Shloka 4

Śrāddha Vidhi: Kāla (Timing), Pātra (Recipient), and Karma (Procedure) for Pitṛ-tarpaṇa and Piṇḍa

Devanagari script

वेदार्थविज्ज्येष्ठसामा त्रिमधुस्त्रिसुपर्णिकः / स्वस्त्रीय ऋत्विगजामातायज्यश्वशुरमातुलाः

Transliteration

vedārthavijjyeṣṭhasāmā trimadhustrisuparṇikaḥ / svastrīya ṛtvigajāmātāyajyaśvaśuramātulāḥ

Translation

Quien conoce el sentido del Veda; el principal cantor de los himnos Sāman; el recitador de los tres himnos Madhu; el conocedor de los tres himnos Suparṇikā; el hijo de la hermana; el sacerdote oficiante (ṛtvij); el yerno; aquel por quien se realiza el sacrificio (yajamāna); el suegro; y el tío materno.

Word by Word

• वेदार्थवित्: knower of the meaning of the Veda
• वेदार्थवित्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + विद्वस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (वेदस्य अर्थः) + उपपद (अर्थं वेत्ति)

• ज्येष्ठसामा: one who chants the chief Sāman / chief Sāma-chanter
• ज्येष्ठसामा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्येष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + सामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (ज्येष्ठं साम)

• त्रिमधुः: ‘three-honey’ (a named ritual/qualification)
• त्रिमधुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + मधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (त्रीणि मधूनि यस्य/त्रिमधु)

• त्रिसुपर्णिकः: ‘three-suparṇikā’ (a named ritual/qualification)
• त्रिसुपर्णिकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + सुपर्णिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (त्रयः सुपर्णिकाः यस्य/त्रिसुपर्णिक)

• स्वस्त्रीयः: one related through one’s own wife
• स्वस्त्रीयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + य (तद्धित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तद्धितान्त (स्त्रीसम्बन्धी), षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (स्वस्य स्त्री)

• ऋत्विक्: officiating priest
• ऋत्विक्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋत्विज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• जामाता: son-in-law
• जामाता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जामातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• याज्यः: one for whom a sacrifice is to be performed
• याज्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: याज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (one fit to be sacrificed for/one for whom sacrifice is performed)

• श्वशुरः: father-in-law
• श्वशुरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वशुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• मातुलाः: maternal uncles
• मातुलाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dharma is upheld through honoring Veda-knowledge, ritual competence, and prescribed kin-relations; certain persons have special standing in rites and offerings.

Vedantic Theme: Varṇāśrama-structured dharma as a support for yajña and social harmony; śruti-centered authority in ritual life.

Application: When arranging śrāddha/yajña hospitality and honors, prioritize qualified Vedic specialists and appropriate relatives per tradition; maintain respectful boundaries and roles.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual assembly/household

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha chapters listing pātra/apātra (fit/unfit recipients) and the order of invitation/honor (contextual internal parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of listing Vedic experts and relatives in the Garuda Purana?

This verse enumerates specific Vedic functionaries and close kin, indicating categories of socially and ritually significant persons whose status and duties are recognized within dharma-based conduct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by grounding afterlife teachings in dharma, it emphasizes that correct ritual roles and right conduct within family and sacrifice form the ethical-religious framework that supports auspicious outcomes after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain respect for learned teachers/priests, fulfill obligations toward in-laws and maternal relatives, and observe ritual responsibilities with clarity about each role (officiant, patron, and family duties).