Shloka 1

Pātra-Nirṇaya and Ritual Procedure: Who to Feed, Who to Avoid, and Step-by-Step Śrāddha Performance

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणान् भोजयेच् छ्राद्धे यद्गुणांस् तान् निबोध मे

Transliteration

brāhmaṇān bhojayec chrāddhe yadguṇāṃs tān nibodha me

Translation

“At the śrāddha rite, what qualities must the Brahmanas possess whom one should feed? Pray, tell me those virtues.”

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणान्: Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; कर्म (object of feeding)

• भोजयेत्: should feed
• भोजयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु) (णिच् causative)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative: ‘should cause to eat/feed’)

• श्राद्धे: at/in the śrāddha
• श्राद्धे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (occasion)

• यत्: which
• यत्: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक विशेषण (relative)

• गुणान्: qualities
• गुणान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; कर्म (object of knowing)

• तान्: those
• तान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; कर्म (object of instruction)

• निबोध: understand/learn
• निबोध: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बुध् (धातु) (नि +)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/लोट्), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन

• मे: from me / my
• मे: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध (‘from me’/‘my’)

Speaker

Maitreya (questioning Sage Parāśara)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Maitreya

Topic: Criteria (guṇa) for selecting qualified brāhmaṇas to be fed in śrāddha so the rite becomes fruitful.

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: inquisitive

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual fruit depends on adhikāra: one must discern the qualities of recipients (brāhmaṇas) to ensure śrāddha’s sanctity and efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Choose spiritual mentors/beneficiaries with integrity and learning; prioritize character and discipline over mere social label.

Vishishtadvaita: Dharma operates through qualified agents; honoring true śrotriyas aligns action with the Lord’s ordained moral order.

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas
• Shraddha (ancestral rite)

FAQs

What is the significance of feeding Brahmanas in the Vishnu Purana’s Śrāddha context?

This verse frames Śrāddha as a dharmic act whose efficacy depends on offering with discernment—especially the worthiness (guṇa) of the recipients.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the required qualifications for Śrāddha recipients?

Maitreya’s question sets up Parāśara’s forthcoming criteria: the text proceeds by listing virtues and disqualifications to safeguard the purity and intended spiritual benefit of the rite.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu here?

Even in ritual instruction, the Vishnu Purana treats dharma as part of cosmic order sustained by the Supreme—so correct Śrāddha practice is aligned with divine governance and sacred law.