Ancestors give us their blessing.

Arjuna Vishada Yoga 

Chapter 1, Verse 44

 

utsanna-kula-dharmāṇāṁ 

manuṣyāṇāṁ janārdana 

narake’niyataṁ vāso 

bhavatīty-anuśuśruma

 And men whose family morals are corrupted, live forever in Hell.  

Thus have we heard.

 

Here Arjuna says that those who have lost their family tradition and live in vice, fall into Hell. These poor souls will suffer the torture of Hell for an indefinite length of time. So, be careful! If you do bad, your ancestors will also roast in Hell for a long period of time! This Hell is similar to Hell described in Christianity. But the difference is that in Christianity, you’ll stay in Hell forever. Whereas here, you are sent to Hell – for a holiday. 

 

You have to understand that in the pitris tradition, we do Shraddha ceremony to the ancestors. The gratitude that we show to our ancestors is very important. By doing  

good in this world, our ancestors also profit; in return everybody profits, because the ancestors give us their blessing.

Bhagavad Gita