Sunday, November 11, 2007

Paraskara-Grihyasutra (2-99)

KANDIKÂ 10.
1. Now the water libations (which are performed for deceased persons).

2 2. When (a child) that has not reached the age of two years dies, his father and mother become impure.

3. The other (relations) remain pure.

4. (The impurity lasts) through one night or three nights.

5. They bury the body without burning it.

6. If (a child dies) during the impurity of his mother (caused by the child's birth), the impurity lasts till the (mother's) getting up (from child-bed), in the same way as the impurity caused by a child's birth.

7 7. In this case (of the child being younger than two years) no water libations (are performed).

8. If a child of more than two years dies, all his relations should follow (the corpse) to the cemetery—

9 10_9. Singing the Yama song and murmuring the Yama hymn, according to some (teachers).

10 10_10. If (the dead person) has received the initiation,
(the rites) from the election of the site (for the Smasâna) down to their descending into water (in order to bathe themselves) are the same as those prescribed for persons who have set up the (sacred Srauta) fires.

11. They burn him with his (sacred) domestic fire, if he has kept that;

12. Silently, with a common fire, other persons.

13. They should ask one who is related (to the deceased person) by blood or by marriage, for (his permission to perform) the water-libation, in the words, 'We shall perform the libation.'

14. (He replies), 'Do so now and never again,' if the deceased person was not a hundred years old.

15. (He says) only, 'Do so,' if he was.

16. All relations (of the deceased), to the seventh or to the tenth degree, descend into water.

17. If dwelling in the same village, (all) as far as they can trace their relationship.

18. They wear (only) one garment, and have the sacred cord suspended over the right shoulder.

19. With the fourth finger of the left hand they spirt away (the water) with (the words), 'May he drive evil away from us with his splendour' (Vâg. Samh. XXXV, 6).

20. Facing the south, they plunge (into the water).

21. They pour out with joined hands one libation of water to the deceased person with (the words), 'N.N.! This water to thee!'

22. When they have come out (of the water) and
have sat down on a pure spot that is covered with grass, (those who are versed in ancient tales) should entertain them (by telling such tales).

23. They return to the village without looking back, in one row, the youngest walking in front.

24. In the doors of their houses they chew leaves of the Pikumanda (or Nimba) tree, sip water, touch water, fire, cowdung, white mustard seeds, and oil, tread upon a stone, and then they enter.

25-26. Through a period of three nights they should remain chaste, sleep on the ground, do no work and charge nobody (to do it for them).

26. Let them eat food which they have bought or received (from. others); (they should eat it) only in the day-time, (and should eat) no meat.

27. Having offered to the deceased person the Pinda, naming his name at the washing, at the offering (of the Pinda), and at the second washing—

28. They should that night put milk and water in an earthen vessel into the open air with (the words), 'Deceased one, bathe here!'

29-30. The impurity caused by death lasts through three nights;

30. Through ten nights, according to some (teachers).

31. (During that period they) should not perform Svâdhyâya (or study the Vedic texts for themselves).


32. They should intermit the standing rites, except those performed with the three (Srauta) fires,

33. And (with the exception of those performed) with the (sacred) domestic fire, according to some (teachers).

34. Others should perform (those rites for them).

35. Those who have touched the dead body should not enter the village until the stars appear.

36. If (they have touched it) in the night-time, (they should not enter) till sunrise.

37. The entering and what follows after it is the same (for these persons) as for the others.

38. (Their) impurity lasts through one or two fortnights.

39. The same (rites should be performed) when the teacher (has died),

40. Or the maternal grandfather or grandmother,

41. Or unmarried females.

42. For those who were married, the others should do it,

43. And they for the (others).

44. If one dies while being absent on a journey, (his relations) shall sit (on the ground, as prescribed for impure persons) from the time when they have heard (of his death), performing the water libation

(at that time), until the period (of their impurity) has expired;

45. If (that period has already) elapsed, through one night or three nights.

46. Optional is the water libation for an officiating priest, a father-in-law, a friend, for (distant) relations, for a maternal uncle, and for a sister's son;

47. And for married females.

48. On the eleventh day he should give to an uneven number of Brâhmanas a meal at which meat is served.

49. Some also kill a cow in honour of the deceased person.

50. When the Pindas are prepared, the deceased person, if he has sons, shall be considered as the first of the (three) Fathers (to whom Pindas are offered).

