Yajnavalkya's Teaching on the Rule of Shraddha

Verse 1 (garuda.1.99.1)

याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच । अथ श्राद्धविधिं वक्ष्ये सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् । अमावस्याष्टकावृद्धिकृष्णपक्षायनद्वयम्

yājñavalkya uvāca atha śrāddhavidhiṁ vakṣye sarvapāpapraṇāśanam amāvasyāṣṭakāvṛddhikṛṣṇapakṣāyanadvayam

Yajnavalkya said: Now I shall declare the rule of shraddha, which destroys all sin. The new-moon day, the ashtaka days, the vriddhi-shraddha, the dark fortnight, the two solstices,

Verse 2 (garuda.1.99.2)

द्रव्यं ब्राह्मणसम्पत्तिर्विषुवत्सूर्य्यसंक्रमः । व्यतीपातो गजच्छाया ग्रहणं चन्द्रसूर्य्ययोः

dravyaṁ brāhmaṇasampattirviṣuvatsūryyasaṁkramaḥ vyatīpāto gajacchāyā grahaṇaṁ candrasūryyayoḥ

the acquisition of suitable materials, the arrival of a worthy brahmin, the equinoxes, the solar transit, the vyatipata yoga, the 'elephant's shadow' occasion, and an eclipse of the moon or sun —

Verse 3 (garuda.1.99.3)

श्राद्धं प्रतिरुचिश्चैव श्राद्धकालाः प्रकीर्त्तिताः । अग्नियः सर्वदेवेषु श्रोत्रियो वेदविद्युवा

śrāddhaṁ pratiruciścaiva śrāddhakālāḥ prakīrttitāḥ agniyaḥ sarvadeveṣu śrotriyo vedavidyuvā

and shraddha performed according to one's own wish — these are declared as the proper times for shraddha. Among all the gods, Agni is the deity of shraddha; a young, learned brahmin versed in the Veda —

Verse 4 (garuda.1.99.4)

वेदार्थविज्ज्येष्ठसामा त्रिमधुस्त्रिसुपर्णिकः । स्वस्त्रीयऋत्विगजामातायज्यश्वशुरमातुलाः

vedārthavijjyeṣṭhasāmā trimadhustrisuparṇikaḥ svastrīyaṛtvigajāmātāyajyaśvaśuramātulāḥ

one who knows the meaning of the Veda, who has mastered the Jyeshthasaman, the Trimadhu and Trisuparna hymns, one's sister's son, one's officiating priest, son-in-law, patron, father-in-law, and maternal uncle —

Verse 5 (garuda.1.99.5)

त्रिणाचिकेतदौहित्रशिष्यसम्बन्धिबान्धवाः । कर्मनिष्ठास्तपोनिष्ठाः पञ्चाग्निब्रह्मचारिणः

triṇāciketadauhitraśiṣyasambandhibāndhavāḥ karmaniṣṭhāstaponiṣṭhāḥ pañcāgnibrahmacāriṇaḥ

one versed in the Trinachiketa rite, one's daughter's son, pupil, relative by marriage, and kinsman; those devoted to ritual action, to austerity, to maintaining the five sacred fires, and celibate students —

Verse 6 (garuda.1.99.6)

पितृमातृपराश्चैव ब्राह्मणाः श्राद्धदेवताः । रोगी हीनातिरिक्ताङ्गः काणः पौनर्भवस्तथा

pitṛmātṛparāścaiva brāhmaṇāḥ śrāddhadevatāḥ rogī hīnātiriktāṅgaḥ kāṇaḥ paunarbhavastathā

and those devoted to father and mother — such brahmins are the proper recipients of shraddha. But one who is diseased, deficient or excessive in limbs, one-eyed, or the son of a remarried woman,

Verse 7 (garuda.1.99.7)

अवकीर्ण्याद यो ये च ये चाचारविवर्जिताः । अवैष्णवाश्च ते सर्वे न श्राद्धार्हाः कदाचन

avakīrṇyāda yo ye ca ye cācāravivarjitāḥ avaiṣṇavāśca te sarve na śrāddhārhāḥ kadācana

one who has broken his vow, those devoid of proper conduct, and those not devoted to Vishnu — all these are never fit to receive shraddha.

