Shloka 39
The Greatness of Offering Piṇḍas at Viṣṇvādipada (Viṣṇupada) — Gayā Śrāddha Procedure and Fruits
भीष्मः पिंडं ददौ भूमौ नाधिकरः करे यतः । शंतनुः प्राह संतुष्टः शास्त्रार्थे निश्चलो भवान् ॥ ३९ ॥
bhīṣmaḥ piṃḍaṃ dadau bhūmau nādhikaraḥ kare yataḥ | śaṃtanuḥ prāha saṃtuṣṭaḥ śāstrārthe niścalo bhavān || 39 ||
Bhīṣma ofreció el piṇḍa en el suelo, pues no tenía derecho a sostenerlo en la mano. Entonces Śaṃtanu, complacido, dijo: «Eres firme en el verdadero sentido de los śāstras».
Suta (narrating); Śaṃtanu (speaking within the narrative)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It emphasizes dharma as scriptural fidelity: even a meritorious act like piṇḍa-dāna must be performed with proper ritual eligibility (adhikāra), showing humility and obedience to śāstra.
Though not a direct bhakti injunction, it supports bhakti through śāstra-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in scripture): devotion is strengthened when worship and rites are done according to ordained rules rather than personal preference.
Kalpa/Smārta ritual procedure is implied—proper handling of offerings and the principle of adhikāra (who is qualified to perform/handle a rite), a key aspect of applied dharma-śāstra practice.