23. Ancestral Offering (śrāddha)

Āpastamba

सह देवमनुष्या अस्मिंल् लोके पुरा बभूवुः अथ देवाः कर्मभिर् दिवं जग्मुर् अहीयन्त मनुष्याः तेषां ये तथा कर्माण्य् आरभन्ते सह देवैर् ब्रह्मणा चअमुष्मिंल् लोके भवन्ति अथएतन् मनुः श्राद्धशब्दं कर्म प्रोवाच ॥1 प्रजानिःश्रेयसा च ॥2 तत्र पितरो देवता ब्राह्मणाः त्व् आहवनीयअर्थे* ॥3

1 In ancient times gods and men used to live together in this world. Then the gods went to heaven by performing rites, while men were left behind. Those among them who perform rites in the same manner get to dwell in that world together with the gods and Brahman. For this purpose Manu proclaimed this rite bearing the name "Ancestral Offering"; 2 he did that also for the prosperity of the people. 3 In this rite the ancestors are the deity to whom the offering is made, while the Brahmins stand in the place of the offertorial fire. [A 2.16.1–3]

विलयनं मथितं पिण्याकं मधु मांसं च वर्जयेत् ॥1 कृष्णधान्यं शूद्रान्नं ये चअन्येनअश्यसंमताः ॥2 अहविष्यम् अनृतं क्रोधं येन च क्रोधयेत् स्मृतिम् इच्छन् यशो मेधां स्वर्गं पुष्टिं द्वादशएतानि वर्जयेत् ॥3 अधोनाभिउपरिजानुआच्छाद्य त्रिषवणम् उदकम् उपस्पृशन्न् अनग्निपक्ववृत्तिर् अच्छायाउपगः स्थानआसनिकः संवत्सरम् एतद् व्रतं चरेत् एतद् अष्टाचत्वारिंशत् संमितम् इत्य् आचक्षते ॥4

1 He should abstain from the following: butter, butter-milk, oil-cake, honey, meat, 2 black grain, food given by Śūdras or by others whose food one is forbidden to eat, 3 food unfit for sacrifice, lying, anger, and whatever would provoke someone to anger. From these twelve a man should abstain, if he desires a good memory, fame, intelligence, heaven, and prosperity. 4 Wrapping a cloth around himself from navel to knees, he should bathe at dawn, noon, and dusk; live on uncooked food; never seek a shady spot; and remain standing during the day and seated at night. He should keep this vow for a year. This is said to be equal to the forty-eight-year vow. [A 2.18.1–4]

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Gautama

अथ श्राद्धम् । ॥1 अमावास्यायां पितृभ्यो दद्यात् । ॥2 पञ्चमीप्रभृतिषु वापरपक्षस्य । ॥3 यथाश्रद्धं सर्वस्मिन् वा । ॥4 द्रव्यदेशब्राह्मणसंनिधाने वा कालनियमः । ॥5

1 Next, the ancestral offerings. 2 One should offer them to one's ancestors on the new-moon day, 3 or else after the fourth day of the fortnight of the waning moon or on any day of that fortnight according to one's faith. 5 If materials, location, or Brahmins of special significance are at hand, however, one does not have to observe any restriction with regard to time. [G 15.1–5]

सद्यः श्राद्धी शूद्रातल्पगः तत्पुरीषे मासंनयति पितृऋन् । ॥22 तस्मात् तदहम् ब्रह्मचारी च स्यात् । ॥23

22 If someone has sex with a Śūdra woman soon after eating at an ancestral offering, he will plunge his ancestors in her excrement for day, therefore, he should remain chaste. [G 15.22–3]

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Baudhāyana

पित्र्यम् आयुष्यं स्वर्ग्यं यशस्यं पुष्टिकर्म च ॥1

1 An offering to ancestors is a rite that is praiseworthy and secures long life, heaven, and prosperity. [B 2.14.1]

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Vasiṣṭha

श्राद्धम्दत्त्वा भुक्त्वा च मैथुनम्यसधिगच्छति ॥37 भवन्ति पितरः तस्य तत्मासम्रेतसस्भुजः ॥37 यः ततस्जायते गर्भस्दत्त्वा भुक्त्वा च पैतृकम् ॥38 न स विद्याम्समाप्नोति क्षीणआयुस्चएव जायते ॥38 पिता पितामहस्चएव तथाएव प्रपितामहः ॥39 उपासते सुतम्जातम्शकुन्तासिव पिप्पलम् ॥39 मधुमांसैस्च शाकैस्च पयसा पायसेन च ॥40 एष नस्दास्यति श्राद्धम्वर्षासु च मघासु च ॥40 सन्तानवर्द्धनम्पुत्रम् उद्यतम्पितृकर्मणि ॥41 देवब्राह्मणसंपन्नमभिनन्दन्ति पूर्वजाः ॥41 नन्दन्ति पितरः तस्य सुकृष्टैसिव कर्षकाः ॥42 यत्गयास्थस्ददातिअन्नम्पितरः तेन पुत्रिणः इति ॥42

