युधिष्ठिर उवाच केन संकल्पितं श्राद्धं कस्मिन् काले किमात्मकम्। भृग्वगिरसिके काले मुनिना कतरेण वा॥
Yudhishthira said By whom was the Shraddha first conceived and at what time? What also is its substance? In the time when the world was inhabited by only the descendants of Bhrigu and Angirasa who was the Muni who established the Shraddha?
कानि श्राद्धानि वानि कानि मूलफलानि च। धान्यजात्यश्च का वास्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह॥
What deeds should not be done at Shraddha? What are those Shraddhas in which fruits and roots are to be offered? What kinds also of paddy should be avoided in Shraddhas? Tell me all this, O grandfather.
भीष्म उवाच यथा श्राद्धं सम्प्रवृत्तं यस्मिन् काले यदात्मकम्। येन संकल्पितं चैव तन्मे शृणु जनाधिप॥
Bhishma said Listen to me, O kine, as I tell you how the Shraddha was introduced, the time of such introduction, the essence of the rite, and the ascetic who conceived it.
स्वायम्भुवोऽत्रिः कौरव्य परमर्षिः प्रतापवान्। तस्य वंशे महाराज दत्तात्रेय इति स्मृतः॥
Form the SelfCreate Brahman sprang Atri, O you of Kuru's race. In Atri's family was born a Muni named Dattatreya.
दत्तात्रेयस्य पुत्रोऽभून्निमि म तपोधनः। निमेश्चाप्यभवत् पुत्रः श्रीमान्नाम श्रिया वृतः॥
Dattatreya got a son named Nimi having asceticism for wealth. Nimi got a son named Shrimat who was gifted with great beauty of person.
पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रान्ते स कृत्वा दुष्करं तपः। कालधर्मपरीतात्मा निधनं समुपागतः॥
Upon the expiration of a full thousand years, Shrimat having practised the practised the severest austerities, yielded to the influence of Time and departed from this world.
निमिस्तु कृत्वा शौचानि विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा। संतापमगमत् तीवं पुत्रशोकपरायणः॥
His father Nimi, having performed the purificatoy rites according to sanctioned rites, because stricken with great grief, thinking continually of the loss of his son.
अथ कृत्वोपहार्याणि चतुर्दश्यां महामतिः। तमेव गणयशोकं विरात्रे प्रत्यबुध्यत॥
Thanking of that cause of sorrow, the great Nimi collected together various agreeable objects on the fourteenth day of the moon. The next morning he rose from bed.
तस्यासीत् प्रतिबुद्धस्य शोकेन व्यथितात्मनः। मनः संवृत्य विषये बुद्धिर्विस्तारगामिनी॥
Stricken as his heart was with grief, as he rose from sleep that day he succeeded in withdrawing it from the one object upon which it had been working. His mind became busy with other matters.
ततः संचिन्तयामास श्राद्धकल्पं समाहितः। यानि तस्यैव भोज्यानि मूलानि च फलानि च॥ उक्तानि यानि चान्नानि यानि चेष्टानि तस्य ह। तानि सर्वाणि मनसा विनिश्चित्य तपोधनः॥
With rapt attention he then conceived the idea of a Shraddha. All those articles of his own fond, containing fruits and roots, and all those kinds of staple grains which he liked, were carefully thought of by that sage having penances for wealth.
अमावास्यां महाप्राज्ञो विप्रानानाय्या पूजितान्। दक्षिणावर्तिकाः सर्वा बृसीः स्वयमथाकरोत्॥
On the day of the New Moon he invited a number of worthy Brahmanas. Gifted with great wisdom, Nimi made them sit on seats and honoured them by going round thein.
सप्त विप्रांस्ततो भोज्ये युगपत् समुपानयत्। ऋते च लवणं भोज्यं श्यामाकानं ददौ प्रभुः॥
Approaching seven such Brahmanas whom he had brought to his house together, the powerful Nimi gave them food consisting of Shyamaka rice, unmixed with salt.
दक्षिणाग्रास्ततो दर्भा विष्टरेषु निवेशिताः। पादयोश्चैव विप्राणां ये त्वन्नमुपभुञ्जत॥
Towards the feet of those Brahmanas engaged in eating the food that was served to them a number of Kusha blades was spread out, on the seats they occupied, with the tops of the blades directed towards the south.
कृत्वा च दक्षिणाग्रान् वै दर्भान् स प्रयतः शुचिः। प्रददौ श्रीमतः पिण्डान् नामगोत्रमुदाहरन्।॥
With a pure body and mind and with rapt attention, Niini, having placed those blades of sacred grass in the way indicated, offered cakes of rice to his dead son, uttering his name and family.
तत् कृत्वा स मुनिश्रेष्ठो धर्मसंकरमात्मनः। पश्चात्तापेन महता तप्यमानोऽभ्यचिन्तयत्॥
Having done this, that foremost of ascetics became filled with regret at the idea of having done a deed that had not been laid down in any of the scriptures. Indeed, filled with regret, he began to think of what he had done.
