Vayu Purana

पूर्व्वं निवेदयेत्पिण्डं पश्चाद्विप्रांश्च भोजयेत्। योगात्मानो महात्मानः पितरो योग सम्भवाः। सोममाप्याययन्त्येते पितरो योगमास्थिताः ।। १४.

First, one should offer the rice-ball, and then feed the Brāhmaṇas; the ancestors, who are great souls and established in yoga, are nourished by Soma, having attained yoga.

तस्माद्दद्याच्‌छुचिः पिण्डान् योगिभ्यस्तत्परायणः । पितॄणां हि भवेदेतत्साक्षादिव हुतं हविः ।। १४.

Therefore, one devoted to this should, with purity, offer rice-balls to yogis; for this is, for the ancestors, just as if an oblation were offered directly.

ब्राह्मणानां सहस्रेभ्यो योगी चाग्रासने यदि। यजमानञ्च भोक्तॄंश्च नौरिवाम्भसि तारयेत् ।। १४.

If among a thousand Brāhmaṇas there is a yogi in the foremost seat, he, like a boat in water, carries the sacrificer and the eaters across.

असतां प्रग्रहो यत्र सताञ्चैव विमानना। दण्डो देवकृतस्तत्र सद्यः पतति तारुणः ।। १४.

Where there is acceptance by the unworthy and disrespect for the worthy, there the divine punishment, swift as youth, immediately falls.

हित्वागमं सधर्माणं बालिशं यत्र भोजयेत्। आदिकर्म समुत्सृज्य दाता तत्र विनश्यति ।। १४.

Where, abandoning the proper tradition, one feeds an ignorant person, neglecting the primary rite, there the giver is destroyed.

पिण्डमग्नौ सदा दद्याद्भोगार्थी तु प्रयत्नतः । प्रजार्थी पत (त्न)ये दद्यान्मध्यमं तत्र पूर्वकम् ।। १४.

One who desires enjoyment should always carefully offer the rice-ball into the fire; one who desires progeny should give the middle one for a son, as prescribed.

उत्तमां द्युतिमन्विच्छन् गोषु नित्यं प्रयच्छति। प्रज्ञां पूजां यशः कीर्त्तिं गोषु नित्यं प्रयच्छति ।। १४.

One who seeks supreme brilliance should always give the best to cows; wisdom, honor, fame, and glory are always given to cows.

प्रार्थयन्दीर्घमायुश्च वायसेभ्यः प्रयच्छति। सौकुमार्यमथान्विच्छन् कुक्कुटेभ्यः प्रयच्छति ।। १४.

Desiring long life, one should give to crows; seeking delicacy, one should give to chickens.

एवमेतत्समुद्दिष्टं पिण्डनिर्वपणात् फलम्। आकाशं शमयेद्वापि स्थितौ सुदक्षिणामुखः। पितॄणां स्थानमाकाशं दक्षिणा चैव दिग्भवेत् ।। १४.

Thus the result of offering the rice-ball has been described; one should face the south or a well-aligned southern direction while standing, for the place of the ancestors is the sky, and the south is indeed their direction.

एकं विप्राः पुनः प्राहुः पिण्डोद्धरणमग्रतः। अनुज्ञाते तु तैर्विप्रैर्वानमुद्वियतामिति ।। १४.

The learned priests again declared that the offering of the rice ball should be performed first; and, when permitted by those priests, let the rice ball be raised.

पुष्पाणां चफलानां च भक्ष्याणामन्नतस्तथा। अग्रमुद्धृत्य सर्वेषां जुहुयाज्जातवेदसि ।। १४.

Of flowers, fruits, and edible foods, after taking the foremost portion of each, one should offer them all into the fire to Jātavedas.

भक्ष्यमन्नं तथा पेयमनुत्तमफलानि च। हुत्वा चाग्नौ ततः पिण्डान्निर्वपेद्दक्षिणामुखः ।। १४.

Edible food, cooked rice, drink, and excellent fruits—having offered these into the fire, then one should place the rice balls facing south.

स्निग्धैर्भक्ष्यैः सुगन्धैश्च तर्पयेत रसैस्तथा। एकाग्रः पर्युपासीत प्रयतः प्राञ्जलिः स्थितः। तत्परः श्रद्दधानश्च कामानाप्नोति मानवः ।। १४.

With rich, fragrant foods and flavorful liquids, one should satisfy (the ancestors); focused, seated with reverence, hands joined, devoted and faithful—such a person attains their desires.

अक्षुद्रत्वं कृतज्ञत्वं दाक्षिण्यं सत्कृतञ्च यत्। ततो यज्ञञ्च दानञ्च प्रयच्छन्ति पितामहाः ।। १४.

Freedom from meanness, gratitude, generosity, and respect—because of these, the ancestors grant sacrifice and charity.

