Past Life Regression - Pitra Dosha -1

The first reference about my past life and its importance in the way my destiny came to light when I was doing a Past Life Regression (PLR) certification. PLR is an evolving Western therapy, where the client is helped to see their past lives and clear their Karmic debts, if any, which are hindering their progress in this life.

Past life regression (PLR) is still very controversial, and there are many skeptics who don’t believe in it and consider it to be witchcraft, or voodoo. The therapy brings forth a deep sleep state, with the permission of the client, in order to access perceived memories of past lives. The aim is to help them become aware of the roots or the origin of any current concerns like phobias, relationship problems, or unexplained patterns. By exploring the past lives, PLR tries to uncover the roots in previous existences, and helps resolve them by seeking some resolution, of forgiveness or prayer.  As scientific evidence is lacking, many shy away from PLR. We tend to see them as fantasies, and not facts.

The methodology is not witchcraft, but it certainly depends on the expertise of the therapist and openness of the client. As I am still raw and practicing being a good practitioner, the repeated emphasis on ‘seeing into past life and clearing karmic debts’, continues to remain a grey area for me. 

“The karmic debts of my previous lives and my ancestors unfulfilled wishes shape my destiny in the present life. My present life is dictated not only by what I am doing today, but also by what I did in my previous lives and what my ancestors did too!” I was still mulling over this past and present connection, when talks about Pitra Dosha and the importance of completing the Pitra Dosha pooja started in my household!

Pitra Dosha (or Pitra Dosh) in Vedic astrology refers to a karmic debt or ancestral curse from forefathers' unsettled souls, caused by unfulfilled desires, wrongdoings, or neglected ancestral duties (like Shraddha rituals), which manifests as obstacles in descendants' lives, affecting health, wealth, and relationships. It is addressed through specific pujas and offerings to appease ancestors.