Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

रक्षोभूतपिशाचेभ्यस्तथैवासुरदोषतः / सर्वतः पितरो रक्षां कुर्वन्तु मम नित्यशः

Transliteration

rakṣobhūtapiśācebhyastathaivāsuradoṣataḥ / sarvataḥ pitaro rakṣāṃ kurvantu mama nityaśaḥ

Translation

From rākṣasas, bhūtas, and piśācas, and likewise from the afflictions caused by asuric forces—may the Pitṛs on all sides continually grant me protection.

Word by Word

• रक्षः: of demons (rakṣasas)
• रक्षः: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग (of rakṣas)

• भूत: of spirits/ghosts
• भूत: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग (of spirits)

• पिशाचेभ्यः: from piśācas (goblins)
• पिशाचेभ्यः: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिशाच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), बहुवचन

• तथा: and also
• तथा: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थ (and also)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (indeed/just)

• असुर: of asuras
• असुर: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग (of asuras)

• दोषतः: from the harm/fault
• दोषतः: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे (due to/from the fault)

• सर्वतः: from all sides
• सर्वतः: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक-क्रियाविशेषण (from all sides)

• पितरः: the ancestors
• पितरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• रक्षाम्: protection
• रक्षाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• कुर्वन्तु: may they do/provide
• कुर्वन्तु: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• मम: of me; my
• मम: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• नित्यशः: constantly
• नित्यशः: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्यशः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; आवृत्त्यर्थ-क्रियाविशेषण (constantly)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda / as a protective prayer formula)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Rakṣā-prārthanā (protective prayer) accompanying/after tarpaṇa in śrāddha.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Seeking protection through rightful ancestral relationship; unseen harms are addressed through dharmic propitiation rather than retaliation.

Vedantic Theme: Adhidaivika/adhyātmika disturbances are mitigated by aligning with dharma and invoking benevolent forces; faith as stabilizer of mind.

Application: When facing fear or negativity, return to disciplined practice (prayer/ritual/ethical conduct) and seek support from lineage and community.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: all directions (sarvataḥ) around the person/household

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha mantras for rakṣā against bhūta-piśāca obstacles (general parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Pitṛs
• Rākṣasas
• Bhūtas
• Piśācas
• Asuras

FAQs

What is the importance of Pitṛ-protection in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the Pitṛs as active guardians who can shield a person from harmful occult/hostile beings and asuric afflictions, highlighting the protective dimension of ancestral connection and rites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By naming bhūtas, piśācas, and other hostile forces, it implies that unseen obstacles can trouble embodied life (and, by extension, transitional states), and that ancestral merit/blessings function as a safeguard.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain reverence for ancestors through śrāddha/tarpaṇa and ethical living, and use this as a protective prayer seeking steadiness and freedom from fear and negative influences.