancestral past. We may know our grandfather, great-grandfather, or perhaps even our great-great-grandfather. But what about all those who came before them,those whose names and stories have been lost to time?

So many questions arise in our minds. And instead of cherishing and honoring our roots, we begin to fear them. This fear becomes so overwhelming that we blindly follow whatever rituals are recommended, without ever pausing to connect with or seek guidance from our ancestors themselves.

Let us shift from fear to reverence. Instead of seeing our lineage as a burden, let’s view it as a source of wisdom, strength, and healing.

Let’s Understand What Pitra Dosh Is According to Astrology

Pitra Dosh is an astrological condition that occurs when the Sun,the planet representing the soul and lineage,is afflicted by malefic planets such as Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, or Mars, especially when these afflictions appear in the 9th house of a person’s Kundali (birth chart). The 9th house represents father, ancestors, dharma, and blessings, so afflictions here are considered significant.
This is one of the basic indicators (though there are many other combinations that can contribute).

People with Pitra Dosh may experience persistent financial struggles, repeated patterns of obstacles such as stagnation in career, extreme hardships, challenges in marriage, and disharmony in relationships. In some cases, the struggles become so intense that one starts feeling hopeless—as though nothing will improve. Misfortune follows, and over time, a subtle fear of one’s own lineage and ancestors may develop.

Mars and Saturn’s Role in Pitra Dosh

When Mars or Saturn afflict the Sun or key houses in the birth chart, their influence can manifest as:

• Aggression or anger issues
• Addictions or compulsive behaviors
• Poor communication skills
• An abusive nature or a victim mindset
• Conflict with loved ones
• Chronic health issues

These planetary energies, when unbalanced, disrupt not only the external aspects of life (relationships, career, finances) but also deeply impact a person’s emotional well-being and mental stability.

Psychological + Spiritual Perspective

In modern psychological and spiritual discussions, we often hear terms like:

• Inner Child Healing
• Karmic Debt
• Cord Cutting

These concepts are deeply connected to ancestral patterns.
The truth is, we all carry the unhealed traumas and unfinished stories of our bloodline. These are passed down genetically, energetically, and emotionally through generations.

If left unaddressed, this ancestral baggage can show up as:

• Persistent emotional or psychological struggles
• Repeated health issues with no clear medical cause
• Constant financial instability
• A cycle of failed relationships
• Blocked creativity and a lack of inner peace

Sometimes, these unresolved patterns don’t just affect us, they begin to show up in our children. That’s why healing is not just a personal journey; it’s a responsibility we carry for future generations.

Why you?

It’s a big question that naturally arises when we look around and see contradictions. Some people never perform Shraddh Puja or Pitra Dosh Puja, yet they seem to live unaffected. Others do everything with sincerity, and still suffer. In such moments, it’s only natural to ask: Why me? Why is my family the one to suffer? What do my ancestors want from me? What are we being punished for?

But you are not cursed, neither you are being punished.You are the chosen one in your lineage. You are a special soul, sent to restore balance and bring healing. You have arrived in this life not to suffer, but to break the karmic chain passed down unintentionally by your ancestors. You are here to release your family from debts they may not have known they were carrying.

A spiritual warrior, chosen to liberate your lineage. Through your awareness, efforts, and prayers, youensure that the next generation is free . It is not a burden it is a sacred mission.

Let´s understand how and how do you begin this journey of healing?
Please reflect on the following point and then take gentle action:

1: Ask for forgiveness from Divine

This isn’t about going from temple to temple or seeking answers from every door you knock on.
Instead, it begins within you.

I strongly recommend doing HOÓPONOPONO  prayer for atleast 21 days.

Sit quietly with yourself as a meditation.
Light a candle or a diya as a symbol of your intention to bring light into your lineage. Close your eyes. Breathe. And call upon the Divine in whatever form or name resonates with you.

Speak from your heart.

Ask for forgiveness: not just for your own actions in this life, but also on behalf of your ancestors, if they ever caused harm through their words, actions, or intentions, knowingly or unknowingly, in this life or any past life.

And just as you ask for forgiveness, forgive yourself  too. Whatever you may be carrying: guilt, regret, shame let it go. You are here to heal, not to hold on to pain.

