Shloka 173
Genealogy of the Ancestors (Pitṛs) and the Procedure of Śrāddha
तथा पुष्पाक्षतान्पश्चादक्षय्योदकमेव च । सतिलं नामगोत्रेण दद्याच्छक्त्या च दक्षिणाम्
tathā puṣpākṣatānpaścādakṣayyodakameva ca | satilaṃ nāmagotreṇa dadyācchaktyā ca dakṣiṇām
Dann soll man Blumen und ungebrochene Reiskörner darbringen und ebenso das Opfer der unerschöpflichen Wasserspende; zusammen mit Sesam soll man unter Nennung von Name und Geschlecht darbringen und nach Kräften Dakṣiṇā geben.
Unspecified (narratorial/ritual instruction within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Ritual sincerity and correct offering-sequence (flowers, akṣata, akṣayya-udaka, tila, dakṣiṇā) sanctify the act and connect the performer to lineage and cosmic order.
Application: Do offerings with transparency and humility: state intentions clearly, give within means, and keep a consistent daily/periodic ritual rhythm (even a small offering done properly is powerful).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet household altar prepared for ancestral rites: a copper vessel of clear water labeled as akṣayya-udaka, a small heap of black sesame, and a plate of fresh flowers and unbroken rice grains. The performer, hands joined, softly states name and gotra before placing offerings, while a priest awaits dakṣiṇā with calm dignity.","primary_figures":["householder (yajamāna)","brāhmaṇa priest"],"setting":"inner courtyard shrine with kusa grass, copper lota, flower plate, and a low wooden seat for the priest","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["copper bronze","jasmine white","sesame black","marigold gold","vermillion red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene domestic śrāddha scene with the yajamāna offering flowers and akṣata beside a gleaming copper kalasha of akṣayya-udaka; gold leaf halos subtly behind the priest and ritual vessels, rich crimson backdrop, emerald floor accents, gem-studded ornaments on the priest’s sacred thread and kamandalu, intricate floral borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate courtyard ritual with fine linework; the yajamāna seated on a woven mat, copper vessels and sesame bowl rendered with soft highlights; cool pastel walls, a small tulasi pot in the background as a Vaishnava hint, lyrical naturalism, refined faces, gentle morning haze.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; the ritual items enlarged symbolically—copper pot, akṣata plate, sesame—set against a temple-wall aesthetic; stylized eyes, red-yellow-green palette, rhythmic ornamental borders and lotus motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional domestic offering framed by lotus vines and peacock-feather borders; deep indigo ground with gold detailing; ritual plate of flowers and akṣata foregrounded, subtle Viṣṇu symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) in corner medallions, intricate floral filigree."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low conch in distance","oil-lamp crackle","gentle silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुष्पाक्षतान्पश्चादक्षय्योदकमेव → पुष्पाक्षतान् + पश्चात् + अक्षय्योदकम् + एव; दद्याच्छक्त्या → दद्यात् + शक्त्या; नामगोत्रेण (समास) = नाम + गोत्र; सतिलम् (समास) = स + तिल; अक्षय्योदकम् (समास) = अक्षय्य + उदक
FAQs
It prescribes a sequence of offerings—flowers, akṣata (unbroken rice), and the akṣayyodaka rite—followed by an offering with sesame, while stating one’s name and gotra, and giving dakṣiṇā according to one’s means.
In many Hindu rites, the donor identifies themselves through nāma and gotra to formally assign the act (saṅkalpa/identification) so the offering is ritually “addressed” and properly attributed.
It highlights proportional giving: ritual generosity should be sincere and responsible—one should give dakṣiṇā in a way that matches one’s actual means rather than as a burden or display.