Shloka 2
कानि श्राद्धानि वर्ज्यानि कानि मूलफलानि च । धान्यजात्यश्व का वज्यस्तिन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--पितामह! श्राद्ध कब प्रचलित हुआ? सबसे पहले किस महर्षिने इसका संकल्प किया अर्थात् प्रचार किया? श्राद्धका स्वरूप क्या है? यदि भूगु और अंगिराके समयमें इसका प्रारम्भ हुआ तो किस मुनिने इसको प्रकट किया? श्राद्धमें कौन- कौनसे कर्म, कौन-कौनसे फल-मूल और कौन-कौनसे अन्न त्याग देने योग्य हैं? वह मुझसे कहिये
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca — kāni śrāddhāni varjyāni kāni mūla-phalāni ca | dhānya-jātyaś ca kā varjyas tan me brūhi pitāmaha ||
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Lolo, alin sa mga uri ng śrāddha ang dapat iwasan, alin sa mga ugat at prutas ang dapat tanggihan, at alin sa mga uri ng butil ang ipinagbabawal? Ipaliwanag mo ito sa akin.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-inquiry: ritual merit depends not only on performing śrāddha, but on observing proper exclusions—certain forms of the rite and certain food categories (roots, fruits, grains) are considered unfit and must be avoided to preserve purity and intended benefit for ancestors.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instructional setting, Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully questions Bhīṣma (addressed as Pitāmaha) about detailed rules for śrāddha—specifically, which rites and which offerings are prohibited—seeking authoritative guidance on correct ancestral observance.