तथाविषमजातानां यमलानां च सर्वशः
Likewise, for those who died unnaturally or were unborn, and for twins in every case.
मघासु कुर्वञ्छ्राद्धानि सर्वकामानवाप्नुयात्
By performing śrāddha during the Maghā constellation, one attains all desired objects.
पितृदवा मघा यस्मात्तस्मात्तास्वक्षयं स्मृतम्
Because Maghā is the abode of the ancestors, it is therefore considered inexhaustible.
श्राद्धकल्पे तिथिश्राद्धवर्णनं नाम सप्तदशो ऽध्यायः
Seventeenth chapter: Description of the lunar-day śrāddha in the śrāddha-ritual.
तानि मे शृणु कार्याणि नक्षत्रेषु पृथक् पृथक्
Now hear from me the prescribed acts for each constellation, one by one.
अग्नीनाधाय स स्वर्गे राजते सुदृढव्रतः
Having established the fires, he shines in heaven, steadfast in his vow.
प्रायशः क्रूरकर्माणि आर्द्रायां श्राद्धमाचरन्
Generally, those who perform śrāddha under the Ārdrā constellation engage in harsh deeds.
पुष्टिकामः पुनस्तिष्ये श्राद्धं कुर्वीत मानवः
A man desiring nourishment should perform śrāddha under the Tiṣyā constellation.
जातीनां भवति श्रेष्ठो मघासु श्राद्धमाचरन्
Among all castes, he becomes the best who performs śrāddha under the Maghā constellation.
प्रदानशीलः सापत्य उत्तरासु करोति यः
He who is generous and has sons, performing it under the Uttarā constellations, prospers.
चित्रायां चैव यः कुर्यात्पश्येद्रूपवतः सुतान्
And whoever performs it under Citrā will see sons endowed with beauty.
पुत्रार्थी तु विशाखासु श्राद्धमीहेत मालवः
One desiring sons should strive to perform śrāddha under the Viśākhā constellation.
आधिपत्यं भवेच्छ्रेष्ठं ज्येष्ठायां सततं तु यः
He who always performs it under the Jyeṣṭhā constellation attains supreme lordship.
उत्तरासु तु कुर्वाणो वीतशोको भवेन्नरः
Indeed, by performing it under the Uttarā constellations, a man becomes free from sorrow.
राज्यभागी धनिष्ठासु प्राप्नुया द्विपुलं धनम्
By performing it under the Dhaniṣṭhā constellation, one attains a share in rulership and abundant wealth.
नक्षत्रैर्वारुणैः कुर्वन्भिषक्सिद्धिमवाप्नुयात्
By performing it under the Varuṇa constellations, one attains success as a physician.
उत्तरास्वनतिक्रम्य विन्देद्गा वै सहस्रशः
Having crossed the northern regions, one indeed finds cows by the thousands.
अश्वानश्वयुजा भक्तो भरण्यां साधुसत्तमः
The best among the virtuous, devoted, with horses yoked and unyoked, in Bharaṇī.
कृत्स्नां बलेन सो ऽक्लिष्ठो लभ्ध्वा च प्रशशास ह
He, unwearied, having obtained the entire force, ruled indeed.
श्राद्धकल्पे नक्षत्रश्राद्धं नाम अष्टादशो ऽध्यायः
In the section on Śrāddha, the eighteenth chapter is called 'Nakṣatra Śrāddha.'
किंस्वित्स्याच्चिररात्राय किं वानन्त्याय कल्पते
What, indeed, is suitable for a long night, or what is proper for the end?
तानि मे शृणु सर्वाणि फलं चैषां यथातथम्
Hear from me all of these, and the result of each, as they truly are.
दत्तेन मासं प्रीयन्ते श्राद्धेन हि पितामहाः
By a gift, the ancestors are pleased for a month through the Śrāddha offering.
शाशेन चतुरो मासान्पञ्च प्रीणाति शाकुनैः
With hare, one pleases them for four months, and with birds, for five.
अष्टमासिकमित्युक्तं यच्च पार्वतकं भवेत्
That which is called 'eight-monthly' is said to be that which comes from a mountain animal.
गवयस्य तु मांसेन तृप्तिः स्याद्दशमासिकी
With the flesh of the wild ox, satisfaction lasts for ten months.
श्राद्धे च तृप्तिदं गव्यं पयः संवत्सरं द्विजाः
And in Śrāddha, cow's milk, O twice-born, gives satisfaction for a year.
पायसं मधुसर्पिर्भ्यां छायायां कुञ्जरस्य च
Rice cooked with milk, with honey and ghee, and the shadow of an elephant as well.
अत्र गाथाः पितृगीताः कीर्तयन्ति पुराविदः
On this, the ancient knowers recite verses sung by the ancestors.
अपि नः स कुले यायाद्यो नो दद्यात् त्रयोदशीम्
May he not come into our family who does not give the thirteenth offering.