The Determination of Brahmins Worthy and Unworthy of Shraddha, and the Auspicious Times

Verse 1 (skanda.6.217.1)

आनर्त उवाच विधिना येन कर्तव्यं श्राद्धं सर्वं मुनीश्वर तमाचक्ष्वाऽद्य कार्त्स्न्येन श्रद्धा मे महती स्थिता

ānarta uvāca vidhinā yena kartavyaṁ śrāddhaṁ sarvaṁ munīśvara tamācakṣvā'dya kārtsnyena śraddhā me mahatī sthitā

Anarta said: O lord of sages, tell me now, in full, the entire procedure by which shraddha should be performed — my faith in hearing it is very great.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.217.2)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि श्राद्धस्य विधिमुत्तमम् पितॄणां तुष्टिदं नित्यं सर्वकामप्रदं नृणाम्

bhartṛyajña uvāca śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi śrāddhasya vidhimuttamam pitṝṇāṁ tuṣṭidaṁ nityaṁ sarvakāmapradaṁ nṛṇām

Bhartriyajna said: Listen, O king, I shall declare the supreme rule of shraddha, which ever gratifies the ancestors and grants men all their desires.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.217.3)

स्वकर्मोपार्जितैर्वित्तैः श्राद्धकार्याणि चाहरेत् मायादिभिर्न चौर्येण न च्छलाप्तैर्न वंचनैः

svakarmopārjitairvittaiḥ śrāddhakāryāṇi cāharet māyādibhirna cauryeṇa na cchalāptairna vaṁcanaiḥ

One should perform the rites of shraddha with wealth earned by one's own labor — never with wealth obtained by deceit, theft, fraud, or cheating.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.217.4)

स्ववृत्त्योपार्जितैर्वित्तैः श्राद्धद्रव्यं समाहरेत् सुप्रतिग्रहजैर्द्रव्यैर्ब्राह्मणानां विशिष्यते

svavṛttyopārjitairvittaiḥ śrāddhadravyaṁ samāharet supratigrahajairdravyairbrāhmaṇānāṁ viśiṣyate

The materials for shraddha should be gathered with wealth earned through one's own livelihood; for brahmins, wealth obtained through proper acceptance of gifts is especially recommended.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.217.5)

रक्षणाप्तैर्नरेन्द्रस्य वैश्यस्य क्षेत्रसंभवैः शूद्रस्य पण्यलब्धैश्च श्राद्धं कर्तुं प्रयुज्यते

rakṣaṇāptairnarendrasya vaiśyasya kṣetrasaṁbhavaiḥ śūdrasya paṇyalabdhaiśca śrāddhaṁ kartuṁ prayujyate

For a king, wealth gained through the protection of his subjects; for a vaishya, wealth arising from his fields; and for a shudra, wealth obtained through trade — with these it is enjoined that shraddha be performed.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.217.6)

एवं शुद्धिसमोपेते द्रव्ये प्राप्ते गृहांतिकम् पूर्वेद्युः सायमासाद्य श्राद्धार्हाणां द्विजन्मनाम्

evaṁ śuddhisamopete dravye prāpte gṛhāṁtikam pūrvedyuḥ sāyamāsādya śrāddhārhāṇāṁ dvijanmanām

Thus, when materials endowed with purity have been obtained and brought near the house, one should go, on the previous evening, to the twice-born who are worthy of the shraddha.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.217.7)

गृहं गत्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा कामक्रोधविवर्जितः आमंत्रयेद्यतीन्पश्चात्स्नातकान्ब्रह्मकर्मिणः

gṛhaṁ gatvā śucirbhūtvā kāmakrodhavivarjitaḥ āmaṁtrayedyatīnpaścātsnātakānbrahmakarmiṇaḥ

Going to their homes, having become pure and free from desire and anger, one should invite ascetics first, and thereafter the snatakas devoted to brahminical duties.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.217.8)

तदभावे गृहस्थांश्च ब्रह्मज्ञानपरायणान् अग्निहोत्रपरान्विप्रान्वेदविद्याविचक्षणान्

tadabhāve gṛhasthāṁśca brahmajñānaparāyaṇān agnihotraparānviprānvedavidyāvicakṣaṇān

