13.100
the giving of an offering
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O best of the Bharatas, expound the entire duty of the householder; what should a man do here, O King, to attain prosperity? (13-100-1)
Bhishma said;
Here, O king, I shall tell you the ancient event—the conversation between Vāsudeva and the earth, O Bhārata. (13-100-2)
Having offered praise to the earth goddess, the mighty Vāsudeva asked me today about that which you inquire, O best of the Bharatas. (13-100-3)
Vāsudeva said.
Having adopted the duties of householder, either by myself or by one like me, what action must certainly be performed, or by doing what can one become happy? (13-100-4)
The earth said.
O Mādhava, sages, ancestors, gods, and humans are indeed objects of worship and to be honored; just so—understand this from me. (13-100-5)
One should always worship the gods by sacrifice and men by hospitality, and at all times joyfully serve the worthy ones. Through this, O Madhusūdana, the groups of sages become pleased. (13-100-6)
O Madhusūdana, one should always tend the fire without having eaten and perform the offering of oblations likewise; thus, indeed, the gods are pleased. (13-100-7)
One should perform the śrāddha every day, offering to the ancestors food and edibles, or water, or even milk, roots, and fruits, thereby bringing them satisfaction. (13-100-8)
From prepared food, one should perform the Vaiśvadeva offering in the fire according to rule; then Agnīṣoma, Vaiśvadeva, and Dhanvantari offerings, one after another. (13-100-9)
A separate homa is prescribed for the lord of beings, and in the same way, one should perform the bali offering in due order. (13-100-10)
In the south one should offer to Yama here, in the west to Varuṇa, in the north indeed to Soma, and in the middle of the dwelling to the twice-born. (13-100-11)
O Mādhava, they say the offering at the door of the house should be made to Dhanvantari in the northeast, to Śakra in the east, and to Manu. One should offer the offering inside the house to the Maruts and other deities. (13-100-12)
In the same way, he should offer oblations to the Viśve-devas by casting them into the sky. Likewise, at night, he should offer oblations to night-wanderers and spirits. (13-100-13)
Having thus made the offering in the proper manner, one should give alms to a twice-born; but if a Brāhmaṇa is not found, one should take the chief portion and deposit it in the fire. (13-100-14)
When a man wishes to offer śrāddha to the ancestors, he should then perform the subsequent rites after the completion of the śrāddha ceremony. (13-100-15)
After satisfying the ancestors, one should perform the offering as prescribed; then the Vaiśvadeva should be performed, and afterwards the Brāhmaṇa recitation. (13-100-16)
Then, O great king, with the remaining food he should also feed the guests; by this (ritual), before the worship, he thus pleases people. (13-100-17)
Because the guest stays only temporarily, he is called an 'atithi'. For the teacher, the father, the friend, the trusted person, and the guest, one should always state, "This is in my house." (13-100-19)
Duty is enjoined as: a person should do what they might say. The householder should always be pure, and should eat food left by the noble. (13-100-20)
One should honor with the madhuparka offering the king, the officiating priest, the initiated graduate, the teacher, and the father-in-law—provided they have stayed away for a year. (13-100-21)
Offerings should be cast on the ground for dogs, outcastes, and birds; this is called the Vaiśvadeva rite, and it is prescribed at evening and morning. (13-100-22)
But whoever performs these duties of a householder without envy attains supreme prosperity here, and after death is honored in heaven. (13-100-23)
Bhīṣma said.
Having heard the words of Bhūmi, the mighty Vāsudeva acted accordingly always. You too should act in this manner. (13-100-24)
O king, if you practice the duty of a householder in this way, you will attain fame in this world and, after passing away, you will reach heaven. (13-100-25)
