History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c73.107

v5.c73.107

There are two views about the rite called Māghyāvarṣa⁸²¹ in Āśv. Gṛ. II. 5. 9. Acc. to Nārāyaṇa, the rite is performed in the dark half of Bhādrapada for three days on 7th, 8th and 9th.⁸²² The other view is that it is a rite like the Aṣṭakās but performed on the 13th of the dark half of Bhādrapada, when generally the moon is in the Maghā *nakṣatra*. There is doubt about the very name of the rite, as the mss. present various forms (vide Oldenberg's note in S. B. E. vol. 29. p 103 on Śāṅ. Gṛ. III. 13 1). The real name appears to be Māghyāvarṣa or Maghāvarga (meaning 'a śrāddha in the rainy season when the moon is in the Maghā *nakṣatra*)'. The Viṣṇu Dh. S 76 1⁸²³ mentions the following times for offering śrāddha viz. (twelve) Amāvāsyās (in a year), the three Aṣṭakās, the three Anvaṣṭakās, the 13th of the dark half of Bhādrapada when the moon is in the Maghā asterism, the seasons of *śarad* and *vasanta*. In Viṣṇu Dh. S. (78. 52–53) also a śrāddha on the 13th of the dark half of Bhādrapada is highly eulogised Manu III. 273 also states that whatever food mixed with honey is offered on the 13th day in the rainy season when the moon is in Maghā procures endless satisfaction. To the same effect are Vas XI 40 (in the rainy season and on Maghā), Yāj I 26 and Varāhapurāṇa.⁸²⁴ In the Hir. Gṛ. II. 13. 3-4 (edited by Kirste) the name appears to be Madhyāvarṣa ⁸²⁵ and it is provided that meat is obligatory in it, but that if meat cannot be had then vegetables may be offered. In Pār. ⁸²⁶ Gṛ. (III. 3) the name (as printed) is madhyāvarṣa which is said to be a 4th Aṣṭakā in which only vegetables are offered. Aparārka (p. 422) also appears to call the rite 'madhyāvarṣa.' In the Bhaviṣyapurāṇa ⁸²⁷ (Brahma-parva), chap. 183. 4 also this rite is referred to but it is said that therein meat is to be offered. It appears probable that this ancient rite on the 13th of the dark half of Bhādrapada is a precursor of the Mahālayaśrāddha of later times.