Anushasanika Parva — Optional Shraddhas

Bhishma said Hear me, O Yudhishthira, as I tell you what those optional Shraddhas are that should be performed under the different constellations and that were first spoken of by Yama of king Shashabindu.

That man who always perforins the Shraddha under the constellation Krittika, is considered as performing a sacrifice after establishing the sacred fire. Such a person, freed from fever, goes to Heaven with his children.

He who is desirous of children should perform the Shraddha under the constellation Rohini, while he who is desirous of power should do it under the constellation Mrigashiras. By performing the Shraddha under the constellation Ardra, a man becomes the doer of terrific deeds.

A man, by performing the Shraddha under Punarvasu, makes much gain by agriculture. The man who is desirous of growth and advancement should perform the Shraddha under Pushya.

By doing it under the constellation Ashlesha one begets heroic children. By doing it under the Maghas onc gains superiority over kinsmen.

By doing it under the (prior) Phalgunis, one gains good fortune. By doing the Shraddha under the later Phalgunas one gets many children; while by performing it under Hasta, one gets the fruition of his wishes.

By performing it under the constellation Chitra one gets beautiful children. By doing it under the constellation Svati, one makes much profit by trade.

The man who desires children, acquires the fruition of his desire by performing the Shraddha under the constellation Vishakha. By doing it under Anuradha, one becomes an Emperor.

By making offerings in honour of the departed Manes Manes under the constellation Jeshthya, with devotion and humility, one acquires sovereignty, O foremost one of Kuru's race.

By doing the Shraddha under Mula, one gains health, and by doing it under the prior Ashada, one acquires excellent fame. By performing it under the later Ashada, one succeeds in travelling over the whole world, freed from every sorrow.

By doing it under the constellation Abhijit, one acquires great knowledge. By doing it under Shravana, one, after death, attains to a very high end.

The man who performs the Shraddha under the constellation Dhanistha becomes a king. By doing it under the constellation presided over by Varuna (viz., Shatavisha), one becomes a successful physician.

By performing the Shraddha under the constellation of the prior Bhadrapada, one acquires many goats and sheep: while by doing it under the later Bhadrapada, one acquires thousands of kine.

By performing the Shraddha under the constellation Revati, one acquires many utensils of white brass and copper. By doing it under Ashvini, one acquires many horses, while under Bharani, one live long.

Listening to these ordinances about the Shraddha king Shashabindu acted accordingly, and succeeded in easily conquering and ruling the whole Earth.