In their absence, one should invite householders devoted to the knowledge of Brahman, brahmins intent upon the fire-sacrifice, and those skilled in Vedic learning.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.217.9)

श्रोत्रियांश्च तथा वृद्धान्षट्कर्मनिरतान्सदा बहुभृत्यकुटुम्बांश्च दरिद्रान्संयुतान्गुणैः

śrotriyāṁśca tathā vṛddhānṣaṭkarmaniratānsadā bahubhṛtyakuṭumbāṁśca daridrānsaṁyutānguṇaiḥ

One should also invite those learned in the shrutis, the aged, those ever devoted to the six brahminical duties, those with large households and dependents, and the poor who are endowed with virtues.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.217.10)

अव्यंगान्रोगनिर्मुक्ताञ्जिताहारांस्तथा शुचीन् एते स्युर्ब्राह्मणा राजञ्छ्राद्धार्हाः परिकीर्तिताः

avyaṁgānroganirmuktāñjitāhārāṁstathā śucīn ete syurbrāhmaṇā rājañchrāddhārhāḥ parikīrtitāḥ

Those without deformity, free from disease, moderate in diet, and pure — these, O king, are the brahmins declared worthy of the shraddha.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.217.11)

अनर्हा ये च निर्दिष्टाः शृणु तानपि वच्मि ते हीनांगानधिकांगांश्च सर्वभाक्षन्निराकृतीन्

anarhā ye ca nirdiṣṭāḥ śṛṇu tānapi vacmi te hīnāṁgānadhikāṁgāṁśca sarvabhākṣannirākṛtīn

Now hear also those who are declared unworthy — I shall tell you of them: those deficient in limb, those with extra limbs, those who eat everything indiscriminately, and those of deformed appearance.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.217.12)

श्यावदन्तान्वृथादन्तान्वेदविक्रयकारकान् वेदविप्लवकान्वापि वेदशास्त्रविवर्जितान्

śyāvadantānvṛthādantānvedavikrayakārakān vedaviplavakānvāpi vedaśāstravivarjitān

Those with discolored teeth, those with irregular teeth, those who sell the Veda, those who corrupt the Veda, and those devoid of Vedic learning.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.217.13)

कुनखान्रोगसंयुक्तान्द्विर्नग्नान्परहिंसकान् जनापवादसंयुक्तान्नास्तिकानृतकानपि

kunakhānrogasaṁyuktāndvirnagnānparahiṁsakān janāpavādasaṁyuktānnāstikānṛtakānapi

Those with deformed nails, those afflicted with disease, the shameless, those who harm others, those of ill repute among the people, atheists, and liars.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.217.14)

वार्धुषिकान्विकर्मस्थाञ्छौचाचारविवर्जितान् अतिदीर्घान्कृशान्वापि स्थूलानपि च लोमशान्

vārdhuṣikānvikarmasthāñchaucācāravivarjitān atidīrghānkṛśānvāpi sthūlānapi ca lomaśān

Usurers, those engaged in forbidden acts, those devoid of purificatory conduct, those excessively tall or emaciated or corpulent or excessively hairy.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.217.15)

निर्लोमान्वर्जयेच्छ्राद्धे य इच्छेत्पितृगौरवम् परदाररता ये च तथा यो वृषली पतिः

nirlomānvarjayecchrāddhe ya icchetpitṛgauravam paradāraratā ye ca tathā yo vṛṣalī patiḥ

And the hairless — one who desires reverence for the ancestors should exclude all these from the shraddha; likewise one devoted to others' wives, and one who is the husband of a vrishali.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.217.16)

वंध्या वै वृषली प्रोक्ता वृषली च मृतप्रजा अपरा वृषली प्रोक्ता कुमारी या रजस्वला

vaṁdhyā vai vṛṣalī proktā vṛṣalī ca mṛtaprajā aparā vṛṣalī proktā kumārī yā rajasvalā

A barren woman is called a vrishali, and so is one whose children have died; another kind of vrishali is a maiden who has already begun to menstruate while yet unmarried.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.217.17)

षण्ढो मलिम्लुचो दम्भी राजपैशुन्यवृत्तयः सगोत्रायाश्च संभूतस्तथैकप्रवरासुतः

ṣaṇḍho malimluco dambhī rājapaiśunyavṛttayaḥ sagotrāyāśca saṁbhūtastathaikapravarāsutaḥ

