Shloka 20

The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

पुनरावृत्तिरहितब्रह्मलोकाप्तिहेतवे । एवं संकल्प्य विवच्छ्राद्धं कुर्याद्यथाक्रमम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

punarāvṛttirahitabrahmalokāptihetave | evaṃ saṃkalpya vivacchrāddhaṃ kuryādyathākramam || 20 ||

Translation

For the sake of attaining Brahmaloka, free from return (rebirth), having thus made the proper resolve (saṅkalpa), one should perform the Śrāddha in due order and sequence.

Word by Word

• पुनरावृत्ति-रहित-ब्रह्मलोक-आप्ति-हेतवे: for the sake of attaining Brahmaloka free from return
• पुनरावृत्ति-रहित-ब्रह्मलोक-आप्ति-हेतवे: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/चतुर्थी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुनरावृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + रहित (प्रातिपदिक) + ब्रह्मलोक (प्रातिपदिक) + आप्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + हेतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th case), एकवचन; प्रयोजन/हेतु-अर्थ (for the sake of)

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारार्थक-अव्यय (adverb: thus)

• संकल्प्य: having made the resolve
• संकल्प्य: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + कल्प् (धातु) → संकल्प्य (कृदन्त, ल्यप्)
• Form: अव्ययभाव-कृदन्त (gerund, ल्यप्), ‘having resolved/formed the intention’

• विवत्-श्राद्धम्: the special śrāddha
• विवत्-श्राद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विवत् (प्रातिपदिक) + श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेष्य-विशेषणभाव (‘special/particular śrāddha’)

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; विधि/आदेश (should do)

• यथा-क्रमम्: in proper sequence
• यथा-क्रमम्: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial): ‘in due order’

Speaker

Sage Narada (teaching Śrāddha procedure in Uttara-Bhāga context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Brahmaloka

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It frames Śrāddha as a consciously intended (saṅkalpa-based) dharmic act whose fruit is exalted—attainment of Brahmaloka described as freedom from repeated return—when performed correctly and in proper order.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

While the verse is primarily ritual-focused, it highlights the inner orientation of worship—saṅkalpa and disciplined performance—an attitude that supports bhakti by making the rite an offering done with clarity of purpose rather than mere formality.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual application: the importance of saṅkalpa (formal intention) and yathākramam (correct sequence), reflecting Kalpa/Śrauta–Smārta procedural discipline and the precise ordering expected in Vedic rites.