Shloka 20

Pitṛ-Stuti, Tarpaṇa, and the Ritual Power of Recitation in Śrāddha

Devanagari script

नमस्ये ऽहं पितॄन्विप्रैर्नैष्ठिकैर्धर्मचारिभिः / ये संयतात्मभिर्नित्यं सन्तर्प्यन्ते समाधिभिः

Transliteration

namasye 'haṃ pitṝnviprairnaiṣṭhikairdharmacāribhiḥ / ye saṃyatātmabhirnityaṃ santarpyante samādhibhiḥ

Translation

I bow to the Pitṛs (ancestral spirits), ever satisfied by disciplined, self-controlled Brahmin sages—steadfast in their vows and established in dharma—through their constant absorptions in samādhi.

Word by Word

• नमस्ये: I bow
• नमस्ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नमस् (धातु √नम्)
• Form: लट्, आत्मनेपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; √नम्

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पितॄन्: forefathers
• पितॄन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• विप्रैः: by brāhmaṇas
• विप्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• नैष्ठिकैः: steadfast (in vows)
• नैष्ठिकैः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नैष्ठिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (विप्रैः/धर्मचारिभिः)

• धर्मचारिभिः: by practitioners of dharma
• धर्मचारिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म + चारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समासः धर्मं चरन्ति (those who practice dharma)

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• संयतात्मभिः: by the self-controlled
• संयतात्मभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संयत + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समासः संयतः आत्मा येषाम् / संयत आत्मा (self-controlled)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• सन्तर्प्यन्ते: are fully satisfied
• सन्तर्प्यन्ते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तृप् (धातु √तृप्)
• Form: लट्, कर्मणि (Passive), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, आत्मनेपद; उपसर्गः सम्

• समाधिभिः: by meditative absorptions
• समाधिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समाधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Nitya (daily) satisfaction implied through constant samādhi alongside śrāddha spirit

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Samādhi and self-restraint (saṃyata-ātman) function as a potent, continual ‘tarpana’ for Pitṛs; inner discipline amplifies ritual merit.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā and dhyāna as antaḥ-yajña; sattva-pradhāna mind becomes a conduit for subtle nourishment and blessing.

Application: Cultivate daily meditation, vows, and ethical restraint; support ancestral rites with inner purity and steady practice, not only external ceremony.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: hermitage/ritual-meditation space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha sections that praise brāhmaṇa-śīla, śauca, and mantra as key to śrāddha efficacy; Garuda Purana teachings on dhyāna/upāsanā as purifier and merit-multiplier

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Vipras (Brahmin sages)

FAQs

What is the importance of Pitṛs (ancestors) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights reverence to the Pitṛs and teaches that they can be gratified not only by ritual offerings but also through the spiritual discipline and meditative merit of righteous, self-controlled practitioners.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in relation to ancestors?

By emphasizing Pitṛ-satisfaction through dharmic conduct and samādhi, the verse links post-death well-being and ancestral peace with accumulated spiritual merit, suggesting that inner purity and restraint support beneficial outcomes for one’s lineage.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform Pitṛ-tarpana with sincerity, and also cultivate daily self-restraint, ethical living, and meditation—offering the merit mentally for the welfare of ancestors.