Part 2.5: The Piṇḍapitṛyajña Sacrifice

[Full title: Types of Sacrifices in General (5): Piṇḍapitṛyajña]

According to Kātyāyana the Piṇḍapitṛyajña is a sub ordinate rite of the New Moon sacrifice and it should be performed before the New Moon sacrifice.^[1] But, Jaimini is of the opinion that it is not a sub-ordinate rite of New Moon sacrifice, it is an independent rite.^[2] The name itself indicates a rite where oblation is given to the forefathers^[3]. The day for Piṇḍapitṛyajña is the new moon day. On that day the moon is out of sight and this is the perfect time for Piṇḍapitṛyajña^[4]. Kātyāyana makes it clear by referring to the word aparāhna i.e., the last third part of the day of new moon day as the time of Piṇḍapitṛyajña^[5].

The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa shows the reason why the Piṇḍapitṛyajña is performed in aparāhna i.e., on the last third part of the day. It says that morning is the time of the gods, midday is the time of human beings and afternoon is the time of the forefathers.^[6] In the Piṇḍapitṛyajña main offerings are made to Soma and Agni. To them caru i.e., boiled rice is offered which is boiled in the dakṣiṇā fire and is also offered in the same fire^[7]. After this, the rites related to the Piṇḍas i.e., the rice balls for father, grandfather and great grandfather of the sacrificer are performed. Here three Piṇḍas are offered to father, grandfather and great grandfather of the sacrificer.