The Origin of the Shraddha Rite

Verse 1 (skanda.6.216.1)

आनर्त उवाच अन्येऽपि विविधाः कालाः सन्ति पुण्यतमा द्विज कस्माच्चेंदुक्षये श्राद्धं विशेषात्समुदाहृतम्

ānarta uvāca anye'pi vividhāḥ kālāḥ santi puṇyatamā dvija kasmācceṁdukṣaye śrāddhaṁ viśeṣātsamudāhṛtam

Anarta said: O brahmin, there are also many other most auspicious occasions; why then has the waning of the moon been especially prescribed for the Shraddha?

Verse 2 (skanda.6.216.2)

एतन्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व विस्तरेण महामुने

etanme sarvamācakṣva vistareṇa mahāmune

O great sage, explain all this to me in full detail.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.216.3)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच सत्यमेतन्महाराज श्राद्धार्हाः संति भूरिशः कालाः पितृगणानां च तृप्तिदास्तुष्टिदाश्च ये

bhartṛyajña uvāca satyametanmahārāja śrāddhārhāḥ saṁti bhūriśaḥ kālāḥ pitṛgaṇānāṁ ca tṛptidāstuṣṭidāśca ye

Bhartriyajna said: O great king, it is true that there are indeed many occasions fit for the Shraddha, which bring satisfaction and contentment to the ancestors.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.216.4)

मन्वाद्या वा युगाद्याश्च तेषां संक्रांतयोऽपराः व्यतीपातो गजच्छाया ग्रहणं सोमसूर्ययोः

manvādyā vā yugādyāśca teṣāṁ saṁkrāṁtayo'parāḥ vyatīpāto gajacchāyā grahaṇaṁ somasūryayoḥ

The Manvadi days, the Yugadi days, their solar transitions, the Vyatipata conjunction, the Gajachchhaya period, and the eclipses of the moon and sun—

Verse 5 (skanda.6.216.5)

एतेषु युज्यते श्राद्धं प्रकर्तुं पितृतृप्तये तथा तीर्थे विशेषेण पुण्य आयतने शुभे

eteṣu yujyate śrāddhaṁ prakartuṁ pitṛtṛptaye tathā tīrthe viśeṣeṇa puṇya āyatane śubhe

—on all these occasions it is fitting to perform the Shraddha for the satisfaction of the ancestors, and especially also at a sacred ford or auspicious holy site.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.216.6)

श्राद्धार्हैर्ब्राह्मणैः प्राप्तैर्द्रव्यैर्वा पितृवल्लभैः अपर्वण्यपि कर्तव्यं सदा श्राद्धं विचक्षणैः

śrāddhārhairbrāhmaṇaiḥ prāptairdravyairvā pitṛvallabhaiḥ aparvaṇyapi kartavyaṁ sadā śrāddhaṁ vicakṣaṇaiḥ

Whenever brahmins fit for Shraddha, or materials dear to the ancestors, come to hand, the wise should always perform Shraddha, even outside any special occasion.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.216.7)

सोमक्षये विशेषेण शृणुष्वैकमना नृप अमानाम रवेरश्मिसहस्रप्रमुखः स्थितः

somakṣaye viśeṣeṇa śṛṇuṣvaikamanā nṛpa amānāma raveraśmisahasrapramukhaḥ sthitaḥ

O king, listen with an undivided mind to the special significance of the waning of the moon — foremost among the sun's thousand rays stands the one named 'Ama.'

Verse 8 (skanda.6.216.8)

यस्य स्वतेजसा सूर्यः प्रोक्तस्त्रैलोक्यदीपकः तस्मिन्वसति येनेन्दुरमावस्या ततः स्मृता

yasya svatejasā sūryaḥ proktastrailokyadīpakaḥ tasminvasati yenenduramāvasyā tataḥ smṛtā

It is by that very ray's radiance that the sun is called the lamp of the three worlds; the day on which the moon dwells within that ray is called Amavasya, the new moon.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.216.9)

अक्षया धर्मकृत्ये सा पितृकृत्ये विशेषतः अग्निष्वात्ता बर्हिषद आज्यपाः सोमपास्तथा

akṣayā dharmakṛtye sā pitṛkṛtye viśeṣataḥ agniṣvāttā barhiṣada ājyapāḥ somapāstathā

That day yields imperishable merit in religious rites, especially in rites for the ancestors. The Agnishvattas, the Barhishads, the Ajyapas, and the Somapas—

Verse 10 (skanda.6.216.10)

रश्मिपा उपहूताश्च तथैवायंतुनाः परे तथा श्राद्धभुजश्चान्ये स्मृता नान्दीमुखा नृप

raśmipā upahūtāśca tathaivāyaṁtunāḥ pare tathā śrāddhabhujaścānye smṛtā nāndīmukhā nṛpa

—the Rashmipas, the Upahutas, and others called the Ayantunas, as well as other Shraddha-partaking ancestors, are known, O king, as the Nandimukhas.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.216.11)

एते पितृगणाः ख्याता नवदेवसमुद्भवाः आदित्या वसवो रुद्रा नासत्यावश्विनावपि

ete pitṛgaṇāḥ khyātā navadevasamudbhavāḥ ādityā vasavo rudrā nāsatyāvaśvināvapi

These groups of ancestors are held to have arisen from nine classes of gods — the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, and the two Ashvins, the Nasatyas as well.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.216.12)

सन्तर्पयन्ति ते चैतान्मुक्त्वा नान्दीमुखान्पितॄन् ब्रह्मणा ते समादिष्टाः पितरो नृपसत्तम

santarpayanti te caitānmuktvā nāndīmukhānpitṝn brahmaṇā te samādiṣṭāḥ pitaro nṛpasattama

O best of kings, these ancestors, apart from the Nandimukha ancestors, satisfy these classes of gods; these ancestors were themselves appointed by Brahma.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.216.13)

तान्संतर्प्य ततः सृष्टिं कुरुते पद्मसंभवः

tānsaṁtarpya tataḥ sṛṣṭiṁ kurute padmasaṁbhavaḥ

Only after satisfying them does the lotus-born Brahma proceed with the work of creation.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.216.14)

पितरोऽन्येऽपि मर्त्या निवसन्ति त्रिविष्टपे द्विविधास्ते प्रदृश्यंते सुखिनोऽसुखिनः परे

pitaro'nye'pi martyā nivasanti triviṣṭape dvividhāste pradṛśyaṁte sukhino'sukhinaḥ pare

Other mortal-born ancestors too dwell in heaven; they are seen to be of two kinds — some happy, others unhappy.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.216.15)

येभ्यः श्राद्धानि यच्छंति मर्त्यलोके स्ववंशजाः ते सर्वे तत्र संहृष्टा देववन्मुदिताः स्थिताः

yebhyaḥ śrāddhāni yacchaṁti martyaloke svavaṁśajāḥ te sarve tatra saṁhṛṣṭā devavanmuditāḥ sthitāḥ

Those to whom their descendants offer Shraddha in the mortal world remain there, greatly delighted, rejoicing like the gods themselves.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.216.16)

येषां यच्छन्ति ते नैव किंचित्किञ्चित्स्ववंशजाः क्षुत्पिपासाकुलास्ते च दृश्यन्ते बहुदुःखिताः

yeṣāṁ yacchanti te naiva kiṁcitkiñcitsvavaṁśajāḥ kṣutpipāsākulāste ca dṛśyante bahuduḥkhitāḥ

Those to whom their descendants give nothing at all are seen, tormented by hunger and thirst, in the deepest misery.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.216.17)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य पितरः सुरपूजिताः अग्निष्वात्तादयः सर्वे त्रिदशेन्द्रमुपस्थिताः

kasyacittvatha kālasya pitaraḥ surapūjitāḥ agniṣvāttādayaḥ sarve tridaśendramupasthitāḥ

After some time, the god-honored ancestors, the Agnishvattas and all the others, came before Indra.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.216.18)

भक्त्या दृष्टा महाराज सहस्राक्षेण पूजिताः तथान्यैर्विबुधैः सर्वैः प्रस्थिताः स्वे निकेतने

bhaktyā dṛṣṭā mahārāja sahasrākṣeṇa pūjitāḥ tathānyairvibudhaiḥ sarvaiḥ prasthitāḥ sve niketane

O great king, the thousand-eyed Indra beheld them with devotion and honored them; then, together with all the other gods, they set off for their own respective abodes.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.216.19)

