History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c75.745

v5.c75.745

Pitṛs, see under 'soul', 'yama', afternoon is the proper time for 345; ancient Vedic texts and practice sharply distinguish between gods and p. 345, are sometimes identified in the Rg. with seven sages 341, are identified with Vasus, Rudras and Ādityas 334, 335, 337, 339, belief that p. move about as birds 339, belief that p assume an aerial form and enter the brāhmanas invited for dinner at śrāddha 340; called Agniṣvātta and Barhiṣad in Ṛgveda 195, 201, called aśrumukha and nāndīmukha 528, created by Brahmā along with gods, asuras and human beings 342; derive sustenance and water when a bull let loose digs up earth or drinks at a pool 541; differences in the procedure of the rites for gods and p. (such as wearing the sacred thread, the direction to be faced, circumambulation, use of svāhā for gods and svadhā for pitṛs) 345-6, different classes of, are Kavyas, Aṅgirases, Ṛkvans, Vairūpas, Atharvans, Bhṛgus, Navagvas and Daśagvas 192, 341, 593, division of pitṛs into Somavantaḥ, Barhiṣadaḥ and Agniṣvāttāḥ 343; earlier and later p. 341, element of the fear of pitṛs is not wanting even in the Rgveda 347, enjoy delight in the company of Yama 193, fire is supposed to take the spirit of a cremated person to the pitṛs 342, Fravashis of Parsi scriptures correspond to pitṛs of ancient Indian works 341n, idea of, is Indo-Iranian 341n, identified with Ṛtus (seasons) in Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa and Manu 428, 430, 450n, interpretation of the word p. by the Āryasamāja 339, in many passages of the vedic literature pitṛs mean three deceased male ancestors 347, invocation of, in Ṛgveda X. 15, 194-195; invocation of, after mentioning their gotra and names 348, invoked for conferring various boons such as happiness, wealth and heroic sons even in the Rgveda, 346, in Vṛddhi-śrāddha are called Nāndīmukha 359n, love soma drink 194, 342, man becomes free from debt due to p by offering water mixed with sesame, by letting loose a bull and by lighting lamps in the rainy season 541; Manu says gods sprang from p 344, meanings of the word p. are two, viz a man's three immediate male ancestors and the ancient ancestors of the human race supposed to reside in a separate world 340-41, names of the pitṛs of brāhmaṇas and the other varṇas 343-44, number of classes of, changed in later times 348, of him who does not offer śrāddha on amāvāsyā even with water or vegetables go away after cursing him 351, of three grades in the Rgveda, lower, middling and higher 341, presentation formula in Sat. Br differs from that of Tai S. 347-348, regale themselves in the company of gods, particularly of Yama 341-42, several classes of, named by Manu who connects them with varnas 344; seven classes of acc. to some Purānas 344, 348, Skandapurāna speaks of nine classes of, 344; spoken of as mortal by Śat. Br. while gods are spoken of as immortal 346, sometimes sages are said to be distinct from pitrs 347, supposed power of p. to benefit or harm the living led to the cult of the dead in ancient societies 339, three classes of p. 348, three male ancestors of a man are called p and identified with the deities Vasus, Rudras and Ādityas 335; took the south 345, twelve groups of pitṛs mentioned by Sātātapa 344, water is offered to pitṛs like Angiras, Kratu, and Kaśyapa while pindas are offered to three male immediate ancestors 347, Vāyu and other purānas distinguish between p who are above and p. who are *laukika* viz. father, grand-father and great-grand-father 348, were in a class apart from the gods 344-345, were supposed to have some divine characteristics though they are placed in a class apart from gods 346; when gratified by śrāddha bestow on their descendants long life, progeny, wealth, learning, all happiness, heaven, and moksa 335, 337