Shloka 47

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

Devanagari script

मातामहानाम् अप्य् एवं सह देवैः क्रमः स्मृतः भोजने च स्वशक्त्या च दाने तद्वद् विसर्जने

Transliteration

mātāmahānām apy evaṃ saha devaiḥ kramaḥ smṛtaḥ bhojane ca svaśaktyā ca dāne tadvad visarjane

Translation

In the same manner, the established order is remembered for the maternal grandfathers as well, together with the gods: in feeding, in giving according to one’s capacity, and likewise in the concluding dismissal.

Word by Word

• मातामहानाम्: of the maternal grandfathers
• मातामहानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अप्यर्थक (also/even)

• एवम्: thus/in this way
• एवम्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (manner adverb)

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahartha (Association)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक (with)

• देवैः: with the gods
• देवैः: Sahartha (Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• क्रमः: the order/sequence
• क्रमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• स्मृतः: is prescribed/remembered
• स्मृतः: Kriya (Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु) → स्मृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle) — ‘is stated/remembered’

• भोजने: in feeding (the meal)
• भोजने: Adhikarana (Location/Context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• स्वशक्त्या: according to one’s own ability
• स्वशक्त्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• दाने: in giving (gifts)
• दाने: Adhikarana (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• तद्वत्: likewise
• तद्वत्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्वत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तुलनार्थक (in the same manner)

• विसर्जने: in dismissal (sending off)
• विसर्जने: Adhikarana (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विसर्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Extension of śrāddha order to maternal ancestors (mātāmahas) along with devas: feeding, giving, and dismissal in proper sequence

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: comprehensive

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The same remembered ritual order applies to maternal grandfathers as well, together with the devas, in feeding, gifting according to capacity, and concluding dismissal.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Practice equitable gratitude—honor both paternal and maternal lines without neglect, and give responsibly within means.

Vishishtadvaita: Household dharma is a network of relations (śeṣa-śeṣi): honoring kin and devas reflects the soul’s relational dependence within the Lord’s body (jagat as His śarīra).

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Dasya

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Mātāmahas (maternal grandfathers)

FAQs

What is the significance of including the maternal grandfathers (mātāmahas) in Śrāddha in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse affirms that the maternal line is honored through the same prescribed sequence as other ancestral recipients, integrating them into the ritual order alongside the devas.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the principle of giving in this context?

He emphasizes svaśaktyā—gifts should be offered according to one’s means—so the rite remains dharmic and sustainable rather than burdensome or performative.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu here, even though He is not named in the verse?

In the Vishnu Purana’s framework, maintaining dharma through correct ritual order and ethical giving supports cosmic harmony ultimately grounded in Vishnu as the sustaining Supreme Reality.