Vayu Purana

कृष्णाजिनस्य सान्निध्यं दर्शनं दानमेव वा। रक्षोघ्नं ब्रह्मवर्च्चस्यं पितॄंस्तत्तद्वितारयेत् ॥ १२.

The presence, sight, or gift of a black antelope skin is said to ward off evil, to increase Brahmanic splendor, and to benefit the ancestors in various ways.

काञ्चनं राजतं ताम्रं दौहित्रं कुतपस्तिलाः। वस्त्रञ्च पावनीयानि त्रिदण्डो योगमेव च ॥ १२.

Gold, silver, copper, a daughter's son, a kutapa vessel, sesame seeds, pure garments, and a triple staff, as well as yoga practice—

श्राद्धकर्मण्ययं श्रेष्ठो विधिर्ब्राह्यः सनातनः। आयुः कीर्त्तिः प्रजाश्चैव प्रज्ञासन्ततिवर्द्धनः ॥ १२.

This is the best and eternal rule for the śrāddha ritual; it increases lifespan, fame, offspring, and the growth of wisdom and lineage.

दिशि दक्षिणपूर्वस्यां विदिकूस्थानं विशेषतः। सर्वतोरत्निमात्रन्तु चतुरस्रं सुसंहितम् ॥ १२.

In the southeast direction, especially at the prescribed site, a perfectly square area, measuring one ratni on each side, should be prepared.

वक्ष्यामि विधिवत्स्थानं पितॄणामनुशासनात्। धन्यमारोग्यमायुष्यं बलवर्णविवर्द्धनम् ॥ १२.

I shall describe, according to rule and instruction, the place for the ancestors, which brings prosperity, health, long life, strength, and enhancement of complexion.

तत्र गर्त्तास्त्रयः कार्य्यास्त्रयो दण्डाश्च खादिराः। रत्निमात्रास्तु ते कार्य्या रजतेन विभूषिताः। तेवितस्त्यायताः कार्य्याः सर्व्वतश्चतुरङ्गुलाः ॥ १२.

There, three pits should be made, and three khadira sticks, each a ratni in length and adorned with silver; they should be placed lengthwise, each four finger-breadths thick on all sides.

प्राग्दक्षिणमुखान्भूमौ स्थितानसुषिरंस्तथा। अद्भिः पवित्रपूताभिः प्लावयेत्सततं शुचिः ॥ १२.

They should be set on the ground facing east and south, without holes; and the pure person should always wash them with water purified by darbha grass.

पयसा ह्याजगव्येन शोधनं वाग्भिरेव तु। तर्पणात्सततं ह्येवं तृप्तिर्भवति शाश्वती ॥ १२.

Purification is to be done with cow's milk or goat's milk, and with sacred words; by such constant offering, satisfaction is eternally attained.

इह चामुत्र च श्रीमान्सर्वकर्मसमन्वितः। एवं त्रिषवणस्नातो योऽर्चयेत पितॄन्सदा । मन्त्रेण विधिवत्सम्यगश्वमेधफलं लभेत् ॥ १२.

Here and hereafter, one who is endowed with all duties, who always worships the ancestors after bathing thrice daily, with proper mantra and procedure, obtains the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice.

तत्स्थापयेदमावास्यां गर्त्ते भूचतुरङ्गुले । त्रिःसप्तसंज्ञास्ते यज्ञास्त्रैलोक्यं धार्य्यते तु वै ॥ १२.

On the new moon, one should place this in a pit four finger-breadths square; these rites, known as the thrice-seven, indeed uphold the three worlds.

तस्य पुष्टिरथैश्वर्य्यमायुः सन्ततिरेव च। विचित्रा भजते लक्ष्मीर्मोक्षं च लभते क्रमात् ॥ १२.

By this, one attains nourishment, wealth, long life, and progeny; diverse fortune comes, and ultimately liberation is attained.

पाप्मापहं पावनीयमश्वमेधफलं तथा। अश्वमेधफलं ह्येतद्द्विजैः सत्कृत्य पूजितम्। मन्त्रं वक्ष्याम्यहं तस्मादमृतं ब्रह्मनिर्मितम् ॥ १२.

This is purifying, removes sin, and yields the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice; when honored and worshipped by twice-born men, I shall declare the mantra for it, which is immortal and created by Brahma.

देवताभ्यः पितृभ्यश्च महायोगिभ्य एव च। नमः स्वधायै स्वाहायै नित्यमेव भवन्त्युत ॥ १२.

Homage always to the deities, the ancestors, and the great yogis; to Svadhā and Svāhā as well.

आद्यावसाने श्राद्धस्य त्रिरावर्त्तं जपेत्सदा। पिण्डनिर्वपणे चैव जपेदेतत्समाहितः। पितरः क्षिप्रमायान्ति राक्षसाः प्रद्रवन्ति च ॥ १२.

At the beginning and end of the śrāddha, one should always recite this three times; and also at the offering of the piṇḍa, one should recite this with concentration. The ancestors quickly arrive, and the demons flee.

