Bruhaspati suid:
1. It is said (in Dharma-Shastra) that the vessels of (meant for) Pitris should be made of gold, silver or copper. A silver or silver-coated vessel is said to be befitting Pitris.1
1. Cf. Vishnu Dh.s. 79.14-15. Yajnavalkya I. 236 specially recommends silver vessels. Of also Mt. P. 17.19-22, Bd.P. 2.3.11-1.
2. Showing or gifting away of silver is proclaimed to be a suitable Dana for Pitris and it is conducive to the attainment of infinite and everlasting heaven. Good sons enable Pitris to cross (hell) by means of this Dana (religious gift).
3. O dear one, it was in silver vessel that Svadha was formerly milked by Pitris seeking to get Svadha. O dear one, if that is gifted, it yields everlasting benefit.
4. The nearby presence, sight or gifting away of the hide of a black antelope is conducive to the destruction of Rakshasas. It increases Brahmanical splendour and enables Pitris to cross (hell).
5. Vessels made of gold, silver or copper, gingelly seeds, Kutaba (i.e. the eighth muhurta of the day) or Kusha grass, sesamum seeds, garments and Tridandi Yoga (i.e. the Yoga of mind, speech and body)-all these are holy objects.
6. In the holy rite of Shraddha, the following ritual prescribed by god Brahma is the most excellent and eternal. It is conducive to increase in fame, longevity, progeny, intellect and lineage.
7. In the south-east direction, especially at the intermediate point (corner) between them, (should be the place-altar in Bd. P.-for Shraddha). It should be well-situated and square shaped with sides equal to an Aratni (the distance between the tip of the fist and the elbow).
8. I shall mention the proper spot for the holy rites of Pitris in accordance with the injunctions of the scriptures. It is conducive to the attainment of wealth, health and longevity. It enhances strength and brightness of complexion.
9. At the place (intended for Shraddha), three pits (should be dug) and three sticks of Khadira wood should be placed. They (the sticks) should be an Aratni (distance between the tip of the fist and the elbow) in length and should be embellished with silver (bands). (The pits) should be a Vitasti (the span or the distance between thumb and little finger when they are extended on either side) in depth* and the four sides should be four Angulas (fingers) each.
*Karya in the text but gartah from Bd. P. 2.3.11.10 is better.
10. The sticks should not be hollow and they must be placed on the ground with their faces pointing to the south-east. (The performer of Shraddha) should be pure and should wash them with holy waters or water rendered holy by the use of the ring of Darbha grass (called Pavitra) worn by the performer of Shraddha.
11. The purification (Shodhana) may be carried out with goat’s milk or cow’s milk and water. By means of this Tarpana (holy water-offering) the satisfaction (of Pitris) will be permanent.
12. He will be prosperous here and hereafter. He will be (blessed with the fruits of) all holy rites. If a person always takes bath three times a day and worships Pitris with Mantras as per prescribed procedure, he gets the fruit of (performance) of a horse-sacrifice (Ashvamedha).
13. On the New Moon day, the Shraddha materials should be placed in the pit in the ground four Angulas square. These rituals are called Trih-sapta-yajna (Three-times seven Yajna). All the three worlds are sustained by them.
14. He will attain nourishment, prosperity, longevity and progeny. Various types of fortune will resort to him and he will gradually attain liberation (from Samsara).
15. It removes sins. It sanctifies. It has the same fruit as a horse-sacrifice. I shall mention that Mantra composed by Brahma. It is the Amruta (immortal or nectarine) and it is honoured and worshipped by Brahmanas and grants (the fruit of) Ashvamedha.
16. The Mantra: “Obeisance to all the deities, to Pitris, to the great Yogins, to Svadha. Obeisance for ever to Svaha.”1
1. Hemadri regards this as Saptarshis Mantra: vide Chaturvarga Chintamani, Shraddha pp. 1079 and 1208. This mantra is accepted in Skanda P. VII. 1-206; 114-116., GP. (Achara) 218.6, A.
17. At the beginning and the conclusion of the Shraddha, this Mantra shall always be repeated three times. The devotee shall repeat this with purity of mind, when he offers the balls of rice also. Pitris arrive quickly and Rakshasas flee.
18. Regularly repeated at the time of Shraddha by expounders of Brahman, this Mantra enables Pitris to cross (hell) in the three worlds.
19. A person desirous of kingdom, should always repeat this Mantra with alertness. It increases virility, purity, wealth, sattvic qualities, prosperity, longevity and strength.
20. I shall mention the Mantra Saptarchis that is auspicious and that bestows all desires. By repeating it regularly, Pitris are propitiated.
21. The Saptarchis1 Mantra: “I always make obeisance to those who are engaged in meditation by means of the yogic vision, to the embodied and unembodied Pitris of brilliant splendour.
1. These seven verses 21-27 are called ‘Saptarchis Mantra’. Cf. Bd. P.2.3.11 23-29. As against Hemadri our text calls this ‘Saptarchis’ Mantra.
22. I bow to the Seven Sages and Pitris who fulfil all desires and who are the progenitors of Indra and other (Devas) and of Bhrugu and Maricha (Kashyapa).
23-24. After bowing to all the Pitris who bestow welfare on Manu and other lords of Suras and on the sun and the moon, I bow down with palms joined in reverence to Pitamahas, the progenitors of the constellations, the mobile (and the immobile beings) and of the heaven and the earth.
25. With palms joined in reverence I bow down to those who bestow fearlessness, to those who are revered by all the worlds and to the progenitors of the divine sages.
26. With palms joined in reverence, I bow down to Prajapati, Kashyapa, Soma, Varuna and to the lords of all Yoga.
27. Obeisance to the seven groups of Pitris in the seven worlds. Obeisance to the self-born Brahma of Yogic vision.”
28. Thus the Mantra honoured by the groups of Brahmarshis along with the Seven Sages has been mentioned. It is highly holy and sanctified. It is conducive to prosperity and destructive of Rakshasas.
29. The man who (performs Shraddha) according to these injunctions attains three boons. Pitris grant food, longevity and childern (to the people) on the earth.
30. He who is endowed with great devotion, who has faith, who has controlled his senses and who always repeats this Saptarchis Mantra with purity, becomes the sole Emperor on the earth consisting of seven continents and oceans.
31. If any thing is cooked in the house, whether a dainty or ordinary eatable, it should never be eaten in that house without first offering it (to deities).
32. Henceforth, I shall describe in the proper order, the vessels intended for oblations to Pitris. Even as I mention listen to the respective benefits (in using oblations) in the different vessels.