219 - Dharmashastra

Brahma said: 

1. I Shall explain the Nityashraddha (the daily Shraddha). As the previous one, this too has a special variety. 

Om, I Shall perform the Shraddha of my father, grandfather and great grandfather of such and such names, such and such Gotra and accompanied by their wives by means of cooked rice offered to you. 

The procedure of seating, etc has to be followed (as before) except that of Vishve devas.

2. I Shall explain Vruddhishraddha (i.e., Shraddha on special joyous occasions). As before everything is followed and its special variety too. On the joyous occasions of seeing the new born son's face, etc, Vruddhi Shraddha has to be performed. The brahmins face the east while sitting. The householder wears the sacred thread in the normal way. Yaya seeds and Badara fruits are used with Kusha grass. Devatirtha (holy water consecrated), Namaskara and the offering of Dakshina everything as usual. 

3. The householder touches his right knee and says 'Om, today on this joyous occasion, when the Shraddha of our grandmother and mother of such and such Gotra and of such and such name has to be performed. 'I have first to perform the Shraddha of Vishvedevas named Vasus and Satyas by means of cooked rice offered to you.' Saying this he invites the Deva brahmin. When he says 'Om you Shall perform it' he proceeds to invite the other brahmin. 

4. Thereafter is the procedure of Nandi Mukha Shraddha of the great-grandmother mentioning the name, Gotra etc. followed by the invitation of the brahmin representing great grandmother, his formal permission, etc. Thereafter the same procedure for maternal great grandmother and the brahmin representing her. 

5. The items of seating the brahmins representing the principal deity, Pitrus and all Devas and the other usual ancillary rites are performed duly. He then repeats the Mantra 'Om Vishve Devah Shrunutemam' etc. This is the invocation of Vishvedevas. Scents etc. are given. Statements about the Shraddha being unimpaired. 

6. Similar items concerning activities and statements with regard to great grandmother, grandmother, mother, great grandfather great great maternal grandfather etc. Then food is placed and offered to the Devas named Vasus and Satyas along with the side dishes, Badara fruit, curd and devoid of forbidden foodstuffs. "Om, O Nandimukhi, of such and such Gotra, my grandmother, named so and so here is the food unto you along with Badara fruit and curd, Obeisance." Similarly for maternal grandfather and great grandfather. 

7. Ekoddishta (The Shraddha for a single mane) is also performed as before. I Shall explain its special variety, listen. First the invitation. Then washing of the feet, seating. 'Today I Shall perform the Ekoddishta Shraddha, the annually recurring one, of my father of such and such a name and of such and such a Gotra, by means of cooked rice offered through you. Permission is formally sought and given. Seat, scents etc. are given. The food is placed and contemplated. Japas are per formed with the sacred thread worn in the opposite direction. Facing the north, he performs the Atithi Shraddha. 

8. He then enquires about their being satiated. He faces the south with the sacred thread worn in the opposite direction. He stands near the place where they had taken food and repeats the Mantra 'Agnidagdha' (duly cremated with fire). Then the pindanna is scattered. 'O my father! of such and such a name, of such and such a Gotra, I offer this water libation to thee as well as to those that follow thee. Svadha unto thee. Water is poured over the line. All other things as before.