Shloka 49
The Greatness of Gayā
Gayā-Māhātmya
आत्मनोऽसौ महाबुद्धिर्विधानापि तिलैर्विना । पिंडनिर्वपणं चक्रे तथा न्यानपि गोत्रजन् ॥ ४९ ॥
ātmano'sau mahābuddhirvidhānāpi tilairvinā | piṃḍanirvapaṇaṃ cakre tathā nyānapi gotrajan || 49 ||
That wise man, for the sake of himself (and his family), performed the prescribed piṇḍa-nirvapaṇa offering even without sesame seeds (tila); and, O kinsman of the same lineage, he also carried out the other rites.
Suta (narrating the account within the Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
FAQs
It emphasizes steadfast performance of pitṛ-kārya (ancestral duties): even when an ideal ingredient (sesame) is unavailable, one should still complete the essential śrāddha act of offering piṇḍas and the remaining prescribed rites.
While primarily ritual-focused, it supports bhakti through duty: sincere, faithful completion of dharma—especially honoring ancestors—purifies the mind and sustains devotion by cultivating gratitude and responsibility.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied: the verse points to śrāddha-vidhi and its components (tilas, piṇḍa-nirvapaṇa, and ancillary acts), showing how rites are structured and carried out in practice.