Bruhaspati said:
1. Henceforth I shall describe the various types of Shrāddha? such as Ajasra or Nitya (daily, regular), Naimittika (occasional, conditional) and Kamya (performed with some desired object in view) and the mode of worship (in them).
2. There are three sets of Ashtakās2 (the 7th, 8th and 9th days of the dark half of a month) that bring about marriage, birth of a son and acquisition of wealth. The dark half of a month is the most excellent. The first Ashtakā is called Chitri.
1. The ‘Ajasra’ or ‘Nitya’ Shrāddha must be performed everyday, e.g. Pitru-yajña in daily Pañchamahāyajñas. Śhrāddha to be performed on an occasion which is uncertain (e.g, the birth of a son) is Naimittika. Shraddha done with a desire for a fruit or reward (e.g. progeny) is Kāmya.
2. The word ‘Aşhtakā’ is formed from ‘aşhtan’. But according to Vārtika 9 on Pāņini VII. 3.45, it means a ritc with Pitris as deities’. Āshvalāyana Gr. S. II. 4-1 informs that the 8th day in the dark halves of seasons Hemanta and Shishira are Aşhtakās. As a season consists of two months there are (and should be) four Aşhtakās. But most other Gruhya Sütras differ and regard the 8th day in the dark halves of Märgashirsha, Pausha and Mágha as Ashtakā days. This Purāņa does not follow Āśhvalāyana. Though the above mentioned Vārtika regards Pitris as the deities on these days, our Purāņa regards the first Aşhtakā as Chitri (Aindri? as in Bd.P.), the second has Prajāpati and the third has Viśhvedevas as the deities and Pitris are conspicuous by their non mention.
3-4. The second Ashtakā, shall be Präjāpatya (with Prajapati as its deity) and the third one (is) Vaiśhvadeviki. The first Ashtakā shall always be performed with flour cakes. The second should always be performed with meat. The third Ashtakā shall be per formed with greens and vegetables. This is the injunction regarding the articles (for Shrāddha). The Anvaşhtakā (the ninth day in the dark half of Pauşha, Magha and Phālguna) of the Pitris is also laid down permanently.
5. If there happens to be a fourth Ashtakā, a learned person should perform a special Shrāddha therein, even by spending his entire possession.
6. He (the performer of a Shrāddha) shall always be happy both here and hereafter. The worshippers shall attain progress and the non-believers, downfall.
7. Like cows approaching a water-trough, all these Pitris and gods approach the man (who performs a Shrāddha) - Pitris during the Parvan days and deities on different Tithis.
8. Let them not return without being worshipped during Ashtakās. The world (worldly life) will be in vain in regard to him (who does not worship). Even what is obtained by him. perishes.
9-10. Those who offer worship attain Devas. Those who do not offer are reborn as lower animals. A person who performs a Shraddha on the Full Moon day obtains progeny, nourishment, memory, intellect, sons and prosperity.1 He enjoys to the full. (The Shrāddha performed on) Pratipad (the first day of a fortnight) is conducive to the acquisition of wealth. What he has acquired does not perish.
1. Verses 10-19 state the benefit accruing from performance of Shraddha on different Tithis from the 1st to the 15th. Āpastamba Dh. S. II. 7.16-22, Mbh. Anushasana 87, Bd. P. 2.3.9-20, BM, P. 220.15-21, KP.II. 20.17.22 state the reward a man gets for performance of Shrāddha on these Tithis. But there is difference of opinion among these about the benefits. For example, see the comparative table of rewards of Shrāddha performance on various Tithis.
The Tithi Reward as per our Text Reward as per K.P. II. 20
1. Acquisition of wealth Auspicious sons
2. Lordship over bipeds Begets daughters
3. Destroys sins Gets animals
4. Discovers weak points of his enemies Get small animals and things
5. Attains prosperity and glory Begets splendid sons
6. Reverence from Brāhmaṇas Blessed with lustre and good cultivation
The list need not be extended.
11. He who performs a Shrāddha on the second day of the lunar fortnight, becomes the lord of bipeds. The third day (is to be selected for Shrāddha) by one who seeks excellent things, (for) Trutiya (third day) is destructive of sins.
12. He who performs a Shrāddha on Chaturthi (fourth day) finds the weak points of his enemies. A performer of a Shrāddha on the fifth day attains great prosperity and glory.
13-14. Brāhmaṇas revere him who performs a Shrāddha on the sixth day. The man who performs a Shrāddha on the seventh day regularly attains the fruit of Mahāsatra (great Soma sacrifice). He becomes the lord of Gaņas (followers of Shiva). The man who performs a Shraddha on the eighth day attains complete prosperity.
15. He who performs a Shräddha on the ninth day, attains prosperity and a beloved wife. He who performs a Shräddha on the tenth day, attains the glory of Brahman-hood.
16. He shall attain (mastery over) all the Vedas and the destruction of sins. The Däna (religious gift) offered on the eleventh day yields prosperity for ever.
17. They say that he who performs a Shrāddha on the twelfth day acquires wealth, a kingdom and becomes victorious. He who performs a Shräddha on the thirteenth day attains progeny, intellect, cattle, wisdom, freedom, excellent nourishment, long life and prosperity.
18. One shall offer a Shraddha on the fourteenth day to those young men of the house who have met premature death and to those who have been killed by weapons.
19. With purity one should always offer a Shraddha on the New Moon day to those children unfavourably born (e.g. a son after three daughters or a daughter after three sons) as well as to twin children.
20. One who regularly performs a Shraddha attains all cherished desires and infinite heavenly pleasures. One shall always perform on the New Moon day the rituals and those great rites that involve extraction of Soma Juice (or that are conducive to the development of the Moon (?))
21. Thus developed, the Moon sustains the three worlds, being regularly eulogised by Siddhas, Chăraņas and Gandharvas.
22. (The Moon) is eulogised by thousands of Apsaras-s dancing, singing and playing on instruments, by means of eulogies, flowers of great beauty and all the requisites for the fulfilment of desires.
23. Devas and Gandharvas and the groups of Siddha eulogise that devotee of the Pitrus, steady in his holy rites. They serve him by means of aerial chariots for sport.
24. The devotee of Pitris shall attain all cherished desires on the Amāvāsyā (New Moon) day, for Pitts are worshipped by him directly always.
25. The constellation Maghä has Pitris for its deities Hence a Shrāddha on that day yields everlasting benefit. The wise perform the rites for Pitris particularly on that day.
26. Hence the Pitris always desire Magha. Those who are devoted to Pitris and deities attain the greatest goal.