Description of the Procedure of Shraddha

Verse 1 (skanda.7.206.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। अथ श्राद्धविधिं वक्ष्ये पार्वणस्य विधानतः। यथाक्रमं महादेवि शृणुष्वैकमनाः प्रिये

īśvara uvāca| atha śrāddhavidhiṁ vakṣye pārvaṇasya vidhānataḥ| yathākramaṁ mahādevi śṛṇuṣvaikamanāḥ priye

Ishvara said: Now I shall describe the procedure of shraddha according to the rule of the parvana rite. O great Goddess, O beloved, listen attentively in due order.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.206.2)

कृत्वापसव्यं पूर्वेद्युः पितृपूर्वं निमंत्रयेत्। भवद्भिः पितृकार्यं नः संपाद्यं च प्रसीदथ

kṛtvāpasavyaṁ pūrvedyuḥ pitṛpūrvaṁ nimaṁtrayet| bhavadbhiḥ pitṛkāryaṁ naḥ saṁpādyaṁ ca prasīdatha

The day before, having placed the sacred thread over the right shoulder, one should invite brahmins for the rite of the ancestors: 'Please be gracious and accomplish this ancestral rite for us.'

Verse 3 (skanda.7.206.3)

सवर्णान्प्रेषयेदाप्तान्द्विजानामुपमन्त्रणे

savarṇānpreṣayedāptāndvijānāmupamantraṇe

One should send trustworthy persons of one's own varna to extend the invitation to the brahmins.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.206.4)

अभोज्यं ब्राह्मणस्यान्नं क्षत्रियाद्यैर्निमन्त्रितैः। तथैव ब्राह्मणस्यान्नं ब्राह्मणेन निमन्त्रितैः

abhojyaṁ brāhmaṇasyānnaṁ kṣatriyādyairnimantritaiḥ| tathaiva brāhmaṇasyānnaṁ brāhmaṇena nimantritaiḥ

The brahmin's food becomes unfit to eat when it is shared with kshatriyas and others invited together; the same rule applies to a brahmin's food when the invitation comes through another brahmin.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.206.5)

ब्राह्मणान्नं ददेच्छूद्रः शूद्रान्नं ब्राह्मणो ददेत्। उभावेतावभोज्यान्नौ भुक्त्वा चान्द्रायणं चरेत्

brāhmaṇānnaṁ dadecchūdraḥ śūdrānnaṁ brāhmaṇo dadet| ubhāvetāvabhojyānnau bhuktvā cāndrāyaṇaṁ caret

If a shudra gives food to a brahmin, or a brahmin gives food to a shudra, in both cases that food is unfit to eat; should one eat it, one must undertake the chandrayana penance.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.206.6)

उपनिक्षेपधर्मेण शूद्रान्नं यः पचेद्द्विजः। अभोज्यं तद्भवेदन्नं स च विप्रः पतेदधः

upanikṣepadharmeṇa śūdrānnaṁ yaḥ paceddvijaḥ| abhojyaṁ tadbhavedannaṁ sa ca vipraḥ patedadhaḥ

The twice-born who cooks a shudra's food under the guise of deposited provisions makes that food unfit to eat, and that brahmin himself falls into a lower state.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.206.7)

शूद्रान्नं शूद्रसंपर्कः शूद्रेण च सहासनम्। शूद्राज्ज्ञानागमश्चैव ज्वलंतमपि पातयेत्

śūdrānnaṁ śūdrasaṁparkaḥ śūdreṇa ca sahāsanam| śūdrājjñānāgamaścaiva jvalaṁtamapi pātayet

A shudra's food, contact with a shudra, sitting together with a shudra, and receiving knowledge from a shudra — these can bring down even a man of blazing splendor.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.206.8)

शूद्रान्नोपहता विप्रा विह्वला रतिलालसाः। कुपिताः किं करिष्यंति निर्विषा इव पन्नगाः

śūdrānnopahatā viprā vihvalā ratilālasāḥ| kupitāḥ kiṁ kariṣyaṁti nirviṣā iva pannagāḥ

Brahmins tainted by a shudra's food, grown feeble and given over to lust, can do nothing even when angered — they become like venomless serpents.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.206.9)

नग्नः स्यान्मलवद्वासा नग्नः कौपीनवस्त्रधृक्। द्विकच्छोऽनुत्तरीयश्च विकच्छोऽवस्त्र एव च

nagnaḥ syānmalavadvāsā nagnaḥ kaupīnavastradhṛk| dvikaccho'nuttarīyaśca vikaccho'vastra eva ca

One wearing a soiled garment is called 'naked', and one wearing only a loincloth is likewise called 'naked'; one whose dhoti is tucked on both sides but who lacks an upper cloth, or one untucked and without a garment at all, is also reckoned naked.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.206.10)

नग्नः काषायवस्त्रः स्यान्नग्नश्चार्धपटः स्मृतः। अच्छिन्नाग्रं तु यद्वस्त्रं मृदा प्रक्षालितं तु यत्

nagnaḥ kāṣāyavastraḥ syānnagnaścārdhapaṭaḥ smṛtaḥ| acchinnāgraṁ tu yadvastraṁ mṛdā prakṣālitaṁ tu yat

One wearing an ochre robe is likewise called 'naked', and one wearing only half a garment is also so termed. That garment whose border is uncut, and which has been washed with clay,

Verse 11 (skanda.7.206.11)

अहतं धातुरक्तं वा तत्पवित्रमिति स्थितम्। अग्रतो वसते मूर्खो दूरे चास्य गुणान्वितः

ahataṁ dhāturaktaṁ vā tatpavitramiti sthitam| agrato vasate mūrkho dūre cāsya guṇānvitaḥ

or one unused, or one dyed with mineral color — such a garment is held to be pure. If an ignorant man sits near at hand while a virtuous one sits far off,

Verse 12 (skanda.7.206.12)

गुणान्विते च दातव्यं नास्ति मूर्खे व्यतिक्रमः। यस्त्वासन्नमतिक्रम्य ब्राह्मणं पतितादृते। दूरस्थं पूजयेन्मूढो गुणाढ्यं नरकं व्रजेत्

guṇānvite ca dātavyaṁ nāsti mūrkhe vyatikramaḥ| yastvāsannamatikramya brāhmaṇaṁ patitādṛte| dūrasthaṁ pūjayenmūḍho guṇāḍhyaṁ narakaṁ vrajet

The gift should be given to the virtuous one; there is no fault in passing over a fool. But the deluded man who, other than a fallen one, passes over a worthy brahmin seated near at hand to honor instead a virtuous one seated far away, goes to hell.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.206.13)

वेदविद्याव्रतस्नाते श्रोत्रिये गृहमागते। क्रीडन्त्योषधयः सर्वा यास्यामः परमां गतिम्

vedavidyāvratasnāte śrotriye gṛhamāgate| krīḍantyoṣadhayaḥ sarvā yāsyāmaḥ paramāṁ gatim

When a shrotriya brahmin, purified by the vow of Vedic study, arrives at the house, all the plants of the offering rejoice, as if saying: 'Now we shall attain the highest state.'

