Chapter 16 - Śraddhā-tattva
The Proper Funeral Ceremony
The Proper Funeral Ceremony
16.1
Even on the day of śraddhā, a devotee should first offer the food to the Lord and then perform the śraddhā ceremony with the Lord's remnants.
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.294)
16.2
The demigods should be worshiped with the food offered to Lord Viṣṇu. Even the forefathers should be offered the remnants of the Lord. This gives unlimited benefit.
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.297)
16.3
Without offering food first to Lord Viṣṇu, who is called agrabhoktir, or the prime enjoyer, one should not offer anything to the forefathers, otherwise he has to perform atonement.
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.314)
Vaiṣṇavas are Forbidden to Hold or Wear Kuśa Grass
16.4
If a person is initiated into the Viṣṇu 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 kuśa grass.
(Skanda Purāṇa)
Vaiṣṇavas Need not Perform Funeral Rites or Offer Oblations to Forefathers
16.5
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 piṇḍa-dāna at Gayā by performing the śraddhā ceremony?
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.308)
Lord Caitanya's Internal Reasons for Performing the Funeral Ceremony
16.6
Lord Caitanya said,
"As soon as I saw your lotus feet my visit to Gayā 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 saṁsāra. Now I have surrendered Myself to you. Please make me drink the nectar of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. I want this benediction.
(Cb. Ādi 12.49-54)
Vaiṣṇavas Must Deceive the Smārtas for Their Own Good
16.7
One should trick the non-devotees by giving them unoffered items or wealth, but one should offer the Lord's prasāda to the Vaiṣṇavas.
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.327)
Funeral Ceremony of the Karmīs is Demonic
16.8
If a Vipra, thinking an uneducated vaiṣṇava a fool, offers śraddhā to the brāhmaṇas who know the Vedas, then such śraddhā is called demonic, or rākṣaña-śraddhā.
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.316)
The Behaviour of Advaita Ācārya
16.9
Advaita Ācārya replied,
"My dear Haridāsa, do not be afraid. I shall behave strictly according to the principles of the revealed scriptures. Feeding you is equal to feeding ten million brāhmaṇas. Therefore, accept this śraddhā-pātra."
Thus Advaita Ācārya made him eat.
(Cc. Antya 3.221-22)
The Characteristics of a Staunch Devotee
16.10
The unalloyed devotees who generally engage in performing kīrtana and remembering the Lord with great love take no interest in other prescribed activities.
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 20.382)
Thus ends the Sixteenth Jewel of the Gauḍīya-Kaṇṭhahāra, entitled Śrāddha-tattva.