Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

दक्षिणाग्निपदे श्राद्धी वाजपेयफलं लभेत् । गार्हपत्यपदे श्राद्धी राजसूयफलं लभेत् ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

dakṣiṇāgnipade śrāddhī vājapeyaphalaṃ labhet | gārhapatyapade śrāddhī rājasūyaphalaṃ labhet || 22 ||

Translation

দক্ষিণাগ্নিস্থানে শ্রাদ্ধ করলে বাজপেয় যজ্ঞের ফল লাভ হয়; আর গার্হপত্যাগ্নিস্থানে শ্রাদ্ধ করলে রাজসূয় যজ্ঞের ফল লাভ হয়।

Word by Word

dakṣiṇa-agni-padein the place/step of the Dakṣiṇāgni (southern sacred fire)

śrāddhīthe śrāddha-performer

vājapeya-phalamthe fruit of the Vājapeya sacrifice

labhetwould obtain

gārhapatya-padein the place/step of the Gārhapatya fire

śrāddhīthe śrāddha-performer

rājasūya-phalamthe fruit of the Rājasūya sacrifice

labhetwould obtain

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a tirtha-mahatmya context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Śrāddha

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

Dakshinagni

Garhapatya

Shraddha

Vajapeya

Rajasuya

FAQs

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

It elevates Pitṛ-karmas (Śrāddha) by declaring that performing them at specific sacred Agni-sthānas yields merits equal to major royal Soma sacrifices, showing how accessible dharma at a tirtha can confer extraordinary punya.

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

While the verse is primarily ritual-focused, it supports bhakti-oriented dharma by honoring reverent offerings made with faith (śraddhā) for ancestors at sanctified places—an attitude of devotion expressed through prescribed sacred duty.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa/Śrauta-Smārta ritual knowledge: the classification of sacred fires (Dakṣiṇāgni, Gārhapatya) and the doctrine of phala (ritual results), mapping place-specific performance to the merit of Vājapeya and Rājasūya.