A eunuch, one who steals under cover of darkness, a hypocrite, one who lives by informing against others to the king, one born of a union within the same gotra, and the son of a woman of a single shared pravara.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.217.18)

कनिष्ठः प्राक्कृताधानः कृतोद्वाहश्च प्राक्तु यः तथा प्राग्दीक्षितो यश्च स त्याज्यो गृहसंयुतः

kaniṣṭhaḥ prākkṛtādhānaḥ kṛtodvāhaśca prāktu yaḥ tathā prāgdīkṣito yaśca sa tyājyo gṛhasaṁyutaḥ

A younger brother who has established the sacred fire before his elder, or married before him, or been initiated before him — such a one, together with his household, is to be shunned.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.217.19)

पितृमातृपरित्यागी तथाच गुरुतल्पगः निर्द्दोषां यस्त्यजेत्पत्नीं कृतघ्नो यश्च कर्षुकः

pitṛmātṛparityāgī tathāca gurutalpagaḥ nirddoṣāṁ yastyajetpatnīṁ kṛtaghno yaśca karṣukaḥ

One who has abandoned his father and mother, one who defiles his guru's bed, one who abandons a blameless wife, an ingrate, and one who lives by digging the earth.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.217.20)

शिल्पजीवी प्रमादी च पण्यजीवी कृतायुधः एतान्विवर्जयेच्छ्राद्धे येषां नो ज्ञायते कुलम्

śilpajīvī pramādī ca paṇyajīvī kṛtāyudhaḥ etānvivarjayecchrāddhe yeṣāṁ no jñāyate kulam

One who lives by craft, one who is negligent, one who lives by trade, one who lives by arms — all these, and those whose lineage is unknown, should be excluded from the shraddha.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.217.21)

अत ऊर्ध्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि ये शस्ताः श्राद्धकर्मणि ये ब्राह्मणाः पुरा ख्याताः पापानां पंक्तिपावनाः

ata ūrdhvaṁ pravakṣyāmi ye śastāḥ śrāddhakarmaṇi ye brāhmaṇāḥ purā khyātāḥ pāpānāṁ paṁktipāvanāḥ

Henceforth I shall declare those who are commended for the rite of shraddha — the brahmins renowned of old as purifiers of the row of diners, even for sinners.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.217.22)

त्रिणाचिकेतस्त्रिमधुस्त्रिसुपर्णः षडंगवित् यश्च विद्याव्रतस्नातो धर्मद्रोणस्य पाठकः

triṇāciketastrimadhustrisuparṇaḥ ṣaḍaṁgavit yaśca vidyāvratasnāto dharmadroṇasya pāṭhakaḥ

One versed in the three Nachiketa fires, in the three Madhu hymns, in the three Suparna hymns, one who knows the six auxiliary Vedic sciences, one who has completed his vow of learning, and a reciter of the Dharmadrona.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.217.23)

पुराणज्ञस्तथा ज्ञानी विज्ञेयो ज्येष्ठसामवित् अथर्वशिरसो वेत्ता क्रतुगामी सुकर्मकृत्

purāṇajñastathā jñānī vijñeyo jyeṣṭhasāmavit atharvaśiraso vettā kratugāmī sukarmakṛt

One who knows the Puranas, one who is wise and should be known as versed in the Jyeshtha-saman, one who knows the Atharvashiras, one devoted to sacrificial rites, and one of good conduct.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.217.24)

सद्यःप्रक्षालको यश्च शुक्लो दौहित्र एव च जामाता भागिनेयश्च परोपकरणे रतः

sadyaḥprakṣālako yaśca śuklo dauhitra eva ca jāmātā bhāgineyaśca paropakaraṇe rataḥ

One who purifies himself instantly, one who is pure in conduct, a daughter's son, a son-in-law, a sister's son, and one devoted to helping others.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.217.25)

मृष्टान्नादो मृष्टवाक्यः सदा जपपरायणः एते ब्राह्मणा ज्ञेया निःशेषाः पंक्तिपावनाः

mṛṣṭānnādo mṛṣṭavākyaḥ sadā japaparāyaṇaḥ ete brāhmaṇā jñeyā niḥśeṣāḥ paṁktipāvanāḥ

