Shloka 19

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

Devanagari script

विष्टरार्थं कुशान् दत्त्वा संपूज्यार्घ्यं विधानतः कुर्याद् आवाहनं प्राज्ञो देवानां तदनुज्ञया

Transliteration

viṣṭarārthaṃ kuśān dattvā saṃpūjyārghyaṃ vidhānataḥ kuryād āvāhanaṃ prājño devānāṃ tadanujñayā

Translation

Having laid down kuśa grass for the sacred seat and, according to rule, worshipfully offered the arghya, the wise officiant should then perform the invocation of the gods only with their consent.

Word by Word

• विष्टरार्थम्: for the purpose of the seat/spread (viṣṭara)
• विष्टरार्थम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्टर + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विष्टरस्य अर्थः)

• कुशान्: kuśa grasses
• कुशान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Absolutive/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), ‘दत्त्वा’ = दा-धातोः क्त्वा; पूर्वक्रिया

• संपूज्य: having duly worshipped
• संपूज्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Absolutive/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), ‘संपूज्य’ = सम्-पूज्-धातोः क्त्वा; पूर्वक्रिया

• अर्घ्यम्: arghya offering (water/oblation)
• अर्घ्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विधानतः: according to the prescribed rule
• विधानतः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): ‘विधानतः’ = विधानेन/विधानानुसारम्; क्रियाविशेषण

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriyā (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• आवाहनम्: invocation (calling)
• आवाहनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ + वह् (धातु) → आवाहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्राज्ञः: the wise person
• प्राज्ञः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• देवानाम्: of the gods
• देवानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• तदनुज्ञया: with/through their permission
• तदनुज्ञया: Hetu/Instrument (Cause/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + अनुज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (तस्य अनुज्ञा)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching) to Maitreya (listener)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Ritual procedure and proper sequence for offerings and invocation (āvāhana) in śrāddha/related rites

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on disciplined conformity to vidhi—offering, honoring, and invoking with humility rather than compulsion.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Approach worship and service with careful preparation, respect for order, and an attitude of consent rather than entitlement.

Vishishtadvaita: Dharma as Bhagavad-ārādhanā: ordered action becomes service to the Lord who sanctions all rites through cosmic law.

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Dasya

Characters & Entities

• Devas (gods)
• Kuśa grass
• Arghya
• Āvāhana (invocation)

FAQs

What is the significance of offering arghya before āvāhana in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse presents arghya as a formal act of sacred hospitality that precedes invocation, establishing reverence and ritual readiness before requesting the deity’s presence.

How does Sage Parāśara explain correct ritual order (vidhānataḥ) here?

He emphasizes sequence and injunction: first prepare the seat with kuśa, then worship and offer arghya, and only then perform āvāhana—showing that dharma is upheld through disciplined procedure.

What is the theological importance of “with the gods’ consent” (tadanujñayā) in this context?

It highlights divine sovereignty: the deities are not compelled by ritual; proper worship culminates in a humble request for presence, aligning human action with higher cosmic authority.