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{{Short description|Spirits of departed ancestors in Hinduism}}

The '''pitris''' ({{Langx|sa|पितृ|lit=forefathers}}, {{IAST3|Pitṛ}}) are the spirits of departed [[Ancestor|ancestors]] in [[Hinduism]]. Following an individual's death, the performance of the [[antyesti]] (funeral rites) is regarded to allow the deceased to enter Pitrloka, the abode of one's ancestors. The non-performance of these rituals is believed to result in the fate of wandering the earth as a restless [[preta]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Cush |first1=Denise |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3N4mGlbutbgC&dq=pitr+forefather+encyclopedia&pg=PA599 |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |last2=Robinson |first2=Catherine |last3=York |first3=Michael |date=2012-08-21 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-18978-5 |pages=599 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[amavasya]] (new moon day),<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bhatt |first1=Dr G. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GXfvDwAAQBAJ&dq=manes+new+moon+day&pg=PA688 |title=The Padma-Purana Part 2: Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology Volume 40 |last2=Deshpande |first2=Dr N. A. |date=2013-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-3907-6 |pages=688 |language=en}}</ref> as well as the occasion of [[Pitri Paksha]] during the [[Hindu month]] of [[Ashvin (month)|Ashvin]] is recommended for the veneration of pitrs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Buck |first=Cecil Henry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1hqfTQZJm8QC&dq=pitra+ancestors&pg=PA98 |title=Faiths, Fairs & Festivals of India |date=1977 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-1304-1 |pages=98 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Melton |first=J. Gordon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KDU30Ae4S4cC&dq=pitra+ancestors&pg=PA698 |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations |date=2011 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-205-0 |pages=698 |language=en}}</ref>

== Development ==
[[File:ਬੇਰੀ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਬਣੀ ਹੋਈ ਪਿੱਤਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੜ੍ਹੀ.jpg|thumb|An altar built under a tree for Pitr veneration in [[Haryana]], [[India]]]][[Veneration of the dead|Ancestor veneration]] is an ancient Indian practice. The custom of a [[death anniversary]] is still practised in India, where the deathday of one's parents involves a number of rituals and offerings, that are elaborated in the [[Puranas]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8-BoAAAAcAAJ&dq=manes+hinduism&pg=PA329 |title=The Vishńu Puráńa (Vishṇupurāṇam), a System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition, Translated from the Original Sanscrit, and Illustrated by Notes Derived Chiefly from Other Puráńas, by H. H. Wilson |date=1840 |pages=329 |language=en}}</ref> Balls of [[rice]] (Piṇḍa) are traditionally offered on certain occasions, due to the belief that one's ancestors still need to be fed by their descendants. For the members of the priesthood class, a sacrifice dedicated to one's pitrs must be performed on a daily basis. While the Vedic religion held that one's forefathers attain [[Svarga]], the heavenly realm, most Hindus today believe in [[Saṃsāra|samsara]], the cycle of rebirth, where all departed souls reincarnate on earth until they achieve [[spiritual liberation]], called [[moksha]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mani |first=Vettam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&dq=forefathers+pitrs+encyclopedia&pg=PA94 |title=Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature |date=2015-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0597-2 |pages=36 |language=en}}</ref> 

According to popular belief, the fire deity, [[Agni]], is believed to carry the deceased to Pitrloka with the smoke that emerges during [[cremation]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Michaels |first=Axel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vmUuEAAAQBAJ&dq=forefathers+hinduism+pitr&pg=PA144 |title=Hinduism: Past and Present |date=2021-08-10 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-23401-4 |pages=144 |language=en}}</ref>

The pitrs are often likened to birds, as they are described to always be looking down on earth; the ancient Baudhayana stated that pitrs assume the form of birds. This led to the practice of feeding birds during funeral rites, and rituals associated with ancestor veneration.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Garg |first=Gaṅgā Rām |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WjDcd0cTFxQC&dq=manes+hinduism&pg=PA443 |title=Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World |date=1992 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn=978-81-7022-375-7 |pages=443 |language=en}}</ref>

Texts like the [[Mahabharata]] establish the concept of the living performing pious deeds for the benefit of their departed ancestors. Rather than a form of worship, it is stated to be the duty of every male descendant to perform rites for their pitrs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sutton |first=Nicholas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rFyUHC-ORp4C&dq=pitrs+forefathers&pg=PA90 |title=Religious Doctrines in the Mahābhārata |date=2000 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1700-5 |pages=90 |language=en}}</ref>  

