Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 13.238
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13.238.1
पितृमेधः कथं देव तन्मे शंसितुमर्हसि ।
सर्वेषां पितरः पूज्याः सर्वसम्पत्प्रदायिनः ॥ १३.२३८.१ ॥
O god, how is the ancestral rite (pitṛmedha) performed? You are worthy to tell me. The ancestors of all are to be honoured, givers of all prosperity.
13.238.2
पितृमेधं प्रवक्ष्यामि यथावत्तन्मना शृणु ।
देशकालौ विधानं च तत्क्रियायाः शुभाशुभम् ॥ १३.२३८.२ ॥
I shall explain the ancestral rite duly; listen with a concentrated mind: the place and time, the procedure, and the auspicious and inauspicious of that rite.
13.238.3
लोकेषु पितरः पूज्या देवतानां च देवताः ।
शुचयो निर्मलाः पुण्या दक्षिणां दिशमाश्रिताः ॥ १३.२३८.३ ॥
In the worlds the ancestors are to be worshipped, and they are gods even to the gods; pure, stainless, meritorious, they dwell in the southern quarter.
13.238.4
यथा वृष्टिं प्रतीक्षन्ते भूमिष्ठाः सर्वजन्तवः ।
पितरश्च तथा लोके पितृमेधं शुभेक्षणे ॥ १३.२३८.४ ॥
As all creatures standing on the earth await the rain, so in the world the ancestors await the ancestral rite, O fair-eyed one.
13.238.5
तस्य देशाः कुरुक्षेत्रं गया गङ्गा सरस्वती ।
प्रभासं पुष्करं चेति तेषु दत्तं महाफलम् ॥ १३.२३८.५ ॥
Its places are Kurukṣetra, Gayā, the Gaṅgā, the Sarasvatī, Prabhāsa and Puṣkara; a gift given in them yields great fruit.
13.238.6
तीर्थानि सरितः पुण्या विविक्तानि वनानि च ।
नदीनां पुलिनानीति देशाः श्राद्धस्य पूजिताः ॥ १३.२३८.६ ॥
Sacred fords, holy rivers, secluded forests and the sandy banks of rivers — these are the places honoured for the śrāddha.
13.238.7
माघप्रोष्ठपदौ मासौ श्राद्धकर्मणि पूजितौ ।
पक्षयोः कृष्णपक्षश्च पूर्वपक्षात्प्रशस्यते ॥ १३.२३८.७ ॥
In śrāddha rites the two months Māgha and Proṣṭhapada are honoured. Of the two fortnights, the dark fortnight is praised above the bright one.
13.238.8
अमावास्यां त्रयोदश्यां नवम्यां प्रतिपत्सु च ।
तिथिष्वेतासु तुष्यन्ति दत्तेनेह पितामहाः ॥ १३.२३८.८ ॥
On the new-moon day, the thirteenth, the ninth and the first lunar days, and on these tithis, the forefathers are pleased by the offering given here.
13.238.9
पूर्वाह्णे शुक्लपक्षे च रात्रौ जन्मदिनेषु वा ।
युग्मेष्वहस्सु च श्राद्धं न च कुर्वीत पण्डितः ॥ १३.२३८.९ ॥
In the forenoon, in the bright fortnight, at night, on birthdays, or on even days, the wise man should not perform śrāddha.
13.238.10
एष कालो मया प्रोक्तः पितृमेधस्य पूजितः ।
यस्मिंश्च ब्राह्म्णं पात्रं पश्येत्कालः स च स्मृतः ॥ १३.२३८.१० ॥
This time, honoured for the ancestral rite, has been declared by me. The time in which one sees a brahmin who is a fit recipient is itself remembered as that time.
13.238.11
अपाङ्क्तेया द्विजा वर्ज्या ग्राह्यास्ते पङ्क्तिपावनाः ।
भोजयेद्यदि पापिष्ठाञ्श्राद्धेषु नरकं व्रजेत् ॥ १३.२३८.११ ॥
Twice-born men unfit for the row of diners should be shunned, and those who purify the row should be accepted. If one feeds the most sinful at śrāddha rites, one goes to hell.
13.238.12
वृत्तश्रुतकुलोपेतान्सकलत्रान्गुणान्वितान् ।
तदर्हाञ्श्रोत्रियान्विद्धि ब्राह्मणानयुजः शुभे ॥ १३.२३८.१२ ॥
O auspicious one, know that learned brahmins, endowed with conduct, Vedic learning and good lineage, accompanied by their wives and possessed of virtues, worthy of this, should be chosen for śrāddha in odd number.
13.238.13
एतान्निमन्त्रयोद्विद्वान्पूर्वेद्युः प्रातरेव वा ।
तत्र श्राद्धक्रियां पश्चादारभेत यथाविधि ॥ १३.२३८.१३ ॥
A learned man should invite these, on the day before or early in the morning, and then there begin the śrāddha rite according to rule.