One who eats pure food, one of pleasant speech, one ever devoted to japa — all these brahmins, without exception, should be known as purifiers of the row.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.217.26)

एतैर्विमिश्रिताः सर्वे गर्हिता अपि ये द्विजाः पितॄणां तेऽपि कुर्वंति तृप्तिं भुक्त्वा कुलोद्भवाः

etairvimiśritāḥ sarve garhitā api ye dvijāḥ pitṝṇāṁ te'pi kurvaṁti tṛptiṁ bhuktvā kulodbhavāḥ

Even those twice-born who are otherwise blameworthy, if seated mixed among these worthy ones, likewise bring satisfaction to the ancestors of the family when they partake of the meal.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.217.27)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कुलं ज्ञेयं द्बिजन्मनाम् शीलं पश्चाद्वयो नाम कन्यादानं ततः परम्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena kulaṁ jñeyaṁ dbijanmanām śīlaṁ paścādvayo nāma kanyādānaṁ tataḥ param

Therefore, with every effort, the lineage of the twice-born should first be ascertained; thereafter their character, then their age and name, and after that the giving of a daughter in marriage.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.217.28)

श्रुतशीलविहीनाय धर्मज्ञायापि मानवः श्राद्धं ददाति कन्यां च यस्तेनाग्निं विना हुतम्

śrutaśīlavihīnāya dharmajñāyāpi mānavaḥ śrāddhaṁ dadāti kanyāṁ ca yastenāgniṁ vinā hutam

The man who gives shraddha, or gives his daughter, to one devoid of learning and character — even though that man may seem to know dharma — has, by him, made his oblation without fire.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.217.29)

ऊषरे वापि तं सस्यं तुषाणां कण्डनं कृतम् कुलाचारसमोपेतांस्तस्माच्छ्राद्धे नियोजयेत्

ūṣare vāpi taṁ sasyaṁ tuṣāṇāṁ kaṇḍanaṁ kṛtam kulācārasamopetāṁstasmācchrāddhe niyojayet

It is like sowing seed in barren soil, or husking empty chaff. Therefore one should engage in the shraddha only those who are endowed with the customs proper to their lineage.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.217.30)

ब्राह्मणान्नृपशार्दूल मन्दविद्याधरानपि एवं विज्ञाय तान्विप्रान्गृहीत्वा चरणौ ततः

brāhmaṇānnṛpaśārdūla mandavidyādharānapi evaṁ vijñāya tānviprāngṛhītvā caraṇau tataḥ

O tiger among kings, having thus ascertained such brahmins — even those of modest learning — one should then take hold of their feet.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.217.31)

प्रयत्नेन तु सव्येन पाणिना दक्षिणेन तु युग्मानथ यथाशक्त्या नमस्कृत्य पुनःपुनः

prayatnena tu savyena pāṇinā dakṣiṇena tu yugmānatha yathāśaktyā namaskṛtya punaḥpunaḥ

Carefully, with the left hand for one task and the right hand for another, one should bow again and again, according to one's ability, to the invited pairs of brahmins.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.217.32)

दक्षिणं जान्वथालभ्य मन्त्रमेनमुदीरयेत् आगच्छंतु महाभागा विश्वेदेवा महाबलाः

dakṣiṇaṁ jānvathālabhya mantramenamudīrayet āgacchaṁtu mahābhāgā viśvedevā mahābalāḥ

Then, touching their right knee, one should utter this mantra: 'May the greatly fortunate, mighty Vishvedevas come.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.217.33)

भक्त्याहूता मया चैव त्वं चापि व्रतभाग्भव एवं युग्मान्समामंत्र्य विश्वेदेवकृते द्विजान्

bhaktyāhūtā mayā caiva tvaṁ cāpi vratabhāgbhava evaṁ yugmānsamāmaṁtrya viśvedevakṛte dvijān

'Invited by me with devotion, may you too become a partaker of this rite.' Having thus invited the pairs of twice-born on behalf of the Vishvedevas —

Verse 34 (skanda.6.217.34)

अपसव्यं ततः कृत्वा पित्रर्थं चाभिमंत्रयेत् ब्राह्मणांस्त्रीन्यथाशक्त्या एकैकस्य पृथक्पृथक्

apasavyaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā pitrarthaṁ cābhimaṁtrayet brāhmaṇāṁstrīnyathāśaktyā ekaikasya pṛthakpṛthak

