Shloka 18
Gayā Śrāddha at Preta-śilā: Universal Piṇḍa-dāna for Ancestors and the Unrescued Dead
ये मे पितृकुले जाताः कुले मातुस्तथैव च / गुरुश्वशुरबन्धूनां ये चान्ये बान्धवा मृताः
ye me pitṛkule jātāḥ kule mātustathaiva ca / guruśvaśurabandhūnāṃ ye cānye bāndhavā mṛtāḥ
May those born in my father’s lineage, and likewise in my mother’s lineage—together with the relatives of my guru and my father-in-law, and any other kinsmen of mine who have died—be included and blessed by this offering.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda, within the ritual/ancestral context)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Śrāddha saṅkalpa/invocation portion preceding or accompanying offerings
Concept: Śrāddha intention should include paternal and maternal lineages and extended relational circles (guru, śvaśura, bandhu).
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as ṛṇa-śodhana (repayment of debts) to pitṛs and elders; social bonds as sacred obligations within saṃsāra.
Application: In śrāddha saṅkalpa, consciously include maternal ancestors and affinal/teacher lineages; avoid neglect due to narrow lineage focus.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha saṅkalpa formulas listing pitṛkula/mātṛkula and extended relations
FAQs
This verse explicitly extends the intention of ancestral offerings to those born in both the father’s and mother’s lineages, ensuring the rite is not limited to only one side of the family.
It lists categories of the departed—paternal line, maternal line, and extended relations connected through teacher and father-in-law—indicating that the dedication (saṅkalpa) can include a broad circle of deceased kin.
When performing Shraddha/tarpana, consciously dedicate merit to both sides of the family and departed relatives beyond the immediate household, cultivating gratitude and responsibility across one’s full lineage network.