Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c35.s2.31

v4.c35.s2.31

In giving the description of the Pitṛis, the āgamas state that they are three in number and that they must be seated either on the same wooden seat or on a bhadra-pīṭha; the three pitṛis are the father, the grandfather and the great grandfather. These must be sculptured as old but good looking and strong people of yellow colour, draped in yellow garments and wearing each an yajñōpavīta. On their head must be the kēśa-bandha and they should be adorned with all ornaments: their body should be smeared with ashes (bhasma). They should have nice teeth and have with them a walking stick and an umbrella. The pitṛis should have only two arms of which the left one should be kept stretched out on the knee of the bent left leg; the right hand should be held in the sūchi-hasta pose. The Viṣṇudharmōttara states that the pitṛis should be seated upon kuśāsana (mat made of kuśa or on spread out kuśa grass) and that they should carry the piṇḍapātra or the vessel to receive the rice-balls offered to them by their living descendants.