Chapter 221 - Things Worthy of Being Offered in Śrāddha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Bhartṛyajña said:

1. It is for this reason, O king, that no one performs that Śrāddha on that day with Pitṛs in view. They are afraid of the extinction of the family. O king, it is the truth that has been spoken by me.

2. Without performance of Śrāddha, one should give on that day to prominent Brāhmaṇas, milk-pudding along with honey and ghee to their satisfaction.

3. The meat of rhinoceros like Khaḍga and Vādhrīṇasa as well as Kālaśāka should be given to Brāhmaṇas. It has been spoken by all.

4. Vādhrīṇasa is said to be that rhinoceros which is followed by all the herds. It is feeble in all its sense-organs but drinks three times more (water) than others. It accords satisfaction to the Pitṛs always.

5. If it is not available, excellent milk and cooked rice should be given to Brāhmaṇas on that day, O king, for the satisfaction of the Pitṛs.

6. If that is not available, water mixed with gingelly seeds should be given along with Darbha grass, and a gold coin or at least a bit of gold.

7-10. The benefit that one gets by means of performing Pakṣaśrāddha (fortnightly Śrāddha) shall be obtained, O king, by merely offering, without Śrāddha, milk pudding mixed with ghee and honey, Kālaśāka or the meat of Khaḍga mixed with honey. So says the traditional Śruti.

Hence, with all effort, even a poor man should give water mixed with gingelly seeds and a bit of gold if he wishes for (securing) the satisfaction of the Pitṛs. It shall be offered on the day when the constellation is that which is special to the Pitṛs (viz. Maghā) on the thirteenth day of Nabhasya when the Sun is in Hasta.

Ānarta said:

11. O Brāhmaṇa, it is mentioned in the Śāstra, that meat is despicable^[1]. Why is then Śrāddha offered with it? Tell me entirely.

12. A ruthless fellow who nourishes his own flesh by means of the flesh of others shall certainly fall in hell. This has been said by the great sages.

13. But, O excellent Brāhmaṇa, you praise its efficacy especially in the Śrāddha rite. Hence this doubt of mine.

Bhartṛyajña said:

14. It is true, O highly esteemed one, that meat is despised by good men. Yet why is it employed in the Śrāddha rite? I shall tell you.

15. When the act of creation was started by Brahmā, the creator of the worlds, after duly adoring the Pitṛs and Devas beginning with Nāndīmukhas, Khaḍga and Vādhrīṇasa were born.

16. Thereupon, the Pitṛs of divine origin as well as of human origin, caught hold of them as though they constituted their oblation.

17. Then Brahmā spoke to them: “O Pitṛs, these two have been created by me for your sake. They are the excellent oblation. Let them be accepted.

18-19. Through these two, you will have great delight at my instance. But by killing them for your sake no man on earth shall incur sin. Hence one who wishes for prosperity, shall offer these with all effort.

20. The meat obtained from Khaḍga and Vādhrīṇasa accords excellent satisfaction in Śrāddha rite. These two also are extremely divine (in quality) and will go over to the heavenly world.

21. A person who offers the Śrāddha will have great welfare that is usually very rare. The Pitṛs too will have endless satisfaction extending to twelve years.”

22. For this reason, O king, the meat of these two is esteemed well on that day. Its use on other occasions is not prescribed.

Rohitāśva said:

23. O Brāhmaṇa, if one does not get the meat of either Khaḍga or Vādhrīṇasa, how should he perform Śrāddha which will cause satisfaction to the Pitṛs?

Mārkaṇḍeya said:

24. Milk pudding should be given along with honey for the satisfaction of Pitṛs. Thereby Pitṛs get satisfaction lasting for a year.

25. The meat of goat and that got from Śiśumāra (alligator) is said to accord satisfaction for a year less by one month (i.e. for eleven months), O king.

26. In the circumstance of its non-availability the meat of a boar is to be offered, which is said as according satisfaction to Pitṛs for ten months. There is no doubt about it.

27. There shall be satisfaction for nine months from the meat of wild buffalo; the meat of Ruru deer accords eight month’s satisfaction and that of Eṇa (deer) seven month’s satisfaction.

28. Śaṃbara deer accords six month’s satisfaction; rabbit, five months; Śallaka (porcupine) four months and Taittira bird three months.

29. The meat of fish accords satisfaction for two months and that of Kapiñjala bird for one month; the meat of other animals or birds should not be used at all in the rites of Pitṛs.

