Sraddha-tattva

 

 

The Proper Funeral Ceremony

 

16.1

prapte raddha-dine'pi pragannam bhagavate 'rpayet

taccheneraiva kurvvita sraddham bhagavato narau

 

            Even on the day of sraddha, a devotee should first offer the food to the

Lord and then perform the sraddha ceremony with the Lord's remnants.

(Hari-bhakti-vilasa 9.294)

 

16.2

vinrorniveditmnnena yantavyam devatmntaram

pitrbhyascmpi taddeyam tadanantyaya kalpate

 

            The demigods should be worshiped with the food offered to Lord Visnu.

Even the forefathers should be offered the remnants of the Lord. This gives

unlimited benefit. (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 9.297)

 

16.3

bhaksyam bhojyasca yatkiscida nivedyagrabhoktari

na deyam pitndevebhyau prayascitti yato bhavet

 

            Without offering food first to Lord Visnu, who is called agrabhokta, or

the prime enjoyer, one should not offer anything to the forefathers, otherwise

he has to perform atonement. (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 9.314)

 

Vaisnavas are Forbidden to Hold or Wear Kusa Grass

 

16.4

sarkalpam ca tatha danam pitndevarccanadikam

Visnumantropadintascema kuryat kusa chararam

 

            If a person is initiated into the Visnu mantra then he should not make a

resolve for any fruitive activity, nor give charity (for material gain), nor engage

in the worship of forefathers and so on; and he should not hold kusa grass.

(Skanda Purana)

 

Vaisnavas Need not Perform Funeral Rites or Offer Oblations to Forefathers

 

16.5

kia dattair bahubhiu pindairgayasraddadibhir mune

yairarccito harirbhaktya pitnarthasca dine dine

 

            O sage, for those who everyday worship Lord Hari with devotion for the

satisfaction of their forefathers, what need is there for them to give away many

oblations in charity, and make pinda-dana at Gaya by performing the sraddha

ceremony? (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 9.308)

 

Lord Caitanya's Internal Reasons for Performing the Funeral Ceremony

 

16.6

prabhu bole 'gaya yatra amara

jata ksane dekhilmh carara tomara

tirthe pinde dile se nistare pitngara

sei jare pinda diye tare sei jana

toma dekhilei matra koti pitngara

sei ksane sarva bandhu pmya vimocana

ataeva tirtha nahe tomara samana

tirtharo parama tumi mangala pradhara

samsara samudra haite uddharo amare

ei ami deha asamarpilmn tomare

krsna pada padmera amrtarasa pana

amare karao "tumi ei cahi dara"

 

            Lord Caitanya said, "As soon as I saw your lotus feet my visit to Gaya

was successful. If one offers oblations to forefathers at the holy places then they

are liberated, but only the person to whom the oblations are offered. But just by

seeing you millions of forefathers immediately get liberation from all bondage.

Therefore the holy places are not equal to you, rather you are auspicious even

to the holy places. Please deliver Me from the ocean of samsara. Now I have

surrendered Myself to you. Please make me drink the nectar of the lotus feet of

Krsna. I want this benediction. (Cb. Adi 12.49-54)

 

Vaisnavas Must Deceive the Smartas for Their Own Good

 

16.7

svabhavasthaiu karmajadmn vascayan draviradibhiu

harer naivedyasambharan vaisnavebhyau samarpayet

 

            One should trick the non-devotees by giving them unoffered items or

wealth, but one should offer the Lord's prasada to the Vaisnavas.

(Hari-bhakti-vilasa 9.327)

 

Funeral Ceremony of the Karmis is Demonic

 

16.8

yastu vidya vinirmuktam mhrkham matva tu vaisnavam

vedavidbhyo 'dadadviprau sraddham tadraksasam bhavet

 

            If a vipra, thinking an uneducated vaisnava a fool, offers sraddha to the

brahmanas who know the Vedas, then such sraddha is called demonic, or

raksanasraddha. (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 9.316)

 

The Behavior of Advaita Acarya

 

16.9

acarya kahena, "tumi na kariha bhaya

sei acariba, yei sastra-mata haya

tumi khaile haya koti-brahmana-bhojana"

eta bali, sraddha-patra karailm bhojana

 

            Advaita Acarya replied, "My dear Haridasa, do not be afraid. I shall be-

have strictly according to the principles of the revealed scriptures. Feeding

is equal to feeding ten million brahmanas. Therefore, accept this sraddha-patra."

Thus Advaita Acarya made him eat. (Cc. Antya 3.221-22)

 

The Characteristics of a Staunch Devotee

 

16.10

evamekantinam prayau kirttanam smararam prabho

kurvatmm parama pritya kntyamanyanna rocate

 

 

            The unalloyed devotees who generally engage in performing kirtana and

remembering the Lord with great love take no interest in other prescribed activities.

(Hari-bhakti-vilasa 20.382)

 

Thus ends the Sixteenth Jewel of the Gaudiya-Kanthahara, entitled Sraddha-tattva.