Shloka 47

Gayā-yātrā-vidhi: Multi-day Śrāddha Route, Pitṛ-devatās, and Akṣaya Merit at Gayā

Devanagari script

वृद्धप्रमातामहश्च तथा मातामही परम् / प्रमातामही तथा वृद्धप्रमातामहीति वै

Transliteration

vṛddhapramātāmahaśca tathā mātāmahī param / pramātāmahī tathā vṛddhapramātāmahīti vai

Translation

ويُعَدّ أيضًا الجدُّ الأعلى في مرتبةٍ أقدم (جدّ الجدّ الأعلى)، وكذلك الجدة؛ ثم الجدة الكبرى، وكذلك الجدُّ الأعلى في مرتبةٍ أقدم حقًّا—هكذا تُحصى روابط الأسلاف وتُعدَّد.

Word by Word

• वृद्धप्रमातामहः: the elder great-grandfather (maternal line)
• वृद्धप्रमातामहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रमातामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (वृद्धः प्रमातामहः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha/Modifier
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/प्रकार

• मातामही: grandmother (maternal)
• मातामही: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातामही (प्रातिपदिक; मातामह + ई)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (मातामहस्य पत्नी)

• परम्: further, next
• परम्: Sambandha/Modifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण; here adverbial sense ‘further/next’

• प्रमातामही: great-grandmother (maternal)
• प्रमातामही: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रमातामही (प्रातिपदिक; प्र + मातामही)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष

• तथा: and likewise
• तथा: Sambandha/Modifier
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• वृद्धप्रमातामही: the elder great-grandmother (maternal line)
• वृद्धप्रमातामही: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रमातामही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (वृद्धा प्रमातामही)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha/Quotative
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्तिबोधक अव्यय (quotative particle)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha/Emphasis
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy is supported by accurate relational enumeration; tradition preserves a structured map of obligations.

Vedantic Theme: Order (niyama) as a dharmic aid to inner purity and social-cosmic harmony.

Application: Use standardized prayoga lists when performing śrāddha; consult tradition/priests to ensure correct inclusion of extended ancestors.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual enumeration context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: extended pitṛ enumeration in śrāddha contexts (general parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of listing ancestors like mātāmahī and pramātāmahī in the Garuda Purana?

This verse clarifies precise kinship categories in the maternal ancestral line, supporting correct identification of recipients in śrāddha and other Pitṛ-related rites.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana death rituals?

In Garuda Purana’s ritual framework, accurate enumeration of ancestors is part of dharmic procedure for post-death rites (such as śrāddha and offerings), ensuring the intended Pitṛs are honored according to lineage.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha or remembering ancestors, keep a clear family lineage record (especially maternal relations) so offerings, prayers, and memorial observances are done with correctness and respect.