Shloka 14
Śrāddha-dvija-parīkṣā: Paṅkti-dūṣa and Paṅkti-pāvana (श्राद्धे द्विजपरीक्षा—पङ्क्तिदूष-पङ्क्तिपावन)
नवमीको श्राद्ध करनेवाले पुरुषके यहाँ एक खुरवाले घोड़े आदि पशुओंकी बहुतायत होती है और दशमीको श्राद्ध करनेवाले मनुष्यके घरमें गौओंको वृद्धि होती है ।। कुप्यभागी भवेन्मर्त्य: कुर्वन्नेकादशीं नूप । ब्रह्मवर्चस्विन: पुत्रा जायन्ते तस्य वेश्मनि,महाराज! एकादशीको श्राद्ध करनेवाला मानव सोने-चाँदीको छोड़कर शेष सभी प्रकारके धनका भागी होता है। उसके घरमें ब्रह्मतेजसे सम्पन्न पुत्र जन्म लेते हैं
bhīṣma uvāca | navamyāṁ śrāddhaṁ kurvataḥ puruṣasya gṛhe ekakhurāśvādipāśubāhulyam bhavati, daśamyāṁ śrāddhaṁ kurvataḥ manuṣyasya gṛhe gāvo vardhante | ekādaśīṁ kurvan martyas tu kūpyabhāgī bhavet, nṛpa | tasya veśmani brāhmavarcasvinaḥ putrā jāyante, mahārāja |
Bhishma said: “A man who performs the śrāddha on the ninth day gains abundance of one-hoofed animals such as horses and similar beasts; and one who performs the śrāddha on the tenth day finds an increase of cows in his household. But, O king, he who performs the śrāddha on the eleventh day becomes a possessor of all kinds of wealth except gold and silver; and in his home are born sons endowed with brahmanical radiance (spiritual lustre and learning).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the timing of śrāddha (ancestral rites) is believed to yield distinct fruits: material prosperity in specific forms (livestock, wealth) and also higher, ethical-spiritual outcomes such as offspring endowed with brāhmavarcasa (learning and sacred radiance).
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs the king on dharma and ritual duties. Here he explains the reputed results of performing śrāddha on different lunar days—ninth, tenth, and eleventh—linking each tithi to particular household gains and qualities.