Adhyaya 33: Madālasa on the Fruit of Śrāddha Performed on Lunar Days and Nakṣatras

Verse 1

इति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे श्राद्धकल्पो नाम द्वात्रिंशोऽध्यायः । त्रयस्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः मदालसोवाच— प्रतिपद्धनलाभाय द्वितीया द्विपदप्रदा । वरार्थिनी तृतीया तु चतुर्थो शत्रुनाशिनी ॥

Here ends the thirty-second chapter, called ‘Śrāddha-kalpa,’ in the Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa. Now begins the thirty-third chapter. Madālasā said: Performing a kāmya śrāddha on Pratipat brings increase of wealth; on Dvitīyā it grants cattle and other animals; Tṛtīyā is for one seeking boons; Caturthī destroys enemies.

Verse 2

श्रियां प्राप्रोति पञ्चम्यां षष्ठ्यां पूज्यो भवेन्नरः । गणाधिपत्यं सप्तम्यामष्टम्यां वृद्धिमुत्तमाम् ॥

On Pañcamī one attains prosperity; on Ṣaṣṭhī a man becomes worthy of honor. On Saptamī he gains leadership over groups and retinues, and on Aṣṭamī he attains excellent growth and advancement.

Verse 3

स्त्रियो नवम्यां प्राप्रोति दशम्यां पूर्णकामताम् । वेदांस्तथाप्नुयात् सर्वानेकादश्यां क्रियापरः ॥

On Navamī one obtains women (i.e., success in marriage and companionship); on Daśamī one attains complete fulfillment of desires. And on Ekādaśī, one devoted to rites gains all the Vedas (i.e., comprehensive sacred learning).

Verse 4

द्वादश्यां जयलाभञ्च प्राप्रोति पितृपूजकः । प्रजां मेधां पशुं वृद्धिं स्वातन्त्र्यं पुष्टमुत्तमाम् ॥

One who worships the ancestors by performing śrāddha on the twelfth lunar day (dvādaśī) attains victory and gain; he obtains progeny, intelligence, cattle/wealth, growth and prosperity, independence, and excellent nourishment and strength.

Verse 5

दीर्घमायुरथैश्वर्यं कुर्वाणस्तु त्रयोदशीम् । अवाप्रोति न सन्देहः श्राद्धं श्रद्धापरो नरः ॥

A man devoted to faith, performing śrāddha on the thirteenth lunar day (trayodaśī), obtains long life and prosperity—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 6

यथासम्भावितान्नेन श्राद्धसम्पत्समन्वितः । युवानः पितरो यस्य मृताः शस्त्रेण वा हताः ॥

Furnished with the proper requisites of śrāddha and with food offered according to one’s means, in the case of a person whose parents died young or were slain by a weapon…

Verse 7

तेन कार्यं चतुर्दश्यां तेषां प्रीतिमभीप्सता । श्राद्धं कुर्वन्नमावास्यां यत्नेन पुरुषः शुचिः ॥

Therefore, desiring their satisfaction, a pure man should diligently perform śrāddha for them on the fourteenth lunar day (caturdaśī), and also perform śrāddha on the new-moon day (amāvāsyā).

Verse 8

सर्वान् कामानवाप्रोति स्वर्गञ्चानन्तमश्नुते । कृत्तिकासु पितॄन् अर्च्य स्वर्गमाप्रोति मानवः ॥

He obtains all desired objects and enjoys unending heaven. Worshipping the ancestors under the Kṛttikā nakṣatra, a man attains heaven.

Verse 9

अपत्यकामो रोहिण्यां सौम्ये चोजस्वितां लभेत् । शौर्यमार्द्रासु चाप्रोति क्षेत्रादि च पुनर्वसौ ॥

One who desires offspring should perform the rite on Rohiṇī; on Saumya (Mṛgaśīrṣa) he gains vigor. On Ārdrā he attains valor, and on Punarvasu he gains fields and the like (property).

Verse 10

पुष्टिं पुष्ये सदाभ्यर्च्य आश्लेषासु वरान् सुतान् । मघासु स्वजनश्रैष्ठ्यं सौभाग्यं फाल्गुनीषु च ॥

By worship (of the ancestors) on Puṣya one gains nourishment and prosperity; on Āśleṣā, excellent sons. On Maghā, eminence among one’s people; and on the Phālgunīs, good fortune.

Verse 11

प्रदानशीलो भवति सापत्यश्चोत्तरासु च । प्रयाति श्रेष्ठतां सत्यं हस्ते श्राद्धप्रदो नरः ॥

On the Uttarās he becomes generous and possessed of offspring; and a man who offers śrāddha on Hasta truly attains excellence and pre-eminence.

Verse 12

रूपयुक्तश्च चित्रासु तथापत्यान्यवाप्नुयात् । वाणिज्यलाभदा स्वातिर्विशाखा पुत्रकामदा ॥

On Citrā he becomes endowed with beauty and attractiveness and obtains offspring. Svātī grants gains in trade, and Viśākhā grants the desired son.

Verse 13

कुर्वन्तश्चानुराधासु लभन्ते चक्रवर्तिताम् । आधिपत्यञ्च ज्येष्ठासु मूले चारोग्यमुत्तमम् ॥

Performing (śrāddha) on Anurādhā they obtain sovereign rulership (cakravartin status); on Jyeṣṭhā, lordship; and on Mūla, excellent health.

Verse 14

आषाढासु यशः प्राप्तिरुत्तरासु विषोकता । श्रवणे च शुभान् लोकान् धनिष्ठासु धनं महत् ॥

If a desire-motivated śrāddha (kāmya-śrāddha) is performed under the Āṣāḍhā nakṣatras, one attains fame; under the Uttarā nakṣatras, freedom from sorrow; under Śravaṇa, auspicious worlds; and under Dhaniṣṭhā, great wealth.

Verse 15

वेदवित्त्वमभिजिति भिषक्सिद्धन्तु वारुणे । अजाविकं प्रौष्ठपदे विन्देद् गास्तु तथोत्तरे ॥

Under Abhijit one gains mastery of the Veda; under Vāruṇa one attains success as a physician; under Prauṣṭhapada one obtains goats and sheep; and under Uttarā one obtains cows.

Verse 16

रेवतीषु तथा कुप्यमश्विनीषु तुरङ्गमान् । श्राद्धं कुर्वंस्तथाप्रोति भरणीष्वायुरुत्तमम् । तस्मात् काम्यानि कुर्वोत ऋक्षेष्वेतेषु तत्त्ववित् ॥

Under Revatī one obtains metals and implements (kupyāni); under Aśvinī, horses; performing śrāddha under Bharaṇī one gains excellent longevity. Therefore, one who knows the principle should perform desire-motivated rites under these constellations.