History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c73.t1.383

v5.c73.t1.383

Then he washes his hands and feet, sips water twice and puts on his finger a *pavitra* with the mantra 'pavitravantaḥ' (Ṛg IX. 73. 3). He then requests that the water in the hands of the daiva brāhmaṇas be auspicious (or beneficial). The brāhmaṇas reply 'may the waters be auspicious.' In the same way there are requests for goodwill, for protection due to yavas, for long life, welfare, peace, prosperity, contentment and responses by the daiva brāhmaṇas giving blessings as to these. Then *apasavyam*. Then the same request for auspiciousness of waters, goodwill, protection by sesamum grains &c. and blessings about them by *pitṛya* brāhmaṇas. Then the performer requests 'may my family increase (or prosper) and may the procedure of worshipping the piṇḍas be good,' to which the *pitṛya* brāhmaṇas respond 'may it be so.' Then raising the *praṇītā*1122a vessel the performer requests 'May you say that the water and food and the like offered in the Pratisaṁvatsarikaśrāddha to pitṛ, pitāmaha and prapitāmaha, so and so by name and gotra, be inexhaustible.' The *pitrya* brāhmaṇas reply 'so be it.' Then *savyam*. The same request is made to the *daiva* brāhmaṇas and the reply is the same. Then gold is given to the daiva brāhmaṇas and silver to pitrya brāhmaṇas and the performer says 'may the dakṣiṇās (fees) given to the brāhmaṇas that ate the śrāddha dinner protect (me).' They reply 'may they do so.' Then he says 'I shall request you to utter the word *svadhā*!' They reply 'do so.' Then *apasavyam*. Then he says 'May (the brāhmaṇas representing) father, grandfather and great-grandfather utter the word svadhā.' They reply 'let there be svadhā.' Then he should place over the piṇḍas sesamum grains and water. Then he says 'May you declare that svadhā be accomplished.' They reply 'may svadhā be accomplished.' Then *savyam*. Then he says 'may you say that the gods led by Agni be pleased.' They reply 'may the Viśvedevāḥ be pleased.' Then *apasavyam*. Then he requests 'May you declare that the pitṛs led by the Vasus be pleased'. They reply 'may the pitṛs be pleased.' *Savyam*. He says 'May you declare that there is accomplishment of the saṅkalpa' (made at the beginning of the rite). They reply 'May there be accomplishment of the saṅkalpa'. He asks 'were the vegetables and cooked food liked by the pitṛs'. They reply 'they were most excellent'. Then the performer decks himself by applying sandal paste to his forehead. After doing obeisance to the piṇḍas he requests for blessings for his family (which are the same as those set out above from the Padmapurāṇa on p 452 above) and one more blessing 'May persons beg of us but may we not beg of any one' (vide n. 998). The brāhmaṇas reply in the same words only employing the words 'you' or 'your' for 'us' or 'our'.