The Rite of the Parvana Shraddha

Verse 1 (markandeya.31.1)

मदालसोवाच सपिण्डीकरणादूर्ध्वं पितुर्यः प्रपितामहः । स तु लेपभुजो याति प्रलुप्तः पितृपिण्डतः ॥ ३१.१ ॥

madālasovāca sapiṇḍīkaraṇādūrdhvaṃ pituryaḥ prapitāmahaḥ sa tu lepabhujo yāti praluptaḥ pitṛpiṇḍataḥ

After the sapindikarana rite has been performed, the one who was the father's great-grandfather is excluded from the ancestral rice-ball offering and becomes a mere partaker of its smear.

Verse 2 (markandeya.31.2)

तेषामन्यश्चतुर्थो यः पुत्रलेपभुजान्नभुक् । सोऽपि सम्बन्धतो हीनमुपभोगं प्रपद्यते ॥ ३१.२ ॥

teṣāmanyaścaturtho yaḥ putralepabhujānnabhuk so 'pi sambandhato hīnamupabhogaṃ prapadyate

Among them, the one who is the fourth, who eats the food left over from the son's smear-portion, likewise receives an enjoyment that is diminished in relation.

Verse 3 (markandeya.31.3)

पिता पितामहश्चैव तथैव प्रपितामहः । पिण्डसम्बन्धिनो ह्येते विज्ञेयाः पुरुषास्त्रयः ॥ ३१.३ ॥

pitā pitāmahaścaiva tathaiva prapitāmahaḥ piṇḍasambandhino hyete vijñeyāḥ puruṣāstrayaḥ

The father, the grandfather, and likewise the great-grandfather — these three men are to be known as connected through the rice-ball offering.

Verse 4 (markandeya.31.4)

तेपसम्बन्धिनश्चान्ये पितामहपितामहात् । प्रभृत्युक्तास्त्रयस्तेषां यजमानश्च सप्तमः ॥ ३१.४ ॥

tepasambandhinaścānye pitāmahapitāmahāt prabhṛtyuktāstrayasteṣāṃ yajamānaśca saptamaḥ

Beginning from the grandfather of the grandfather, three others connected through the smear-offering are declared; and the sacrificer himself is the seventh.

Verse 5 (markandeya.31.5)

इत्येष मु नभिः प्रोक्तः सम्बन्धः साप्तपौरुषः । यजमानात् प्रभृत्यूर्ध्वमनुलेपभुजस्तथा ॥ ३१.५ ॥

ityeṣa mu nabhiḥ proktaḥ sambandhaḥ sāptapauruṣaḥ yajamānāt prabhṛtyūrdhvamanulepabhujastathā

Thus this seven-generation relationship has been declared by the sages; and, going further upward from the sacrificer, there likewise follows another who partakes only of the smear.

Verse 6 (markandeya.31.6)

ततोऽन्ये पूर्वजाः सर्वे ये चान्ये नरकौकसः । ये च तिर्यक्त्वमापन्ना ये च भूतादिसंस्थिताः ॥ ३१.६ ॥

tato 'nye pūrvajāḥ sarve ye cānye narakaukasaḥ ye ca tiryaktvamāpannā ye ca bhūtādisaṃsthitāḥ

Beyond these, all the other, earlier ancestors — those who dwell in hell, those who have attained an animal birth, and those situated among ghosts and similar beings —

Verse 7 (markandeya.31.7)

तान् सर्वान् यजमानो वै श्राद्धं कुर्वन् यथाविधि । समाप्याययते वत्स ! येन येन शृणुष्व तत् ॥ ३१.७ ॥

tān sarvān yajamāno vai śrāddhaṃ kurvan yathāvidhi samāpyāyayate vatsa ! yena yena śṛṇuṣva tat

The sacrificer, performing the shraddha according to rule, satisfies all of them, O child — hear now by what particular means each is satisfied.

Verse 8 (markandeya.31.8)

अन्नप्रकिरणं यत् तु मनुष्यैः क्रियते भुवि । तेन तृत्पिमुपायान्ति ये पिशाचत्वमागताः ॥ ३१.८ ॥

annaprakiraṇaṃ yat tu manuṣyaiḥ kriyate bhuvi tena tṛtpimupāyānti ye piśācatvamāgatāḥ

By the food-grains that men scatter upon the ground, those who have attained the state of pishachas (goblin-spirits) attain satisfaction.