Verse 14 (skanda.7.206.14)

संध्ययोरुभयोर्जाप्ये भोजने दंतधावने। पितृकार्ये च दैवे च तथा मूत्रपुरीषयोः। गुरूणां संनिधौ दाने योगे चैव विशेषतः। एतेषु मौनमातिष्ठन्स्वर्गं प्राप्नोति मानवः

saṁdhyayorubhayorjāpye bhojane daṁtadhāvane| pitṛkārye ca daive ca tathā mūtrapurīṣayoḥ| gurūṇāṁ saṁnidhau dāne yoge caiva viśeṣataḥ| eteṣu maunamātiṣṭhansvargaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ

During the recitation of both twilight prayers, while eating, while cleaning the teeth, during rites for the ancestors and for the gods, while urinating or defecating, in the presence of elders, while giving gifts, and especially during meditation — the man who observes silence on these occasions attains heaven.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.206.15)

यदि वाग्यमलोपः स्याज्जपादिषु कथंचन। व्याहरेद्वैष्णवं मंत्रं स्मरेद्वा विष्णुमव्ययम्

yadi vāgyamalopaḥ syājjapādiṣu kathaṁcana| vyāharedvaiṣṇavaṁ maṁtraṁ smaredvā viṣṇumavyayam

If, during japa or similar acts, the vow of silence is somehow broken, one should utter a Vaishnava mantra or call to mind the imperishable Vishnu.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.206.16)

दाने स्नाने जपे होमे भोजने देवतार्चने। देवानामृजवो दर्भाः पितॄणां द्विगुणास्तथा

dāne snāne jape home bhojane devatārcane| devānāmṛjavo darbhāḥ pitṝṇāṁ dviguṇāstathā

In giving gifts, bathing, japa, oblation, eating, and worship of the gods, straight kusha blades are used for the gods, and doubled ones likewise for the ancestors.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.206.17)

उदङ्मुखस्तु देवानां पितॄणां दक्षिणामुखः। अग्निना भस्मना वापि यवेनाप्युदकेन वा। द्वारसंक्रमणेनापि पंक्तिदोषो न विद्यते

udaṅmukhastu devānāṁ pitṝṇāṁ dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ| agninā bhasmanā vāpi yavenāpyudakena vā| dvārasaṁkramaṇenāpi paṁktidoṣo na vidyate

One should face north for the gods and south for the ancestors. By passing fire, ash, barley, or water between them, or even by crossing through a doorway, no fault of the dining row arises.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.206.18)

इष्टश्राद्धे क्रतुर्दक्षो वृद्धौ सत्यवसू स्मृतौ। नैमित्तिके कालकामौ काम्ये चाध्वविरोचनौ

iṣṭaśrāddhe kraturdakṣo vṛddhau satyavasū smṛtau| naimittike kālakāmau kāmye cādhvavirocanau

In the ishta-shraddha, Kratu and Daksha are invoked; in the vriddhi-shraddha, Satya and Vasu are remembered; in the naimittika, Kala and Kama; and in the kamya, Adhva and Virochana.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.206.19)

पुरूरवा आर्द्रवश्च पार्वणे समुदाहृतौ। पुष्टिं प्रजां च न्यग्रोधे बुद्धिं प्रज्ञां धृतिं स्मृतिम्

purūravā ārdravaśca pārvaṇe samudāhṛtau| puṣṭiṁ prajāṁ ca nyagrodhe buddhiṁ prajñāṁ dhṛtiṁ smṛtim

In the parvana shraddha, Pururava and Ardrava are invoked. Using a banyan-wood vessel bestows nourishment and progeny, along with intellect, wisdom, steadfastness, and memory —

Verse 20 (skanda.7.206.20)

रक्षोघ्नं च यशस्यं च काश्मीर्यं पात्रमुच्यते। सौभाग्यमुत्तमं लोके मधूके समुदाहृतम्

rakṣoghnaṁ ca yaśasyaṁ ca kāśmīryaṁ pātramucyate| saubhāgyamuttamaṁ loke madhūke samudāhṛtam

A vessel of kashmirya wood is said to destroy demons and bestow fame; a vessel of mahua wood is declared to grant the highest good fortune in this world.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.206.21)

फाल्गुनपात्रे तु कुर्वाणः सर्वकामानवाप्नुयात्। परां द्युतिमथार्के तु प्राकाश्यं च विशेषतः

phālgunapātre tu kurvāṇaḥ sarvakāmānavāpnuyāt| parāṁ dyutimathārke tu prākāśyaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ

One who performs shraddha in a vessel of palasha wood obtains all his desires; in a vessel of arka wood, he gains supreme radiance and especially brilliance.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.206.22)

बिल्वे लक्ष्मीं तपो मेधां नित्यमायुष्यमेव च। क्षेत्रारामतडागेषु सर्वपात्रेषु चैव हि

bilve lakṣmīṁ tapo medhāṁ nityamāyuṣyameva ca| kṣetrārāmataḍāgeṣu sarvapātreṣu caiva hi

In a bilva-wood vessel, one gains prosperity, austerity, intellect, and lasting longevity; the same fruit applies to all vessels used in connection with fields, groves, and reservoirs.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.206.23)

वर्षत्यजस्रं पर्जन्ये वेणुपात्रेषु कुर्वतः। एतेषां लभ्यते पुण्यं सुवर्णै रजतैस्तथा

varṣatyajasraṁ parjanye veṇupātreṣu kurvataḥ| eteṣāṁ labhyate puṇyaṁ suvarṇai rajataistathā

In a bamboo vessel, one secures constant rainfall through Parjanya's favor; the same merit as all these is likewise obtained through vessels of gold and silver.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.206.24)

पलाशफलन्यग्रोधप्लक्षाश्वत्थविकंकताः। औदुम्बरस्तथा बिल्वं चंदनं यज्ञियाश्च ये

palāśaphalanyagrodhaplakṣāśvatthavikaṁkatāḥ| audumbarastathā bilvaṁ caṁdanaṁ yajñiyāśca ye

Palasha, fruiting banyan, plaksha, peepal, vikankata, udumbara, bilva, sandalwood, and other trees fit for sacrifice —

Verse 25 (skanda.7.206.25)

सरलो देवदारुश्च शालाश्च खदिरास्तथा। समिदर्थं प्रशस्ताः स्युरेते वृक्षा विशेषतः

saralo devadāruśca śālāśca khadirāstathā| samidarthaṁ praśastāḥ syurete vṛkṣā viśeṣataḥ

Sarala pine, deodar, sal, and khadira — these trees are specially recommended for use as sacrificial fuel.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.206.26)

श्लेष्मातको नक्तमाल्यः कपित्थः शाल्मली तथा। निंबो बिभीतकश्चैव श्राद्धकर्मणि गर्हिताः

śleṣmātako naktamālyaḥ kapitthaḥ śālmalī tathā| nimbo bibhītakaścaiva śrāddhakarmaṇi garhitāḥ

Sleshmataka, naktamala, kapittha (wood-apple), shalmali (silk-cotton), neem, and bibhitaka (belliric myrobalan) — these are condemned for use in shraddha rites.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.206.27)

अनिष्टशब्दां संकीर्णा रूक्षां जन्तुमतीमपि। प्रतिगंधां तु तां भूमिं श्राद्धकर्मणि गर्हयेत्

aniṣṭaśabdāṁ saṁkīrṇā rūkṣāṁ jantumatīmapi| pratigaṁdhāṁ tu tāṁ bhūmiṁ śrāddhakarmaṇi garhayet

One should condemn for shraddha any ground marked by ill-omened sounds, that is cramped, barren, infested with creatures, or foul-smelling.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.206.28)

त्रैशंकवं त्यजेद्देशंसर्वद्वादशयोजनम्। उत्तरेण महानद्या दक्षिणेन च केवलम्

traiśaṁkavaṁ tyajeddeśaṁ sarvadvādaśayojanam| uttareṇa mahānadyā dakṣiṇena ca kevalam

One should shun the region called Traishankava, which extends for a full twelve yojanas both north and south of the great river.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.206.29)

देशस्त्रैशं कवोनाम वर्जितः श्राद्धकर्मणि। कारस्काराः कलिंगाश्च सिंधोरुत्तरमेव च। प्रणष्टाश्रमधर्माश्च वर्ज्या देशाः प्रयत्नतः

deśastraiśaṁkavonāma varjitaḥ śrāddhakarmaṇi| kāraskārāḥ kaliṁgāśca siṁdhoruttarameva ca| praṇaṣṭāśramadharmāśca varjyā deśāḥ prayatnataḥ

This region called Traishankava is forbidden for shraddha rites. The lands of Karaskara, Kalinga, the region north of the Sindhu, and those countries where the duties of the ashramas have perished should all be carefully avoided.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.206.30)

ब्राह्मणं तु कृतं प्रोक्तं त्रेता तु क्षत्रियं स्मृतम्। वैश्यं द्वापरमित्याहुः शूद्रं कलियुगं स्मृतम्

brāhmaṇaṁ tu kṛtaṁ proktaṁ tretā tu kṣatriyaṁ smṛtam| vaiśyaṁ dvāparamityāhuḥ śūdraṁ kaliyugaṁ smṛtam

The Krita age is declared to be brahmin, the Treta age is held to be kshatriya, the Dvapara is called vaishya, and the Kali age is deemed shudra.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.206.31)

