Shloka 32
The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
पायसेन गयायां च सक्तुना पिष्टकेन वा । चरुणा तंदुलाद्यैर्वा पिंडदानं विधीयते ॥ ३२ ॥
pāyasena gayāyāṃ ca saktunā piṣṭakena vā | caruṇā taṃdulādyairvā piṃḍadānaṃ vidhīyate || 32 ||
At Gayā, the offering of piṇḍas is prescribed using pāyasa (sweet rice pudding), or saktu (parched flour), or piṣṭaka (a prepared cake or paste), or caru (a cooked cereal oblation), or rice and similar grains.
Suta (narrating Narada Purana’s tirtha-mahatmya instructions, traditionally in the Narada–Sanatkumara teaching stream)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It emphasizes Gayā as a foremost tīrtha for ancestral rites, prescribing acceptable sacred food-offerings for piṇḍa-dāna so the śrāddha act is properly completed according to dharma.
While primarily ritual, it supports bhakti through seva to pitṛs (ancestors) performed at a holy place; such dhārmic offerings are treated as devotional duty when done with faith and purity.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is central: the verse lists sanctioned substitutes (pāyasa, saktu, piṣṭaka, caru, rice) showing how śrāddha materials are chosen to meet scriptural injunctions.