Shloka 72
Saṅkara-jāti-nirṇaya and Gṛhastha-ācāra: Daily Rites, Purity, Anadhyāya, and Food Discipline
पलाण्डुलशुनादीनि जग्द्ध्वा चान्द्रायणं चरेत् / श्राद्धे देवान्पितॄन्प्रार्च्य खादन्मांसं न दोषभाक्
palāṇḍulaśunādīni jagddhvā cāndrāyaṇaṃ caret / śrāddhe devānpitṝnprārcya khādanmāṃsaṃ na doṣabhāk
Having eaten onions, garlic, and the like, one should undertake the Cāndrāyaṇa expiation. But if, during a śrāddha, after duly worshipping the Devas and the Pitṛs, one eats meat, one does not incur fault.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: During śrāddha performance (after devārcana and pitṛ-pūjana)
Concept: Purity rules are contextual: onions/garlic trigger expiation, yet meat-eating during śrāddha after proper worship may be non-faulty per this rule-set.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma is subtle (sūkṣma): intention, context, and prescribed procedure determine doṣa/adoṣa more than the act alone.
Application: Follow expiations for prohibited foods; in śrāddha, adhere to the rite’s injunctions—worship first, then partake as allowed by the tradition being cited.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96.71 (prāyaścitta for desire-driven forbidden foods); Garuda Purana śrāddha sections elsewhere (pinda, parvaṇa rules)
FAQs
This verse presents Cāndrāyaṇa as a corrective vow when one consumes items considered ritually improper (like onion/garlic), restoring eligibility and purity for dharmic observances.
It frames śrāddha as a structured ritual: after properly honoring Devas and Pitṛs, certain dietary acts (here, meat-eating) are stated to be non-fault-bearing within that specific ritual context.
Follow the dietary discipline expected for your tradition and family śrāddha procedures; if a lapse occurs, use an accepted form of prāyaścitta and keep the focus on sincere worship and correct performance of ancestor rites.