Shloka 24

Nāndīmukha-śrāddha (Prosperity Rites), Preta-kriyā, Aśauca, Ekoddiṣṭa, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Framework

Devanagari script

एको ऽर्घ्यस् तत्र दातव्यस् तथैवैकं पवित्रकम् प्रेताय पिण्डो दातव्यो भुक्तवत्सु द्विजातिषु

Transliteration

eko 'rghyas tatra dātavyas tathaivaikaṃ pavitrakam pretāya piṇḍo dātavyo bhuktavatsu dvijātiṣu

Translation

There, a single arghya (water-offering) should be presented, and likewise a single pavitraka (ring of sacred kuśa-grass). And when the twice-born have completed their meal, a piṇḍa (funerary rice-ball) is to be offered for the preta—so that the rite proceeds in due order, according to dharma.

Word by Word

एकःone

अर्घ्यःarghya-offering (water offering)

तत्रthere

दातव्यःshould be given

तथाlikewise

एवindeed/just

एकम्one

पवित्रकम्a pavitraka (ring/grass purifier)

प्रेतायfor the departed (preta)

पिण्डःrice-ball offering

दातव्यःshould be given

भुक्तवत्सुwhen (they) have eaten / among those who have eaten

द्विजातिषुamong the twice-born (Brahmins etc.)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Specific Ekoddiṣṭa components: single arghya, single pavitraka, and timing of piṇḍa after dvija-feeding

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: precise and procedural

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ekoddiṣṭa is marked by singularity and order: one arghya, one pavitraka, and a piṇḍa offered to the preta after the twice-born have eaten.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Let acts of remembrance be simple, sincere, and properly sequenced—prioritize meaning over excess.

Vishishtadvaita: Ritual service (kainkarya) is structured; the same dharma that honors devas also compassionately supports the jīva’s transition, reflecting an ordered, personal cosmos under the Lord.

Characters & Entities

Parāśara

Maitreya

Dvijas (twice-born)

Preta (departed spirit)

FAQs

What is the significance of offering arghya, pavitraka, and piṇḍa in the Vishnu Purana’s śrāddha rites?

This verse emphasizes a disciplined, minimal, and ordered śrāddha: one arghya and one pavitraka sanctify the act, and the piṇḍa specifically sustains the preta, aligning the rite with dharma.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the correct sequence of actions in śrāddha?

Parāśara places the offering to the preta after the dvijas have eaten, showing that ritual efficacy depends on proper sequence and social-sacral order.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Though Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Vishnu Purana presents dharma-based rites like śrāddha as part of the divinely sustained cosmic order under Vishnu’s sovereignty.