Varaha Purana

प्रेतस्य च हितार्थाय धारयेत वसुन्धरे 188.

For the benefit of the departed, O Earth, one should sustain them.

छत्रमावरणार्थं तु दद्याञ्चैव द्विजातये

One should also give an umbrella for the sake of protection to a twice-born.

गन्धर्वा ह्यसुराः सिद्धा राक्षसाः पिशिताशिनः

The Gandharvas, Asuras, Siddhas, Rakshasas, and flesh-eating beings—

व्रीडमानं ततो दृष्ट्वा हसंत्यसुरराक्षसाः

Seeing him ashamed, the Asuras and Rakshasas laugh.

प्रेतलोकगतानां च सर्वदेवर्षिणां पुरा

And of those who have gone to the realm of the departed, of all the gods and sages of old—

भस्मवर्षं ततो घोरमहोरात्रेण माधवि तमोऽन्धकारविषमं दुर्गमं घोरदर्शनम्

Then, in a dreadful day and night, there is a rain of ashes, darkness thick and uneven, impassable, and terrifying to behold.

एकाकी दुःसहं लोके पथा येन स गच्छति

Alone, he travels that unbearable path in the world.

अहोरात्रेण घोरेण प्रेतं नयति माधवि

In that dreadful day and night, O Madhavi, he leads the departed.

तप्तवालुमयी भूमिः कण्टकैरुपसंस्तृता 188.

The ground is of burning sand, covered with thorns.

पश्चाद्धूपं च दीपं च दद्याद्वै मन्त्रपूर्वकम्

Afterwards, one should offer incense and a lamp, with the proper mantra.

नामगोत्रमुदाहृत्य प्रेताय तदनन्तरम्

Then, reciting the name and lineage, to the departed—

मन्त्रः- इह लोकं परित्यज्य गतोऽसि परमां गतिम्

Mantra: Having left this world, you have gone to the highest state.

गन्धमन्त्रः- सर्वगन्धं सर्वपुष्पं धूपं दीपं तथैव च

Fragrance-mantra: All fragrance, all flowers, incense, and likewise the lamp—

एवं वस्त्राणि विप्राय सर्वाण्याभरणानि च

In this way, all garments and ornaments should be given to the Brahmin.

एवमादीनि द्रव्याणि प्रेतभोग्यानि सर्वशः

Thus, all such items, entirely, are to be offered as enjoyments for the departed.

एवंविधः प्रयोक्तव्यः शूद्राणां मन्त्रवर्जितम्

For Shudras, the same is to be performed, but without mantras.

एतत्सर्वं विनिर्वर्त्य पक्वान्नं भोजयेद्द्विजम्

Having completed all this, one should feed the Brahmin with cooked food.

प्रेताय प्रथमं दद्यान्न स्पृशेत परात्परम्

First, one should offer to the departed; no one else should touch it beforehand.

देवत्वं ब्राह्मणत्वं च प्रेतपिण्डे प्रदीयते 188.

Divinity and Brahminhood are granted in the funeral offering.

पितृस्थाने प्रदातव्यं विधानान्मन्त्रसंयुतम्

It should be given in the place of the ancestors, accompanied by proper rites and mantras.

हस्तशौचं पुनः कृत्वा ह्युपस्पृश्य यथाविधि

After cleansing the hands again and performing the prescribed purification,

भुज्यमानस्य विप्रस्य प्रेतभागं च नित्यशः

A share for the departed should always be given from what the Brahmin is eating.

भागस्तत्र प्रदातव्यस्तस्यार्थे यस्य विद्यते

There, the share must be given for the sake of the one for whom the rite is performed.

निवारयति यो दत्तं गुरुहत्याफलं लभेत्

Whoever obstructs what is given incurs the fruit of slaying a teacher.

एवं विलुप्यते धर्मः प्रेतस्तत्र न तुष्यति

Thus, righteousness is destroyed and the departed is not satisfied there.

ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिमध्ये तु यो दद्यात्प्रेतभोजनम्

But if someone gives the food for the departed among relatives and kin,

कूटवत्प्रतितिष्ठेत दृष्ट्वा तृप्तिं न गच्छति

He stands as if false, and seeing, does not attain satisfaction.

तृप्तिं ज्ञात्वा तु विप्रस्य पक्वान्नेन तु माधवि

But knowing the Brahmin's satisfaction with the cooked food, O Mādhavi,

दृष्ट्वा तु प्रोषितं तेन उच्छिष्टं न विसर्ज्जयेत् 188.

Seeing that he has departed, one should not discard the leavings.