History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c73.t1.23

v5.c73.t1.23

Some of the works lay special emphasis on inviting ascetics or *yogins* at a śrāddha dinner. The Viṣṇu Dh. S states that yogins⁸⁶⁹ are particularly *paṅktipāvana* and quotes a stanza as recited by the pitṛs 'May (a descendant) be born in our family who feeds a brāhmaṇa yogin at a śrāddha by which we are ourselves satisfied.' The Varāhapurāṇa 14. 50 says that a yogin is superior to 100 brāhmaṇas. The Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa provides 'a wise man should always feed yogins at a śrāddha since the pitṛs rely for support on Yoga; if a yogin is fed by being seated as the first among thousands of brāhmaṇas he saves the performer and the other diners as a boat saves men in water.' Then it quotes stanzas sung by the pitṛs (29. 32-34) to king Aila. The Saurapurāṇa, after mentioning the qualifications (in 19. 2-3),⁸⁷⁰ winds up by stating that even one may suffice provided he be a single-minded devotee of Śiva (verse 6)