37 If someone engages in sexual intercourse after offering or eating at an ancestral oblation, his ancestors eat his semen during that month. 38 A child born from such a union after offering or eating at an oblation to the ancestors does not acquire knowledge and is born with a brief life span. 39–40 When a son is born, his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather hover around him, as birds around a fig tree, saying: "He will present ancestral offerings to us with honey, meat, vegetables, milk, and milk-rice pudding during the rainy seasons and the Magha constellation". 41 The ancestors rejoice at a son who extends the family line, is diligent in presenting ancestral offerings, and is devoted to gods and Brahmins. 42 When someone offers food to his ancestors at Gaya, they rejoice. just as farmers rejoice at fields that have received abundant rain; in him his ancestors are blessed with a true son. [Va 11.37–42]

Āpastamba

मासि मासि कार्यम् ॥4 अपरपक्षस्यअपरअह्नः श्रेयान् ॥5 तथाअपरपक्षस्य जघन्यान्य् अहानि ॥6 सर्वेष्व् एवअपरपक्षस्यअहस्सु क्रियमाणे पितृऋन् प्रीणाति कर्तुः तु कालअभिनियमात् फलविशेषः ॥7 प्रथमे ऽअहनि क्रियमाणे स्त्रीप्रायम् अपत्ये जायते ॥8 द्वितीये ऽअस्तेनाः ॥9 तृतीये ब्रह्मवर्चसिनः ॥10 चतुर्थे क्षुद्रपशुमान् ॥11 पञ्चमे पुमांसः बहुअपत्यो न चअनपत्यः प्रमीयते ॥12 षष्ठे ऽअध्वशीलो ऽअक्षशीलश् च ॥13 सप्तमे कर्षे राद्धिः ॥14 अष्टमे पुष्टिः ॥15 नवम एकखुराः ॥16 दशमे व्यवहारे राद्धिः ॥17 एकादशे कृष्णअयसं त्रपुसीसम् ॥18 द्वादशे पशुमान् ॥19 त्रयोदशे बहुपुत्रो बहुमित्रो दर्शनीयअपत्यः युवमारिणः तु भवन्ति ॥20 चतुर्दश आयुधे राद्धिः ॥21 पञ्चदशे पुष्टिः ॥22

4 It is to be offered every month. 5 An afternoon in the fortnight of the waning moon is preferable, 6 as also the last days of the fortnight of the waning moon. 7 No matter what day of the fortnight of the waning moon it is offered, it gives delight to the ancestors. The specific reward earned by the performer, however, depends on the time that he offers it. 8 If he offers it on the first day, his children will turn out to be mostly girls; 9 on the second day, his children will not turn out to be thieves; 10 on the third day, his children will be eminent in vedic knowledge; 11 on the fourth day, he will become rich in small animals; 12 on the fifth day, his children will turn out to be boys, and he will have a lot of offspring and not die childless; 13 on the sixth day, he will be adept at traveling and gambling; 14 on the seventh day, he will be successful in agriculture; 15 on the eighth day, he will become prosperous; 16 on the ninth day, he will acquire one-hoofed animals; 17 on the tenth day, he will be successful in business; 18 on the eleventh day, he will acquire iron, tin, and lead; 19 on the twelfth day, he will become rich in cattle; 20 on the thirteenth day, he will have many sons and friends, and his children will be beautiful but die young; 21 on the fourteenth day, he will be successful in battle; 22 and on the fifteenth day, he will become prosperous. [A 2.16.4–22]

न च नक्तं श्राद्धं कुर्वीत ॥23 आरब्धे चअभोजनम् आ समापनात् ॥24 अन्यत्र राहुदर्शनात् ॥25

23 An ancestral offering should not be performed after nightfall, 24 and once it is started the performer should not eat until it is completed; 25 the only exception being when there is a lunar eclipse. [A 2.17.23–5]

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Baudhāyana

एकादश्यां द्वादश्यां वा श्राद्धकर्म ॥25 शेषक्रियायां लोकसनुरोद्धव्यः ॥26

25 The ancestral offering is performed either on the eleventh or the twelfth day. 26 With respect to other rites, one should follow local customs. [B 1.11.25–6]

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Vasiṣṭha

अपरपक्षेऊर्ध्वम्चतुर्थ्यास्पितृभ्यस्दद्यात् ॥16

16 He should offer oblations to the ancestors after the fourth day in the fortnight of the waning moon. [Va 11.16]

श्रावणीआग्रहायिण्योस्चअन्वष्टक्याम्च पितृभ्यस्दद्यात् ॥43 द्रव्यदेशब्राह्मणसन्निधाने वाअकालनियमः ॥44

43 He should make the ancestral offerings on the full-moon days of July-August and November-December and on the ninth day of the fortnight of the waning moon in the four lunar months between November and March. 44 When extraordinary materials or Brahmins or an extraordinary place is at hand, however, rules regarding the proper time do not apply. [Va 11.43–4]

दिवसस्यअष्टमे भागे मन्दीभवति भास्करः ॥36 स कालस्कुतपस्ज्ञेयस्पितॄणाम्दत्तम् अक्षयम् ॥36

36 During the eighth part of the day the sun moves slowly; this period is known as "midday"; and anything given to ancestors at this time becomes inexhaustible. [Va 11.36]