13.238.14
त्रीणि श्राद्धे पवित्राणि दौहित्रः कुतपस्तिलाः ।
त्रीणि चात्र प्रशंसन्ति शौचमक्रोधमत्वरा ॥ १३.२३८.१४ ॥
In the śrāddha there are three purifying things: the daughter's son, kutapa, and sesame; and here they praise three qualities: purity, freedom from anger, and freedom from haste.
13.238.15
कुतपः खङ्गपात्रं च कुशा दर्भास्तिला मधु ।
कालशाकं गजच्छाया पवित्रं श्राद्धकर्मसु ॥ १३.२३८.१५ ॥
Kutapa, the rhinoceros-horn vessel, kuśa grass, darbha grass, sesame, honey, the black vegetable, and the elephant's shadow — these are purifying in śrāddha rites.
13.238.16
तिलानवकिरेत्तत्र नानावर्णान्समन्ततः ।
अशुद्धं पितृयज्ञश्च तिलैः शुध्यति शोभने ॥ १३.२३८.१६ ॥
There one should scatter sesame of various colors all around; even an impure ancestral offering is purified by sesame, O beautiful one.
13.238.17
नीलकाषायवस्त्रं च भिन्नवर्णं नवव्रणम् ।
हीनाङ्गमशुचिं वाऽपि वर्जयेत्तत्र दूरतः ॥ १३.२३८.१७ ॥
A man in dark-blue or ochre garments, one in motley clothing, one with a fresh wound, one with a defective limb, or one unclean — these should be shunned from afar there.
13.238.18
कुक्कुटांश्च वराहांश्च नग्नं क्लीबं रजस्वलाम् ।
आयसं त्रपुसीसं च श्राद्धकर्मणि वर्जयेत् ॥ १३.२३८.१८ ॥
Roosters and pigs, a naked man, a eunuch, a menstruating woman, iron, tin and lead — these should be avoided in the śrāddha rite.
13.238.19
मांसैः प्रीणन्ति पितरो मुद्गमाषयवैरिह ।
शशरौरवमांसेन षण्मासं तृप्तिरिष्यते ॥ १३.२३८.१९ ॥
Here the ancestors are gratified with meat, with mung beans, black gram and barley. With the flesh of hare and ruru deer, satisfaction is said to last six months.
13.238.20
संवत्सरं च गव्येन हविषा पायसेन च ।
वार्ध्रीणसस्य मांसेन तृप्तिर्द्वादशवार्षिकी ॥ १३.२३८.२० ॥
With clarified-butter oblation from a cow and milk porridge, satisfaction lasts a year; with the flesh of the vārdhrīṇasa bird, it lasts twelve years.
13.238.21
आनन्त्याय भवेद्दत्तं खङ्गमांसं पितृक्षये ।
पायसं सतिलं क्षौद्रं खङ्गमांसेन सम्मितम् ॥ १३.२३८.२१ ॥
If rhinoceros flesh is offered at the ancestral rite, it brings endless merit. Milk porridge with sesame and honey are reckoned equal to rhinoceros flesh.
13.238.22
महाशकलिनो मस्याश्छागो वा सर्वलोहितः ।
कालशाकमितीत्येव तदानन्त्याय कल्पितम् ॥ १३.२३८.२२ ॥
Fish in large pieces, or a goat wholly red, or the 'kālaśāka' greens — these are prescribed for endless merit.
13.238.23
सापूपं सामिषं स्निग्धमाहारमुपकल्पयेत् ।
उपकल्प्य तदाहारं ब्राह्मणानर्चयेत्ततः ॥ १३.२३८.२३ ॥
One should prepare rich food, with cakes and with flesh. Having prepared that food, one should then honour the brahmins.
13.238.24
श्मश्रुकर्मशिरः स्नातान्समारोप्यासनं क्रमात् ।
सुगन्धमाल्याभरणैः स्नग्भिरेतान्विभूषयेत् ॥ १३.२३८.२४ ॥
Having seated in order, on seats, the brahmins who have had their beards and hair trimmed and have bathed, one should adorn them with fragrant garlands and ornaments.
13.238.25
अलङ्कृत्योपविष्टांस्तान्पिण्डावापं निवेदयेत् ॥ १३.२३८.२५ ॥
Having adorned them and seated them, one should announce the offering of piṇḍas.
13.238.26
ततः प्रस्तीर्य दर्भाणां प्रस्तरं दक्षिणामुखम् ।
तत्समीपेऽग्निमिद्ध्वा च स्वधां च जुहुयात्ततः।
समीपे त्वग्नीषोमाभ्यां पितृभ्यो जुहुयात्तदा ॥ १३.२३८.२६ ॥
Then, having spread a mat of kuśa grass facing south, and having kindled a fire beside it, one should offer svadhā; and nearby one should offer to Agni and Soma and to the fathers.
