Pitṛ/Father is indicated by Sūrya. Mātṛ/Mother is indicated by Chandra. Hence, Pitṛ Doṣa is Sūrya doṣa. And this doṣa is affliction of Sūrya from Śani. Śani has the power to pull Sūrya down. Śani is the shadow coming on Sūrya/light. And shadow in this context has a negative connotation. This is a concerning doṣa when Sūrya receives planetary aspect/graha dṛṣti from Śani. The degree of Pitṛ Doṣa will vary on basis of the following 2 scenarios:

1] Sūrya is placed in the 3^rd or 10^th House from Śani: This is a serious Pitṛ Doṣa as Sūrya can’t cast its planetary aspect/graha dṛṣti on Śani in response i.e., Sūrya isn’t able to fight back in this case. This can cause separation from Father. Both the father & child had obviously done some negative karmas to have such an experience in this life. When the Father will pass away the child may not be there with him and won’t be able to perform the last rites. This separation of the child and father can happen much before father’s death.

2] Sūrya in 7^th House from Śani – This is a Middling Pitṛ Doṣa as Sūrya is also casting its aspect on Śani in this case i.e., Sūrya is fighting back. In this scenario, separation between the child and father can happen around the time of death of the father. A child born having Sūrya in the 7th House from Śani could be a favorite of the father. However, the father will still see some troubles, financial and other related problems. But the child will be with the father throughout like a pillar of strength for him. But somehow around the time of death of the father, the child may not be there.

Example Chart:

Prabhū Śri Rāma

In the chart of Prabhū Śri Rāma, we see Sūrya in the 7th House from Śani(R). Hence, Surya is fighting back. And this is no ordinary Sūrya. This is Exalted/Uchcha and Vargottama Sūrya. Being in Meṣa Rāśi, this Sūrya unleashed Mangala/Hanumān Bhagawān and burnt Lanka down. [This was the Sūrya dṛṣti burning Śani(R)]. So, this means, whoever will have this Sūrya-Śani opposition will be brave enough to fight evils. Because evil is indicated by Śani. However, Śri Rāma’s Father King Daśarath did pass away when his favorite son was away from him.