51. The fourth one should be left out.

52. Some (make Pinda offerings to a deceased person) separately through one year (before admitting him to a share in the common Pitriyagña).

53. But there is a rule, 'There can be no fourth Pinda'—for this is stated in the Sruti.

54. Every day he shall give food to him (i.e. to the deceased person), and if he was a Brâhmana, a vessel with water.

55. Some offer also a. Pinda.


KANDIKÂ 11.
1 1. If an animal (is to be sacrificed), let him wash it, if it is not a cow; let him walk round the fires and drive in front (of them) a Palâsa branch into the ground.

2 2. The winding (of a Kusa rope) round (that branch), the touching (of the animal with the grass-blade), the binding (of it to the branch), and the sprinkling (of the animal with water) should be performed in the way prescribed (in the Srauta-sûtra), and whatever else (is to be done).

3 3. After he has sacrificed the two oblations before and after the killing of the animal, (he) silently (sacrifices) five other (oblations, directed to Pragâpati).

4 4. And the omentum is taken out (of the killed animal). He should besprinkle it (with water) and name the deity (to whom the sacrifice is directed).

5 5. (He should name that deity also) at the touching (of the animal with the grass-blade), at (its) being bound (to the branch), at its being sprinkled (with water), and at (the preparation and oblation) of the mess of cooked food.

6. After he has sacrificed the omentum, he cuts off the Avadâna portions,






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7 7. All of them, or three, or five.

8 8. He sacrifices the Avadâna portions together with the mess of cooked food.

9. A limb of the animal is the sacrificial fee.

10 10-11. At (a sacrifice) directed to a special deity he should sacrifice (an animal) belonging to that deity, should make a portion for that (god), and should say to him (i.e. to the messenger who is to convey that offering to a place sacred to that deity): 'Take care that this may reach that (god).'

11. If there is a river between (the sacrificer and that sacred place), he may have a boat made, or he may dispense with this.






KANDIKÂ 12.
1 1. Now (follows) the penance for a student who has broken the vow of chastity.

2. On a new-moon day he shall sacrifice an ass on a cross-road (to the goddess Nirriti).

3. (And) he shall offer a mess of cooked food to Nirriti.

4 4. The Avadâna portions are sacrificed into water (and not into fire).



p. 362

5 5. The Purodâsa (or sacrificial cake), which belongs to the animal sacrifice, is cooked on the ground (and not in the Kapâlas).

6. (The guilty person) should put on the skin (of the ass),

7. With the tail turned upwards, according to some (teachers).

8. He should through one year go about for alms, proclaiming his deed.

9 9. After that time he sacrifices two Âgya oblations with (the formulas), 'O Lust, I have broken my vow of chastity. I have broken my vow of chastity, O Lust. To Lust svâhâ!'—'O Lust, I have done evil. I have done evil, O Lust. To Lust svâhâ!'

10 10. He then approaches (the fire) with (the verse), May the Maruts besprinkle me, may Indra, may Brihaspati, may this Agni besprinkle me with offspring and with wealth.'

11. This is the penance.

Paraskara Grihyasutra(1-100)

KANDIKÂ 13.
1. Now the entering of a court of justice.

2 2. He approaches the court with (the words), Court! Thou that belongest to the Angiras! Trouble art thou by name; vehemence art thou by name. Thus be adoration to thee!

3 3. He then enters (the court) with (the words), '(May) the court and the assembly, the two unanimous daughters of Pragâpati (protect me). May one who does not know me, be below me. May (all) people be considerate in what they say.'

4. When he has arrived at the assembly, he should murmur, 'Superior (to my adversaries) I have come hither, brilliant, not to be contradicted. The lord of this assembly is a man insuperable in his power.'

5 5. Should he think, 'This person is angry with me,' he addresses him with (the verses), The destroying power of wrath and anger that dwells here on thy forehead, that the chaste, wise gods may take away.

'Heaven am I and I am Earth; we both take away thy anger; the she-mule cannot bring forth offspring; N.N.!'

6 6. But if he should think, 'This person will do evil to me,' he addresses him with (the words), 'I take away the speech in thy mouth, I take away (the speech) in thy heart. Wheresoever thy speech dwells, thence I take it away. What I say, is true. Fall down, inferior to me.'