पितृलोकं महाराज दुर्लभं त्रिदशैरपि तान्दृष्ट्वा प्रस्थितान्राजन्पितरो मर्त्यसंभवाः

pitṛlokaṁ mahārāja durlabhaṁ tridaśairapi tāndṛṣṭvā prasthitānrājanpitaro martyasaṁbhavāḥ

O king, seeing them departing for the world of the ancestors, difficult of attainment even for the gods, the mortal-born ancestors—

Verse 20 (skanda.6.216.20)

क्षुत्पिपासार्दिता ये च त ऊचुर्दैन्यमाश्रिताः स्तुत्वाऽथ सुस्तवैर्दिव्यैः पितृसूक्तैश्च पार्थिव

kṣutpipāsārditā ye ca ta ūcurdainyamāśritāḥ stutvā'tha sustavairdivyaiḥ pitṛsūktaiśca pārthiva

—tormented by hunger and thirst, O king, humbly praised them with excellent divine hymns and the Pitri-sukta, and then spoke.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.216.21)

वेदोक्तैरपरैश्चैव पितृतुष्टिकरैः परैः ततः प्रोचुश्च संहृष्टाः पितरस्तान्सुरोद्भवाः

vedoktairaparaiścaiva pitṛtuṣṭikaraiḥ paraiḥ tataḥ procuśca saṁhṛṣṭāḥ pitarastānsurodbhavāḥ

—as well as with other Vedic hymns most gratifying to ancestors, they praised them; then those divine ancestors, well pleased, spoke to them in turn.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.216.22)

प्रसन्नाः स्मो वयं सर्वे युष्माकं शंसितव्रताः तस्माद्ब्रूत वयं येन यच्छामो वो हृदि स्थितम्

prasannāḥ smo vayaṁ sarve yuṣmākaṁ śaṁsitavratāḥ tasmādbrūta vayaṁ yena yacchāmo vo hṛdi sthitam

They said: We are all well pleased with you, O keepers of excellent vows; so speak, that we may grant what lies cherished in your hearts.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.216.23)

पितर ऊचुः वयं हि पितरः ख्याता मनुष्याणामिहागताः स्वर्गे स्वकर्मणा नित्यं निवसाम सुरैः सह

pitara ūcuḥ vayaṁ hi pitaraḥ khyātā manuṣyāṇāmihāgatāḥ svarge svakarmaṇā nityaṁ nivasāma suraiḥ saha

The ancestors said: We are indeed known as the ancestors of men, come here to this heaven; by our own deeds we dwell here permanently, together with the gods.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.216.24)

विमानेषु विचित्रेषु संस्थिताः सर्वतोदिशम् वांछितेषु च लोकेषु यामो ध्वजपताकिषु

vimāneṣu vicitreṣu saṁsthitāḥ sarvatodiśam vāṁchiteṣu ca lokeṣu yāmo dhvajapatākiṣu

We dwell in wondrous celestial chariots on every side, and travel through desired realms adorned with banners and flags.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.216.25)

हंसबर्हिणजुष्टेषु संसेव्येष्वप्सरोगणैः गन्धर्वैर्गीयमानाश्च स्तूयमानाश्च गुह्यकैः

haṁsabarhiṇajuṣṭeṣu saṁsevyeṣvapsarogaṇaiḥ gandharvairgīyamānāśca stūyamānāśca guhyakaiḥ

Those realms are frequented by swans and peacocks, and are attended by hosts of apsarases; there gandharvas sing for us, and guhyakas praise us.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.216.26)

परं सन्तिष्ठमानानामस्माकं त्रिदशैः सह अत्यर्थं जायते तीव्रा क्षुत्पिपासा सुदारुणा

paraṁ santiṣṭhamānānāmasmākaṁ tridaśaiḥ saha atyarthaṁ jāyate tīvrā kṣutpipāsā sudāruṇā

Yet, even as we dwell there together with the gods, we experience an exceedingly intense and dreadful hunger and thirst.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.216.27)

यस्या मन्यामहे चित्ते वह्निमध्यगता वयम् भक्षयामः किमेतान्हि पक्षिणो विविधानपि हंसादीन्मधुरालापान्किं वा चाप्सरसां गणान्

yasyā manyāmahe citte vahnimadhyagatā vayam bhakṣayāmaḥ kimetānhi pakṣiṇo vividhānapi haṁsādīnmadhurālāpānkiṁ vā cāpsarasāṁ gaṇān

So intense is it that in our minds we feel as though we sat in the midst of fire — should we devour these various birds, the sweetly warbling swans and the like, or even the hosts of apsarases?

Verse 28 (skanda.6.216.28)

यदि कश्चित्क्षुधाविष्टः कञ्चिदादाय पक्षिणम् गुप्तो गृह्णाति भक्षार्थं हन्तुं शक्तोऽपि सोऽपि न

yadi kaścitkṣudhāviṣṭaḥ kañcidādāya pakṣiṇam gupto gṛhṇāti bhakṣārthaṁ hantuṁ śakto'pi so'pi na

If some one of us, overcome by hunger, secretly tries to seize a bird to eat, even though capable of killing it, he still cannot manage to do so.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.216.29)

अजराश्चामराश्चैव स्वर्गे ये स्वर्गगाः खगाः तथा मनोरमा वृक्षा नन्दनादि वनेषु च

ajarāścāmarāścaiva svarge ye svargagāḥ khagāḥ tathā manoramā vṛkṣā nandanādi vaneṣu ca

The birds that roam heaven there are ageless and undying, as are the lovely trees in the Nandana and other groves—

Verse 30 (skanda.6.216.30)

फलिता ये प्रदृश्यंते प्राप्यांश्चापि मनोरमाः तत्फलानि वयं सर्वे गृह्णीमः पितरो यदि

phalitā ye pradṛśyaṁte prāpyāṁścāpi manoramāḥ tatphalāni vayaṁ sarve gṛhṇīmaḥ pitaro yadi

—which appear laden with fruit and seemingly within reach; even if we ancestors try to pluck those lovely fruits—

Verse 31 (skanda.6.216.31)

न त्रुटंत्यपि यत्नेन समाकृष्टानि तान्यपि एतल्लेखापगातोयं तृषार्त्ता यदि यत्नतः प्रपिबामो न हस्तेषु तच्च तोयं पुनः स्पृशेत्

na truṭaṁtyapi yatnena samākṛṣṭāni tānyapi etallekhāpagātoyaṁ tṛṣārttā yadi yatnataḥ prapibāmo na hasteṣu tacca toyaṁ punaḥ spṛśet

—they do not come loose, however hard we pull. It is the same with the water of this celestial stream — tormented by thirst, however hard we try to drink, that very water seems to recede as soon as our hands touch it.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.216.32)

भुंजानश्च न कोऽप्यत्र दृश्यतेऽत्र पिबन्नपि तस्मात्त्रिविष्टपावासो ह्यस्माकं घोरदारुणः

bhuṁjānaśca na ko'pyatra dṛśyate'tra pibannapi tasmāttriviṣṭapāvāso hyasmākaṁ ghoradāruṇaḥ

No one here is ever seen eating, nor even drinking; therefore this dwelling in heaven is, for us, exceedingly dreadful and painful.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.216.33)

एते सुरगणाः सर्वे ये चान्ये गुह्यकादयः दृश्यंतेऽत्र विमानस्था सर्वे संहृष्टमानसाः

ete suragaṇāḥ sarve ye cānye guhyakādayaḥ dṛśyaṁte'tra vimānasthā sarve saṁhṛṣṭamānasāḥ

All these hosts of gods, and the other guhyakas as well, are seen here, seated in their chariots, all with joyful hearts.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.216.34)

क्षुत्पिपासापरित्यक्ता नानाभोगसमाश्रयाः कदाचिच्च वयं सर्वे भवामस्तादृशा इव

kṣutpipāsāparityaktā nānābhogasamāśrayāḥ kadācicca vayaṁ sarve bhavāmastādṛśā iva

They, free of all hunger and thirst, partake of manifold pleasures; and sometimes we too become just like them—

Verse 35 (skanda.6.216.35)

क्षुत्पिपासापरित्यक्ताः सतोषं परमं गताः तत्किं कारणमेतद्यत्क्षुत्पिपासा प्रजायते

kṣutpipāsāparityaktāḥ satoṣaṁ paramaṁ gatāḥ tatkiṁ kāraṇametadyatkṣutpipāsā prajāyate

—free of hunger and thirst, attaining the utmost contentment. So what, then, is the cause that hunger and thirst arise in us at other times?