— then, turning the sacred thread to the right in the apasavya manner, one should invite, for the sake of the fathers, three brahmins according to one's ability, one separately for each.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.217.35)

एकैकं वा त्रयाणां वा एकमेवं निमंत्रयेत् ब्राह्मणान्मातृपक्षे च एष एव विधिः स्मृतः

ekaikaṁ vā trayāṇāṁ vā ekamevaṁ nimaṁtrayet brāhmaṇānmātṛpakṣe ca eṣa eva vidhiḥ smṛtaḥ

Or one may invite one brahmin for each, or a single one for all three together; and this same rule is prescribed for the brahmins invited on behalf of the maternal ancestors.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.217.36)

ततः पादौ परिस्पृष्ट्वा द्विजस्येदमुदीरयेत् श्रद्धा पूतेन मनसा पितृभक्तिपरायणः

tataḥ pādau parispṛṣṭvā dvijasyedamudīrayet śraddhā pūtena manasā pitṛbhaktiparāyaṇaḥ

Then, having touched the feet of the twice-born, with a mind purified by faith and devoted to reverence for the ancestors, one should utter this:

Verse 37 (skanda.6.217.37)

पिता मे तव कायेस्मिंस्तथा चैव पितामहः स्वपित्रा सहितो ह्येतु त्वं च व्रतपरो भव

pitā me tava kāyesmiṁstathā caiva pitāmahaḥ svapitrā sahito hyetu tvaṁ ca vrataparo bhava

'May my father, and likewise my grandfather, together with his own father, be present in this body of yours; and may you be intent upon this rite.'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.217.38)

एवं पितॄन्समाहूय तथा मातामहानथ संमंत्रिताश्च ते विप्राः संयमात्मान एव ते

evaṁ pitṝnsamāhūya tathā mātāmahānatha saṁmaṁtritāśca te viprāḥ saṁyamātmāna eva te

Having thus invoked the fathers, and likewise the maternal grandfathers, those brahmins, thus duly invited, should keep themselves restrained.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.217.39)

यजमानः शांतमना ब्रह्मचर्यसमन्वितः तां रात्रिं समतिक्रम्य प्रातरुत्थाय मानवः

yajamānaḥ śāṁtamanā brahmacaryasamanvitaḥ tāṁ rātriṁ samatikramya prātarutthāya mānavaḥ

The sacrificer, with a tranquil mind and observing celibacy, having passed that night, should rise in the morning —

Verse 40 (skanda.6.217.40)

तदह्नि वर्जयेत्कोपं स्वाध्यायं कर्म कुत्सितम् तैलाभ्यंगं श्रमं यानं वाहनं चाथ दूरतः

tadahni varjayetkopaṁ svādhyāyaṁ karma kutsitam tailābhyaṁgaṁ śramaṁ yānaṁ vāhanaṁ cātha dūrataḥ

— and on that day should avoid anger, personal Vedic recitation, degrading work, oil-massage, exertion, and riding any vehicle or mount, keeping far from all of these.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.217.41)

ततो मध्यं गते सूर्ये काले कुतपसंज्ञिते स्नातः शुक्लांबरधरः सन्तर्प्य पितृदेवताः सन्तुष्टांश्च समाहूतांस्तान्विप्राञ्छ्राद्धमाचरेत्

tato madhyaṁ gate sūrye kāle kutapasaṁjñite snātaḥ śuklāṁbaradharaḥ santarpya pitṛdevatāḥ santuṣṭāṁśca samāhūtāṁstānviprāñchrāddhamācaret

Then, when the sun has reached the midpoint of the sky, at the time called kutapa, having bathed and put on white garments and satisfied the ancestor-deities with libations, he should perform the shraddha with those invited and now-contented brahmins.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.217.42)

विविक्ते गृहमध्यस्थे मनोज्ञे दक्षिणाप्लवे न यत्र जायते दृष्टिः पापानां क्रूरकर्मिणाम्

vivikte gṛhamadhyasthe manojñe dakṣiṇāplave na yatra jāyate dṛṣṭiḥ pāpānāṁ krūrakarmiṇām

In a secluded, pleasant spot within the house, sloping toward the south — a place where the gaze of sinners or cruel-doers does not fall.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.217.43)

