33 - The benefits to be obtained from the Voluntary Shraddhas. 

Kamya Shraddha

Madalasa explains the benefits to be obtained from performing śhráddha voluntarily with a view to the benefits - on the various days of the lunar fortnight-and when the moon is in the different asterisms. 

Madálasá spoke.

1 The first day of the lunar fortnight, if the śhráddha be performed on it, is auspicious for the acquisition of wealth; the second bestows men; and the third seeks for boons; the

2 fourth destroys enemies; in the fifth a man acquires fortune; in the sixth he may become worthy of worship: in the seventh he acquires chieftainship; in the eighth the highest

3 prosperity; in the ninth ho gains women; in the tenth perfect gratification of his wishes. So let him, assiduous in

4 the ceremonies, gain all the Vedas in the eleventh. And in the twelfth the worshipper of the pitris gains continual victories, offspring, mental vigour, cattle, prosperity, independence

5 and perfect nourishment. The man of intense faith, who performs the śhráddha on the thirteenth day, gains length

6 of life and sovereignty undoubtedly. Since one is successful in śhráddhas by means of choice food, he, whose ancestors died or

7 were slain with weapons in their youth, should, if he wishes for their pleasure, perform the ceremony on the fourteenth day. The puro man, who performs the śhráddha diligently on

8 the night of the new moon, obtains all his wishes and attains Svarga everlastingly. 

By worshipping tho pitris when the moon is in the asterism

9 Krittiká, a man obtains Svarga. A man who wishes for offspring may obtain it when the moon is in the asterism Rohini; and he may gain vigour when she is in the Saumya signs of the Zodiac;* and he may obtain valour when she is in the asterism Ardrá; and lands and other possessions when

*They are Tauras, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, and Capricornus,

10 she is in Punar-vasu; and nourishment by always worshipping when she is in Pushya; and noble sons when she is in A-shleshá; and pre-eminence among his relations when she is in Maghá;

11 and good fortune when she is in Phalguní.† And the man of liberal disposition obtains offspring when she is in Uttará Phalguní. A man who offers śhráddhas when she is in Hasta,

†For phalguni read phalguni. 

12 verily attains excellence. And so a man of goodly form may obtain offspring when she is in Chitrá. Sváti bestows success

13 in trade; Višhákhá gives philoprogenitiveness. Men who perform the śhráddha when the moon is in Anuradhá attain imperial rule; and when she is in Jyeshthá lordship; and when she is 

14 Múla perfect health. Acquisition of fame comes from perfoming the shraddha when she is in Ashádhá; and freedom from grief in Uttará Ashádhá. And one gains bright worlde performing it when she is in Shravana; and immense wealth

15 when she is in Dhanishthá. One may acquire intimate knowledge of the Vedas when she is in Abhi-jit; and success medicine when she is in Shata-bhishaj; goats and sheep performing the ceremony in Bhádra; and amorous dalliance

16 in the lattor part of Bhádra. And one who performs the shraddha dha when she is in Revati acquires the baser metals; and when she is in Ashviní horses; and when she is in Bharani full lengnth of life. 

Hence a man who is skilled in true knowledge shoul perform the voluntary śhráddhas at these seasons.