Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

पितॄणाम् अपसव्यं तत् सर्वम् एवोपकल्पयेत् अनुज्ञां च ततः प्राप्य दत्त्वा दर्भान् द्विधाकृतान्

Transliteration

pitṝṇām apasavyaṃ tat sarvam evopakalpayet anujñāṃ ca tataḥ prāpya dattvā darbhān dvidhākṛtān

Translation

For the Ancestors, he should prepare all of this in the apasavya manner; then, having obtained permission, he should give darbha (kuśa) blades split into two for the rite.

Word by Word

• पितॄणाम्: of the ancestors (pitṛs)
• पितॄणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अपसव्यम्: in the apasavya manner
• अपसव्यम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अप + सव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverbial usage): ‘अपसव्यम्’ = अपसव्येन/अपसव्यभावेन (with the sacred thread on the right shoulder; contrary to savya)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सर्वम्: all (of it)
• सर्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘तत्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Emphasis (Nipāta)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (particle)

• उपकल्पयेत्: should prepare/arrange
• उपकल्पयेत्: Kriyā (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अनुज्ञाम्: permission
• अनुज्ञाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): ‘ततः’ = तस्मात्/तदनन्तरम्

• प्राप्य: having obtained
• प्राप्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Absolutive/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund): ‘प्राप्य’ = प्र-आप्-धातोः क्त्वा

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Absolutive/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• दर्भान्: darbha grasses
• दर्भान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• द्विधाकृतान्: made into two (split in two)
• द्विधाकृतान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्विधा (अव्यय) + कृ (धातु) → कृत (कृदन्त)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिवत् विशेषण-प्रयोगः; ‘द्विधाकृत’ = द्विधा-कृत (अव्ययीभावपूर्वपद); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘दर्भान्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Distinction of procedure for pitṛs: apasavya orientation and preparation of split darbha

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: ritual-technical and instructive

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Honoring the pitṛs requires a distinct, carefully marked ritual orientation (apasavya), signaling continuity of lineage and obligation.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Maintain gratitude to ancestors through remembrance, responsible family duty, and charitable acts done in their name.

Vishishtadvaita: Lineage-dharma as part of the Lord’s ordered universe: the jīva’s relational duties (to pitṛs) are not negated but sanctified under īśvara.

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Characters & Entities

• Pitṛs (Ancestors)
• Darbha/Kuśa grass

FAQs

What is the significance of apasavya in the Vishnu Purana’s śrāddha instructions?

It marks the distinct ritual orientation used specifically for Pitṛ (ancestor) rites, differentiating them from deva-oriented acts and ensuring the offering is directed to the intended recipients.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the use of darbha (kuśa) grass in this rite?

He prescribes giving darbha—here split into two—as a formal ritual implement after obtaining assent, reflecting correct procedure and sanctified handling within śrāddha.

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

Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Purana frames dharma—such as śrāddha performed correctly—as part of the cosmic order upheld under Vishnu’s sovereignty, sustaining harmony between the living and the ancestral realm.