Shloka 111

Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules

Devanagari script

पितृपाङ्क्तिविशुर्ध्यं शतार्धेन? तु योजयेत् / वृद्धिं प्राप्याग्रतः कुर्याच्छूद्रस्य स्वच्छयैव हि

Transliteration

pitṛpāṅktiviśurdhyaṃ śatārdhena? tu yojayet / vṛddhiṃ prāpyāgrataḥ kuryācchūdrasya svacchayaiva hi

Translation

لتطهير صفّ الأسلاف (pitṛ-paṅkti) يُضمّ العمل المقرّر بمقدار «نصف المئة» على وفق الحكم. فإذا نال المرء نماءً ورخاءً فليؤدِّه أولاً بلا إبطاء؛ وأمّا الشودرَة (Śūdra) فحقًّا يُقام بحسب الوسع والقدرة.

Word by Word

• पितृ-पाङ्क्ति-विशुद्ध्यम्: purification of the ancestral line/row
• पितृ-पाङ्क्ति-विशुद्ध्यम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक) + पाङ्क्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + विशुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (nested): पितॄणां पाङ्क्तेः विशुद्धिः; स्त्रीलिङ्ग-विशुद्धि, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular

• शत-अर्धेन: with half of a hundred (i.e., fifty)
• शत-अर्धेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: शतस्य अर्धम्; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; instrumental singular

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; contrast/emphasis particle

• योजयेत्: should apply/arrange
• योजयेत्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वृद्धिम्: increase/prosperity
• वृद्धिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular

• प्राप्य: having attained
• प्राप्य: पूर्वकाल (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु) + ल्यप् (क्त्वा-सम)
• Form: अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/ल्यप्), 'having obtained'

• अग्रतः: thereafter/in front/first
• अग्रतः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अग्रतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; adverb of place/time (देश/काल)

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शूद्रस्य: of a Śūdra
• शूद्रस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; genitive singular

• स्वच्छया: by (his) own will/choice
• स्वच्छया: करण (Karaṇa/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वच्छा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; instrumental singular

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: निश्चय (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; emphasis particle

• हि: for/indeed
• हि: हेतु-सूचक (Reason marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; causal/explanatory particle (हेतौ/व्याख्याने)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: When performing pitṛ-paṅkti-śuddhi rites; ‘foremost/without delay’ after prosperity is attained; for limited means, as feasible

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pitṛ-paṅkti-viśuddhi through prescribed measures; performance should be timely and, for those with limited means, proportionate to capacity.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as both rule and compassion (anukampā) within social reality; intention and right performance within one’s adhikāra.

Application: Follow the prescribed count/measure where possible; prioritize timely performance; if resources are limited, perform a simplified but sincere rite within capacity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual and social context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34 (pitṛ-paṅkti, śrāddha measures, and accommodations by means/adhikāra)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Shudra

FAQs

What is the importance of pitṛ-paṅkti (ancestral line) purification in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames ancestral-line purification as a dharmic duty connected to śrāddha-style rites, emphasizing timely performance and correct measure/number as taught in the Preta Kanda.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda context, proper ancestral rites support post-death welfare and continuity of offerings; the text repeatedly links correct śrāddha-related actions with relief and benefit in the after-death state.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform ancestral remembrance/offerings sincerely and without delay when able; if resources are limited, do the rite within one’s capacity rather than abandoning the duty altogether.