[[Sāyaṇa|Sayana]], a scholar of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]], regarded every individual born to be under the debt of their pitrs. This debt is redeemed by continuing the race, which is done by procreation. This act is stated to protect and offer longevity from the pitrs. The world of the pitrs, according to him, could only be achieved by the pious, and is unreachable by those who hate [[Hindu deities]] or injure Brahmins.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Nagendra Kr |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jXw7-PdwZ7oC&dq=pitrloka&pg=PA97 |title=Vedic Mythology |date=1997 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-7024-867-5 |pages=97 |language=en}}</ref>

==Literature==
Pitrs have been featured in Hinduism since the [[Rigveda]], with hymns invoking [[Agni]] to decide which offerings should go to the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]], and which to one's pitrs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2021-08-27 |title=Rig Veda 10.16.11 [English translation] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/rig-veda-english-translation/d/doc838669.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> In this text, the Pitrloka and [[Devaloka]] are regarded to be indistinct. They are regarded to be distinct in the [[Atharvaveda]], and in the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]], Devaloka becomes preferable to attain to the Pitroka.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Seaford |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cG_CDwAAQBAJ&dq=pitrloka&pg=PA168 |title=The Origins of Philosophy in Ancient Greece and India: A Historical Comparison |date=2019-12-05 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-108-49955-2 |pages=168 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Manusmriti]] states that a son born of the [[Brahma marriage]] absolves the sins of ten pitrs on the ascending side, and ten on the descending side of his family, as well as himself as the twenty-first.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2016-10-28 |title=Manusmriti Verse 3.37 |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/manusmriti-with-the-commentary-of-medhatithi/d/doc199812.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Smriti|Smriti texts]] of Hinduism state that any person who does not perform the [[Śrāddha|Shraddha]] ritual is not entitled to inheritance.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jośī |first=Lakshmaṇaśāstrī |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9xm7Jub14JMC&dq=manes+hinduism&pg=PA92 |title=Critique of Hinduism and Other Religions |date=1996 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |isbn=978-81-7154-832-3 |pages=92 |language=en}}</ref>

According to the [[Puranas]], the first pitrs were the [[Prajapati|Prajapatis]], the progenitors of the human race. After the performance of a penance, [[Brahma]] is described to have ordered the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]], who had ceased to worship him, to acquire instruction from their sons regarding the manner of devotion and veneration. The devas were forced to call their own sons pitrs - fathers.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Cush |first1=Denise |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3N4mGlbutbgC&dq=pitr+forefathers+encyclopedia&pg=PA597 |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |last2=Robinson |first2=Catherine |last3=York |first3=Michael |date=2012-08-21 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-18978-5 |pages=597 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2018-11-03 |title=The power of the Manes (pitṛ) [Chapter 40] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226600.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

The most complete accounts about the pitrs are found in the [[Vayu Purana]] and [[Brahmanda Purana]] texts, that are regarded to be identical. The account in the [[Harivamsa|Harivamsha]] resembles them. Brief accounts are also found in the [[Matsya Purana]] and [[Padma Purana]]. According to these accounts, there are different classes of the pitrs, who have different origins, forms, grades, as well as abodes. A broad distinction is said to exist between the ''{{IAST|devāḥ pitaraḥ}}'' (divine pitrs) and the ''{{IAST|manuṣyāḥ pitaraḥ}}'' (pitrs who were deceased human beings). Some of the pitrs dwell in [[Devaloka]], while other dwell in [[Patala]]. The [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] and the pitrs of Devaloka are often regarded to be synonymous.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2014-09-07 |title=Pitri, Pitṛ: 26 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pitri |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Vishnu Purana]] states that the most devout of Brahmins go to Pitrloka.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2014-08-30 |title=Origin of the four castes [Chapter VI] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/vishnu-purana-wilson/d/doc115941.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

In the [[Mahabharata]], while [[Yudhishthira]] talks to [[Bhishma]] upon his bed of arrows, the latter states that whether one is a deva or [[asura]], a human being, [[gandharva]] or uraga or [[rakshasa]], [[Pishacha|pisaca]] or [[kinnara]], one must always venerate one's pitrs. He states that performing the Shraddha ritual on each successive day of the lunar fortnight, one reaps merits, such as acquiring beautiful spouses and successful children on the first day, daughters on the second day, steeds on the third day, and so on.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2021-08-18 |title=Section LXXXVII [Mahabharata, English] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-mahabharata-mohan/d/doc826412.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

The pitrs are most primeval deities and they never cease to exist. The ''{{IAST|manuṣyāḥ pitaraḥ}}'' (ancestors of human beings) can attain the same level of the divine pitrs and live with them in [[Svarga]] by righteousness.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