Verse 36 (skanda.6.216.36)

आकस्मिकी च बाधा नः कदाचिन्न प्रणश्यति तथा कुरुत भद्रं वो यथा तुष्टिः प्रजायते

ākasmikī ca bādhā naḥ kadācinna praṇaśyati tathā kuruta bhadraṁ vo yathā tuṣṭiḥ prajāyate

This sudden affliction of ours never once ceases. Do something, O blessed ones, by which contentment may come to us.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.216.37)

शाश्वती नो यथाऽन्येषां देवानां स्वर्गवासिनाम् यूयं हि पितरो यस्माद्देवानां भावितात्मनाम्

śāśvatī no yathā'nyeṣāṁ devānāṁ svargavāsinām yūyaṁ hi pitaro yasmāddevānāṁ bhāvitātmanām

As other heaven-dwelling gods have lasting contentment, let ours too be lasting; for you are the ancestors even of the devoted gods themselves—

Verse 38 (skanda.6.216.38)

वयं चैव मनुष्याणां तेन वः शरणं गताः पितर ऊचुः अस्माकमपि चैवैषा कष्टावस्था प्रजायते

vayaṁ caiva manuṣyāṇāṁ tena vaḥ śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ pitara ūcuḥ asmākamapi caivaiṣā kaṣṭāvasthā prajāyate

—while we are the ancestors of men; and so we have come to you for refuge. The (human) ancestors said: This same painful condition befalls us too.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.216.39)

शक्राद्या विबुधा व्यग्राः श्राद्धं यच्छंति नो यदा ततश्चागत्य तान्सर्वे देवान्संप्रार्थयामहे

śakrādyā vibudhā vyagrāḥ śrāddhaṁ yacchaṁti no yadā tataścāgatya tānsarve devānsaṁprārthayāmahe

When the busy gods, headed by Indra, fail to grant us the Shraddha, we then come and beseech all those gods.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.216.40)

ततस्तृप्तिं प्रगच्छामस्तैर्देवैस्तर्पिता वयम् युष्माकं वंशजा ये च प्रयच्छंति समाहिताः

tatastṛptiṁ pragacchāmastairdevaistarpitā vayam yuṣmākaṁ vaṁśajā ye ca prayacchaṁti samāhitāḥ

Then, satisfied by those gods, we attain contentment; but as for your own descendants, who diligently offer the Shraddha—

Verse 41 (skanda.6.216.41)

कथं न तृप्तिमायातास्ते सर्वे तैः प्रतर्पिताः यत्र प्रमादिभिर्वंश्यैर्न तर्प्यंते कथंचन

kathaṁ na tṛptimāyātāste sarve taiḥ pratarpitāḥ yatra pramādibhirvaṁśyairna tarpyaṁte kathaṁcana

—why should they not attain contentment, satisfied as they are by them? Whereas those whose descendants, through negligence, never satisfy them in any way—

Verse 42 (skanda.6.216.42)

क्षुत्पिपासाकुलाः सर्वे ते तदा स्युर्न संशयः किं पुनर्नरकस्था ये धर्मराजनिवेशने

kṣutpipāsākulāḥ sarve te tadā syurna saṁśayaḥ kiṁ punarnarakasthā ye dharmarājaniveśane

—those, without doubt, remain tormented by hunger and thirst; how much more so, then, those ancestors who dwell in hell, in the abode of Dharmaraja.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.216.43)

एतद्धि कारणं प्रोक्तं युष्माकं च कथंचन क्षुत्पिपासोद्भवं रौद्रं युष्माभिर्यदुदीरितम्

etaddhi kāraṇaṁ proktaṁ yuṣmākaṁ ca kathaṁcana kṣutpipāsodbhavaṁ raudraṁ yuṣmābhiryadudīritam

This, then, is the reason we have told you why you too have described that terrible affliction born of hunger and thirst.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.216.44)

तदस्माकं विभागं चेद्यूयं यच्छत सत्तमाः सर्वे कव्यस्य दत्तस्य तत्कुर्मो वै हितं शुभम्

tadasmākaṁ vibhāgaṁ cedyūyaṁ yacchata sattamāḥ sarve kavyasya dattasya tatkurmo vai hitaṁ śubham

So, O most excellent ones, if you share with us a portion of what is offered, we shall all together make proper, beneficial use of that offered oblation.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.216.45)

ब्रह्माणं प्रार्थयित्वा च स्वयं गत्वा तदंतिकम् बाढमित्येव तैरुक्ते तत आदाय तानपि

brahmāṇaṁ prārthayitvā ca svayaṁ gatvā tadaṁtikam bāḍhamityeva tairukte tata ādāya tānapi

They went in person to Brahma to petition him; and when he said, 'yes, so be it,' then, taking them along with him—

Verse 46 (skanda.6.216.46)

दिव्याः पितृगणाः प्राप्ता विधेः सदनमुत्तमम् नांदीमुखान्पुरस्कृत्य पितॄन्यांस्तर्पयेद्विधिः

divyāḥ pitṛgaṇāḥ prāptā vidheḥ sadanamuttamam nāṁdīmukhānpuraskṛtya pitṝnyāṁstarpayedvidhiḥ

—those divine hosts of ancestors reached Brahma's supreme abode, where, placing the Nandimukha ancestors in front, Brahma performs libations for them.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.216.47)

सृष्टिकाले तु संप्राप्ते वृद्धिकामः सुरेश्वरः अथ तैः सह ते सर्वे स्तुत्वा तं कमलासनम् प्रणिपत्य स्थिताः सर्वे पितरो विनयान्विताः

sṛṣṭikāle tu saṁprāpte vṛddhikāmaḥ sureśvaraḥ atha taiḥ saha te sarve stutvā taṁ kamalāsanam praṇipatya sthitāḥ sarve pitaro vinayānvitāḥ

At the time of creation, the lord of gods, desirous of increase, performs their tarpana; then all the ancestors, joining with them, praised the lotus-seated Brahma, bowed before him, and stood there in humility.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.216.48)

पितॄंस्तान्विनयोपेतान्प्रणिपातपुरःसरान् विधिः प्रोवाच राजेंद्र सांत्वयञ्श्लक्ष्णया गिरा

pitṝṁstānvinayopetānpraṇipātapuraḥsarān vidhiḥ provāca rājeṁdra sāṁtvayañślakṣṇayā girā

O foremost of kings, Brahma, addressing those ancestors who stood there humbly bowed, spoke to them with a soothing, gentle voice.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.216.49)

ब्रह्मोवाच किमर्थं पितरः सर्वे समायाता ममांतिकम् देवतानां मया सार्धं संपूज्याः सर्वदा स्थिताः

brahmovāca kimarthaṁ pitaraḥ sarve samāyātā mamāṁtikam devatānāṁ mayā sārdhaṁ saṁpūjyāḥ sarvadā sthitāḥ

Brahma said: O ancestors, for what purpose have you all come here to me, you who are ever worthy of worship, alongside myself, even by the gods?

Verse 50 (skanda.6.216.50)

तथान्येऽपि च दृश्यंते युष्माभिः सह संगताः य एते मानवाकाराः स्वल्पतेजोन्विताः स्थिताः

tathānye'pi ca dṛśyaṁte yuṣmābhiḥ saha saṁgatāḥ ya ete mānavākārāḥ svalpatejonvitāḥ sthitāḥ

And who are these others too, seen accompanying you, of human form and endowed with only feeble luster?

Verse 51 (skanda.6.216.51)

पितर ऊचुः पितरो मानवा ह्येते स्वर्गं प्राप्ताः स्वकर्मभिः देवानां मध्यसंस्थाश्च पीड्यंते क्षुत्पिपासया

pitara ūcuḥ pitaro mānavā hyete svargaṁ prāptāḥ svakarmabhiḥ devānāṁ madhyasaṁsthāśca pīḍyaṁte kṣutpipāsayā

The ancestors said: These are human ancestors, who by their own deeds have attained heaven and dwell in the midst of the gods, yet remain tormented by hunger and thirst.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.216.52)

यदा यच्छंति नो वंश्याः कव्यं चैव प्रमादतः तदा गच्छंति नो तृप्तिं यानैर्यांति यथा सुराः

yadā yacchaṁti no vaṁśyāḥ kavyaṁ caiva pramādataḥ tadā gacchaṁti no tṛptiṁ yānairyāṁti yathā surāḥ

When their descendants, through negligence, fail to offer them the oblation, they do not attain contentment — though, like the gods riding their celestial chariots, they too move about (yet without satisfaction).