Verse 8 (garuda.1.99.8)

निमन्त्रयेच्च पूर्वेद्युर्द्विजैर्भाव्यं च संयतैः । आजान्तांश्चैव पूर्वाह्णेह्यासनेषूपवेशयेत्

nimantrayecca pūrvedyurdvijairbhāvyaṁ ca saṁyataiḥ ājāntāṁścaiva pūrvāhṇehyāsaneṣūpaveśayet

One should invite them the day before, and they should remain self-controlled. Having arrived, they should be seated on seats in the forenoon.

Verse 9 (garuda.1.99.9)

युग्मान्देवे तथा पित्र्ये स्वप्रदेशेषु शक्तितः । द्वौ दैव प्रागुदक् पित्र्ये त्रीण्येकं चोभयोः पृथक्

yugmāndeve tathā pitrye svapradeśeṣu śaktitaḥ dvau daiva prāgudak pitrye trīṇyekaṁ cobhayoḥ pṛthak

For both the deva and pitri portions, seat an even number of brahmins, according to one's ability, in their respective places. Two for the deva portion, facing east or north; for the pitri portion, three, or at least one — seated separately for each.

Verse 10 (garuda.1.99.10)

मातामहानामप्येवं तन्त्रं वा वैश्वदेविकम् । हस्तप्रक्षालनं दत्त्वा विष्टरार्थे कुशानपि

mātāmahānāmapyevaṁ tantraṁ vā vaiśvadevikam hastaprakṣālanaṁ dattvā viṣṭarārthe kuśānapi

Likewise for the maternal ancestors; or these may be combined into a single Vaishvadeva rite. Having given water for washing hands, and kusha grass for their seats —

Verse 11 (garuda.1.99.11)

आवाह्य तदनुज्ञातो विश्वदेवासइत्यृचा । यवैरन्नं विकीर्य्याथ भोजने सपवित्रके

āvāhya tadanujñāto viśvadevāsaityṛcā yavairannaṁ vikīryyātha bhojane sapavitrake

having invoked them, and being granted permission, with the verse beginning 'vishve devāḥ,' scattering barley over the food, at the meal, with sacred-grass rings on the fingers —

Verse 12 (garuda.1.99.12)

शन्नोदेव्या पयः क्षिप्त्वा यवोऽसीति यवांस्तथा । यादिव्या इति मन्त्रेण हस्तेष्वेव विनिः क्षिपेत्

śannodevyā payaḥ kṣiptvā yavo'sīti yavāṁstathā yādivyā iti mantreṇa hasteṣveva viniḥ kṣipet

having poured milk with the mantra 'shan no devi,' and barley with the mantra 'yavo'si,' and with the mantra 'ya divya,' he should place these into their hands.

Verse 13 (garuda.1.99.13)

गन्धोदके तथा दीपमाल्यदामप्रदीपकम् । अपसव्यं ततः कृत्वा पितॄणामप्रदक्षिणम्

gandhodake tathā dīpamālyadāmapradīpakam apasavyaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā pitṝṇāmapradakṣiṇam

He should offer scented water, a lamp, garlands, and further offerings. Then, having placed the sacred thread over the right shoulder, moving counter-clockwise for the ancestors —

Verse 14 (garuda.1.99.14)

द्विगुणांस्तु कुशान्दत्त्वा उशन्तस्त्वेत्यृचा पितॄन् । आवाह्य तदनु ज्ञातो जपेदायन्तुनस्ततः

dviguṇāṁstu kuśāndattvā uśantastvetyṛcā pitṝn āvāhya tadanu jñāto japedāyantunastataḥ

having given a double portion of kusha grass, with the verse beginning 'ushantastvā,' he should invoke the ancestors; granted permission, he should then recite 'āyantu naḥ.'

