Previous Verse
Next Verse

Shloka 5

Śrāddha-utpatti and Nivāpa–Agni Precedence (श्राद्धोत्पत्तिः—निवापेऽग्निपूर्वकत्वम्)

आश्लेषायां ददच्छाद्धं धीरान्‌ पुत्रान्‌ प्रजायते । ज्ञातीनां तु भवेच्छेष्ठो मघासु श्राद्धमावपन्‌,आश्लेषामें श्राद्ध करनेवाला पुरुष धीर पुत्रोंको जन्म देता है। मघामें श्राद्ध एवं पिण्डदान करनेवाला मनुष्य अपने कुट॒म्बी जनोंमें श्रेष्ठ होता है

āśleṣāyāṃ dadac chrāddhaṃ dhīrān putrān prajāyate | jñātīnāṃ tu bhavec chreṣṭho maghāsu śrāddham āvapan |

ビーシュマは言った。「月がアーシュレーシャ(Āśleṣā)にある時にシュラーダを捧げる者は、堅忍にして勇敢なる息子たちを授かる。また、月がマガー(Maghā)にある時にシュラーダを行い、ピンダ(piṇḍa)の供養を捧げる者は、一族の中で最も卓越した者となる—祖霊への務めを誠実に果たすがゆえに、家門の誉れと首位を得るのである。」

आश्लेषायाम्in (the nakshatra) Ashlesha
आश्लेषायाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootआश्लेषा
FormFeminine, Locative, Singular
ददत्giving / offering
ददत्:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootदा (दाने)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
श्राद्धम्śrāddha (ancestral rite)
श्राद्धम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootश्राद्ध
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
धीरान्steadfast / wise
धीरान्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootधीर
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
पुत्रान्sons
पुत्रान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपुत्र
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
प्रजायतेis born / begets (comes to have)
प्रजायते:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootजन् (जनीँ प्रादुर्भावे) + प्र
FormPresent, Third, Singular, Ātmanepada
ज्ञातीनाम्among kinsmen / of relatives
ज्ञातीनाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootज्ञाति
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
तुbut / indeed
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
भवेत्would be / becomes
भवेत्:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootभू (सत्तायाम्)
FormOptative, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada
श्रेष्ठःthe best / foremost
श्रेष्ठः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootश्रेष्ठ
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
मघासुin (the nakshatra) Maghā
मघासु:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootमघा
FormFeminine, Locative, Plural
श्राद्धम्śrāddha (ancestral rite)
श्राद्धम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootश्राद्ध
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
आवपन्sowing / performing (as if sowing)
आवपन्:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootवप् (बीजवपन/क्षेपणे) + आ
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhīṣma
Ā
Āśleṣā (nakṣatra)
M
Maghā (nakṣatra)
Ś
Śrāddha
P
Piṇḍa (funeral rice-ball offering)

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.