Āpastamba

तत्र द्रव्याणि तिलमाषा व्रीहियवा आपो मूलफलानि ॥23 स्नेहवति त्व् एवअन्ने तीव्रतरा पितृऋणां प्रीतिर् द्राघीयांसं च कालम् ॥24 तथा धर्मआहृतेन द्रव्येण तीर्थे प्रतिपन्नेन ॥25 संवत्सरं गव्येन प्रीतिः ॥26 भूयांसम् अतो माहिषेण ॥27 एतेन ग्राम्यअरण्यानां पशूनां मांसं मेध्यं व्याख्यातम् ॥28 खड्गौपस्तरणे खड्गमांसेनआनन्त्यं कालम् ॥1 तथा शतबलेर् मत्स्यस्य मांसेन ॥2 वार्ध्राणसस्य च ॥3

23 The materials used in this rite are sesame and beans, rice and barley, water, roots, and fruits. 24 When the food is made greasy, however, the gratification it gives the ancestors is more ample and lasts longer, 25 as also when one gives righteously acquired wealth to a worthy person. 26 With cow's meat their gratification lasts for a year, 27 and even longer than that with buffalo meat. 28 This rule makes clear that the meat of domestic and wild animals is fit to be offered. 1 With the meat of a rhinoceros offered on a rhinoceros skin, their gratification lasts an unlimited time, 2 as also with the flesh of the Satabali fish 3 and the Vārdhrāṇasa crane. [A 2.16.23–8; 2.17.1–3]

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Gautama

चानन्त्यम् । ॥15

15 By offering sesame, beans, rice, barley, and water, the ancestors are satisfied for a month; by offering fish or the meat of antelope, Ruru antelope, rabbit, turtle, boar, or sheep, for several years; by offering cow's milk or milk pudding, for twelve years; by offering the meat of a Vardhrinasa crane, sacred basil, or the meat of a goat, a red goat, or a rhinoceros, mixed with honey, for an unlimited time. [G 15.15]

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Vasiṣṭha

पिता पितामहस्चएव तथाएव प्रपितामहः ॥39 उपासते सुतम्जातम्शकुन्तासिव पिप्पलम् ॥39 मधुमांसैस्च शाकैस्च पयसा पायसेन च ॥40 एष नस्दास्यति श्राद्धम्वर्षासु च मघासु च ॥40

39–40 When a son is born, his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather hover around him, as birds around a fig tree, saying: "He will present ancestral offerings to us with honey, meat, vegetables, milk, and milk-rice pudding during the rainy seasons and the Magha constellation". [Va 11.39–40]

Āpastamba

प्रयतः प्रसन्नमनाः सृष्टो भोजयेद् ब्राह्मणान् ब्रह्मविदो योनिगोत्रमन्त्रअन्तेवासीअसंबन्धान् ॥4 गुणहान्यां तु परेषां समुदेतः सोदर्यो ऽअपि भोजयितव्यः ॥5 एतेनअन्तेवासिनो व्याख्याताः ॥6 अथअप्य् उदाहरन्ति संभोजनी

नाम पिशाचभिक्षा नएषा पितृऋन् गच्छति नौत देवान् इहएव सा चरति क्षीणपुण्या शालाअन्तरे गौर् इव नष्टवत्सा ॥7–8 ? इहएव संभुञ्जती दक्षिणा कुलात् कुलं विनश्यतिइति ॥9 तुल्यगुणेषु वयोवृद्धः श्रेयान् द्रव्यकृशश् चईप्सन् ॥10

4 Pure and with a composed mind and firm resolve, he should feed Brahmins well versed in the Vedas, Brahmins who are not related to him by blood or lineage, or by a relationship established by sacrifice or pupilage. 5 But if outsiders lack the required qualities, he should feed a man who possesses them, be it his own full brother. 6 This rule clarifies the issue also with respect to pupils. 7 Now, they also quote: 8 "'Feeding-one-another' is the name of almsfood given to ghouls. It reaches neither ancestors nor gods. Bereft of merit, it wanders in this very world, like a cow, her calf dead, wandering among the corrals. 9 The meaning is: gifts of food that are eaten by one another, going from one house to the other, perish in this very world. 10 Among those possessing equal qualities, an older person is better, as also a poor person who desires to attend. [A 2.17.4–10]

श्वित्रः शिपिविष्टः परतल्पगाम्य् आयुधीयपुत्रः शूद्रौत्पन्नो ब्राह्मण्याम् इत्य् एते श्राद्धे भुञ्जानाः पङ्क्तिदूषणा भवन्ति ॥21 त्रिमधुः त्रिसुपर्णः त्रिणाचिकेतश् चतुर्मेधः पञ्चाग्निर् ज्येष्ठसामगो वेदअध्याय्य् अनूचानपुत्रः श्रोत्रिय इत्य् एते श्राद्धे भुञ्जानाः पङ्क्तिपावना भवन्ति ॥22

21 A leper, a bald man, an adulterer, and a son of a Brahmin soldier or of a Sūdra by a Brahmin woman-these, when they eat at an ancestral offering, defile those alongside whom they eat. 22 A man who knows the three "Honey" verses, a man who knows the Trisuparṇa, an expert in the three Naciketa fire altars, an expert in the four types of sacrifices, a man who maintains the five sacred fires, a man who sings the Jyestha Samans, a man who recites the Veda, a son of a vedic savant, and a vedic scholar-these, when they eat at an ancestral offering, purify those alongside whom they eat. [A 2.17.21–2]

