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 |
毗湿摩说道：“月在阿湿勒沙（Āśleṣā）宿时行śrāddha者，将得坚毅勇敢之子。月在摩伽（Maghā）宿时行śrāddha并献piṇḍa团食者，必为宗族之冠——以虔尽祖先之责而获家门之荣与尊位。”
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.