History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c38.15

v3.c38.15

There was divergence of view on other questions viz. whether vaiśvadeva was to be performed before śrāddha or after it and whether food for vaiśvadeva was to be separately cooked from that meant for śrāddha. Aparārka p. 462 sets out the conflicting views on the first question and says that for vaiśvadeva there are three options, viz. it may be performed immediately after food is ready, or it may be offered after *baliharaṇa* or it may be performed after śrāddha is finished. The Madanapārijāta p. 320 and Bṛhat-Parāśara p. 156 hold that vaiśvadeva must be performed before śrāddha. *Vide* Smṛtimuktāphala (āhnika pp. 406-407) also; on the other hand Anuśāsana-parva (97. 16-18) directs that on śrāddha day, pitṛ-tarpaṇa comes first, then offering of bali, and then vaiśvadeva. The Madanapārijāta p. 318 says that the food for the vaiśvadeva must be separately cooked from what is meant for śrāddha. In the case of a joint family of father and sons or of several brothers, the father alone performs vaiśvadeva or the eldest brother; but if the father or eldest brother is unable to do it himself, a son or younger brother may offer it at his bidding (Laghu-Āśvalāyana I. 117-119).