7. The same is the way to make (a person) subject (to one's self).



KANDIKÂ 14.
1. Now the mounting of a chariot (is declared).

2. After he has given the order, 'Put the horses to it,' and it has been announced, 'They are,' he goes to (the chariot, saying), 'This is the Virâg,' and touches the two wheels,

p. 364

3. The right (wheel) with (the words), 'The Rathantara art thou'—

4. The left with (the words), 'The Brihat art thou'—

5. The pole with (the words), 'The Vâmadevya art thou.'

6 6. He touches the interior of the chariot with his hand (saying), 'The two Aṅkas, the two Nyaṅkas which are on both sides of the chariot, which move forward with the rushing wind, the far-darting one with keen senses, the winged one, may these fires, the promoters, promote us.'

7 7. With (the words), 'Adoration to Mânikara,' he drives on the beast on the right side.

8. (If going in his chariot) toward (images of) gods, let him descend (from the chariot) before he has reached them; if toward Brâhmanas, just before (reaching them); if toward cows, when amid them; if toward fathers, when he has reached them.

9. A woman or a Vedic student shall not be charioteers.



p. 365

10. Having driven a moment beyond (the point to which he intends to go) he should murmur, 'Here is rest, rest here' (Vâg. Samh. VIII, 51).

11 11. Some add (the words), 'Here shall be no rest.'

12. If the chariot is weak, he should murmur, after he has mounted it, 'May this your chariot, O Asvins, suffer no damage on bad ways or by being overthrown.'

13 13. If the horses run away with the chariot, he should touch the post (?) or the earth and should murmur, 'May this your chariot, O Asvins, suffer no damage on bad ways or by being overthrown.'

14. Thus he will suffer no harm and no damage.

15 15. When he has finished his way, and has unyoked the horses, let him have grass and water given to them. 'For thus satisfaction is given to the beast that draws (the cart)'—says the Sruti.





KANDIKÂ 15.
1. Now how he should mount an elephant.

2. He goes to the elephant and touches it (saying), 'The elephants’ glory art thou. The elephants’ honour art thou.'

3. He then mounts it with (the words), 'With Indra's thunder-bolt I bestride thee. Make me arrive safely.'

4. Thereby it has also been declared how he should mount a horse.

p. 366

5. When he is going to mount a camel, he addresses it: 'Thou art the son of Tvashtri; Tvashtri is thy deity. Make me arrive safely.'

6 6. When he is going to mount a he-ass, he addresses it: 'A Sûdra art thou, a Sûdra by birth. To Agni thou belongest, with twofold sperm. Make me arrive safely.'

7. A path he addresses: 'Adoration to Rudra who dwells on the paths. Make me arrive safely.'

8. A cross-road he addresses: 'Adoration to Rudra who dwells at the cross-roads. Make me arrive safely.'

9. When he intends to swim across a river, he addresses it: 'Adoration to Rudra who dwells in the waters. Make me arrive safely.'

10. When going on board a ship, he addresses her: 'The good ship' (Vâg. Samh. XXI, 7).

11. When going to cross (the river), he addresses (the ship): 'The well-protecting' (Vâg. Samh. XXI, 6).

12. A forest (through which he is wandering) he addresses: 'Adoration to Rudra who dwells in the forests. Make me arrive safely.'

13. A mountain (which he is going to cross) he addresses: 'Adoration to Rudra who dwells on the mountains. Make me arrive safely.'

14. A burial-ground he addresses: 'Adoration to Rudra who dwells among the Fathers. Make me arrive safely.'

15. A cow-stable he addresses: 'Adoration to Rudra who dwells among the dung-heaps. Make me arrive safely.'


p. 367

16. And wheresoever else it be, let him always say, 'Adoration to Rudra.' For the Sruti says, 'Rudra is this universe.'

17. If the skirt (of his garment) is blown upon him (by the wind), he addresses (that skirt): 'A skirt art thou. Thou art not a thunder-bolt. Adoration be to thee. Do no harm to me!'

18. The thunder he addresses: 'May the rains be friendly to us; may (Indra's) darts be friendly to us—may they be friendly to us which thou throwest, O killer of Vritra.'

19 19. A howling jackal he addresses: 'Friendly by name' (Vâg. Samh. III, 63).