कृते तु पितरः पूज्यास्त्रेतायां च सुरास्तथा। मुनयो द्वापरे नित्यं पाखंडाश्च कलौ युगे

kṛte tu pitaraḥ pūjyāstretāyāṁ ca surāstathā| munayo dvāpare nityaṁ pākhaṁḍāśca kalau yuge

In the Krita age the ancestors are to be worshipped; in Treta, the gods; in Dvapara, always the sages; and in the Kali age, heretics hold sway.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.206.32)

शुक्लपक्षस्य पूर्वाह्णे श्राद्धं कुर्याद्विचक्षणः। कृष्णपक्षेऽपराह्ने तु रौहिणं न विलंघयेत्

śuklapakṣasya pūrvāhne śrāddhaṁ kuryādvicakṣaṇaḥ| kṛṣṇapakṣe'parāhne tu rauhiṇaṁ na vilaṁghayet

A discerning man should perform shraddha in the forenoon during the bright fortnight, and in the afternoon during the dark fortnight, but should never let the rauhina muhurta pass by.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.206.33)

रत्निमात्रप्रमाणं च पितृतीर्थं तु संस्कृतम्। उपमूले तथा लूनाः प्रस्तरार्थे कुशोत्तमाः

ratnimātrapramāṇaṁ ca pitṛtīrthaṁ tu saṁskṛtam| upamūle tathā lūnāḥ prastarārthe kuśottamāḥ

The pitri-tirtha, the space between thumb and forefinger, is held to be consecrated to the measure of a ratni (a span). Excellent kusha blades cut near the root are used for the seating-mat.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.206.34)

तथा श्यामाकनीवारा दूर्वाश्च समुदाहृताः। स्व कीर्तिमतां श्रेष्ठो बहुकेशः प्रजापतिः

tathā śyāmākanīvārā dūrvāśca samudāhṛtāḥ| sva kīrtimatāṁ śreṣṭho bahukeśaḥ prajāpatiḥ

Similarly, shyamaka millet, wild rice, and durva grass are likewise recommended. Prajapati was the foremost among the renowned, abundant in hair.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.206.35)

तस्य केशा निपतिता भूमौ काशत्वमागताः। तस्मान्मेध्याः सदा काशाः श्राद्धकर्मणि पूजिताः

tasya keśā nipatitā bhūmau kāśatvamāgatāḥ| tasmānmedhyāḥ sadā kāśāḥ śrāddhakarmaṇi pūjitāḥ

His fallen hairs, dropping to the ground, became the kasha grass; therefore kasha grass is always deemed pure and is honored in the shraddha rite.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.206.36)

पिण्डनिर्वपणं तेषु कर्तव्यं भूतिमिच्छता। उष्णमन्नं द्विजातिभ्यः श्रद्धया विनिवेशयेत्

piṇḍanirvapaṇaṁ teṣu kartavyaṁ bhūtimicchatā| uṣṇamannaṁ dvijātibhyaḥ śraddhayā viniveśayet

One who desires prosperity should offer the rice-balls upon these; hot food should be served to the twice-born with reverence.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.206.37)

अन्यत्र फलपुष्पेभ्यः पानकेभ्यश्च पण्डितः। हस्ते दत्त्वा तु वै स्नेहाल्लवणं व्यञ्जनानि च। आयसेन च पात्रेण तद्वै रक्षांसि भुञ्जते

anyatra phalapuṣpebhyaḥ pānakebhyaśca paṇḍitaḥ| haste dattvā tu vai snehāllavaṇaṁ vyañjanāni ca| āyasena ca pātreṇa tadvai rakṣāṁsi bhuñjate

Apart from fruits, flowers, and beverages, the wise should not place salt and condiments directly, however affectionately, into the hand; food served in an iron vessel is instead consumed by the rakshasas.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.206.38)

द्विजपात्रेषु दत्त्वान्नं तूष्णीं संकल्पमाचरेत्। दर्व्यादिस्थेन नो तेषां संबन्धो दृश्यते यतः

dvijapātreṣu dattvānnaṁ tūṣṇīṁ saṁkalpamācaret| darvyādisthena no teṣāṁ saṁbandho dṛśyate yataḥ

Having placed the food in the brahmins' vessels, one should silently perform the resolution, since no connection is seen between them and food merely set down with a ladle.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.206.39)

यश्च शूकरवद्भुंक्ते यश्च पाणितले द्विजः। न तदश्नंति पितरो यः सवाचं समश्नुते

yaśca śūkaravadbhuṁkte yaśca pāṇitale dvijaḥ| na tadaśnaṁti pitaro yaḥ savācaṁ samaśnute

The ancestors do not eat the food of one who eats like a hog, of one who eats from the palm of his hand, and of a twice-born who eats while talking.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.206.40)

द्विहायनस्य वत्सस्य विशंत्यास्यं यथा सुखम्। तथा कुर्यात्प्रमाणेन पिण्डान्व्यासेन भाषितम्

dvihāyanasya vatsasya viśaṁtyāsyaṁ yathā sukham| tathā kuryātpramāṇena piṇḍānvyāsena bhāṣitam

As comfortably as the mouth of a two-year-old calf can take a morsel — to that measure the rice-balls should be made; so it is declared by Vyasa.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.206.41)

न स्त्री प्रचालयेत्तानि ज्ञानहीनो न चाव्रतः। स्वयं पुत्रोऽथवा यस्य वाञ्छेदभ्युदयं परम्

na strī pracālayettāni jñānahīno na cāvrataḥ| svayaṁ putro'thavā yasya vāñchedabhyudayaṁ param

Those rice-balls should not be touched by a woman, nor by one lacking in knowledge, nor by one without a vow; they should be handled by the performer himself, or by his son, whoever desires supreme prosperity.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.206.42)

भाजनेषु च तिष्ठत्सु स्वस्तिं कुर्वन्ति ये द्विजाः। तदन्नमसुरैर्भुक्तं निराशाः पितरो गताः

bhājaneṣu ca tiṣṭhatsu svastiṁ kurvanti ye dvijāḥ| tadannamasurairbhuktaṁ nirāśāḥ pitaro gatāḥ

The brahmins who recite the benediction while the vessels still stand uneaten — that food is consumed by the asuras, and the ancestors depart in disappointment.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.206.43)

अप्स्वेकं प्लावयेत्पिण्डमेकं पत्न्यै निवेदयेत्। एकं वै जुहुयादग्नावेषा तु त्रिविधा गतिः

apsvekaṁ plāvayetpiṇḍamekaṁ patnyai nivedayet| ekaṁ vai juhuyādagnāveṣā tu trividhā gatiḥ

One rice-ball should be floated on water, one offered to the wife, and one oblated into the fire — this is the threefold disposition.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.206.44)

छन्दोगं भोजयेच्छ्राद्धे वैश्वदेवे च बह्वृचम्। पुष्टिकर्मण्यथाध्वर्युं शान्तिकर्मण्यथर्वणम्

chandogaṁ bhojayecchrāddhe vaiśvadeve ca bahvṛcam| puṣṭikarmaṇyathādhvaryuṁ śāntikarmaṇyatharvaṇam

In the shraddha, one should feed a follower of the Samaveda; in the vaishvadeva rite, a follower of the Rigveda; in a rite for nourishment, a follower of the Yajurveda; and in a rite for peace, a follower of the Atharvaveda.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.206.45)

द्वौ देवेऽथर्वणौ विप्रौ प्राङ्मुखौ च निवेशयेत्। पित्र्ये ह्युदङ्मुखान्कुर्याद्बह्वृचाध्वर्युसामगान्

dvau deve'tharvaṇau viprau prāṅmukhau ca niveśayet| pitrye hyudaṅmukhānkuryādbahvṛcādhvaryusāmagān

In the divine rite, two brahmins of the Atharvaveda should be seated facing east; in the ancestral rite, brahmins of the Rig-, Yajur-, and Samaveda should be seated facing north.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.206.46)

जात्यश्च सर्वा दातव्या मल्लिका श्वेतयूथिका। जलोद्भवानि सर्वाणि कुसुमानि च चम्पकम्

jātyaśca sarvā dātavyā mallikā śvetayūthikā| jalodbhavāni sarvāṇi kusumāni ca campakam