पितॄंस्तत्र्त्रिषु लोकेषु मन्त्रोऽयं तारयत्युत। पठ्यमानः सदा श्राद्धे नियतं ब्रह्‌मवादिभिः ॥ १२.

This mantra truly delivers the ancestors in the three worlds, when it is always recited at the śrāddha by those devoted to Brahman.

राज्यकामो जपेदेनं सदा मन्त्रमतन्द्रितः। वीर्य्यशौचार्थसत्त्वञ्च श्रीरायुर्बलवर्द्धनम् ॥ १२.

One who desires sovereignty should always recite this mantra with diligence; it increases strength, purity, wealth, virtue, glory, lifespan, and power.

प्रीयन्ते पितरो येन जप्येन नियमेन च। सप्तार्च्चिषं प्रवक्ष्यामि सर्वकामप्रदं शुभम् ॥ १२.

By the recitation of which, with discipline, the ancestors are pleased—I will declare the Seven-flamed (Saptārciṣa), auspicious and bestower of all desires.

अमूर्तानां समूर्तानां पितॄणां दीप्त तेजसाम्। नमस्यामि सदा तेभ्यो ध्यानिभ्यो योगचक्षुषा ॥ १२.

To the formless and the formed ancestors, radiant in their brilliance, I always bow—those contemplative ones with the eye of yoga.

इन्द्रादीनां जनयितारो भृगुमारीचयोस्तथा। सप्तर्षीणां पितॄणाञ्च तान्नमस्यामि कामदान् ॥ १२.

To those who are the progenitors of Indra and the others, and of Bhṛgu and Marīci, and of the seven sages and the ancestors—I bow to those bestowers of desires.

मन्वादीनां सुरेशानां सूर्य्याचन्द्रमसोस्तथा। तान्नमस्कृत्य सर्वान्वै पितॄन्कुशलदायकान् ॥ १२.

Having bowed to all the ancestors of Manu and the other lords of the gods, and of the Sun and the Moon, who grant well-being, I bow to them all.

नक्षत्राणां चरादीनां पितॄनथ पितामहान्। द्यावापृथिव्योश्च तथा नमस्यामि कृताञ्जलिः ॥ १२.

To the ancestors of the stars, of the moving and unmoving, and to the grandfathers, and likewise to Heaven and Earth, I bow with joined palms.

देवर्षीणाञ्जनयितॄंश्च सर्वलोकनमस्कृतान्। अभयस्य सदा दातॄन्नमस्येऽहं कृताञ्जलिः ॥ १२.

To the progenitors of the divine sages, honored by all the worlds, and ever bestowers of fearlessness, I bow with joined palms.

प्रजा पतेः कश्यपाय सोमाय वरुणाय च। योगयोगेश्वरेभ्यश्च नमस्यामि कृताञ्जलिः ॥ १२.

To Prajāpati, Kaśyapa, Soma, Varuṇa, and to the lords of yoga and union, I bow with joined palms.

पितृगणेभ्यः सप्तभ्यो नमो लोकेषु सप्तसु। स्वयम्भुवे नमश्चैव ब्रह्मणे योगचक्षुषे ॥ १२.

Salutation to the seven groups of ancestors in the seven worlds; and salutation to the self-born Brahmā, the seer through yoga.

एतदुक्तं ससप्तर्षिब्रह्मर्षिगणपूजितम् । पवित्रं परमं ह्येतच्छ्रीमद्रक्षोविनाशनम् ॥ १२.

This has been declared, honored by the groups of seven sages and brahmarṣis; this is supremely pure, and indeed destroys great sins.

अनेन विधिना युक्तस्त्रीन्वरान् लभते नरः। अन्नमायुः सुतांश्चैव ददते पितरो भुवि ॥ १२.

A man who is endowed with this method obtains three boons: the ancestors grant him food, long life, and sons on earth.

भक्त्या परमया युक्तः श्रद्दधानो जितेन्द्रियः। सप्तार्च्चिषं जपेद्यस्तु नित्यमेव समाहितः। सप्तद्वीपसमुद्रायां पृथिव्यामेकराड्भवेत् ॥ १२.

He who, endowed with supreme devotion, faith, and self-control, recites the Seven-flamed always with concentration, becomes the sole ruler of the earth with its seven continents and oceans.

यत्किंचित्पच्यते गेहे भक्ष्यं वा भोज्यमेव च। अनिवेद्य न भोक्तव्यं तस्मिन्नायतने सदा ॥ १२.

Whatever is cooked in the house, whether to be eaten or enjoyed, should never be consumed there without first offering it.

क्रमशः कीर्त्तयिष्यामि बलिपात्राण्यतः परम्। येषु यच्च फलं प्रोक्तं तन्मे निगदतः श्रृणु ॥ १२.

I will now describe in order the bali vessels, and the fruit that is declared for each; listen as I tell you.