Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

नान्दीमुखः पितृगणस् तेन श्राद्धेन पार्थिव प्रीयते तत् तु कर्तव्यं पुरुषैः सर्ववृद्धिषु

Transliteration

nāndīmukhaḥ pitṛgaṇas tena śrāddhena pārthiva prīyate tat tu kartavyaṃ puruṣaiḥ sarvavṛddhiṣu

Translation

O king, by that śrāddha the host of Pitṛs known as the Nāndīmukhas is gratified; therefore it should indeed be performed on every occasion of increase and prosperity.

Word by Word

• नान्दीमुखः: Nāndīmukha (so-called)
• नान्दीमुखः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नान्दी + मुख (प्रातिपदिक; नान्दीमुख)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्मधारय—‘नान्दीमुखः’ (having the ‘nāndī’ as its face; a specific śrāddha-type)

• पितृगणः: the group of ancestors (Pitṛs)
• पितृगणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ + गण (प्रातिपदिक; पितृगण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष—‘पितॄणां गणः’ (group of Pitṛs)

• तेन: by that
• तेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• श्राद्धेन: by the śrāddha (rite)
• श्राद्धेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• पार्थिव: O king
• पार्थिव: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• प्रीयते: is pleased
• प्रीयते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √प्री (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/लट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोग (is pleased)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; सर्वनाम—वाक्योपसंहारार्थम् (that [rite])

• तु: but, indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेष (adversative/emphatic particle)

• कर्तव्यम्: must be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Vidhi (Obligation/विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कर्तव्य (कृदन्त; √कृ (धातु) + तव्यत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त—‘करणीयम्’ (to be done/obligatory)

• पुरुषैः: by men/people
• पुरुषैः: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• सर्ववृद्धिषु: on all occasions of prosperity/increase
• सर्ववृद्धिषु: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + वृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक; सर्ववृद्धि)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष—‘सर्वासु वृद्धिषु’ (in all prosperities/occasions of increase)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (in dialogue with Maitreya; addressing a kingly listener as 'pārthiva' within the instruction)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Purpose and fruit of abhyudaya-śrāddha: gratification of Nāndīmukha pitṛs at all occasions of prosperity

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: injunctive

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Abhyudaya-śrāddha is a mandatory dharmic act at every increase, specifically pleasing the Nāndīmukha class of pitṛs.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Cultivate gratitude and continuity—honor ancestors/lineage at successes, not only at funerary moments, keeping prosperity tethered to responsibility.

Vishishtadvaita: Prosperity is not autonomous; it is integrated into a sacred relational network (pitṛs, ritual order, and ultimately the Lord’s governance), aligning worldly growth with spiritual accountability.

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Characters & Entities

• Pitrs
• Nandimukha Pitrs
• Kings

FAQs

What is the significance of Nāndīmukha Śrāddha in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse states that the Nāndīmukha group of Pitṛs is specifically pleased by this form of śrāddha, making it a recommended ancestral rite tied to auspicious life-events and prosperity.

How does Sage Parāśara explain when śrāddha should be performed?

Here he frames it as a duty to be done on all occasions of 'vṛddhi'—times of increase such as success, expansion of the household, or other auspicious gains—so that ancestral beings are duly honored and gratified.

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

Though Vishnu is not named in this line, the teaching fits Vaishnava dharma: sustaining order through prescribed duties (including Pitṛ rites) is part of living in harmony with the cosmic governance ultimately upheld by Vishnu.