Shloka 34

Gayā-kṣetra and Phalgu Tīrtha: Sites, Rites, and the Liberation of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

तर्पयित्वा पितॄन्देवान्न विशेद्योनिसङ्कटे / तर्पणे काकजङ्घार्या पितॄणां तृप्तिरक्षया

Transliteration

tarpayitvā pitṝndevānna viśedyonisaṅkaṭe / tarpaṇe kākajaṅghāryā pitṝṇāṃ tṛptirakṣayā

Translation

Having satisfied the Pitṛs and the Devas through tarpaṇa, one does not fall into the peril of the womb—into the straits of repeated birth. In tarpaṇa, even an offering as small as the measure called “kākajaṅghā” grants the Pitṛs inexhaustible satisfaction.

Word by Word

• तर्पयित्वा: having satisfied (offered tarpaṇa to)
• तर्पयित्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √तृप् (धातु) + णिच् (causative) → तर्पय् + त्वा (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्तम् (gerund/absolutive): 'having satisfied'

• पितॄन्: the ancestors
• पितॄन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्ययम् (negation)

• विशेत्: should enter/fall into
• विशेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + √विश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• योनि-सङ्कटे: in the peril of (re)birth
• योनि-सङ्कटे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योनि + सङ्कट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (योन्याः सङ्कटम्/योनिसम्बन्धि सङ्कटम्)

• तर्पणे: in/through tarpaṇa (rite)
• तर्पणे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तर्पण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• काकजङ्घार्या: by (the rite/place called) Kākajaṅghāryā
• काकजङ्घार्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काक + जङ्घा + अर्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुष-समासः (काकस्य जङ्घा इव अर्या/नामविशेषः); करणत्वेन (instrumental: 'by/with')

• पितॄणाम्: of the ancestors
• पितॄणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• तृप्तिः: satisfaction
• तृप्तिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृप्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• अक्षया: imperishable, inexhaustible
• अक्षया: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (agreeing with तृप्तिः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Moksha

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tarpaṇa to Pitṛs and Devas removes the peril of re-entering the womb (saṃsāra); even minimal offering, when properly done, yields inexhaustible satisfaction to Pitṛs.

Vedantic Theme: Saṃsāra-bandha and its mitigation through dharmic rites; śraddhā and correctness (vidhi) magnify small acts; gradual purification supporting liberation-oriented life.

Application: Perform tarpaṇa regularly with correct mantra, intention, and purity; do not neglect offerings due to scarcity—small but sincere offerings are efficacious.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: tarpaṇa praised as essential for Pitṛ satisfaction and for the living person’s welfare; Garuda Purana: teachings linking Pitṛ rites with reduction of saṃsāric suffering

Characters & Entities

• Pitṛs
• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of tarpaṇa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that tarpaṇa—satisfying the Pitṛs and Devas—protects one from yoni-saṅkaṭa (the peril of entering the womb again), highlighting tarpaṇa as a dharmic act with spiritual consequences beyond mere ritual.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By linking ancestor-and-deity propitiation to avoiding yoni-saṅkaṭa, the verse frames rebirth as influenced by dharmic duties: fulfilling Pitṛ-kṛtya supports auspicious post-death outcomes and lessens compulsive return to embodied existence.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform tarpaṇa/śrāddha with sincerity and regularity according to one’s tradition; the verse emphasizes that even small offerings, done with faith and correctness, are meaningful for honoring ancestors and cultivating dharmic continuity.