Shloka 14
Śrāddha Vidhi (Pārvaṇa-Śrāddha): Invitations, Arghya, Protective Rites, Piṇḍa Offering, Dakṣiṇā, and Visarjana
ॐ शुन्धन्तां लोकाः पितृसदनाः पितृसदनमसि / अधोमुखपात्त्रस्पर्शनम् / अमुकगोत्रेभ्यो ऽस्मत्पितृपितामह प्रपितामहेभ्यः सपत्नीकेभ्य एतानि गन्धपुष्पधूपदीपवासोगुणसोत्तरीययज्ञोपवीतानि वः स्वधा पितृतीर्थेन गन्धादिदानम् / गन्धादिदानमक्षय्यमस्तु / संकल्पसिद्धिरस्तु / ब्राह्मणवचनम् / एवं मातामहादीनामनुज्ञापनादिकर्म / ॐ यादिव्येतिभूमिसंमार्जनम् / ततो घृताक्तमन्नं गृहीत्वा दक्षिणोपवीती पितृब्राह्मणम् ॐ अग्नौ करणमहं करिष्ये / ॐ कुरुष्वेति तेनोक्ते ॐ अग्नये कव्यवाहनाय स्वाहा इति आहुतिद्वयं देवब्राह्मणहस्ते दत्त्वा अवशिष्टान्नं पिण्डार्थं स्थापयित्वा अपरमर्धं पित्रादिपात्रे मातामहादिपात्रे च निः क्षिपेत्
oṃ śundhantāṃ lokāḥ pitṛsadanāḥ pitṛsadanamasi / adhomukhapāttrasparśanam / amukagotrebhyo 'smatpitṛpitāmaha prapitāmahebhyaḥ sapatnīkebhya etāni gandhapuṣpadhūpadīpavāsoguṇasottarīyayajñopavītāni vaḥ svadhā pitṛtīrthena gandhādidānam / gandhādidānamakṣayyamastu / saṃkalpasiddhirastu / brāhmaṇavacanam / evaṃ mātāmahādīnāmanujñāpanādikarma / oṃ yādivyetibhūmisaṃmārjanam / tato ghṛtāktamannaṃ gṛhītvā dakṣiṇopavītī pitṛbrāhmaṇam oṃ agnau karaṇamahaṃ kariṣye / oṃ kuruṣveti tenokte oṃ agnaye kavyavāhanāya svāhā iti āhutidvayaṃ devabrāhmaṇahaste dattvā avaśiṣṭānnaṃ piṇḍārthaṃ sthāpayitvā aparamardhaṃ pitrādipātre mātāmahādipātre ca niḥ kṣipet
Om. Mögen die Welten – Wohnstätten der Pitṛs – gereinigt werden; du bist die Wohnstätte der Pitṛs. (So) das Gefäß berührend, das mit der Öffnung nach unten gehalten wird, (opfert man): „Denen von dieser und jener Abstammung – unserem Vater, Großvater und Urgroßvater, zusammen mit ihren Frauen – werden diese Düfte, Blumen, Räucherwerk, Lampen, Gewänder, Schnüre und heiligen Fäden (dargebracht); svadhā. Durch das Pitṛ-tīrtha (die heilige Art der Opferung an die Ahnen) wird diese Gabe von Duft und dem Rest gemacht. Möge diese Gabe unvergänglich sein; möge der Vorsatz erfüllt werden.“
Lord Vishnu (instructing Garuda on Śrāddha/Pitṛ rites)
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Śrāddha-kāla (tithi-based; commonly pitṛpakṣa/amāvāsyā or prescribed day)
Concept: Śrāddha as a dharmic duty: purity, correct sankalpa, and properly mediated offerings (through brāhmaṇa and Agni-kavyavāhana) sustain ancestral satisfaction and continuity.
Vedantic Theme: Kartṛtva-niyama within vyavahāra: right action offered in sacred intention; remembrance of lineage as a support for dharma and inner steadiness.
Application: Perform śrāddha with precise mantras, pure materials, correct upavīta orientation, and explicit sankalpa; include both paternal and maternal lines; avoid prohibited items; complete with orderly distribution (piṇḍa-portion and pātra-portion).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: ritual space (śrāddha-vedī/kuśa-pavitra area)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/Śrāddha-kalpa sections on ekoddiṣṭa/parvaṇa procedures; repeated formulae: ‘gandhādidānam akṣayyam astu’, ‘saṅkalpa-siddhir astu’, Agni ‘kavyavāhana’ oblations
FAQs
This verse shows that offerings (gandha, puṣpa, dhūpa, dīpa, etc.) become specifically directed to the ancestors when made “by Pitṛ-tīrtha” and sealed with the Pitṛ-invocation “svadhā,” ensuring the rite is properly addressed to the Pitṛs.
After cleansing the place and preparing ghee-mixed food, the performer (wearing dakṣiṇopavīta) performs agni-karaṇa by offering two oblations to Agni as Kavyavāhana (“agnaye kavyavāhanāya svāhā”), then sets aside remaining food for piṇḍas and distributes portions into the designated ancestor vessels.
It emphasizes intentionality (saṃkalpa), cleanliness, and correct addressing of offerings—encouraging careful, respectful ancestor remembrance and disciplined ritual conduct when performing śrāddha or memorial rites.