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1. Now indeed (that) happens (also which the following verses teach):
2. 'Let him sprinkle that food with the remainder of the burnt oblations. But what is given without (touching it with) the thumb does not gladden the manes.' 2
3. 'The malevolent Asuras seek an opportunity (to snatch away) that food intended for the manes, which is not supported with both hands.' 3
4. 'The Yâtudhânas and Pisâkas, who receive no share, steal the food if sesamum grains are not scattered (on the seats of the guests), and the Asuras (take it) if (the host) is under the sway of anger.' 4
5. 'If a person dressed in reddish clothes mutters prayers, offers burnt oblations, or receives gifts, the sacrificial viands, offered at sacrifices to the gods or to the manes, do not reach the deities.' 5
6. 'If gifts are given or received without (touching them with) the thumb and, if one sips water standing, (the performer of the act) is not benefited thereby.'
7. At the beginning and at the end (of a Srâddha) water must be giver. (to the guests). 7
8. In every case the muttering (of sacred texts) and the other (necessary acts must be performed) according to the rule.
9. The remaining (rules) have been prescribed (in the section) on the burnt oblations on Ashtakâ (days). 9
10. 'He shall feed two (Brâhmanas) at the offering to the gods and three at the offering to the manes, or a single man on either occasion. Even a very wealthy man shall not be anxious (to entertain) a large company.' 10
11. 'A large company destroys these five (advantages), the respectful treatment (of the invited guests, the propriety of) time and place, purity and (the selection of) virtuous Brâhmana (guests); therefore he shall not invite (a large number).'
12. 'In front (feed) the fathers of the (sacrificer), to the left the grandfathers, to the right the great-grandfathers, and at the back those who pare off (portions) from the cakes.' 12
269:2 15. Manu III, 215. See also above, II, 8, 14, 10.
269:3 Vasishtha XI, 25.
269:4 Vishnu LXXIII, x a; Manu III, 229.
269:5 Govinda states that the rule is intended to teach that the sacrificer and the guests at a Srâddha must be dressed in white, p. 270 and that ascetics are not to be invited. But see Vasishtha XI, 17, 34.
270:7 Vishnu LXXIII, 12, 27, and above, II, 8, 14, 6.
270:9 Baudhâyana Grihya-sûtra II, 17, 18.
270:10-11. Vasishtha XI, 27-28.
270:12 In the beginning of the verse I read with M. and the I. O. copy of the commentary urastah pitaras tasya, and in the end with the Dekhan and Gugarât MSS. pindatakshakâh. M. reads pindatarkyâ, and the copies of the commentary pindodakâh. Both these p. 271 readings are clearly corrupt, and so is the var. lect. of the Grihya-samgraha, quoted in the Petersburg Dictionary, pindatarkukâh. Pindatakshakâh, 'the cutters or parers of the cakes,' is appropriate, because the remoter ancestors, who, as Govinda too declares, are meant by the term, obtain the fragments of the funeral cakes.