Shloka 8
Pātra-Nirṇaya and Ritual Procedure: Who to Feed, Who to Avoid, and Step-by-Step Śrāddha Performance
तथा देवलकश् चैव श्राद्धे नार्हति केतनम्
tathā devalakaś caiva śrāddhe nārhati ketanam
In the same way, a devalaka as well is not fit to receive remuneration in the rite of śrāddha.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Specific exclusion: devalaka (temple-servant/one who lives by deity-service as livelihood) unfit for remuneration in śrāddha
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Even religious service becomes ritually ineligible in śrāddha if tied to remuneration in a way deemed improper by smārta-purāṇic norms.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Keep clear boundaries between sincere service and paid transaction—offer and receive support with humility and transparency, avoiding spiritual exploitation.
Vishishtadvaita: Purity of intention (saṅkalpa) matters: service connected to the Divine should be oriented to Bhagavān as the end, not payment as the end.
FAQs
This verse frames Śrāddha as a sanctified ancestral duty, where hiring or remunerating certain categories undermines the intended purity and intention of the offering.
Parāśara lists categories considered unsuitable for participation or benefit in Śrāddha, emphasizing that correct recipients and conduct preserve the rite’s efficacy for the ancestors.
Even when discussing social-ritual rules, the Vishnu Purana treats dharma as part of cosmic order upheld under Vishnu’s sovereignty, so right performance aligns household duty with the larger sacred order.