King Pururavas, the son of Ila, ruled over the king¬ dom. He had six sons whose brilliance was equal to thatof Indra.

Translation not available.

These were the divine sons of UrvasI: Ayu, Mayu, Amayu, Visvayu the valorous, Satayu and Srutayu.

Translation not available.

We have heard the report that five heroic sons of great prowess were born to Ayus from Prabha, the daughter of Svarbhanu.

Hearing that the time of Sraddha has arrived, his manes will mentally communicate with each other and with the speed of the mind, they gather near him.

Nahusa was the eldest among them. He was aknower of Dharma and famous in all the worlds. Nahusa’s successors were five and in splendour they were comparable to Indra. Those highly powerful sons were born to Viraja, the daughter of Pitrs (Manes). They were Yati, Yayati, Sarhyati, Ayati and the fifth one Asvaka.

The Pitrs take food along with those Brahmanas, though they (themselves) are in firmament.^ They remain in their airy state. After taking food, they attain their greatest goal.

Nahusa was the eldest among them. He was aknower of Dharma and famous in all the worlds. Nahusa’s successors were five and in splendour they were comparable to Indra. Those highly powerful sons were born to Viraja, the daughter of Pitrs (Manes). They were Yati, Yayati, Sarhyati, Ayati and the fifth one Asvaka.

The Brahmanas who have been invited shall invariab¬ ly observe celibacy, be self-controlled when the time for the Sraddha has arrived.^

The person who performs Sraddha must certainly avoid anger, hurry, carelessness; should speak the truth and have concentration ofthe mind, refrain from carrying heavy weight, sexual intercourse and long journey.

Among those five, Yayati was the strongest and most valiant. He married DevayanI, the daughter of Usanas (Sukra).

If a Brahmana, invited by one accepts the invitation of another, he falls into the terrible hell and becomes a pig.

He married Sarmistha also, the Asura lady, the daughter of Vrsaparvan. DevayanI gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu.

Sarmistha gave birth to Druhyu, Anu and Puru. Superseding the eldest son Yadu though blameless, he crowned his youngest son Puru as he carried out the behests of his father.2 He directed his son Turvasu to rule over the South- Eastern part of his kingdom.

If the Brahmana (householder), after inviting one Brahmana for the Sraddha invites another also out of delusion he is a greater sinner. He is reborn as a worm in the faeces.

If a Brahmana invited for partaking of the Sraddha indulges in sexual intercourse, he incurs the sin of a Brahmana- slaughter. He is reborn as an animal.

Sarmistha gave birth to Druhyu, Anu and Puru. Superseding the eldest son Yadu though blameless, he crowned his youngest son Puru as he carried out the behests of his father.2 He directed his son Turvasu to rule over the South- Eastern part of his kingdom.

If a Brahmana invited for a Sraddha (accepts the invitation and) goes on a journey, the Pitrs of the wicked Brahmana subsist on sinful food that month.

The king entrusted the South-western territory to the care of the eldest son Yadu. He appointed Druhyu and Anu tn rule over the western and northern territories respectively.

If a Brahmana, invited for a Sraddha were to quarrel, the Pitrs of that Brahmana become the eaters of filth that month.

The whole of this Earth was righteously ruled by them. The king of great fame, thereafter, went to the forest accompanied by his wife.

Yadu too had five sons comparable to the sons of Devas. They were Sahasrajit, the most excellent Krostii, Nila, Jina and Raghu.

Hence, the Brahmana invitee for a Sraddha should control himself, be free from anger and devoted to cleanliness. The performer (of the Sraddhd) also shall be one who has conquered his sense-organs.

The son of Sahasrajit was the king Satajit. Satajit too had three highly virtuous sons.

(Defective verse). On the morning of the next day (i.e. on the Sraddha day) he should go in the southern direction and with great concentration bring the Kusa grass alongwith their roots, and (he shall place them) with their tips to the South and water (?). They shall be clean.

