History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c73.t1.108

v5.c73.t1.108

The Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa says that several kinds of corn-yielding plants (some due to tillage in villages and some growing wild) were produced by Brahmā when he milked the earth for famished people, while Brahmavaivarta (q. by Hemādri on śrāddha p. 537) affirms that when a few particles fell down on the earth while Indra drank Soma, from them arose such corn as *śyāmāka*, wheat, *yava*, *mudga* and red paddy and as they were produced from soma they were like nectar to the pitṛs and food prepared from these should be offered to pitṛs. The Mārkaṇḍeya speaks of seven kinds of *grāmya* corn and seven kinds of wild (*āraṇya*) corn. Prajāpati 119 recommends the use of eight kinds of corn, viz. nīvāra, māṣa, mudga, wheat, paddy, yava, grain and sesamum. The Matsya (q by Hemādri on śrāddha p. 538) narrates that when the Sun drank nectar some drops fell down from which arose the several kinds of paddy, *mudga*, sugarcane and that therefore sugar is sacred and may be employed in sacrifices to gods and manes. The Mārkaṇḍeya ⁹³⁰ mentions several kinds of corn that may be employed for śrāddha food. The Brahma-purāṇa 220. 154-155, Vāyu 82. 3, Viṣṇupurāṇa ,III. 16. 5-6, Viṣṇu, Dh. S,⁹³¹ Brahmāṇḍa II. 7. 143-152 and III 14. contain similar lists of different kinds of corn that may be used in śrāddhas. The Vāyupurāṇa (80. 42-48) mentions various desirable eatables prepared from corn of various kinds, sugar and clarified butter and milk.⁹³²