Amavasya Katha — The King's Dream

A prosperous king ruled his kingdom wisely and was generous in charity. Yet he suffered from recurring, disturbing dreams. In these dreams, a group of emaciated figures appeared — his deceased parents and grandparents — with parched lips and hollow eyes, their hands outstretched, pleading for water.

The king awoke each time in a cold sweat. Despite his wealth, he felt helpless. He consulted his court Brahmin priests, who performed various rituals, but the dreams continued. Finally, he journeyed to the hermitage of the sage Vishwamitra.

Vishwamitra listened with compassion and said: "O King, your ancestors are in the Pitru Loka — the intermediate realm. They are sustained by the Tarpan and Shraddha that their descendants perform for them. When these are neglected, the ancestors grow hungry and thirsty and reach out to their living kin through dreams."

"On every Amavasya — the new moon day — go to a sacred river or tirtha and perform Tarpan. Offer water mixed with sesame seeds and flowers in the name of your departed ancestors for three generations. Recite their names and pray for their peace. Donate food and clothes to the needy in their memory."

The king began observing this practice on every Amavasya. He would rise before dawn, bathe, and go to the riverside with sesame and Kusha grass. With great devotion, he would cup his palms and offer water three times for each ancestor, calling their names.

Gradually the dreams changed. His ancestors appeared well-fed, radiant, and at peace. One night, they appeared smiling, declared their liberation, and blessed the king with abundance, health, and long life. From that day, the king made Amavasya observance a royal tradition, and his kingdom prospered beyond measure.