Verse 9 (markandeya.31.9)

यदम्बु स्त्रानवस्त्रोत्थं भूमौ पतति पुत्रक ! । तेन ये तरुतां प्राप्तास्तेषां तृप्तिः प्रजायते ॥ ३१.९ ॥

yadambu strānavastrotthaṃ bhūmau patati putraka ! tena ye tarutāṃ prāptāsteṣāṃ tṛptiḥ prajāyate

O child, the water that falls to the ground from the wrung bathing-cloth brings satisfaction to those who have attained the state of trees.

Verse 10 (markandeya.31.10)

यास्तु गात्राम्बुकणिकाः पतन्ति धरणीतले । ताभिराप्यायनं तेषां ये देवत्वं कुले गताः ॥ ३१.१० ॥

yāstu gātrāmbukaṇikāḥ patanti dharaṇītale tābhirāpyāyanaṃ teṣāṃ ye devatvaṃ kule gatāḥ

The droplets of water from the body that fall upon the earth nourish those in the family who have attained divinity.

Verse 11 (markandeya.31.11)

उद्धृतेष्वथ पिण्डेषु याश्चान्नकणिका भुवि । ताभिराप्यायनं प्राप्ता ये तिर्यकत्वं कुले गताः ॥ ३१.११ ॥

uddhṛteṣvatha piṇḍeṣu yāścānnakaṇikā bhuvi tābhirāpyāyanaṃ prāptā ye tiryakatvaṃ kule gatāḥ

Then, when the rice-balls are lifted up, the grain-particles remaining on the ground bring satisfaction to those in the family who have gone to an animal birth.

Verse 12 (markandeya.31.12)

ये वादग्धाः कुले बालाः क्रियायोग्या ह्यसंस्कृताः । विपन्नास्तेऽन्नविकिर-संमार्जनजलाशिनः ॥ ३१.१२ ॥

ye vādagdhāḥ kule bālāḥ kriyāyogyā hyasaṃskṛtāḥ vipannāste 'nnavikira-saṃmārjanajalāśinaḥ

Children in the family who died without cremation rites, not yet fit for the sacraments, unconsecrated — those departed ones live on the scattered food, the sweepings, and the water of the offering.

Verse 13 (markandeya.31.13)

भुक्त्वा चाचामतां यच्च जलं यच्चाङ्घ्रिसेचने । ब्राह्मणानां तथैवान्ये तेन तृप्तिं प्रयान्ति वै ॥ ३१.१३ ॥

bhuktvā cācāmatāṃ yacca jalaṃ yaccāṅghrisecane brāhmaṇānāṃ tathaivānye tena tṛptiṃ prayānti vai

The water used by the brahmins for sipping after their meal, and that used for washing their feet — by this, others too likewise attain satisfaction.

Verse 14 (markandeya.31.14)

एवं यो यजमानस्य यश्च तेषां द्विजन्मनाम् । कश्चिज्जलान्नविक्षेपः शुचिरुच्छिष्ट एव वा ॥ ३१.१४ ॥

evaṃ yo yajamānasya yaśca teṣāṃ dvijanmanām kaścijjalānnavikṣepaḥ śucirucchiṣṭa eva vā

Thus, whatever scattering of water or food occurs — whether pure or even left over — from the sacrificer or from those twice-born brahmins —

Verse 15 (markandeya.31.15)

तेनान्ये तत्कुले तत्र तत्तद्योन्यन्तरं गताः । प्रयान्त्याप्यायनं वत्स ! सम्यक् श्राद्धक्रियावताम् ॥ ३१.१५ ॥

tenānye tatkule tatra tattadyonyantaraṃ gatāḥ prayāntyāpyāyanaṃ vatsa ! samyak śrāddhakriyāvatām

By that, others in the family who have gone to this or that different birth attain proper nourishment, O child, through the offerings of those who duly perform the shraddha rite.

Verse 16 (markandeya.31.16)

अन्यायोपार्जितैरर्थैर्यच्छ्राद्धं क्रियते नरैः । तृप्यन्ते तेन चाण्डालपुक्कसाद्यासु योनिषु ॥ ३१.१६ ॥

anyāyopārjitairarthairyacchrāddhaṃ kriyate naraiḥ tṛpyante tena cāṇḍālapukkasādyāsu yoniṣu

The shraddha that men perform with wealth unjustly acquired satisfies only those ancestors who have fallen into low births such as chandalas and pukkasas.

Verse 17 (markandeya.31.17)

एवमाप्यायनं वत्स ! बहूनामिह बान्धवैः । श्राद्धं कुर्वदिभरन्नाम्बुबिन्दुक्षेपेण जायते ॥ ३१.१७ ॥

evamāpyāyanaṃ vatsa ! bahūnāmiha bāndhavaiḥ śrāddhaṃ kurvadibharannāmbubindukṣepeṇa jāyate

Thus, O child, the nourishment of many kinsmen here comes about through the mere casting of a drop of water by one who, while sustaining his household, performs the shraddha.

