Institutes of Vishnu — LXXVI.
LXXVI. | Internet Sacred Text ArchiveSacred Texts Hinduism Index Previous Next
LXXVI. | Internet Sacred Text ArchiveSacred Texts Hinduism Index Previous Next
# LXXVI.
- The (twelve) days of new moon, the three Ashtakâs, the three Anvashtakâs, a Mâgha day (i.e. 'day on which the moon enters the lunar asterism Maghâ'), which falls on the thirteenth of the dark half of the month Praushthapada, and the two seasons when rice and barley grow ripe (or autumn and spring):
[7. The Mantras are those quoted above, in Chapters LXXIII and LXXIV. They have to be modified, i. e. the names of the maternal ancestors must be put in, and the verb &c. of the sentence be altered accordingly. (Nand.)
LXXVI. I. M. III, 122, 273, 281; IV, 150; Y. I, 217, 260; Gaut. XV, 2; Âpast. II, 7, 16, 4-6.
- Nand. infers from a passage of Âsvalâyana (Grihya-sûtra II, 4, 3) that Srâddhas to be offered on the day before each Ashtakâ are also intended here. See, however, note on LXXIII, 9. The same proposes two explanations of the term Mâghî: 1. It has to be separated from the following words, and refers directly to the day of full moon in the month Mâgha, and indirectly to the days of full moon in Âshâdha, Kârttika, and Vaisâkha as well, as indicated in a passage of the Brâhma-purâna. 2. It has to be connected with the clause following it. This latter interpretation, on which the rendering given above is based, is supported by Mann (III, 273,274), {footnote p. 241} Yâgñavalkya, (I, 260), according to the interpretations of Kullûka and Vigñânesvara, and by the Vishnu-sûtra itself (LXXVIII, 52).]
- Thus have the regular times for a Srâddha been declared by the lord of creatures. He who fails to perform a Srâddha on those days, goes to hell.
Next: LXXVII.
Continue learning
Related teachings
The Ten Mahavidyas, Explained
Ten goddesses counted as one set — a girl of sixteen, an old widow, and a goddess holding her own severed head. What the grouping means, where it comes from, and which popular version of the story is misplaced.
Khetlaji
Folk diety
Asanbibi
Folk deity
Navaratri — The Nine Nights, Explained
Nine nights, nine forms of Durga, one book recited across them, and a tenth day of victory. Where each piece comes from, and how differently India keeps the same festival.
Navaratri Night 1 — Shailaputri, Daughter of the Mountain
Sati walks uninvited into her father's sacrifice and gives up her body there. She is born again as the daughter of the Himalaya — and the nine nights begin.