अकृतं मुनिभिः पूर्वं किं मयेदमनुष्ठितम्। कथं नु शापेन न मां दहेयुर्ब्राह्मणा इति॥
Never done before by the ascetics, alas, what have I done! How shall I avoid being cursed by the Brahmanas?
ततः संचिन्तयामास वंशकर्तारमात्मनः। ध्यातमात्रस्तथा चात्रिराजगाम तपोधनः॥
He then thought of the original founder of his race. As soon as he was thought of, Atri having penances for wealth came there.
अथात्रिस्तं तथा दृष्ट्वा पुत्रशोकेन कर्षितम्। भृशमाश्वासयामास वाग्भिरिष्टाभिरव्ययः॥
Seeing him greatly stricken with grief consequent on the death of his son, the immortal Atri comforted him with agreeable advice.
निमे संकल्पिस्तेऽयं पितृयज्ञस्तपोधन। मा ते भूद् भीः पूर्वदृष्टो धर्मार्थं ब्रह्मणां स्वयम्॥
He said to him, O Nimi, this rite that you have conceived, is a sacrifice in honour of the departed Manes. Do not fear, O you, having asceticism for wealth. Formerly the Grandfather Brahman himself laid it down.
सोऽयं स्वयम्भुविहितो धर्मः संकल्पितस्त्वया। ऋते स्वयम्भुवः कोऽन्यः श्राद्धेयं विधिमाहरेत्॥
This rite that you have conceived, has been ordained by the SelfCreate himself. Who else save the SelfCreate could ordain this ritual in Shraddhas?
अथाख्यास्यामि ते पुत्र श्राद्धेयं विधिमुत्तमम्। स्वयम्भुविहितं पुत्र तत् कुरुष्व निबाध मे॥
I shall now tell you, O son, the excellent ordinance laid down in the Shraddhas. Ordained by the SelfCreate himself, O son follow it. Listen to me first.
कृत्वाग्नौ करणं पूर्व मन्त्रपूर्वं तपोधन। ततोऽग्नयेऽथ सोमाय वरुणाय च नित्यशः॥
Having first performed the Karna on the sacred fire with the help of Mantras, O you having penances for wealth, one should always pour libations next to the god of fire, and Soma, and Varuna.
विश्वेदेवाश्च ये नित्यं पितृभिः सह गोचराः। तेभ्यः संकल्पिता भागाः स्वयमेव स्वयम्भुवा॥
The Self Create next ordained a portion of the offerings to the Vishvedevas also, who are always the companions of the departed Manes.
स्तोतव्या चेह पृथिवी निवापस्येह धारिणी। वैष्णवी काश्यपी चेति तथैवहाक्षयेति च॥
The Earth also, as the goddess who sustains the offerings made at Shraddhas, should then be lauded under the names of Vaishnavi, Kashyapi, and the inexhaustible,
उदकानयने चैव स्तोतव्यो वरुणो विभुः। ततोऽग्निश्चैव सोमश्च आप्याय्याविह तेऽनघ॥
When water is being fatched for the Shraddha, the powerful god Varuna should be lauded. After this, both Agni and Soma should be invoked with respect and pleased (with libations), O sinless one.
देवास्तु पितरो नाम निर्मिता ये स्वयम्भुवा। उष्णपा ये महाभागास्तेषां भाग: प्रकल्पितः॥
Those deities named Pitris were created by the SelfCreate. Others also, highly blessed, viz., the Ushmapas, were created by him. For all these, shares have been sanctioned of the offerings made at Shraddhas.
ते श्राद्धनाच॑माना वै विमुच्यन्ते ह किल्बिषात्। सप्तकः पितृवंशस्तु पूर्वदृष्टः स्वयम्भुवा॥
By worshipping all those gods at Shraddhas, the ancestors of the persons performing them become purged of all sins. The departed Manes referred to above as those created by the SelfCreate are seven in number.
विश्वे चाग्निमुखा देवाः संख्याताः पूर्वमेव ते। तेषां नामानि वक्ष्यामि भागार्हाणां महात्मनाम्॥
The Vishvedevas, having Agni for their mouth, have been mentioned before. I shall now mention the names of those great deities who deserve shares of the offerings made at Shraddhas.
