Shloka 120
Genealogy of the Ancestors (Pitṛs) and the Procedure of Śrāddha
श्राद्धकृच्छ्राद्धभुग्यो वा सर्वमेतद्विवर्जयेत् । स्वाध्यायं कलहं चैव दिवास्वप्नं च सर्वदा
śrāddhakṛcchrāddhabhugyo vā sarvametadvivarjayet | svādhyāyaṃ kalahaṃ caiva divāsvapnaṃ ca sarvadā
ശ്രാദ്ധം ചെയ്യുന്നവനായാലും ശ്രാദ്ധഭോജനം ചെയ്യുന്നവനായാലും—ഈ എല്ലാം നിഷിദ്ധകർമ്മങ്ങൾ ഒഴിവാക്കണം. കൂടാതെ സ്വാധ്യായം, കലഹം, പകൽനിദ്ര എന്നിവയും എപ്പോഴും വെടിയണം.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 9 narration)
Concept: During śrāddha performance or while eating śrāddha food, one must avoid prohibited acts; additionally refrain from svādhyāya, quarrel, and daytime sleep to protect ritual sanctity and mental sattva.
Application: On solemn days (memorials, fasts, sacred observances), reduce distractions: avoid arguments, avoid lethargy, and keep speech and mind clean.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic ‘rule-scroll’ scene: the householder sits near the altar with a calm, restrained posture while shadowy vignettes around the border depict the avoided acts—quarrel, daytime sleep, and careless recitation—each crossed by subtle ritual motifs. The central space remains pure and uncluttered, emphasizing inner discipline as the true guardian of the rite.","primary_figures":["Gṛhastha (central)","Personifications of Kalaha (quarrel) and Alasya (sloth) as faint border figures (symbolic)"],"setting":"Minimalist domestic altar space with kuśa, water pot, and offering plate; decorative border used to show prohibitions allegorically.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["clean white","ash gray","saffron ochre","deep brown","quiet teal"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central seated householder by a small altar, gold-leaf aura emphasizing purity; border panels show allegorical scenes of quarrel and daytime sleep rendered smaller, with ornate gold separators; rich reds/greens with embossed gold rules-scroll motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: restrained composition—central calm figure, with delicate marginal mini-scenes illustrating prohibitions; cool palette, fine brushwork, refined expressions, ample negative space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; central figure in sattvic posture; stylized marginal icons for ‘no quarrel’ and ‘no day sleep’; warm red/yellow ground with green accents, temple-wall didactic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central sanctified altar scene framed by intricate floral borders; within the border, small symbolic motifs (closed book for svādhyāya pause, sleeping figure, arguing figures) integrated into decorative medallions; deep blue with gold and lotus pink highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["single bell strike","measured silence","soft fire crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्राद्धकृच्छ्राद्धभुग्यो = श्राद्ध-कृत् + श्राद्ध-भुक् + यः; सर्वमेतत् = सर्वम् + एतत्; चैव = च + एव; दिवास्वप्नम् = दिवा-स्वप्नम् (अव्ययीभाव).
FAQs
It regulates proper conduct during Śrāddha—both for the performer of the rite and for one who partakes of the ritual meal—by listing actions to be avoided.
In many Dharmaśāstra-style contexts, certain times and ritual states impose temporary restrictions on svādhyāya to preserve ritual focus and purity; this verse applies that restraint in the Śrāddha context.
The verse stresses restraint and decorum during sacred duties: avoid conflict (kalaha), lethargy (day-sleep), and distractions, maintaining a disciplined, reverent mind during ancestral rites.