13.091
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said.
kena saṅkalpitaṃ śrāddhaṃ kasmin kāle kim-ātmakam। bhṛgv-aṅgirasake kāle muninā katareṇa vā ॥13-91-1॥
By whom was the śrāddha ritual conceived, at what time, and of what nature? During the era of Bhr̥gu and Aṅgiras, by which sage was it established, or by whom? (13-91-1)
kāni śrāddheṣu varjyāni tathā mūlaphalāni ca। dhānyajātiś ca kā varjyā tan me brūhi pitāmaha॥13-91-2॥
O Grandfather, tell me which things are to be avoided in the śrāddha rites, and also which roots, fruits, and types of grains are to be avoided. (13-91-2)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
yathā śrāddhaṁ sampravṛttaṁ yasmin kāle yad-ātmakam। yena saṅkalpitaṁ caiva tan me śṛṇu janādhipa ॥13-91-3॥
O lord of men, listen to me as I explain in what manner the śrāddha is performed, at what time, of what nature, and by what resolve. (13-91-3)
svāyambhuvo'triḥ kauravya paramarṣiḥ pratāpavān। tasya vaṃśe mahārāja dattātreya iti smṛtaḥ ॥13-91-4॥
Atri, the Svāyambhuva and a most powerful supreme sage, O Kauravya, in his lineage, O great king, Dattātreya is known. (13-91-4)
dattātreyasya putro'bhūnnimirnāma tapodhanaḥ। nimeścāpyabhavatputraḥ śrīmānnāma śriyā vṛtaḥ॥13-91-5॥
Dattātreya had a son named Nimi, who was rich in austerity. Nimi also had a son named Śrīmān, endowed with fortune. (13-91-5)
pūrṇe varṣasahasrānte sa kṛtvā duṣkaraṃ tapaḥ. kāladharmaparītātmā nidhanaṃ samupāgataḥ ॥13-91-6॥
When a thousand years had been completed and he had performed severe austerities, overcome by the law of time, he approached death. (13-91-6)
nimis tu kṛtvā śaucāni vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā। santāpam agamat tīvraṃ putraśokaparāyaṇaḥ॥13-91-7॥
But Nimi, after performing the purificatory rites according to the prescribed rules, being absorbed in grief for his son, experienced intense anguish. (13-91-7)
atha kṛtvopahāryāṇi caturdaśyāṃ mahāmatiḥ। tam eva gaṇayan śokaṃ virātre pratyabudhyata ॥13-91-8॥
Then, having made the offerings on the fourteenth day, the great-minded man, thinking only of that sorrow, awoke during the night. (13-91-8)
tasyāsīt pratibuddhasya śokena pihitātmanaḥ। manaḥ saṁhṛtya viṣaye buddhir vistaragāminī ॥13-91-9॥
His intellect, though awakened, whose self was covered by sorrow, withdrew the mind from objects and began to reflect in detail. (13-91-9)
tataḥ sañcintayāmāsa śrāddhakalpaṃ samāhitaḥ। yāni tasyaiva bhojyāni mūlāni ca phalāni ca ॥13-91-10॥
Then, concentrating his mind, he reflected upon the śrāddha ceremony—whatever foods, roots, and fruits were his own to offer. (13-91-10)
uktāni yāni ca anyāni yāni ca iṣṭāni tasya ha। tāni sarvāṇi manasā viniścitya tapodhanaḥ ॥13-91-11॥
The ascetic, having discerned with his mind all those things—spoken, other, and desired, which belonged to him—indeed. (13-91-11)
amāvāsyāṃ mahāprājña viprān ānāya pūjitān। dakṣiṇāvartikāḥ sarvā bṛsīḥ svayam athākarot॥13-91-12॥