Jasmine of every variety, mallika, white jui, all flowers born of water, and champaka blossoms — all these should be offered.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.206.47)

मधूकं रामठं चैव कर्पूरं मरिचं गुडम्। श्राद्धकर्मणि शस्तानि सैंधवं त्रपुसं तथा

madhūkaṁ rāmaṭhaṁ caiva karpūraṁ maricaṁ guḍam| śrāddhakarmaṇi śastāni saiṁdhavaṁ trapusaṁ tathā

Mahua flowers, asafoetida, camphor, pepper, jaggery, rock salt, and cucumber — these are praised as fit for the shraddha rite.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.206.48)

ब्राह्मणः कम्बलो गावः सूर्योग्निरतिथिश्च वै। तिला दर्भाश्च कालश्च नवैते कुतपाः स्मृताः

brāhmaṇaḥ kambalo gāvaḥ sūryognirathithiśca vai| tilā darbhāśca kālaśca navaite kutapāḥ smṛtāḥ

Brahmin, blanket, cow, sun, fire, guest, sesame, kusha grass, and the fitting hour — these nine are declared to be the kutapas.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.206.49)

आपद्यनग्नौ तीर्थे च चंद्रसूर्यग्रहे तथा। नाचरेत्संग्रहे चैव तथैवास्तमुपागते

āpadyanagnau tīrthe ca candrasūryagrahe tathā| nācaretsaṁgrahe caiva tathaivāstamupāgate

In times of calamity, when fire is lacking, at a tirtha, and during a lunar or solar eclipse, one should not perform it in the abbreviated (sangraha) manner, nor likewise once the sun has set.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.206.50)

संशुद्धा स्याच्चतुर्थेऽह्नि स्नाता नारी रजस्वला। दैवे कर्मणि पित्र्ये च पञ्चमेऽहनि शुद्ध्यति

saṁśuddhā syāccaturthe'hni snātā nārī rajasvalā| daive karmaṇi pitrye ca pañcame'hani śuddhyati

A menstruating woman becomes purified by bathing on the fourth day; but for divine and ancestral rites, she is purified only on the fifth day.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.206.51)

द्रव्याभावे द्विजाभावे प्रवासे पुत्रजन्मनि। आमश्राद्धं प्रकुर्वीत यस्य भार्या रजस्वला

dravyābhāve dvijābhāve pravāse putrajanmani| āmaśrāddhaṁ prakurvīta yasya bhāryā rajasvalā

In the absence of materials, in the absence of a brahmin, while traveling, at the birth of a son, or when one's wife is menstruating, one should perform the ama-shraddha, offered with raw provisions.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.206.52)

सर्पविप्रहतानां च दंष्ट्रिशृंगिसरीसृपैः। आत्मनस्त्यागिनां चैव श्राद्धमेषां न कारयेत्

sarpaviprahatānāṁ ca daṁṣṭriśṛṁgisarīsṛpaiḥ| ātmanastyāginaṁ caiva śrāddhameṣāṁ na kārayet

One should not perform shraddha for those killed by a snake, cursed to death by a brahmin, slain by fanged or horned creatures or reptiles, or for those who have taken their own lives.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.206.53)

चण्डालादुदकात्सर्पाद्ब्राह्मणाद्वैद्युतादपि। दंष्ट्रिभ्यश्च पशुभ्यश्च मरणं पापकर्मणाम्

caṇḍālādudakātsarpādbrāhmaṇādvaidyutādapi| daṁṣṭribhyaśca paśubhyaśca maraṇaṁ pāpakarmaṇām

Death by a chandala, by drowning, by a snake, by a brahmin's curse, by lightning, or by fanged beasts — such deaths befall only those of sinful deeds.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.206.54)

सर्वैरनुमतं कृत्वा ज्येष्ठेनैव च यत्कृतम्। द्रव्येण च विभक्तेन सर्वैरेव कृतं भवेत्

sarvairanumataṁ kṛtvā jyeṣṭhenaiva ca yatkṛtam| dravyeṇa ca vibhaktena sarvaireva kṛtaṁ bhavet

A rite performed with the consent of all, or performed by the eldest brother alone, or performed with divided wealth — in each case, it is regarded as performed by all together.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.206.55)

अमावास्यां पितृश्राद्धे मंथनं यस्तु कारयेत्। तत्तक्रं मदिरातुल्यं घृतं गोमांसवत्स्मृतम्

amāvāsyāṁ pitṛśrāddhe maṁthanaṁ yastu kārayet| tattakraṁ madirātulyaṁ ghṛtaṁ gomāṁsavatsmṛtam

Whoever has the churning of curd performed on the new-moon day during a shraddha for the ancestors — his buttermilk is reckoned equal to liquor, and his ghee equal to beef.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.206.56)

भुंजंति क्रमशः पूर्वे तथा पिंडाशिषो ऽपि च। निमंत्रितो द्विजः श्राद्धे न शयीत स्त्रिया सह

bhuṁjaṁti kramaśaḥ pūrve tathā piṇḍāśiṣo'pi ca| nimaṁtrito dvijaḥ śrāddhe na śayīta striyā saha

The forebears partake in due order, offering their blessing along with the rice-balls; a twice-born invited to a shraddha should not lie with a woman that night.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.206.57)

श्रादभुक्प्रातरुत्थाय प्रकुर्याद्दन्तधावनम्। श्राद्धकर्ता न कुर्वीत दन्तानां धावनं बुधः

śrāddhabhukprātarutthāya prakuryāddantadhāvanam| śrāddhakartā na kurvīta dantānāṁ dhāvanaṁ budhaḥ

One who has partaken of the shraddha meal should clean his teeth upon rising in the morning; but the wise performer of the shraddha himself should not clean his teeth that day.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.206.58)

वर्षेवर्षे तु यच्छ्राद्धं मातापित्रोर्मृतेऽहनि। मलमासे न कर्तव्यं व्यासस्य वचनं यथा

varṣevarṣe tu yacchrāddhaṁ mātāpitrormṛte'hani| malamāse na kartavyaṁ vyāsasya vacanaṁ yathā

The shraddha performed year after year on the death anniversary of one's parents should not be performed in the intercalary month — so declares the word of Vyasa.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.206.59)

गर्भे वार्धुषिके प्रेते भृत्ये मासानुमासिके। आब्दिके च तथा श्राद्धे नाधिमासो विधीयते

garbhe vārdhuṣike prete bhṛtye māsānumāsike| ābdike ca tathā śrāddhe nādhimāso vidhīyate

The intercalary month is not to be reckoned for conception rites, for financial transactions involving interest, for funeral rites, for a servant's wages, for the monthly shraddha, nor for the annual shraddha.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.206.60)

विवाहादौ स्मृतः सौरो यज्ञादौ सावनः स्मृतः। आब्दिके पितृकार्ये तु चान्द्रो मासः प्रशस्यते

vivāhādau smṛtaḥ sauro yajñādau sāvanaḥ smṛtaḥ| ābdike pitṛkārye tu cāndro māsaḥ praśasyate

For marriage and the like, the solar month is prescribed; for sacrifices and the like, the savana (civil) month; and for the annual rite for the ancestors, the lunar month is recommended.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.206.61)

यस्मिन्राशौ गते सूर्ये विपत्तिः स्याद्द्विजन्मनः। तद्राशावेव कर्तव्यं पितृकार्यं मृतेऽहनि

yasminrāśau gate sūrye vipattiḥ syāddvijanmanaḥ| tadrāśāveva kartavyaṁ pitṛkāryaṁ mṛte'hani

In whichever zodiac sign the sun was placed when a twice-born died, in that same sign should the annual rite on his death-day be performed.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.206.62)

वषट्कारश्च होमश्च पर्व चाग्रायणं तथा। मलमासेऽपि कर्तव्यं काम्या इष्टीर्विवर्जयेत्

vaṣaṭkāraśca homaśca parva cāgrāyaṇaṁ tathā| malamāse'pi kartavyaṁ kāmyā iṣṭīrvivarjayet

The vashatkara offering, homa, seasonal rites, and the agrayana offering may be performed even in the intercalary month; but optional sacrifices for the fulfillment of desires should be avoided in it.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.206.63)

