Shloka 60

Devanagari script

पितॄन्देवान्मुनीन् भक्त्या स्वसूत्रोक्तविधानतः

Transliteration

pitṝndevānmunīn bhaktyā svasūtroktavidhānataḥ

Translation

With devotion, one should worship the Pitṛs (ancestors), the Devas, and the sages, strictly according to the procedures prescribed in one’s own gṛhya-sūtras.

Word by Word

• पितṝन्: the ancestors
• पितṝन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन

• मुनीन्: the sages
• मुनीन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन

• भक्त्या: with devotion
• भक्त्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• स्वसूत्रोक्तविधानतः: according to the injunction/procedure stated in one’s own sūtra
• स्वसूत्रोक्तविधानतः: Sambandha (Manner/Authority/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + उक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √वच्) + विधान (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (तद्धित-अव्यय)
• Form: समासान्त-अव्यय (तसिल्/तस्-प्रत्ययान्त), हेतौ/प्रकारे (according to the procedure stated in one’s own sūtra); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समास (स्वस्य सूत्रे उक्तं विधानम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: As prescribed by one’s gṛhya-sūtra (nitya/naimittika contexts)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bhakti expressed through faithful performance according to one’s own sūtra tradition (svā-sūtra-ukta-vidhi).

Vedantic Theme: Harmony of devotion and discipline; dharma as supportive structure for inner purification.

Application: Follow the rite as taught in one’s lineage/textual tradition; avoid mixing procedures casually; let devotion animate correctness rather than replace it.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household ritual context (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50.56-59 (the procedural steps culminating in worship/tarpaṇa)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Devas
• Munis

FAQs

What is the importance of following one’s own sūtra (svā-sūtra) in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse emphasizes that ritual efficacy and dharmic correctness come from performing worship and offerings in the form authorized by one’s own gṛhya-sūtra tradition, done with devotion.

How does this verse relate to ancestral rites like śrāddha and tarpaṇa?

By explicitly naming the Pitṛs, the verse supports regular, rule-based honoring of ancestors—an essential foundation for śrāddha/tarpaṇa duties discussed throughout Garuda Purana’s ritual guidance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform ancestor and deity observances with sincere devotion while following your family/priestly tradition’s prescribed method, rather than mixing procedures arbitrarily.