Barhiṣads

Barhiṣads (devanāgarī: बर्हिषद्) is a Sanskrit word used to denominate the Pitṛs (fathers) or ancestors of humanity. In Hinduism they are sometimes regarded as the Pitṛs of the demons, and those who, when alive, kept up the household flame, and presented offerings with fire.

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky put forward a more esoteric interpretation:

A class of the “lunar” Pitris or “Ancestors”, Fathers, who are believed in popular superstition to have kept up, in their past incarnations the household sacred flame and made fire-offerings. Esoterically the Pitris who evolved their shadows or chhayas to make therewith the first man.

Further reading

• Barhishad at Theosopedia