Verse 53 (skanda.6.216.53)

तदैतैः प्रार्थनाऽस्माकं कृता शाश्वततृप्तये न च शक्ता वयं दातुं तेन त्वां समुपस्थिताः

tadaitaiḥ prārthanā'smākaṁ kṛtā śāśvatatṛptaye na ca śaktā vayaṁ dātuṁ tena tvāṁ samupasthitāḥ

So they have petitioned us for lasting contentment; but we too are unable to grant it, and so we have come before you.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.216.54)

यथा स्युर्देवता व्यग्रास्तदाऽस्माकमपि प्रभो कव्यं विना भवेदेषा दशा कष्टा सुरेश्वर

yathā syurdevatā vyagrāstadā'smākamapi prabho kavyaṁ vinā bhavedeṣā daśā kaṣṭā sureśvara

O lord, O ruler of the gods, just as, when the gods are preoccupied, this same painful condition befalls us too in the absence of the oblation—

Verse 55 (skanda.6.216.55)

तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं नः समेमेतैः सुरेश्वर यथा स्याच्छाश्वती तृप्तिः स्वस्थानस्थायिनामपि

tasmātkuru prasādaṁ naḥ samemetaiḥ sureśvara yathā syācchāśvatī tṛptiḥ svasthānasthāyināmapi

—therefore, O ruler of the gods, show your grace to all of us together, so that lasting contentment may come even to those who remain in their own respective stations.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.216.56)

एतेऽस्माकं प्रदास्यंति कव्यं यन्निजवंशजैः प्रदत्तं तेन संप्राप्ता वयं देव त्वदन्तिकम्

ete'smākaṁ pradāsyaṁti kavyaṁ yannijavaṁśajaiḥ pradattaṁ tena saṁprāptā vayaṁ deva tvadantikam

It is on account of the oblation which they will give us, given to them by their own descendants, O lord, that we have come before you.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.216.57)

देवानां चैव यत्कव्यं तन्नास्माकं प्रतृप्तये यतः क्रियाविहीनं तन्न तेषां विद्यते क्रिया

devānāṁ caiva yatkavyaṁ tannāsmākaṁ pratṛptaye yataḥ kriyāvihīnaṁ tanna teṣāṁ vidyate kriyā

But whatever oblation belongs to the gods is not suited to our satisfaction, for it lacks the proper rite — no such (Shraddha) rite exists for the gods.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.216.58)

पितॄनुद्दिश्य यत्कव्यं ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रदीयते स्नातैर्धौतांबरैर्मर्त्यैस्तद्भवेत्तृप्तिदं महत्

pitṝnuddiśya yatkavyaṁ brāhmaṇebhyaḥ pradīyate snātairdhautāṁbarairmartyaistadbhavettṛptidaṁ mahat

It is the oblation offered to brahmins by bathed men clad in freshly washed garments, in the name of the ancestors, that alone becomes truly and greatly satisfying.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.216.59)

पितॄणां सर्वदेवेश इत्येषा वैदिकी श्रुतिः न स्नातस्याधिकारोऽस्ति देवानां च द्विजातिवत्

pitṝṇāṁ sarvadeveśa ityeṣā vaidikī śrutiḥ na snātasyādhikāro'sti devānāṁ ca dvijātivat

O lord of all the gods, this is the Vedic teaching: that only what is given by a bathed mortal is proper for the ancestors; the gods have no claim to it, as brahmins do.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.216.60)

पीयूषमपि तैर्दत्तं तेन नः स्यान्न तृप्तये

pīyūṣamapi tairdattaṁ tena naḥ syānna tṛptaye

Therefore, even the nectar given by those gods does not serve for our satisfaction.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.216.61)

तस्मान्मानुषदत्तैर्नो यथा कव्ये प्रजायते स्वर्गस्थानां परा तृप्तिः सममेतैस्तथा कुरु

tasmānmānuṣadattairno yathā kavye prajāyate svargasthānāṁ parā tṛptiḥ samametaistathā kuru

Therefore, just as we obtain satisfaction from the oblation given by men, so too arrange that supreme satisfaction may come, in like manner, to these ancestors dwelling in heaven.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.216.62)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा सुचिरं ध्यात्वा ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः तानुवाच ततः सर्वान्पितॄन्पार्थिवसत्तम

bhartṛyajña uvāca tacchrutvā suciraṁ dhyātvā brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ tānuvāca tataḥ sarvānpitṝnpārthivasattama

Bhartriyajna said: O best of kings, hearing this, Brahma, grandsire of the worlds, reflected long, and then spoke to all those ancestors.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.216.63)

ब्रह्मोवाच अस्मिंस्त्रेतायुगे संज्ञा हव्यकव्यसमुद्भवा संप्रयाता युगे युग्मे कलौ न प्रभविष्यति

brahmovāca asmiṁstretāyuge saṁjñā havyakavyasamudbhavā saṁprayātā yuge yugme kalau na prabhaviṣyati

Brahma said: In this Treta age, the knowledge born of the offerings of havya and kavya shall depart; it shall wane still further in the age of Dvapara, and in the Kali age it shall have no force at all.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.216.64)

यथायथा युगानां च ह्रास एष भविष्यति तथातथा जना दुष्टा भविष्यंत्यन्यभक्तिकाः

yathāyathā yugānāṁ ca hrāsa eṣa bhaviṣyati tathātathā janā duṣṭā bhaviṣyaṁtyanyabhaktikāḥ

As the ages progressively decline, so too shall people become progressively wicked, devoted to other things.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.216.65)

न दास्यंति यथोक्तानि ते कव्यानि कथंचन ततः कष्टतराऽवस्था पितॄणां संभविष्यति

na dāsyaṁti yathoktāni te kavyāni kathaṁcana tataḥ kaṣṭatarā'vasthā pitṝṇāṁ saṁbhaviṣyati

They shall in no way offer the prescribed oblations; and from that, an even more painful condition shall befall the ancestors.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.216.66)

तस्मादहं करिष्यामि सुखोपायं शरीरिणाम् येन सन्तर्पिता यूयं परां तृप्तिमवाप्स्यथ

tasmādahaṁ kariṣyāmi sukhopāyaṁ śarīriṇām yena santarpitā yūyaṁ parāṁ tṛptimavāpsyatha

Therefore I shall devise a simple means for embodied beings, by which, satisfied, you shall attain the highest contentment.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.216.67)

पितुः पितामहस्यैव तत्पितुश्च ततः परम् समुद्देशेन दत्तेन ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रभक्तितः

pituḥ pitāmahasyaiva tatpituśca tataḥ param samuddeśena dattena brāhmaṇebhyaḥ prabhaktitaḥ

By offerings given, with devotion, to brahmins, dedicated in the names of one's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather beyond him—

Verse 68 (skanda.6.216.68)

सर्वेषां स्यात्परा तृप्तिर्यावन्मां पितरोऽधुना तथा मातामहानां च पक्षे नास्त्यत्र संशयः

sarveṣāṁ syātparā tṛptiryāvanmāṁ pitaro'dhunā tathā mātāmahānāṁ ca pakṣe nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ

—all of them, right up to me, whatever ancestors there may be, shall attain the highest contentment; and likewise there is no doubt in this regard for the maternal line as well.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.216.69)

त्रिभिः सन्तर्पितास्तेऽपि तर्पिताः स्युर्ममावधि युष्माकं तृप्तये यश्च सुखोपायो भविष्यति

tribhiḥ santarpitāste'pi tarpitāḥ syurmamāvadhi yuṣmākaṁ tṛptaye yaśca sukhopāyo bhaviṣyati

By the satisfaction of those three, all ancestors up to myself shall likewise be satisfied. As for the simple means that shall bring about your own satisfaction—

Verse 70 (skanda.6.216.70)

तं शृणुध्वं महाभागा गदतो मम सांप्रतम् पितॄनन्नेन येनैव समुद्दिश्य द्विजोत्तमान्

taṁ śṛṇudhvaṁ mahābhāgā gadato mama sāṁpratam pitṝnannena yenaiva samuddiśya dvijottamān

—listen to it now, O illustrious ones, as I explain: by which very means, offering food to foremost brahmins in the name of the ancestors—

Verse 71 (skanda.6.216.71)