अतः परं विधिं सौम्यं भुक्तवत्सु द्विजातिषु। आनुपूर्व्येण विधिना तन्मे निगदतः श्रृणु ।। १४.

Now, hear the gentle rite prescribed after the twice-born have eaten, as I declare it to you in proper sequence.

प्रोक्ष्य भूमिमथोद्धृत्य पूर्वं पितृपरायणः। ततोऽत्र विकिरं कुर्यात् विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा ।। १४.

Having sprinkled the ground and lifted it up first, devoted to the ancestors, then one should scatter (the offerings) here according to the prescribed rite.

स्वधां वाच्य ततो विप्रा विधिवद्भूरि दक्षिणान्। अन्नशेषमनुज्ञाप्य सत्कृत्य द्विजसत्तमान् । प्राञ्जलिः प्रयतश्चैव अनुगम्य विसर्जयेत् ।। १४.

Then, the priests should recite 'svadhā' according to the rite, giving abundant gifts; after honoring the excellent twice-born and obtaining their permission for the remaining food, one should, with joined hands and devotion, accompany and bid them farewell.

सकृदभ्यर्चिताः प्रीता भवन्ति पितरोऽन्ययाः। योगात्मानो महात्मानो विपाप्मानो महौजसः ।। १५.

The ancestors, once worshipped with devotion, become pleased; they are yogic, great-souled, free from sin, and possessed of great energy.

प्रेत्य च स्वर्गलाभाय कामैश्वर्यं सुविस्तरम् । येषां चाप्यनुगृह्णन्ति मोक्षप्राप्तिक्रमेण तु ।। १५.

After death, for the attainment of heaven, for desires and vast prosperity, those whom they favor also gain liberation in due course.

तानि वक्ष्याम्यहं सौम्याः सरांसि सरितस्तथा। तीर्थानि चैव पुण्यानि देशाञ्जैलांस्तथाश्रमान् ।। १५.

I shall now speak, O gentle one, of the lakes, rivers, holy places, and regions, as well as the hermitages.

पुण्यो यस्त्रिषु लोकेष्वमरकण्टकपर्वतः। पर्वतः प्रवरः पुण्यः सिद्धचारणसेवितः ।। १५.

Among the three worlds, Amarakaṇṭaka mountain is holy; it is a foremost, sacred mountain, frequented by perfected beings and celestial wanderers.

यत्र वर्षसहस्राणि प्रयुतान्यर्बुदानि च। तपः सुदुश्चरं तेपे भगवानङ्गिराः पुरा ।। १५.

There, for thousands and millions of years, the venerable Aṅgirā once performed extremely difficult austerities.

यत्र मृत्योर्गतिर्नास्ति तथैवासुररक्षसाम्। न भयं चैव वाऽलक्ष्मीर्यावद्भूमिर्धरिष्यति ।। १५.

There, neither death nor the path of demons and rakṣasas exists; nor is there fear or misfortune, as long as the earth endures.

तेजसा यशसा चैव भ्राजते स नगोत्तमः। श्रृङ्गमाल्यवतो नित्यं वह्निः संवर्तको यथा ।। १५.

That supreme mountain shines with brilliance and fame, its peaks always adorned, like the fire of dissolution.

मृदवश्च सुगन्धाश्च हेमाभाः प्रियदर्शनाः । शान्ताः कुशा इति ख्याताः पिबन्दक्षिणनर्मदाम् ।। १५.

Soft, fragrant, golden-hued, pleasing to the eye, peaceful—such are the kuśa grasses, renowned for drinking the southern Narmadā.

दृष्टवान् स्वर्गसोपानं भगवानङ्गिराः पुरा। अग्निहोत्रे महातेजाः प्रस्तरार्थकुशोत्तमान् ।। १५.

The venerable Aṅgirā once beheld the stairway to heaven, possessing great energy in the agnihotra, and the excellent kuśa grasses for the stone altar.

तेषु दर्भेषु यः पिण्डानमरकण्टकपर्वते। दद्यात्सकृदपि प्राज्ञस्तस्य वक्ष्यामि यत्फलम् ।। १५.

Among those kuśa grasses, whoever, even once, offers rice balls on Amarakaṇṭaka mountain, being wise—I shall declare to you the fruit of that act.

तद्भवत्यक्षयं श्राद्धं पितॄणां प्रीतिवर्द्धनम् । अन्तर्द्धानं च गच्छन्ति क्षेत्रमासाद्य तत्सदा ।। १५.

That śrāddha becomes inexhaustible, increasing the satisfaction of the ancestors; and, upon reaching that sacred place, they always attain disappearance.

तत्र ज्वालारसः पुण्यो दृश्यतेऽद्यापि सर्वशः। सशल्यानां च सत्त्वानां विशल्यकरणी नदी ।। १५.

There, the sacred essence of flame is still seen everywhere even today; and for beings pierced by arrows, there is a river that removes their wounds.