History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c48.s1.1.1

v3.c48.s1.1.1

It is so called because balls of rice are offered to the pitṛs²⁴²⁸ in this rite. According to Jaimini IV. 4. 19-21 Piṇḍapitṛyajña is an independent rite and not a mere subordinate part of the darśa sacrifice. On the other hand several writers held that it was a subordinate part (aṅga) of darśa e. g. Kāt. IV. 1. 30 appears to be of that opinion and the paddhati on it notes that all bhāṣyakāras like Karka stick to that opinion.²⁴²⁹ The piṇḍapitṛyajña is briefly described below. For details, vide Śat. Br. II. 4. 2, Tai. Br. I. 3. 10, II. 6. 16, Āśv. II. 6-7, Āp. I. 7-10, Kāt. IV. 1. 1-30, Sat. II. 7, Baud. III. 10-11. It is performed on amāvāsyā day when the moon cannot be seen and its distance from the sun is the least, in the last third part of the day or when only the rays of the sun are visible on the tops of trees.²⁴³⁰ The caru (boiled rice) is cooked on the dakṣiṇāgni and the oblation is offered in the same. In this and other ways a contrast is brought out between rites for gods and for Manes. He kindles a blade on the dakṣiṇa fire and carries it to the south-east of that fire with the mantra 'ye rūpāṇi &c.' (Vāj. S. II. 30 ).²⁴³¹ All actions are to be done facing the south-east unless otherwise specified. The darbha grass (to be employed in this rite) is severed at one stroke and is brought with or without its roots (Āp. I. 7. 3-4).