Chapter 12 - Rules regarding Śrāddha rituals and the five Mahāyajñas

Sūta Said:—

1. The Devas and the Pitṛs are regarded to be mutually governed and interdependent. Bṛhaspati said that this is the injunction in Atharvan Veda.

2. One should worship the Pitṛs first and the Devas after. Indeed, even the Devas scrupulously worship the Pitṛs at the outset.

3. A daughter of Dakṣa was well known by the name Viśvā. Ten sons were born to her with Dharma the god of virtue and piety. They are called Viśvas (Viśvedevas).

4. They were well-renowned in the three worlds. They were bowed down to by all the worlds. All those noble-souled ones performed a great and severe penance.

5. They performed their penance on the charming summit of the Himalaya, frequented by the groups of celestial sages. Delighted by their pure mind, the Pitṛs then spoke (to them).

6-7. “Choose your boons. We are pleased. What desire of yours shall we fulfil?”

When this was spoken by the Pitṛs, Brahmā who had evolved the three worlds, who had great splendour and who had been propitiated by them by their penance said—“I am pleased with this penance. What desire of yours shall I fulfil?”

8. Thus addressed by Brahmā, the creator of the Universe, those Viśve-Devas collectively spoke to Brahmā, the sanctifier (or the creator) of the world.

9. “Let us too have a share in the Śrāddha. This is the boon desired by us.” Thereupon, Brahmā who is honoured by the Devas, replied to them.

10. “The boon desired by you shall become so” (materialised). “So be it” said the Pitṛs. It is hence that there is no doubt.

11-16a. Whatever is seen here should be enjoyed along with us. You too can partake of the food offering^[1] in the Śrāddha dedicated to us by human beings. We are speaking the truth. With garlands, scents and food offerings they will worship you at the outset. Having offered these to you first, they will offer to us afterwards. But Visarjana (Ritualistic Dismissal or Bidding farewell) is accorded to us first and that of the Devas comes subsequently. These two injunctions regarding Śrāddha and hospitality shall be observed in the holy rites of the Bhūtas (Goblins), Devatās and the Pitṛs. If it is done thus, everything shall be all right”.

After bestowing the boon on them in this manner, Brahmā, the conferer of forgiveness and blessings, carried out everything as mentioned, along with the groups of Pitṛs.

16b-17, Five great Yajñas have been prescribed in the Veda for men to perform. Every man shall always perform these five “Mahā Yajñas”. Understand the region where those who perform these Yajñas will stay perpetually.

18. They attain the region pertaining to Brahmā, a place that is free from fear, devoid of Rajas quality, griefless, free from pain and exhaustion and honoured by all the worlds.

19. These five Yajñas must be performed by a śūdra also but without the Mantras. If anyone takes food without performing them, he actually partakes of debts for ever.

20. He who cooks for himself is a sinful soul and partakes of debts. Hence, a learned man should always perform these five Mahā-Yajñas.

21. The oblation should be offered near a water-pond (or river etc.) in the north-eastern quarter. One should prepare oblation very well in accordance with the injunction. It shall be thrown up very high repeating the Mantras loudly.

22. (Defective text) The cow’s urine should be taken in a pot made of the hollow horn. A thread shall be placed in it and offered as oblation^[2]. That rice ball shall be Naivedya (food offering) to one who is alive among the Pitṛs.

23. One should feed him with desired food, rice and other types of foodstuffs in accordance with the injunctions. Some wish Naivedya should be scrupulously offered even to a person who is alive.

24. The Pitṛs are gods of the gods and noble-souled. Hence, some preceptors wish that the worship of the Brāhmaṇas should be carried out always in the beginning and the rice-balls should be offered afterwards.

25-26. Bṛhaspati who is an expert in affairs of Dharma (Ritualistic practice) has said that it should not be so. One shall offer and dedicate the rice-balls (Piṇḍas) first and feed the Brāhmaṇas afterwards. The Pitṛs have Yogic souls. The noble-souled Pitṛs are born of Yogic power.