They were Haihaya, Haya, and the King Venuhaya. Haihaya had a son who became well-known as Dharma.

He shall select a clean isolated spot of all auspici¬ ous characteristics. It shall be smooth and sloping towards the South. He shall scrub it and smear cowdung over it.^

O Brahmanas, his son was Dharmanetra the valor¬ ous. Dharmanetra’s son was Kirti and Sanjita was his son.

The Pitrs are always delighted with the Sraddha offered in holy centres, on the banks of the rivers, on his plot of land in isolated places but not in waters.

One shall never perform Sraddhas in a plot of land belonging to others. What is done by men may be obstructed by the owner out of delusion.

Mahisma was the son of Sanjita whose descendant son was Bhadrasrenya. Bhadrasrenya’s successor was the king called Durdama.

Forests, mountains, sacred holy centres and shrines —they say that these are without owners. No one can claim these as theirs.

Durdama’s son was the intelligent and valiant king named Andhaka. Andhaka’s four successors were highly res¬ pected by the public.

(Defective verse). He shall scatter gingelly seeds there all round, but see that theydo not grow (i.e. germinate ?) A Sraddha affected by the Asuras becomes purified through the gingelly seeds if they do not germinate.

They were Krtavirya, Krtagni, Krtavarma and the fourth (son) Krtaujas. Arjuna, the son of Krtavirya, had a thousand arms. He was very brilliant and the most excellent among the knowers of Dhanurveda (Science of Archery). He met death at the hands of Rama, the son of Jamadagni and the incarnation of Janardana (Visnu).

They were Krtavirya, Krtagni, Krtavarma and the fourth (son) Krtaujas. Arjuna, the son of Krtavirya, had a thousand arms. He was very brilliant and the most excellent among the knowers of Dhanurveda (Science of Archery). He met death at the hands of Rama, the son of Jamadagni and the incarnation of Janardana (Visnu).

He shall then prepare various kinds of cooked food with diverse pickles and side dishes. In accordance with his ability, he should prepare lambatives, beverages and cooked food.

(Defective verse). Then, after midday, he should approach the Brahmanas who have shaved their hairs and pared their nails and give unto them the tooth-brush twig.

He had hundreds of sons. But five of them were great heroes. They were well-versed in the use of miraculous missiles, heroic, strong, virtuous and learned.

When requested “Ye be seated”, they will sit separately. He should give them oil for anointing themselves with as well as water for bath, and various other necessary requisites. These shall be given in vessels made ofUdumbara wood. Everything shall be given with Vaisvadaivatya rites (i.e. uttering VaiWadeva hymns).

They were Sura, Surasena, Krsna and Dhrsna, as well as Jayadhvaja, the powerful king who was devoted to Narayana. na jatu kdtnah kdmanam upabhogena Samyati / kavifd krspavartmeva bhiiya evdbhivardhate // Yayati, however, did give the due share of his kingdom to other sons though the ancestral throne was a special gift to Puru.

When they return after taking bath, he should greet them with palms joined in reverence. He should offer them Padya and Acamaniya, (water for washing the feet and the Acamana) sipping water-rite in due order.

The first four sons viz. Sura and others were well- known for their prowess. They were noble souls, devoted to Rudra, used to worship god Sankara.

Jayadhvaja was intelligent and devoted to religion. He sought shelter under Narayana, Visnu, Hari.

The seats of those Brahmanas who had been pre¬ viously invited on behalf of Visve-Devas, are covered with three blades(?) of Darbha grass with their tips towards the East.

The other sons told him—“O sinless one, this is not your Dharma as it is well-known that our father was engaged in the propitiation of Isvara (Siva).”

The seats of the Brahmanas on behalf of the Pitrs are the Darbha grasses facing the South. They must be sprin- Med with water and gingelly seeds.

The highly brilliant son (Jayadhvaja) replied to them: “This is my highest holy duty as all the kings in the world have been born through the parts of Visnu.