यच्छ्राद्धं वीक्षते श्वा वा नारी वाऽथ रजस्वला पतितो वा वराहो वा तच्छ्राद्धं व्यर्थतां व्रजेत्

yacchrāddhaṁ vīkṣate śvā vā nārī vā'tha rajasvalā patito vā varāho vā tacchrāddhaṁ vyarthatāṁ vrajet

A shraddha which is watched by a dog, or by a menstruating woman, or by an outcast, or by a pig — that shraddha becomes fruitless.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.217.44)

अन्नं पर्युषितं यच्च तैलाक्तं वा प्रदीयते सकेशं वा सनिंद्यं च तच्छ्राद्धं व्यर्थतां व्रजेत्

annaṁ paryuṣitaṁ yacca tailāktaṁ vā pradīyate sakeśaṁ vā saniṁdyaṁ ca tacchrāddhaṁ vyarthatāṁ vrajet

Food that is stale, or smeared with oil, or that contains a hair, or that is otherwise blameworthy — a shraddha in which such food is offered becomes fruitless.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.217.45)

विभक्तिरहितं श्राद्धं तथा मौनविवर्जितम् दक्षिणारहितं यच्च तच्छ्राद्धं व्यर्थतां व्रजेत्

vibhaktirahitaṁ śrāddhaṁ tathā maunavivarjitam dakṣiṇārahitaṁ yacca tacchrāddhaṁ vyarthatāṁ vrajet

A shraddha performed without the correct grammatical case-endings in the mantras, or without observing silence, or without the gift of dakshina — such a shraddha becomes fruitless.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.217.46)

घरट्टोलूखलोत्थौ च यत्र शब्दौ व्यवस्थितौ शूर्पस्य वा विशेषेण तच्छ्राद्धं व्यर्थतां व्रजेत्

gharaṭṭolūkhalotthau ca yatra śabdau vyavasthitau śūrpasya vā viśeṣeṇa tacchrāddhaṁ vyarthatāṁ vrajet

Where the sounds of the grinding-mill or the mortar-and-pestle occur, or especially of the winnowing-basket — a shraddha performed there becomes fruitless.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.217.47)

यत्र संस्क्रियमाणे च कलहः संप्रजायते पंक्तिभेदो विशेषेण तच्छ्राद्धं व्यर्थतां व्रजेत्

yatra saṁskriyamāṇe ca kalahaḥ saṁprajāyate paṁktibhedo viśeṣeṇa tacchrāddhaṁ vyarthatāṁ vrajet

Where, during its performance, a quarrel arises, or especially a breach occurs in the seating-row of diners — such a shraddha becomes fruitless.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.217.48)

पूर्वाह्णे क्रियते यच्च रात्रौ वा संध्ययोरपि पर्याकाशे तथा देशे तच्छ्राद्धं व्यर्थतां व्रजेत

pūrvāhṇe kriyate yacca rātrau vā saṁdhyayorapi paryākāśe tathā deśe tacchrāddhaṁ vyarthatāṁ vrajeta

A shraddha performed in the forenoon, or at night, or at either twilight, or in a place open to the sky — becomes fruitless.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.217.49)

ब्राह्मणो यजमानो वा ब्रह्मचर्यं विना यदि भुंक्ते दद्याच्च यच्छ्राद्धं तद्राजन्व्यर्थतां व्रजेत्

brāhmaṇo yajamāno vā brahmacaryaṁ vinā yadi bhuṁkte dadyācca yacchrāddhaṁ tadrājanvyarthatāṁ vrajet

If either the brahmin or the sacrificer eats or offers the shraddha without having observed celibacy, O king, it becomes fruitless.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.217.50)

तुषधान्यं सनिष्पावं यच्चोच्छिष्टं च दीयते अर्धभुक्तं घृतं क्षीरं तच्छ्राद्धं व्यर्थतां व्रजेत्

tuṣadhānyaṁ saniṣpāvaṁ yaccocchiṣṭaṁ ca dīyate ardhabhuktaṁ ghṛtaṁ kṣīraṁ tacchrāddhaṁ vyarthatāṁ vrajet

Grain still in husk, or with chaff, or leftover food that is offered, or half-eaten ghee or milk — a shraddha with such offerings becomes fruitless.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.217.51)

