Shloka 69
Gayā-kṣetra and Phalgu Tīrtha: Sites, Rites, and the Liberation of the Pitṛs
आत्मनो ऽपि महाबुद्धिर्गयायां तु तिलैर्विना / पिण्डनिर्वापणं कुर्यादन्येषामपि मानवः
ātmano 'pi mahābuddhirgayāyāṃ tu tilairvinā / piṇḍanirvāpaṇaṃ kuryādanyeṣāmapi mānavaḥ
حتى لنفسه، ينبغي للرجل الحكيم أن يُقيم في غايا تقدمةَ البيṇḍa (piṇḍa). وحتى إن لم توجد حبوبُ السمسم، فعلى الإنسان أن يُجري تقدمةَ البيṇḍa للآخرين أيضًا.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vainateya)
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: During Gayā śrāddha performance; applicable when offering piṇḍas for specific individuals (self/others) as context requires.
Concept: Piṇḍa-offering at Gayā is recommended even for oneself; ritual efficacy is not wholly negated by lack of sesame—intent and prescribed act remain central, especially for benefiting others.
Vedantic Theme: Primacy of saṅkalpa (right intention) within dharmic action; compassion as dharma; non-attachment to perfect externals.
Application: Do not abandon essential memorial duties due to minor shortages; prioritize sincere performance and inclusion of dependents/kinsmen in rites.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: tirtha/kshetra
Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha rules allowing substitutions/mitigations when materials are unavailable; Gayā-śrāddha passages emphasizing piṇḍa as central offering
FAQs
This verse highlights Gayā as a prime place for piṇḍa-offering, recommending that a wise person perform it there as a key duty connected with śrāddha and ancestral rites.
It implies that even if sesame is unavailable, the piṇḍa-offering should still be performed—especially at Gayā—so the rite is not abandoned due to missing an ingredient.
Prioritize the essential duty of remembrance and offering (śrāddha/piṇḍa-dāna) rather than postponing it for lack of minor materials; perform rites sincerely for both oneself (as a vow of dharma) and for departed relatives.