Verse 3.69

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

तासां क्रमेण सर्वासां निष्कृत्यर्थं महर्षिभिः ।
पञ्च कॢप्ता महायज्ञाः प्रत्यहं गृहमेधिनाम् ॥ ६९ ॥

tāsāṃ krameṇa sarvāsāṃ niṣkṛtyarthaṃ maharṣibhiḥ |
pañca kḷptā mahāyajñāḥ pratyahaṃ gṛhamedhinām || 69 ||

For the purpose of expiating all these in their course, the five great sacrifices have been ordained by the great sages, for householders (to be performed) daily.—(69)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

‘Of these’— of the Hearth and the other ‘slaughter-houses.’

‘For the purpose of expiating’—i.e., for the purpose of removing the evils proceeding from them.

‘Course’—The ‘course’ meant are—smearing of the Hearth, scraping of the grinding-stone, and so forth.

‘Have been ordained by the great sages;’—have been declared as to be performed;—‘the live great sacrifices,’ ‘for householders’—i.e., for persons who have entered the householder’s state—the term ‘grhamedha’ stands for the Householder’s state.

‘Daily’—as no particular period has been specified, we gather that they are to be performed throughout life; and it is thus that their compulsory character becomes estsblished.

‘Great sacrifices’—this is the name of the rites to be performed.—(69)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

Vīramitrodaya (Āhnika, p. 389) quotes this along with the preceding verse.

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Viṣṇu (59.20).—‘For the expiation of these, one should offer the sacrifices to Veda, Gods, Bhūtas, Pitṛs and Men.’

Hārīta (Vīramitrodaya-Āhnika, p. 389).—‘The Religious Students shake off the sins of three slaughterings by attending upon the Fire and upon the Teacher, and by Vedic Study; the Householders and the Recluses shake off the five by means of the five Pākayajñas; the Renunciates shake off two by pure knowledge and by Meditation; there, is no shaking off of the slaughtering caused by the teeth.’

Saṃvarta (Vīramitrodaya-Āhnika, p. 387).—‘During the fifth part of the day, he shall make offerings to Gods, Pitṛs, Men and Insects.’

Saṃvarta. (Vīramitrodaya-Āhnika, p. 388).—‘Day after day the twice-born shall perform the five great sacrifices; he shall never omit them.’

Vyāsa (Vīramitrodaya-Āhnika, p. 388).—‘Even in times of dire distress, he shall not omit the Pākayajñas.’

Jābāli (Vīramitrodaya-Āhnika, p. 388).—‘Daily he should perform the worshipping of Gods and Pitṛs, and offerings should be made to Men also.’

Devala (Vīramitrodaya-Āhnika, p. 388).—‘Having set up the Fire, he shall honour Gods, Pitṛs, Sages, Guests and other strangers who come to him.’