History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c91.60

v7.c91.60

The Baud¹⁴⁸⁷ Dh. S., Manu and Vasiṣṭha emphasize that one should not invite a large company of brāhmaṇas at a śrāddha, because a large company destroys these five (advantages) viz. showing proper respect to invitees, propriety of place and time, cleanliness and the securing of worthy brāhmaṇas and it was further provided by the Anuśāsana-parva¹⁴⁸⁸ and others that one should not go deep into examining the learning, family and character of brāhmaṇas in a rite for the gods, but in rites for the Manes close examination as to these matters is proper (or justified). The Purāṇas went against both these prescriptions. They are not tired of recommending again and again profuse expense in śrāddhas and condemning stinginess (lit. roguishness in spending money) in śrāddhas and also in such other matters as the observances of Ekādaśī. For example, the Viṣṇupurāṇa¹⁴⁸⁹ quotes nine verses (III. 14 22-30) as uttered by the pitṛs, two of which may be translated here 'Would that a wise and blessed person be born in our family who not indulging in stinginess in spending wealth will offer piṇḍas to us and who would donate to brāhmaṇas for our sake jewels, clothes, a large conveyance, wealth and all enjoyments if he has riches'! Padma¹⁴⁹⁰ recommends that avoiding stinginess brings pleasure to the pitṛs. The Matsya (56. 11) prescribes that one should not show stinginess in the Kṛṣṇāṣṭamīvrata. The Padma says that that bad man who being possessed of wealth celebrates the *jāgara* on Ekādaśī in a close-fisted way loses his soul. The Brahmapurāṇa¹⁴⁹¹ says in a general way that whoever does a religious act with stinginess is a sinner.