Shloka 20

Devanagari script

पुरुषोत्तमराजस्य सूर्यस्य च गणस्य च / पुरतस्तत्र पिण्डादि पितॄणां ब्रिह्मलोकदः

Transliteration

puruṣottamarājasya sūryasya ca gaṇasya ca / puratastatra piṇḍādi pitṝṇāṃ brihmalokadaḥ

Translation

There, in the presence of King Puruṣottama, of the Sun, and of the divine attendants (gaṇas), the offering of piṇḍa and related rites for the Pitṛs bestows attainment of Brahmaloka.

Word by Word

• पुरुषोत्तमराजस्य: of King Puruṣottama
• पुरुषोत्तमराजस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुषोत्तम + राज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (पुरुषोत्तमस्य राजः)

• सूर्यस्य: of the Sun
• सूर्यस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• गणस्य: of the group/attendants
• गणस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• पुरतः: in front
• पुरतः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरतः (अव्यय)
• Form: देश-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देश-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• पिण्डादि: piṇḍa-offering etc.
• पिण्डादि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव-प्राय/तत्पुरुष (पिण्डः आदिः यस्य) ‘piṇḍa etc.’

• पितॄणाम्: of the ancestors
• पितॄणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• ब्रह्मलोकदः: giver of Brahmaloka
• ब्रह्मलोकदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मलोक + द (दा धातु से ‘द’ प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मलोकं ददाति)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra, typical narration frame of the Garuḍa Purāṇa)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Svarga

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Tīrtha-śrāddha context; also applicable on annual śrāddha tithi

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Piṇḍa and allied śrāddha acts, when done in a highly sanctified presence, confer Brahmaloka upon the Pitṛs.

Vedantic Theme: Karma (ritual) as purifier and as a means to higher loka; sacred context amplifies efficacy (tīrtha-māhātmya).

Application: Perform ancestral rites with proper intention, purity, and in sacred settings when possible; dedicate merit for Pitṛ welfare.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: pilgrimage/temple precinct; cosmic destination realm

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Śrāddha-kalpa: piṇḍa-dāna benefits and Pitṛ destinations; Garuda Purana tīrtha-māhātmya style claims: enhanced merit in sacred kṣetras

Characters & Entities

• Puruṣottama-rāja
• Sūrya
• Gaṇas
• Pitṛs
• Brahmaloka

FAQs

What is the importance of piṇḍa-dāna in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse states that offering piṇḍa and related rites for the Pitṛs, performed in a sanctified divine presence, generates exceptionally high merit—described here as capable of bestowing Brahmaloka.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or the ancestors?

It links correct ancestral offerings (piṇḍa and allied rites) with upliftment of the Pitṛs, implying that ritual support from descendants can elevate the departed to higher realms of post-mortem existence.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Perform śrāddha/piṇḍa-dāna with sincerity and proper procedure (as per family and śāstra tradition), cultivating gratitude to ancestors and ethical living that supports dharma in the household.