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It further says that the Agnidagdhas, the Anagnidagdhas, the Kavyas, the Barhishads, the Agnishvattas, and the Saumyas, are (the forefathers) of the Brahmanas alone. (3.199) And there exist in this (world) countless sons and grandsons of those chief classes of forefathers which have been enumerated. (3.200)<blockquote>अग्निदग्धानग्निदग्धान्काव्यान्बर्हिषदस्तथा । अग्निष्वात्तांश्च सौम्यांश्च विप्राणां एव निर्दिशेत् || ३.१९९ ||</blockquote><blockquote>य एते तु गणा मुख्याः पितॄणां परिकीर्तिताः । तेषां अपीह विज्ञेयं पुत्रपौत्रं अनन्तकम् || ३.२०० ||</blockquote><blockquote>agnidagdhānagnidagdhānkāvyānbarhiṣadastathā । agniṣvāttāṁśca saumyāṁśca viprāṇāṁ eva nirdiśet || 3.199 ||</blockquote><blockquote>ya ete tu gaṇā mukhyāḥ pitr̥̄ṇāṁ parikīrtitāḥ । teṣāṁ apīha vijñeyaṁ putrapautraṁ anantakam || 3.200 ||</blockquote>
It further says that the Agnidagdhas, the Anagnidagdhas, the Kavyas, the Barhishads, the Agnishvattas, and the Saumyas, are (the forefathers) of the Brahmanas alone. (3.199) And there exist in this (world) countless sons and grandsons of those chief classes of forefathers which have been enumerated. (3.200)<blockquote>अग्निदग्धानग्निदग्धान्काव्यान्बर्हिषदस्तथा । अग्निष्वात्तांश्च सौम्यांश्च विप्राणां एव निर्दिशेत् || ३.१९९ ||</blockquote><blockquote>य एते तु गणा मुख्याः पितॄणां परिकीर्तिताः । तेषां अपीह विज्ञेयं पुत्रपौत्रं अनन्तकम् || ३.२०० ||</blockquote><blockquote>agnidagdhānagnidagdhānkāvyānbarhiṣadastathā । agniṣvāttāṁśca saumyāṁśca viprāṇāṁ eva nirdiśet || 3.199 ||</blockquote><blockquote>ya ete tu gaṇā mukhyāḥ pitr̥̄ṇāṁ parikīrtitāḥ । teṣāṁ apīha vijñeyaṁ putrapautraṁ anantakam || 3.200 ||</blockquote>
== श्राद्धकार्यविधिः ॥ Shraddha Karya Vidhi ==
Let him first invite a (Brahmana) in honour of the gods as a protection for the (offering to the forefathers); for the Rakshasas destroy a funeral sacrifice which is left without such a protection. (3.204)
Let him make (the Shraddha) begin and end with (a rite) in honour of the gods; it shall not begin and end with a (rite) to the forefathers; for he who makes it begin and end with a (rite) in honour of the forefathers, soon perishes together with his progeny. (3.205)
Let him smear a pure and secluded place with cowdung, and carefully make it sloping towards the south. (3.206)
The forefathers are always pleased with offerings made in open, naturally pure places, on the banks of rivers, and in secluded spots. (3.207)
The (sacrificer) shall make the (invited) Brahmanas, who have duly performed their ablutions, sit down on separate, prepared seats, on which blades of Kusa grass have been placed. (3.208)
Having placed those blameless Brahmanas on their seats, he shall honour them with fragrant garlands and perfumes, beginning with (those who are invited in honour of) the gods. (3.209)
Having presented to them water, sesamum grains, and blades of Kusa grass, the Brahmana (sacrificer) shall offer (oblations) in the sacred fire, after having received permission (to do so) from (all) the Brahmana (guests) conjointly. (3.210)
Having first, according to the rule, performed, as a means of protecting (the Shraddha), oblations to Agni, to Soma, and to Yama, let him afterwards satisfy the forefathers by a gift of sacrificial food. (3.211)
But if no (sacred) fire (is available), he shall place (the offerings) into the hand of a Brahmana; for Brahmanas who know the sacred texts declare, 'What fire is, even such is a Brahmana.'(3.212)
After he has performed (the oblations) in the fire, (and) the whole series of ceremonies in such a manner that they end in the south, let him sprinkle water with his right hand on the spot (where the cakes are to be placed). (3.214)
But having made three cakes out of the remainder of that sacrificial food, he must, concentrating his mind and turning towards the south, place them on (Kusa grass) exactly in the same manner in which (he poured out the libations of) water. (3.215)
Having offered those cakes according to the (prescribed) rule, being pure, let him wipe the same hand with (the roots of) those blades of Kusa grass for the sake of the (three ancestors) who partake of the wipings (lepa). (3.216)
