Yudhisthira said:—The departed manes of some persons live in heaven, and those of others live in hell. The fruits of Karma, it is said, eternally exist with people. Persons, in expectation of fruits, perform Srāddhas for their father, grand-father, and great-grand-father. How those offerings reach the ancestral manes (12–14)? How can they, while living in hell, grant them the fruits (thereof)? Who are those ancestral manes Who else are others? To whom do we offer our offerings (15)? We have heard that even the gods, in the celestial region, dedicate offerings to the ancestral manes. I wish to hear all this at length O you of great effulgence (16). You are endued with immeasurable intelligence, do you describe to me, how by making gifts to the ancestral manes we are released (from worldly trammels) (17).
Bhishma said:—O slayer of foes, I shall describe to you what I have heard on this subject from my deceased father—who are those ancestral manes and who are others to whom we dedicate our offerings (18). When on the occasion of my father's Srāddha I was about to offer him Pinda[26] my father, rending assunder the earth, begged it of me with his hand (19). His arm was adorned with bracelet and other ornaments—his fingers and palm were as red as I had seen them before (20). Thinking that no such practice is seen in Kalpa[27] I offered the Pinda at the Kusa grass, without any consideration (21). O sinless one, then my father delightedly said to me in sweet accents:—"O foremost of Bharatas, I have been blessed with a son like you, both in this world and the next-a good son, pious and learned as you are (22-23). You are also of firm vows, O sinless one; with a view to lay down the religious practices of people, I issued this command (24). As a man, observing the religious practices, is entitled to a fourth part of the virtue thereof, so a stupid person, transgressing them, is visited by one fourth of the sin (consequent thereon) (25). The subjects follow the example set by the king in religious practices (26). O foremost of Bharatas, you have observed the practices laid down in the eternal Vedas and incomparable is my satisfaction therefore (27). Greatly pleased with you I will confer upon you a most excellent boon—do you pray for it which it is hard to get in the three worlds (28). As long as you will wish to live Death will not be able to extend his influence on you. When you will permit him he will overpower you then only (29). O foremost of Bharatas, if there is any other boon which you wish to pray for, tell me and I shall grant it (30)."
On (my father) saying this, I, saluting him with folded hands, said "O most exalted person, with your being propitiated I have achieved all my objects (31). O you of great effulgence, if I am again entitled to a favour, I wish to put a question which I desire you to answer yourself (32)." My virtuous-souled father then said to me "O Bhishma, tell me whatever you like. O Bhārata, I will remove your doubt about what you will ask me" (35). Filled with curiosity I asked my father who had repaired to the region of the performers of good deeds and who then disappeared from that place (34).
Bhishma said:—"I have heard that the ancestral manes are the gods of the gods. Are they the gods or they are others to whom we offer our adoration (35)? How the Pindas offered at Srāddhas propitiate the Pitris who have gone to the other world? What are the fruits of a Srāddha (36)? To whom the people, accompanied by the gods, Dānavas, Yākshas, Rākshasas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras and huge serpents, dedicate their offerings (37)? O you conversant with virtue, I consider you as omniscient—I have grave doubts in this and great is my curiosity—do you explain it to me." Hearing these words of Bhishma his father said (38).
Shantanu said:—Hear, O sinless descendant of Bharata, I will describe in brief the origin of the Pitris and the fruits of Srāddhas. Do you hear with a concentrated mind the object of performing Srāddhas for the Pitris. The sons of the Prime Deity are known in heaven as Pitris (39–40). The gods, Asuras, men, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras and huge serpents, dedicate offerings to them (41). Propitiated by Srāddhas they please the world with the gods and the Gandharvas—such is the command of Brahmā (42). Therefore, "O great one, worship them with excellent Srāddhas. They grant all desired-for objects and they will encompass your well-being (43). When you will worship them by reciting their names and families, we also, O Bharata, will be welcomed by them in heaven (44). Markandeya will explain to you the remaining portion. O descendant of Bharata, this ascetic, devoted to his father and having a knowledge of atman, is present to-day at the Srāddha for extending his favour unto me. Ask him, O great one, about this." Saying this he disappeared (45–46).
| [26] | An oblation to deceased ancestors as a ball or lump of meat or rice mixed up with milk curds, flowers etc and offered to the manes at the several Sraddhas by the nearest surviving relations. |
| [27] | One of the six Vedangas and comprehending the description of religious rites. It is called Kalpa Sutra. |
CHAPTER XVII. THE SAME STORY CONTINUED.
