13.088
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O Lord, what offering, given to the ancestors, is truly imperishable? What oblation is suitable for a long-lasting rite? What is fit for eternity? (13-88-1)
Bhīṣma said;
O Yudhiṣṭhira, listen to me about which oblations are prescribed in the rite of śrāddha by those who know śrāddha, as well as about their desirable fruits. (13-88-2)
O king, by the śrāddha ceremony, offering sesame seeds, rice and barley, black gram beans, water, and roots and fruits, the ancestors are satisfied for a month. (13-88-3)
Manu said that an oblation accompanied by abundant sesame seeds is imperishable. Among all foods offered at oblations, sesame seeds are regarded as preeminent. (13-88-4)
The group of ancestors is said to be satisfied by fishes for two months; by mutton for three months, and in the cāturmāsya rite, by a hare. (13-88-5)
O king, the ancestors are pleased for five months when a goat is offered. But by offering a boar, they are pleased for six months, and by offering a fowl, for seven months indeed. (13-88-6)
Satisfaction lasts for eight months by the flesh of a spotted deer; by the flesh of a ruru-deer, only nine months; but by the flesh of a wild ox, satisfaction may last ten months. (13-88-7)
It is said here that the ancestors are satisfied for eleven months when buffalo meat is offered; but when cow meat is given at the śrāddha, it is said to provide satisfaction for a year. (13-88-8)
Just as cow's milk, so rice pudding mixed with ghee, and satisfaction from the meat of a ram last for twelve years. (13-88-9)
It is said that giving rhinoceros meat at ancestral rites leads to endlessness. Also, black nightshade and iron, and the goat, are described as producing endlessness. (13-88-10)
O Yudhishthira, here also the verses called 'songs of the ancestors' are sung. Formerly, the venerable Sanatkumara spoke to me. (13-88-11)
May a person be born in our family who would give us rice pudding with ghee during the southern solstice, on the thirteenth day when the moon is in Maghā. (13-88-12)
Either with a silver or iron (implement), in the Maghā constellation itself, the self-restrained one, under the shade of elephants, should properly be fanned with ear-fans. (13-88-13)
It is desirable to have many sons, so that even if only one goes to Gayā—where the famous banyan tree, known for granting imperishable results, stands—one gains benefit. (13-88-14)
Waters, roots, fruits, meat, or food—whatever is mixed with honey at the śrāddha for the ancestors—that serves for endless (reward). (13-88-15)
