Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 22
Prahlāda Rejects Material Boons; Forgives His Father; Tripura and the Power of Remembrance
कुरु त्वं प्रेतकृत्यानि पितु: पूतस्य सर्वश: । मदङ्गस्पर्शनेनाङ्ग लोकान्यास्यति सुप्रजा: ॥ २२ ॥
kuru tvaṁ preta-kṛtyāni pituḥ pūtasya sarvaśaḥ mad-aṅga-sparśanenāṅga lokān yāsyati suprajāḥ
Mon enfant, accomplis entièrement les rites funéraires pour ton père. Bien qu’il ait déjà été purifié par le contact de Mon corps au moment de sa mort, le devoir du fils est d’accomplir le śrāddha afin qu’il atteigne des mondes élevés et devienne un bon citoyen et un dévot.
In this regard, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura says that although Hiraṇyakaśipu was already purified, he had to take birth on a higher planetary system to become a devotee again. Prahlāda Mahārāja was advised to perform the ritualistic ceremony as a matter of etiquette, for the Supreme Personality of Godhead under no circumstances wants to stop the regulative principles. Madhva Muni also instructs:
FAQs
This verse shows that even when a father was sinful, proper pretakriyā should be performed; by the Lord’s grace and contact, the departed can be purified and attain higher destinations.
After killing Hiraṇyakaśipu, the Lord instructed Prahlāda to complete the prescribed rites, indicating dharma should be honored and that the Lord had purified Hiraṇyakaśipu by His own touch.
Honor sacred duties toward family members, pray for the departed, and remember that sincere devotion and divine remembrance have transformative power even across generations.