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Gautama

शक्तितः प्रकर्षेद् गुणसंस्कारविधिर् अन्नस्य । ॥6 नवावरान् भोजयेद् अयुजः । ॥7 यथोत्साहं वा । ॥8 श्रोत्रियान् वाग्रूपवयःशीलसंपन्नान् । ॥9 युवभ्यो दानं प्रथमम् । ॥10 एके पितृवत् । ॥11 न च तेन मित्रकर्म कुर्यात् । ॥12 पुत्राभावे सपिण्डा मातृसपिण्डाः शिष्याश् च दद्युः । ॥13 तदभाव ऋत्विगाचार्यौ । ॥14

6 One should obtain the best possible food, get it prepared to the best of one's ability, 7 and feed an uneven number of Brahmins-but at least nine 8 or as many as he can afford- 9 Brahmins who are vedic scholars, gifted with eloquence and beauty, mature in years, and virtuous. 10 It is best to feed people who are young; 11 according to some, they should be of the same age as the deceased ancestor. 12 One should not use this rite to strike a friendship. 13 In the absence of a son, those belonging to the same ancestry, those belonging to the same ancestry as his mother, or his pupils should make the ancestral offering; 14 and if even these are unavailable, his officiating priest or teacher. [G 15.6–14]

। ॥16 उपपतिः । ॥17 यस्य च सः । ॥17 । ॥18 पित्रा वाकामेन विभक्तान् । ॥19 शिष्यांश् चैके सगोत्रांश् च । ॥20 भोजयेद् ऊर्ध्वं त्रिभ्यः । ॥21 गुणवन्तम् । ॥21

16 He should not feed the following: a thief; a man who is impotent; an outcaste; an infidel or a man who lives like an infidel; someone who has relinquished his sacred fires; someone who has married a younger sister with an unmarried older sister or an older sister whose younger sister is already married; someone who officiates at the sacrifices of women or a group of men; a goat herder; someone who has given up fire sacrifices, drinks liquor, or behaves improperly; a false witness; a door-keeper; 17 the lover of a married woman and that woman's husband; 18 someone who eats the food of a man born from an adulterous union or sells Soma; an arsonist; a poisoner; a man who has broken his vow of an chastity as a student; someone who is in the service of a guild; someone who has sex with a forbidden woman; a sadist; a man whose younger brother gets married before him or who gets married before his older brother; someone whose younger brother has set up the ritual fires before him or who has set up the ritual fires before his older brother; someone who is suicidal; a man who is bald-headed or has bad nails, black teeth, or white leprosy; the son of a remarried woman; a gambler; someone who does not engage in the soft recitation of prayers; a servant of the king; someone who cheats by using false weights and measures; the husband of a Śūdra woman; someone who neglects the recitation of his Veda; a man with spotted leprosy; a usurer; someone who lives as a merchant or artisan; someone who is fond of archery, playing music, keeping the beat at performances, dancing, and singing; 19 and those who have divided the paternal estate against their father's wishes. 20 According to some, he may invite his pupils and people belonging to his ancestry, 21 He should feed more than three persons, or a single distinguished person. [G 15.16–21]

स्नातको मन्त्रब्राह्मणविद् धर्मज्ञोब्रह्मदेयानुसंतान इति । ॥28 हविःषु चैवम् । ॥29 दुर्बालादीन् श्राद्ध एकैके । ॥30

28 These are the persons who purify those alongside whom they eat: a man who knows the six Vedic Supplements; a man who sings the Jyestha Samans; an expert in the three Naciketa fire altars; a man who knows the three "Honey" verses; a man who knows the Trisuparna; a man who maintains the five sacred fires; a bath-graduate; a man who knows the vedic Hymns and Brāhmaṇa texts; a man who knows the Law; and a descendent from a line of vedic scholars. 29 The above rules apply also to sacrificial offerings. 30 According to some, however, the prohibition of a bald man and those listed after him applies only to ancestral offerings. [G 15.28–30]

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Baudhāyana

त्रिमधुः त्रिणाचिकेतः त्रिसुपर्णः पञ्चअग्निःषडङ्गवित्शीर्षको ज्येष्ठसामकः स्नातक इति पङ्क्तिपावनाः ॥2 तदभावे रहस्यवित् ॥3 ऋचो यजूंषि सामानिइति श्राद्धस्य महिमा तस्मादेवंविदं सपिण्डम् अप्य् आशयेत् ॥4

2 A man who knows the three "Honey" verses; an expert in the three Nāciketa fire altars; a man who knows the Trisuparṇa; a man who maintains the five sacred fires; a man who knows the six Vedic Supplements; a man who performs the "Head" vow; a man who sings the Jyeṣṭha Sāmans; and a bath-graduate—these purify the people alongside whom they eat. 3 When such individuals are not available, he may invite a man who knows the secret texts. 4 Ṛg verses, Yajus formulas, and Sāman chants are the glory of an ancestral offering. He should, therefore, feed a man who knows them, even if he happens to belong to his own ancestry. [B 2.14.2–4]