अग्न्याध्येयं प्रतिष्ठां च यज्ञदानव्रतानि च। वेदव्रतवृषोत्सर्गचूडाकरणमेखलाः

agnyādhyeyaṁ pratiṣṭhāṁ ca yajñadānavratāni ca| vedavratavṛṣotsargacūḍākaraṇamekhalāḥ

Establishing the sacred fire, consecration, sacrifices, gift-vows, Vedic vows, the release of a bull, the tonsure rite, and the investiture of the girdle —

Verse 64 (skanda.7.206.64)

मांगल्यमभिषेकं च मलमासे विवर्जयेत्। नित्यनैमित्तिके कुर्यात्प्रयतः सन्मलिम्लुचे। तीर्थे स्नानं गज च्छायां प्रेतश्राद्धं तथैव च

māṁgalyamabhiṣekaṁ ca malamāse vivarjayet| nityanaimittike kuryātprayataḥ sanmalimluce| tīrthe snānaṁ gajacchāyāṁ pretaśrāddhaṁ tathaiva ca

Auspicious ceremonies and consecrations should be avoided in the intercalary month. But daily and occasional rites, bathing at a tirtha, the gajachhaya shraddha, and the preta-shraddha should still be performed in it with a pure mind.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.206.65)

रसा यत्र प्रशस्यन्ते भोक्तारो बंधुगोत्रिणः। राजवार्तादि संक्रंदो रक्षःश्राद्धस्य लक्षणम्

rasā yatra praśasyante bhoktāro bandhugotriṇaḥ| rājavārtādi saṁkraṁdo rakṣaḥśrāddhasya lakṣaṇam

Where the flavors of the food are loudly praised, where only relatives and kinsmen partake, and where there is a clamor of talk about politics and worldly affairs — these are the marks of a demon's shraddha.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.206.66)

श्राद्धं कृत्वा परश्राद्धे यस्तु भुंक्ते च विह्वलः। पतंति पितरस्तस्य लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः

śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā paraśrāddhe yastu bhuṁkte ca vihvalaḥ| pataṁti pitarastasya luptapiṇḍodakakriyāḥ

One who, having performed his own shraddha, then thoughtlessly eats at another's shraddha — his ancestors, deprived of the rite of the rice-ball and water offering, fall from their state.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.206.67)

तैलमुद्वर्तनं स्नानं दन्तधावनमेव च। क्लृप्तरोमनखेभ्यश्च दद्याद्गत्वापरेऽहनि

tailamudvartanaṁ snānaṁ dantadhāvanameva ca| klṛptaromanakhebhyaśca dadyādgatvāpare'hani

Oil-massage, bathing, tooth-cleaning, and the trimming of hair and nails should be undertaken only on the following day, once one has departed.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.206.68)

निमन्त्रिता यथान्यायं हव्ये कव्ये द्विजोत्तमाः। कथंचिदप्यतिक्रामेत्पापः शूकरतां व्रजेत्

nimantritā yathānyāyaṁ havye kavye dvijottamāḥ| kathaṁcidapyatikrāmetpāpaḥ śūkaratāṁ vrajet

Whoever, in whatever manner, slights excellent brahmins duly invited for the havya and kavya rites, that sinner is reborn as a hog.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.206.69)

दैवे च पितृ श्राद्धे चाप्याशौचं जायते यदा। आशौचान्तेऽथवा तत्र तेभ्यः श्राद्धं प्रदीयते

daive ca pitṛśrāddhe cāpyāśaucaṁ jāyate yadā| āśaucānte'thavā tatra tebhyaḥ śrāddhaṁ pradīyate

When ritual impurity arises at the time of a divine rite or an ancestral shraddha, the shraddha should be performed for them only after the period of impurity has ended.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.206.70)

अथ श्राद्धावसाने तु आशिषस्तत्र दापयेत्। दीर्घा नागास्तथा नद्यो विष्णोस्त्रीणि पदानि च। एवमेषां प्रमाणेन दीर्घमायुरवाप्नुयाम्

atha śrāddhāvasāne tu āśiṣastatra dāpayet| dīrghā nāgāstathā nadyo viṣṇostrīṇi padāni ca| evameṣāṁ pramāṇena dīrghamāyuravāpnuyām

At the close of the shraddha, one should have the blessing pronounced there: 'Long are the serpents, long the rivers, and long are Vishnu's three strides — by their measure may we obtain long life.'

Verse 71 (skanda.7.206.71)

अपां मध्ये स्थिता देवाः सर्वमप्सु प्रतिष्ठितम्। ब्राह्मणस्य करे न्यस्ताः शिवा आपो भवन्तु नः

apāṁ madhye sthitā devāḥ sarvamapsu pratiṣṭhitam| brāhmaṇasya kare nyastāḥ śivā āpo bhavantu naḥ

The gods dwell in the midst of the waters; all things rest upon water. May this water, placed in the brahmin's hand, be auspicious for us.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.206.72)

लक्ष्मीर्वसति पुष्पेषु लक्ष्मीर्वसति पुष्करे। लक्ष्मीर्वसतु वासे मे सौमनस्यं ददातु मे

lakṣmīrvasati puṣpeṣu lakṣmīrvasati puṣkare| lakṣmīrvasatu vāse me saumanasyaṁ dadātu me

Lakshmi dwells in flowers, Lakshmi dwells in the lotus; may Lakshmi dwell in my abode and grant me a joyful mind.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.206.73)

अक्षतं चाऽस्तु मे पुण्यं शांतिः पुष्टिर्धृतिश्च मे। यद्यच्छ्रेयस्करं लोके तत्तदस्तु सदा मम

akṣataṁ cā'stu me puṇyaṁ śāṁtiḥ puṣṭirdhṛtiśca me| yadyacchreyaskaraṁ loke tattadastu sadā mama

May my merit remain undiminished; may I have peace, nourishment, and steadfastness; whatever in this world brings true good, may that always be mine.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.206.74)

दक्षिणायां तु सर्वत्र बहुदेयं तथास्तु नः। एवमस्त्विति तैर्वाच्यं मूर्ध्ना ग्राह्यं च तेन तत्

dakṣiṇāyāṁ tu sarvatra bahudeyaṁ tathāstu naḥ| evamastviti tairvācyaṁ mūrdhnā grāhyaṁ ca tena tat

May we ever have the means to give abundant gifts in every kind of dakshina; the brahmins should say 'so be it', and the performer should receive that blessing with a bowed head.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.206.75)

पिंडमग्नौ सदा देयाद्भोगार्थी सततं नरः। प्रजार्थं पत्न्यै वै दद्यान्मध्यमं मंत्रपूर्वकम्

piṇḍamagnau sadā deyādbhogārthī satataṁ naraḥ| prajārthaṁ patnyai vai dadyānmadhyamaṁ maṁtrapūrvakam

A man desiring enjoyment should always offer a rice-ball into the fire; one desiring progeny should give the middle rice-ball to his wife with the appropriate mantra.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.206.76)

उत्तमां द्युतिमविच्छन्गोषु नित्यं प्रदापयेत्। आज्ञामिच्छेद्यशः कीर्तिमप्सु नित्यं प्रवेशयेत्

uttamāṁ dyutimavicchangoṣu nityaṁ pradāpayet| ājñāmicchedyaśaḥ kīrtimapsu nityaṁ praveśayet

One who desires unbroken splendor should always give it to the cows; one desiring authority, fame, and renown should always place it in the water.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.206.77)

प्रार्थयन्दीर्घमायुश्च वायसेभ्यः प्रदापयेत्। कुमारलोकमन्विच्छन्कुक्कुटेभ्यः प्रदापयेत्

prārthayandīrghamāyuśca vāyasebhyaḥ pradāpayet| kumāralokamanvicchankukkuṭebhyaḥ pradāpayet

One who prays for long life should offer it to the crows; one seeking the world of youthful vigor should offer it to cocks.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.206.78)

आकाशे प्रक्षिपेद्वापि स्थितो वा दक्षिणामुखः। पितॄणां स्थानमाकाशं दक्षिणा चैव दिक्तथा

ākāśe prakṣipedvāpi sthito vā dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ| pitṝṇāṁ sthānamākāśaṁ dakṣiṇā caiva diktathā

