13.091
Yudhishthira said.
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)
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 said.
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)
Atri, the Svāyambhuva and a most powerful supreme sage, O Kauravya, in his lineage, O great king, Dattātreya is known. (13-91-4)
Dattātreya had a son named Nimi, who was rich in austerity. Nimi also had a son named Śrīmān, endowed with fortune. (13-91-5)
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)
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)
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)
His intellect, though awakened, whose self was covered by sorrow, withdrew the mind from objects and began to reflect in detail. (13-91-9)
Then, concentrating his mind, he reflected upon the śrāddha ceremony—whatever foods, roots, and fruits were his own to offer. (13-91-10)
The ascetic, having discerned with his mind all those things—spoken, other, and desired, which belonged to him—indeed. (13-91-11)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Having committed that act, the foremost sage, having caused confusion of dharma by himself, being greatly tormented with remorse, reflected. (13-91-16)
"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)
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)
Then Atri, seeing him emaciated by grief for his son, greatly consoled him with auspicious words, he who is imperishable. (13-91-19)
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)
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)
"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)
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)
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)
Here, the earth, bearer of the offering, is worthy of praise. She is also called Vaiṣṇavī, Kāśyapī, and, likewise, Akṣayā. (13-91-25)
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)
But the gods called Pitṛs were created by Svayambhū; the ūṣmapāḥ, who are most fortunate, their shares have been assigned. (13-91-27)
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)
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)
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, heroic one, modest, famed, accomplished, and also known as Vipūrvaḥ, Somapūrvaḥ, and Sūryaśrī; thus are the names (13-91-31).
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Onion, drumstick tree, leek and similar vegetables, white gourd, kinds of pumpkin, black nightshade, and salt as well. (13-91-39)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