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Vasiṣṭha

पूर्वेद्युस्ब्राह्मणान् सन्निपात्य यतीन् गृहस्थान् साधून् वाअपरिणतवयसस्विकर्मस्थान्श्रोत्रियान् अशिष्यान् अनन्तेवासिनः ॥17 शिष्यान् अपि गुणवतस्भोजयेत् ॥18 नग्नशुक्लक्लीबअन्धश्यावदन्तकुष्ठिकुनखिवर्जम् ॥19 अथअपिउदाहरन्ति ॥20 अथ चेत्मन्त्रविद् युक्तस्शारीरैस्पङ्क्तिदूषणैः ॥20 अदुष्यम्तम्यमस्प्राह पङ्क्तिपावनसेव सः ॥20

17 Having issued invitations to the Brahmins the day before, he should feed ascetics or virtuous householders who are not too old, do not follow bad occupations, and are vedic scholars, and who neither have been his pupils nor are living with him as pupils; 18 or he may even feed his pupils who possess fine qualities, 19 but avoid people who go naked, suffer from white leprosy, are impotent or blind, have black teeth, suffer from black leprosy, or have bad nails. Now, they also quote: "If, however, a man who knows the Veda is afflicted with bodily defects that defile those alongside whom he eats, Yama has proclaimed him faultless; he undoubtedly purifies those alongside whom he eats." [Va 11.17–20]

सत्क्रियाम्देशकालौ च शौचम्ब्राह्मणसंपदम् ॥28 पञ्चएतान् विस्तरस्हन्ति तस्मात्

तम्परिवर्जयेत् ॥28 अपि वा भोजयेतेकम्ब्राह्मणम्वेदपारगम् ॥29 श्रुतशीलौपसंपन्नम्सर्वअलक्षणवर्जितम् ॥29

28 A large number is detrimental to five things: offering proper hospitality, doing things at the right place and the right time, carrying out purifications, and finding Brahmins of quality. Therefore, he should refrain from feeding a large number. 29 Or else, he may feed a single Brahmin who has mastered the Veda, is endowed with learning and virtue, and is free of any unfavorable bodily marks. [Va 11.28–9]

नियुक्तः तु यतिस्श्राद्धे दैवे वा मांसम् उत्सृजेत् ॥34 यावन्ति पशुरोमाणि तावत्नरकम् ऋच्छति ॥34 त्रीणि श्राद्धे पवित्राणि दौहित्रस्कुतपः तिलाः ॥35 त्रीणि चअत्र प्रशंसान्ति शौचम् अक्रोधम् अत्वराम् ॥35

34 If an ascetic invited to an offering to the ancestors or gods refuses to eat meat, he will go to hell for as many years as the number of hairs on that animal's body. 35 Three things purify an ancestral offering: a daughter's son, the midday, and sesame seeds. Three things they commend for it: purification, not being angry, and avoiding haste. [Va 11.34–5]

श्रोत्रियाय च देयानि हव्यकव्यानि नित्यशः ॥8 अश्रोत्रियाय दत्तम्हि पितॄन् नएति न देवताः ॥8 यस्य चएकगृहे मूर्खस्दूरे वाअपि बहुश्रुतः ॥9 बहुश्रुताय दातव्यम्नअस्ति मूर्खे व्यतिक्रमः ॥9

8 Offerings meant for gods or ancestors should always be given only to a learned Brahmin, for what is given to one who is not a learned Brahmin reaches neither the gods nor the ancestors. 9 Even if a learned man lives far away, while a fool lives in one's own house, one should give a gift to the learned man; one does not incur the sin of neglecting a Brahmin when the man is a fool. [Va 3.8–9]

Āpastamba

पूर्वेद्युर् निवेदनम् ॥11 अपरेद्युर् द्वितीयम् ॥12 तृतीयम् आमन्त्रणम् ॥13 त्रिःप्रायम् एके श्राद्धम् उपदिशन्ति ॥14 यथा प्रथमम् एवं द्वितीयं तृतीयं च ॥15 सर्वेषु ॥16 उदीच्यवृत्तिः त्व् आसनगतानां हस्तेषुउदपात्रआनयनम् ॥17 उद्ध्रियताम् अग्नौ च क्रियताम् इत्य् आमन्त्रयते ॥18 कामम् उद्ध्रियतां कामम् अग्नौ क्रियताम् इत्य् अत्तिसृष्ट उद्धरेत्जुहुयात्च ॥19 श्वभिर् अपपात्रैश् च श्राद्धस्य दर्शनं परिचक्षते ॥20

11 On the day before the rite he issues the invitations to the Brahmins, 12 and the next day he issues a second invitation. 13 The third invitation consists of summoning them. 14 Some assert that everything at an ancestral offering is repeated three times: 15 everything is repeated a second and a third time exactly as it was done the first time. 16 After all the offerings have been made, he should cut off portions from all and eat a tiny lump of the remainder in the prescribed manner. 17 It is the custom of northerners, however, to pour water taken from the pot into the cupped hands of the seated Brahmins. 18 He addresses them: "Let me take out some food. Let me offer it in the fire." 19 "Take it out as you wish. Offer it in the fire as you wish." After he has been given leave in this manner, he should take it out and offer it in the fire. 20 Letting degraded dogs or people look at an ancestral offering is condemned. [A 2.17.11–20]

