Shloka 36

Nāndīmukha-śrāddha (Prosperity Rites), Preta-kriyā, Aśauca, Ekoddiṣṭa, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Framework

Devanagari script

पितृमातृसपिण्डैस् तु समानसलिलैस् तथा तत्संघातगतैश् चैव राज्ञा वा धनहारिणा

Transliteration

pitṛmātṛsapiṇḍais tu samānasalilais tathā tatsaṃghātagataiś caiva rājñā vā dhanahāriṇā

Translation

Doch der Anspruch (auf das Vermögen) ist über die sapinda-Verwandten väterlicher und mütterlicher Seite zu verfolgen, über jene, die dieselben Libationswasser teilen (dieselbe Ahnenlinie), und ebenso über die Angehörigen dieses Verbandes; oder er ist durch den König wiederzuerlangen—oder vom Dieb, der den Reichtum fortgetragen hat.

Word by Word

पितृमातृसपिण्डैःby paternal and maternal kinsmen (sapiṇḍas)

तुindeed

समानसलिलैःby those of the same salila-relationship (sodakas)

तथाalso

तत्संघातगतैःby those belonging to that community

चand

एवindeed

राज्ञाby the king

वाor

धनहारिणाby the confiscator/collector of wealth

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Who may pursue claims/rights connected to the deceased: sapindas, samānasalilas, community body, or the king; and recovery from a thief

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: juridical

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rights and responsibilities tied to the deceased are to be pursued through paternal/maternal sapindas and samānasalilas, or through the collective body, and ultimately through royal authority—recovering even from a thief.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Maintain clear family/community responsibility structures, and rely on lawful civic mechanisms to protect the vulnerable and restore misappropriated goods.

Vishishtadvaita: Rājadharma functions as Bhagavān’s delegated governance, preserving dharma in society where individual capacity is absent.

Characters & Entities

King (Rājā)

Sapinda relatives

Maternal and paternal kin

Thief (wealth-taker)

FAQs

What is the significance of sapinda and samānodaka relations in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse uses sapinda and shared-libation (samānasalila) ties to define who bears responsibility in matters like recovery and restitution—showing how dharma operates through graded circles of kinship.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the king’s role in enforcing dharma here?

Parāśara presents the king as a legitimate final authority for recovery of wealth when kin-based mechanisms fail, reflecting the state’s duty to uphold order and protect subjects.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even in legal and social rules, the Purāṇa frames stability, justice, and rightful sovereignty as aspects of Vishnu’s sustaining function—dharma becomes a practical expression of the cosmic preserver.