History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c73.t1.163

v5.c73.t1.163

He says 'to Soma drunk by the pitṛs, *svadhā*! Adoration!' He says 'to Agni, the carrier of *kavya*, svadha! Adoration! (Thereby) he pleases the fire that pertains to the pitṛs. He offers (into fire) three oblations; he puts down (on the darbhas spread on the ground) three piṇḍas. (These) thus come to six in number. Six indeed are the seasons. He (thereby) pleases the seasons The seasons are indeed the shining (or divine) pitṛs......The darbha grass is cut with one stroke; the pitṛs have as it were (passed away) once for ever. He puts down thrice (the piṇḍas) The pitṛs are indeed in the third world from here. He (thereby) pleases them. He (the performer) turns his face away (to the north from the south), for the Fathers are shy. He remains with his face turned away till the steam (of the boiled rice of the piṇḍas) ceases to rise, for the Fathers have the steam of rice as their share; he should simply smell (the piṇḍas). That as if does not amount to eating or non-eating. The pitṛs when departing (from the śrāddha rite) take away or grant a valiant son. He cuts off the fringe (of a garment to place it on the piṇḍas), for the share of Fathers is taking away (what is offered). He (thereby) allots their proper share to the pitṛs (and dismisses them). When (the performer) is in the latter part of life (i e. over 50 years of age) he cuts off hair (from his chest instead of presenting a *daśā*) At that time he is nearer to the pitṛs (when above 50 years of age). He offers adoration, because adoration (*namaskāra*) is dear to the pitṛs. Adoration to you, O Fathers, for vigour; adoration to you, O fathers, for life, adoration to you, O fathers, for *svadhā*, adoration to you, O fathers, for ardour; adoration, O fathers, for the terrible! O fathers! here is adoration to you. This (piṇḍapitṛyajña) is indeed a sacrifice of men (i e. sacrifice to departed men) and other sacrifices belong to the gods" In the Tai Br. I. 4 10 the Pitṛyajña performed in *sākamedha* is praised (in 2) and further on it is said that Ṛtus (seasons) are pitṛs and they offered pitṛyajña to Prajāpati, their father. This passage supports the provision made in Manu and some of the digests that the Ṛtus are to be identified with pitṛs and obeisance is to be made to them.⁹⁶⁰