13.238.27
तथा दर्भेषु पिण्डांस्त्रीन्निर्वपेद्दक्षिणामुखः ।
अपसव्यमपाङ्गुष्ठं नामधेयपुरस्कृतम् ॥ १३.२३८.२७ ॥
Likewise, on the kuśa grass, one should offer three piṇḍas facing south, in the apasavya manner, with the thumb turned away and the names placed first.
13.238.28
एतेन विधिना दत्तं पितॄणामक्षयं भवेत् ।
ततो विप्रान्यथाशक्ति पूजयेन्नियतः शुचिः।
सदक्षिणं ससम्भारं यथा तुष्यन्ति ते द्विजाः ॥ १३.२३८.२८ ॥
What is given by this rite becomes imperishable for the fathers. Then, self-controlled and pure, one should honour the brahmins according to one's means, with fees and provisions, so that those twice-born ones are pleased.
13.238.29
यत्र तत्क्रियते तत्र न जल्पन्न जपेन्मिथः ।
नियम्य वाच्यं देहं च श्राद्धकर्म समारभेत् ॥ १३.२३८.२९ ॥
Where that rite is performed, one should not talk or murmur prayers with one another; restraining speech and body, one should begin the śrāddha rite.
13.238.30
ततो निर्वपने वृत्ते तान्पिण्डांस्तदनन्तरम् ।
ब्राह्मणोऽग्निरजो गौर्वा भक्षयेदप्सु वा क्षिपेत् ॥ १३.२३८.३० ॥
Then, once the offering of the piṇḍas is completed, a brahmin, fire, a goat or a cow should eat those piṇḍas, or one should cast them into water.
13.238.31
पत्नीं वा मध्यमं पिण्डं पुत्रकामो हि प्राशयेत् ।
आधत्त पितरो गर्भं कुमारं पुष्करस्रजम् ॥ १३.२३८.३१ ॥
Or the wife should be given the middle ball to eat by one who desires a son. May the ancestors establish a womb — a boy wearing a lotus garland.
13.238.32
तृप्तानुत्थाप्य तान्विप्रानन्नशेषं निवेदयेत् ।
तच्छेषं बहुभिः पश्चात्सभृत्यो भक्षयेन्नरः ॥ १३.२३८.३२ ॥
Having raised those satisfied brahmins, one should offer the remaining food. Afterwards a man, with his servants and with many others, should eat that remainder.
13.238.33
एष प्रोक्तः समासेन पितृयज्ञः सनातनः ।
पितरस्तेन तुष्यन्ति कर्ता च फलमाप्नुयात् ॥ १३.२३८.३३ ॥
This eternal sacrifice to the ancestors has been declared in brief. By it the ancestors are pleased, and the performer obtains the fruit.
13.238.34
अहन्यहनि वा कुर्यान्मासेमासेऽथवा पुनः ।
संवत्सरं द्विः कुर्याच्च चतुर्वाऽपि स्वशक्तितः ॥ १३.२३८.३४ ॥
He should perform it day by day, or month by month, or again within a year twice or even four times, according to his own ability.
13.238.35
दीर्घायुश्च भवेत्स्वस्थः पितृमेधेन वा पुनः ।
सपुत्रो बहुभृत्यश्च प्रभूतधनधान्यवान् ॥ १३.२३८.३५ ॥
By the ancestral rite, a man becomes long-lived and healthy; he becomes possessed of sons, of many servants, and of abundant wealth and grain.
13.238.36
श्राद्धदः स्वर्गमाप्नोति निर्मलं विविधात्मकम् ।
अप्सरोगणसंघुष्टं विरजस्कमनन्तरम् ॥ १३.२३८.३६ ॥
The giver of the shraddha offering attains heaven, spotless and of many forms, resounding with troops of apsarases, free from dust — thereafter.
13.238.37
श्राद्धानि पुष्टिकामा वै ये प्रकुर्वन्ति पण्डिताः ।
तेषां पुष्टिं प्रजां चैव दास्यन्ति पितरः सदा ॥ १३.२३८.३७ ॥
The wise who perform the śrāddha rites desiring prosperity, to them the ancestors always grant prosperity and offspring.
13.238.38
धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं स्वर्ग्यं शत्रुविनाशनम् ।
कुलसन्धारकं चेति श्राद्धमाहुर्मनीषिणः ॥ १३.२३८.३८ ॥
The sages declare that the śrāddha rite is auspicious, bringing fame, long life, heaven, destruction of enemies, and the upholding of the family.
13.238.39
भगवन्देवदेवेश मृतास्ते भुवि जन्तवः ।
नानाजातिषु जायन्ते शीघ्रं कर्मवशात्पुनः ॥ १३.२३८.३९ ॥
O revered lord, lord of the gods, the beings who die on earth are quickly born again among various species, by the power of their karma.
