The Story of Sage Ruchi

The Story of Sage Ruchi – A Warning Against Shraadh and Karmkand (Markandey Puran)

In the Markandey Puran, in the chapter titled “Origin of Rauchya Rishi,” an important incident is described that exposes the fatal consequences of abandoning Vedic injunctions and engaging in arbitrary rituals such as Shraadh and Pind-Daan.

Sage Ruchi’s Life of Celibacy and Vedic Worship

Sage Ruchi was a devoted Brahmin who practiced strict celibacy. He lived in seclusion and performed worship exactly as instructed in the Vedas—free from superstition, free from karm-kand, and free from ritualism. His life was disciplined, pure, and aligned with the path of salvation.

When he turned 40 years old, an unexpected event occurred.

Appearance of His Ancestors

His ancestors—his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—appeared in the sky. These forefathers had also been Brahmins, sages who performed karm-kand and ceremonial rituals during their lifetime. But these practices did not give them liberation.

Because they had abandoned scriptural injunctions and had acted arbitrarily, they failed to attain salvation. After death, they fell into lower states of existence and were suffering terribly as ghosts and Pitras.

Filled with distress, they spoke to Sage Ruchi:

“Son! Why did you not get married? Why did you not perform our Shraadhs and other ceremonial rituals?”

Ruchi’s Scriptural Reply

Sage Ruchi firmly answered:

“O Forefathers! The Vedas clearly describe ceremonial rituals such as Shraadh and Pind-Daan as Avidya—foolish, ignorant practices. Why then are you asking me to perform them?”

He knew that the Vedas instruct worship of the Supreme God, not karm-kand.

The Pitras Use Emotional Pressure

Surprisingly, the ancestors agreed:

“Yes, son, it is true that these rituals are Avidya according to the Vedas. The spiritual practice you are doing is indeed the path of salvation.”

But then they added:

“We are suffering severely in the life of ghosts. Get us liberated. Get married, and by performing our Pind-Daan and other rituals, free us from this misery.”

Thus, even though they admitted that karm-kand was against the Vedas, they still pressured Sage Ruchi to abandon scripture-based worship.

The Fall of Sage Ruchi

Unable to resist the emotional appeal of his suffering ancestors, Ruchi eventually gave in.

He got married, performed their Shraadh, and carried out Pind-Daan and other rituals.

But instead of helping anyone reach liberation, the result was disastrous:

• His ancestors had already become ghosts because they practiced arbitrary karm-kand.
• Sage Ruchi too, after performing these rituals, became a ghost in his next life.
• By performing Pind-Daan, a soul may temporarily exit the ghost life but is then pushed into the life of an animal, bird, or other lower birth.

This is certainly not liberation.

What Kind of “Mukti” Is This?

The Markandey Puran itself demonstrates that:

• Shraadh does not grant salvation.
• Pind-Daan does not take one to God.
• Arbitrary rituals only push souls deeper into the trap of Kaal.
• Even a spiritually advanced sage like Ruchi was dragged down when he left the Vedic path.

The so-called “liberation” gained by Pind-Daan is nothing more than:

✔ Leaving the ghost body → to enter an animal or bird body

This is not moksha. This is continued suffering.

Conclusion — Shraadh Is Against the Scriptures

The story of Sage Ruchi makes the truth crystal clear:

• Shraadh, Pind-Daan, and karmkand are Avidya according to the Vedas.
• These rituals do not lead to liberation—rather, they keep souls trapped in the cycle of suffering.
• Even those who perform them fall into lower births.

Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj strongly emphasizes the same eternal principle: True worship is that which is scripture-based, and the Vedas do not command Shraadh.

Therefore, a seeker must abandon karm-kand and follow the path shown by the Supreme God through a Tatvdarshi Saint to attain real salvation.