What is the difference between Pitru Dosh and Pitrupaksha Shradh?

Pitrupaksha Shradh is the annual fifteen-day period of ancestral rites performed for all departed family members — it is a regular, preventive practice that maintains healthy ancestral relations and provides nourishment to the souls in Pitru Loka. Pitru Dosh is a specific karmic affliction that has already developed due to past neglect of ancestral rites or difficult ancestral circumstances. Pitrupaksha Shradh alone may not be sufficient to resolve an existing Pitru Dosh — specific remediation rituals like Pind Daan, Narayan Bali, or Tripindi Shradh are required. Think of Pitrupaksha Shradh as regular maintenance, and Pitrudosh Nivaran as a targeted treatment when problems have already manifested.