Verse 18 (markandeya.31.18)

तस्माच्छ्राद्धं नरो भक्त्या शाकैरपि यथाविधि । कुर्वोत कुर्वतः श्राद्धं कुले कश्चिन्न सीदति ॥ ३१.१८ ॥

tasmācchrāddhaṃ naro bhaktyā śākairapi yathāvidhi kurvota kurvataḥ śrāddhaṃ kule kaścinna sīdati

Therefore a man should perform the shraddha with devotion and according to rule, even if only with vegetables; for one who performs the shraddha, no one in his family remains in want.

Verse 19 (markandeya.31.19)

तस्य कालानहं वक्ष्ये नित्यनैमित्तिकात्मकान् । विधिना येन च नरैः क्रियते तन्निबोध मे ॥ ३१.१९ ॥

tasya kālānahaṃ vakṣye nityanaimittikātmakān vidhinā yena ca naraiḥ kriyate tannibodha me

I shall now tell of its times, both constant and occasional in nature; and learn from me too the procedure by which men perform it.

Verse 20 (markandeya.31.20)

कार्यं श्राद्धममावास्यां मासि मास्युडुपक्षये । तथाष्टकास्वप्यवश्यमिच्छाकालं निबोध मे ॥ ३१.२० ॥

kāryaṃ śrāddhamamāvāsyāṃ māsi māsyuḍupakṣaye tathāṣṭakāsvapyavaśyamicchākālaṃ nibodha me

Shraddha must be performed on the new-moon day, at the waning of the moon each month, and also, necessarily, on the ashtaka days; and now learn from me too the 'occasions of one's own wish.'

Verse 21 (markandeya.31.21)

विशिष्टब्राह्मणप्राप्तौ सूर्येन्दुग्रहणेऽयने । विषुवे रविसंक्रान्तौ व्यतिपाते च पुत्रक ॥ ३१.२१ ॥

viśiṣṭabrāhmaṇaprāptau sūryendugrahaṇe 'yane viṣuve ravisaṃkrāntau vyatipāte ca putraka

On the arrival of an exceptional brahmin, at a solar or lunar eclipse, at the solstice, at the equinox, at the sun's transit, and at the inauspicious vyatipata conjunction, O child —

Verse 22 (markandeya.31.22)

श्राद्धार्हद्रव्यसम्प्राप्तौ तथा दुःस्वप्नदर्शने । जन्मर्क्षग्रहपीडासु श्राद्धं कुर्वोत चेच्छया ॥ ३१.२२ ॥

śrāddhārhadravyasamprāptau tathā duḥsvapnadarśane janmarkṣagrahapīḍāsu śrāddhaṃ kurvota cecchayā

On obtaining materials fit for the shraddha, upon seeing a bad dream, and during planetary affliction upon one's birth-star — one should perform the shraddha, as one wishes.

Verse 23 (markandeya.31.23)

विशिष्टः श्रोत्रियो योगी वेदविज्ज्येष्ठसामगः । त्रिणाचिकेतस्त्रिमधुस्त्रिसुपर्णः षडङ्गवित् ॥ ३१.२३ ॥

viśiṣṭaḥ śrotriyo yogī vedavijjyeṣṭhasāmagaḥ triṇāciketastrimadhustrisuparṇaḥ ṣaḍaṅgavit

An exceptional scriptural scholar, a yogi, a knower of the Veda, a foremost chanter of the Sama hymns, one versed in the three Nachiketa rites, in the trimadhu hymns, in the trisuparna hymn, and one who knows the six auxiliary Vedic sciences —

Verse 24 (markandeya.31.24)

दौहित्रऋत्विग्जामातृस्वस्त्रीयाः श्वशुरस्तथा । पञ्चाग्निकर्मनिष्ठश्च तपोनिष्ठोऽथ मातुलः ॥ ३१.२४ ॥

dauhitraṛtvigjāmātṛsvastrīyāḥ śvaśurastathā pañcāgnikarmaniṣṭhaśca taponiṣṭho 'tha mātulaḥ

A daughter's son, an officiating priest, a son-in-law, a sister's son, likewise a father-in-law, one devoted to the five-fire rite, one devoted to austerity, and a maternal uncle —

Verse 25 (markandeya.31.25)

मातापितृपराश्चैव शिष्यसम्बन्धिबान्धवाः । एते द्विजोत्तमाः श्राद्धे समस्ताः केतनक्षमाः ॥ ३१.२५ ॥

mātāpitṛparāścaiva śiṣyasambandhibāndhavāḥ ete dvijottamāḥ śrāddhe samastāḥ ketanakṣamāḥ

Those devoted to mother and father, a pupil, a relative, a kinsman — all these excellent twice-born are fit to be invited for the shraddha.