He should make them sit on these. Touching the seat he should request : “Ye be seated”, They shall seat separately.

The protector of a kingdom is certainly the Lord Purusottama. The unconquered Visnu, Hari, the protector of the worlds, should be worshipped.

Two (Brahmanas) shall represent Visvedevas (?) They shall face the east. Three Brahmanas represent the Pitrs They face the north. One shall represent PitamaAd (grandfather) and one shall represent Matamaha (maternal grandfather) Or one Brahmana represents gods and one paternal and maternal grandfather.

Five things are spoiled if performed elaborately in a crowd, viz.-hospitality, purity of the place (of respect), the time of respect, cleanliness, and the selection of a Brahmana. Hence one shall not wish for elaborateness and a big gathering.

It has been proclaimed that the self-born deity has three forms—constituted of Sattva, Rajas and TomaJ respectively and they are the causes of creation, sustenance and destruction of the universe.

Lord Visnu, the Sattvic soul forever sustains (the universe). The Rajasaic form Brahma creates and the Tamasa form Rudra annihilates it.

Or one shall feed only one Brahmana who is a master of the Vedas, endowed with learning, good conduct etc. and devoid of evil characteristics.

Hence, Lord Visnu, Kesava the suppressor of Kesin, is the deity worthy of being propitiated by kings who protect their respective kingdoms.”

Out of all articles of food thereof, he should take a portion (in a vessel and offer it to the Brahmana representing gods, in the shrine, and then pass it to others.

On hearing his words, the other steady-minded bro¬ thers said,—“Rudra, the annihilator should be worshipped by those who seek liberation.

He shall consign that cooked food to the fire. He should give that to a Brahmacarin. Hence, one shall feed only one Brahmana but he should be an excellent scholar.

If a mendicant or a Brahmacarin be present for the purpose of food and he seats himself in the ^raddha, one should feed him also.

This Rudra is verily the Supreme Deity. At the end of the Kalpa period. Lord Siva, resorting to the Tamo-guna, will annihilate the whole of this world.

The trident-bearing lord dissolves the world by means of Vidya at the outset* and then by means of his Supremely terrible and the most refulgent form.”

Sraddha wherein the guest does not partake of the food, is not praised. Hence, guests should be worshipped in the Sraddhas by the Brahmanas.

Those twice-born ones who partake of the food in a Sraddha devoid of hospitality (to a guest), are reborn as crows. There is no doubt about this. The performer of the Sraddha too (is reborn as a crow). 464 Kurma Prauna

Then pondering over it, king Jayadhvaja spoke to- them—“The creature is liberated through Sattva Gum and Lord Hari is constituted of Sattva Guna.” * (a better v.l. Sarvam if accepted means : By means of most refulgent; form . . . The Lord annihilates the entire Universe with his Vidya-power. 194 Kurma Purar.a

The following shall be shunned and kept at a great distance from Sraddhas viz. one who is deficient in any limb, a fallen one, a leper, one with running sores, an atheist, a cock, a pig and a dog.

The brothers replied to him—“If Rudra is served by the Sattvika people he liberates them. One who is endowed with Sattva Guna shall always worship Siva.”

One shall avoid a loathsome fellow, an unclean fellow, the naked one, the intoxicated one, the rogue, a women in her monthly course, the blue-garmented, the ochre-garmented and the heretic.

Then prince Jayadhvaja laughingly remarked:—“It is proper that one’s own Dharma should be followed for salva¬ tion. No other method is prescribed by sages.

Whatever rite is performed in a Sraddha towards the Brahmanas shall be performed alongwith Vaisvadeva rites or invoking Visvedevas.

So the propitiation of Visnu of unmeasured prowess is the greatest Dharma of kings who always uphold the power derived from him.”

Another son of the king, Kfsna the most excellent among the intelligent ones, spoke to him—“What our father Arjuna has done is the holy dharma.'’