On the new moon day, O wise one, he himself then made all the rightward-turning sacrificial mats after having brought and honored the brāhmaṇas. (13-91-12)
sapta viprāṃs tato bhojye yugapatsamupānayat। ṛte ca lavaṇaṃ bhojyaṃ śyāmākānnaṃ dadau prabhuḥ ॥13-91-13॥
Then the lord brought seven brāhmaṇas together to the meal at once. Excluding salt, he gave them food made of śyāmāka grain. (13-91-13)
dakṣiṇāgrās tato darbhā viṣṭareṣu niveśitāḥ। pādayoś caiva viprāṇāṃ ye tvannam upabhuñjate॥13-91-14॥
Afterwards, darbha grass blades, with their tips facing south, are placed on the mats at the feet of those Brāhmaṇas who partake of your food. (13-91-14)
kṛtvā ca dakṣiṇāgrān vai darbhān suprayataḥ śuciḥ। pradadau śrīmate piṇḍaṃ nāmagotram udāharan ॥13-91-15॥
Having become pure and well prepared, after arranging darbha grass with the tips towards the south, he offered the rice-ball to the revered one while uttering the name and lineage. (13-91-15)
tat-kṛtvā sa muni-śreṣṭhaḥ dharma-saṅkaram-ātmanaḥ। paścāttāpena mahatā tapyamānaḥ abhyacintayat ॥13-91-16॥
Having committed that act, the foremost sage, having caused confusion of dharma by himself, being greatly tormented with remorse, reflected. (13-91-16)
akṛtaṃ munibhiḥ pūrvaṃ kiṃ mayaitadanuṣṭhitam। kathaṃ nu śāpena na māṃ daheyurbrāhmaṇā iti ॥13-91-17॥
"This was not done by sages before—why then have I performed it? How, then, by a curse might the brāhmaṇas not burn me?" (13-91-17)
tataḥ sañcintayāmāsa vaṃśakartāram ātmanaḥ। dhyātamātras tathā cātrir ājagāma tapodhanaḥ॥13-91-18॥
Then he pondered the progenitor of his lineage; and just as he was meditated upon, Atri, the sage rich in austerity, arrived. (13-91-18)
athātristaṁ tathā dṛṣṭvā putraśokena karśitam। bhṛśamāśvāsayāmāsa vāgbhiriṣṭābhiravyayaḥ ॥13-91-19॥
Then Atri, seeing him emaciated by grief for his son, greatly consoled him with auspicious words, he who is imperishable. (13-91-19)
nime saṅkalpitaste'yaṃ pitṛyajñastapodhanaḥ। mā te bhūdbhīḥ pūrvadṛṣṭo dharmo'yaṃ brahmaṇā svayam ॥13-91-20॥
O Nimi, this ancestral sacrifice, ascetic, has been instituted by you; do not fear, this dharma was previously established by Brahmā himself. (13-91-20)
so'yaṃ svayambhuvihito dharmaḥ saṅkalpitastvayā। ṛte svayambhuvaḥ ko'nyaḥ śrāddheyaṃ vidhimāharet ॥13-91-21॥
This law, ordained by Svayambhū, has been determined by you. Except for Svayambhū, who else could establish this procedure in the śrāddha ritual? (13-91-21)
ākhyāsyāmi ca te bhūyaḥ śrāddheyaṃ vidhim uttamam। svayambhu-vihitaṃ putra tat kuruṣva nibodha me ॥13-91-22॥
"O son, I shall again declare to you the supreme procedure of the śrāddha, as instituted by Svayambhū; do that—listen to me." (13-91-22)
kṛtvāgnikaraṇaṃ pūrvaṃ mantrapūrvaṃ tapodhana। tato'ryamṇe ca somāya varuṇāya ca nityaśaḥ ॥13-91-23॥
O tapodhana (possessor of austerity), after first making the fire with the recitation of the mantra, one should always make offerings to Aryaman, Soma, and Varuṇa. (13-91-23)
viśvedevāś ca ye nityaṃ pitṛbhiḥ saha gocarāḥ। tebhyaḥ saṅkalpitā bhāgāḥ svayam eva svayambhuvā॥13-91-24॥
