Shloka 36
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
त्रयाणामपि पिण्डानां श्रुत्वा भगवतो गतिम्
trayāṇām api piṇḍānāṃ śrutvā bhagavato gatim | śrāddhasya rahasyaṃ jñātaṃ; devadūta! tvayā yat śrāddhavidher nirṇayaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ, tadanusāreṇa trayāṇām api piṇḍānāṃ gatiḥ kathyate | sāvadhānaḥ śṛṇu me ||
Al oír de labios del Señor Viṣṇu el destino asignado a las tres ofrendas de piṇḍa, llegó a comprender el sentido íntimo del rito de śrāddha. “Oh mensajero divino —se dice—, puesto que has pedido una determinación clara del procedimiento del śrāddha, ahora se explicará el resultado propio de los tres piṇḍas. Escúchame con plena atención.”
देवदूत उवाच
Educational Q&A
Śrāddha is presented not as a mere formality but as a dharmic act whose offerings (piṇḍas) have specific intended results; therefore one should learn the rite’s rationale and perform it with attention and correct procedure.
A divine messenger asks for a definitive ruling on the śrāddha method. The speaker responds that, since the outcomes of the three piṇḍa-offerings have been heard from Viṣṇu and the rite’s inner meaning grasped, the distinct ‘gati’ (result/destination) of each piṇḍa will now be explained, urging careful listening.