Editing Pitri (section)

==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>