येषु कालेषु यद्दत्तं श्राद्धमक्षयतां व्रजेत् तानहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुष्वैकमना नृप

yeṣu kāleṣu yaddattaṁ śrāddhamakṣayatāṁ vrajet tānahaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi śṛṇuṣvaikamanā nṛpa

Now I shall declare to you those times at which whatever is given in shraddha becomes imperishable — listen, O king, with a single-pointed mind.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.217.52)

मन्वादीरपि ते वच्मि ताः शृणुष्व नराधिप पितॄणां वल्लभा नित्यं सर्वपापक्षयावहाः

manvādīrapi te vacmi tāḥ śṛṇuṣva narādhipa pitṝṇāṁ vallabhā nityaṁ sarvapāpakṣayāvahāḥ

I shall also tell you the Manvadi tithis — hear them, O lord of men — which are ever dear to the ancestors and bring about the destruction of every accumulated sin.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.217.53)

यासु तोयमपि क्ष्मायां प्रदत्तं तिलमिश्रितम् पितृभ्योऽक्षयतां याति श्रद्धापूतेन चेतसा

yāsu toyamapi kṣmāyāṁ pradattaṁ tilamiśritam pitṛbhyo'kṣayatāṁ yāti śraddhāpūtena cetasā

On these tithis, even water alone, mixed with sesame and poured upon the ground with a mind purified by faith, becomes imperishable for the ancestors.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.217.54)

अश्वयुक्छुक्लनवमी द्वादशी कार्तिकस्य च तृतीयापि च माघस्य तथा भाद्रपदस्य च

aśvayukchuklanavamī dvādaśī kārtikasya ca tṛtīyāpi ca māghasya tathā bhādrapadasya ca

The bright ninth of Ashvina; the twelfth of Kartika; also the third of Magha and of Bhadrapada;

Verse 55 (skanda.6.217.55)

अमावास्या तपस्यस्य पौषस्यैकादशी तथा तथाऽऽषाढस्य दशमी माघमासस्य सप्तमी

amāvāsyā tapasyasya pauṣasyaikādaśī tathā tathā''ṣāḍhasya daśamī māghamāsasya saptamī

The new-moon of Tapasya (Magha); the eleventh of Pausha; also the tenth of Ashadha; and the seventh of the month of Magha;

Verse 56 (skanda.6.217.56)

श्रावणस्याष्टमी कृष्णा तथाऽऽषाढी व पूर्णिमा तथा कार्तिकमासस्य या चान्या फाल्गुनस्य च

śrāvaṇasyāṣṭamī kṛṣṇā tathā''ṣāḍhī va pūrṇimā tathā kārtikamāsasya yā cānyā phālgunasya ca

The dark eighth of Shravana; and the full moon of Ashadha; and likewise that of the month of Kartika, and that of Phalguna;

Verse 57 (skanda.6.217.57)

चैत्रस्य ज्येष्ठमासस्य पंचैताः पूर्णिमा नृप मनूनामादयः प्रोक्तास्तिथयस्ते मया नृप

caitrasya jyeṣṭhamāsasya paṁcaitāḥ pūrṇimā nṛpa manūnāmādayaḥ proktāstithayaste mayā nṛpa

and of Chaitra and of the month of Jyeshtha — these five full-moon days, O king: these are the Manvadi tithis I have declared to you.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.217.58)

आसु तोयमपि स्नात्वा तिलदर्भविमिश्रितम् पितॄनुद्दिश्य यो दद्यात्स याति परमां गतिम्

āsu toyamapi snātvā tiladarbhavimiśritam pitṝnuddiśya yo dadyātsa yāti paramāṁ gatim

On these, whoever, having bathed, offers even water mixed with sesame and kusha grass, directed to the ancestors, attains the supreme state.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.217.59)

इह लोके परे चैव पितॄणां च प्रसादतः किं पुनर्विविधैरन्नै रसैर्वस्त्रैः सदक्षिणैः

iha loke pare caiva pitṝṇāṁ ca prasādataḥ kiṁ punarvividhairannai rasairvastraiḥ sadakṣiṇaiḥ

He attains this in this world and in the next, through the grace of the ancestors — how much more so, then, with the offering of various foods, delicacies, garments, together with dakshina!

