17 - Appropriate Tithis for Performing Shraddha

This chapter is textually identical with Ch. 81 of the Vå.P. with a few variants.

Bruhaspati continued: 

1. "Henceforth I shall describe the three types of Śhrāddhas. Viz. the Ajastra (i.e. the Nitya or daily one) the Naimittika (the conditional or occasional and the Kämya (i.e. one performed with some desirable object in view). These Śhräddhas are honoured ones. 

2-4. The three Așhțaka Śhräddhas^ı are performed for the welfare of sons and wives. They are performed on the 8th day in the Dark half of the lunar months Märgaśhīrşha Pauşha Magha. The first one is the most excellent one with Ākhandala (Indra) for its deity. The second one is Präjä patya (with Prajāpati for its deity) The third one is Vaiśhvadevika (with Viśhve Devas as deities) The first one is always to be performed with sweet rice peas. The second one should always be performed with meat. The third one should be performed with greens (and vegetables). This is the injunction regarding the articles (used for Shraddha). In this connection it is laid down that the Nitya Shraddha is desired by the Pitrus. 

1.    The word Ashtaka ashtan according to Värttika 9 on Panini VII.3.45 means 'a rite with Pitrus as deities. Ashvalayana Gr.S.11.4.1 states that the 8th day in the dark halves of seasons Hemanta- and Shishira arc Ashtakas i.e. there are four Ashtakås. But most other Gruhya Sutras differ and regard the 8th day in the dark halves of Mårgashirşha, Pauşha and Mägha as Ashtaká days. Our text does not follow Ashvalayana Gr.S. Gruhya Sūtras differ about the offerings on these Ashtakās and the deities for which they are meant, though the Vårttika mentioned above regards Pitrus as the devata on these days. But according to our Purana, Indra is the deity of the 1st Ashtaka, Prajapati of the 2nd and Viśhvedevas on the third and not the Pitrus(!).

When Aşhtakå was to be performed in one month, the 7th, 8th and 9th days after the Full Moon day of Mågha are to be taken.   

5-6a. The other one, that is the fourth type of Shraddha on a new moon day (?) should be performed always with special care. A learned man performing Shraddha in all these (Tithis) even by sacrificing his entire possession, immediately attains welfare and rejoices both here and hereafter. 

6b-7a. The Pitrus are the presiding deities during the Parvan days (new moon days) and the Tithi days (i.e. 7th, 8th and 9th days). These persons go to all the places of Shräddha) like the cows going towards the trough of drinking water. 

7b-8. If they are not duly honoured during the Ashtakas they may return at the end of the month. His hopes and wishes (i.e. the wishes of the person who does not perform Shraddha) become fruitless everywhere, both here and hereafter. There is progress and welfare to those who worship; there is downfall unto the atheists. 

9-10. Those who give (the donors) go to the Devas and those who do not give go to the lower strata of animals. Those who perform worship on these Tithis enjoy in full everything such as nourishment, power of memory, intellect, sons, glory and riches. 

¹The Pratipad (the first day of the lunar fortnight) is conducive to the acquisition of wealth (if Śhräddha is performed on that day. Whatever is acquired by him does not perish. 

1. VV.9-20 state the fruit of performance of Śhräddha on each Tithi (Lunar day) from the 1st to the 15th day. Apastamba Dh. S II 7.16.-22, Mbh. Anushåsana 87, Va. P.81.10-19, BM.P.220. 15-21, KP II. 20.17-22 state the reward a man gets for performance of Shraddha on these Tithis. The rewards so promised in these works differ. For example, the following comparative table of rewards on various Tithis for such performance as given in our Text and KP shows little co-relation: 

The Tithi     Reward as per our Text.     Reward asper KP 11.20.

        1           Acquisition of wealth.          Auspicious sons.

        2          Over-lordship on bipeds.     Begets daughters.

        3        Destroys enemies and sins.    Gets animals.

        4             Not mentioned.        Gets small animals and things.

        5     Great glory and splendour.          Splendid sons.

        6          Great respect.              Lustre and good cultivation.

The list aced not be extended. 

11. He who performs (Shrāddha) on the second Tithi shall become the overlord of all bipeds. 

To those who seek excellent things Trutiyā (the third day of the lunar fortnight) is the destroyer of enemies and sins. 

12. He who performs (Shraddha) on the fifth day attains great glory and splendour. 

13-14. One who performs Shraddhas on the sixth day shall be worthy of respect due to his effort. 

The man who always performs Shrāddhas on the seventh day attains the status of the ruler of the Earth. He shall be the chief of Gaņas (Groups or followers of Shiva). 

The man who performs Shrāddha on the eighth day attains complete richness and perfect affluence. 

15-16. Shrāddha should be performed on the ninth day by one who desires affluence and lordly glory as well as women. 

A man who performs Shraddha on the tenth day shall attain the magnificence of the Brahman. He shall also attain (mastery over) all the Vedas and be on a par with Brāhmaṇas. 

(The performance of Shraddha and) the offering of great charitable gifts on the eleventh Tithi yields perpetual lordly affluence. 

17. (One who performs Shraddha) on the twelfth day acquires victory, kingdoms, longevity, wealth, increase in the progeny, cattle, wealth, intellect, freedom and excellent nourishment. 

18-19. One who performs (Shraddha) on the thirteenth tithi attains long life and lordly affluence. 

Shraddha should be performed on the fourteenth day to those persons in the house who happened to die while young or who had been struck down dead by means of weapons. 

One shall always be pure and endeavour to perform Shrāddha on the new moon day. 

20-22. He attains all desires and enjoys infinite heavenly bliss. 

Similarly, in the case of all those who were born as twins and those who were born under unfavourable (stars) Shraddha should be performed on the new moon day. One shall (there by) attain all that one desires. 

One who performs Śhrāddha under Maghả constellation shall attain all desires. It will be as though the Pitrus are directly worshipped as Pitrus are the presiding deities of the Maghă con- stellation, the Shraddha rite performed under it is remembered as yielding everlasting benefits.”