Shloka 132

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

Devanagari script

भ्राता वा भ्रातृपुत्रो वा सपिण्डः शिष्य एव वा / सपिण्डीकरणं कुर्यात् पुत्रहीने खगेश्वर

Transliteration

bhrātā vā bhrātṛputro vā sapiṇḍaḥ śiṣya eva vā / sapiṇḍīkaraṇaṃ kuryāt putrahīne khageśvara

Translation

হে খগেশ্বর গরুড়! পুত্র না থাকলে সপিণ্ডীকরণ করবে ভাই, অথবা ভাইয়ের পুত্র, অথবা কোনো সপিণ্ড আত্মীয়, কিংবা শিষ্যও।

Word by Word

• bhrātā: brother
• bhrātā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative/1st), Ekavacana (Singular)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Vikalpa-nipāta (disjunctive particle)

• bhrātṛ-putraḥ: brother's son (nephew)
• bhrātṛ-putraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative/1st), Ekavacana (Singular); tatpuruṣa: 'bhrātuḥ putraḥ'

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Vikalpa-nipāta (disjunctive particle)

• sapiṇḍaḥ: a sapinda kinsman
• sapiṇḍaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa-piṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative/1st), Ekavacana (Singular); tatpuruṣa: 'saha piṇḍena' → sapinda (kinsman sharing oblations)

• śiṣyaḥ: disciple
• śiṣyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative/1st), Ekavacana (Singular)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Niyama-nipāta (restrictive particle)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Vikalpa-nipāta (disjunctive particle)

• sapiṇḍī-karaṇam: the sapindīkaraṇa rite
• sapiṇḍī-karaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sapiṇḍī (प्रातिपदिक) + karaṇa (प्रातिपदिक; √kṛ)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Dvitīyā (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); tatpuruṣa: 'sapiṇḍībhāva-karaṇam' (act of making sapinda)

• kuryāt: should perform
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (Optative/विधिलिङ्), Prathama puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana (Singular), Parasmaipada

• putra-hīne: in the case of one who is sonless
• putra-hīne: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक) + hīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine) or Napuṃsakaliṅga (Neuter) in locative context; Saptamī (Locative/7th), Ekavacana (Singular); bahuvrīhi: 'yasya putro nāsti saḥ' → 'in the sonless (person)'

• khaga-īśvara: O lord of birds (Garuda)
• khaga-īśvara: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaga (प्रातिपदिक) + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Sambodhana (Vocative), Ekavacana (Singular); tatpuruṣa: 'khagānām īśvaraḥ' (lord of birds)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Sapindana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: At the prescribed time for sapiṇḍīkaraṇa following initial preta-rites, performed by eligible substitute when no son exists.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: If there is no son, sapiṇḍīkaraṇa may be performed by brother, brother’s son, other sapinḍa kin, or even a disciple—ensuring ritual continuity beyond direct progeny.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma transcends biological lineage; intention and eligibility within śāstric order sustain the departed’s passage.

Application: In absence of a son, pre-designate an eligible kin or disciple to perform sapiṇḍīkaraṇa; maintain clear instructions and ritual support.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: eligibility hierarchy for śrāddha performers; sapiṇḍīkaraṇa role in integrating the departed among pitṛs (contextual continuity within 2.34)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of sapinḍīkaraṇa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that sapinḍīkaraṇa is essential to place the departed into the Pitṛ-lineage, and it must still be done even if the deceased has no son.

Who can perform sapinḍīkaraṇa if the deceased has no son?

According to this verse: the brother, the brother’s son, another sapinḍa relative, or even a disciple may perform the rite.

Practical application of this teaching today?

Ensure the departed’s obligatory rites are not neglected due to lack of a direct heir; responsible family kin or a committed disciple can arrange and perform the prescribed ceremonies with proper guidance.