Shloka 47

The Greatness of Offering Piṇḍas at Viṣṇvādipada (Viṣṇupada) — Gayā Śrāddha Procedure and Fruits

Devanagari script

गयाशिरसि यः पिंडं येषां नाम्ना तु निर्वपेत् । नरकस्था दिवं यांति स्वर्गस्था मोक्षगामिनः ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

gayāśirasi yaḥ piṃḍaṃ yeṣāṃ nāmnā tu nirvapet | narakasthā divaṃ yāṃti svargasthā mokṣagāminaḥ || 47 ||

Translation

Quien ofrezca un piṇḍa en Gayāśiras, pronunciando el nombre de aquellos difuntos para quienes se ofrece—los que están en el infierno ascienden al cielo, y los que ya están en el cielo avanzan hacia la liberación (mokṣa).

Word by Word

गया-शिरसिat Gayāśiras (the head/top of Gayā)

यःwho (he who)

पिण्डम्piṇḍa (funeral offering)

येषाम्of whom/for whom

नाम्नाby (their) name

तुindeed/but

निर्वपेत्should offer/scatter (as offering)

नरक-स्थाःthose situated in hell

दिवम्to heaven

यान्तिgo

स्वर्ग-स्थाःthose situated in heaven

मोक्ष-गामिनःgoing to liberation

Speaker

Narada (teaching within the Gayā-Māhātmya context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

Gaya (Gayāśiras)

Pinda

Naraka

Svarga

Moksha

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It declares the exceptional tirtha-power of Gayāśiras: a properly named piṇḍa-offering can uplift ancestors from suffering states (naraka) to higher destinies, culminating in mokṣa for those already in svarga.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Though framed as a Śrāddha rite, the verse reflects bhakti-informed trust in sacred places and dharmic acts: offering with remembrance (by name) and faith at a Vishnu-associated tirtha is presented as spiritually transformative for one’s lineage.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual procedure (kalpa/śrauta-smārta practice): the importance of sankalpa and naming (nāma-ucchāraṇa) during piṇḍa-dāna at a specific tirtha, indicating correct performance principles rather than grammar or astrology.