Shloka 26

Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga

Path to Yama

Devanagari script

एवं जलस्याञ्जलयो विभाज्याः पक्षयोर्द्वयोः / सर्वेषु पितृकार्येषु पुत्रो मुक्यो ऽधिकारवान्

Transliteration

evaṃ jalasyāñjalayo vibhājyāḥ pakṣayordvayoḥ / sarveṣu pitṛkāryeṣu putro mukyo 'dhikāravān

Translation

Thus, the añjali handfuls of water (libations) should be apportioned between the two fortnights (pakṣas); and in all rites performed for the ancestors (pitṛ-kārya), the son is the principal one who holds rightful authority.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (thus)

• जलस्य: of water
• जलस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध

• अञ्जलयः: handfuls (anjalis)
• अञ्जलयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• विभाज्याः: are to be divided
• विभाज्याः: Kriya (Predicative obligation/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + भज् (धातु) → विभाज्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्त (gerundive/तव्यत्-अर्थ: 'to be divided'), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicate)

• पक्षयोः: of the two halves/fortnights
• पक्षयोः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), द्विवचन; सम्बन्ध

• द्वयोः: two
• द्वयोः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), द्विवचन; संख्या-विशेषण

• सर्वेषु: in all
• सर्वेषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; अधिकरण-विशेषण

• पितृकार्येषु: in ancestral rites/duties
• पितृकार्येषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक) + कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; अधिकरण

• पुत्रः: the son
• पुत्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्ता

• मुख्यः: principal; primary
• मुख्यः: Visheshana (Predicate adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• अधिकारवान्: entitled; having authority
• अधिकारवान्: Visheshana (Predicate adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिकार (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तद्धितान्त (possessive: 'having entitlement')

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Fortnightly (pakṣa-based) structuring of udaka/añjali distribution; applicable across recurring pitṛ-kāryas.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Apportion water-handful offerings across the two fortnights; in all ancestral rites, the son holds primary ritual authority (mukhya-adhikāra).

Vedantic Theme: Svadharma and ṛṇa-traya: fulfilling pitṛ-ṛṇa through prescribed action; social order supports spiritual steadiness.

Application: Plan tarpana/udaka offerings with fortnightly structure; ensure the eligible son (or proper substitute per śāstra when absent) performs as karta.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa sections on śrāddha adhikāra and the role of the son (nearby chapters on pitṛ-kārya)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Putra (son)

FAQs

What is the importance of dividing water-offerings between the two pakṣas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse indicates that the anjali (water-libations) are to be properly apportioned with reference to the two fortnights, emphasizing correct ritual distribution and timing in pitṛ-kārya.

How does this verse define who is authorized to perform ancestral rites (pitṛ-kārya)?

It states that in all ancestral rites the son is the primary adhikārī—i.e., the foremost eligible person with the right and responsibility to perform them.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing Shraddha/tarpaṇa, follow established procedure and family tradition, and recognize the son’s traditional primary responsibility—while ensuring rites are done with sincerity, clarity of intent, and due respect to the Pitṛs.