Verse 26 (markandeya.31.26)

अवकीर्णो तथा रोगी न्यूने चाङ्गे तथाधिके । पौनर्भवस्तथा काणः कुण्डो गोलोऽथ पुत्रक ॥ ३१.२६ ॥

avakīrṇo tathā rogī nyūne cāṅge tathādhike paunarbhavastathā kāṇaḥ kuṇḍo golo 'tha putraka

O child, one who has broken his vow of chastity, a diseased man, one with a deficient or an extra limb, the son of a remarried woman, a one-eyed man, and sons born to a wife or widow through another man —

Verse 27 (markandeya.31.27)

मित्रध्रुक् कुनखी क्लीबः श्यावदन्तो निराकृतिः । अबिशस्तस्तु तातेन पिशुनः सोमविक्रयी ॥ ३१.२७ ॥

mitradhruk kunakhī klībaḥ śyāvadanto nirākṛtiḥ abiśastastu tātena piśunaḥ somavikrayī

One who betrays a friend, one with bad nails, an impotent man, one with blackened teeth, one of ill appearance, one reproached by his own father, a slanderer, and a seller of soma —

Verse 28 (markandeya.31.28)

कन्यादूषयिता वैद्यो गुरुपित्रोस्तथोज्झकः । भृतकाध्यापकोऽमित्रः परपूर्वापतिस्तथा ॥ ३१.२८ ॥

kanyādūṣayitā vaidyo gurupitrostathojjhakaḥ bhṛtakādhyāpako 'mitraḥ parapūrvāpatistathā

One who has violated a maiden, a physician, one who has abandoned his teacher or parents, one who teaches for a fee, an enemy, and the husband of a woman previously wed to another —

Verse 29 (markandeya.31.29)

वेदोज्झोऽथाग्निसन्त्यागी वृषलीपतिदूषितः । तथान्ये च विकर्मस्था वर्ज्याः पित्र्येषु वै द्विजाः ॥ ३१.२९ ॥

vedojjho 'thāgnisantyāgī vṛṣalīpatidūṣitaḥ tathānye ca vikarmasthā varjyāḥ pitryeṣu vai dvijāḥ

One who has abandoned the Veda, one who has given up the sacred fires, one degraded through a shudra wife, and other twice-born so engaged in forbidden conduct — such brahmins are to be excluded from the ancestral rites.

Verse 30 (markandeya.31.30)

निमन्त्रयेत पूर्वेद्युः पूर्वोक्तान् द्विजसत्तमान् । दैवे नियोगे पित्र्ये च तांस्तथैवोपकल्पयेत् ॥ ३१.३० ॥

nimantrayeta pūrvedyuḥ pūrvoktān dvijasattamān daive niyoge pitrye ca tāṃstathaivopakalpayet

One should invite those aforementioned excellent brahmins the day before — both those for the divine portion and those for the ancestral portion — and arrange them accordingly.

Verse 31 (markandeya.31.31)

तैश्च संयतिभिर्भाव्यं यश्च श्राद्धं करिष्यति । श्राद्धं दत्त्वा च भुक्त्वा च मैथुनं योऽनुगच्छति ॥ ३१.३१ ॥

taiśca saṃyatibhirbhāvyaṃ yaśca śrāddhaṃ kariṣyati śrāddhaṃ dattvā ca bhuktvā ca maithunaṃ yo 'nugacchati

Those invited brahmins, and the one who is to perform the shraddha, must observe self-restraint; but as for one who, after giving the shraddha and eating, proceeds to sexual union —

Verse 32 (markandeya.31.32)

पितरस्तु तयोर्मासं तस्मिन रेतसि शेरते । गत्वा च योषितं श्राद्धे यो भुङ्क्ते यश्च गच्छति ॥ ३१.३२ ॥

pitarastu tayormāsaṃ tasmina retasi śerate gatvā ca yoṣitaṃ śrāddhe yo bhuṅkte yaśca gacchati

The ancestors of those two then dwell for a month in that very seed; and one who, after union with a woman, eats at the shraddha, or who goes to a woman after eating —

Verse 33 (markandeya.31.33)

रेतोमूत्रकृताहारास्तन्मासं पितरस्तयोः । तस्मात्तु प्रथमं कार्यं प्राज्ञेनोपनिमन्त्रणम् ॥ ३१.३३ ॥

retomūtrakṛtāhārāstanmāsaṃ pitarastayoḥ tasmāttu prathamaṃ kāryaṃ prājñenopanimantraṇam

For that month, the ancestors of those two are reduced to feeding on semen and urine; therefore the wise man's first duty is to send the invitation in good time.