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Gautama

श्वचाण्डालपतितावेक्षणे दुष्टम् । ॥24 तस्मात् परिश्रिते दद्यात् । ॥25 तिलैर् वा विकिरेत् । ॥26 पङ्क्तिपावनो वा शमयेत् । ॥27

24 An ancestral offering is ruined if it is seen by a dog, a Cāṇḍāla, or an outcaste. 25 Therefore, he should offer it in an enclosed place; 26 alternatively he should scatter sesame seeds over the offering, 27 or a man who purifies those alongside whom he eats may remove the defilement. [G 15.24–7]

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Baudhāyana

राक्षोघ्नानि च सामानि स्वधावन्ति यजूंषि च ॥5 मध्वृचोअथ पवित्राणि श्रावयेद् आशयन्शनैः ॥5 चरणवतोअनूचानान् योनिगोत्रमन्त्रअसंबद्धान्शुचीन् मन्त्रवतः त्र्यवरान् अयुजः पूर्वेद्युः प्रातर् एववा निमन्त्र्य सदर्भौपकॢप्तेष्व् आसनेषु प्राङ्मुखान् उपवेशयत्युदङ्मुखान् वा ॥6 अथएनांः तिलमिश्रा अपः प्रतिग्राह्य गन्धैर् माल्यैश्चअलंकृत्य अग्नौ करिष्यामिइति अनुज्ञातोग्निम् उपसमाधायसंपरिस्तीर्यआअग्निमुखात् कृत्वाअन्नस्यएव तिस्र आहुतीर् जुहोति सोमाय पितृपीताय स्वधा नमः स्वाहा यमायअङ्गिरस्वते पितृमते स्वधा नमः स्वाहा अग्नयेकव्यवाहनाय स्विष्टकृते स्वधा नमः स्वाहाइति ॥7 तत्शेषेणअन्नम् अभिघार्यअन्नस्यएता एव तिस्रो जुहुयात् ॥8 वयसां पिण्डं दद्यात् ॥9 वयसां हि पितरः प्रतिमया चरन्तिइति विज्ञायते ॥10 अथैतरत् सअङ्गुष्ठेन पाणिनाअभिमृशति ॥11 पृथिवीसमन्तस्य तेअग्निरुपद्रष्टाऋचः ते महिमा दत्तस्यअप्रमादाय पृथिवी ते पात्रं द्यौरपिधानं ब्रह्मणः त्वा मुखे जुहोमि ब्राह्मणानां त्वा विद्यावतांप्राणअपानयोर् जुहोम्य् अक्षितम् असि मा पित्क़्णां क्षेष्ठा अमुत्रअमुष्मिंलोक इति ॥12 अन्तरिक्षसमन्तस्य ते वायुरुपश्रोता यजूंषि ते महिमा दत्तस्यअप्रमादाय पृथिवी ते पात्रंद्यौर् अपिधानं ब्रह्मणः त्वा मुखे जुहोमि ब्राह्मणानां त्वाविद्यावतां प्राणअपानयोर् जुहोम्य् अक्षितम् असि मा पितामहानांक्षेष्ठा अमुत्रअमुष्मिं लोक इति ॥12 द्युसमन्तस्य त आदित्योअनुख्यातासामानि ते महिमा दत्तस्य अप्रमादाय पृथिवी ते पात्रं द्यौरपिधानं ब्रह्मणः त्वा मुखे जुहोमि ब्राह्मणानां त्वा विद्यावतांप्राणअपानयोर् जुहोम्य् अक्षितम् असि मा प्रपितामहानां क्षेष्ठाअमुत्रअमुष्मिं लोक इति ॥12 अथ वै भवति ॥1 अग्नौ करणशेषेण तद् अन्नम् अभिघारयेत् ॥2 निरङ्गुष्ठं तु यद् दत्तं न तत् प्रीणाति वै पित्क़्न् ॥2 उभयोः शाखयोर् मुक्तं पितृभ्योअन्नं निवेदितम् ॥3 तद् अन्तरम् उपासन्ते असुरा दुष्टचेतसः ॥3 यातुधानाः पिशाचाश् च प्रतिलुम्पन्ति तथविः ॥4 तिलदाने ह्य् अदायाश् च तथा क्रोधवशेअसुराः ॥4 काषायवासा यान् कुरुते जपहोमप्रतिग्रहान् ॥5 न तद् देवंगमं भवति हव्यकव्येषुयथविः ॥5 यच् च दत्तम् अनङ्गुष्ठं यच् चएव प्रतिगृह्यते ॥6 आचामति च यः तिष्ठन् न स तेन समृध्यते इति ॥6 आद्यन्तयोर् अपां प्रदानं सर्वत्र ॥7 जयप्रभृति यथाविधानम् ॥8 शेषम् उक्तम् अष्टकाहोमे ॥9 द्वौ दैवे पितृकार्ये त्रीन् एकैकम् उभयत्र वा ॥10 भोजयेत् सुसमृद्धोअपि न प्रसज्येत विस्तरे ॥10 सत्क्रियां देशकालौ च शौचं ब्राह्मणसंपदम् ॥11 पञ्चएतान् विस्तरो हन्ति तस्मात् तं परिवर्जयेत् ॥11 उरस्तः पितरः तस्य वामतश् च पितामहाः ॥12 दक्षिणतः प्रपितामहाः पृष्ठतः पिण्डतर्ककाः इति ॥12