Verse 15 (garuda.1.99.15)

यवार्थस्तु तिलैः कार्य्यः कुर्य्यादर्घ्यादि पूर्ववत् । दत्त्वार्घ्यं संस्रंवांस्तेषां पात्रे कृत्वा विधानतः

yavārthastu tilaiḥ kāryyaḥ kuryyādarghyādi pūrvavat dattvārghyaṁ saṁsraṁvāṁsteṣāṁ pātre kṛtvā vidhānataḥ

In place of barley, sesame should be used for the ancestors; the arghya and the rest should be performed as before. Having given the arghya, and duly placed the drippings in their vessel —

Verse 16 (garuda.1.99.16)

पितृभ्यः स्थानमसीति न्युब्जं पात्रं करोत्यधः । अग्नौ करिष्य आदाय पृच्छत्यन्नं घृप्लुतम्

pitṛbhyaḥ sthānamasīti nyubjaṁ pātraṁ karotyadhaḥ agnau kariṣya ādāya pṛcchatyannaṁ ghṛplutam

with the mantra 'pitṛbhyaḥ sthānam asi,' he turns the vessel face-down. Then, intending to make an offering in the fire, taking the food soaked in ghee, he should ask permission —

Verse 17 (garuda.1.99.17)

कुरुष्वेति तथोक्तोसौ हुत्वाग्नौ पितृयज्ञवत् । हुतशेषं प्रदद्याच्च भाजनेषु समाहितः

kuruṣveti tathoktosau hutvāgnau pitṛyajñavat hutaśeṣaṁ pradadyācca bhājaneṣu samāhitaḥ

and, told 'do so,' he offers oblation in the fire in the manner of the pitri-sacrifice. Then, with concentration, he should distribute the remainder into the brahmins' vessels —

Verse 18 (garuda.1.99.18)

यथालाभोपपन्नेषु रौप्येषु च विशेषतः । दत्त्वान्नं पृथिवीपात्रमिति पात्राभिमन्त्रणम्

yathālābhopapanneṣu raupyeṣu ca viśeṣataḥ dattvānnaṁ pṛthivīpātramiti pātrābhimantraṇam

vessels obtained as available, especially silver ones. Having given the food, with the mantra 'pṛthivī pātram' — this is the consecration of the vessels —

Verse 19 (garuda.1.99.19)

कृत्वे दंविष्णुरित्येवं द्विजाङ्गुष्ठं निवेशयेत् । सव्याहृतिं च गायत्त्रीं मधुवातेत्यृचस्तथा

kṛtve daṁviṣṇurityevaṁ dvijāṅguṣṭhaṁ niveśayet savyāhṛtiṁ ca gāyattrīṁ madhuvātetyṛcastathā

having done this, with the mantra 'idaṃ viṣṇuḥ,' he should place the brahmin's thumb in the food. Then the Gayatri together with the vyahritis, and the verse 'madhu vātā' —

Verse 20 (garuda.1.99.20)

जप्त्वा यथासुखं वाच्यं भुञ्जीरंस्तेऽपि वाग्यताः । अन्नमिष्टं हविष्यं च दद्यादक्रोधनोत्वरः

japtvā yathāsukhaṁ vācyaṁ bhuñjīraṁste'pi vāgyatāḥ annamiṣṭaṁ haviṣyaṁ ca dadyādakrodhanotvaraḥ

having recited these, he should tell them to eat at ease, and they too should eat, observing silence. He should serve food that is desirable and fit for offering, without anger and without haste.

Verse 21 (garuda.1.99.21)

आतृप्तेस्तु पवित्राणि जप्त्वा पूर्वजपं तथा । अन्नमादाय तृप्ताः स्थः शेषं चैवान्नमन्वहम् च

ātṛptestu pavitrāṇi japtvā pūrvajapaṁ tathā annamādāya tṛptāḥ sthaḥ śeṣaṁ caivānnamanvaham ca

Until they are satisfied, he should recite the purificatory verses and the earlier recitation. When they say 'we are satisfied,' he should take the remaining food for daily use —

Verse 22 (garuda.1.99.22)

तदन्नं विकिरेद्भूमौ दद्याच्चापः सकृत्सकृत् । सर्वमन्नमुपादाय सतिलं दक्षिणामुखः

tadannaṁ vikiredbhūmau dadyāccāpaḥ sakṛtsakṛt sarvamannamupādāya satilaṁ dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ

he should scatter that food on the ground, and give water once each. Having taken up all the food together with sesame, facing south —

