सर्वयज्ञारम्भकाले शालग्रामे घटेऽथवा
At the commencement of every sacrifice, whether in a Śālagrāma or a pot,
स्वाहां मन्त्राङ्गभूतां च मन्त्रसिद्धिस्वरूपिणीम्
One should meditate on 'svāhā', which is a limb of the mantra and embodies its accomplishment,
इति ध्यात्वा च मूलेन दत्त्वा पाद्यादिकं नरः
Having meditated thus with the root mantra, and having offered water and other items,
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं वह्निजायायै देव्यै स्वाहेत्यनेन च 2.40.
With the mantra: 'Om hrīṃ śrīṃ to the goddess, wife of Agni, svāhā',
वह्निरुवाच मन्त्राणां फलदात्री च धात्री च जगतां सती
Agni said: She is the giver of fruits for mantras, the sustainer of worlds, the virtuous one,
सिद्धिस्वरूपा सिद्धा च सिद्धिदा सर्वदा नृणाम्
She is the form of accomplishment, accomplished herself, and always grants success to people.
संसारसाररूपा च घोरसंसारतारिणी
She is the essence of worldly existence and rescues from the dreadful cycle of birth.
षोडशैतानि नामानि यः पठेद्भक्तिसंयुतः
Whoever recites these sixteen names with devotion,
नाङ्गहीनो भवेत्तस्य सर्वकर्मसु शोभनम्
For him, there will be no deficiency of limbs, and all actions will be auspicious.
नारायण उवाच पितॄणां वै तृप्तिकरं श्राद्धानां फलवर्द्धनम्
Nārāyaṇa said: It brings satisfaction to the ancestors and increases the fruits of śrāddha rites.
सृष्टेरादौ पितृगणान्ससर्ज जगतां विधिः
At the beginning of creation, the Lord of the world fashioned the hosts of ancestors.
सप्त दृष्ट्वा पितृगणान्सिद्धिरूपान्मनोहरान्
Seeing seven groups of ancestors, perfect and enchanting in form,
स्नानं तर्पणपर्य्यन्तं श्राद्धान्तं देवपूजनम्
He established the rites from bathing up to offerings, ending with the śrāddha and worship of the gods.
नित्यं न कुर्य्याद्यो विप्रस्त्रिसन्ध्यं श्राद्धतर्पणम्
A brāhmaṇa who does not daily perform the three sandhyās, śrāddha, and offerings,
हरिसेवाविहीनश्च श्रीहरेरनिवेद्यभुक्
Who neglects service to Hari and does not partake of food offered to Śrī Hari,
ब्रह्मा श्राद्धादिकं सृष्ट्वा जगाम पितृहेतवे
Brahmā, having created the śrāddha and related rites, departed for the sake of the ancestors.
सर्वे प्रजग्मुः क्षुधिता विषण्णा ब्रह्मणः सभाम्
All, hungry and dejected, went to the assembly of Brahmā.
ब्रह्मा च मानसीं कन्यां ससृजे तां मनोहराम्
Brahmā then created a daughter by his mind, enchanting in appearance.
विद्यावतीं गुणवतीमपि रूपवतीं सतीम् 2.41.
She was learned, virtuous, beautiful, and devoted.
विशुद्धां प्रकृतेरंशां सस्मितां वरदां शुभाम्
Pure, a portion of Prakṛti, smiling, bestower of boons, and auspicious.
शतपद्मपदन्यस्तपादपद्मं च बिभ्रतीम्
She bore a lotus foot placed upon a hundred-petaled lotus.
पितृभ्यस्तां ददौ कन्यां तुष्टेभ्यस्तुष्टिरूपिणीम्
He gave that daughter to the ancestors, who were pleased, as the embodiment of satisfaction.
स्वधान्तं मन्त्रमुच्चार्य्य पितृभ्यो देहि चेति च
Reciting the mantra ending with 'svadhā', he said, 'Give this to the ancestors.'
स्वाहा शस्ता देवदाने पितृदाने स्वधा वरा
'Svāhā' is best for offerings to the gods; for offerings to the ancestors, 'svadhā' is supreme.
पितरो देवता विप्रा मुनयो मानवास्तथा
Ancestors, gods, brāhmaṇas, sages, and men likewise,
देवादयश्च सन्तुष्टाः परिपूर्णमनोरथाः
The gods and others were satisfied, their desires completely fulfilled.
इत्येवं कथितं सर्वं स्वधोपाख्यानमुत्तमम्
Thus has the excellent account of Svadhā been narrated in full.
नारद उवाच श्रोतुमिच्छामि यत्नेन वद वेदविदां वर
Nārada said: I wish to hear with effort; speak, O best among knowers of the Vedas.
नारायण उवाच सर्वं जानासि वक्ष्ये वै ज्ञातुमिच्छसि वृद्धये ।। 2.41.
Nārāyaṇa said: You know everything; I will indeed speak, since you wish to know for your advancement.
शरत्कृष्णत्रयोदश्यां मघायां श्राद्धवासरे
On the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight in autumn, on the day of Maghā, the occasion for śrāddha rites,