Shloka 54
Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules
प्रति मासं प्रदातव्यं मृताहे या तिथिर्भवेत् / स मासः प्रथमो ज्ञेय इति वेदविदो विदुः
prati māsaṃ pradātavyaṃ mṛtāhe yā tithirbhavet / sa māsaḥ prathamo jñeya iti vedavido viduḥ
In jedem Monat soll die Darbringung amjenigen Tithi (Mondtag) erfolgen, der dem Todestag entspricht. Dieser Monat gilt als der erste in der monatlichen Folge, so lehren die Kenner des Veda.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vainateya)
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Monthly on the death tithi; the first month is determined by that tithi’s recurrence as taught by Veda-knowers.
Concept: Monthly śrāddha is to be performed on the same tithi as the death-day; that month counts as the first in the sequence.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as alignment with ṛta (cosmic order) through correct kāla (time) observance.
Application: Identify the death tithi; each lunar month perform māsika śrāddha on that tithi; count the first month from the first recurrence of that tithi after death (as tradition defines).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34.55-56 (definition of first śrāddha; tithi exceptions).
FAQs
This verse states that the proper monthly observance is tied to the same lunar tithi as the death-day, making tithi the primary marker for māsika offerings rather than a fixed solar date.
It clarifies that the month in which the relevant death-tithi occurs is to be treated as the ‘first’ month for the series of monthly offerings, as affirmed by Veda-knowers.
When planning post-death observances, prioritize the lunar tithi matching the death-day and schedule the monthly śrāddha/offerings accordingly, consulting a pañcāṅga (Hindu calendar) for accuracy.