बलं धृतिर्विपाप्मा च पुण्यकृत् पावनस्तथा। पार्णिक्षमा समूहश्च दिव्यसानुस्तथैव च।॥ विवस्वान् वीर्यवान् ह्रीमान् कीर्तिमान् कृत एव च। जितात्मा मुनिवीर्यश्च दीप्तरोमा भयंकरः॥ अनुकर्मा प्रतीतश्च प्रदाताप्यंशुमांस्तथा। शैलाभः परमक्रोधी धीरोष्णी भूपतिस्तथा॥ स्रजो वज्री वरी चैव विश्वेदेवाः सनातनाः। विद्युद्वर्चा: सोमवर्चा: सूर्यश्रीश्चेति नामतः॥
They are Vala, Dhriti, Vipapma, Punyakrit, Pavana, Parshni. Kshemen, Samuha, Divyasanu, Vivasvat, Vivasvat, Virytavat, Hrimat, Kirtimat, Krita, Jitaman, Munivirtya, Diptroman, Bhayankara Anukarınan, Pratita, Pradatri, Angshumat, Shailabha, Parama, Krodhi, Dhiroshni, Bhupati, Shajas, Vajrin, and Vari, these are the eternal Vishvedevas, There are others also whose names Vidyutvarchas, Somavarchas, and Suryashree by name. are
सोमप: सूर्यसावित्री दत्तात्मा पुण्डरीयकः। उष्णीनाभो नभोदश्च विश्वायुर्दीप्तिरेव च॥ चमूहरः सुरेशश्च व्योमारिः शङ्करो भवः। ईशः कर्ता कृतिर्दक्षो भुवनो दिव्यकर्मकृत्॥ गणितः पञ्चवीर्यश्च आदित्यो रश्मिवांस्तथा। सप्तकृत् सोमवाश्च विश्वकृत् कविरेव च॥ अनुगोप्ता सुगोप्ता च नप्ता चेश्वर एव च। कीर्तितास्ते महाभागाः कालस्य गतिगोचराः॥
Others also are Somapa, Suryasavitra, Dattatman, Pundariyaka, Ushninabha, Nabhoda. Vishvayu, Dipti, Chamuhara, Suresha, Vyomari, Shankara, Bhava, Isha, Karttri, Kriti, Daksha, Bhuvana, Divyakarmakrit, Ganita, Panchaviryya, Aditya, Rashmimat, Saptakrit, Somavarchas, Vishvakrit, Kavi, Anugoptri, Sugoptri, Naptri, and Ishvara, these highly blessed ones are called Vishvedevas. They are eternal, and they know all that occurs in Time,
अश्राद्धेयानि धान्यानि कोद्रवाः पुलकास्तथा। हिंगुद्रव्येषु शाकेषु पलाण्डु लसुनं तथा॥ सौभाञ्जनः कोविदारस्तथा गृञ्जनकादयः। कूष्माण्डजात्यलाबुं च कृष्णं लवणमेव च।॥
Kodrava, and Pulaka are the species of paddy which should not be offered at Shraddhas. Asafoetida also, among articles used in coO king, should not be offered, as also onions and garlic's, the produce of the Moringa, pterygosperma, Bauhinia, Variegataa, the meat of animals killed with poisoned arrows, all varieties of Cucurbita Pepo, Cucurbita lagenaria, and black salt. All articles, again, upon which any one has spat or upon which tears have fallen should be avoided at Shraddhas.
ग्राम्यवाराहमांसं च यच्चैवाप्रोक्षितं भवेत्। कृष्णाजाजी विडश्चैव शीतपाकी तथैव च। अङ्कुराधास्तथा वा इह शृङ्गाटकानि च॥ वर्जयेल्लवणं सर्वं तथा जम्बूफलानि च। अवक्षुतावरुदितं तथा श्राद्धे च वर्जयेत्॥
The other articles that should not be offered at Shraddhas are the flesh of the domesticated hog, the meat of all animals not killed at sacrifices, Nigella sativa, salt of the variety called Vid, the potherb that is called Shitapaki, all sprouts and also the Trapa bispinosa. All kinds of salt should be excluded from the offerings made at Shraddhas, and also fruits of the Eugenia Jambolana.
निवापे हव्यकव्ये वा गर्हितं च सुदर्शनम्। पितरश्च हि देवाश्च नाभिनन्दन्ति तद्धविः॥
Among offerings made to the departed Manes or with the Havya and Kavya offered to the celestials, the potherb called Sudarshana should not be included. Havi mixed with this is not acceptable to the departed Manes.
चाण्डालश्यचौ वज्यौ निवापे समुपस्थिते। काषायवासाः कुष्ठी वा पतितो ब्रह्महापि वा॥ संकीर्णयोनिर्विप्रश्च सम्बन्धी पतितश्च यः। वर्जनीया बुधैरेते निवापे समुपस्थिते॥
From the place where the Shraddha is being performed, the Chandala and the Shvapacha should be excluded, as also all who wear yellow clothes and persons suffering from leprosy, or one who has bcen outcasted, or one who is guilty of Brahmanicide, or a Brahmana of mixed descent, or one who is the relative of an outcast man. These all should be excluded by wise persons from the place where a Shraddha is being performed.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा भगवान् स्ववंश्यं तमृर्षि पुरा। पितामहसभां दिव्यां जगामात्रिस्तपोधनः॥
Having said these words formerly to the Rishi Nimi of his own race, the illustrious Atri having penances for wealth then went back to the Grandfather's court in the celestial region.