Verse 23 (garuda.1.99.23)

उच्छिष्टसन्निधौ पिण्डान्प्रदद्यात्पितृयज्ञवत् । मातामहानामप्यवं दद्यादाचमनं ततः

ucchiṣṭasannidhau piṇḍānpradadyātpitṛyajñavat mātāmahānāmapyavaṁ dadyādācamanaṁ tataḥ

in the presence of the leftover food, he should offer the pindas, as in the pitri-sacrifice. Likewise for the maternal ancestors. Then he should have them sip water —

Verse 24 (garuda.1.99.24)

स्वस्ति वाच्यं ततो दद्यादक्षय्योदकमेव च । दत्त्वा च दक्षिणां शक्त्या स्वधाकारमुदाहरेत्

svasti vācyaṁ tato dadyādakṣayyodakameva ca dattvā ca dakṣiṇāṁ śaktyā svadhākāramudāharet

having them say 'svasti,' he should give the akshaya-udaka. Having given the sacrificial fee according to his ability, he should utter the exclamation 'svadha.'

Verse 25 (garuda.1.99.25)

वाच्यतामिन्यनुज्ञातः पितृभ्यश्च स्वधोच्यताम् । विप्रैरस्तु स्वधेत्युक्तो भूमौ सिञ्चेत्ततो जलम्

vācyatāminyanujñātaḥ pitṛbhyaśca svadhocyatām viprairastu svadhetyukto bhūmau siñcettato jalam

Granted permission, he should say: 'let svadha be uttered for the ancestors.' When the brahmins have said 'so be it, svadha,' he should sprinkle water on the ground.

Verse 26 (garuda.1.99.26)

प्रीयन्तामिति चाहैवं विश्वेदेव्यं जलं ददत् । दातारो नोऽभिवर्धन्तां वेदाः सन्ततिरेव च

prīyantāmiti cāhaivaṁ viśvedevyaṁ jalaṁ dadat dātāro no'bhivardhantāṁ vedāḥ santatireva ca

saying 'may they be pleased,' offering the water belonging to the Vishvedevas. The brahmins bless: 'May our givers prosper, and our Vedic knowledge and lineage too increase;

Verse 27 (garuda.1.99.27)

श्रद्धा च नो मा व्यगमद्वहु देयं च नोऽस्त्विति । इत्युक्तोऽपि प्रिया वाचः प्रणिपत्य विसर्जयेत्

śraddhā ca no mā vyagamadvahu deyaṁ ca no'stviti ityukto'pi priyā vācaḥ praṇipatya visarjayet

may our faith never wane, and may we have much to give.' Having heard these dear words, he should bow and take leave of them.

Verse 28 (garuda.1.99.28)

वाजेवाजे इति प्रीत्या पितृपूर्वं विसर्जनम् । यस्मिंस्ते संस्रवाः पूर्वमर्घ्यपात्रे निपातिताः

vājevāje iti prītyā pitṛpūrvaṁ visarjanam yasmiṁste saṁsravāḥ pūrvamarghyapātre nipātitāḥ

With the mantra 'vāje vāje,' with affection, he should first take leave of the deities, then the ancestors. The vessel in which the drippings were earlier placed —

Verse 29 (garuda.1.99.29)

पितृपात्रं तदुत्तानं कृत्वा विप्रान्विसर्जयेत् । प्रदक्षिणमनुव्रज्य भुञ्जीत पितृसेवितम्

pitṛpātraṁ taduttānaṁ kṛtvā viprānvisarjayet pradakṣiṇamanuvrajya bhuñjīta pitṛsevitam

that pitri-vessel, having turned it face-up, he should then dismiss the brahmins. Having seen them off with circumambulation, he should eat what was offered to the ancestors.