The Viśvedevās, who are always together with the ancestors and accessible, have had shares assigned to them directly by the Self-existent (Brahmā). (13-91-24)
stotavyā ceha pṛthivī nivāpasyeha dhāriṇī। vaiṣṇavī kāśyapī ceti tathaivehākṣayeti ca ॥13-91-25॥
Here, the earth, bearer of the offering, is worthy of praise. She is also called Vaiṣṇavī, Kāśyapī, and, likewise, Akṣayā. (13-91-25)
udakānayane caiva stotavyo varuṇo vibhuḥ। tato'gniścaiva somaśca āpyāyyāviha te'nagha ॥13-91-26॥
When bringing water, Varuṇa, the mighty one, should indeed be praised; then Agni and Soma, both invoked for increase, here for you, O sinless one. (13-91-26)
devās tu pitaro nāma nirmitā vai svayambhuvā। ūṣmapāḥ sumahābhāgās teṣāṃ bhāgāḥ prakalpitāḥ ॥13-91-27॥
But the gods called Pitṛs were created by Svayambhū; the ūṣmapāḥ, who are most fortunate, their shares have been assigned. (13-91-27)
te śrāddhenārcyamānā vai vimucyante ha kilbiṣāt। saptakaḥ pitṛvaṃśastu pūrvadṛṣṭaḥ svayambhuvā ॥13-91-28॥
They, being worshipped with śrāddha, are indeed freed from sin. The group of seven generations of ancestors was once seen by Svayambhū (the self-born). (13-91-28)
viśve cāgnimukhā devāḥ saṅkhyātāḥ pūrvameva te। teṣāṃ nāmāni vakṣyāmi bhāgārhāṇāṃ mahātmanām॥13-91-29॥
The Viśve, and the gods whose mouth is Agni, who have already been enumerated before—of those great-souled ones who are worthy of a share (in sacrifice), I shall state their names. (13-91-29)
sahaḥ kṛtirvipāpmā ca puṇyakṛtpāvanastathā। grāmniḥ kṣemaḥ samūhaśca divyasānustathaiva ca ॥13-91-30॥
He is powerful force, creator, sinless and doer of virtue, purifier likewise; lord of the village, welfare, collection, and a divine peak as well. (13-91-30)
vivasvān vīryavān hrīmān kīrtimān kṛta eva ca. vipūrvaḥ somapūrvaś ca sūryaśrīś ceti nāmataḥ ॥13-91-31॥
Vivasvān, heroic one, modest, famed, accomplished, and also known as Vipūrvaḥ, Somapūrvaḥ, and Sūryaśrī; thus are the names (13-91-31).
somapaḥ sūryasāvitro dattātmā puṣkarīyakaḥ। uṣṇīnābho nabhodaś ca viśvāyur dīptir eva ca॥13-91-32॥
He (the deity) is the Soma-drinker, is connected with the Sun and Savitṛ, whose self is offered, who is associated with the lake, whose navel is a turban, who gives rain and is the life of all, who is indeed radiance and splendor. (13-91-32)
camū-haraḥ su-veṣaś ca vyoma-ariḥ śaṅkaraḥ bhavaḥ । īśaḥ kartā kṛtiḥ dakṣaḥ bhuvanaḥ divya-karma-kṛt ॥13-91-33॥
He is the destroyer of armies, well-adorned, enemy of the sky, bestower of happiness, source of existence, the Lord, the doer, creator, skillful, the world itself, and performer of divine deeds. (13-91-33)
gaṇitaḥ pañcavīryaś ca ādityaḥ raśmimāṃs tathā। saptakṛt somavarcāś ca viśvakṛt kavir eva ca ॥13-91-34॥
Counted among them are one of fivefold powers, the sun (Āditya), possessor of rays, likewise the performer of sevenfold actions, endowed with the brilliance of Soma, creator of all, and wise sage indeed. (13-91-34)