Or else, standing facing south, one may cast it into the sky; for the abode of the ancestors is indeed the sky and the southern direction.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.206.79)

नक्तं तु वर्जयेच्छ्राद्धं राहोरन्यत्र दर्शनात्। सर्वस्वेनापि कर्तव्यं क्षिप्रं वै राहुदर्शनात्

naktaṁ tu varjayecchrāddhaṁ rāhoranyatra darśanāt| sarvasvenāpi kartavyaṁ kṣipraṁ vai rāhudarśanāt

Shraddha performed at night is forbidden, except at the sighting of Rahu (an eclipse); but once Rahu is sighted, it should be performed at once, even at the cost of all one's wealth.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.206.80)

उपरागे न कुर्याद्यः पंके गौरिव सीदति। कुर्वाणस्तु तरेत्पापं सा च नौरिव सागरे

uparāge na kuryādyaḥ paṁke gauriva sīdati| kurvāṇastu taretpāpaṁ sā ca nauriva sāgare

Whoever fails to perform shraddha during an eclipse sinks down like a cow mired in mud; but one who performs it crosses over the ocean of sin as if in a boat.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.206.81)

कृष्णमाषास्तिलाश्चैव श्रेष्ठाः स्युर्यवशालयः। महायवा व्रीहियवास्तथैव च मसूरिकाः

kṛṣṇamāṣāstilāścaiva śreṣṭhāḥ syuryavaśālayaḥ| mahāyavā vrīhiyavāstathaiva ca masūrikāḥ

Black gram, sesame, barley, and shali rice are the finest grains; great barley, rice-barley, and lentils are likewise excellent.

Verse 82 (skanda.7.206.82)

कृष्णाः श्वेताश्च वा ग्राह्याः श्राद्धकर्मणि सर्वदा। बिल्वामलकमृद्वीकं पनसाम्रातदाडिमम्

kṛṣṇāḥ śvetāśca vā grāhyāḥ śrāddhakarmaṇi sarvadā| bilvāmalakamṛdvīkaṁ panasāmrātadāḍimam

Whether black or white, these are always fit for use in the shraddha; bilva, amla, grapes, jackfruit, hog-plum, and pomegranate —

Verse 83 (skanda.7.206.83)

भव्यं पारापतं चैव खर्जूरं करमर्द्दकम्। सकोरका बदर्यश्च तालकंदं तथा बिसम्

bhavyaṁ pārāpataṁ caiva kharjūraṁ karamarddakam| sakorakā badaryaśca tālakaṁdaṁ tathā bisam

The bhavya fruit, parapata, dates, karamarda, budding jujube, palm-tuber, and lotus-stalk —

Verse 84 (skanda.7.206.84)

तमालासनकंदं च मावेल्लं शतकंदली। कालेयं कालशाकं च मुद्गान्नं च सुवर्चलम्

tamālāsanakaṁdaṁ ca māvellaṁ śatakaṁdalī| kāleyaṁ kālaśākaṁ ca mudgānnaṁ ca suvarcalam

Tamala, asana-tuber, mavella, shatakandali, kaleya, dark greens, moong grain, and suvarchala greens —

Verse 85 (skanda.7.206.85)

मांसं क्षीरं दधि शाकं व्योषं वेत्रांकुरस्तथा। कट्फलं वज्रकं द्राक्षां लकुचं मोचमेव च

māṁsaṁ kṣīraṁ dadhi śākaṁ vyoṣaṁ vetrāṁkurastathā| kaṭphalaṁ vajrakaṁ drākṣāṁ lakucaṁ mocameva ca

Meat, milk, curd, greens, the three pungents, bamboo shoots, katphala, vajraka, grapes, lakucha, and plantain —

Verse 86 (skanda.7.206.86)

प्रियामलकदुर्ग्रीवं तिंडुकं मधुसाह्वयम्। वैकंकतं नालिकेरं शृङ्गाटकपरूषकम्

priyāmalakadurgrīvaṁ tiṁḍukaṁ madhusāhvayam| vaikaṁkataṁ nālikeraṁ śṛṅgāṭakaparūṣakam

Priyala, amalaka, durgriva, tinduka, the fruit called madhu, vaikankata, coconut, water-chestnut, and parushaka —

Verse 87 (skanda.7.206.87)

पिप्पलीमरिचं चैव पटोली बृहतीफलम्। आरामस्य तु सीमाऽन्तः संभवं सर्वमेव तु

pippalīmaricaṁ caiva paṭolī bṛhatīphalam| ārāmasya tu sīmā'ntaḥ saṁbhavaṁ sarvameva tu

Long pepper, black pepper, pointed gourd, and the eggplant — indeed everything that grows within the bounds of an orchard, all this is fit for offering.

Verse 88 (skanda.7.206.88)

एवमादीनि चान्यानि पुष्पाणि श्राद्धकर्मणि। मसूराः शतपुष्प्याश्च कुसुमं श्रीनिकेतनम्

evamādīni cānyāni puṣpāṇi śrāddhakarmaṇi| masūrāḥ śatapuṣpyāśca kusumaṁ śrīniketanam

Other flowers of this kind are likewise fit for the shraddha rite; lentil-blossoms, fennel-flowers, and the flower that is Lakshmi's own abode —

Verse 89 (skanda.7.206.89)

वर्या स्वातियवा नित्यं तथा वृषयवासकौ। वंशा करीरा सुरसा मार्जिता भूतृणानि च

varyā svātiyavā nityaṁ tathā vṛṣayavāsakau| vaṁśā karīrā surasā mārjitā bhūtṛṇāni ca

Varya, svati-yava, vrisha and yavasaka, bamboo, karira, surasa (holy basil), and well-cleansed bhutrina grass — these too are acceptable.

Verse 90 (skanda.7.206.90)

वर्जनीयानि वक्ष्यामि श्राद्धकर्मणि नित्यशः। लशुनं गृंजनं चैव पलांडुं पिण्डमूलकम्

varjanīyāni vakṣyāmi śrāddhakarmaṇi nityaśaḥ| laśunaṁ gṛṁjanaṁ caiva palāṁḍuṁ piṇḍamūlakam

Now I shall tell what is always to be avoided in the shraddha rite: garlic, carrot, onion, and pindamulaka (a kind of radish).

Verse 91 (skanda.7.206.91)

मोगरं चात्र वैदेहं दीर्घमूलकमेव च

mogaraṁ cātra vaidehaṁ dīrghamūlakameva ca

Mogara, the vaideha plant, and long radish — these too are to be shunned.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.206.92)

दिवसस्याष्टमे भागे मन्दीभूते दिवाकरे। आसुरं तद्भवेच्छ्राद्धं पितृणां नोपतिष्ठते

divasasyāṣṭame bhāge mandībhūte divākare| āsuraṁ tadbhavecchrāddhaṁ pitṛṇāṁ nopatiṣṭhate

Shraddha performed at any time other than the eighth part of the day, when the sun grows mild, becomes an asuric shraddha, and does not reach the ancestors.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.206.93)

चतुर्थे प्रहरे प्राप्ते यः श्राद्धं कुरुते नरः। वृथा श्राद्धमवाप्नोति दाता च नरकं व्रजेत्

caturthe prahare prāpte yaḥ śrāddhaṁ kurute naraḥ| vṛthā śrāddhamavāpnoti dātā ca narakaṁ vrajet

Whoever performs shraddha in the fourth quarter of the day performs it in vain, and the donor goes to hell.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.206.94)

लेखाप्रभृत्यथादित्ये मुहूर्तास्त्रय एव च। प्रातस्तस्योत्तरं कालं भगमाहुर्विपश्चितः

lekhāprabhṛtyathāditye muhūrtāstraya eva ca| prātastasyottaraṁ kālaṁ bhagamāhurvipaścitaḥ

From sunrise, the first three muhurtas constitute the morning; and the period following that, the learned call 'bhaga'.

Verse 95 (skanda.7.206.95)

संगवस्त्रिमुहूर्तोऽयं मध्याह्नस्तु समन्ततः। ततश्च त्रिमुहूर्ताश्च अपराह्णो विधीयते

saṁgavastrimuhūrto'yaṁ madhyāhnastu samantataḥ| tataśca trimuhūrtāśca aparāhṇo vidhīyate

This three-muhurta period is called sangava; after it comes the entire span of midday; and the three muhurtas following that are termed aparahna, the afternoon.