Verse 30 (garuda.1.99.30)

ब्रह्मचारीं भवेत्तां तु रजनीं भार्य्यया सह । एवं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा वृद्धौ नान्दीमुखानपि

brahmacārīṁ bhavettāṁ tu rajanīṁ bhāryyayā saha evaṁ pradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā vṛddhau nāndīmukhānapi

That night, though remaining with his wife, he should observe celibacy. Having thus performed the circumambulation — in the vriddhi-shraddha, one worships the Nandimukha ancestors —

Verse 31 (garuda.1.99.31)

यजेत्तदधिकर्कन्धूमिश्राः पिण्डा यैवः श्रिताः । एकोद्दिष्टं दैवहीनं एकान्नैकपवित्रकम्

yajettadadhikarkandhūmiśrāḥ piṇḍā yaivaḥ śritāḥ ekoddiṣṭaṁ daivahīnaṁ ekānnaikapavitrakam

additionally, with pindas mixed with jujube fruit, as prescribed. The ekoddishta shraddha lacks the deva-portion, and uses a single kind of food and a single sacred-grass ring —

Verse 32 (garuda.1.99.32)

आवाहनाग्नौकरणरहितं त्वपसव्यवत् । उपतिष्ठतामित्यक्षय्यस्थाने विप्रान्विसर्जयेत्

āvāhanāgnaukaraṇarahitaṁ tvapasavyavat upatiṣṭhatāmityakṣayyasthāne viprānvisarjayet

without invocation and without fire-offering, with the sacred thread kept over the right shoulder throughout. With the mantra 'upatiṣṭhatām,' in place of the akshaya-udaka, he should dismiss the brahmins.

Verse 33 (garuda.1.99.33)

अभिरम्यतां प्रबूयाद् ब्रुयुस्तेभिरताः स्म ह । गन्धो दकतिलैर्मिश्रं कुर्य्यात्पात्रचतुष्टयम्

abhiramyatāṁ prabūyād bruyustebhiratāḥ sma ha gandho dakatilairmiśraṁ kuryyātpātracatuṣṭayam

He should say 'be pleased,' and they should reply, 'we are indeed pleased.' For the Sapindikarana rite, he should prepare four vessels mixed with scent, water, and sesame —

Verse 34 (garuda.1.99.34)

अर्घ्यार्थं पितृपात्रेषु प्रेतपात्रं प्रसेचयेत् । ये समाना इति द्वाभ्यां शेषं पूर्ववदाचरेत्

arghyārthaṁ pitṛpātreṣu pretapātraṁ prasecayet ye samānā iti dvābhyāṁ śeṣaṁ pūrvavadācaret

for the arghya, he should pour the preta's vessel into the vessels of the three ancestors. With the two verses beginning 'ye samānāḥ,' he should perform the rest as before.

Verse 35 (garuda.1.99.35)

एतत्सपिण्डीकरणमेकोद्दिष्टं स्त्रिया अपि । अर्वाक् सपिण्डीकरणं यस्य संवत्सराद्भवेत्

etatsapiṇḍīkaraṇamekoddiṣṭaṁ striyā api arvāk sapiṇḍīkaraṇaṁ yasya saṁvatsarādbhavet

This is the Sapindikarana rite; the Ekoddishta is also performed for a woman. If someone's Sapindikarana takes place before a year has elapsed —

Verse 36 (garuda.1.99.36)

तस्याप्यन्नं सोदकुम्भं दद्यात्संवत्सरं द्विजः । पिण्डांश्च गोज विप्रेभ्यो दद्याद्ग्नौ जलेऽपि वा

tasyāpyannaṁ sodakumbhaṁ dadyātsaṁvatsaraṁ dvijaḥ piṇḍāṁśca goja viprebhyo dadyādgnau jale'pi vā

the twice-born should still give food together with a water-jug for the remainder of the year, for that person too. He should give the pindas to cows, brahmins, into fire, or into water.

Verse 37 (garuda.1.99.37)

हविष्यान्नेन वै मासं पायसेन तु वत्सरम् । मात्स्यहारिणकौरभ्रशाकुनच्छागपार्षतैः

haviṣyānnena vai māsaṁ pāyasena tu vatsaram mātsyahāriṇakaurabhraśākunacchāgapārṣataiḥ

With sacrificial food, satisfaction lasts a month; with milk-rice, a year. With the flesh of fish, deer, sheep, fowl, goat, and spotted deer —

Verse 38 (garuda.1.99.38)

ऐणरौरववा राहशाशमांसैर्यथाक्रमम् । मासवृद्ध्यापि तुष्यन्ति दत्तैरिह पितामहाः

aiṇarauravavā rāhaśāśamāṁsairyathākramam māsavṛddhyāpi tuṣyanti dattairiha pitāmahāḥ

and with the flesh of the Ena deer, the Ruru deer, the buffalo, and the hare, given in order — the ancestors are satisfied for increasing periods of months.

