99 - Teachings of Yajnavalkya

Yajnavalkya said: 

1-2. I shall expound Shraddha, the performance of which removes sins. The opportune time for Shraddha is any of the following The New moon day, Ashtaka days (7th, 8th, 9th days in Pausha, Magha and Phalguna) any special prosperous occasion of windfall, the Pretapaksha (dark half of Bhadrapada) the two Sankranti days (when the sun transits to capricorn and cancer) when one has sufficient wealth, when deserving brahmins are available, the equinoxes, the Vyatipata (deviation of planets), Gajacchaya (thirteenth day in the dark half combined with Magha star), solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, and a desire to perform Shraddha.

3-5. The brahmins constituting the deities of Shraddha should be from among these. A Great Shrotriya (Vedic Scholar) young man, a good astrologer, a man of Trimadhus, a Trisavarnika, a sister's son, Rutvik, son-in-law, preceptor, father-in law, maternal uncle, a Trinachiketa, daughter's son, a disciple, relatives, kinsmen, Brahmins scrupulously observing rituals, the Panchagni Brahmacharins and persons devoted to their mothers and fathers. 

6-7. The following should not be entertained. A sickly person, a person deficient in limbs or having additional appendages, a one-eyed man, son of a widow after remarriage, a fallen sinner like Avakirna and those who do not conform to conventions, and an a-Vaishnava (non-believer in Vishnu). These are not worthy of being invited for Shraddha. They (the deserving brahmins) shall be invited the day before when they shall observe celibacy. 

8. On the day of Shraddha early in the morning they should perform Achamana and sit in their respective seats called Daiva and Pitrya. If it is not possible to provide seats, on the ground itself. 

9. In the Daiva (divine) seats two brahmins shall be seated facing east. In the Pitrya seats (of the manes) three brahmins shall be seated facing north. 

10. The arrangement for maternal grandfathers also is the same but the mantras will be the same as in Vaishvadeva Shraddha. Water should be given for washing hands and Kusha grass for seats 

11. Avahana-Invocation and Anujna (permission) with the Ruk mantras of Vishvedevas shall be performed. 

12-14. In the vessel tied with Pavitra (Kusha grass twisted in a peculiar way) he should strew barley grains. With the mantra Shanno Devi, water should be sprinkled. With the mantra Yavosi barley grains shall be strewn. With the mantra Ya divya they should be given in the hands. Similarly, scents, water, Pavitra and incense should be given. To the manes the offerings shall be made from right to left and water shall be sprinkled anticlockwise. Twice the number of Kusha blades shall then be given. Pits (manes) shall be invoked with the Ruk Ushantas iva. With the permission of the brahmins the house holder should repeat the mantra Ayantu nah. The purpose of barley grains can be served with gingelly seeds. Arghya and other things shall be performed as before. 

15. After giving Arghya he should duly make promise to the brahmins. With the mantra Pitrubhyah sthanam asi he should bend the vessel. 

16-20. He should hold the cooked food soaked in butter and reciting the mantra Agnau karishye he shall obtain the permission and place it in fire. He shall then recite Gayatri¹ with Vyahruti and Ruks Madhu vata, etc. and say Yathasukham (as convenient to you). They should take food silently. Whatever food and Havishya they require shall be served them without anger.

1. RV. 1.90.6.

21-23. Till the brahmins are fully satiated he shall be reciting holy mantras and the previous japas. He shall ask the brahmins Truptah stha (are you fully satiated?) The brahmins shall reply: Truptah smah we are fully satiated. The cooked rice left over should be strewn on the ground slowly. After taking cooked rice with gingelly seeds he shall face the south and offer Pindas near the place where the brahmins took their food. To maternal grandfathers also the same procedure gives Achamana after that. 

24. Then Svasti (hail thee) should be mentioned. Then the Akshayya Udaka (ever fruitful water) shall be offered to the brahmins along with the fee according to capacity. After that he shall proceed for Svadhakara. 

25. When the brahmins permit by saying Vachyatam (let it be recited) he shall say Pitrubhyah Svadha (svadha unto the manes) when the brahmins repeat it he should sprinkle water on the ground. 

26-27. He shall say Vishve devah priyantam (Let all devas be pleased) and offer water. “May those who give us flourish. Let Vedas flourish. Let not faith forsake us. Let us have much to give." Thus, addressed by the brahmins he should bid them farewell with sweet words and salutation. 

28. While bidding farewell he should recite Vaje Vaje, The Arghya patra in which the promise had been invoked before should be placed in proper position and the brahmins should be formally dismissed. 

29. After going round in Pradakshina and prayer he should partake of the leavings of Pitrus along with his wife. 

30. He shall remain celibate that night. At the ceremony of attaining prosperity the rites as well as fee are similar but with Nandi rites in addition the Pindas will be mixed with barley grains and Karkandhu¹ (cucumber) fruits.

1. Zizyphus nummularia.

31. The Ekoddishta form of Shraddha performed for a single mane in view has no seat assigned for Daiva, Only Pavitra is used. One dish is prepared. 

32. It is devoid of Avahana (invocation) and Agnikarana (placing the Havishya in fire). There also the procedure is anticlockwise. In the place of ever fruitful water Upatishthatam (may you approach) is used at the time of farewell. Abhiramyatam (may you be delighted) is also said when they reply Abhiratah smah (we are delighted). 

33-34. In Sapindikarana ceremony four vessels with scents, water and gingelly seeds shall be used. For Arghya the Pitrupatra is kept covered with Pretapatra. Two mantras beginning with Ye samana, etc. shall be recited. The other items are as in the previous. 

35. The Ekoddishta can be performed for the deceased women also. If Sapindikarana is performed, a year after death.

36. Cooked rice with water pot sodakumbha) should be offered at the end of the year. The Pindas can be given to cows, goats or brahmins or deposited in fire or water. 

37-38. In that annual Shraddha in the first month let him offer Havishyanna (rice cooked with vegetables and soaked in ghee), in the second month milk pudding and in the succeeding month he should offer fish, or the flesh of deer, goats, bird, Ram, Prushata, Ena, Ruru, boar or rabbit. The grandfathers shall be satisfied with this offer with increasing relish every month. 

39-42. In the rainy month on the thirteenth day when there is Magha star also, if any one dies being wounded by an arrow Shraddha is performed from the first to the fourteenth day. He will obtain daughters, gold, children, valour, fields, strength prosperity, excellent sons, health, fame, freedom from sorrow, salvation, wealth, learning, fluency of speech, metallic wealth, cattle horses, if he duly performs the Shraddha. 

43-45. Similarly, when the manes of a brahmana or a twice born are gratified under the stars Kruttika to Bharani they give to him long life, progeny, wealth, learning, heaven or salvation or kingdom on earth.