13.238.40
पितरः स्वस्ति ते तत्र कथं तिष्ठन्ति देववत् ।
पितॄणां कतमो देशः पिण्डानश्नन्ति वै कथम् ॥ १३.२३८.४० ॥
May the ancestors bless you! How do they dwell there like gods? Which is the realm of the ancestors, and how do they eat the ritual balls of food?
13.238.41
अन्ने दत्ते मृतानां तु कथमाप्यायनं भवेत् ।
एवं मया संशयितं भगवन्वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ १३.२३८.४१ ॥
When food is offered to the dead, how can they be nourished and satisfied? O revered lord, you ought to explain this doubt of mine.
13.238.42
एतद्विरुद्धं पृच्छन्त्यां रुद्राण्यां परिषद्भृशम् ।
बभूव सर्वा मुदिता श्रोतुं हि परमं हितम् ॥ १३.२३८.४२ ॥
When Rudrāṇī asked this seemingly contradictory question, the whole assembly was greatly delighted, for they wished to hear what was most beneficial.
13.238.43
स्थाने संशयितं देवि शृणु कल्याणि तत्वतः ।
गुह्यानां परमं गुह्यं हितानां परमं हितम् ॥ १३.२३८.४३ ॥
O goddess, this doubt is fitting. O auspicious one, hear it as it truly is: it is the supreme secret among secrets and the supreme good among goods.
13.238.44
यथा देवगणा देवि तथा पितृगणाः प्रिये ।
दक्षिणस्यां दिशि शुभे सर्वे पितृगणाः स्थिताः ॥ १३.२३८.४४ ॥
As the hosts of gods are, so, O goddess, O beloved, are the hosts of ancestors. O auspicious one, in the southern direction all the ancestral hosts are situated.
13.238.45
प्रेतानुद्दिश्य या पूजा क्रियते मानुषैरिह ।
तेन तुष्यन्ति पितरो न प्रेताः पितरः स्मृताः ॥ १३.२३८.४५ ॥
The worship that men perform here, directed toward the departed spirits, does not please the ancestors; the departed spirits are not remembered as ancestors.
13.238.46
उत्तरस्यां यथा देवा रमन्ते यज्ञकर्मभिः ।
दक्षिणस्यां तथा देवि तुष्यन्ति विविधैर्मखैः ॥ १३.२३८.४६ ॥
As in the north the gods delight in sacrificial rites, so, O goddess, in the south they are pleased by various sacrifices.
13.238.47
द्विविधं क्रियते कर्म हव्यकव्यसमाश्रितम् ।
तयोर्हव्यक्रिया देवान्कव्यमाप्यायते पितॄन्। ॥ १३.२३८.४७ ॥
Rites grounded in oblation (havya) and in ancestral offering (kavya) are performed in two kinds; of these, the havya-rite nourishes the gods and the kavya nourishes the ancestors.
13.238.48
प्रसव्यं मङ्गलैर्द्रव्यैर्हव्यकर्म विधीयते ।
अपसव्यममङ्गल्यैः कव्यं चापि विधीयते ॥ १३.२३८.४८ ॥
The havya-rite is ordained in the prasavya (rightward) manner with auspicious substances; and the kavya is also ordained in the apasavya (leftward) manner with inauspicious substances.
13.238.49
सदेवासुरगन्धर्वाः पितॄनभ्यर्चयन्ति च ।
आप्यायन्ते च ते श्राद्धैः पुनराप्याययन्ति तान् ॥ १३.२३८.४९ ॥
Gods, demons and gandharvas also honour the ancestors; they are nourished by the śrāddha rites, and in turn they nourish those who perform them.
13.238.50
अनिष्टा च पितॄन्पूर्वं यः क्रियां प्रकरोति चेत् ।
रक्षांसि च पिशाचाश्च फलं भोक्ष्यन्ति तस्य तत् ॥ १३.२३८.५० ॥
If someone first performs a rite for the ancestors in an improper way, then demons and ghouls will enjoy its fruit.
13.238.51
हव्यकव्यक्रियास्तस्मात्कर्तव्या भुवि मानुषैः ।
कर्मक्षेत्रं हि मानुष्यं तदन्यत्र न विद्यते ॥ १३.२३८.५१ ॥
Therefore, on earth, humans must perform the rites of offering to the gods and to the ancestors, for human existence is the field of action, and it is not found anywhere else.
13.238.52
कव्येन सन्ततिर्दृष्टा हव्ये भूतिः पृथग्विधाः ।
इति ते कथितं देवि देवगुह्यं सनातनम् ॥ १३.२३८.५२ ॥
Through the ancestral offering, progeny is seen; through the godly offering, prosperity of many kinds. Thus, O goddess, has the eternal divine secret been declared to you.