Verse 96 (skanda.7.206.96)

पञ्चमोऽथ दिनांशो यः स सायाह्न इति स्मृतः

pañcamo'tha dināṁśo yaḥ sa sāyāhna iti smṛtaḥ

And whatever remains as the fifth portion of the day is known as sayahna, the evening.

Verse 97 (skanda.7.206.97)

तथा च श्रुतिः। यदैवादित्योऽथ वसन्तो यदा संगविकोऽथ ग्रीष्मो यदा वा माध्यंदिनोऽथ वर्षा यदपराह्णोऽथ शरत्। यदेवास्तमेत्यथ हेमन्त इति

tathā ca śrutiḥ| yadaivādityo'tha vasanto yadā saṁgaviko'tha grīṣmo yadā vā mādhyaṁdino'tha varṣā yadaparāhṇo'tha śarat| yadevāstametyatha hemanta iti

And thus the Shruti declares: sunrise itself is spring, the sangava hour is summer, midday is the rainy season, afternoon is autumn, and sunset is the winter season.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.206.98)

प्रारभ्य कुतपे श्राद्धे कुर्यादारोहणं बुधः। विधिज्ञो विधिमास्थाय रोहिणं न तु लंघयेत्

prārabhya kutape śrāddhe kuryādārohaṇaṁ budhaḥ| vidhijño vidhimāsthāya rohiṇaṁ na tu laṅghayet

The wise, knowing the proper procedure, should begin the shraddha at the kutapa hour and proceed duly, but should never let the rohina muhurta pass unused.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.206.99)

अष्टमो यो मुहूर्तश्च कुतपः स निगद्यते। नवमो रौहिणः प्रोक्त इति श्राद्धविदो विदुः

aṣṭamo yo muhūrtaśca kutapaḥ sa nigadyate| navamo rauhiṇaḥ prokta iti śrāddhavido viduḥ

The eighth muhurta is called kutapa, and the ninth is declared to be rauhina — so know those versed in shraddha.

Verse 100 (skanda.7.206.100)

एकोद्दिष्टं तु मध्याह्नं प्रातर्वै जातकर्मणि। पित्र्यार्थं निर्वपेत्पाकं वैश्वदेवार्थमेव च

ekoddiṣṭaṁ tu madhyāhnaṁ prātarvai jātakarmaṇi| pitryārthaṁ nirvapetpākaṁ vaiśvadevārthameva ca

The ekoddishta shraddha should be performed at midday, and the jatakarma rite in the morning; one should prepare the cooked offering both for the ancestral rite and for the vaishvadeva rite.

Verse 101 (skanda.7.206.101)

वैश्वदेवे न पित्र्यार्थं न पित्र्यं वैश्वदेविके। कृत्वा श्राद्धं महादेवि ब्राह्मणांश्च विसर्ज्य च

vaiśvadeve na pitryārthaṁ na pitryaṁ vaiśvadevike| kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ mahādevi brāhmaṇāṁśca visarjya ca

Vaishvadeva food should not be used for the ancestral rite, nor ancestral food for the vaishvadeva rite; O great Goddess, having completed the shraddha and taken leave of the brahmins,

Verse 102 (skanda.7.206.102)

वैश्वदेवादिकं कर्म ततः कुर्याद्वरानने। बहुहव्येन्धने चाग्नौ सुसमिद्धे विशेषतः

vaiśvadevādikaṁ karma tataḥ kuryādvarānane| bahuhavyendhane cāgnau susamiddhe viśeṣataḥ

O fair-faced one, one should then perform the vaishvadeva and related rites, especially in a fire that is well-kindled with abundant offerings and fuel.

Verse 103 (skanda.7.206.103)

विधूमे लेलिहाने च कुर्यात्कर्म प्रसिद्धये। अप्रबुद्धे सधूमे च जुहुयाद्यो हुताशने

vidhūme lelihāne ca kuryātkarma prasiddhaye| aprabuddhe sadhūme ca juhuyādyo hutāśane

One should perform the rite for its success only in a fire that is smokeless and blazing; whoever offers oblation into a fire that is unlit or smoking,

Verse 104 (skanda.7.206.104)

यजमानो भवेदन्धः कुपुत्र इति निश्चितम्। दुर्गन्धश्चैव कृष्णश्च नीलश्चैव विशेषतः

yajamāno bhavedandhaḥ kuputra iti niścitam| durgandhaścaiva kṛṣṇaścaiva nīlaścaiva viśeṣataḥ

That performer is certain to become blind, or to have an unworthy son; especially if the fire is foul-smelling, black, or blue,

Verse 105 (skanda.7.206.105)

भूमिं विगाहते यत्र तत्र विद्यात्पराभवम्। अर्चिष्मान्पिंगलशिखः सर्पिःकांचनसप्रभः

bhūmiṁ vigāhate yatra tatra vidyātparābhavam| arciṣmānpiṁgalaśikhaḥ sarpiḥkāṁcanasaprabhaḥ

Wherever the flame sinks low into the ground, one should know it as a sign of failure; but a fire that is radiant, tawny-crested, and gleaming like ghee or gold,

Verse 106 (skanda.7.206.106)

स्निग्धः प्रदक्षिणश्चैव वह्निः स्यात्कार्यसिद्धये। अंजनाभ्यंजनं गंधान्मन्त्रप्रणयनं तथा

snigdhaḥ pradakṣiṇaścaiva vahniḥ syātkāryasiddhaye| aṁjanābhyaṁjanaṁ gaṁdhānmantrapraṇayanaṁ tathā

an oily flame that curls to the right — such a fire is auspicious for the success of the rite. Eye-liniment, unguents, fragrances, and the recitation of mantras —

Verse 107 (skanda.7.206.107)

काशैः पुनर्भवेत्कार्यं हयमेधफलं लभेत्। अष्टजातिकपुष्पं च अञ्जनं नित्यमेव हि

kāśaiḥ punarbhavetkāryaṁ hayamedhaphalaṁ labhet| aṣṭajātikapuṣpaṁ ca añjanaṁ nityameva hi

A rite performed with kasha grass yields the fruit of the ashvamedha sacrifice. Jati flowers of eight kinds, and eye-liniment, are always fitting.

Verse 108 (skanda.7.206.108)

कृष्णेभ्यश्च तिलेभ्यश्च तैलं यत्नात्सुरक्षितम्। चन्दनागरुणी चोभे तमालोशीरपद्मकम्

kṛṣṇebhyaśca tilebhyaśca tailaṁ yatnātsurakṣitam| candanāgaruṇī cobhe tamālośīrapadmakam

Oil pressed from black sesame should be carefully preserved; sandalwood and aloewood together, tamala, khus, and padmaka —

Verse 109 (skanda.7.206.109)

धूपश्च गौग्गुलः श्रेष्ठस्तौरुष्को धूप एव च। शुक्लाः सुमनसः श्रेष्ठास्तथा पद्मोत्पलानि च

dhūpaśca gauggulaḥ śreṣṭhastauruṣko dhūpa eva ca| śuklāḥ sumanasaḥ śreṣṭhāstathā padmotpalāni ca

Guggulu incense is the finest, and turushka (frankincense) incense is likewise excellent; white flowers are the best, as are lotuses and water-lilies.

Verse 110 (skanda.7.206.110)

गन्धवन्त्युपपन्नानि यानि चान्यानि कृत्स्नशः। निशिगंधा जपा भिण्डिरूपकः सकुरंटकः

gandhavantyupapannāni yāni cānyāni kṛtsnaśaḥ| niśigaṁdhā japā bhiṇḍirūpakaḥ sakuraṁṭakaḥ

Likewise, all other fragrant flowers are altogether acceptable; but nishigandha, japa (hibiscus), bhindirupaka, and kurantaka —

Verse 111 (skanda.7.206.111)

पुष्पाणि वर्जनीयानि श्राद्धकर्मणि नित्यशः। सौवर्णं राजतं ताम्रं पितॄणां पात्रमुच्यते

puṣpāṇi varjanīyāni śrāddhakarmaṇi nityaśaḥ| sauvarṇaṁ rājataṁ tāmraṁ pitṝṇāṁ pātramucyate

These flowers are always to be avoided in the shraddha rite. Vessels of gold, silver, or copper are declared fit for the ancestors.

