विष्णुपुराणम् — तृतीयांशे त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः | viṣṇupurāṇam

और्व उवाच ।

सचैलस्य पितुः स्नानं जाते पुत्रे विधीयते ।
जातकर्म तदा कुर्याच्छ्राद्धमभ्युदये च यत् ॥

Summary AI When a son is born, the father is prescribed to bathe with his clothes on. At that time, he should perform the birth rites (jātakarman) and the ancestral offering (śrāddha) appropriate for prosperous occasions.

३.१३.२

युग्मान्देवांश्च वित्र्यांश्च सम्यक्सव्यक्रमाद्द्विजान् ।
पूजायेद्भोजयेच्चैव तन्मना नान्यमानसः ॥

Summary AI With focused devotion and no other thoughts, one should properly worship and feed an even number of Brāhmaṇas representing both the deities and the ancestors, following the ritual order starting from the left.

३.१३.३

दध्यक्षतैः सबदरैः प्राङ्मुखोदङ्मुखो ऽपि वा ।
देवतीर्थेन वै पिण्डान्दद्यात्कायेन वा नृप ॥

Summary AI O King, facing either the east or the north, one should offer the funeral cakes (piṇḍas) mixed with curd, unbroken rice, and jujube fruits, using the deva-tīrtha or the kāya-tīrtha (parts of the hand).

३.१३.४

नान्दीमुखः पितृगणस्तेन श्राद्धेन पार्थिव ।
प्रीयते तत्तु कर्तव्यं पुरुषैः सर्ववृद्धिषु ॥

Summary AI O King, the class of ancestors known as Nāndīmukhas is pleased by that śrāddha. Therefore, men should perform it during all occasions of prosperity and growth.

३.१३.५

कन्यापुत्रविवाहेषु प्रवेशेषु च वेश्मनः ।
नामकर्मणि बालानां चूडाकर्मादिके तथा ॥

Summary AI This rite should be performed during the marriages of daughters and sons, when entering a new house, at the naming ceremony of children, and during the tonsure ceremony (cūḍākarman).

३.१३.६

सीमन्तोन्नयने चैव पुत्रादिमुखदर्शने ।
नान्दीमुखं पितृगणं पूजयेत्प्रयतो गृही ॥

Summary AI During the sīmantonnayana ritual and upon seeing the face of a newborn son, the self-controlled householder should worship the Nāndīmukha ancestors.

३.१३.७

पितृपूजाक्रमः प्रोक्तो वृद्धावेष सनातनः ।
श्रूयतामवनीपाल प्रेत कर्म क्रियाविधिः ॥

Summary AI O Protector of the Earth, this eternal sequence of ancestral worship during occasions of prosperity has been described. Now, listen to the procedural rules for the funeral rites (preta-karman) for the deceased.

३.१३.८

प्रेतदेहं शभैः स्नानैः स्नापितं स्रग्विभूषितम् ।
दग्ध्वा ग्रामाद्बहिः स्नात्वा सचैलःसलिलाशये ॥

Summary AI After cremating the deceased body, which has been washed with pure water and adorned with garlands, one should bathe with their clothes on in a water reservoir outside the village.

३.१३.९

यत्र तत्र स्थितायैतदमुकायेति वादिनः ।
दक्षिणाभिमुखा दद्युर्बान्धवाःसलिलाञ्जलीन् ॥

Summary AI Facing south, the relatives should offer handfuls of water, saying, "May this reach so-and-so, wherever they may be situated."

३.१३.१०

प्रविष्टाश्च समं गोभिर्ग्रामं नक्षत्रदर्शने ।
कटकर्म ततः कुर्याद्भूमौ प्रस्तरशायिनः ॥

Summary AI Upon seeing the stars, they should enter the village along with the cattle. Then, sleeping on a mat spread on the ground, they should observe the prescribed funeral austerities.

३.१३.११

दातव्योनदिनं पिडः प्रेताय भुवि पार्थिव ।
दिवा च भक्तं भोक्तव्यममांसं मनुजर्षभ ॥

Summary AI O King, O best of men, a piṇḍa should be offered daily on the ground for the deceased. During the day, only food without meat should be consumed.

३.१३.१२

दिनानि तानि चेच्छातः कर्तव्य विप्रभोजनम् ।
प्रेता यान्ति तथा तृप्तिं बन्धुवर्गेण भुञ्जता ॥

Summary AI During those days, if desired, Brāhmaṇas should be fed. Through the eating of the kinsmen in this manner, the deceased attains satisfaction.

३.१३.१३

प्रथमेह्नि तृतीये च सप्तमे नवमे तथा ।
वस्त्रत्यागबहिःस्नाने कृत्वा दद्यात्तिलोदकम् ॥

Summary AI On the first, third, seventh, and ninth days, after discarding clothes and bathing outside, one should offer water mixed with sesame seeds.

३.१३.१४

चतुर्थेह्निच कर्तव्यं तस्यास्थिचयनं नृप ।
तदूर्ध्वमङ्गसंस्पर्शःसपिण्डानामपीष्यते ॥

Summary AI O King, on the fourth day, the collection of the bones (asthi-cayana) must be performed. After that, physical contact among the sapiṇḍa relatives is permitted.

