Introduction
"Do I have pitru dosha?" is a question often asked in a hard time, and it sometimes comes with talk of a large expense. This page explains calmly what the texts say, what they do not say, and how ePandit shows this subject.
We call it Pitru smaran: remembering one's father, elders and ancestors with respect. It is not a dosha check, and there is no 'dosha found' or 'not found' answer.
What the texts say
The texts link the subject of the father with two things in a chart:
- The Sun: BPHS calls the Sun the indicator of the father for all beings, as the Moon is of the mother (ch. 9).
- The 9th house: the notes to the BPHS translation examine the father from the 9th house (ch. 11), and Phaladīpikā lists 'Pitṛ' (father) among the names of the 9th house.
On this basis tradition links the 9th house and the Sun with the father, elders and ancestors.
What we did not find in the texts
We found no chart condition called 'pitru dosha' in the texts in our library. We searched BPHS, Phaladīpikā, Sārāvalī, Bṛhat Jātaka, Jātaka Pārijāta, Horā Sāra, Praśna Mārga, Dharmasindhu and Nirṇayasindhu. Popular books give several rules for it, such as Rahu in the 9th or Rahu with the Sun; those rules are not in these texts.
One point to be clear about: BPHS chapter 83 lists some combinations of 'curses from a previous birth' in the context of progeny, naming the father, mother, brother and others. That is a different subject, it does not use the term 'pitru dosha' either, and ePandit does not apply it to anyone's chart.
The living custom of remembering ancestors
The best-known custom for remembering ancestors is śrāddha. Dharmasindhu and Nirṇayasindhu both describe the śrāddha of the dark fortnight of Bhādrapada (Pitṛ-pakṣa or Mahālaya) in detail.
Dharmasindhu is very practical here: one who is able does it through the whole fortnight, from pratipadā to amāvasyā; one who cannot may begin from the pañcamī or a later tithi; and one who cannot do even that may do it once, on a single suitable day.
Many families offer tarpaṇa with water and sesame in Pitṛ-pakṣa, or feed someone in need in their ancestors' name (tradition). Serving and respecting elders is part of the same spirit, and all of it can be done at ₹0 or very little cost.
What ePandit shows
The kundli's 'Pitru smaran' tab holds only facts:
- the Sun's sign and house;
- the sign of the 9th house, its lord, and that lord's sign and house;
- this year's Pitṛ-pakṣa dates from the panchang.
The status is always written as 'Information'. No yes or no, no score, no warning. With an unknown birth time, the 9th is counted from the Moon sign and the page says so.
No puja is called necessary. If you wish, /upay shows the Sun's ₹0 options (conduct, service) first, and the choice is yours.