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dana, “Oh twice-born ! persons of all the Varnas should on the eighth lunar day offer water, sesamum seeds, and rice, to Bhishma. If a Brahman, or man of any other caste, omit to make such offerings, the merit of his good deeds during the preceding year is annulled." According to a different reading of the text, however, it should be rendered : “Let all the twice-born castes make the oblations *." This excludes Súdras, but extends the duty to the Kshatriyas and Vaisyas as well as Brahmans. The intention of the rite, as now understood, is expressed in the formulæ uttered at the time of presenting the offerings: “I present this water to the childless hero Bhishma, of the race of Vyághrapada, the chief of the house of Sankriti. May Bhishma the son of Santanu, the speaker of truth and subjugator of his passions, obtain by this water the oblations due by sons and grandsons**." The simple nature of the offerings which are sufficient on such occasions, water and se
RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
*
[अष्टम्यां तु सिते पक्षे भीष्माय तु तिलोदकम् । अन्नं च विधिवद्दद्युः सर्वे वर्णा द्विजातयः ॥
सर्वे वर्णा इत्युपादानाद्ब्राह्मणशूद्र योरप्यधिकारः । ब्राह्मणाद्यास्तु ये वर्णा दद्युर्भीष्माय नो जलम् । संवत्सरकृतं पुण्यं तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति ॥
Sabdak.d., p. 2980 f. Hemadri ap. Nirnayasindhu, c. II, 74, a.]
**
[वैयाद्यपद्यगोत्राय साङ्कृत्यप्रवराय च । अपुत्राय ददाम्येतत्सर्लिलं भीष्मवर्मणे ॥
भीष्मः शान्तनवो वीरः सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः । आभिरद्भिरवाप्नोतु पुत्रपौत्रोचितां क्रियाम् ॥
Sabdak.d., p. 2981, a. Nirúayasindhu, c. II, p. 74, a. Pránatoshani, f. 172, b, 2.]