anugoptā sugoptā ca naptā ca īśvara eva ca। jitātmā munivīryaś ca dīptalomā bhayaṅkaraḥ ॥13-91-35॥
He is the protector after, the excellent protector, and the purifier; also the supreme lord, one whose self is conquered, possessing the strength of a sage, one with shining hair, and terrifying. (13-91-35)
atikarmā pratītaś ca pradātā cāṃśumāṃs tathā. śailābhaḥ paramakrodhī dhīroṣṇī bhūpatis tathā ॥13-91-36॥
One whose actions excel, who is famous, a generous giver, radiant as well; mountain-like, highly wrathful, steadfast, fierce, and also a king. (13-91-36)
srajī vajrī varī caiva viśvedevāḥ sanātanāḥ। kīrtitās te mahābhāgāḥ kālasya gatigocarāḥ ॥13-91-37॥
The Viśvedeva gods, famed as the one with a garland, the one with a vajra, and the chooser, are eternal, greatly fortunate, and are said to participate in the courses of time. (13-91-37)
aśrāddheyāni dhānyāni kodravāḥ pulakās tathā | hiṅgu dravyeṣu śākeṣu palāṇḍuṃ laśunaṃ tathā ॥13-91-38॥
Grains not to be used in śrāddha, kodrava millet, pulaka grains, asafoetida among substances, garlic and onion among vegetables are also included. (13-91-38)
palāṇḍuḥ saubhañjanakastathā gṛñjanakādayaḥ। kūṣmāṇḍajātyalābuṃ ca kṛṣṇaṃ lavaṇameva ca ॥13-91-39॥
Onion, drumstick tree, leek and similar vegetables, white gourd, kinds of pumpkin, black nightshade, and salt as well. (13-91-39)
grāmyaṃ vārāhamāṃsaṃ ca yaccaivāprokṣitaṃ bhavet। kṛṣṇājājī viḍaścaiva śītapākī tathaiva ca ॥ aṅkurādyāstathā varjyā iha śṛṅgāṭakāni ca ॥13-91-40॥
Domesticated meat, boar meat, anything unsprinkled with water, black cumin, betel nut, cold-cooked food, sprouts and similar things, and mushrooms or truffles are to be avoided here. (13-91-40)
varjayellavaṇaṃ sarvaṃ tathā jambūphalāni ca. avakṣutāvaruditaṃ tathā śrādṣeṣu varjayet ॥13-91-41॥
One should avoid all kinds of salt, as well as jambu fruits; and also, in śrāddha ceremonies, anything that is washed and covered should be avoided. (13-91-41)
nivāpe havyakavye vā garhitaṃ ca śvadarśanam। pitaraścaiva devāśca nābhinandanti taddhaviḥ॥13-91-42॥
If an offering during oblations to gods and ancestors is condemned or has a dog's presence, the ancestors and the gods do not welcome that offering. (13-91-42)
caṇḍālaśvapacau varjyau nivāpe samupasthite. kāṣāyavāsī kuṣṭhī vā patito brahmahāpi vā ॥13-91-43॥
If an outcaste, dog-eater, one clad in ochre, one afflicted with leprosy, fallen person, or even a slayer of a Brāhmaṇa is present at the food offering, they are to be avoided. (13-91-43)
saṅkīrṇayonir vipraś ca sambandhī patitaś ca yaḥ । varjanīyā budhair ete nivāpe samupasthite ॥13-91-44॥
When these—one of mixed birth, a brāhmaṇa, a relative, or a fallen one—are present at the offering, the wise should avoid them. (13-91-44)
ityevam uktvā bhagavān svavaṃśajam ṛṣiṃ purā। pitāmaha-sabhāṃ divyāṃ jagāma atriḥ tapo-dhanaḥ ॥13-91-45॥
Having thus spoken to his own descendant, the revered sage Atri, abounding in austerity, long ago went to the divine assembly-hall of the Grandfather (Brahmā). (13-91-45)