30. O excellent king, the meat of only these beings is holy and pure.

Ānarta said:

31. Why are these living beings considered holy? Why has the meat of these beings been recommended in Śrāddha rite? Tell me this truthfully, O excellent Brāhmaṇa.

Bhartṛyajña said:

32. After Khaḍga, Vādhrīṇasa etc., animals were created by the Self-born Lord, the creator of the worlds, in the course of creation.

33. They are of eleven sizes, O excellent king. Then the other things were created. It was goat that was created at the outset and it was considered sacred (worth sacrificing).

34. Similarly all those created at the outset were sacred. Gingelly seeds were created by him when he started creation of the vegetable kingdom.

35-36. For the purpose of Śrāddha, Vrīhis (grain) were created. Among wild grains Priyaṅgu was created. I shall mention them in order: Wheat, barley, pulses, green gram, Nīvāra and Śyāmāka were created thus. But they desire and feel satisfied with meat. The meat should not be mixed with other meat (i.e. it should not be that of carnivorous animals).

37. When creation of the flowering species was started, Śatapatrikā was created by him. It is very important in Śrāddha rite always.

38. While creating minerals silver was created by the Self-born Lord. Therefore, it is recommended as Dakṣiṇā in Śrāddha for the (Pitṛ’s) satisfaction.

39. Whatever is given to the Brāhmaṇas in silver vessels, is of everlasting benefit to Pitṛs. It lasts till the end of the Yuga.

40. If silver vessels are not available, a performer of Śrāddha should mention them by name, since, O king, the Pitṛs are pleased by their glorification.

41. While creating juices (liquids), honey was created by the Self-born Lord. Therefore it is recommended in Śrāddha rite. It accords satisfaction to Pitṛs.

42. If a Śrāddha is bereft of honey, it cannot be conducive to the satisfaction of Pitṛs even if all other juices and sweet dishes are present.

43. If even a very little quantity of honey is not available, a householder should announce it by name because then it provides satisfaction to Pitṛs.

44. While creating greens and vegetables Kālaśāka was created at the outset by Brahmā, the Parameṣṭhin. Hence it gives satisfaction.

45. While creating Kāla (Time, auspicious hours) Kutapa (eighth Muhūrta of the day i.e. around midday) was created by him at the outset. Hence Śrāddha should be performed then by a sensible one who wishes for the permanent satisfaction of the Pitṛs and his own happiness.

46. While creating creepers, O excellent king, Darbha was first created by Vidhi. Hence, it is remembered as worthy of the Śrāddha rites.

47. While creating Brāhmaṇas eligible for Śrāddha rites, sons of daughters were created at the outset by the Lotus-born Lord. Therefore, they are remembered as worthy of the Śrāddha rites.

48. A son of daughter even if he be devoid of purity and cleanliness, even if he be deficient in limbs or has surplus, still one should include him (son of daughter) in the Śrāddha rite for pleasing the Pitṛs.

49. While creating animals (cattle), cows were created by him first. Therefore, their milk is recommended in Śrāddha rite and Ghee from them is specially recommended.

50. Hence ghee is praised in the course of Śrāddha rite. If it is offered, it is contributory to the satisfaction of Pitṛs.

51. While creating mankind excellent Brāhmaṇas were created by him at the outset. Hence they are always esteemed in Śrāddha rite. They cause delight and satisfaction unto the Pitṛs.

52. While creating Devas, the Viśvedevas were created at the outset by him. Hence when Śrāddha rites are performed, they are to be worshipped at the outset.

53. Worshipped at the outset in Śrāddha they protect the entire Śrāddha rite. They destroy all vulnerable loopholes.

54. After creating these important ones at the beginning, Śrāddha was created by Pitāmaha himself. Then Devas were created.

55-58. Therefore, O excellent king, they became well-known in all the worlds. Thus the entire details of Śrāddha rite have been described to you. It is a great esoteric secret of the Pitṛs. If performed, it has endless benefit. If one recites this (discourse), O excellent king, when a Śrāddha is being performed, when the Brāhmaṇas are about to partake of their food, that Śrāddha has everlasting benefit. O king, he who listens to this with perfect faith shall obtain that benefit which is attained when Śrāddha is performed.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

According to Bṛhatparāśara Smṛti the following five are to be eschewed in Kali Age: procreation of a child from husband’s brother (if the husband is dead and is childless), killing of a beast (viz cow or calf), Madhuparka for the reception of a guest, serving of meat in Śrāddha, and entrance into Vānaprastha stage of life.

(For more discussion See HD V. 1267-1272).