तर्पयिष्यंति तेनैव पिण्डान्दास्यंति भक्तितः तन्नाम्ना तेन वस्तृप्तिः शाश्वती संभविष्यति

tarpayiṣyaṁti tenaiva piṇḍāndāsyaṁti bhaktitaḥ tannāmnā tena vastṛptiḥ śāśvatī saṁbhaviṣyati

—and offering pinda-balls with devotion, they shall perform your tarpana; and by that very name, lasting contentment shall come to you.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.216.72)

तस्माद्गच्छत सन्तुष्टाः स्वानि स्थानानि पूर्वजाः

tasmādgacchata santuṣṭāḥ svāni sthānāni pūrvajāḥ

Therefore, O ancestors, go now, content, back to your own respective abodes.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.216.73)

ततस्ते सहितास्तैस्तु स्वानि स्थानानि भेजिरे विमानैः सूर्यसंकाशैर्गत्वा पार्थिवसत्तम

tataste sahitāstaistu svāni sthānāni bhejire vimānaiḥ sūryasaṁkāśairgatvā pārthivasattama

O best of kings, they then, together with those divine ancestors, boarded chariots radiant as the sun and set off for their own respective abodes.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.216.74)

अथ संगच्छता राजन्कालेन महता ततः तच्चापि न ददुः श्राद्धं मर्त्यास्त्रिपुरुषं च यत्

atha saṁgacchatā rājankālena mahatā tataḥ taccāpi na daduḥ śrāddhaṁ martyāstripuruṣaṁ ca yat

O king, then, as a great length of time passed, mortals ceased to give even that Shraddha dedicated to the three generations.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.216.75)

नित्यं पितॄन्समुद्दिश्य बहवोऽत्र नराधिप कव्यभागान्पुनस्तेषां तथा पूर्वं यथा नृप

nityaṁ pitṝnsamuddiśya bahavo'tra narādhipa kavyabhāgānpunasteṣāṁ tathā pūrvaṁ yathā nṛpa

O king, here again, as before, many people ceased to daily offer the ancestors their due portion of the oblation, dedicated in their name.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.216.76)

क्षुत्पिपासोद्भवापीडा महती समजायत तेषां च दैविकानां च पितॄणां नृपसत्तम

kṣutpipāsodbhavāpīḍā mahatī samajāyata teṣāṁ ca daivikānāṁ ca pitṝṇāṁ nṛpasattama

O best of kings, from this, a great affliction born of hunger and thirst arose once again, for both those human and those divine ancestors alike.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.216.77)

समेत्याथ पुनः सर्वे ब्रह्माणं शरणं गताः प्रोचुश्च प्रणिपत्योच्चैः सुदीनाः प्रपितामहम्

sametyātha punaḥ sarve brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ procuśca praṇipatyoccaiḥ sudīnāḥ prapitāmaham

Then, gathering together once more, they all sought refuge with Brahma, and, utterly wretched, bowed before that great-grandsire and spoke aloud.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.216.78)

भगवन्न प्रयच्छंति नित्यं नो वंशसंभवाः श्राद्धानि दौःस्थ्यमापन्नास्तेन सीदामहे विभो

bhagavanna prayacchaṁti nityaṁ no vaṁśasaṁbhavāḥ śrāddhāni dauḥsthyamāpannāstena sīdāmahe vibho

They said: O lord, O mighty one, our own descendants no longer give us the Shraddha regularly; and so, fallen into wretchedness, we suffer.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.216.79)

यथा पूर्वं तथा देव तदुपायं प्रचिन्तय कंचिद्येन दरिद्रा वै प्रीणयंति च ते पितॄन्

yathā pūrvaṁ tathā deva tadupāyaṁ pracintaya kaṁcidyena daridrā vai prīṇayaṁti ca te pitṝn

O lord, as you did before, think now of some means by which even the poor may satisfy their ancestors.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.216.80)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा तानाह प्रपितामहः कृपाविष्टो महाराज सर्वान्पितृगणांस्तथा

bhartṛyajña uvāca teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā tānāha prapitāmahaḥ kṛpāviṣṭo mahārāja sarvānpitṛgaṇāṁstathā

Bhartriyajna said: O great king, hearing their words, the great-grandsire Brahma, filled with compassion, spoke thus to all those hosts of ancestors.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.216.81)

सत्यमेतन्महाभागा दौःस्थ्यं यांति दिनेदिने जना यथायथा याति युगं श्रेष्ठं च पृष्ठतः

satyametanmahābhāgā dauḥsthyaṁ yāṁti dinedine janā yathāyathā yāti yugaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ ca pṛṣṭhataḥ

He said: O illustrious ones, it is true that wretchedness increases day by day, as the excellent age recedes further and further behind.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.216.82)

तथापि च करिष्यामि युष्मदर्थमसंशयम् उपायं लघु सन्तृप्तिर्येन वोऽत्र भविष्यति

tathāpi ca kariṣyāmi yuṣmadarthamasaṁśayam upāyaṁ laghu santṛptiryena vo'tra bhaviṣyati

Nevertheless, I shall without doubt devise for you a simple means, by which contentment shall come to you here.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.216.83)

अमानाम रवेरश्मिसहस्रप्रमुखः स्थितः तस्मिन्वसति येनेन्दुरमावास्या ततः स्मृता

amānāma raveraśmisahasrapramukhaḥ sthitaḥ tasminvasati yenenduramāvāsyā tataḥ smṛtā

Foremost among the sun's thousand rays stands the one named 'Ama'; the day on which the moon dwells within it is called Amavasya.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.216.84)

तस्मिन्नहनि ये श्राद्धं पितॄनुद्दिश्य चात्मनः करिष्यंति नरा भक्त्या ते भविष्यंति सुस्थिताः

tasminnahani ye śrāddhaṁ pitṝnuddiśya cātmanaḥ kariṣyaṁti narā bhaktyā te bhaviṣyaṁti susthitāḥ

Whatever men, on that day, perform the Shraddha with devotion, dedicated to their own ancestors, shall remain prosperous and secure.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.216.85)

धनधान्यसमोपेता सर्वशत्रुविवर्जिताः अपमृत्युपरित्यक्ता मम वाक्यादसंशयम्

dhanadhānyasamopetā sarvaśatruvivarjitāḥ apamṛtyuparityaktā mama vākyādasaṁśayam

By my word, without doubt, they shall be endowed with wealth and grain, free of every enemy, and untouched by untimely death.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.216.86)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा बभूवुर्हृष्टमानसाः पितरः कव्यमासाद्य प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना

bhartṛyajña uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā babhūvurhṛṣṭamānasāḥ pitaraḥ kavyamāsādya prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā

Bhartriyajna said: Hearing his words, the ancestors became joyful at heart, and, obtaining the oblation, remained with hearts filled with delight.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.216.87)

ययुः स्वानि निकेतानि प्रेषिताः पद्मयोनिना अमावास्यादिनं प्राप्य श्राद्धं दत्तं स्ववंशजैः

yayuḥ svāni niketāni preṣitāḥ padmayoninā amāvāsyādinaṁ prāpya śrāddhaṁ dattaṁ svavaṁśajaiḥ

Dismissed by the lotus-born Brahma, they went off to their own respective abodes; and when the day of Amavasya arrived, their descendants offered them the Shraddha.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.216.88)

संतृप्ता मासमात्रं च तस्थुः संतुष्टमानसाः गच्छता त्वथकालेन दौःस्थ्यं प्राप्य नरा भुवि दर्शेऽस्मिन्नपि नो श्राद्धं प्रायः कुर्वंति केचन

saṁtṛptā māsamātraṁ ca tasthuḥ saṁtuṣṭamānasāḥ gacchatā tvathakālena dauḥsthyaṁ prāpya narā bhuvi darśe'sminnapi no śrāddhaṁ prāyaḥ kurvaṁti kecana

Satisfied, they remained content in heart for a month at a time; but as time passed and men on earth fell again into hardship, only a few, for the most part, still performed the Shraddha even on this new-moon day.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.216.89)

ततः पितृगणाः सर्वे ये दिव्या ये च मानुषाः क्षुत्पिपासाकुला भूयो ब्रह्माणं शरणं गताः

tataḥ pitṛgaṇāḥ sarve ye divyā ye ca mānuṣāḥ kṣutpipāsākulā bhūyo brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ

Then all those hosts of ancestors, both divine and human, once again tormented by hunger and thirst, sought refuge with Brahma.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.216.90)