Having (next) sipped water, turned round (towards the north), and thrice slowly suppressed his breath, (the sacrificer) who knows the sacred texts shall worship (the guardian deities of) the six seasons and the forefathers. (3.217)
Let him gently pour out the remainder of the water near the cakes, and, with fixed attention, smell those cakes, in the order in which they were placed (on the ground). (3.218)
But taking successively very small portions from the cakes, he shall make those seated Brahmana eat them, in accordance with the rule, before (their dinner). (3.219)
But if the (sacrificer's) father is living, he must offer (the cakes) to three remoter (ancestors); or he may also feed his father at the funeral sacrifice as (one of the) Brahmana (guests). (3.220)
But he whose father is dead, while his grandfather lives, shall, after pronouncing his father's name, mention (that of) his great-grandfather.(3.221)
Manu has declared that either the grandfather may eat at that Shraddha (as a guest), or (the grandson) having received permission, may perform it, as he desires. (3.222)
Having poured water mixed with sesamum, in which a blade of Kusa grass has been placed, into the hands of the (guests), he shall give (to each) that (above-mentioned) portion of the cake, saying, 'To those, Svadha!'(3.223)
But carrying (the vessel) filled with food with both hands, the (sacrificer) himself shall gently place it before the Brahmanas, meditating on the forefathers. (3.224)
The malevolent Asuras forcibly snatch away that food which is brought without being held with both hands. (3.225)
Let him, being pure and attentive, carefully place on the ground the seasoning (for the rice), such as broths and pot herbs, sweet and sour milk, and honey, (3.226)
All this he shall present (to his guests), being pure and attentive, successively invite them to partake of each (dish), proclaiming its qualities. (3.228)
Let him on no account drop a tear, become angry or utter an untruth, nor let him touch the food with his foot nor violently shake it. (3.229)
A tear sends the (food) to the Pretas, anger to his enemies, a falsehood to the dogs, contact with his foot to the Rakshasas, a shaking to the sinners. (3.230)
Whatever may please the Brahmanas, let him give without grudging it; let him give riddles from the Veda, for that is agreeable to the forefathers. (3.231)
At a (sacrifice in honour) of the forefathers, he must let (his guests) hear the Veda, the Institutes of the sacred law, legends, tales, Puranas, and Khilas. (3.232)
Himself being delighted, let him give delight to the Brahmanas, cause them to partake gradually and slowly (of each dish), and repeatedly invite (them to eat) by (offering) the food and (praising) its qualities. (3.233)
Let him eagerly entertain at a funeral sacrifice a daughter's son, though he be a student, and let him place a Nepal blanket on the seat (of each guest), scattering sesamum grains on the ground. (3.234)
There are three means of sanctification, (to be used) at a Shraddha, a daughter's son, a Nepal blanket, and sesamum grains; and they recommend three (other things) for it, cleanliness, suppression of anger, and absence of haste. (3.235)
All the food must be very hot, and the (guests) shall eat in silence; (even though) asked by the giver (of the feast), the Brahmanas shall not proclaim the qualities of the sacrificial food. (3.236)
As long as the food remains warm, as long as they eat in silence, as long as the qualities of the food are not proclaimed, so long the forefathers partake (of it). (3.237)
What (a guest) eats, covering his head, what he eats with his face turned towards the south, what he eats with sandals on (his feet), that the Rakshasas consume. (3.238)
To a Brahmana (householder), or to an ascetic who comes for food, he may, with the permission of (his) Brahmana (guests), show honour according to his ability. (3.243)
Let him mix all the kinds of food together, sprinkle them with water and put them, scattering them (on Kusa grass), down on the ground in front of (his guests), when they have finished their meal. (3.244)