They are reborn at the end of every thousand ''[[mahayuga]]s'' and revive the worlds.{{Clarify|reason=1,000 mahayugas is a kalpa, which starts with creation and life and ends with the opposite. It is followed by a pralaya (night or partial dissolution) of equal length where there is no activity and has no creation or life.|date=December 2020}} From them all the [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]]s, and all progeny at the new creation, are said to be produced.<ref>Pargiter, F.E (1922, reprint 1972). ''Ancient Indian Historical Tradition'', Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, pp.&nbsp;46-7</ref>

== Legends ==
The legend of [[Aurva]] from the [[Mahabharata]] features the sage's pitrs appearing before him to request him to cease his [[Tapas (Indian religions)|penance]], which produces the [[Vadavagni]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Aurva |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241427.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> 

A legend from the [[Devi-Bhagavata Purana|Devi Bhagavata Purana]] narrates that the sage [[Jaratkaru]] was once travelling through the forest, when he came across his pitrs, hanging over a precipice at the end of a blade of grass. When enquiring regarding their state, the pitrs told Jaratkaru that they experienced this condition due to the latter's childlessness, which resulted in them not being to enter Svarga. To save his pitrs from their ordeal, the sage married [[Manasa]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mani |first=Vettam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&dq=forefathers+pitrs+encyclopedia&pg=PA94 |title=Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature |date=2015-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0597-2 |pages=94 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Brahmanda Purana]] narrates the episode of [[Pururavas]] propitiating his pitrs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-06-19 |title=Meeting of Purūravas and Pitṛs [Chapter 28] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-brahmanda-purana/d/doc362846.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

A legend from the [[Skanda Purana]] explains the origin of the [[Śrāddha|Shraddha]] ritual, stating that not offering these rites to one's ancestors during the [[amavasya]] (new moon day) will lead to one's pitrs suffering from hunger and thirst.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2021-01-18 |title=Origin of Śrāddha [Chapter 216] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc502195.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

The legend of [[Bhagiratha]] features the king performing arduous penances to [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]] and [[Shiva]], to free his ancestors from [[Patala]], where they had been destroyed by [[Kapila]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vaswani |first=J. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ePNvEAAAQBAJ&dq=bhagiratha+ganga+forefathers&pg=PT119 |title=Stories with a difference from the Bhagavata Purana |date=2019-06-20 |publisher=Gita Publishing House |isbn=978-93-86004-23-9 |pages=119 |language=en}}</ref>

==Classes==

There are seven classes of the {{IAST|devāḥ pitaraḥ}} (divine pitrs), three of them are ''amurtayah'' (incorporeal) while the other four are ''samurtayah'' (corporeal). The three incorporeal orders of the pitrs are ''Vairaja''s, ''Agnishvatta''s and ''Barhishada''s. The four corporeal orders of the pitrs are ''Somapa''s, ''Havishmana''s, ''Ajyapa''s, and ''Sukalin''s (or ''[[Manas (early Buddhism)|Manasa]]''s).<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Pitṛ |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241834.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

===The Pitṛ-Vaṁśa===

All seven classes of the divine pitrs had each one ''mānasī kanyā'' (mind-born daughter). ''Mena'', the wife of Mount [[Himavat]] was the daughter of the ''Vairaja''s. ''Acchoda'', the river was the daughter of the ''Agnishvatta''s. ''Pivari'', the wife of the sage [[Śuka|Shuka]] was the daughter of the ''Barhishada''s. ''[[Narmada River|Narmada]]'', the river was the daughter of the ''Somapa''s. ''Yashoda'' was the daughter of the ''Havishmana''s was the wife of ''Vishvamahat'' and mother of Dilipa. ''Viraja'', the wife of king [[Nahusha]] was the daughter of the ''Ajyapa''s and ''Go'' or ''Ekshringa'', the wife of the sage [[Shukra]] was the daughter of the ''Manasa''s.<ref>Pargiter, F.E (1922, reprint 1972). ''Ancient Indian Historical Tradition'', Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, p.69</ref>

==See also==
* [[Ancestor veneration]]
* [[Manes]]
* [[Pitri Paksha]]
* [[Preta]]
* [[Śrāddha]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*Dallapiccola, Anna: ''Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend'' ({{ISBN|0-500-51088-1}}).

{{Death in Hinduism}}
{{Hindu samskaras|state=collapsed}}
{{Worship in Hinduism}}
{{Brahmanda}}
{{HinduMythology}}
{{Hindudharma}}
{{Asia in topic|Hinduism in}}

[[Category:Characters in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Veneration of the dead]]