Verse 39 (garuda.1.99.39)

दद्याद्वर्षात्रयोदश्यां मघासु च न संशयः । प्रतिपत्प्रभृतिष्वेवं कन्या दीश्राद्धदो लभेत्

dadyādvarṣātrayodaśyāṁ maghāsu ca na saṁśayaḥ pratipatprabhṛtiṣvevaṁ kanyā dīśrāddhado labhet

One should give shraddha on the thirteenth of the year, and under the Magha nakshatra — of this there is no doubt. Likewise, from the first lunar day onward, one who performs shraddha for a maiden obtains special merit.

Verse 40 (garuda.1.99.40)

शस्त्रेण निहतानां तु चतुर्दश्यां प्रदीयते । स्वर्गं ह्यपत्यमोजश्च शौर्य्यं क्षेत्रं बलं तथा

śastreṇa nihatānāṁ tu caturdaśyāṁ pradīyate svargaṁ hyapatyamojaśca śauryyaṁ kṣetraṁ balaṁ tathā

For those slain by weapons, shraddha is given on the fourteenth. Through shraddha, one obtains heaven, offspring, vigor, valor, land, and strength,

Verse 41 (garuda.1.99.41)

पुत्रश्रैष्ट्यं स सौभाग्यं समृद्धिं मुख्यतां शुभम् । प्रवृत्तचक्रतां चैव वाणिज्यप्रभृतींस्तथा

putraśraiṣṭyaṁ sa saubhāgyaṁ samṛddhiṁ mukhyatāṁ śubham pravṛttacakratāṁ caiva vāṇijyaprabhṛtīṁstathā

excellence in sons, good fortune, prosperity, prominence, auspiciousness, the flourishing of undertakings, and success in trade as well,

Verse 42 (garuda.1.99.42)

अरोगित्वं यशो वीतशोकतां परमां गतिम् । धनं विद्यां च वाक्सिद्धिं कुप्यं गोजाविकं तथा

arogitvaṁ yaśo vītaśokatāṁ paramāṁ gatim dhanaṁ vidyāṁ ca vāksiddhiṁ kupyaṁ gojāvikaṁ tathā

freedom from disease, fame, freedom from grief, the supreme goal, wealth, learning, mastery of speech, base metals, cows, goats and sheep,

Verse 43 (garuda.1.99.43)

अश्वानायुश्च विधिवद्यः श्राद्धं संप्रयच्छति । कृत्तिकादिभरण्यन्तं स कामान्प्राप्नुयादिमान्

aśvānāyuśca vidhivadyaḥ śrāddhaṁ saṁprayacchati kṛttikādibharaṇyantaṁ sa kāmānprāpnuyādimān

horses, and long life — whoever duly performs shraddha under the constellations from Krittika to Bharani obtains all these desires.

Verse 44 (garuda.1.99.44)

वस्त्राद्याः प्रीणयन्त्येव नरं श्राद्धकृतं द्विजाः । आयुः प्रजा धनं विद्यां स्वर्गमोक्षसुखानि च

vastrādyāḥ prīṇayantyeva naraṁ śrāddhakṛtaṁ dvijāḥ āyuḥ prajā dhanaṁ vidyāṁ svargamokṣasukhāni ca

Gifts of clothes and the like please the brahmins toward the man who performs shraddha. Life, offspring, wealth, learning, and the joys of heaven and liberation —

Verse 45 (garuda.1.99.45)

प्रयच्छति यथा राज्यं प्रीत्या नित्यं पितामहः

prayacchati yathā rājyaṁ prītyā nityaṁ pitāmahaḥ

the Grandfather grants all these, always, with the same affection with which a king grants a kingdom.