Shloka 3

Gayā-kṣetra and Phalgu Tīrtha: Sites, Rites, and the Liberation of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

पञ्चक्रोशं गयाक्षेत्रं क्रोशमेकं गयाशिरः / तत्र पिण्डप्रदानेन तृप्तिर्भवति शाश्वती

Transliteration

pañcakrośaṃ gayākṣetraṃ krośamekaṃ gayāśiraḥ / tatra piṇḍapradānena tṛptirbhavati śāśvatī

Translation

Das heilige Feld von Gayā erstreckt sich über fünf krośa, und Gayāśiras misst ein krośa. Dort wird durch die Darbringung von piṇḍa (pietätvollen Reisball-Opfern) den Ahnen dauerhafte Sättigung zuteil.

Word by Word

• पञ्चक्रोशम्: (an extent of) five krośas
• पञ्चक्रोशम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चक्रोश (प्रातिपदिक; पञ्च + क्रोश)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; परिमाणवाचक (extent of five krośas)

• गयाक्षेत्रम्: the Gayā sacred area
• गयाक्षेत्रम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गयाक्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक; गया + क्षेत्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• क्रोशम्: one krośa
• क्रोशम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रोश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; परिमाणवाचक

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; संख्यावाचक-विशेषण

• गयाशिरः: Gayāśiras (the head/peak of Gayā)
• गयाशिरः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गयाशिरस् (प्रातिपदिक; गया + शिरस्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; स्थाननाम

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• पिण्डप्रदानेन: by offering piṇḍas (funeral rice-balls)
• पिण्डप्रदानेन: Karaṇa/Hetu (Instrument/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्डप्रदान (प्रातिपदिक; पिण्ड + प्रदान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण/हेतु (instrument/cause)

• तृप्तिः: satisfaction; fulfillment
• तृप्तिः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृप्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• भवति: becomes; arises
• भवति: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शाश्वती: eternal
• शाश्वती: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शाश्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying तृप्तिः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: At Gayā pilgrimage; also applicable during annual śrāddha/Amāvasyā/Parva days by extension of śrāddha tradition.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śrāddha-karma at the right tīrtha produces lasting pitṛ-tṛpti; ritual action links descendants and ancestors through ṛṇa and gratitude.

Vedantic Theme: Karma as a means to purify and harmonize relational duties (ṛṇa-traya), preparing for higher pursuits; compassion as dharmic orientation.

Application: Perform piṇḍa-dāna/śrāddha with śraddhā and correct sankalpa; if unable to travel, do symbolic offering with Gayā-sankalpa and charity in ancestors’ name.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: tīrtha-kṣetra / śiras (chief sanctum zone)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: extensive śrāddha-vidhi and piṇḍa-dāna phala statements (general internal linkage)

Characters & Entities

• Gayā
• Gayāśiras
• Pitṛs (ancestors)

FAQs

What is the importance of Gayā in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Gayā as a specially measured sacred field where piṇḍa-dāna is said to produce enduring pitṛ-tṛpti (ritual satisfaction for ancestors).

How does this verse explain the role of piṇḍa-dāna for the departed?

It states that offering piṇḍas at Gayā/Gayāśiras results in lasting satisfaction—implying a powerful, supportive rite for ancestors within the śrāddha framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If one performs śrāddha, this verse supports doing piṇḍa-dāna at renowned tīrthas like Gayā (or with proper guidance locally) with sincerity and correct ritual intent.