Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 37
Devas in Dvārakā, Brahmā’s Petition, and Uddhava’s Appeal
Prabhāsa Departure Set-Up
वयं च तस्मिन्नाप्लुत्य तर्पयित्वा पितृन् सुरान् । भोजयित्वोषिजो विप्रान् नानागुणवतान्धसा ॥ ३७ ॥ तेषु दानानि पात्रेषु श्रद्धयोप्त्वा महान्ति वै । वृजिनानि तरिष्यामो दानैर्नौभिरिवार्णवम् ॥ ३८ ॥
vayaṁ ca tasminn āplutya tarpayitvā pitṝn surān bhojayitvoṣijo viprān nānā-guṇavatāndhasā
We too shall bathe there, offer tarpaṇa to satisfy the forefathers and the devas, feed the worshipful vipra brāhmaṇas with many kinds of delicious foods, and with faith bestow great gifts upon them as worthy recipients of charity. By such charity—like boats—we shall surely cross these dreadful dangers, just as one crosses a vast ocean in a suitable vessel.
FAQs
This verse describes bathing at a sacred site and then satisfying the Pitṛs and Devas through tarpaṇa as a dharmic act that supports purification and gratitude toward higher beings.
They see honoring qualified brāhmaṇas with good food as a powerful form of dharma and charity that brings spiritual merit and helps counteract sinful reactions.
Support sincere, principled spiritual teachers and Vedic learning, offer food or charity with faith, and cultivate gratitude through remembrance of ancestors and the divine.