Since these days ‘pitripaksha’, the fortnight fixed for offering ‘pind’ to the deceased forefathers for peace to their wandering soul is going on, suddenly I was reminded of the way community feeding of Brahmnas is performed as the concluding part of the ‘shraddha karma’. The successor of the deceased is compelled to feed the largest possible number of Brahmnas for peace to the soul of the deceased. I often saw that such persons, if not financially viable, sell their land or jewelleries and consequently remain in utter poverty for the rest of life. I wanted to know which scriptures prescribes this harsh ritual.
I remember to have seen in the Manusmroti something on this subject. Acharya Manu says that even a pauper can perform simple and acceptable ‘shraddha’. According to him, the individual should collect a basket of green grass, go out of the village, feed that to a cow and then tell the ‘pitris’ they should feel satisfied as he was not capable of doing anything more. Even this ordinary looking ‘shraddha’, syas Manu, will bring peace to the deceased ancestors.
In the huge Sanskrit mythological scriptures, the Bhagvat Puran occupies a top respectful place. Its prescriptions on rituals are observed without any doubt. The same Puran has laid down in ‘shloka’ 3, chapter 15 and ‘Skandh’ vii, “ One should feed two Brahmnas in rites connected with gods, three for ceremonies (shraddha’) intended for ‘pitris’ (ancestors) or may feed one only in each. Even though a person is very affluent, he should not invite a large number.”
Should not this liberal scriptural direction be brought to the notice of every faithful Hindu to put at rest all associated evils?
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