India, Sept. 7 -- Pitru Paksha or Shraad originates from the word Shraddha. This sacred fortnight, dedicated to honouring our ancestors, has long been viewed through a spiritual lens. Yet, when examined closely, these rituals also reflect profound insights into biology, psychology, ecology, and astronomy. What our sages intuited thousands of years ago is increasingly echoed by modern science.

Genetics and Ancestral Memory

We are living embodiments of our lineage. Science tells us that our DNA is not merely a blueprint for physical traits but also carries predispositions to health, behaviour, and even resilience.

Epigenetics, a field studying how life experiences alter gene expression, has shown that trauma, stress, and lifestyle habits...