Verse 60 (skanda.6.217.60)

अधुना शृणु राजेन्द्र युगाद्याः पितृवल्लभाः यासां संकीर्तनेनापि क्षीयते पापसंचयः

adhunā śṛṇu rājendra yugādyāḥ pitṛvallabhāḥ yāsāṁ saṁkīrtanenāpi kṣīyate pāpasaṁcayaḥ

Now hear, O lord of kings, the Yugadi tithis — dear to the ancestors — by the mere recitation of whose names the accumulation of sin is destroyed.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.217.61)

नवमी कार्तिके शुक्ला तृतीया माधवे सिता अमावास्या च तपसो नभस्यस्य त्रयोदशी

navamī kārtike śuklā tṛtīyā mādhave sitā amāvāsyā ca tapaso nabhasyasya trayodaśī

The bright ninth of Kartika; the bright third of Vaishakha (Madhava); the new-moon of Magha (Tapasya); and the thirteenth of Bhadrapada (Nabhasya).

Verse 62 (skanda.6.217.62)

त्रेताकृतकलीनां तु द्वापरस्यादयः क्रमात् स्नाने दाने जपे होमे विशेषात्पितृतर्पणे

tretākṛtakalīnāṁ tu dvāparasyādayaḥ kramāt snāne dāne jape home viśeṣātpitṛtarpaṇe

These are, in order, the beginnings of the Treta, Krita, Kali, and Dvapara ages — especially fruitful for bathing, giving, japa, homa, and above all for the tarpana of the ancestors.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.217.63)

कृतस्याक्षयकारिण्यः सुकृतस्य महाफलाः यदा स्यान्मेषगो भानुस्तुलां वाथ यदा व्रजेत्

kṛtasyākṣayakāriṇyaḥ sukṛtasya mahāphalāḥ yadā syānmeṣago bhānustulāṁ vātha yadā vrajet

These make merit imperishable and bring great fruit for good deeds of the Krita age. Likewise, when the sun enters the sign of Aries, or when it enters Libra —

Verse 64 (skanda.6.217.64)

तदा स्याद्विषुवाख्यस्तु कालश्चाक्षयकारकः मकरे कर्कटे चैव यदा भानुर्व्रजेन्नृप

tadā syādviṣuvākhyastu kālaścākṣayakārakaḥ makare karkaṭe caiva yadā bhānurvrajennṛpa

— then occurs the time called Vishuva, the equinox, which makes acts imperishable. And likewise, O king, when the sun enters Capricorn or Cancer,

Verse 65 (skanda.6.217.65)

तदायनाभिधानस्तु विषुवोऽथ विशिष्यते रवेः संक्रमणं राशौ संक्रांतिरिति कथ्यते

tadāyanābhidhānastu viṣuvo'tha viśiṣyate raveḥ saṁkramaṇaṁ rāśau saṁkrāṁtiriti kathyate

then it is called Ayana, the solstice, and the equinox is distinguished from it. The sun's passage into a zodiac sign is called Sankranti.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.217.66)

स्नानदानजपश्राद्धहोमादिषु महाफलाः त्रेताद्याः क्रमशः प्रोक्ताः कालाः संक्रांतिपूर्वकाः नैतेषु विद्यते विघ्नं दत्तस्याक्षयसंज्ञिताः

snānadānajapaśrāddhahomādiṣu mahāphalāḥ tretādyāḥ kramaśaḥ proktāḥ kālāḥ saṁkrāṁtipūrvakāḥ naiteṣu vidyate vighnaṁ dattasyākṣayasaṁjñitāḥ

For bathing, giving, japa, shraddha, homa and the like, these are times of great fruit — the Treta-beginnings and the Sankrantis, declared in due order. In these there is no obstacle; whatever is given in them is called imperishable.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.217.67)

अश्रद्धयाऽपि यद्दत्तं कुपात्रेभ्योऽपि मानवैः अकालेऽपि हि तत्सर्वं सद्यो ह्यक्षयतां व्रजेत्

aśraddhayā'pi yaddattaṁ kupātrebhyo'pi mānavaiḥ akāle'pi hi tatsarvaṁ sadyo hyakṣayatāṁ vrajet

Whatever is given by men even without faith, even to unworthy recipients, even at an improper time — all of that, on these occasions, instantly becomes imperishable.