Significance of Preta

In Vaishnavism, Preta refers to restless spirits or entities that experience suffering, often due to sins committed in life. The term represents ghosts or spirits that may haunt the earthly realm, particularly those who died under specific conditions or werent properly honored. They are associated with the need for Shraddha offerings to ensure their peace. In various traditions, Pretas can also symbolize beings that experience distress and insatiable desires, commonly referred to as "hungry ghosts" in Mahayana Buddhism.1
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Synonyms: Dark, Black, Pitch, Sable

In German: Preta; In Finnish: Preta; In Spanish: Preta; In Dutch: Pret

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Preta'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, Preta signifies spirits or ghosts suffering from insatiable desires, often depicted as hungry ghosts unable to consume food, enduring harsh conditions due to karmic influences, and representing a low status in the spiritual hierarchy.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The Pretas are used as an example by the Madhyamikas and the Vijnanavadins to illustrate how the same phenomenon can be perceived differently based on one's mental state, with them perceiving water as burning embers.[1] (2) The pretas are the beings for whom the rain is burning embers, illustrating the different experiences of beings based on their karmic conditions.[2] (3) A being who, despite having radiance, suffers due to past harmful actions.[3] (4) A class of beings that experience suffering due to their insatiable desires, often referred to as hungry ghosts.[4] (5) The pretas are described as beings unable to consume food, which transforms for them into glowing embers or impure substances.[5]

From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara

(1) Pretas, in terms of their population, are comparable to the count of sand grains found within the Ganges River.[6]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Patipada (path of practice)

(1) These are beings that people might be exiled to live with, as the status is low and inferior, which nobody wants to pay respect to.[7] (2) Spirits or ghosts, as well as the Devatas and the Naga–kings that the Acariya is able to interact with.[8]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: Hualin International Journal of Buddhist Studies

(1) This refers to a hungry ghost shown with an enormously enlarged thyroid gland, and is a truly illustrative indication of this, who is said to be unable to swallow food and drink.[9]

Hindu concept of 'Preta'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Preta refers to spirits or ghosts of the deceased, particularly those experiencing distress or hunger due to improper rites or unnatural deaths, often needing Shraddha offerings for peace and salvation.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) Pretas are beings that live below the Siddhas, Caranas, and Vidyadharas, along with Yakshas, Rakshasas, Pishacas and Bhutas, and are located in the Lokas.[10] (2) A disembodied spirit for those punished in hell who then travel over the earth burnt up with fire.[11]

From: Garuda Purana

(1) The departed soul for whom the Shraddha ceremony is performed, seeking blessings for its salvation.[12]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Shaktism (Shakta philosophy):
Shaktism Books

Shakta or Shaktism (shaktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) A term meaning 'departed' or 'deceased,' conventionally used to refer to individuals who have recently died rather than in its etymological sense.[13]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) Pretas are believed to be restless spirits or entities that are in a state of suffering.[14]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Plural form: Pretas.