Bhishma said:—Thereupon at the words (of my father) I put to Markandeya with attention the same question which I had put to my father before (1). The great and virtuous ascetic Markandeya too said to me:—"O sinless Bhishma, hear with attention, I will describe everything" (2).
Markandeya said:—I have attained longevity by my father's favour. For my devotion to my father, I attained great fame in the world in the days of yore (3). At the termination of the cycle extending over many thousand years, I carried on hard penances on the mount Sumeru (4). Thereupon one day I espied a huge car coming from the north of the mountain and lighting the heaven with its lustre (5). Therein, a vehicle in the midst of fire, I saw a person measuring a thumb effulgent like fire or the Sun. Saluting that lord with my head touching the ground I worshipped him, lying in the vehicle, with arghya and water for washing feet. I asked that unthought-of (person). "How can I know thee, O lord (6–8)? Methinks thou hast originated from ascetic energy endued with the qualities of Nārāyana. Thou art the god of gods" (9). O Sinless one, that virtuous-souled one as if surprisingly said to me: "You have not practised well hard penances, so you cannot recognize me (10)." Within a moment he assumed another most excellent form, the like of which I had not seen before (11). Sanatkumar said:—"Know me as the first mind-begotten son of the all-powerful Brahmā. From ascetic energy I have been born with the essential characteristics of Nārāyana (12). I am that Sanatkumar who had been celebrated in the Vedas in the days of yore. O Bhārgava, may good betide you and what desire of yours shall I fulfill (13)? The other seven irrepressible sons of Brahmā are my younger brothers. Their families have been established (on this earth) (14). They are Kretu, Vasishtha, Pulaha, Pulastya, Atri, Angira, and the learned Marichi—the gods and Gandharvas worship them also. Those ascetics, worshipped of the gods and Dānavas, are upholding the three worlds (15). I am leading the life of a Yatin.[28] Having controlled my ownself and my passions I was born, O great Muni, and I am still living so. Know me as an unmarried person. And therefore I have obtained the appellation of Sanatkumar (16–17). Out of devotion to me, you have been carrying on hard penances to behold me. Therefore I have come to you, tell me what desire of yours I can fulfill" (18). On his saying this and commanded by that all-powerful deity who was pleased with me, I replied to that eternal god, O descendant of Bharata (19), O sinless one, I then accosted the ever-existent (deity) regarding the origin of the Pitris and the fruits of Srāddhas (20). O Bhishma, that foremost of gods has removed all my doubts. After holding conversation for many years that virtuous-souled deity said to me:—"O Brāhmana saint, I have been pleased (with your question), hear from me all in due order (21). O descendant of Bhrigu, Brahmā created all the gods, thinking that they would dedicate offerings to him. But leading aside they began to perform sacrifices in expectation of fruits (22). Then imprecated by Brahmā, the inhabitants of heaven lost all sense and consciousness. They could not understand any thing and the entire world was bewildered (23). Then prostrating themselves before the Grand-Father (Brahmā) they again prayed to him for the behoof of the world. There upon he (Brahmā) said to them (14):—'You should undergo a penance for you have committed a transgression.[29] Do ye accost your sons and you will come by true knowledge (25)'. (Thereupon) for the purpose of going through a penance they, in great misery, asked their sons, who, self-controlled as they were, communicated to them (the truth) (26). 'Persons conversant with religious practices lay down penances for sins committed by words, deeds and thoughts and they daily perform them (27).' Then informed of the true import of Prāyaschitta (penance) the gods regained their consciousness and were accosted by the sons, saying 'Go ye sons' (28). Thus cursed and reviled the gods, at the words of sons, approached the grand-father (Brahmā) to have their doubts[30] removed (29). The Deity (Brahmā) then said to them:—'Ye are all Brahmavādins.[31] So what they have said will come to pass and it will not be otherwise (30). O gods, ye have given them the body and they have given ye the knowledge and are undoubtedly your fathers (31). Ye are gods and they are the Pitris and undoubtedly you are their fathers and they are yours'" (32).