Shloka 9
Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa-Śrāddha Vidhi
One-Year Concluding Rite
पिण्डपात्राणि चालयित्वा आचम्य पितामहादिभ्यो दक्षिणां दत्त्वा ततः पितृ ब्राह्मणाय आशिषो मे प्रदीयन्तामित्याशीः प्रार्थनम् / प्रतिगृह्यतामित्युक्ते दातारो नो ऽभिवर्धन्तामिति पात्रमुत्तानं कृत्वा वाजे वाजेदृविसर्जनम् / अभिरण्यतामिति पितृब्राह्मणविसर्जनम्
piṇḍapātrāṇi cālayitvā ācamya pitāmahādibhyo dakṣiṇāṃ dattvā tataḥ pitṛ brāhmaṇāya āśiṣo me pradīyantāmityāśīḥ prārthanam / pratigṛhyatāmityukte dātāro no 'bhivardhantāmiti pātramuttānaṃ kṛtvā vāje vājedṛvisarjanam / abhiraṇyatāmiti pitṛbrāhmaṇavisarjanam
Après avoir remué doucement les récipients contenant les piṇḍas, on accomplit l’ācamana (gorgée purificatrice). Puis, après avoir donné la dakṣiṇā aux ancêtres en commençant par le pitāmaha, on demande la bénédiction au Pitṛ-brāhmaṇa en disant : «Que des bénédictions me soient accordées.» Quand il est dit : «Qu’il soit accepté», l’offrant répond : «Que nos donateurs s’accroissent», et, en retournant le récipient vers le haut, il accomplit la libération finale (visarjana) avec la formule «vāje vāje». Ensuite, par les mots «abhiraṇyatām», on congédie formellement le Pitṛ-brāhmaṇa.
Lord Vishnu instructing Garuda (Vinata-putra) on śrāddha procedure
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: End-phase: after piṇḍa handling; includes ācamana, dakṣiṇā, āśīrvāda request, acceptance response, ‘vāje vāje’ visarjana, and dismissal.
Concept: Completion (saṃpatti) of śrāddha requires purification, honoring officiants with dakṣiṇā, seeking blessings, and proper visarjana/dismissal.
Vedantic Theme: Karma performed with saṃskāra—beginning, middle, and end—cultivates sattva and supports higher aims; gratitude and giving reduce possessiveness (mamatā).
Application: After piṇḍa handling, perform ācamana; give dakṣiṇā; request āśīrvāda; respond appropriately to acceptance; perform ‘vāje vāje’ visarjana; dismiss the pitṛ-brāhmaṇa with the prescribed formula.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: ritual-space
Related Themes: Śrāddha conclusion steps in the same sequence (1.220.7–1.220.10)
FAQs
This verse frames dakṣiṇā and the request for āśīḥ as the proper completion of the piṇḍa offering—honoring the Pitṛs through their representative (Pitṛ-brāhmaṇa) and sealing the rite with blessings and auspicious acceptance.
It specifies a formal closing sequence: purification (ācamana), dakṣiṇā, requesting blessings, the acceptance exchange (“pratigṛhyatām” / “dātāro no ’bhivardhantām”), then the concluding release with “vāje vāje,” and finally dismissal with “abhiraṇyatām.”
Perform ancestor rites with cleanliness, gratitude, and correct closure—offer appropriate charity, seek blessings humbly, and end rituals respectfully rather than abruptly, preserving the intent of honoring lineage and dharma.