Chapter 73

Vishnu Smriti 73

Now, one who wishes to perform a śrāddha shall invite Brāhmaṇas on the preceding day. // Vi_73.1 //

On the second day, in the forenoon of the bright fortnight or in the afternoon of the dark fortnight, he shall seat the Brāhmaṇas, who have bathed well and rinsed their mouths, according to their age, on seats with kuśa grass on top. // Vi_73.2 //

Two for the rite for the gods, facing east, and three for the rite for the ancestors, facing north. // Vi_73.3 //

Or one for each rite. // Vi_73.4 //

In uncooked-śrāddhas and in optional śrāddhas, having offered into the fire with the first group of five mantras. // Vi_73.5 //

In animal-śrāddhas, with the middle group of five. // Vi_73.6 //

On new moon days, with the last group of five. // Vi_73.7 //

After the Āgrahāyaṇī festival, and on the Aṣṭakā days of the dark fortnight, in succession with the first, middle, and last groups of five. // Vi_73.8 //

And on the Anvaṣṭakā days. // Vi_73.9 //

Then, with the permission of the Brāhmaṇas, he shall invoke the ancestors. // Vi_73.10 //

Having dismissed the demons with the two verses beginning "apayantv asurāḥ" by scattering sesame seeds. // Vi_73.11 //

Having performed the invocation with the verses "eta pitaraḥ," "sarvāṃs tān," "agra ā me yantu," and "etad vaḥ pitaraḥ," having offered water for the feet (pādya) with water mixed with kuśa grass and sesame and with the verses "yās tiṣṭhanty amṛtā vāk" and "yan me mātā," having prepared and offered water for the hands (arghya), having performed the anointing, having worshipped the Brāhmaṇas according to his ability with kuśa grass, sesame, clothes, flowers, ornaments, incense, and lamps, having taken food soaked in clarified butter and looked at it with the verse "ādityā rudrā vasavaḥ," having said, "Shall I offer it into the fire?" and having been told by the Brāhmaṇas, "Do so," he shall offer three oblations. // Vi_73.12 //

Having consecrated the oblation with the verses "ye māmakāḥ pitaraḥ," "etad vaḥ pitaro," and "ayaṃ yajñaḥ," he shall offer the food in suitable vessels, especially of silver, first to those facing east, saying, "Salutation to the Viśvedevas." // Vi_73.13 //

To the father, paternal grandfather, and paternal great-grandfather, with their names and lineages, for those facing north. // Vi_73.14 //

While the Brāhmaṇas are eating that, he shall mutter "yan me prakāmād ahorātrair" and "yad vaḥ kravyād." // Vi_73.15 //

And the Itihāsas, Purāṇas, and Dharmaśāstras. // Vi_73.16 //

[^1]: The text here defines the four tīrthas or "sacred parts of the hand" used for different ritual offerings: the Prājāpatya (at the base of the little finger) for rites to Prajāpati, the Brāhma (at the base of the thumb) for sipping water (ācamana), the Daiva (at the fingertips) for rites to the gods, and the Pitrya (at the base of the forefinger) for rites to the ancestors. [^2]: A textual variant repeats dakṣiṇāgreṣu. [^3]: This verse is identical to Bhagavad Gita 2.70, illustrating the Smriti's integration of high philosophical concepts.

Near the leftovers, on kuśa (कुश) grass with the tips pointing south, he shall place one piṇḍa (पिण्ड) for his father with the words, "The earth is the ladle, inexhaustible." // Vi_73.17 //

A second piṇḍa (पिण्ड) for his paternal grandfather with the words, "The atmosphere is the ladle, inexhaustible." // Vi_73.18 //

A third piṇḍa (पिण्ड) for his paternal great-grandfather with the words, "Heaven is the ladle, inexhaustible." // Vi_73.19 //

With the verse "May those fathers who are here, who have departed," a garment should be given. // Vi_73.20 //

With the verse "O fathers, grant us heroes," food should be given. // Vi_73.21 //

With the verse "O fathers, rejoice here according to your share," he shall rub his hands at the root of the darbha (दर्भ) grass. // Vi_73.22 //

Having scattered water around the piṇḍas (पिण्डs) in a clockwise direction with the verse "Bearing strength," he shall offer water for the hands (arghya), flowers, incense, ointments, food, and other edible and enjoyable things. // Vi_73.23 //

And a pitcher of water mixed with honey, clarified butter, and sesame seeds. // Vi_73.24 //

When the Brāhmaṇas have eaten and are satisfied, having sprinkled the food with water along with a blade of grass with the words "May you not leave anything," and having placed a scattered offering of food before the leftovers, and having asked, "Are you satisfied? Is it complete?" and having first given water for rinsing the mouth to those facing north, and then having given it to those facing east, and then having sprinkled the śrāddha (श्राद्ध) place with the words "It is well-sprinkled," he shall perform everything with darbha (दर्भ) grass in his hand. // Vi_73.25 //

Then, before those facing east, having circumambulated with the verse "That of mine, O Rāma," and having returned, having honored them with gifts according to his ability, having said, "May you be pleased," and when they have said, "We are pleased," he shall murmur the verse "May the gods and the ancestors." // Vi_73.26 //

And having given the water with the akṣayya (imperishable) formula with their names and lineages, and having said, "May the Viśvedevas be pleased," to those facing east, he shall then, with joined hands, with a concentrated and pleasant mind, ask for this: // Vi_73.27 //

May our givers increase, and the Vedas, and our offspring; / May our faith not depart, and may we have much to give. || Vi_73.28 ||

They shall say, "So be it." // Vi_73.29 //

May we have much food, and may we receive guests; / May there be those who ask of us, and may we never ask of anyone. || Vi_73.30 ||

Having received these blessings with these two verses, // Vi_73.31 //

And then with the verse "Vāje vāje," he shall dismiss the Brāhmaṇas, / Having worshipped them according to rule, having followed them, and having saluted them. || Vi_73.32 ||