Sacred Laws of Aryas

SR No.: 007687
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Gorge Buhler
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1897
Total Pages: 1979
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 36 MB

Page 322

XV, 9.
FUNERAL OBLATIONS.
255
CHAPTER XV. 1. Now (follow the rules regarding) funeral oblations (Sraddha).
2. He shall offer (them) to the Manes on the day of the new moon,
3. Or in the dark half (of the month) after the fourth (lunar day),
4. Or on any day (of the dark half) according to (the results he may) desire ;
5. Or if (particularly appropriate) materials or (particularly holy) Brahmanas are at hand, or (the sacrificer is) near a (particularly sacred) place, no restriction as to time (need be observed):
6. Let him select as good food as he can afford, and have it prepared as well as possible.
7. He shall feed an uneven number (of Brâhmanas), at least nine,
8. Or as many as he is able (to entertain). 9. (Let him feed such as are) Srotriyas and
XV. 1. The word "now" indicates that a new topic begins.'—Haradatta. The rules now following refer in the first instance to the Pârvana or monthly Sraddha, but most of them serve also as general rules for all the numerous varieties of funeral sacrifices.
2. Manu III, 122 ; Yâgñavalkya I, 217. 3. Âpastamba II, 7, 16, 6. 4. Apastamba II, 7, 16, 6-22.
5. Some of the most famous among the places where the performance of a Sraddha is particularly efficacious and meritorious are Gayâ in Bihar, Pushkara or Pokhar near Agmîr, the Kurukshetra near Dehli, Nâsika on the Godavarî. Pilgrims or persons passing through such places may and must perform a Sraddha on any day of the month. 7. Yâgñavalkya I, 227.
8. See also below, Sûtra 21. 9. Âpastamba II, 7, 17,4. Haradatta explains vâk, eloquence,' by ability to speak Sanskrit,' rûpa, 'beauty,' by 'the proper number of limbs,' and vayahsampanna, 'of (suitable) age,' by 'not too young.'
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