12 - Rules Regarding Shraddha Rituals - The Five Mahayajnas

Suta Said: 

1. The Devas and the Pitrus are regarded to be mutually governed and interdependent. Bruhaspati said that this is the injunction in Atharvan Veda. 

2. One should worship the Pitrus first and the Devas after. Indeed, even the Devas scrupulously worship the Pitrus at the outset. 

3. A daughter of Daksha was well known by the name Vishva. Ten sons were born to her with Dharma the god of virtue and piety. They are called Vishvas (Vishvedevas).

4. They were well-renowned in the three worlds. They were bowed down to by all the worlds. All those noble-souled ones performed a great and severe penance. 

5. They performed their penance on the charming summit of the Himalaya, frequented by the groups of celestial sages. Delighted by their pure mind, the Pitrus then spoke (to them). 

6-7. “Choose your boons. We are pleased. What desire of yours shall we fulfil?". 

When this was spoken by the Pitrus, Brahma who had evolved the three worlds, who had great splendour and who had been propitiated by them by their penance said— "I am pleased with this penance. What desire of yours shall I fulfil?"

8. Thus addressed by Brahma, the creator of the Universe, those Vishve-Devas collectively spoke to Brahma, the sanctifier (or the creator) of the world. 

9. “Let us to have a share in the Shraddha. This is the boon desired by us.” Thereupon, Brahma who is honoured by the Devas, replied to them. 

10. “The boon desired by you shall become so" (materialised). "So be it,” said the Pitrus. It is hence that there is no doubt. 

11-16a. Whatever is seen here should be enjoyed along with us. You too can partake of the food offering* in the Shraddha dedicated to us by human beings. We are speaking the truth. With garlands, scents and food offerings they will worship you at the outset. Having offered these to you first, they will offer to us afterwards. But Visarjana (Ritualistic Dismissal or Bidding farewell) is accorded to us first and that of the Devas comes subsequently. These two injunctions regarding Shraddha and hospitality shall be observed in the holy rites of the Bhutas (Goblins), Devatas and the Pitrus. If it is done thus, everything shall be all right”.

*yushmanaprashanam is obscure even though emended as annaprashanam. Agrasanam (you will have priority) in Va. P. 76-12 is better, and is supported by the following vv.

After bestowing the boon on them in this manner, Brahma, the conferer of forgiveness and blessings, carried out everything as mentioned, along with the groups of Pitrus. 

16b-17, Five great Yajnas have been prescribed in the Veda for men to perform. Every man shall always perform these five “Maha Yajnas”. Understand the region where those who perform these Yajnas will stay perpetually. 

18. They attain the region pertaining to Brahma, a place that is free from fear, devoid of Rajas quality, griefless, free from pain and exhaustion and honoured by all the worlds. 

 19. These five Yajnas must be performed by a Shudra also but without the Mantras. If anyone takes food without performing them, he actually partakes of debts for ever.

20. He who cooks for himself is a sinful soul and partakes of debts. Hence, a learned man should always perform these five Maha-Yajnas. 

21. The oblation should be offered near a water-pond (or river etc.) in the north-eastern quarter. One should prepare oblation very well in accordance with the injunction. It shall be thrown up very high repeating the Mantras loudly. 

22. (Defective text) The cow's urine should be taken in a pot made of the hollow horn. A thread shall be placed in it and offered as oblation*. That rice ball shall be Naivedya (food offering) to one who is alive among the Pitrus.

* The text is obscure. The Va. P. 76.22 reads para-shrungavam purvam balim sukshmam samutkshipet |

23. One should feed him with desired food, rice and other types of foodstuffs in accordance with the injunctions. Some wish Naivedya should be scrupulously offered even to a person who is alive. 

24. The Pitrus are gods of the gods and noble-souled. Hence, some preceptors wish that the worship of the Brahmanas should be carried out always in the beginning and the rice-balls should be offered afterwards. 

25-26. Bruhaspati who is an expert in affairs of Dharma (Ritualistic practice) has said that it should not be so. One shall offer and dedicate the rice-balls (Pindas) first and feed the Brahmanas afterwards. The Pitrus have Yogic souls. The noble-souled Pitrus are born of Yogic power. 

27. These Pitrus strengthen and develop the Soma (Moon). They abide by their Yogic power. Hence, one should offer the Pindas to the Yogic souls retaining personal purity and concentrated devotion to them. 

28-29a. This shall be a direct Hadis offering to the Pitrus. If a person abiding by Yogic power is fed, it is as fruitful as feeding a thousand Brahmanas. Just as a boat enables us to cross an expanse of water, so also (the offering of oblations) redeems the Yajamana (sponsor or performerer of Shraddha) as well as those who partake of the food. 

29b-30a. A severe punishment meted out by providence suddenly descends to the place where bad persons are held in esteem and the good persons are disrespected. 

30b-31a. If a person does unite one having good qualities and feeds a person of puerile nature, the performer of that Shraddha perishes soon after performing rite (?) 

31b-32. A man who seeks enjoyment of worldly pleasures shall always offer first Pinda to the (sacred) fire. He who seeks progeny shall scrupulously offer the middle Pinda along with (the repetition of) Mantras. He who wishes for the excellent splendour and brilliance offers it to the cows.¹

1. V. 31-35 refer to the disposal of Pindas. Cf. Mbh. Anushasana 125-38-40, BmP. 220.150-52 for similar views.

33. One who seeks intellect, fame and renown consigns it to the waters. One who seeks a long life offers it to the crows. 

34. One who wishes for a graceful tenderness (of the body) offers it to the cocks. Thus, the benefit of offering the rice-balls has been recounted.

35. One should send it up in the sky or put it in the water facing the southern quarter. The abode of the Pitrus is in the sky or the southern quarter. 

36. Some Brahmanas say thus—"After being permitted by those Brahmanas who say— “Let it be freely lifted up"— the devotee shall lift up the rice balls at the outset (or from the tips).

37. One shall take out the tips (uppermost part) of flowers, fruits, foodstuffs and rice and perform Homa in the fire with all those things. 

38. After performing Homa in the fire with the food-stuffs, cooked rice, beverage, roots and fruits he should offer the Pindas facing the southern quarter. 

39. After performing Homa to Vaivasvata (i.e., Yama) and Soma, after offering Pindas along with the libation of water, one should feed the Brahmanas.

40. Thereafter, he should propitiate the Brahmana in the proper order consistent with his capacity, with hot and glossy (mixed with ghee) foodstuffs and cooked rice smelling sweet (with ghee and spices). 

41. The man obtains all that he desires if he serves them with concentration and purity (mental and physical). He shall stand by them with palms joined in reverence. He shall be loyal, faithful and devoted to them. 

42. The grandfathers (manes) bestow these qualities viz. Akshudratva (the state of not being mean and low) gratefulness, chivalry, refined speech, power of penance, Yajnas and charitable gifts. 

43. Hereafter listen, even as I recount, to the auspicious procedure which is carried out in the proper order after the Brahmanas have taken their food. 

44. The performer of Shraddha devoutly attached to the Pitrus, shall at the outset sprinkle the ground and lift (a particle). Then he scatters the rice in accordance with the injunctions. 

45-46. The Svadha Mantra is repeated. The Brahmanas are offered plenty of monetary gifts duly. He then asks them “What is to be done with the balance of foodstuffs?” They then formally permit him to partake of it along with the members of his family. 

47. After honouring the excellent Brahmanas thus, he shall follow them with palms joined in reverence. With purity in mind, he shall bid them farewell.