Even as they are seated, one should bedeck them in ornaments, garlands, coronets, fumigating incenses and unguents.

Then with the permission of the Brahmanas, he should invoke Devas by means of the Rk Visvedevdsah (RV. II, 41. 13) etc. H e shall duly recite it and face the north.

When the dispute thus continued Surasena spoke these words—“In this matter the sages are our authority. What they say in this matter must be correct.”

He shall wear two Pavitras (the Darbha grass made to resemble a ring with a tail). Repeating the mantra Sanno devih, etc. he shall (RV.X. 9.4) pour water in the cleaned vessel. Repeating the mantra Tavosi (Vaja V. 26) etc. he should place Yavas (barley grains) there. Repeating the mantra “Ya Divya” (Tait. Br. II. 7. 15. 4) he should pour the Arghya on to the hand. He should then offer scents and garlands, incense etc. according to his ability.

Then all those prominent among kings being ex¬ tremely agitated in mind, went to the hermitage of Seven sages who were the expounders of the Brahman (or the Vedas) and usked them.

Those sages headed by Vasistha and others conveyed to them the truth in matter:—“Whatever deity appeals to a man is his deity.^

He shall wear two Pavitras (the Darbha grass made to resemble a ring with a tail). Repeating the mantra Sanno devih, etc. he shall (RV.X. 9.4) pour water in the cleaned vessel. Repeating the mantra Tavosi (Vaja V. 26) etc. he should place Yavas (barley grains) there. Repeating the mantra “Ya Divya” (Tait. Br. II. 7. 15. 4) he should pour the Arghya on to the hand. He should then offer scents and garlands, incense etc. according to his ability.

He shall then turn round anticlockwise and face the south, repeating the Rk. Usantas Tvd (RV. X. 16. 12) etc. the learned man shall invoke the Pitrs,

But if the deity is worshipped for a specific purpose it bestows what is liked by men. By special worship it bestows everything. O kings, this principle or rule cannot be other¬ wise.

After invoking the Pitrs and being permitted by the Brahmanas he shall perform the Japa of the Mantra Ayantu nah: Pitarah (Vaj. Sarh 19. 58) etc. Repeating the Mantra Sanno Devih etc. he should pour water in the vessel and place gingelly seed, repeating the mantra Tilosi etc. Pouring Arghya on the hands as before, he should, with concentration, put the Sarhsravas (mixing of waters from the Argha-vessel and vessel for Pitrs).

The deities of kings are:— Visnu as well as Isa (Siva) and Purandara (Indra). The deities of Brahmanas are:—Agni (the fire-god), Aditya (the sun-god), Brahma and the Pinaka-wielding deity (Siva).

After invoking the Pitrs and being permitted by the Brahmanas he shall perform the Japa of the Mantra Ayantu nah: Pitarah (Vaj. Sarh 19. 58) etc. Repeating the Mantra Sanno Devih etc. he should pour water in the vessel and place gingelly seed, repeating the mantra Tilosi etc. Pouring Arghya on the hands as before, he should, with concentration, put the Sarhsravas (mixing of waters from the Argha-vessel and vessel for Pitrs).

The deity of Devas is Visnu, of Danavas is the Trident-bearing lord; Soma (moon) is said to be the deity of Gandharvas and Yaksas.

The deity of Vidyadharas is the goddess of speech; of Siddhasis Lord Hari; of Raksasas is Sankara, Rudra and of Kinnaras is Parvatl.

At the seat of the Pitrs, he should place the vessel face downwards. He should take the cooked rice soaked in ghee. Desirous of consigning it into the fire, he shall ask the Brahmanas’ permission for the same. On being permitted by them saying

At the seat of the Pitrs, he should place the vessel face downwards. He should take the cooked rice soaked in ghee. Desirous of consigning it into the fire, he shall ask the Brahmanas’ permission for the same. On being permitted by them saying

The deity of sages is, Lord Brahma as well as Mahadeva, the wielder of the trident. Goddess Uma is worthy of being respected by women, so also are Visnu, Isa and Bhas- kara (the sun-god).

