Sacred Laws of Aryas

SR No.: 007687
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Gorge Buhler
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1897
Total Pages: 1979
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 36 MB

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140
ÂPASTAMBA.
II, 7, 16.
24. That ceremony is the limit (from which the capacity to fulfil the law begins).
25. And the Smriti (agrees with this opinion).
PRASNA II, PATALA 7, KHANDA 16. 1. Formerly men and gods lived together in this world. Then the gods in reward of their sacrifices went to heaven, but men were left behind. Those men who perform sacrifices in the same manner as the gods did, dwell (after death) with the gods and Brahman in heaven. Now (seeing men left behind), Manu revealed this ceremony, which is designated by the word Sraddha (a funeral-oblation).
2. And (thus this rite has been revealed) for the salvation of mankind.
3. At that (rite) the Manes (of one's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather) are the deities (to whom the sacrifice is offered). But the Brâhmanas, (who are fed,) represent the Ahavaniya-fire.
4. That rite must be performed in each month.
25. Haradatta quotes Gautama II, 1-3, on this point, and is apparently of opinion that Âpastamba alludes to the same passage. But he is probably wrong, as all Smritis are agreed on the point mentioned by Apastamba.
16. 1. 'Intending to give the rules regarding the monthly Sraddha, he premises this explanatory statement in order to praise that sacrifice.'-Haradatta.
2. The reading nihsreyasâ ka' apparently has given great trouble to the commentators. Their explanations are, however, grammatically impossible. The right one is to take nihsreyasâ as a Vedic instrumental, for nihsreyasena, which may designate the reason. If the dative is read, the sense remains the same.
3. The comparison of the Brâhmanas with the Ahavaniya indicates that to feed Brâhmanas is the chief act at a Sraddha.'Haradatta.
4. Manu III, 122, 123; Yâgñ. I, 217.
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