Shraddh Chandrika

Summary of "Shraddh Chandrika" by Divakar Bhatt

This summary is based on the provided text, which appears to be an introduction and table of contents for the book "Shraddh Chandrika" by Pt. Divakar Bhatt, edited by Pt. Vishnu Prasad Bhandari, and published by Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office in 1934.

Overview:

"Shraddh Chandrika" (Śrāddha Candrikā) is a Jain text written in Sanskrit by Pandit Divakar Bhatt. It is part of the Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series. The book is a comprehensive guide to the rituals and principles of shraddha (śrāddha), which are ancestral rites performed to honor and nourish deceased ancestors. The text was edited by Pandit Vishnu Prasad Bhandari and is considered a valuable resource for understanding shraddha traditions.

Author and Lineage:

The author, Divakar Bhatt, hailed from a distinguished lineage. His grandfather was Shri Balkrishna, a scholar known for his work on Tithinirnaya (decision on auspicious days). His father was Mahadev Bhatt, a renowned logician who began a commentary on the Nyayasiddhantamuktavali but could not complete it due to untimely death. Divakar Bhatt's maternal grandfather was the esteemed Mimamsaka scholar Shri Nilakantha Pandit, who authored twelve Mayukhas on Dharmashastra. Divakar Bhatt himself was a resident of Varanasi.

Key Themes and Content:

The book meticulously details various aspects of shraddha rituals, covering:

• Praise and Definition of Shraddha: The initial sections emphasize the importance and merit of performing shraddha rituals, citing scriptural references.
• Types of Shraddha: It outlines different categories of shraddha, including daily (nitya), occasional (naimittika), desire-based (kamya), festive (vriddhi), and ancestral rites (parvana, ekoddishta).
• Shraddha Times: The text specifies auspicious timings for performing shraddha, including specific days, periods like the dark fortnight (krishna paksha), and astronomical events like eclipses and solar transits.
• Shraddha Participants: It details who is eligible to perform shraddha (the lineage of sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons) and the hierarchy of eligible Brahmin recipients for the offerings. It also describes Brahmins who are to be avoided.
• Shraddha Ingredients: The book lists acceptable and prohibited items for shraddha offerings, including specific grains, liquids, and substances, emphasizing purity and auspiciousness.
• Shraddha Procedure: It provides a detailed step-by-step guide to the shraddha ceremony, including invitation of Brahmins, preparation of the sacred space, rituals of offering, and rules for conduct during the ceremony.
• Specific Rites: It elaborates on specific rites like sapindikaraṇa (a ritual to unite the deceased with ancestors), udakumbha rites (offering of water pots), ama shraddha (performed with uncooked food), and hema shraddha (performed with gold).
• Rules and Prohibitions: The text highlights rules regarding conduct during shraddha, such as dietary restrictions, behavioral norms, and actions to be avoided by both the performer and the recipients.
• Special Cases: It addresses specific situations like the performance of shraddha during intercalary months (malmasa), when the exact date of death is unknown, or in the event of a death in the family during the shraddha period.
• Donations and Endowments: The text also touches upon the significance of donations like shayya dana (offering of a bed) and its associated rituals.
• Genealogy and Author's Family: The introductory sections provide insights into the author's family history and the scholarly tradition he belonged to.

Editorial Aspects:

The current edition was edited by Pandit Shri Vishnu Prasad Bhandari. The editor acknowledges the collaborative effort and the challenges in deciphering ancient manuscripts, noting that the original text was obtained from a learned scholar in Nepal. The editor also mentions the use of additional manuscripts and expresses hope that any inadvertent errors are overlooked by the learned readers.

Significance:

"Shraddh Chandrika" is presented as an indispensable guide for those seeking to understand the intricate details and philosophical underpinnings of shraddha rituals. Its comprehensive nature and scriptural basis make it a foundational text for the practice and study of these important ancestral rites. The book's publication by the Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series underscores its scholarly value and contribution to preserving and disseminating traditional Sanskrit knowledge.