प्रोचुश्च प्रणिपत्योच्चैस्ते समेताः पितामहम् परमं दैन्यमास्थाय बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा

procuśca praṇipatyoccaiste sametāḥ pitāmaham paramaṁ dainyamāsthāya bāṣpagadgadayā girā

Gathering together, bowing before him, and, in the utmost distress, speaking with a voice choked with tears, they addressed the grandsire Brahma.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.216.91)

भगवन्निंदुक्षये श्राद्धं प्रोक्तं मासं त्वया विभो अस्माकं प्रीणनार्थाय यत्करिष्यंति मानवाः

bhagavanniṁdukṣaye śrāddhaṁ proktaṁ māsaṁ tvayā vibho asmākaṁ prīṇanārthāya yatkariṣyaṁti mānavāḥ

They said: O lord, O mighty one, that monthly Shraddha you prescribed on the waning of the moon, for our satisfaction, which men were to perform—

Verse 92 (skanda.6.216.92)

दौःस्थात्तदपि नो कुर्युः प्रायशस्तु पितामह तेनास्माकं परा पीडा क्षुत्पिपासासमुद्भवा

dauḥsthāttadapi no kuryuḥ prāyaśastu pitāmaha tenāsmākaṁ parā pīḍā kṣutpipāsāsamudbhavā

—O grandsire, on account of their own hardship, they now, for the most part, no longer perform even this; and from that a supreme affliction born of hunger and thirst has come upon us.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.216.93)

तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं नो यथा पूर्वं सुरेश्वर तथापि दुःस्थताभाजस्तर्पयिष्यंति नोऽधुना

tasmātkuru prasādaṁ no yathā pūrvaṁ sureśvara tathāpi duḥsthatābhājastarpayiṣyaṁti no'dhunā

Therefore, O ruler of the gods, show us your grace as before, so that even those beset by hardship may now be able to perform our tarpana.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.216.94)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच अथ ब्रह्मापि संचिन्त्य तानुवाच कृपान्वितः युष्मदर्थं मयोपायश्चिंतितः पितरो लघुः

bhartṛyajña uvāca atha brahmāpi saṁcintya tānuvāca kṛpānvitaḥ yuṣmadarthaṁ mayopāyaściṁtitaḥ pitaro laghuḥ

Bhartriyajna said: Then Brahma too, reflecting deeply and filled with compassion, said to them: O ancestors, I have devised for you yet another simple means.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.216.95)

येन तृप्तिं परां यूयं गमिष्यथ पित्रीश्वराः अमावास्योद्भवं श्राद्धमलब्ध्वापि च वत्सरम्

yena tṛptiṁ parāṁ yūyaṁ gamiṣyatha pitrīśvarāḥ amāvāsyodbhavaṁ śrāddhamalabdhvāpi ca vatsaram

O foremost of ancestors, by which you shall attain supreme contentment even if you fail to obtain the Amavasya Shraddha for an entire year.

Verse 96 (skanda.6.216.96)

यथा मम प्रसादेन तच्छृणुध्वं समाहिताः आषाढ्याः पंचमे पक्षे कन्यासंस्थे दिवाकरे

yathā mama prasādena tacchṛṇudhvaṁ samāhitāḥ āṣāḍhyāḥ paṁcame pakṣe kanyāsaṁsthe divākare

Listen with an attentive mind to how, by my grace, this comes about — in the fifth fortnight after Ashadha, when the sun stands in the sign of Kanya, Virgo—

Verse 97 (skanda.6.216.97)

मृताहनि पुनर्यो वै श्राद्धं दास्यति मानवः तस्य संवत्सरं यावत्तृप्ताः स्युः पितरो ध्रुवम्

mṛtāhani punaryo vai śrāddhaṁ dāsyati mānavaḥ tasya saṁvatsaraṁ yāvattṛptāḥ syuḥ pitaro dhruvam

—whatever man performs the Shraddha on the anniversary of his ancestor's death, for that man's ancestors shall remain, for a full year, assuredly satisfied.

Verse 98 (skanda.6.216.98)

एवं ज्ञात्वा करिष्यंति प्रेतपक्षे नरा भुवि श्राद्धं यूयं न संदेहो भविष्यथ सुतर्पिताः

evaṁ jñātvā kariṣyaṁti pretapakṣe narā bhuvi śrāddhaṁ yūyaṁ na saṁdeho bhaviṣyatha sutarpitāḥ

Knowing this, men on earth shall perform the Shraddha during the Pitri-paksha fortnight, and by it you shall, without doubt, become well satisfied.

Verse 99 (skanda.6.216.99)

यावत्संवत्सरं तेन एकेनापि तु सत्तमाः तस्मिन्नपि च यः श्राद्धं युष्माकं न प्रदास्यति

yāvatsaṁvatsaraṁ tena ekenāpi tu sattamāḥ tasminnapi ca yaḥ śrāddhaṁ yuṣmākaṁ na pradāsyati

O most excellent ones, by that single rite alone, contentment shall last a whole year; but whoever, even then, fails to offer you the Shraddha—

Verse 100 (skanda.6.216.100)

शाकेनाऽपि दरिद्रोऽसावंत्यजत्वमुपेष्यति आसनं शयनं भोज्यं स्पर्शं संभाषणं तथा

śākenā'pi daridro'sāvaṁtyajatvamupeṣyati āsanaṁ śayanaṁ bhojyaṁ sparśaṁ saṁbhāṣaṇaṁ tathā

—even a poor man, who fails to perform it with so much as a mere vegetable offering, shall fall to the status of an outcaste; and likewise in sitting together, sleeping, eating, touching, and conversing with him—

Verse 101 (skanda.6.216.101)

ये करिष्यंति तैः सार्धं तेऽपि पापतमा नराः न तेषां संततिर्वृद्धिं संप्रयास्यति कर्हिचित्

ye kariṣyaṁti taiḥ sārdhaṁ te'pi pāpatamā narāḥ na teṣāṁ saṁtatirvṛddhiṁ saṁprayāsyati karhicit

—whoever engages in such things (sharing a seat and the rest) with him shall likewise become a most sinful man; his offspring too shall never increase or prosper.

Verse 102 (skanda.6.216.102)

न सुखं धनधान्यं च तेषां भावि कथंचन तस्माद्गच्छत चाव्यग्राः स्वस्थानं पितरो द्रुतम्

na sukhaṁ dhanadhānyaṁ ca teṣāṁ bhāvi kathaṁcana tasmādgacchata cāvyagrāḥ svasthānaṁ pitaro drutam

Neither happiness nor wealth and grain shall ever come to them. Therefore, O ancestors, go now, untroubled, swiftly back to your own respective abodes.

Verse 103 (skanda.6.216.103)

कलिकालेऽपि संप्राप्ते दारुणे निर्धने जने वर्षांते श्राद्धमेकं हि प्रकरिष्यंति मानवाः

kalikāle'pi saṁprāpte dāruṇe nirdhane jane varṣāṁte śrāddhamekaṁ hi prakariṣyaṁti mānavāḥ

Even when the dreadful Kali age has arrived and the people have grown destitute, men shall still, at the year's end, perform at least one Shraddha—

Verse 104 (skanda.6.216.104)

येनाखिलं भवेद्वर्षं युष्माकं प्रीतिरुत्तमा

yenākhilaṁ bhavedvarṣaṁ yuṣmākaṁ prītiruttamā

—by which you shall have the highest satisfaction for the entire year.

Verse 105 (skanda.6.216.105)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा पितरो हृष्टा जग्मुः स्वंस्वं निकेतनम् वर्षांतेऽपि समासाद्य श्राद्धं न स्युर्बुभुक्षिताः

bhartṛyajña uvāca tacchrutvā pitaro hṛṣṭā jagmuḥ svaṁsvaṁ niketanam varṣāṁte'pi samāsādya śrāddhaṁ na syurbubhukṣitāḥ

Bhartriyajna said: Hearing this, the ancestors, rejoicing, went off to their own respective abodes; and, obtaining the Shraddha even at the year's end, they no longer went hungry.

Verse 106 (skanda.6.216.106)

अथ येऽत्र दुरात्मानो निःशंकाः कृपणात्मकाः कलिना मोहिताः श्राद्धं वत्सरांतेऽपि नो ददुः

atha ye'tra durātmāno niḥśaṁkāḥ kṛpaṇātmakāḥ kalinā mohitāḥ śrāddhaṁ vatsarāṁte'pi no daduḥ

But such wicked, shameless, and miserly men as there were, deluded by the influence of Kali, did not give even that year-end Shraddha.

