13.087
The procedure for the funeral rite.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O virtuous and sinless one, you have described the duties of the four varṇas; in the same way, tell me fully the entire Śrāddha ritual, O king. (13-87-1)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, when addressed by Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, then began to declare this complete rite of the śrāddha. (13-87-2)
Bhīṣma said;
O king, listen attentively to this auspicious śrāddha rite, which is meritorious, leads to fame and progeny, and is the ancestral oblation, O vanquisher of enemies. (13-87-3)
The ancestors are always worthy of honor for gods, demons, humans, gandharvas, serpents, rākṣasas, piśācas, and kinnaras. (13-87-4)
One should first honor the ancestors and afterwards satisfy the gods. Therefore, a person should always perform worship with all effort. (13-87-5)
O great king, what is eaten afterwards is called the śrāddha for the ancestors. Originally, this rite was established with non-meat (vegetarian) offerings by ritual. (13-87-6)
The ancestors are pleased by śrāddha performed on all days. But I will tell you, for every lunar day, all the merits and demerits. (13-87-7)
O sinless one, I shall declare to you, as it is, all the results obtained from śrāddhas performed on those days; understand that from me. (13-87-8)
Having worshipped the forefathers on the first day, one may obtain in his own house women who bear beautiful children, are attractive, and have many offspring. (13-87-9)
Women are born in the second year; but in the third year, bards, and in the fourth year, many small animals are found in the house. (13-87-10)
O king, many sons are born to those performing rites on the fifth nakṣatra; but those men who perform on the sixth become endowed with splendor. (13-87-11)
O king, one involved in agriculture should perform the śrāddha on the seventh day; but if it is performed on the eighth day, one may attain profit in trade. (13-87-12)
When one performs the śrāddha on the ninth day, the merit results in many one-hoofed animals (such as horses); but when one performs it on the tenth day, the merit yields an increase of cows. (13-87-13)
O king, a mortal performing Ekadashi becomes a recipient of vessels (auspicious gifts); sons endowed with Brahmic radiance are born in his house. (13-87-14)
On the twelfth day, one who desires here always sees abundant silver, various and beautiful gold. (13-87-15)
Among relatives, he is considered the best who performs the śrāddha on the thirteenth day; otherwise, young men of his household certainly perish. (13-87-16)
A mortal by participating in battle is like one who performs śrāddha on the fourteenth lunar day; but by offering oblations on new moon day, he may attain all desires. (13-87-17)
In the dark fortnight, for performing śrāddha rites, lunar days from the tenth onwards—excluding the fourteenth—are considered proper; the others are not. (13-87-18)
Just as the latter half of the lunar month is superior to the earlier half, so also, for the śrāddha, the afternoon is superior to the forenoon. (13-87-19)
