Shloka 4

Śrāddha’s Cosmic Reach and Kāla-Nirṇaya (Sacred Timings): Amāvāsyā, Nakṣatra-Yoga, Tīrtha, and Minimum Offerings

Devanagari script

श्राद्धार्हम् आगतं द्रव्यं विशिष्टम् अथवा द्विजम् श्राद्धं कुर्वीत विज्ञाय व्यतीपाते ऽयने तथा

Transliteration

śrāddhārham āgataṃ dravyaṃ viśiṣṭam athavā dvijam śrāddhaṃ kurvīta vijñāya vyatīpāte 'yane tathā

Translation

When wealth fit for offering in śrāddha is obtained—or when an eminent dvija arrives—one should, with due understanding, perform the śrāddha; likewise at vyatīpāta and at the transitions of ayana.

Word by Word

• श्राद्धार्हम्: fit for śrāddha
• श्राद्धार्हम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्राद्ध + अर्ह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; श्राद्धस्य अर्हम् (eligible for śrāddha); विशेषणम् (qualifies द्रव्यम्/द्विजम् as context)

• आगतम्: obtained/come
• आगतम्: Visheshana (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle/कृत्-प्रत्यय), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies द्रव्यम्)

• द्रव्यम्: substance/wealth (materials)
• द्रव्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्म

• विशिष्टम्: special/excellent
• विशिष्टम्: Visheshana (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + शिष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies द्रव्यम्)

• अथवा: or
• अथवा: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (disjunctive particle)

• द्विजम्: a twice-born (brāhmaṇa)
• द्विजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्म (invite/choose a brāhmaṇa)

• श्राद्धम्: śrāddha rite
• श्राद्धम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्म (the rite)

• कुर्वीत: should perform
• कुर्वीत: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• विज्ञाय: having ascertained/knowing
• विज्ञाय: Purvakala (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वि + ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/ल्यप्), अव्ययभाव (gerund); पूर्वक्रिया (having ascertained)

• व्यतीपाते: on (the yoga) Vyatīpāta
• व्यतीपाते: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यतीपात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (on Vyatīpāta)

• अयने: at the ayana (solstice)
• अयने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (at solstice/ayana)

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (also)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: When śrāddha should be performed—occasional triggers (worthy wealth, arrival of a distinguished dvija) and powerful astronomical conjunctions

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śrāddha becomes especially efficacious when performed with discernment at potent times and in honor of worthy guests, integrating gratitude to pitṛs with ethical giving.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Treat opportunities for charity and honoring elders/teachers as sacred occasions; act promptly when resources and worthy recipients align.

Vishishtadvaita: Ritual and giving are meaningful service (kainkarya) within the Lord’s ordered governance of time and merit (puṇya).

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Narayana

Bhakti Type: Dasya

Characters & Entities

• Dvija
• Pitrs (ancestors, implied)
• Vyatipata
• Ayana

FAQs

What is the significance of Vyatīpāta and Ayana in the Vishnu Purana’s ritual calendar?

This verse treats Vyatīpāta and the solstitial Ayana as especially potent times when śrāddha yields heightened merit, because actions aligned with sacred time harmonize with dharma.

How does Sage Parāśara explain when śrāddha should be performed?

He gives practical triggers: when suitable offering-wealth becomes available, when a distinguished dvija guest arrives, and on particularly auspicious astronomical junctures like Vyatīpāta and Ayana.

The theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even while discussing ritual detail, the Purana frames dharma and time as part of the cosmic order ultimately sustained by Vishnu, making śrāddha an act that participates in that sovereign order.