Verse 34 (markandeya.31.34)

अप्राप्तौ तद्दिने चापि वर्ज्या योषित्प्रसङ्गिनः । भिक्षार्थमागतान् वापि काले संयमिनो यतीन् ॥ ३१.३४ ॥

aprāptau taddine cāpi varjyā yoṣitprasaṅginaḥ bhikṣārthamāgatān vāpi kāle saṃyamino yatīn

If brahmins are not available on that day, men attached to women should be excluded; but self-controlled ascetics who come at the proper time seeking alms —

Verse 35 (markandeya.31.35)

भोजयेत् प्रणिपाताद्यैः प्रासाद्य यतमानसः । यथैव शुक्लपक्षाद्वै पितॄणामसितः प्रियः ॥ ३१.३५ ॥

bhojayet praṇipātādyaiḥ prāsādya yatamānasaḥ yathaiva śuklapakṣādvai pitṝṇāmasitaḥ priyaḥ

one should feed, with prostration and the like, having pleased them, with a composed mind — for just as the dark fortnight is dearer to the ancestors than the bright fortnight,

Verse 36 (markandeya.31.36)

तथापराह्नः पूर्वाह्नात् पितॄणामतिरित्यते । संपूज्य स्वागतेनैतानभ्युपेतान् गृहे द्विजान् ॥ ३१.३६ ॥

tathāparāhnaḥ pūrvāhnāt pitṝṇāmatirityate saṃpūjya svāgatenaitānabhyupetān gṛhe dvijān

so too the afternoon is dearer to them than the forenoon. Having duly honored these brahmins who have come to the house, with a warm welcome —

Verse 37 (markandeya.31.37)

पवित्रपाणिराचान्तानासनेषूपवेशयेत् । पितॄणामयुजः कामं युग्मान् दैवे द्विजोत्तमान् ॥ ३१.३७ ॥

pavitrapāṇirācāntānāsaneṣūpaveśayet pitṝṇāmayujaḥ kāmaṃ yugmān daive dvijottamān

With purifying grass in hand, one should seat these brahmins, who have sipped water, upon their seats — an odd number, if desired, for the ancestors, and an even number of excellent brahmins for the divine portion.

Verse 38 (markandeya.31.38)

एकैकं वा पितॄणाञ्च देवानाञ्च स्वशक्तितः । तथा मातामहानाञ्च तुल्यं वा वैश्वदेविकम् ॥ ३१.३८ ॥

ekaikaṃ vā pitṝṇāñca devānāñca svaśaktitaḥ tathā mātāmahānāñca tulyaṃ vā vaiśvadevikam

Or, according to one's means, one each for the ancestors and for the gods, and likewise for the maternal grandfathers, or an equal number for the vishvadeva portion.

Verse 39 (markandeya.31.39)

पृथक् तयोस्तथा चान्ये केचिदिच्छन्ति मानवाः । प्राङ्मुखान्दैवसङ्कल्पान् पैत्र्यान् कुर्यादुदङ्मुखान् ॥ ३१.३९ ॥

pṛthak tayostathā cānye kecidicchanti mānavāḥ prāṅmukhāndaivasaṅkalpān paitryān kuryādudaṅmukhān

Some men wish the two — the ancestors and the maternal grandfathers — to be arranged separately. For the divine resolution one should face east, and for the ancestral resolution, north.

Verse 40 (markandeya.31.40)

तथैव मातामहानां विधिरुक्तो मनीषिभिः । विष्टरार्थे कुशान् दत्त्वा पूज्य चार्घ्यादिना बुधः ॥ ३१.४० ॥

tathaiva mātāmahānāṃ vidhirukto manīṣibhiḥ viṣṭarārthe kuśān dattvā pūjya cārghyādinā budhaḥ

Likewise, the wise have declared the procedure for the maternal grandfathers as well. Having given kusha grass for a seat, and having honored them with arghya and the rest, the wise man —

Verse 41 (markandeya.31.41)

पवित्रकादि वै दत्त्वा तेभ्योऽनुज्ञामवाप्य च । कुर्यादावाहनं प्राज्ञो देवानां मन्त्रतो द्विजः ॥ ३१.४१ ॥

pavitrakādi vai dattvā tebhyo 'nujñāmavāpya ca kuryādāvāhanaṃ prājño devānāṃ mantrato dvijaḥ

having given the pavitraka-ring and the rest, and having obtained their permission, the wise brahmin should invoke the gods with mantra.

