Shloka 5
Śrāddha-utpatti and Nivāpa–Agni Precedence (श्राद्धोत्पत्तिः—निवापेऽग्निपूर्वकत्वम्)
आश्लेषायां ददच्छाद्धं धीरान् पुत्रान् प्रजायते । ज्ञातीनां तु भवेच्छेष्ठो मघासु श्राद्धमावपन्
āśleṣāyāṃ dadac chrāddhaṃ dhīrān putrān prajāyate | jñātīnāṃ tu bhavec chreṣṭho maghāsu śrāddham āvapan |
Bhishma bersabda: “Siapa yang mempersembahkan śrāddha ketika nakṣatra Āśleṣā akan dianugerahi putra-putra yang teguh dan berani. Dan siapa yang melaksanakan śrāddha serta mempersembahkan piṇḍa-oblasi ketika nakṣatra Maghā akan menjadi yang terkemuka di antara sanak-kerabatnya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that faithful performance of ancestral rites (śrāddha, including piṇḍa offerings) is a form of dharma that yields tangible social and familial fruits: worthy offspring and honor among one’s kin. It also reflects the traditional view that the timing of rites according to nakṣatras is spiritually significant.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma, including gifts, vows, and rites for ancestors. Here he specifies auspicious results associated with performing śrāddha when the Moon is in particular lunar mansions—Āśleṣā and Maghā—linking ritual observance to family welfare and reputation.