27. These Pitṛs strengthen and develop the Soma (Moon). They abide by their Yogic power. Hence, one should offer the Piṇḍas to the Yogic souls retaining personal purity and concentrated devotion to them.

28-29a. This shall be a direct Havis offering to the Pitṛs. If a person abiding by Yogic power is fed, it is as fruitful as feeding a thousand Brāhmaṇas. Just as a boat enables us to cross an expanse of water, so also (the offering of oblations) redeems the Yajamāna (sponsor or performerer of Śrāddha) as well as those who partake of the food.

29b-30a. A severe punishment meted out by providence suddenly descends to the place where bad persons are held in esteem and the good persons are disrespected.

30b-31a. If a person does unite one having good qualities and feeds a person of puerile nature, the performer of that Śrāddha perishes soon after performing rite (?)

31 b-32. A man who seeks enjoyment of worldly pleasures shall always offer first Piṇḍa to the (sacred) fire. He who seeks progeny shall scrupulously offer the middle Piṇḍa along with (the repetition of) Mantras. He who wishes for the excellent splendour and brilliance offers it to the cows.^[3]

33. One who seeks intellect, fame and renown consigns it to the waters. One who seeks a long life offers it to the crows.

34. One who wishes for a graceful tenderness (of the body) offers it to the cocks. Thus the benefit of offering the rice-balls has been recounted.

35. One should send it up in the sky or put it in the water facing the southern quarter. The abode of the Pitṛs is in the sky or the southern quarter.

36. Some Brāhmaṇas say thus—“After being permitted by those Brāhmaṇas who say—“Let it be freely lifted up”—the devotee shall lift up the rice balls at the outset (or from the tips).

37. One shall take out the tips (uppermost part) of flowers, fruits, foodstuffs and rice and perform Homa in the fire with all those things.

38. After performing Homa in the fire with the foodstuffs, cooked rice, beverage, roots and fruits he should offer the Piṇḍas facing the southern quarter.

39. After performing Homa to Vaivasvata (i.e. Yama) and Soma, after offering Piṇḍas along with the libation of water, one should feed the Brāhmaṇas.

40. Thereafter, he should propitiate the Brāhmaṇa in the proper order consistent with his capacity, with hot and glossy (mixed with ghee) foodstuffs and cooked rice smelling sweet (with ghee and spices).

41. The man obtains all that he desires if he serves them with concentration and purity (mental and physical). He shall stand by them with palms joined in reverence. He shall be loyal, faithful and devoted to them.

42. The grandfathers (manes) bestow these qualities—viz. Akṣudratva (the state of not being mean and low) gratefulness, chivalry, refined speech, power of penance, Yajñas and charitable gifts.

43. Hereafter listen, even as I recount, to the auspicious procedure which is carried out in the proper order after the Brāhmaṇas have taken their food.

44. The performer of Śrāddha devoutly attached to the Pitṛs, shall at the outset sprinkle the ground and lift (a particle). Then he scatters the rice in accordance with the injunctions.

45-46. The Svadhā Mantra is repeated. The Brāhmaṇas are offered plenty of monetary gifts duly. He then asks them “What is to be done with the balance of foodstuffs?” They then formally permit him to partake of it along with the members of his family.

47. After honouring the excellent Brāhmaṇas thus, he shall follow them with palms joined in reverence. With purity in mind he shall bid them farewell.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

yuṣmānaprāśanam is obscure even though emended as annaprāśanam. Agrāsanam (you will have priority) in Vā. P. 76-12 is better, and is supported by the following vv.

[2]:

The text is obscure. The Vā. P. 76.22 reads:

para-śṛṅgavām pūrvaro balīṃ sūkṣmaṃ samutkṣipet /

[3]:

VV. 31-35 refer to the disposal of Piṇḍas. Cf. Mbh. Anuśāsana 125-38-40, BmP. 220.150-52 for similar views.