Shloka 41

Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya

Devanagari script

श्राद्धं तु तैर्थिकं प्रोक्तं पितॄणां तृप्तिकारकम् । अकालेऽप्यथवा काले तीर्थश्राद्धं तथा नरैः ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

śrāddhaṃ tu tairthikaṃ proktaṃ pitṝṇāṃ tṛptikārakam | akāle'pyathavā kāle tīrthaśrāddhaṃ tathā naraiḥ || 41 ||

Translation

The śrāddha performed at a sacred tīrtha is declared to bring satisfaction to the Pitṛs. Therefore, men should perform such tīrtha-śrāddha, whether at an untimely occasion or at the proper time.

Word by Word

• श्राद्धम्: śrāddha rite
• श्राद्धम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• तैर्थिकम्: tīrtha-related (pilgrimage)
• तैर्थिकम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तीर्थिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (pertaining to a tīrtha/pilgrimage)

• प्रोक्तम्: is declared
• प्रोक्तम्: क्रियाविशेषण/विधेय (Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु) + क्त → प्रोक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त-भूतकृदन्तम् (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; ‘(इदं) प्रोक्तम्’ = is said/declared

• पितॄणाम्: of the ancestors
• पितॄणाम्: सम्प्रदान/सम्बन्ध (Beneficiary/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (Genitive/6th), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

• तृप्तिकारकम्: causing satisfaction
• तृप्तिकारकम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तृप्ति + कारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (causing satisfaction)

• अकाले: at an improper time
• अकाले: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अकाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/7th), एकवचनम्

• अपि: even
• अपि: सम्बन्ध (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-अव्ययम् (even/also)

• अथवा: or
• अथवा: विकल्प (Alternative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्ययम् (or else)

• काले: at the proper time
• काले: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/7th), एकवचनम्

• तीर्थश्राद्धम्: tīrtha-śrāddha (śrāddha at a sacred place)
• तीर्थश्राद्धम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ + श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्

• तथा: thus/likewise
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्ययम् (thus/in that manner)

• नरैः: by men
• नरैः: कर्ता (Karta/Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Pitṛs

FAQs

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

It elevates tīrtha-śrāddha as a highly efficacious ancestral rite, emphasizing that offerings made at sacred places directly bring tṛpti (satisfaction) to the Pitṛs.

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

While primarily ritual-focused, it aligns bhakti with reverent duty: honoring ancestors at tīrthas is presented as a sacred act done with faith (śraddhā), supporting a devotional life rooted in dharma.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual discipline) is implied—specifically the rules concerning śrāddha and its timing (kāla vs. akāla), with the text stressing that tīrtha context can authorize performance even outside the usual schedule.