20 20. A shrieking bird he addresses: 'Golden-winged bird who goest where the gods send thee! Messenger of Yama, adoration be to thee! What has the Kârkârina told thee?'

21. A tree that serves as a mark (of a boundary, &c.), he addresses: 'May neither the flash of lightning (destroy thee), nor axe nor wind nor punishment which the king sends. May thy shoots grow up; may rain fall on thee, in safety from the wind. May fire not destroy thy root. Blessing on thee, O lord of the forest! Blessing on me, O lord of the forest!'

22. If he receives something (given to him), he accepts it with (the formula), 'May Heaven give thee; may the Earth accept thee.' Thus (the thing given) does not decrease to him who gives it, and what he receives increases.



p. 368

23. If boiled rice is given to him, he accepts it with (the formula), 'May Heaven, &c.,' and he partakes thereof twice. with (the formulas), 'May Brahman eat thee!'—'May Brahman partake of thee!'

24. If gruel is given to him, (as above) . . . . three times with (the formulas), 'May Brahman eat thee! '—'May Brahman partake of thee!'—'May Brahman drink thee!




KANDIKÂ 16.
1 1. Now each time after a lesson (of the Veda) is finished, in order to prevent his forgetting (the texts he has studied, the following prayer should be recited):

May my mouth be skilful; my tongue be honey-sweet speech. With my ears I have heard much; do not take away that which I have heard, which dwells in me.

The Brahman's word art thou; the Brahman's stand art thou; the Brahman's store-house art thou. Fulfilment art thou; peace art thou; unforgetfulness art thou; enter into my store-house of the Brahman. With the voice I cover thee! With the voice I cover thee! May I be able to form the vowels, to produce, to hold fast and to utter the guttural, pectoral, dental, and labial sounds. May my limbs grow strong, my voice, breath, eye, ear, honour, and power. What I have heard and studied, may that be fixed in my mind; may that be fixed in my mind.'

End of the Third Kânda.

End of Pâraskara's Grihya-sûtra.

Translation by Hermann Oldenberg, [1886],

Pâraskara's Grihya-sûtra.-Started

Monday, September 3, 2007

All 61 parts published

All 61 parts of the original translation are now posted. Paraphrasing for more easier reading and some comments are to be added for each part. Appropriate subtitles are also to given in various parts to identify the applicability of rules

Apastamba-sutra Part 61

1. He who instigates to, he who assists in, and he who commits (an act, these three) share its rewards in heaven and its punishments in hell.
2. He amongst these who contributes most to the accomplishment (of the act obtains) a greater share of the result.
3. Both the wife and the husband have power over (their) common property.
4. By their permission, others also may act for their good (in this and the next world, even by spending money).

Litigation and judgments

5. Men of learning and pure descent, who are aged, clever in reasoning, and careful in fulfilling the duties (of their caste and order, shall be the judges) in lawsuits.
6. In doubtful cases (they shall give their decision) after having ascertained (the truth) by inference, ordeals, and the like (means).
7. A person who is possessed of good qualities (may be called as a witness, and) shall answer the questions put to him according to the truth on an auspicious day, in the morning, before a kindled fire, standing near (a jar full of) water, in the presence of the king, and with the consent of all (of both parties and of the assessors), after having been exhorted (by the judge) to be fair to both sides.
8. If (he is found out speaking) an untruth, the king shall punish him.
9. Besides, in that case, after death, hell (will be his punishment).
10. If he speaks the truth, (his reward will be) heaven and the approbation of all created beings.


11. The knowledge which Sûdras and women possess is the completion (of all study).
12. They declare, that (this knowledge) is a supplement of the Atharva-Veda.
13. It is difficult to learn the sacred law from (the letter of) the Vedas (only); but by following the indications it is easily accomplished.
14. The indications for these (doubtful cases are), 'He shall regulate his course of action according to the conduct which is unanimously recognised in all countries by men of the three twice-born castes, who have been properly obedient (to their teachers), who are aged, of subdued senses, neither given to avarice, nor hypocrites. Acting thus he will gain both worlds.'
15. Some declare, that the remaining duties (which have not been taught here) must be learnt from women and men of all castes.


Thought by NRao

Note

Some declare, that the remaining duties (which have not been taught here) must be learnt from women and men of all castes.