Verse 112 (skanda.7.206.112)

रजतस्य तथा किञ्चिद्दर्शनं पुण्यदायकम्। कृष्णाजिनस्य सान्निध्यं दर्शनं दानमेव च

rajatasya tathā kiñciddarśanaṁ puṇyadāyakam| kṛṣṇājinasya sānnidhyaṁ darśanaṁ dānameva ca

Even a small glimpse of silver bestows merit; likewise the presence, the sight, and the gift of a black antelope skin bring merit.

Verse 113 (skanda.7.206.113)

रक्षोघ्नं चैव वर्चस्यं पशून्पुत्रांश्च तारयेत्। अथ मन्त्रं प्रवक्ष्यामि अमृतं ब्रह्मनिर्मितम्

rakṣoghnaṁ caiva varcasyaṁ paśūnputrāṁśca tārayet| atha maṁtraṁ pravakṣyāmi amṛtaṁ brahmanirmitam

It destroys demons, grants radiance, and saves one's cattle and sons. Now I shall declare the mantra, that nectar fashioned by Brahma.

Verse 114 (skanda.7.206.114)

देवताभ्यः पितृभ्यश्च महायोगिभ्य एव च। नमः स्वाहायै स्वधायै नित्यमेव नमोनमः

devatābhyaḥ pitṛbhyaśca mahāyogibhya eva ca| namaḥ svāhāyai svadhāyai nityameva namonamaḥ

Salutation to the gods, to the ancestors, and to the great yogis; salutation, ever and again, to Svaha and Svadha.

Verse 115 (skanda.7.206.115)

आद्यावसाने श्राद्धस्य त्रिरावर्तमिमं जपन्। अश्वमेधफलं ह्येतद्विप्रैः संज्ञाय पूजितम्

ādyāvasāne śrāddhasya trirāvartamimaṁ japan| aśvamedhaphalaṁ hyetadviprairsaṁjñāya pūjitam

By reciting this thrice at the beginning and end of the shraddha, one obtains the fruit of the ashvamedha sacrifice — knowing this, the brahmins have held it in reverence.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.206.116)

पिण्डनिर्वपणे वापि जपेदेनं समाहितः। पितरः क्षिप्रमायान्ति राक्षसाः प्रद्रवन्ति च

piṇḍanirvapaṇe vāpi japedenaṁ samāhitaḥ| pitaraḥ kṣipramāyānti rākṣasāḥ pradravanti ca

One should also recite it with focused mind at the offering of the rice-balls; by this the ancestors swiftly arrive and the rakshasas flee.

Verse 117 (skanda.7.206.117)

सप्तार्चिषं प्रवक्ष्यामि सर्वकामशुभप्रदम्

saptārciṣaṁ pravakṣyāmi sarvakāmaśubhapradam

Now I shall declare the Saptarchish hymn, which fulfills every desire and grants good fortune.

Verse 118 (skanda.7.206.118)

अमूर्तानां च मूर्तानां पितॄणां दीप्ततेजसाम्। नमस्यामि सदा तेषां ध्यायिनां दिव्यचक्षुषाम्

amūrtānāṁ ca mūrtānāṁ pitṝṇāṁ dīptatejasām| namasyāmi sadā teṣāṁ dhyāyināṁ divyacakṣuṣām

To the ancestors, both formless and embodied, blazing with splendor, absorbed in meditation, endowed with divine sight, I bow again and again.

Verse 119 (skanda.7.206.119)

इन्द्रादीनां च नेतारो दक्षमारीचयस्तया। तान्नमस्यामि सर्वान्वै पितॄंश्चैवौषधीस्तथा

indrādīnāṁ ca netāro dakṣamārīcayastayā| tānnamasyāmi sarvānvai pitṝṁścaivauṣadhīstathā

The leaders of Indra and the other gods, Daksha and Marichi and the rest — to all those ancestors, and to the healing plants as well, I bow.

Verse 120 (skanda.7.206.120)

नक्षत्राणां ग्रहाणां च वाय्वग्न्योश्च पितॄनपि। द्यावापृथिव्योश्च सदा नमस्यामि कृताञ्जलिः

nakṣatrāṇāṁ grahāṇāṁ ca vāyvagnyośca pitṝnapi| dyāvāpṛthivyośca sadā namasyāmi kṛtāñjaliḥ

To the ancestors present in the stars and planets, in wind and fire, and in heaven and earth, I always bow with joined hands.

Verse 121 (skanda.7.206.121)

नमः पितृभ्यः सप्तभ्यो नमो लोकेषु सप्तसु। स्वयंभुवे नमस्यामो ब्रह्मणे योगचक्षुषे

namaḥ pitṛbhyaḥ saptabhyo namo lokeṣu saptasu| svayaṁbhuve namasyāmo brahmaṇe yogacakṣuṣe

Salutation to the seven ancestors, salutation to them present in the seven worlds; we bow to the self-existent Brahma, whose eye is the vision of yoga.

Verse 122 (skanda.7.206.122)

एतत्त्वदुक्तं सप्तर्षिब्रह्मर्षिगणसेवितम्। पवित्रं परमं ह्येतच्छ्रीमद्रक्षोविनाशनम्

etattvaduktaṁ saptarṣibrahmarṣigaṇasevitam| pavitraṁ paramaṁ hyetacchrīmadrakṣovināśanam

This hymn was itself spoken by you, and is honored by the assembly of the seven sages and the brahmarshis; it is supremely sacred and glorious, destroying the rakshasas.

Verse 123 (skanda.7.206.123)

अनेन विधिना युक्तस्त्रीन्वारांस्तु जपेन्नरः। भक्त्या परमया युक्तः श्रद्दधानो जितेन्द्रियः

anena vidhinā yuktastrīnvārāṁstu japennaraḥ| bhaktyā paramayā yuktaḥ śraddadhāno jitendriyaḥ

Observing this procedure, endowed with supreme devotion, faithful and with senses mastered, a man should recite it three times.

Verse 124 (skanda.7.206.124)

सप्तार्चिषं जपेद्यस्तु नित्यमेव समाहितः। स तु सप्तसमुद्रायाः पृथिव्या एकराड्भवेत्

saptārciṣaṁ japedyastu nityameva samāhitaḥ| sa tu saptasamudrāyāḥ pṛthivyā ekarāḍbhavet

Whoever recites the Saptarchish hymn every day with a focused mind becomes the sole sovereign of the earth girded by the seven seas.

Verse 125 (skanda.7.206.125)

श्राद्धकल्पं पठेद्यो वै स भवेत्पंक्तिपावनः। अष्टादशानां विद्यानां स च वै पारगः स्मृतः

śrāddhakalpaṁ paṭhedyo vai sa bhavetpaṁktipāvanaḥ| aṣṭādaśānāṁ vidyānāṁ sa ca vai pāragaḥ smṛtaḥ

Whoever recites this Shraddha-kalpa becomes a purifier of the dining row, and is held to be a master of all eighteen branches of knowledge.

Verse 126 (skanda.7.206.126)

पूजां पुष्टिं स्मृतिं मेधां राज्यमारोग्यमेव च। प्रीता नित्यं प्रयच्छन्ति मानुषाणां पितामहाः

pūjāṁ puṣṭiṁ smṛtiṁ medhāṁ rājyamārogyameva ca| prītā nityaṁ prayacchanti mānuṣāṇāṁ pitāmahāḥ

Pleased, the forefathers of men always grant them honor, nourishment, memory, intellect, sovereignty, and good health.

Verse 127 (skanda.7.206.127)

एवं प्रभासक्षेत्रे स सरस्वत्यब्धिसंगमे। कुर्याच्छ्राद्धं विधानेन प्रभासे चैव भामिनि

evaṁ prabhāsakṣetre sa sarasvatyabdhisaṁgame| kuryācchrāddhaṁ vidhānena prabhāse caiva bhāmini

Thus, O radiant one, one should perform the shraddha duly at Prabhasa itself, in the field of Prabhasa, at the confluence of the Sarasvati and the ocean.