Kurma Purana

भूतयज्ञः स वै ज्ञेयो भूतिदः सर्वदेहिनाम्

This is known as the sacrifice to beings, which grants sustenance to all embodied creatures.

दद्याद् भूमौ बलिं त्वन्नं पक्षिभ्यो ऽथ द्विजोत्तमः

One should offer food as a bali on the ground to birds, O best of twice-born.

भूतयज्ञस्त्वयं नित्यं सायं प्रातर्विधीयते

This sacrifice to beings is to be performed daily, both in the evening and in the morning.

नित्यश्राद्धं तदुद्दिष्टं पितृयज्ञो गतिप्रदः

The daily śrāddha is prescribed as the ancestral sacrifice, which bestows progress.

वेदतत्त्वार्थविदुषे द्विजायैवोपपादयेत्

One should provide it to a twice-born who knows the true meaning of the Vedas.

मनोवाक्कर्मभिः शान्तमागतं स्वगृह ततः

Having returned to one's own house with mind, speech, and actions tranquil,

दद्यादतिथये नित्यं बुध्येत परमेश्वरम्

One should always give to the guest and recognize the Supreme Lord.

पुष्कलं हन्तकारं तु तच्चतुर्गुणमुच्यते

Abundant and destructive, it is said to be fourfold.

अभ्यागतान् यथाशक्ति पूजयेदतिथिं यथा

One should honor arriving guests according to one's ability, as is proper for a guest.

दद्यादन्नं यथाशक्ति त्वर्थिभ्यो लोभवर्जितः

One should give food to those in need according to one's ability, free from greed.

भुञ्जीत बन्धुभिः सार्धं वाग्यतो ऽन्नमकुत्सयन्

One should eat together with relatives, speaking respectfully and not disparaging the food.

भृञ्जीत चेत् स मूढात्मा तिर्यग्योनिं सगच्छति

If, however, that deluded soul eats, he attains a birth among animals.

नाशयत्याशु पापानि देवानामर्चनं तथा

Worship of the gods likewise swiftly destroys sins.

भुङ्क्ते स याति नरकान् शूकरेष्वभिजायते

He eats, then goes to hells, and is born again among pigs.

भुञ्जीत स्वजनैः सार्धं सयाति परमां गतिम्

If he eats together with his own people, he attains the highest state.

आसीनस्त्वासने शुद्धे भूम्यां पादौ निधाय तु

Seated on a pure seat, with his feet placed upon the ground,

श्रियं प्रत्यङ्मुखो भुङ्क्ते ऋतं भुङ्क्ते उदङ्मुखाः

He eats prosperity facing west, and eats truth facing north.

उपवासेन तत्तुल्यं मनुराह प्रजापतिः

Manu, the lord of creatures, has said that this is equal to a fast.

आचम्यार्द्राननो ऽक्रोधः पञ्चार्द्रे भोजनं चरेत्

Having sipped water, with a moist mouth, free from anger, one should eat food with five moist things.

अमृतोपस्तरणमसीत्यापोशानक्रियां चरेत्

Reciting 'You are the covering of nectar,' one should perform the sprinkling of water.

अपानाय ततो हुत्वा व्यानाय तदनन्तरम्

Then, having offered to Apana, and next to Vyana,

विज्ञाय तत्त्वमेतेषां जुहुयादात्मनि द्विजः

Knowing the true nature of these, the twice-born should offer them into himself.

ध्यात्वा तन्मनसा देवमात्मानं वै प्रजापतिम्

Meditating with his mind on the god, the Self, indeed Prajapati,

आचान्तः पुनराचामेदायं गौरिति मन्त्रतः

Having rinsed his mouth, he should rinse again, reciting the mantra, 'This is a cow.'

प्राणानां ग्रन्थिरसीत्यालभेद् हृदयं ततः

Reciting 'You are the knot of the vital airs,' he should then touch his heart.

निः स्त्रवयेद् हस्तजलमूर्ध्वहस्तः समाहितः

He should let water drip from his hand, with his hand raised, composed in mind.

अथाक्षरेण स्वात्मानं योजयेद् ब्रह्मणेति हि

Then, with the syllable, he should unite his own self with Brahman.

यो ऽनेन विधिना कुर्यात् स याति ब्रह्मणः क्षयम्

Whoever performs in this manner attains the abode of Brahman.

सायंप्रापर्नान्तरा वै संध्यायां तु विशेषतः

In the evening, between the two meals, and especially at twilight.