20 - Seven Classes of Pitrus: Rites of Propitiating them

Bruhaspati said: 

1. Thus, these Pitrus¹ are Devas; they are the deities of even the Devas. These Pitrus who have no change or decay are always stationed in seven abodes. 

1. Pitrus were originally three generations of ancestors in the Vedic times. But later on in Purāņic times Pitrus were divided as heavenly viz. Vasus, Rudras and Adityas and humans (laukika) viz. father, grand-father and great grand-father. In later Puraņas the number of classes of Pitrus increased to seva as here. Our text echoes the division of Pitrus as given in Vå.P.73, Varåha P. 13, 16 ff, Pd.P. Srušhti 9.2-4. 

2-3. They are the sons of Prajāpati. The first group of all these noble-souled ones, is conducive to the regular increase of the Yogic power of the Yogins. The second group is the set of Pitrus for the Devas; the third group is that of the Dänavas and others. It should be known that the remaining ones belong to the members of the four castes. Thus all of them have been recounted. 

4. The Devas worship these Pitrus who abide by all kinds of knowledge. The four Aśhramas (stages of life) worship them in the due order. 

5. All the four castes worship them in accordance with the scriptures. Similarly, persons of the mixed castes as well as the Barbarians worship them. 

6-7. The Pitrus give delight to him who worships them with great devotion. 

The Pitrus and the Pitāmahas (grandfathers) give nourish- ment, progeny and heaven to the person who desires nourishment and progeny. The sacred rites of the Pitrus excel the rites of the Devas. 

8-9a. It is laid down in the Smruti that the Pitrus should be propitiated before the Devas. Indeed, the subtle movement of the Yogic power of the Pitrus is not comprehended by men even by means of well-reputed penance. What then by means of the Physical eye? 

9b-11. To all, whether the Devas or the Pitrus, the silver vessel or one coated with silver accompanied by silver is mentioned as excellent and sanctifying. The relatives give the Pindas three in number, in that vessel mentioning their names and Gotras. The Piņdas are to be offered on the ground also by covering it with the Darbha grass in accordance with the injunctions. While placing them they are to be placed wearing the sacred thread on the right shoulder; kept anywhere the Piņdas please the Pitrus. 

12-13. The food offered to the Pitrus becomes his own food. 

Just as the lost calf obtains the mother at the cowpen so also the food offered to the Pitrus reaches them. The Mantra takes it to the place where the Jantu stays. The utterance of names and the Gotras and the Mantras take the food offered to the Pitrus. 

14-16. Satisfaction follows them even if they were to take a hundred births. 

It is thus that the power of Brahmå the Parameșhthin exists in the first creation of the Pitrus who seek the everlasting state of the worlds. 

Thus these Pitrus, their worlds, daughters, grandsons and the sponsors of the sacrifice have been recounted by me, O sinless one. O son, the Pitrus have been recounted to you in due order.

Shamyu said: 

17. "The divine creation of the Pitrus has been recounted by you, O dear father. Their worlds, their daughters and their grandsons have been heard. 

18. The charitable gifts and their benefits have been glorified along with the purificatory rites. The state of its being of everlasting benefit¹ has been cited. The Brāhmaṇas have been mentioned. From today onwards I shall perform these duly". 

1. As a matter of fact the theory of Karman and re-incarnations (Punarjanma) weakens the basis of the performance of Shraddha. Hence this belief is propagated in Puråņas and other works on Dharma Sastra. 

Bruhaspati said: 

19-21. “Thus said the holy lord Angiras to the sages. On being asked to clear their doubts he said to the sages in the assembly of men formerly in the extensive Satra (sacrifice) lasting a thousand years. In that Satra the Sadaspati (the Presiding Lord) was Brahma thc lord of Devas. Five thousand years have elapsed since then. In this connection verses have been sung by the sages who expounded the Brahman. 

22. Formerly, in the Sattra, Brahmă the great soul took the initiation. There itself excellent food was given to the Pitrus who seek everlasting benefit of the worlds.” 

Sūta said: 

23. "On being asked formerly by his intelligent son, Bruhaspati thus recounted the creation of the Pitrus. It has been cited now by me."