Shloka 25
Nāndīmukha-śrāddha (Prosperity Rites), Preta-kriyā, Aśauca, Ekoddiṣṭa, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Framework
प्रश्नश् च तत्राभिरतिर् यजमानद्विजन्मनाम् अक्षय्यम् अमुकस्येति वक्तव्यं विरतौ तथा
praśnaś ca tatrābhiratir yajamānadvijanmanām akṣayyam amukasyeti vaktavyaṃ viratau tathā
There, the question should be asked, and the officiating twice-born priests should remain attentive to the sacrificer. And at the proper conclusion it should be declared: “May this be imperishable for such-and-such a one,”—thus is it to be pronounced when the rite is brought to its close.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Concluding formulae and priestly attentiveness in Ekoddiṣṭa: the formal question and the 'akṣayya' declaration for the named departed
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: ritually meticulous
Concept: Śrāddha concludes with formal inquiry and attentive priestly participation, ending in the utterance that the fruit be ‘imperishable’ for the named departed.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: End rites and commitments with clear intention and dedication—name the beneficiary, and complete actions mindfully rather than casually.
Vishishtadvaita: The ‘akṣayya’ intention reflects enduring merit within the Lord’s moral order; personal dedication (saṅkalpa) aligns finite acts with lasting spiritual purpose.
FAQs
It marks the formal dedication of the rite’s spiritual fruit as “imperishable” and assigns it to a specific beneficiary, ensuring the intention (saṅkalpa) is ritually completed.
He emphasizes attentive participation—priests (dvijas) remain focused on the sacrificer and the rite, and the closing declaration is spoken correctly at the conclusion.
Even when not named explicitly, the Purana frames dharmic ritual order as part of the sustaining structure of the cosmos—ultimately upheld by Vishnu as the Supreme preserver of ṛta and dharma.