Shloka 38

The Greatness of Offering Piṇḍas at Viṣṇvādipada (Viṣṇupada) — Gayā Śrāddha Procedure and Fruits

Devanagari script

श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानेन पिंडदानाय चोद्यतः । पितुर्विनिर्गतौ हस्तौ गयाशिरसि शंतनोः ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

śrāddhaṃ kṛtvā vidhānena piṃḍadānāya codyataḥ | piturvinirgatau hastau gayāśirasi śaṃtanoḥ || 38 ||

Translation

بعد أن أتمَّ شانتانو شعيرة الشرادها (śrāddha) على الوجه المأثور، وكان عازمًا على تقديم البِنْدا (piṇḍa)، رأى يدي أبيه الاثنتين تبرزان عند غاياشيراس (Gayāśiras).

Word by Word

• श्राद्धम्: śrāddha rite
• श्राद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative (2nd case), Singular

• कृत्वा: having performed
• कृत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), ‘having done’ — Indeclinable gerund from √कृ

• विधानेन: according to the prescribed procedure
• विधानेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Instrumental (3rd), Singular

• पिण्डदानाय: for offering the piṇḍa (funeral ball)
• पिण्डदानाय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड-दान (प्रातिपदिक; पिण्ड + दान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Dative (4th), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पिण्डस्य दानम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction) — coordinating particle

• उद्यतः: (he) intent/ready
• उद्यतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्यत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; ‘ready/intent’

• पितुः: of the father
• पितुः: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Masculine, Genitive (6th), Singular

• विनिर्गतौ: came forth (two)
• विनिर्गतौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनिर्गत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Dual; past passive participle used adjectivally ‘having come forth’

• हस्तौ: two hands
• हस्तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• गयाशिरसि: at Gayāśiras (the head/peak of Gayā)
• गयाशिरसि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गया-शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक; गया + शिरस्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Locative (7th), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गयायाः शिरः)

• शंतनोः: of Śaṃtanu
• शंतनोः: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंतनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Masculine, Genitive, Singular

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the Gaya-Mahatmya section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Gayāśiras
• Śaṃtanu
• Śaṃtanu’s father (Pitṛ)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It presents Gayāśiras as a uniquely potent tīrtha where correctly performed śrāddha and piṇḍadāna can yield direct, visible assurance of ancestral acceptance—symbolizing the efficacy of pitṛ-dharma at Gayā.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Though centered on ritual, the verse implies śraddhā (faithful intent) and correct observance; in Purāṇic theology, such acts are offerings done with reverence in a sacred place, aligning one’s duty to ancestors with devotion to the sanctity of the tīrtha.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is emphasized through “vidhānena”—the necessity of performing śrāddha and piṇḍadāna according to prescribed rules, underscoring precision in rites and their intended results.