Verse 42 (markandeya.31.42)

यवाम्भोभिस्तथा चार्घ्यं दत्त्वा वै वैश्वदेविकम् । गन्धमाल्याम्बुधूपञ्च दत्त्वा सम्यक् सदिपकम् ॥ ३१.४२ ॥

yavāmbhobhistathā cārghyaṃ dattvā vai vaiśvadevikam gandhamālyāmbudhūpañca dattvā samyak sadipakam

Having likewise offered arghya mixed with barley and water for the vishvadeva portion, and having duly given perfume, garland, water, incense and a lamp —

Verse 43 (markandeya.31.43)

अपसव्यं पितॄणाञ्च सर्वमेवोपकल्पयेत् । दर्भांश्च द्विगुणान् दत्त्वा तेभ्योऽनुज्ञामवाप्य च ॥ ३१.४३ ॥

apasavyaṃ pitṝṇāñca sarvamevopakalpayet darbhāṃśca dviguṇān dattvā tebhyo 'nujñāmavāpya ca

one should arrange everything for the ancestors in the apasavya manner, with the sacred thread turned to the right shoulder, and, having given double the kusha grass and obtained their permission —

Verse 44 (markandeya.31.44)

मन्त्रपूर्वं पितॄणाञ्च कुर्यादावाहनं बुधः । अपसव्यं तथा चार्घ्यं यवार्थञ्च तथा तिलैः ॥ ३१.४४ ॥

mantrapūrvaṃ pitṝṇāñca kuryādāvāhanaṃ budhaḥ apasavyaṃ tathā cārghyaṃ yavārthañca tathā tilaiḥ

the wise man should invoke the ancestors with mantra, in the apasavya manner, and likewise offer them arghya mixed with barley and sesame.

Verse 45 (markandeya.31.45)

निष्पादयेन्महाभाग ! पितॄणं प्रीणने रतः । अग्नौ कार्यमनुज्ञातः कुरुष्वेति ततो द्विजैः ॥ ३१.४५ ॥

niṣpādayenmahābhāga ! pitṝṇaṃ prīṇane rataḥ agnau kāryamanujñātaḥ kuruṣveti tato dvijaiḥ

O most fortunate one, one should accomplish this rite, intent upon pleasing the ancestors; then, when the brahmins give their permission, they say, 'Perform the offering in the fire.'

Verse 46 (markandeya.31.46)

जुहुयाद्व्यञ्जनक्षारवर्ज्यमन्नं यथाविधि । अग्नये कव्यवाहाय स्वहेति प्रथमाहुतिः ॥ ३१.४६ ॥

juhuyādvyañjanakṣāravarjyamannaṃ yathāvidhi agnaye kavyavāhāya svaheti prathamāhutiḥ

One should offer in the fire, according to rule, food free of pungent seasoning and alkaline salt — 'Svaha to Agni Kavyavahana' is the first oblation.

Verse 47 (markandeya.31.47)

सोमाय वै पितृमते स्वाहेत्यन्या तथा भवेत् । यमाय प्रेतपतये स्वाहेति त्रितयाहुतिः ॥ ३१.४७ ॥

somāya vai pitṛmate svāhetyanyā tathā bhavet yamāya pretapataye svāheti tritayāhutiḥ

'Svaha to Soma, who possesses the ancestors' is likewise the second; 'Svaha to Yama, lord of the departed' is the third oblation.

Verse 48 (markandeya.31.48)

हुतावशिष्टं दद्याच्च भाजनेषु द्विजन्मनाम् । भाजनालम्भनं कृत्वा दद्याच्चान्नं यथाविधि ॥ ३१.४८ ॥

hutāvaśiṣṭaṃ dadyācca bhājaneṣu dvijanmanām bhājanālambhanaṃ kṛtvā dadyāccānnaṃ yathāvidhi

What remains after the oblation should be placed in the vessels of the twice-born; having touched the vessels in consecration, the food should be served according to rule.

Verse 49 (markandeya.31.49)

यथा सुखं जुषध्वं भो इति वाच्यमनिष्ठुरम् । भुञ्जीरंश्च ततस्तेऽपि तच्चित्ता मौनिनः सुखम् ॥ ३१.४९ ॥

yathā sukhaṃ juṣadhvaṃ bho iti vācyamaniṣṭhuram bhuñjīraṃśca tataste 'pi taccittā mauninaḥ sukham

'Please partake at your ease, sirs' — this should be said gently, without harshness; then they, their minds fixed on that offering, should eat in silence and comfort.

