Shloka 56
Pātra-Nirṇaya and Ritual Procedure: Who to Feed, Who to Avoid, and Step-by-Step Śrāddha Performance
सहस्रस्यापि विप्राणां योगी चेत् पुरतः स्थितः सर्वान् भोक्तॄंस् तारयति यजमानं तथा नृप
sahasrasyāpi viprāṇāṃ yogī cet purataḥ sthitaḥ sarvān bhoktṝṃs tārayati yajamānaṃ tathā nṛpa
O King, even among a thousand brāhmaṇas, if a true yogin is present at the forefront, he becomes the deliverer—he carries across all those who partake of the rite, and the sacrificer as well.
Sage Parāśara
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: The superior efficacy of śrāddha when attended by a true yogin
Teaching: Devotional
Quality: authoritative
Concept: The presence of a genuine yogin—foremost in realization—can ‘carry across’ (tārayati) the participants and patron, showing the primacy of realized purity over mere numbers.
Vedantic Theme: Moksha
Application: Seek guidance and blessings from steady, ethical, contemplative teachers; value quality of character and realization over social display in religious acts.
Vishishtadvaita: Liberation is mediated through grace and sanctified association (satsaṅga) while remaining grounded in real personal distinction—teacher, patron, and recipients are all real dependents of the Supreme.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse says that the presence of a true yogin outweighs mere numbers: he can spiritually uplift and ‘carry across’ both the ritual participants and the patron.
Parāśara implies that inner realization (yoga) is the decisive spiritual authority; a realized yogin sanctifies and benefits others beyond what external ritual credentials alone can ensure.
While Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Purana’s Vaishnava frame treats genuine yoga and liberation as ultimately grounded in the Supreme Reality—Vishnu—so the yogin’s saving power aligns with devotion and God-centered realization.