Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c19.s3.45

v2.c19.s3.45

We are not able to determine the veracity of the above account, since we have no other description from the pen of foreign travellers, which could be compared with that of Nuniz. Nevertheless it is evident from the details which he gives that the Brahmans followed the orthodox rules about the performance of the funeral and śrāddha cermonies. Nuniz speaks of the rather large number of Brahmans being fed by the heir or father "from the day of the death"; and then he says that three Brahmans were fed for twenty-seven days. About the number three we have the following in Vaśiṣṭha : "After issuing an invitation on the day preceding (the śrāddha, he shall feed on that occasion), three ascetics or three virtuous householders, who are Śrotriyas, who are not aged, who do not follow forbidden occupations, and neither (have been his pupils, nor are (living as) pupils in his house".¹ According to Manu: "I will fully declare what and how many Brāhmaṇas must be fed on that (occasion), who must be avoided and on what kinds of food (they shall dine). One must feed two (Brāhmaṇas) at the offering to the gods, and three at the offering to the manes, or one only on either occasion; even a very wealthy man shall not be anxious (to entertain) a large company".² It is highly doubtful if the orthodox Brahmans of Vijayanagara, to whom gold was as precious as learning, would have violated the next injunction of Manu who gives reasons why a large company of Brahmans should not be entertained at a śrāddha. "A large company destroys these five (advantages), the respectful treatment (of the invited, the propriety of) place and time, purity, and (the selection of) virtuous Brāhmaṇa (guests); he therefore shall not seek (to entertain) a large company".³ The Portuguese chronicler dwells twice on the Trinity which makes one suspect that he was still labouring under the earlier misconception of his countrymen who confounded the principles of the Hindu religion with those of Christianity.⁴