Verse 50 (markandeya.31.50)

यद्यदिष्टचतमं तेषां तत्तदन्नमसत्वरम् । अक्रुध्यंश्च नरो दद्यात् सम्भवेन प्रलोभयन् ॥ ३१.५० ॥

yadyadiṣṭacatamaṃ teṣāṃ tattadannamasatvaram akrudhyaṃśca naro dadyāt sambhavena pralobhayan

Whatever food is most pleasing to them should be given without haste; the man should give it without anger, tempting them with abundance.

Verse 51 (markandeya.31.51)

रक्षोघ्रांश्च जपेन्मन्त्रांस्तिलैश्च विकिरेन्महीम् । सिद्धार्थकैश्च रक्षार्थं श्राद्धं हि प्रचुरच्छलम् ॥ ३१.५१ ॥

rakṣoghrāṃśca japenmantrāṃstilaiśca vikirenmahīm siddhārthakaiśca rakṣārthaṃ śrāddhaṃ hi pracuracchalam

One should recite mantras that destroy the rakshasas, and scatter sesame seeds upon the ground, and white mustard seeds too, for protection — for the shraddha is indeed much prone to deceit and obstruction.

Verse 52 (markandeya.31.52)

पृष्टैस्तृप्तैश्च तृप्ताः स्थ तृप्ताः स्म इति वादिभिः । अनुज्ञातो नरस्त्वन्नं प्रकिरेत् भुवि सर्वतः ॥ ३१.५२ ॥

pṛṣṭaistṛptaiśca tṛptāḥ stha tṛptāḥ sma iti vādibhiḥ anujñāto narastvannaṃ prakiret bhuvi sarvataḥ

Being asked, they, now satisfied, say, 'We are satisfied, we are satisfied'; and, thus permitted by them, the man should scatter the food upon the ground on all sides.

Verse 53 (markandeya.31.53)

तद्वदाचमनार्थाय दद्यादापः सकृत् सकृत् । अनुज्ञाञ्च ततः प्राप्य यतवाक्कायमानसः ॥ ३१.५३ ॥

tadvadācamanārthāya dadyādāpaḥ sakṛt sakṛt anujñāñca tataḥ prāpya yatavākkāyamānasaḥ

Likewise, for the purpose of sipping, one should give them water once each; then, having received their permission, with speech, body and mind restrained —

Verse 54 (markandeya.31.54)

सतिलेन ततोऽन्नेन पिण्डान् सव्येन पुत्रक ! । पितनुद्दिश्य दर्भेषु दद्यादुच्छिष्टसन्निधौ ॥ ३१.५४ ॥

satilena tato 'nnena piṇḍān savyena putraka ! pitanuddiśya darbheṣu dadyāducchiṣṭasannidhau

then, O child, with the right hand, one should shape the rice-balls from sesame-mixed food, and, dedicating them to the ancestors, place them upon kusha grass near the remnants of the meal.

Verse 55 (markandeya.31.55)

पितृतीर्थेन तोयञ्च दद्यात्तेभ्यः समाहितः । पितॄनिद्दिश्य यद्भक्त्या यजमानो नृपात्मज ॥ ३१.५५ ॥

pitṛtīrthena toyañca dadyāttebhyaḥ samāhitaḥ pitṝniddiśya yadbhaktyā yajamāno nṛpātmaja

O prince, the sacrificer, with a composed mind, dedicating it with devotion to the ancestors, should offer them water through the pitri-tirtha, the part of the hand sacred to the ancestors.

Verse 56 (markandeya.31.56)

तद्वन्मातामहानाञ्च दत्त्वा पिण्डान् यथाविधि । गन्धमाल्यादिसंयुक्तं दद्यादाचमनं ततः ॥ ३१.५६ ॥

tadvanmātāmahānāñca dattvā piṇḍān yathāvidhi gandhamālyādisaṃyuktaṃ dadyādācamanaṃ tataḥ

In the same way, having duly offered the rice-balls to the maternal grandfathers as well, one should then give them water for sipping, accompanied by perfume and garlands.

Verse 57 (markandeya.31.57)

दत्त्वा च तक्षिणां शक्त्या सुस्वधास्त्विति तान् वदेत् । तैश्च तुष्टैस्तथेत्युक्त्वा वाचयेद्वैश्वदेविकान् ॥ ३१.५७ ॥

dattvā ca takṣiṇāṃ śaktyā susvadhāstviti tān vadet taiśca tuṣṭaistathetyuktvā vācayedvaiśvadevikān

Then, having given a fee according to one's means, one should say to them, 'May you be well satisfied'; and when they, pleased, say 'So be it,' one should have the brahmins of the vishvadeva portion likewise recite their words.

