Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20
Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala
श्राद्धे क्षणस्तु कर्त्तव्यः प्रसादश्चेति सत्तम । निमंत्रयेद्द्विजं प्राज्ञं दर्भपाणिर्जितेंद्रियः ॥ २० ॥
śrāddhe kṣaṇastu karttavyaḥ prasādaśceti sattama | nimaṃtrayeddvijaṃ prājñaṃ darbhapāṇirjiteṃdriyaḥ || 20 ||
Hỡi bậc hiền đức tối thượng, trong lễ Śrāddha phải giữ đúng thời khắc nghi lễ và nuôi dưỡng tâm thái an hòa, từ ái. Với các căn được chế ngự, tay cầm cỏ darbha, hãy thỉnh mời vị brāhmaṇa trí tuệ.
Narada (teaching the Sanatkumara tradition; instructional voice within the Śrāddha-vidhi context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that Śrāddha is not merely an external rite: its efficacy depends on right timing, inner serenity, and disciplined conduct while honoring ancestors through a worthy recipient (a learned brāhmaṇa).
By emphasizing prasāda (a calm, reverent heart) and self-restraint, it frames ritual action as an offering performed with devotional purity—devotion expressed through disciplined, respectful service rather than display.
Ritual procedure and timing (kṣaṇa) align with Vedāṅga principles used in karma-kāṇḍa practice—selecting the proper moment and maintaining prescribed ritual implements like darbha while inviting the officiant.