History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c73.t1.541

v5.c73.t1.541

One remarkable matter about śrāddhas is yet to be mentioned. The Baud. gṛhyaśeṣasūtra III. 19, the Liṅgapurāṇa (II 45. 8-90, some of which are quoted by Śr. Pr. pp 363-364), the Kalpataru (on śrāddha pp. 277-279), Hemādri (Śr. pp. 1704-1717), the Śrāddhaprakāśa (pp. 361-371) and a few other digests describe the procedure of *Jīvat-śrāddha* or Jīva-śrāddha, which a man was allowed to perform for the benefit of his own soul, while he was himself alive. Baudhāyana's being probably the most ancient extant description it is briefly set out here "A man who desires his own highest happiness should fast on the 13th tithi of the dark half and bring together materials on the same day, which are required in the funeral rites of deceased persons, viz six garments, a golden needle, a goad, a noose made of (cotton) threads, a ragged garment, a stalk of palāśa leaves, a chair of udumbara wood, jars and other materials also On the next day he bathes; after standing in the midst of water he comes out and makes (the brāhmaṇas) pronounce 'this is an auspicious day, may there be happiness and prosperity (for you)'; he makes a gift of garments, a ring and dakṣiṇā and facing the south eats rice boiled in milk and mixed with ghee.