Verse 107 (skanda.6.216.107)

तेषां तु पितरो भूयो दिव्यैः पितृभिरन्विताः ब्रह्माणं शरणं जग्मुः प्रोचुस्ते दीनमानसाः

teṣāṁ tu pitaro bhūyo divyaiḥ pitṛbhiranvitāḥ brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ jagmuḥ procuste dīnamānasāḥ

The ancestors of such men, together with the divine ancestors, once again sought refuge with Brahma, and, wretched at heart, said to him.

Verse 108 (skanda.6.216.108)

भगवन्वत्सरांतेऽपि कन्यासंस्थे दिवाकरे नास्माकं वंशजाः श्राद्धं प्रयच्छंति दुरात्मकाः

bhagavanvatsarāṁte'pi kanyāsaṁsthe divākare nāsmākaṁ vaṁśajāḥ śrāddhaṁ prayacchaṁti durātmakāḥ

They said: O lord, even at the year's end, when the sun stands in Kanya, our own wicked descendants still do not give us the Shraddha.

Verse 109 (skanda.6.216.109)

तेन संपीडिता देव क्षुत्पिपासासमाकुलाः वयं शरणमापन्नास्तत्प्रतीकारमाचर

tena saṁpīḍitā deva kṣutpipāsāsamākulāḥ vayaṁ śaraṇamāpannāstatpratīkāramācara

O lord, distressed by this and tormented by hunger and thirst, we have come seeking refuge; devise a remedy for this.

Verse 110 (skanda.6.216.110)

यथा पूर्वं महाभाग वदोपायं लघूत्तमम् एकाहिकेन श्राद्धेन येनास्माकं हि शाश्वती प्रीतिः संजायते देव त्वत्प्रसादात्सुरेश्वर

yathā pūrvaṁ mahābhāga vadopāyaṁ laghūttamam ekāhikena śrāddhena yenāsmākaṁ hi śāśvatī prītiḥ saṁjāyate deva tvatprasādātsureśvara

O illustrious one, O ruler of the gods, as before, tell us now some simplest of means, by which, through a single day's Shraddha, and by your grace, O lord, lasting satisfaction may come to us.

Verse 111 (skanda.6.216.111)

वंशक्षयेऽपि संजाते ह्यस्माकं पतनं भवेत्

vaṁśakṣaye'pi saṁjāte hyasmākaṁ patanaṁ bhavet

Otherwise, should the lineage itself become extinct, our fall would then be certain.

Verse 112 (skanda.6.216.112)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा चिरं ध्यात्वा पितामहः कृपया परयाविष्टस्ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्

bhartṛyajña uvāca teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā ciraṁ dhyātvā pitāmahaḥ kṛpayā parayāviṣṭastataḥ provāca sādaram

Bhartriyajna said: Hearing their words, the grandsire Brahma reflected long, and then, filled with the deepest compassion, spoke to them respectfully.

Verse 113 (skanda.6.216.113)

ब्रह्मोवाच अन्यो युष्मत्प्रतुष्ट्यर्थमुपायश्चिंतितो मया स लघुर्येन वोऽत्यंतं तृप्तिर्भवति शाश्वती

brahmovāca anyo yuṣmatpratuṣṭyarthamupāyaściṁtito mayā sa laghuryena vo'tyaṁtaṁ tṛptirbhavati śāśvatī

Brahma said: I have devised yet another means for your contentment, one so simple that by it you shall attain the utmost, lasting satisfaction.

Verse 114 (skanda.6.216.114)

गयाशिरः समासाद्य श्राद्धं दास्यंति येऽत्र वः अप्येकं तत्प्रभावेन दिव्यां गतिमवाप्स्यथ

gayāśiraḥ samāsādya śrāddhaṁ dāsyaṁti ye'tra vaḥ apyekaṁ tatprabhāvena divyāṁ gatimavāpsyatha

Whoever comes to Gayashiras and offers you the Shraddha there, even but once, by its power you shall attain a divine state.

Verse 115 (skanda.6.216.115)

अपि पापात्मनः पुंसो ब्रह्मघ्नस्यापि देहिनः अपि रौरवसंस्थस्य कुम्भीपाकगतस्य च

api pāpātmanaḥ puṁso brahmaghnasyāpi dehinaḥ api rauravasaṁsthasya kumbhīpākagatasya ca

Even if he be a sinful man, even a slayer of a brahmin, even one confined to the hell of Raurava or cast into Kumbhipaka—

Verse 116 (skanda.6.216.116)

प्रेतभावगतस्यापि यस्य श्राद्धं प्रदास्यति गयाशिरसि वंशस्थस्तस्य मुक्तिर्भविष्यति

pretabhāvagatasyāpi yasya śrāddhaṁ pradāsyati gayāśirasi vaṁśasthastasya muktirbhaviṣyati

—even one who has fallen into a ghostly state, for whomever a descendant offers the Shraddha at Gayashiras, that one shall attain liberation.

Verse 117 (skanda.6.216.117)

एतन्मम वचः श्रुत्वा सांप्रतं भुवि मानवाः निःस्वा अपि करिष्यंति श्राद्धमेकं हि तत्र च गयाशिरसि सुव्यक्तं युष्माकं मुक्तिदायकम्

etanmama vacaḥ śrutvā sāṁprataṁ bhuvi mānavāḥ niḥsvā api kariṣyaṁti śrāddhamekaṁ hi tatra ca gayāśirasi suvyaktaṁ yuṣmākaṁ muktidāyakam

Hearing this word of mine, even penniless men on earth shall henceforth perform just this one Shraddha there; this rite at Gayashiras shall most assuredly grant you liberation.

Verse 118 (skanda.6.216.118)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा पितरस्तस्य वचनं परमेष्ठिनः अनुज्ञातास्ततस्तेन स्वानि स्थानानि भेजिरे

bhartṛyajña uvāca tacchrutvā pitarastasya vacanaṁ parameṣṭhinaḥ anujñātāstatastena svāni sthānāni bhejire

Bhartriyajna said: Hearing this word of the supreme lord Brahma, and taking his leave, the ancestors returned to their own respective abodes.

Verse 119 (skanda.6.216.119)

ततःप्रभृति श्राद्धानि प्रवृत्तानि धरातले पिंडदानसमे तानि यावदापुरुषत्रयम्

tataḥprabhṛti śrāddhāni pravṛttāni dharātale piṁḍadānasame tāni yāvadāpuruṣatrayam

From that time onward, these Shraddhas, equivalent to the offering of pinda-balls, became established on earth, to be performed for three generations.

Verse 120 (skanda.6.216.120)

पूर्वं ब्रह्मादितः कृत्वा ये केचित्पुरुषा गताः परलोकं समुद्दिश्य तान्नराञ्छक्तितो नृप

pūrvaṁ brahmāditaḥ kṛtvā ye kecitpuruṣā gatāḥ paralokaṁ samuddiśya tānnarāñchaktito nṛpa

O king, beginning with Brahma, whatever men have since departed for the other world — dedicating the rite to all of them, according to one's means—

Verse 121 (skanda.6.216.121)

तत्संख्यानां द्विजेंद्राणां दत्तवंतोऽपि वांछितम् अदैवत्यमिदं श्राद्धं दरिद्राणां सुखावहम्

tatsaṁkhyānāṁ dvijeṁdrāṇāṁ dattavaṁto'pi vāṁchitam adaivatyamidaṁ śrāddhaṁ daridrāṇāṁ sukhāvaham

—one may give the desired gifts to an equal number of foremost brahmins, with the same effect; this Shraddha, requiring no deity-offering, brings ease even to the poor.

Verse 122 (skanda.6.216.122)

पितॄणां देवतानां च मनुष्याणां सुतृप्तिदम् तस्माच्छ्राद्धं प्रकर्तव्यं पुरुषेण विजानता

pitṝṇāṁ devatānāṁ ca manuṣyāṇāṁ sutṛptidam tasmācchrāddhaṁ prakartavyaṁ puruṣeṇa vijānatā

It grants full satisfaction to ancestors, gods, and men alike; therefore a wise man should always perform the Shraddha rite.

