Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.2990

c9.2990

At the beginning of creation Brahmā created seven groups of Manes of whom four were embodied and three were lustrous ones. The deities called the Manes are the Agniṣvāttas, the Barhiṣadas, the Somapās, Yama, Anala, Soma and Aryaman. The Śrāddhas (oblations offered to the manes) were stipulated as the food of these manes. It was ordered that the Brahmin who does not make offerings to the manes, will be as mean and despicable as the Brahmin, who has not learned the Vedas, who has not eaten meals presented to an idol in temples, and who has not worshipped Devi (goddess), and that he would not be eligible to perform any religious ceremonies. Thus Brahmā meant Śrāddha as food for the manes. But the portion of the rice balls offered by the Brahmins stipulated as the food of the manes, seldom reached them. At last the manes complained to Brahmā. Then Brahmā created a woman of beauty, youth, knowledge and power to grant boons, and of good character, from a portion of pure nature. She was named Svadhā, and was given to the manes as wife. Then Brahmins were ordered to give offerings to the manes only with the spell (Mantra) of Svadhā. When the Brahmins began to do as they were ordered, the manes also began to get food, and they became contented.