Shloka 144
Genealogy of the Ancestors (Pitṛs) and the Procedure of Śrāddha
राजतैर्भाजनैरेषां पितॄणां रजतान्वितैः । वार्यपि श्रद्धया दत्तमक्षयायोपकल्पते
rājatairbhājanaireṣāṃ pitṝṇāṃ rajatānvitaiḥ | vāryapi śraddhayā dattamakṣayāyopakalpate
Selbst Wasser, wenn es den Pitṛs mit Glauben in silbernen, mit Silber geschmückten Gefäßen dargebracht wird, wird zur Quelle unvergänglichen Verdienstes.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses of Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa 1.9)
Concept: Śraddhā plus proper ritual support (silver vessels) transforms even minimal offerings into akṣaya-puṇya (imperishable merit).
Application: Do not postpone dharma due to lack of resources: offer what you can (even water) with sincerity and cleanliness; invest in one or two dedicated ritual items if possible, but prioritize faith and steadiness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A silver vessel catches the lamplight as clear water is poured with steady hands onto a small offering plate lined with kusa. Above the altar, the word ‘akṣaya’ is suggested as a subtle halo-like script motif, while ancestral presences appear calm and satisfied, as if the simplest gift has become luminous through faith.","primary_figures":["householder (yajamāna)","pitṛs (subtle presences)"],"setting":"ritual corner with silver vessels, water pot, kusa, sesame, and a small fireless śrāddha altar","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["moonlit silver","warm amber","ivory white","copper brown","smoky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up devotional composition of a silver śrāddha vessel pouring water, thick gold-leaf accents on vessel rims, ornate borders, pitṛs as haloed figures in the upper register, rich maroon backdrop, jeweled ornamentation on ritual implements, lamp flames rendered in bright gold.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined hands pouring water from a silver lota into a small dish, delicate reflections, soft architectural lines of a courtyard, pale blue shadows, pitṛs hinted as translucent forms, serene facial expressions, minimal yet lyrical detailing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized silver vessel with bold outlines, flat planes of color, ritual items arranged symmetrically, pitṛs as simplified luminous icons above, strong reds and yellows with green accents, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central silver vessel and water stream framed by lotus borders, intricate floral patterns, deep indigo field with gold highlights, auspicious motifs (conch, lotus) and a subtle ‘akṣaya’ mandala above the offering space."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["water pouring","soft bell","gentle drone (tanpura)","silence between phrases","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजतैर्भाजनैरेषाम् = राजतैः + भाजनैः + एषाम्; रजतान्वितैः = रजत + अन्वितैः; वार्यपि = वारि + अपि; दत्तमक्षयायोपकल्पते = दत्तम् + अक्षयाय + उपकल्पते.
FAQs
It refers to offerings made to the Pitṛs (ancestors), such as śrāddha or pitṛ-tarpaṇa, emphasizing that even a simple offering like water yields lasting merit when done with śraddhā (faith) and proper ritual support.
Silver vessels are presented as an auspicious and ritually elevating support for the offering; the verse highlights that the material refinement of the offering context, combined with faith, makes the act ‘akṣaya’ (imperishable in merit).
Sincerity (śraddhā) is central: even modest gifts become spiritually potent when offered with reverence and right intention, particularly in duties connected to gratitude and remembrance of one’s ancestors.