All these are the deities of householders. The Brahman shall be the deity of Brahmacarins (religious students under the vow of celibacy). The deity of Vaikhdnasas (recluses) shall be Arka (the sun-god) and the deity of ascetics {Sannyasins) shall be Mahesvara.

While rendering homage to Devas, one shall always kneel upon the right knee; and during the obeisance and service to the Pitrs one shall kneel upon the other knee.

The god of goblins is Lord Rudra, that of Kusrnandas is Vinayaka, and the deity of every one is Lord Brahma, the progenitor and the lord of devas.

At the time he should repeat the Mantra Somaya vai pitrmate svadha namah [svadha and obeisance into Soma (the deity) with the Pitps]. Then he shall perform Homa by saying Agnaye kavya-vahdya svadha [svadha unto Agni (fire- god) the bearer of Kavyas].

In case fire is not available one should make use of the right hand of the Brahmanas. Or he shall perform it near god Mahadeva or in a cowshed with due concentration.

Thereafter, on being permitted by them he should go to the southern direction. After cleaning and smearing the place with cowdung, he should cover it with sand. It shall be inclined towards the South and be auspicious. With a Darbha grass he shall scratch and scrape its middle thrice. On that spot he should strew Darbha grass, the tips of which are turned to the south. With the remainder of the Havis he shall make three Pindas there and offer them with great concentration.

Thereafter, on being permitted by them he should go to the southern direction. After cleaning and smearing the place with cowdung, he should cover it with sand. It shall be inclined towards the South and be auspicious. With a Darbha grass he shall scratch and scrape its middle thrice. On that spot he should strew Darbha grass, the tips of which are turned to the south. With the remainder of the Havis he shall make three Pindas there and offer them with great concentration.

Thereafter, on being permitted by them he should go to the southern direction. After cleaning and smearing the place with cowdung, he should cover it with sand. It shall be inclined towards the South and be auspicious. With a Darbha grass he shall scratch and scrape its middle thrice. On that spot he should strew Darbha grass, the tips of which are turned to the south. With the remainder of the Havis he shall make three Pindas there and offer them with great concentration.

After placing the Pindas he shall wipe off the hand on the Darbha grass to remove the greasiness to Pitrs who partake of the Lepa?- He should then perform the Acamana rite thrice. He shall smell the cooked rice thrice slowly. The knowerof the Mantras then shall make obeisance unto the Pitrs.

The remainder of the holy water, he should pour round and near the Pindas. After offering the Pindas he shall smell the Pindas with great concentration.

He shall then feed the Brahmanas duly with the rice other than that of the Pindas. He should also offer them meat, pies, etc. of various kinds, auspiciously prepared in accordance with the Sraddha Kalpa.

After they have started taking food, he should strew the cooked rice of the Pindas in front of them on the ground. He should ask them “What shall I do with this rice ? (?) When they are satisfied, he should make them perform the Acamana rite. After they have performed the Acamana, he should urge them saying ‘‘Be diverted all round”. The Brahmanas will say then Svadha be to you.

After they have started taking food, he should strew the cooked rice of the Pindas in front of them on the ground. He should ask them “What shall I do with this rice ? (?) When they are satisfied, he should make them perform the Acamana rite. After they have performed the Acamana, he should urge them saying ‘‘Be diverted all round”. The Brahmanas will say then Svadha be to you.

Then when they have finished taking food, he should inquire of them about the remainder of the food. On being per¬ mitted by those Brahmanas he shall do so as they say.

In the Pitr rite one shall say Svaditam (May it be well tasted). In the cow-sheds it shall be mentioned thus— SuSrtam (well-cooked). In [prosperity it shall be mentioned thus ; Sampannam —well endowed. In regard to a Deva iSewitoOT (served) should be mentioned.