5 As he feeds them, he should get them to listen successively to the "Fiend-killing" Samans, the "Svadha-containing" Yajus formulas, and "Honey" Rg verses. 6 On the day before or on that very morning, he should invite an uneven number of persons, at least three, who are of good conduct and vedic savants, who are not related by marriage or ancestry, or by a relationship established by sacrifice, and who are upright and learned in the Vedas. He gets them to sit facing the east or the north on seats covered with Darbha grass. 7 Then he presents them with water mixed with sesame seeds, adorns them with perfumes and necklaces, and says, "I will make a fire offering." After they have given him permission, he puts wood into the sacred fire, spreads sacred grass around it, completes the rites up to the Agnimukha, and offers three oblations of that very food in the fire, saying: "To Soma, who has absorbed the ancestors, Svadha! Homage! Svaha! To Yama, accompanied by Angirases and ancestors, Svadhā! Homage! Svāhā! To Fire, who conveys the offering, who makes the offering flawless, Svadha! Homage! Svaha!" 8 The above three offerings should be made only with food that has been sprinkled with the remaining ghee. 9 He should give a lump of rice to crows, 10 for it is stated: "Ancestors roam about in the guise of crows." 11 Then he touches the remaining food with his hand and thumb, reciting these formulas: 12 "You are as vast as the earth-the fire sees you, and the Rg-verses are your glory to forestall any error in giving you. The earth is your bowl, and the sky is your lid. I offer you in the mouth of Brahman. I offer you in the out-breath and in-breath of learned Brahmins. You are inexhaustible. May you never be exhausted for my fathers over there in that world. You are as vast as mid-space-the wind hears you, and the Yajus formulas are your glory to forestall any error in giving you. The earth is your bowl, and the sky is your lid. I offer you in the mouth of Brahman. I offer you in the out-breath and in-breath of learned Brahmins. You are inexhaustible. May you never be exhausted for my grandfathers over there in that world. You are as vast as the sky-the sun discloses you, and the Saman chants are your glory to forestall any error in giving you. The earth is your bowl, and the sky is your lid. I offer you in the mouth of Brahman. I offer you in the out-breath and in-breath of learned Brahmins. You are inexhaustible. May you never be exhausted for my great-grandfathers over there in that world." 1 Now, these do indeed happen- 2 He should sprinkle that food with the ghee remaining after the fire oblations. When food is given without touching it with the thumb, it does not gladden the ancestors at all. 3 With perverse minds the demons surely wait for their chance nearby when someone offers food to the ancestors without using both hands. Goblins and ghouls snatch that offering-but they do not get a share when sesame seeds are scattered; and demons snatch it when he is overcome by anger. 5 When someone engages in the soft recitation of prayers, performs a sacrifice, or accepts a gift dressed in ochre clothes-an oblation made in this way at a rite to gods or ancestors does not reach its deity. 6 When someone gives or receives food without touching it with the thumb or sips water standing, he does not reap its benefits. 7 At the beginning and the end, water should be given to each guest. 8 Rites beginning with the Jaya offering are to be performed following the procedure laid down, 9 whereas the rules for the other rites are given under the Astaka offering on the eighth-day after the full moon. 10 He should feed two at an offering to the gods and three at an offering to ancestors, or one at either offering. Even a rich man should not indulge in feeding a larger number. 11 A large number is detrimental to five things: offering proper hospitality, doing things at the right place and the right time, carrying out purifications, and finding Brahmins of quality. Therefore, he should refrain from feeding a large number. 12 In front of him he feeds his fathers, to his left his grandfathers, to his right his great-grandfathers, and behind him the supplicants for morsels. [B 2.14–5–12; 2.15.1–12]

एकादश्यां द्वादश्यां वा श्राद्धकर्म ॥25 शेषक्रियायां लोकसनुरोद्धव्यः ॥26

25 The ancestral offering is performed either on the eleventh or the twelfth day. 26 With respect to other rites, one should follow the local customs. [B 1.11.25–6]

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Vasiṣṭha

श्राद्धे नौद्वासनीयानि उच्छिष्टानिआ दिनक्षयात् ॥21 श्च्योतन्ते हि सुधाधाराः तास्पिबन्तिअकृतौदकाः ॥21 उच्छिष्टम्न प्रमृज्यात् तु यावत्नअस्तमितस्रविः ॥22 क्षीरधाराः ततस्यान्तिअक्षय्यास्सञ्चरभागिनः ॥22 प्राक् संस्कारात् प्रमीतानाम्स्ववंश्यानाम् इति स्थितिः ॥23 भागधेयम्मनुस्प्राह उच्छिष्टौच्छेषणे उभे ॥23 उच्छेषणम्भूमिगतम्विकिरम्लेपनौदकम् ॥24 अन्नम्प्रेतेषु विसृजेतप्रजानाम् अनायुषाम् ॥24 उभयोस्हस्तयोस्मुक्तम्पितृभ्यसन्नम्निवेदितम् ॥25 ततन्तरम्प्रतीक्षन्ते हिअसुरास्दुष्टचेतसः ॥25 तस्मातशून्यहस्तेन कुर्यातन्नम् उपागतम् ॥26 भोजनम्वा समालभ्य तिष्ठेतौच्छेषणे उभे ॥26 द्वौ दैवे पितृकृत्ये त्रीन् एकैकम् उभयत्र वा ॥27 भोजयेत् सुसमृद्धसपि न प्रसज्जेत विस्तरे ॥27

