Shloka 1
The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
वसुरुवाच । श्रृणु मोहिनि वक्ष्यामि पुण्यं प्रेतशिलाभवम् । माहात्म्यं यत्र दत्वा तु पिंडान्पितॄन्समुद्धरेत् ॥ १ ॥
vasuruvāca | śrṛṇu mohini vakṣyāmi puṇyaṃ pretaśilābhavam | māhātmyaṃ yatra datvā tu piṃḍānpitṝnsamuddharet || 1 ||
Vasu said: “Listen, O Mohinī. I shall describe the sacred merit arising from Pretaśilā—the holy greatness of that place where, by offering piṇḍas, one can uplift and deliver the ancestors.”
Vasu
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It introduces the Pretaśilā-māhātmya and frames the tirtha as a powerful place where piṇḍa offerings performed with faith are said to uplift one’s pitṛs (ancestors).
Though focused on ancestral rites, it reflects bhakti through śraddhā—reverent devotion expressed as sacred offering (dāna) and remembrance, aligning family duty with spiritual merit.
Ritual application is implied: correct performance of piṇḍa-dāna/śrāddha belongs to Kalpa (Vedāṅga of ritual procedure), emphasizing place-based efficacy (tīrtha-māhātmya) and proper rite execution.