After bidding farewell to the Brahmanas he should stand before the Pitrs silently facing the southern direction. He shall then beg of the Pitrs the following boons :

“May the liberal person flourish. May the Vedas and our progeny flourish. May not our faith slip off. May there be much with us for giving.”

The Pindas may be given to cows, goats, or Brahmanas or cast into fire or water. The wife, desirous of a son, may eat the middle Pinda.^

He shall wash his hands and perform Acamana. With the remainder of the foodstuff, he should propitiate kinsmen. He shall give unto the Brahmanas whatever is liked by them viz: cereals, vegetables, fruits, sugarcane, milk, curds, ghee, honey, cooked rice as much as they want and various kinds of edibles and beverages. He should give them various kinds of grains and gingelly seeds of all kinds and different kinds of sugar. Except in the case of fmits, roots and Panakas (sweetened

He shall wash his hands and perform Acamana. With the remainder of the foodstuff, he should propitiate kinsmen. He shall give unto the Brahmanas whatever is liked by them viz: cereals, vegetables, fruits, sugarcane, milk, curds, ghee, honey, cooked rice as much as they want and various kinds of edibles and beverages. He should give them various kinds of grains and gingelly seeds of all kinds and different kinds of sugar. Except in the case of fmits, roots and Panakas (sweetened

He shall wash his hands and perform Acamana. With the remainder of the foodstuff, he should propitiate kinsmen. He shall give unto the Brahmanas whatever is liked by them viz: cereals, vegetables, fruits, sugarcane, milk, curds, ghee, honey, cooked rice as much as they want and various kinds of edibles and beverages. He should give them various kinds of grains and gingelly seeds of all kinds and different kinds of sugar. Except in the case of fmits, roots and Panakas (sweetened

One shall not rest the knee on the ground nor shall be furious. He shall not utter a falsehood. He shall not touch food with the foot. Nor shall he shun and reject it.

The demons take away the benefit of what is partaken of in fury or against the conventional procedure or when served by one who prattles.

O excellent Brahmanas one should not stand near if one perspires profusely, he should not see* the crows and other birds going contrary to the natural order. The Pitrs desirous of eating, come there assuming those forms.

He should not directly give salt into the hand. Nor should the food be served in an iron vessel. It should never be served with carelessness.

What is offered in the following types of vessels yields everlasting benefit viz.—golden, silvery, made of Udumbara wood or made of horn of rhenoceros.

He who feeds Brahmanas in mud pots at the time of of the Sraddha falls into the terrible hell. He who partakes of the offerings too falls into the hell.

One should not discriminate between persons sitting in the same row and serve irregularly. One shall not beg nor force anyone to give (?). He who begs, who forces anyone to give and who serves with partiality falls into the terrible hells.

They should eat the most excellent things prior to others, (v. 1. vagyatah ‘observing silence’). But they should not speak out their material good qualities (?). The Pitrs partake of food only as long as the qualities of the Havis are not mentioned.

The Brahmana occupying the seat of priority should not eat it at the very outset. If he eats while many look on, he will incur the sin of all sitting in the row. *‘pasyet’ in this instruction is unsuitable as it stands. The v.l. na pratife- dhayet, one should not drive away crows etc. is better.” 468 Kurma Pur ana , 74. An excellent Brahmana engaged in the Sraddha should not avoid anything served. He should not refuse even the meat offered. One should not look at the food served to another person.

Translation not available.

If the Brahmana who engaged in the Pitr rite, does not partake of the meat served, he is reborn as an animal for twenty-one births.

One shall read or narrate unto these Vedic passages of self-study, the Dharmasastras, Itihasas, Puranas and the auspicious Sraddhakalpas.

Then the partaker of the food should strew the cooked food in front on the ground. He shall ask them Svaditam ? “Well tasted ?”. If they are satisfied, he should make them perform the Acamana rite.

