Shloka 49

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

Devanagari script

विसर्जयेत् प्रीतिवचः सन्मानाभ्यर्चितांस् ततः निवर्तेताभ्यनुज्ञात आद्वारात् तान् अनुव्रजेत्

Transliteration

visarjayet prītivacaḥ sanmānābhyarcitāṃs tataḥ nivartetābhyanujñāta ādvārāt tān anuvrajet

Translation

Then, having honored them with due respect, he should dismiss them with affectionate words; and, once they have granted leave, he should return—yet accompany them as far as the doorway.

Word by Word

• विसर्जयेत्: should dismiss/see off
• विसर्जयेत्: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-√सृज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपदम्; causative sense not intended

• प्रीतिवचः: pleasant words
• प्रीतिवचः: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक) + वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्—विसर्जयेत् (कर्म)

• सन्मानाभ्यर्चितान्: those who have been honored/respected
• सन्मानाभ्यर्चितान्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सन्मान (प्रातिपदिक) + अभि-√अर्च् (धातु) → अभ्यर्चित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः; तान् इति विशेषणम्

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Kriya-visheshaṇa (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्—काल/क्रमवाचक (then/thereafter)

• निवर्तेत: should return/withdraw
• निवर्तेत: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-√वृत् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, आत्मनेपदम्

• अभ्यनुज्ञातः: having been given permission
• अभ्यनुज्ञातः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि-अनु-√ज्ञा (धातु) → अभ्यनुज्ञात (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; कर्तरि प्रयोगे ‘having been permitted’

• आद्वारात्: from the doorway
• आद्वारात्: Apadana (Source)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमासः; पञ्चमी-अर्थे (from) अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• अनुव्रजेत्: should accompany/follow (to see them off)
• अनुव्रजेत्: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-√व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Atithi-satkāra is completed by respectful leave-taking and escorting guests to the doorway, expressing dharma through embodied courtesy.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Conclude hospitality with gratitude and a few steps of accompaniment; let social interaction be governed by maryādā rather than convenience.

Vishishtadvaita: Dharma as service to beings (śeṣa-bhāva) reflects honoring the Lord’s order through honoring His dependents.

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Dasya

FAQs

What is the significance of guest-farewell etiquette in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse frames hospitality as dharma enacted through speech and action—honor the guest, speak kindly, and accompany them to the door, preserving social harmony and merit.

How does Sage Parāśara explain proper conduct for a householder in this context?

Parāśara presents gṛhastha-dharma as disciplined civility: respectful reception, affectionate words at departure, and escorting the guest appropriately, without overstepping once leave is granted.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu here, even if not named?

In the Vishnu Purana, dharma is sustained by the Supreme Lord’s order; practicing refined hospitality becomes a lived alignment with that sustaining sovereignty, reflecting devotion through conduct.