But before the performance of the Sapindikarana, one must feed at the funeral sacrifice in honour of a (recently-) deceased Aryan (one Brahmana) without (making an offering) to the gods, and give one cake only. (3.247)
But after the Sapindikarana of the (deceased father) has been performed according to the sacred law, the sons must offer the cakes with those ceremonies, (described above.) (3.248)
Having addressed the question, 'Have you dined well?' (to his guests), let him give water for sipping to them who are satisfied, and dismiss them, after they have sipped water, (with the words) 'Rest either (here or at home)!'(3.251)
The Brahmana (guests) shall then answer him, 'Let there be Svadha;' for at all rites in honour of the forefathers the word Svadha is the highest benison. (3.252)
Next let him inform (his guests) who have finished their meal, of the food which remains; with the permission of the Brahmanas let him dispose (of that), as they may direct. (3.253)
At a (Shraddha) in honour of the forefathers one must use (in asking of the guests if they are satisfied, the word) svaditam; at a Goshthi-sraddha, (the word) susrutam; at a Vriddhi-sraddha, (the word) sampannam; and at (a rite) in honour of the gods, (the word) rukitam. (3.254)
The afternoon, Kusa grass, the due preparation of the dwelling, sesamum grains, liberality, the careful preparation of the food, and (the company of) distinguished Brahmanas are true riches at all funeral sacrifices. (3.255)
The food eaten by hermits in the forest, milk, Soma-juice, meat which is not prepared (with spices), and salt unprepared by art, are called, on account of their nature, sacrificial food. (3.257)
Having dismissed the (invited) Brahmanas, let him, with a concentrated mind, silent and pure, look towards the south and ask these blessings of the forefathers: (3.258)
'May liberal men abound with us! May (our knowledge of) the Vedas and (our) progeny increase! May faith not forsake us! May we have much to give (to the needy)!'(3.259)
Having thus offered (the cakes), let him, after (the prayer), cause a cow, a Brahmana, a goat, or the sacred fire to consume those cakes, or let him throw them into water. (3.260)
Some make the offering of the cakes after (the dinner); some cause (them) to be eaten by birds or throw them into fire or into water. (3.261)
The (sacrificer's) first wife, who is faithful and intent on the worship of the forefathers, may eat the middle-most cake, (if she be) desirous of bearing a son. (3.262)
(Thus) she will bring forth a son who will be long-lived, famous, intelligent, rich, the father of numerous offspring, endowed with (the quality of) goodness, and righteous. (3.263)
Having washed his hands and sipped water, let him prepare (food) for his paternal relations and, after giving it to them with due respect, let him feed his maternal relatives also. (3.264)
But the remnants shall be left (where they lie) until the Brahmanas have been dismissed; afterwards he shall perform the (daily) domestic Bali-offering; that is a settled (rule of the) sacred law. (3.265)
== श्राद्धनियमाः ॥ Rules governing Shraddha ==
== श्राद्धनियमाः ॥ Rules governing Shraddha ==
Manusmrti talks in detail about who and how many must be fed on the occasion of a Shraddha, who must be avoided, and what kind of food should be served. (Manu Smrt 3.124)<blockquote>तत्र ये भोजनीयाः स्युर्ये च वर्ज्या द्विजोत्तमाः । यावन्तश्चैव यैश्चान्नैस्तान्प्रवक्ष्याम्यशेषतः ॥ ३.१२४ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>tatra ye bhojanīyāḥ syurye ca varjyā dvijottamāḥ । yāvantaścaiva yaiścānnaistānpravakṣyāmyaśeṣataḥ ॥ 3.124 ॥</blockquote>
Manusmrti talks in detail about who and how many must be fed on the occasion of a Shraddha, who must be avoided, and what kind of food should be served. (Manu Smrt 3.124)<blockquote>तत्र ये भोजनीयाः स्युर्ये च वर्ज्या द्विजोत्तमाः । यावन्तश्चैव यैश्चान्नैस्तान्प्रवक्ष्याम्यशेषतः ॥ ३.१२४ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>tatra ye bhojanīyāḥ syurye ca varjyā dvijottamāḥ । yāvantaścaiva yaiścānnaistānpravakṣyāmyaśeṣataḥ ॥ 3.124 ॥</blockquote>