३.१३.१५

योग्याःसर्वक्रियाणां तु समनसलिलास्तथा ।
अनुलेपनपुष्पादिभोगादन्यत्र पार्थिव ॥

Summary AI O King, except for the use of ointments, flowers, and similar enjoyments, the relatives become eligible for all activities and share common water rituals.

३.१३.१६

शय्यासनोपभोगश्च सपिण्डानामपीष्यते ।
भस्मास्थिचयनादूर्ध्वं संयोगो न तु योषिताम् ॥

Summary AI After the collection of ashes and bones, the use of beds and seats is permitted for the sapiṇḍa relatives; however, sexual union with women is forbidden.

३.१३.१७

बाले देशान्तरस्थे च पतिते च मुनौ मृते ।
सद्यः शौचं तथेच्छातो जलाग्न्युद्बन्धनादिषु ॥

Summary AI Immediate purification (sadyaḥ-śaucam) occurs upon the death of a child, one residing in a foreign land, an outcast, or an ascetic, as well as in cases of voluntary death by water, fire, or hanging.

३.१३.१८

मृतबन्धोर्दशाहानि कुलस्यान्नं न भुज्यते ।
दानं प्रतिग्रहो होमः स्वाध्यायश्च निवर्तते ॥

Summary AI For ten days after the death of a relative, the food of that family is not consumed. Giving gifts, receiving them, performing fire sacrifices (homa), and the study of Vedas (svādhyāya) are suspended.

३.१३.१९

विप्रस्यैतद्द्वादशाहं राजन्यस्याप्यशौचकम् ।
अर्धमासं तु वैश्यस्य मासं शूद्रस्य शुद्धये ॥

Summary AI This period of impurity lasts ten days for a Brāhmaṇa, twelve days for a Kṣatriya, half a month for a Vaiśya, and one month for the purification of a Śūdra.

३.१३.२०

अयुजो भोजयेत्कामं द्विजानन्ते ततो दिने ।
दद्याद्दर्भषु पिण्डं च प्रेतायोच्छिष्टसन्निधौ ॥

Summary AI On the final day of impurity, one should feed an odd number of Brāhmaṇas as desired. A piṇḍa should also be offered to the deceased on darbha grass near the remains of the meal.

३.१३.२१

वार्यायुधप्रतोदास्तु दण्डश्च द्विजभोजनात् ।
स्प्रष्टव्योनन्तरं वर्णैः शुद्धेरते ततः क्रमात् ॥

Summary AI Water, weapons, goads, and the staff must be touched by the four Varṇas respectively after feeding the Brāhmaṇas; subsequently, they are purified in that order.

३.१३.२२

ततःसर्वणधर्मा ये विप्रादिनासुदाहृताः ।
तान्कुर्वीत पुमाञ्जीवेन्निजधर्मार्जनैस्तथा ॥

Summary AI A person should perform the duties prescribed for their respective Varṇa, such as those of the Brāhmaṇas, and should sustain themselves through wealth earned by following their own righteous occupation.

३.१३.२३

मृताहति च कर्तव्यमेकोद्दिष्टमतः परम् ।
आह्वानादिक्रिया दैवनियोगरहितेन यत् ॥

Summary AI Thereafter, on the anniversary of the death, the Ekoddiṣṭa rite must be performed; this ceremony is characterized by the absence of invitations and other rituals usually dedicated to the Viśvedevas.

३.१३.२४

एकोर्ध्यस्तत्र दातव्यस्तथैवैकपवित्रकम् ।
प्रेताय पिण्डो दातव्यो भुक्तवत्सु द्विजातिषु ॥

Summary AI In that rite, one arghya and one pavitra should be offered. Once the Brāhmaṇas have finished their meal, a piṇḍa must be offered to the deceased.

३.१३.२५

प्रश्नश्च तत्राभिरतिर्यजमानद्विजन्मनाम् ।
अक्षय्यममुकस्येति वक्तव्यं विरतौ तथा ॥

Summary AI The host should inquire about the satisfaction of the Brāhmaṇas. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the host should declare, "May this be inexhaustible (akṣayyam) for such-and-such a person."

३.१३.२६

एकोद्दिष्टमयो धर्म इत्थमावत्सरात्स्मृतः ।
सपिण्डीकरणं तस्मिन्काले राजेन्द्र चत्छृणु ॥

Summary AI O King, such is the Ekoddiṣṭa rite prescribed for one year. Now, listen to the details of the Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa rite performed at the end of that period.

३.१३.२७

एकोद्दिष्टविधानेन कार्यं तदपि पार्थिव ।
संवत्सरेथ षष्ठे वा मासे वा द्वादशेह्नि तत् ॥

Summary AI O King, the Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa should also be conducted according to the Ekoddiṣṭa rules, performed either after one year, in the sixth month, or on the twelfth day.

३.१३.२८

तिलगन्धोदकैर्युक्तं ।
तत्र पात्रचतुष्टयम् ॥

Summary AI In that ritual, four vessels filled with sesame seeds, perfumes, and water are to be prepared.

