An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s1.434

c5.s1.434

B. and C.; cf. BR., v. *Ūṣmapa*] were created by *Svayambhū* (i.e. Brahmán) and consist of seven classes (*saptakaḥ pitṛ-vamśas tu*): when they are honoured by a *śrāddha*, they become freed from sin; the *Viṣvedevas* [sixty-four (γ) are enumerated], having *Agni* for their mouth, they are eternal (? *Kalasya gati-gocarūḥ*; C. *°syāga°*; "eternal and conversant with all that occurs in time," PCR.). Articles that should not be offered at *śrāddhas*. From the place of a *śrāddha* a *Caṇḍāla* and a *Śvapaca* should be excluded, as also one who wears yellow clothes (*Kāṣāyavāsāḥ*), a leper, an outcast (*patitaḥ*), etc. Having said this to R. Nimi, *Atri* went back to the celestial palace of *Pitāmaha* (Brahmán) (XIII, 91). After Nimi had acted in this way, M.-r. performed a *śrāddha*. The Pitṛs and gods became afflicted with indigestion in consequence of the offerings (*nīrāpa*) made by persons of the four castes. They repaired to *Soma*, and thence to *Svayambhū* (on the summit of *Meru*), and thence to *Agni*. *Agni* told them to eat those offerings together with him. It is for this reason that in the *śrāddha* the *Brahma-Rākṣasas* cannot do any injury to the *śrāddha*; but the *Rākṣasas* fly away from it (v. 4383-4). The cake should first be offered to the [deceased] father, then to the grandfather, then to the great-grandfather; at each cake the *Sāvitrī* should be uttered (*Somāyeti ca vaktavyam tathā pitṛmateti ca*); a woman of another *gotra* (*anyavaṃśajā*), etc., should not assist at a *śrāddha*; while crossing a river, one should offer oblations of water to one's P., and also on the day of the new moon (*māsardkhe kṛṣṇapakṣasya*); this gives prosperity, etc.; *Brahmán*, etc. (δ), are great masters of yoga and [numbered among] P. (XIII, 92).—§ 750: Asked by *Yudhiṣṭhira*, *Bhīṣma* said that brahmans who are observant of vows not mentioned in the *Vedas* may eat at *śrāddhas* without incurring sin; but not so those who are observant of vows mentioned in the *Vedas*. Penance is not really identifiable with fast; one should not torment one's own body; renunciation is the best of penances; the brahman should eat *Vighasa* or *Amṛta* (i.e. food that remains after the guests, etc., have eaten); one should only eat morning and evening at the prescribed hours, etc.; such men obtain felicity in the abode of *Brahmán* in the company of Aps. and G. If the giver happens to be unrighteous, the receiver sinks into hell. In this connection an old tale of a conversation between *Vṛṣudarbhi* and the seven *Ṛṣis* is told: *Bīṣastainyopākhyāna* (β) (XIII, 93).—§ 751: *Bhīṣma* said: In this connection the old story of the oaths on the occasion of a *tīrthayātrā* [i.e. *Capathavidhi*] is told (β) (XIII, 94).—§ 752: Asked by *Yudhiṣṭhira* by whom the custom of giving umbrellas and sandals at *śrāddhas* was introduced, *Bhīṣma* related the story of the discourse between *Jamadagni* and *Sūrya* [i.e. *Chattropānahotpatti*] (β). One should, therefore, give away umbrellas and shoes to brahmans.