Shloka 26
Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva
संस्कारकालो जायाया अपत्यस्यात्मनस्तथा । प्रेतसंस्था मृताहश्च कर्मण्यभ्युदये नृप ॥ २६ ॥
saṁskāra-kālo jāyāyā apatyasyātmanas tathā preta-saṁsthā mṛtāhaś ca karmaṇy abhyudaye nṛpa
Ô roi Yudhiṣṭhira, au moment prescrit pour les saṁskāra de soi-même, de l’épouse ou des enfants, ainsi que lors des funérailles et du śrāddha annuel, il faut accomplir selon la règle les rites auspices mentionnés plus haut, afin que les fruits des actes prospèrent.
The Vedas recommend many ritualistic ceremonies to be performed with one’s wife, on the birthdays of one’s children, or during funeral ceremonies, and there are also personal reformatory methods like initiation. These must be observed according to time and circumstances and the directions of the śāstra. Bhagavad-gītā strongly recommends, jñātvā śāstra-vidhānoktam: everything must be performed as indicated in the śāstras. For Kali-yuga, the śāstras enjoin that saṅkīrtana-yajña be performed always: kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ. All the ritualistic ceremonies recommended in the śāstras must be preceded and followed by saṅkīrtana. This is the recommendation of Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī.
FAQs
This verse lists key occasions: saṁskāras for one’s wife, children, and oneself; rites for the departed; mourning days after death; and the start of auspicious undertakings.
Because the chapter explains ideal varṇāśrama-based household conduct; Śukadeva instructs Parīkṣit on dharmic timing for rites that purify life events and align actions with sacred order.
By honoring life’s transitions with mindful, value-centered observances—celebrating milestones responsibly, remembering the departed with dignity, and beginning important work with prayerful intention and ethical discipline.