13.063
The gift of the combination of stars
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
"I have heard from you the procedure for food-giving. Now tell me the rule for making donations at the time of lunar conjunctions." (13-63-1)
Bhīṣma said.
Here too, they recite this ancient story, the dialogue between Devakī and the divine sage Nārada. (13-63-2)
When the divine-seeing Nārada had arrived at Dvārakā, Devakī, perceiver of righteousness, then asked him a question. (13-63-3)
While she was asking, the divine sage Nārada then narrated everything properly. That which was said, listen, O lord of men. (13-63-4)
Nārada said.
Offering rice-milk with ghee to Brāhmaṇas and virtuous men during the auspicious time of Kṛttikā, one attains the highest worlds. (13-63-5)
On the day of Rohiṇī, one should give to a twice-born person well-known meats, black gram, cooked rice, ghee, and milk as an accompanying drink, for the sake of becoming free from debts. (13-63-6)
By giving a milch cow with its calf on the day sacred to the Soma deity, one passes from the world of men to the highest realm of heaven. (13-63-7)
On the day of Ārdrā, one who has given kṛsara mixed with oil after fasting, crosses over difficulties and razor-edged mountains. (13-63-8)
O beautiful lady, one who gives fried cakes and foods again in the month of Vasā (Vaisākha) is born in a renowned lineage, endowed with beauty and abundant food. (13-63-9)
But in the constellation Puṣya, having given gold, both performed and even unperformed deeds, in the worlds without light, he shines like the moon. (13-63-10)
But he who gives silver or a bull on (the day of) Āśleṣā, he remains freed from all fear, even among enemies. (13-63-11)
A man who, during the Maghā constellation, gives growing pots filled with sesame seeds, becomes possessed of sons and cattle, and rejoices both in this world and after death. (13-63-12)
If, before Phalgunī, one fasts and gives the Brāhmaṇas food mixed with sugar, one attains good fortune. (13-63-13)
One who gives rice food made from early rice, properly mixed with clarified butter and milk, in the northern region, is honored in the heavenly world. (13-63-14)
Whatever gift men give in the future world certainly produces great and endless reward. (13-63-15)
Having given in his hand an elephant-cart yoked with four (elephants or horses), and having fasted, one obtains the highest worlds endowed with virtuous desires. (13-63-16)
O Bhārata, one who has given a bull and meritorious perfumes during Citrā moves in the world of apsarases and delights likewise in the Nandana garden. (13-63-17)
When, after quenching his own thirst, a person gives away the wealth most cherished by himself, he attains auspicious worlds and, even here, great fame. (13-63-18)
In the Viśākhā (lunar mansion), having given a bullock-drawn cart, a cow, a rope for milking, together with accessories, and a cart filled with grain and accompanied by cloth. (13-63-19)
He pleases both his forefathers and the gods; after death, he attains the eternal, does not encounter difficulties, and goes to the world of heaven. (13-63-20)
Having given to the Brāhmaṇas the prescribed and desired livelihood, he obtains benefit; (he) certainly does not attain hell and other torments. (13-63-21)
If, during the time of Anurādhā nakṣatra, a man fasts while wearing a cloak and another garment, and after giving charity, he is honored in heaven for a hundred ages. (13-63-22)
But if a mortal gives amaranth with roots to the Brāhmaṇas in the month of Jyeṣṭha, he attains both the desired prosperity and the desired goal. (13-63-23)
One who, being composed, gives root-fruit at the root to the Brāhmaṇas, satisfies his ancestors and also attains the desired state. (13-63-24)
At the beginning of the Aṣāḍhā month, after fasting, by giving vessels of curd to a Brāhmaṇa who is accomplished in family conduct and learned in the Vedas, one is reborn after death in a family blessed with many cows. (13-63-25)
One who gives milk and barley mixture with ghee, abundant with honey and sugar, during the (lunar mansion) Uttarā-Aṣāḍhā, may attain all desires. (13-63-26)
But milk given at the auspicious period of Abhijit, soaked with honey and ghee, by one always devoted to dharma to the wise, is honored in the world of heaven. (13-63-27)
Having given a blanket to the ear (for the ear), and one wrapped in cloth, he proceeds by a white vehicle to worlds that are unobstructed (without concealment). (13-63-28)
By giving with a concentrated mind a vehicle drawn by cows, equipped with cloth reins, one immediately after death attains a kingdom. (13-63-29)
Having offered scents, with aguru and sandalwood, at the conjunction of the Śatabhiṣak asterism, one obtains after death the worlds of the Apsarases and everlasting fragrances. (13-63-30)
If one gives black gram beans during the conjunction of Pūrvabhādrā, he becomes endowed with all the enjoyments of food and will indeed be happy after death. (13-63-31)
Whoever, at the aurabhramuttara rite, offers meat, pleases the ancestors indeed, and after death attains immortality. (13-63-32)
Whoever gives a cow with a bronze milking-pail at the time of Revati, that cow, after death, takes the fulfillments of desires and approaches the giver. (13-63-33)
If the best of men gives a yoked chariot with horses during the Aśvinī nakṣatra, a brilliant person, endowed with wealth in elephants, horses, and chariots, is born in his family. (13-63-34)
If a man gives a sesame-cow to the twice-born during the days of Bharaṇī, he attains abundant cows and fame after death. (13-63-35)
Bhīṣma said.
Thus, this description of characteristics according to the conjunction of stars has been stated. Here, Devakī, instructed by Nārada, said this to her daughters-in-law. (13-63-36)
