Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.14.26
संस्कारकालो जायाया अपत्यस्यात्मनस्तथा ।
प्रेतसंस्था मृताहश्च कर्मण्यभ्युदये नृप ॥ २६ ॥
saṁskāra-kālo jāyāyā
[samskaara-kaalo jaayaayaa]
apatyasyātmanas tathā
[apatyasyaatmanas tathaa]
preta-saṁsthā mṛtāhaś ca
[preta-samsthaa mritaahash cha]
karmaṇy abhyudaye nṛpa
[karmany abhyudaye nripa]
Word-for-word
saṁskāra-kālaḥ
—
at the proper time indicated for Vedic reformatory performances
jāyāyāḥ
—
for the wife
apatyasya
—
for the children
ātmanaḥ
—
and one’s own self
tathā
—
as well as
preta-saṁsthā
—
funeral ceremonies
mṛta-ahaḥ
—
annual death ceremonies
ca
—
and
karmaṇi
—
of fruitive activity
abhyudaye
—
for furtherance
nṛpa
—
O King.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
saṁskāra-kālo jāyāyā
saṁskāra-kālaḥ
at the proper time indicated for Vedic reformatory performances
jāyāyāḥ
for the wife
apatyasyātmanas tathā
apatyasya
for the children
ātmanaḥ
and one’s own self
tathā
as well as
preta-saṁsthā mṛtāhaś ca
preta-saṁsthā
funeral ceremonies
mṛta-ahaḥ
annual death ceremonies
ca
and
karmaṇy abhyudaye nṛpa
karmaṇi
of fruitive activity
abhyudaye
for furtherance
nṛpa
O King.
O King Yudhiṣṭhira, at the time prescribed for reformatory ritualistic ceremonies for one’s self, one’s wife or one’s children, or during funeral ceremonies and annual death ceremonies, one must perform the auspicious ceremonies mentioned above in order to flourish in fruitive activities.
Purport
The Vedas recommend many ritualistic ceremonies to be performed with one’s wife, on the birthdays of one’s children, or during funeral ceremonies, and there are also personal reformatory methods like initiation. These must be observed according to time and circumstances and the directions of the śāstra. Bhagavad-gītā strongly recommends, jñātvā śāstra-vidhānoktam: everything must be performed as indicated in the śāstras. For Kali-yuga, the śāstras enjoin that saṅkīrtana-yajña be performed always: kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ. All the ritualistic ceremonies recommended in the śāstras must be preceded and followed by saṅkīrtana. This is the recommendation of Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
O King Yudhiṣṭhira! At the time prescribed for saṁskāras for one’s self, one’s wife or one’s children, or during funeral ceremonies and annual death ceremonies, one obtains great benefit by performing them at the times mentioned above.
At the time of saṁskāras for the wife such as puṁsavana, or for the children, such as jāta-karma, or for oneself, such as initiation into sacrifice, at the time of burning a body (preta-saṁsthā) and yearly śrāddhas, there will be great benefit by using those auspicious times.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Perform reformatory and family ceremonies — birth, marriage, funeral, annual rites — properly according to time and śāstra. Sacraments shape souls. Do not let modern rush hollow them out.
Reflection Questions
- Which family rituals have you let slip into bureaucracy rather than sacrament?
- What care could restore one ceremony to its proper depth this year?
My note
Source: vedabase.io