Verse 58 (markandeya.31.58)

प्रीयन्तामिति भद्रं वो विश्वेदेवा इतीरयेन् । तथेति चोक्ते तैर्विप्रैः प्रार्थनीयास्तदाशिषः ॥ ३१.५८ ॥

prīyantāmiti bhadraṃ vo viśvedevā itīrayen tatheti cokte tairvipraiḥ prārthanīyāstadāśiṣaḥ

'May the Vishvedevas be pleased; may it be well with you' — thus one should proclaim; and when the brahmins say 'So be it,' one should ask them for their blessings.

Verse 59 (markandeya.31.59)

विसर्जयेत् प्रियाण्युक्त्वा प्रणिपत्य च भक्तितः । आद्वारमनुगच्छेच्चागच्छेच्चानुप्रमोदितः ॥ ३१.५९ ॥

visarjayet priyāṇyuktvā praṇipatya ca bhaktitaḥ ādvāramanugaccheccāgaccheccānupramoditaḥ

Having spoken pleasant words and prostrated with devotion, one should bid them farewell, accompany them to the door, and then return with a gladdened mind.

Verse 60 (markandeya.31.60)

ततो नित्यक्रियां कुर्याद् भोजयेच्च तथातिथीन् । नित्यक्रियां पितॄणाञ्च केचिदिच्छन्ति सत्तमाः ॥ ३१.६० ॥

tato nityakriyāṃ kuryād bhojayecca tathātithīn nityakriyāṃ pitṝṇāñca kecidicchanti sattamāḥ

After this, one should perform one's daily rites and feed guests as well. Some excellent authorities hold that the daily rite too should be regarded as belonging to the ancestors.

Verse 61 (markandeya.31.61)

न पितॄणान्तथैवान्ये शेषं पूर्ववदाचरेत् । पृथक् पाकेन नेत्यन्ये केचित् पूर्वञ्च पूर्ववत् ॥ ३१.६१ ॥

na pitṝṇāntathaivānye śeṣaṃ pūrvavadācaret pṛthak pākena netyanye kecit pūrvañca pūrvavat

Others say it is not for the ancestors; the remaining rite should be conducted as before. Some wish it done with separate cooking, others not so; some would keep the earlier portion just as before.

Verse 62 (markandeya.31.62)

ततस्तदन्नं भुञ्जीत सह भृत्यादिभिर्नरः । एवं कुर्वोत धर्मज्ञः श्राद्धं पित्र्यं समाहितः ॥ ३१.६२ ॥

tatastadannaṃ bhuñjīta saha bhṛtyādibhirnaraḥ evaṃ kurvota dharmajñaḥ śrāddhaṃ pitryaṃ samāhitaḥ

Then the man should eat that food together with his servants and the rest. Thus should one who knows dharma perform the ancestral shraddha with a composed mind.

Verse 63 (markandeya.31.63)

यथा वा द्विजमुख्यानां परितोषोऽभिजायते । त्रीणि श्राद्धे पवित्राणि दौहित्रं कुतपस्तिलाः ॥ ३१.६३ ॥

yathā vā dvijamukhyānāṃ paritoṣo 'bhijāyate trīṇi śrāddhe pavitrāṇi dauhitraṃ kutapastilāḥ

Or, it should be done in whatever way brings satisfaction to the excellent brahmins. Three things are held to be purifying in the shraddha: the daughter's son, the kutapa hour, and sesame seeds.

Verse 64 (markandeya.31.64)

वर्ज्यानि चाहुर्विप्रेन्द्र ! कोपोऽध्वगमनं त्वरा । राजतञ्च तथा पात्रं शस्तं श्राद्धेषु पुत्रक ! ॥ ३१.६४ ॥

varjyāni cāhurviprendra ! kopo 'dhvagamanaṃ tvarā rājatañca tathā pātraṃ śastaṃ śrāddheṣu putraka !

O foremost of brahmins, anger, setting out on a journey, and haste — these are declared to be avoided; and, O child, a silver vessel is praised in the shraddha rites.

Verse 65 (markandeya.31.65)

रजतस्य तथा कार्यं दर्शनं दानमेव वा । राजते हि स्वधा दुग्धा पितृभिः श्रूयते मही । तस्मात् पितॄणां रजतमभीष्टं प्रीतिवर्धनम् ॥ ३१.६५ ॥

rajatasya tathā kāryaṃ darśanaṃ dānameva vā rājate hi svadhā dugdhā pitṛbhiḥ śrūyate mahī tasmāt pitṝṇāṃ rajatamabhīṣṭaṃ prītivardhanam

One should also arrange for the sight, or the gift, of silver; for it is heard that the earth gleams as though with silver from the offering milked out by the ancestors. Therefore silver is dear to the ancestors and increases their satisfaction.