2: Connect with your Ancestors:

Yes, you read that right. This is one of the most powerful and transformative practices you can begin today. Set aside 5 to 10 minutes regularly to sit quietly and take a few deep breaths. In this peaceful state, call upon your ancestors. Ask for their guidance, support, and blessings.

Remember, they are your divine guardians, always watching over you. Express your love and gratitude to them. If you feel you’ve made mistakes or have karmic baggage, humbly apologize and seek their help in becoming a better version of yourself.

You can connect with any one of your ancestors, even if you don’t know their names. You will feel their blessings through unexpected support. The beauty of this practice is that it transcends religious boundaries; anyone, from any faith, can do it.

3: Shraddh Rituals during Pitra Paksha days:

If you follow the Hindu tradition, performing the Shraddh ritual during Pitra Paksha is a powerful way to honor your ancestors. Here’s a specific and meaningful practice with its significance:
Offer water to the Sun using a copper vessel. Mix the following items in the water before offering:

Barley, Black Sesame seeds, Honey, Milk and White flowers

1. Copper Vessel: Strengthens your Sun and Mars, enhancing health, confidence, and leadership. Performing this ritual at sunrise also helps develop discipline and sets a positive tone for the day.
2. Barley: Improves your Rahu, bringing clarity, determination, and material abundance. A strong Rahu grounds you and makes your actions effective.
3. Black Sesame Seeds: Balances your Saturn, leading to improved relationships, career growth, discipline, and resolution of karmic debts.
4. Honey: Strengthens your Venus, attracting luxury, prosperity, and harmony in relationships and marriage.
5. Raw Milk: Enhances your Moon, promoting emotional stability, mental peace, and intuitive power.
6. White Flowers: Symbolize peace, purity, and divine connection, bringing calmness and serenity to your life.

4. Healing your inner child: Many of our fears, emotional wounds, repeated failures can be a reflection of unhealed inner child issues.These patterns are often passed down unconsciously by our closed one, especially our parents or caregivers.If you recognize these patterns in yourself and are willing to address them, consider it a blessing.So many people live their entire lives unaware of the emotional baggage they carry, only to unknowingly pass it on to the next generation but you do it for yourself and for the generations that will come after you. You can follow any of these steps:

1:Seek professional help such as therapy, counseling, or inner child healing sessions.

2:Start journal your thoughts, memories, and emotional triggers. Writing is a powerful tool for self-discovery.

3: Educate yourself more on the topic. Read books or gather information about inner child healing.

Awareness is often half the solution. Once you recognize the source of your emotional patterns, change becomes possible.

Healing your inner child is a journey of self-compassion. It reconnects you to the pure, authentic version of yourself—the one before the pain, before the fear. And in doing so, you not only free yourself but also gift healing to your lineage.

5:Spirituality is the real way to clear karmic debt and baggage, whether from this life or past lives. As the saying goes, what goes around, comes around. Many people think spirituality is just about doing rituals, but in truth, it’s about awareness, alignment, and trusting in the higher power.

You are the chosen one in your family line. If you want to remove what is called pitra dosh, you need to clear your karmic baggage first. That means becoming conscious of your actions and connecting with your higher self.

This isn’t something that happens overnight. As an awakened soul, you will face challenges and tests. Sometimes, similar situations will repeat in your life—don’t fight them, just accept them with grace. These experiences are there to end the generational burden.

By going through this, you will transform deeply and discover your true strength. And in doing so, you will pass on healing and nourishment, instead of pain, to the next generation.

6. Cleanse your energy from time to time. You can do this through a havan, smudging sage or palo santo, connecting with nature, or taking a spiritual bath…whatever feels right for you. Do some form of charity, especially on the new moon, to welcome fresh energy. Also, declutter your space. You’ll notice the shift.

7. Another powerful practice is reading the Vishnu Sahasranama and seeking the blessings of Lord Vishnu. If you do this daily during Pitra Paksha, it can help free your ancestors from karmic debt.

And remember,don’t be afraid of your ancestors. They loved you, your parents, and left behind a legacy. Think about your favorite family member—did they ever let you down? Their love is still with you. Hold them in your heart with love, trust, and respect. Love always heals and transforms. Our ancestors are living within us, and have immense power to bring light.

Ask for their blessings and guidance, and you’ll see the magic unfold in your life.
Sending you lots of love and healing. Shweta