Chapter 200 - Bhartṛyajña Prescribes Expiatory Rites

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Viśvāmitra said:

1-2. When it dawned and the disc of the sun rose up the daughter of the noble-souled one approached her father and mother crying all the while. With tears tormenting her eyes, she spoke in faltering words:

3-4. “O father, O mother, what a sin has been committed by both of you that I have been given in marriage to a low born, a sinner of wicked soul.

He has absconded at nightfall after revealing to me his real family Hence, I shall jump into blazing fire.”

5. On hearing her words, Subhadraka, the Dīkṣita (initiated one), fell on the ground like a tree broken by wind. He lay on the ground motionless.

6. He was repeatedly sprinkled with cold water. He regained consciousness with very great difficulty. He was surrounded by his kinsmen. Repeatedly beating his head, he lamented in different ways.

7-14. Then all those Brāhmaṇas who had become defiled through their association with him approached Bhartṛyajña accompanied by him (Subhadraka). With humility they spoke loudly to him: “A Cāṇḍāla in the guise of a Brāhmaṇa remembered by the name Candraprabha was kept in his abode by Subhadra along with his daughter whom he had given to Candraprabha.

For a year and a half he had been employed in the rites pertaining to deities as well as Pitṛs. The wretch of sinful activities was not found out so far. But now everything has become clear.

O highly esteemed one, the entire holy spot has been defiled due to the contact of Subhadra with the low-caste one. So do fix up a deterrent (restraining) punishment.

Food has been taken by some persons in his house. Water has been drunk by others. Still others took him to their house and gave him food.

Or, of what avail is much talk, O excellent Brāhmaṇa? There is no one who is not adversely affected by an illegitimate mixing up with that sinner.

O highly intelligent one, formerly this holy spot was rendered meritorious by you. You are senior to all, a veritable preceptor unto all. Hence, prescribe a means of purification for us.”

15. Thereupon, he pondered over many Smṛtis and scriptural texts for a long time and recommended the expiatory rites for all those Brāhmaṇas.

16. He prescribed a hundred Cāndrāyaṇas to Subhadra who used to maintain sacred fires. He ordered him to give away all utensils and buy fresh ones.

17. In order to purify the middle of the house, he ordered a hundred thousand Homas. Self-immolation in fire was enjoined upon his daughter.

18. The noble-souled one declared that everyone who took food in his (Candraprabha’s) house should perform as many Kṛcchras as the number of times he took food.

19. O king, Prājāpatya (expiatory) rites were enjoined upon those who drank water in his house, based on the quantity of water drunk there.

20. Prājāpatya rites were enjoined separately for the Brāhmaṇas and others who inhabited that region and so had been defiled by touching him.

21. Half of the same number was prescribed in the case of women and Śūdras and quarter in the case of children and old people. Earthen pots were to be given up altogether.

22. Rasatyāga (Eschewing tasty juices) was prescribed in the case of all the people. Ten million Homas were indicated to be performed in the manner enjoined in the Brahmasthāna for the purification of the entire Sthāna (holy spot) by means of the collective wealth (or contribution) of the entire place.

23. Then he raised his hand and proclaimed in a loud tone to all those Brāhmaṇas hailing from the city:

24. “His entire possession should be given to Brāhmaṇas by Subhadra. A quarter of their possession should be given by those who took food in his house.

25. An eighth (part) should be given by those who drank water. A gift of cows should be made by those defiled by his touch. Monetary gifts in accordance with their capacity (was to be given) by the remaining people.

26. The Dīkṣita should perform the Japa of a hundred thousand Gāyatrī Mantras. The Japa should be performed by the other Brāhmaṇas in the same proportion as in the case of monetary fine (or financial status).

27. I will perform three hundred Prāṇāyāmas every day, O excellent Brāhmaṇas. I will take food only once during six times of meals.

28. By the end of a year, there shall be purity regained. Thus everything is the result of the contact of. that wicked-souled one.”

29. After saying thus, he told the foremost excellent Brāhmaṇas through the Madhyaga. The Madhyaga orally conveyed this to those who were in the Brahmasthāna.

30. “From now onwards, if a Nāgara gives his daughter to another one without assuring himself that he is a Nāgara he will become fallen.

31. He will be Aśrāddheya (not worthy of invitation to a Śrāddha) and Apāṅkteya (not fit enough to be in the same row with other Brāhmaṇas) especially to the Nāgaras.

32. If any one offers Śrāddha to any one other than a Nāgara, his Pitṛs will go away with averted faces along with the Devas.

33-35. This stipulation has been made by me with regard to all the Nāgaras. If any one imbibes Soma without another Nāgara as companion, undoubtedly that Nāgara drinks liquor. If anyone performs a Śrāddha rite without his concurrence all the Śrāddha rite shall be futile. If anyone feeds a Nāgara who is devoid of purity, in the course of a Śrāddha, the entire thing becomes futile.

36-37. Hence for the sake of the purity of their own holy spot this purificatory rite should be performed every year by excellent Brāhmaṇas.”

Viśvāmitra said:

Thus everything I was asked has been explained by me. I have explained how Bhartṛyajña settled the qualification of the Nāgaras for presiding over Śrāddha rites and how he stipulated the conditions thereof.