Another interesting point
11. The knowledge which Sûdras and women possess is the completion (of all study).
12. They declare, that (this knowledge) is a supplement of the Atharva-Veda.

What do they mean?

-------------------Apastamba Dharma Sutra Completed---------------

Apastamba-sutra part 60

Rules against abandoning duty

1. If a person who has taken (a lease of) land (for cultivation) does not exert himself, and hence (the land) bears no crop, he shall, if he is rich, be made to pay (to the owner of the land the value of the crop) that ought to have grown.
2. A servant in tillage who abandons his work shall be flogged.
3. The same (punishment shall be awarded) to a herdsman (who leaves his work);
4. And the flock (entrusted) to him shall be taken away (and be given to some other herdsman).
5. If cattle, leaving their stable, eat (the crops of other persons, then the owner of the crops, or the king's servants), may make them lean (by impounding them); (but) he shall not exceed (in such punishment).
6. If (a herdsman) who has taken cattle under his care, allows them to perish, or loses (them by theft, through his negligence), he shall replace them (or pay their value) to the owners.
7. If (the king's forester) sees cattle that have been sent into the forest through negligence (without a herdsman), he shall lead them back to the village and make them over to the owners.
8. If the same negligence (occur) again, he shall once impound them (and afterwards give them back).
9. (If the same fault be committed again) after that (second time), he shall not take care (of them).
10. He who has taken unintentionally the property of another shall be reprimanded, in case (the property be) fuel, water, roots, flowers, fruits, perfumes, fodder, or vegetables.
11. (If he takes the above-mentioned kinds of property) intentionally, his garment shall be taken away.
12. He who takes intentionally food when he is in danger of his life shall not be punished.
13. If the king does not punish a punishable offence, the guilt falls upon him.

Next part
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Apastamba-sutra Part 59

1. If (adulteresses) have performed (the prescribed penance), they are to be treated as before (their fault). For the connection (of husband and wife) takes place through the law.
2. (A husband) shall not make over his (wife), who occupies the position of a 'gentilis,' to others (than to his 'gentiles'), in order to cause children to be begot for himself.
3. For they declare, that a bride is given to the family (of her husband, and not to the husband alone).
4. That is (at present) forbidden on account of the weakness of (men's) senses. 4
5. The hand (of a gentilis is considered in law to be) that of a stranger, and so is (that of any other person except the husband).
6. If the (marriage vow) is transgressed, both (husband and wife) certainly go to hell.
7. The reward (in the next world) resulting from obeying the restrictions of the law is preferable to offspring obtained in this manner (by means of Niyoga).
8. A man of one of the first three castes (who commits adultery) with a woman of the Sûdra caste shall be banished.
9. A Sûdra (who commits adultery) with a woman of one of the first three castes shall suffer capital punishment.
10. And he shall emaciate a woman who has committed adultery with a (Sûdra, by making her undergo penances and fasts, in case she had no child).
11. They declare, that (a Brâhmana) who has once committed adultery with a married woman of equal class, she perform one-fourth of the penance prescribed for an outcast.
12. In like manner for every repetition (of the crime), one-fourth of the penance (must be added).
13. (If the offence be committed) for the fourth time, the whole (penance of twelve years must be performed).
14. The tongue of a Sûdra who speaks evil of a virtuous person, belonging to one of the first three castes, shall be cut out.
15. A Sûdra who assumes a position equal (to that of a member of one of the first three castes), in conversation, on the road, on a couch, in sitting (and on similar occasions), shall be flogged.
16. In case (a Sûdra) commits homicide or theft, appropriates land (or commits similar heinous crimes), his property shall be confiscated and he himself shall suffer capital punishment.
17. But if these (offences be committed) by a Brâhmana, he shall be made blind (by tying a cloth over his eyes).
18. He shall keep in secret confinement him who violates the rules (of his caste or order), or any other sinner, until (he promises) amendment.
19. If he does not amend, he shall be banished.
20. A spiritual teacher, an officiating priest, a Snâtaka, and a prince shall be able to protect (a criminal from punishment by their intercession), except in case of a capital offence.

Thought by NRao

Note these
A bride is given to the family (of her husband, and not to the husband alone).

A spiritual teacher, an officiating priest, a Snâtaka, and a prince shall be able to protect (a criminal from punishment by their intercession), except in case of a capital offence.

Next part
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