Verse 123 (skanda.6.216.123)

पितॄणां वांछता तृप्तिं कालेष्वेतेषु यत्नतः गयायां च विशेषेण लोकद्वयमभीप्सता

pitṝṇāṁ vāṁchatā tṛptiṁ kāleṣveteṣu yatnataḥ gayāyāṁ ca viśeṣeṇa lokadvayamabhīpsatā

One who desires the ancestors' satisfaction should diligently perform the Shraddha at these various occasions, and, if one desires both worlds, especially at Gaya.

Verse 124 (skanda.6.216.124)

न ददाति नरः श्राद्धं पितॄणां चन्द्रसंक्षये क्षुत्पिपासापरीतांगाः पितरस्तस्य दुःखिताः

na dadāti naraḥ śrāddhaṁ pitṝṇāṁ candrasaṁkṣaye kṣutpipāsāparītāṁgāḥ pitarastasya duḥkhitāḥ

If a man fails to give his ancestors the Shraddha at the waning of the moon, his ancestors, beset by hunger and thirst, remain in sorrow.

Verse 125 (skanda.6.216.125)

प्रेतपक्षं प्रतीक्षंते गुरुवांछासमन्विताः कर्षुका जलदं यद्वद्दिवानक्तमतंद्रिताः

pretapakṣaṁ pratīkṣaṁte guruvāṁchāsamanvitāḥ karṣukā jaladaṁ yadvaddivānaktamataṁdritāḥ

Filled with deep longing, they then wait for the Pitri-paksha fortnight, just as farmers, tireless day and night, wait for the rain-cloud.

Verse 126 (skanda.6.216.126)

प्रेतपक्षे व्यतिक्रांते यावत्कन्यां गतो रविः तावच्छ्राद्धं च वांछंति दत्तं स्वैः पितरः सुतैः

pretapakṣe vyatikrāṁte yāvatkanyāṁ gato raviḥ tāvacchrāddhaṁ ca vāṁchaṁti dattaṁ svaiḥ pitaraḥ sutaiḥ

Even after the Pitri-paksha fortnight has passed, as long as the sun remains in Kanya, the ancestors continue to long for the Shraddha given by their own sons.

Verse 127 (skanda.6.216.127)

ततस्तुलागतेप्येके सूर्ये वांछंति पार्थिव श्राद्धं स्ववंशजैर्दत्तं क्षुत्पिपासासमाकुलाः

tatastulāgatepyeke sūrye vāṁchaṁti pārthiva śrāddhaṁ svavaṁśajairdattaṁ kṣutpipāsāsamākulāḥ

O king, even when the sun passes into Tula, Libra, some ancestors, still tormented by hunger and thirst, continue to long for the Shraddha given by their own descendants.

Verse 128 (skanda.6.216.128)

तस्मिन्नपि व्यतिक्रांते काले चांलिं गते रवौ निराशाः पितरो दीनास्ततो यांति निजालयम्

tasminnapi vyatikrāṁte kāle cāṁliṁ gate ravau nirāśāḥ pitaro dīnāstato yāṁti nijālayam

When that time too has passed, and the sun has moved on beyond Tula, the disappointed, wretched ancestors then depart for their own abodes.

Verse 129 (skanda.6.216.129)

मासद्वयं प्रतीक्षंते गृहद्वारं समाश्रिताः वायुभूताः पिपासार्ताः क्षुत्क्षामाः पितरो नृणाम्

māsadvayaṁ pratīkṣaṁte gṛhadvāraṁ samāśritāḥ vāyubhūtāḥ pipāsārtāḥ kṣutkṣāmāḥ pitaro nṛṇām

Taking on an airy form, thirst-stricken and hunger-emaciated, men's ancestors wait for two full months, stationed at the doors of their houses.

Verse 130 (skanda.6.216.130)

यावत्कन्यागतः सूर्यस्तुलास्थश्च महीपते तथा दर्शदिने तद्वद्ब्रह्मणो वचनान्नृप

yāvatkanyāgataḥ sūryastulāsthaśca mahīpate tathā darśadine tadvadbrahmaṇo vacanānnṛpa

O king, O lord of the earth, as long as the sun stands in Kanya and Tula, and likewise on the new-moon day, this same condition prevails, according to Brahma's own word.

Verse 131 (skanda.6.216.131)

तस्माच्छ्राद्धं सदा कार्यं पितॄणां तृप्तिमिच्छता तिलोदकं विशेषेण यथा ब्रह्मवचो नृप

tasmācchrāddhaṁ sadā kāryaṁ pitṝṇāṁ tṛptimicchatā tilodakaṁ viśeṣeṇa yathā brahmavaco nṛpa

O king, therefore, one who desires the ancestors' satisfaction should always perform the Shraddha, and especially offer tila-udaka, water mixed with sesame, as declared by Brahma's own word.

Verse 132 (skanda.6.216.132)

वित्ताभावेऽपि दर्शायां श्राद्धं देयं विपश्चिता तदभावे च कन्यायां संस्थिते दिवसाधिपे

vittābhāve'pi darśāyāṁ śrāddhaṁ deyaṁ vipaścitā tadabhāve ca kanyāyāṁ saṁsthite divasādhipe

Even lacking wealth, a wise man should give the Shraddha on the new-moon day; failing that, when the sun stands in Kanya.

Verse 133 (skanda.6.216.133)

तदभावे गयायां च सकृच्छ्राद्धं हि निर्वपेत् येन नित्यं प्रदत्तस्य श्राद्धस्य फलमश्नुते

tadabhāve gayāyāṁ ca sakṛcchrāddhaṁ hi nirvapet yena nityaṁ pradattasya śrāddhasya phalamaśnute

Failing even that, one should perform the Shraddha just once at Gaya, by which one obtains the fruit of a Shraddha offered daily.

Verse 134 (skanda.6.216.134)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽस्मि नराधिप येनैतत्क्रियते श्राद्धं जनैः पितृपरायणैः

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭo'smi narādhipa yenaitatkriyate śrāddhaṁ janaiḥ pitṛparāyaṇaiḥ

O king, all that you asked, I have now told you — the manner in which this Shraddha is performed by people devoted to their ancestors.

Verse 135 (skanda.6.216.135)

अमावास्यां विशेषेण प्रेतपक्षे च पार्थिव

amāvāsyāṁ viśeṣeṇa pretapakṣe ca pārthiva

O king, especially on the new-moon day, and likewise during the Pitri-paksha fortnight.

Verse 136 (skanda.6.216.136)

यश्चैतां शृणुयात्पुण्यां श्राद्धोत्पत्तिं पठेच्च वा स सर्वदोषनिर्मुक्तः श्राद्धदानफलं लभेत्

yaścaitāṁ śṛṇuyātpuṇyāṁ śrāddhotpattiṁ paṭhecca vā sa sarvadoṣanirmuktaḥ śrāddhadānaphalaṁ labhet

Whoever hears or reads this sacred account of the origin of Shraddha becomes freed of every fault and obtains the fruit of giving the Shraddha itself.

Verse 137 (skanda.6.216.137)

श्राद्धकाले पठेद्यस्तु श्राद्धोत्पत्तिमिमां नरः अक्षयं तद्भवेच्छ्राद्धं सर्वच्छिद्रविवर्जितम्

śrāddhakāle paṭhedyastu śrāddhotpattimimāṁ naraḥ akṣayaṁ tadbhavecchrāddhaṁ sarvacchidravivarjitam

Whatever man recites this account of the origin of Shraddha at the time of the rite itself, his Shraddha becomes imperishable, free of every flaw.

Verse 138 (skanda.6.216.138)

असद्द्रव्येण वा चीर्णमनर्हैर्ब्राह्मणैरपि अभुक्तं कामहीनं वा मन्त्रहीनमथापि वा

asaddravyeṇa vā cīrṇamanarhairbrāhmaṇairapi abhuktaṁ kāmahīnaṁ vā mantrahīnamathāpi vā

Whether performed with improper materials, or by unworthy brahmins, or left unfinished, or lacking in devotion, or even lacking in mantras—

Verse 139 (skanda.6.216.139)

सर्वं संपूर्णतां याति कीर्तनात्पार्थिवोत्तम अस्याः श्राद्धसमुत्पत्तेः कीर्तनाच्छ्रवणादपि

sarvaṁ saṁpūrṇatāṁ yāti kīrtanātpārthivottama asyāḥ śrāddhasamutpatteḥ kīrtanācchravaṇādapi

—all of it, O best of kings, attains completeness merely through the recitation, or even merely through the hearing, of this account of the origin of Shraddha.