("an ancestor's sacrifice") One of the Five Great Sacrifices (panchamahayajna) enumerated in the dharma literature (religious teachings).
These Five Great Sacrifices are daily observances for a
"twice-born" householder, that is, someone who was born into one of
India's three "twice-born" groups—brahmin, kshatriya, or vaishya—and
obtained the teenage religious initiation known as "second birth."
Each of the five yajnas (sacrifices) is aimed towards a distinct class of
creatures, ranging from the Absolute Reality to animals, and is gratified by
diverse activities.
The pitryajna is aimed towards one's ancestors and is
appeased by offering them water libations (tarpana).
Since the dharma literature was written, Hindu life has
changed dramatically, and several of these five practices have been totally
eliminated.
Pitryajna is still an important ritual in certain
circumstances, such as pilgrimage destinations and ceremonial ceremonies for
the deceased, although it is no longer done on a regular basis.