21 At an ancestral offering the leftovers should not be removed until the end of the day, for streams of nectar ooze from them, which are drunk by those who have not been offered libations of water. 22 One should not clean up the leftovers until the sun has set; rich streams of milk flow from them meant for those who get their share with difficulty. 23 Both the leftovers and the fallen fragments, Manu has declared, are, according to scripture, the share of those who have died before their initiation, together with the servants. 24 Fragments fallen on the ground, what is scattered, and the wet smearings he should offer to those among the dead who were young and without offspring. 25 With perverse minds the demons surely wait for their chance nearby when someone offers food to the ancestors without using both hands. 26 Let him, therefore, not serve the food that is brought with either hand empty; or let a wise man stand holding the plate until remnants have been produced. 27 He should feed two at an offering to the gods and three at an offering to ancestors, or one at either offering. Even a rich man should not indulge in feeding a larger number. ... 30–1 How can an offering to the gods be made at an ancestral offering where just one man is fed? Taking some from all the prepared food and putting it in a bowl, he should place it in a temple and then continue with the ancestral offering. He should throw that food in the fire, however, or give it to a student. 32 The ancestors will eat as long as the food is warm, the diners eat in silence, and no comment is made about the quality of the oblation. 33 No comment must be made on the quality of the oblation until the ancestors have been sated. After the ancestors have been sated, they should say "The oblation was exquisite!" [Va 11.21–27, 30–33]

स्वदितम् इति पित्र्ये ॥70

70 At ancestral offerings [he should pay homage] by saying "I have eaten well!" [Va 3.70]

Āpastamba

नित्यश्राद्धम् ॥5 बहिर् ग्रामात्शुचयः शुचौ देशे संस्कुर्वन्ति ॥6 तत्र नवानि द्रव्याणि ॥7 यैर् अन्नं संस्क्रियते येषु च भुज्यते ॥8 तानि च भुक्तवद्भ्यो दद्यात् ॥9 समुदेतांश् च भोजयेत् ॥10 न चअतद्गुणायौच्छिष्टं प्रयच्छेत् ॥11 एवं संवत्सरम् ॥12 तेषाम् उत्तमं लोहेनअजेन कार्यम् ॥13 मानं च कारयेत् प्रतिच्छन्नम् ॥14 तस्यौत्तरअर्धे ब्राह्मणान् भोजयेत् ॥15 उभयान् पश्यति ब्राह्मणांश् च भुञ्जानान् माने च पितृऋन् इत्य् उपदिशन्ति ॥16 कृतअकृतम् अत ऊर्ध्वम् ॥17 श्राद्धेन हि तृप्तिं वेदयन्ते पितरः ॥18

5 Next, the daily ancestral offering. 6 Men who are upright should cook the food at a clean spot outside the village. 7 New vessels are used for this purpose, both the vessels in which the food is cooked and those out of which it is eaten. 9 And he should give them away to those who have partaken of the meal. 10 He should feed only individuals who possess the required qualities 11 and not give any leftover food to anyone who does not possess the same qualities. 12 He should do this for a year. 13 The last of these offerings should be made with the meat of a red goat. 14 He should have a screened altar constructed 15 and feed the Brahmins on its northern side. 16 They point out that in this way he sees both the Brahmins eating and his ancestors gathered at the altar. 17 Thereafter, he may either continue to do it or stop, 18 for the ancestors let him know that the ancestral offering has satisfied them. [A 2.18.5–18]

Āpastamba

नैय्यमिकं तु श्राद्धं स्नेहवद् एव दद्यात् ॥17 सर्पिर् मांसम् इति प्रथमः कल्पः ॥18 अभावे तैलं शाकम् इति ॥19 मघासु चअधिकं श्राद्धकल्पेन सर्पिर् ब्राह्मणान् भोजयेत् ॥20 मासिश्राद्धे तिलानां द्रोणं द्रोणं येनौपायेन शक्नुयात् तेनौपयोजयेत् ॥1 समुदेतांश् च भोजयेन् न चअतद्गुणायौच्छिष्टम् दद्युः ॥2

17 The obligatory ancestral offering, however, should be made only with greasy food. 18 The first alternative is to use ghee and meat, 19 but when these are unavailable sesame oil and vegetables may be used. 20 During the constellation Magha, moreover, he should use a greater amount of ghee when feeding Brahmins according to the rules of ancestral offerings. 1 At a monthly ancestral offering he should use one measure each of sesame seeds in whatever manner he is able. 2 He should feed only individuals who possess the required qualities, and not give any leftover food to anyone who does not possess the same qualities. [A 2.19.17–20; 2.20.1–2]