३.१३.२९

पात्रं प्रेतस्य तत्रैकं पैत्रं पात्रत्रयं तथा ।
सेचयेत्पितृपात्रेषु प्रेतपात्रं ततस्त्रिषु ॥

Summary AI One vessel is designated for the deceased and three for the paternal ancestors. The contents of the deceased's vessel should then be poured into the three ancestral vessels.

३.१३.३०

ततः पितृत्वमापन्ने तस्मिन्प्रेते महीपते ।
श्राद्धधर्मैरशषस्तु तत्पूर्वानर्चयेत्पितॄन् ॥

Summary AI O King, once the deceased has attained the status of an ancestor (Pitṛ), the performer should worship the preceding ancestors using all the prescribed Śrāddha rituals.

३.१३.३१

पुत्रः पौत्रः प्रपौत्रो वा भ्राता वा भ्रातृसंततिः ।
सपिण्ड संततिर्वापि क्रियार्हे नृप जायते ॥

Summary AI O King, a son, grandson, great-grandson, brother, brother’s progeny, or any descendant of the same Sapiṇḍa lineage is eligible to perform these rites.

३.१३.३२

तेषामभावे सवैषां समानोदकसततिः ।
मातृपक्षमपिण्डेन संबन्धा ये जलेन वा ॥

Summary AI In the absence of any of these relatives, the Samānodaka kin, or those related through the mother's Sapiṇḍa line or through the offering of water libations, are eligible.

३.१३.३३

कुलद्वयेपि चोच्छिन्ने स्त्रीभिः कार्याः क्रिया नृप ।
पितृमातृसपिण्डैस्तु समानसलिलैस्तथा ॥

Summary AI O King, if both families are extinct, the rites should be performed by women, or by the Sapiṇḍas and Samānodakas of either the father or the mother.

३.१३.३४

संघातान्तर्गतैर्वापि कार्याः प्रेतस्य च क्रियाः ।
उत्सन्नबन्धुरिक्थाद्वा कारयेदवनीपतिः ॥

Summary AI Alternatively, members of the deceased's community may perform the rites. If no kin remain, the King should ensure the rites are performed using the property of the deceased.

३.१३.३५

पूर्वाः क्रिया मध्यमाश्च तथा चैवोत्तराः क्रियाः ।
त्रिःप्रकाराः क्रियाःसर्वास्तासांभेदं शृणुष्व मे ॥

Summary AI There are three types of rites: preliminary (Pūrvāḥ), middle (Madhyamāḥ), and subsequent (Uttarāḥ). Listen as I explain the distinctions between them.

३.१३.३६

आदाहाद्यादशाहाश्च स्पर्शाद्यन्तास्तु याः क्रियाः ।
ताः पूर्वा मध्यमा मासि मास्येकोद्दिष्टसंज्ञिताः ॥

Summary AI The preliminary rites consist of those from cremation to the tenth day, ending with purificatory touch. The middle rites are the monthly Ekoddiṣṭa ceremonies.

३.१३.३७

प्रेते पितृत्वमापन्ने सपिण्डिकरणादनु ।
क्रियन्ते याः क्रियाः पित्र्याः प्रोच्यन्ते ता नृपोत्तराः ॥

Summary AI O King, the ancestral rites performed after the deceased has attained the status of a Pitṛ via the Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa ceremony are known as the subsequent (Uttarāḥ) rites.

३.१३.३८

पितृमातृसपिण्डैस्तु समानासलिलैस्तथा ।
संघातान्तर्गतैर्वापि राज्ञा तद्धनहारिणा ॥

Summary AI The preliminary rites can be performed by the Sapiṇḍas of the father or mother, the Samānodakas, community members, or by the King who inherits the property.

३.१३.३९

पूर्वाः क्रियाश्च कर्तव्याः पुत्राद्यैरेव चोत्तराः ।
दौहित्रैर्वा नृपश्रेष्ठ कार्यास्तत्तनयैस्तथा ॥

Summary AI O best of kings, while the preliminary rites must be performed by the aforementioned, the subsequent rites should only be performed by sons, or by daughter's sons and their descendants.

३.१३.४०

मृताहनि च कर्तव्यास्त्रीणामप्युत्तराः क्रिया ।
प्रतिसंवत्सरं राजन्नेकोद्दिष्टविधानतः ॥

Summary AI O King, the subsequent rites for women must also be performed annually on the anniversary of their death, strictly following the Ekoddiṣṭa procedures.

३.१३.४१

तस्मादुत्तरसंज्ञायाः क्रियास्ताः शृणु पार्थिव ।
य थायथा च कर्तव्या विधिना येन चानघ ॥

Summary AI O sinless King, therefore hear from me about those rites known as uttara-saṃjñā, how they are to be performed, and according to which specific injunctions.

इति श्रिविष्णुमहापुराणे तृतीयांशे त्रयोदशोध्यायः ।

Other texts to read

श्रीमद्भागवतम्

महाभारतम् वेदव्यासः

About

Resources

Connect