Shloka 65
तानेव भोजयेद्विप्रान्ब्रह्मणा ये प्रकल्पिताः / तेषां ब्रह्मसदः स्थानं सोमपानं तथैव च
tāneva bhojayedviprānbrahmaṇā ye prakalpitāḥ / teṣāṃ brahmasadaḥ sthānaṃ somapānaṃ tathaiva ca
One should feed only those learned Brāhmaṇas who have been duly appointed by Brahmā, in accordance with scriptural ordinance. For them there is a seat in Brahmā’s assembly, and likewise the privilege of drinking Soma.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: During śrāddha brāhmaṇa-bhojana segment as prescribed by paddhati
Concept: Śrāddha-feeding must be given to properly qualified/appointed brāhmaṇas (pātra); correct vidhi yields exalted post-ritual fruits (brahma-sad, soma-pāna).
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as order (ṛta/vidhi): right means matter; purity of recipient and procedure safeguards the intended unseen result (adṛṣṭa).
Application: In śrāddha, select recipients by qualification and conduct per śāstra/paddhati; avoid indiscriminate or transactional feeding that undermines saṅkalpa and sanctity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha-vidhi on brāhmaṇa-pātratā, bhojana rules, and dakṣiṇā; General Pretakalpa/Śrāddha chapters describing fruits for priests and donors
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that śrāddha hospitality should be offered to properly qualified and duly appointed vipras; doing so yields exalted spiritual merit symbolized as entry into Brahmā’s assembly.
By stressing correct ritual conduct (feeding qualified recipients), it implies that post-death rites gain efficacy through dharmic precision, supporting auspicious outcomes for the departed and the performer.
Perform ancestral rites and religious charity with discernment—choose learned, ethical, properly authorized recipients and follow established tradition rather than treating the ritual as a mere formality.