If they have performed the Acamana rite, he should permit them saying ‘Be diverted’. Thereafter, the Brahmanas- shall say to him—“May Svadha be unto you.”

When they have partaken of the food he should inform them about remaining cooked food. On being permitted by those Brahmanas, he should do as they mention.

In the Pitr rite, the wordSvaditam is to be mentioned,, in the gostha-Sraddha word, it shall be mentioned thus Susrtam. In Abhyudayika Sraddha,^ Sampannam is mentioned and in regard to- Deva, shall be mentioned.

After eulogising and bidding farewell to the Bramanas, he should stand silently before the Pitrs facing the southern direction and beg of the Pitrs these boons.

“May those charitable donors around flourish. May the Vedas and progeny flourish. May not our faith decrease. May there be much with us to be given.”

He shall give the Pindasto the cows, goats or Brah¬ manas. Or he should consign them to the fire or to the water. The wife who is desirous of a son shall partake of the middle Pinda.

He should then wash his hands and perform the Acamana rite. With the food that remains, he shall feed his own servants.

Afterwards he himself should take the remaining food alongwith the womenfolk. One should not remove their leavings before sunset.

The husband and wife should observe celibacy on the night. After performing the Sraddha or partaking of it, he who indulges in sexual intercourse falls into the hell Maharaurava and then attains the birth of a worm.

The husband and wife should observe celibacy on the night. After performing the Sraddha or partaking of it, he who indulges in sexual intercourse falls into the hell Maharaurava and then attains the birth of a worm.

He should be pure and clean; quiescent and truth¬ ful. He should not be furious. He shall have good concentration. The performer and the partaker should avoid self-study and travel.

The Brahmanas, who partake of another Sraddha (immediately) after partaking of a Sraddha, are on a par with the great sinners. They fall into many hells.

Thus the Sraddhakalpa has been explained briefly but clearly to you. A Brahmana in difficulties shall prosper by performing it.

When he performs Amairaddha (i.e. sraddha without cooked food) the knower of the procedure endowed with faith should perform the Agnaukarana?- rite (consigning offerings into the Are) as well as the offerings of Pindas with that alone (i.e. the material used).

He whose mind is quiet, who is devoid of sins, and who performs Sraddha in accordance with this procedure shall attain the region of ascetics.

Hence, an excellent Brahmana should assiduously perform the Sraddha rite. Thereby the eternal Isvara would be well-propitiated by him.

An indigent Brahmana may perform Sraddha even with fruits and roots after taking the ablution, with great concentration and performing the Pitr-Tarpana rites with water and gingelly seeds.

A person whose father is alive should not perform Sraddha. Some say that he can perform Sraddha to those Pitrs to whom his father offers Sraddha. Or he can perform those rites upto the Homa.

One can offer Sraddha unto one’s father, grandfather and great grandfather. He should offer Sraddha unto him who is his beloved* and not to anyone else.

One must feed him with devotion who is alive and to his satisfaction. One who is pure and self-controlled does not give unto the dead by transgressing the living one.

Dvyamu^yayamka?- son of two fathers i.e. natural as well as father by adoption) shall offer Sraddha to both. Similarly a son born of the Niyoga rite should perform Sraddha to his progenitor as well as the dead husband of his mother. Then he shall be the true heir.

If a son is born out of the semen virile without the sanction of Niyoga, the son should offer Pindas to the progenitor. However, he may perform Sraddha to the K;etrin (mother’s husband).

He should prepare two separate Pindas to the K^etrin (mother’s husband) and to the Bijin (progenitor). He should proclaim the Kfetrin and the Bijin in the course of the rite.^ The Ekoddista type of Sraddha is to be performed on the (anni¬ versary) day of the death in accordance with the procedure. When the Asauca (impurity) period is over, he can perform any Kamya rite as he pleases. *v.l. mryate ‘is dead’, is better as Sraddha is to be offered to the dead.