Shloka 59

Śrāddha as Trans-realm Nourishment; Pitṛ-Conveyance; Piṇḍa-born Body and the ātivāhika; Bhakti-based Release

Devanagari script

देवताभ्यः पितॄणां हि पूर्वमाप्यायनं शुभम् / ये यजन्ति पितॄन्देवान्ब्राह्मणांश्च हुताशनम्

Transliteration

devatābhyaḥ pitṝṇāṃ hi pūrvamāpyāyanaṃ śubham / ye yajanti pitṝndevānbrāhmaṇāṃśca hutāśanam

Translation

Vor der Verehrung der Götter ist es glückverheißend, zuerst die Pitṛs (Ahnen) zu nähren und zu besänftigen. Wer die Pitṛs, die Devas, die Brāhmaṇas und das heilige Feuer (Agni) verehrt, handelt wahrhaft angemessen.

Word by Word

• देवताभ्यः: than the deities / from the deities
• देवताभ्यः: Apadana (Comparison source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), बहुवचन; ablative

• पितॄणाम्: of the ancestors
• पितॄणाम्: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; genitive

• हि: indeed, for
• हि: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ/निश्चयार्थक निपात (emphatic particle)

• पूर्वम्: first, beforehand
• पूर्वम्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययवत्)
• Form: क्रमवाचक अव्यय (adverb: first)

• आप्यायनम्: nourishment, satisfaction
• आप्यायनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ-√प्यै (धातु) + अन (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त-नाम (भाववाचक), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• शुभम्: auspicious
• शुभम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; adjective qualifying आप्यायनम्

• ये: who (those who)
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; relative pronoun

• यजन्ति: worship, sacrifice to
• यजन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √यज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• पितॄन्: ancestors
• पितॄन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• देवान्: gods
• देवान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• ब्राह्मणान्: Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• हुताशनम्: Agni (the fire, eater of offerings)
• हुताशनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हुत (√हु, धातु, क्त) + अशन्/अशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (हुतः अश्नाति इति/हुतं अश्नाति इति—अग्निः), पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda, Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Before deva-kārya within the same ritual occasion; on prescribed śrāddha days/tithis.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspicious order in worship: nourish Pitṛs before Devas; comprehensive dharma includes honoring Pitṛs, Devas, brāhmaṇas, and Agni.

Vedantic Theme: Ṛṇa-traya and yajña as social-spiritual ecology; right order (krama) sustains harmony and merit.

Application: In ritual planning, begin with pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha components before deva-pūjā; include feeding/ honoring brāhmaṇas and maintaining sacred fire/lamps as appropriate.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha sections on krama (order) and the role of brāhmaṇas and agni in pitṛ rites

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Devas
• Brahmanas
• Agni (Hutashana)

FAQs

What is the importance of Pitṛ-tarpaṇa (nourishing the ancestors) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that satisfying the Pitṛs first is auspicious; it frames ancestor-offerings as a primary duty within śrāddha and related rites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By prioritizing Pitṛ-satisfaction, the text implies that proper ancestral rites support post-death order and continuity—ensuring the departed is ritually cared for through offerings mediated by Agni and guided by dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha, tarpaṇa, or memorial rites, begin with respectful offerings to ancestors, and include due honor to Devas, learned Brāhmaṇas, and Agni (through proper oblations), maintaining sincerity and ethical conduct.