Shloka 39

The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

बंधुवर्गकुले ये च गतिर्येषां न विद्यते । तेषामुद्धरणार्थाय इमं पिंडं ददाम्यहम् ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

baṃdhuvargakule ye ca gatiryeṣāṃ na vidyate | teṣāmuddharaṇārthāya imaṃ piṃḍaṃ dadāmyaham || 39 ||

Translation

Für jene aus dem Kreis der Verwandten und der Familienlinie, die keine Zuflucht und keinen weiteren Weg haben, bringe ich dieses Piṇḍa dar zu ihrer Erhebung und Erlösung.

Word by Word

• बन्धु-वर्ग-कुले: in the family-group of relatives
• बन्धु-वर्ग-कुले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्धु (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष समासः (बन्धूनां वर्गस्य कुलम्)

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक सर्वनाम

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (conjunction)

• गतिः: passage/afterlife destination
• गतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• येषाम्: of whom
• येषाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• विद्यते: exists
• विद्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √विद् (धातु) (विद्-ज्ञाने)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• उद्धरण-अर्थाय: for deliverance
• उद्धरण-अर्थाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद्धरण (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष

• इमम्: this
• इमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• पिण्डम्: piṇḍa offering
• पिण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• ददामि: I give
• ददामि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु) (दा-दान)
• Form: लट्-लकार, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (instructional narration in Uttara-bhāga ritual section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It frames piṇḍa-dāna as an act of compassion and dharma meant to support and uplift departed relatives—especially those believed to lack a sustaining ‘gati’ (refuge/ onward spiritual course).

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

While primarily ritual-focused, the verse expresses bhakti-like intent through selfless offering for others’ welfare; such dedicated, compassionate karma is aligned with Purāṇic devotion and service to the departed.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa/Smārta-prayoga (ritual procedure) in the Śrāddha domain—specifically the intention (saṅkalpa) behind piṇḍa offerings for those without support.