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Pitri
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== 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>
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