Shloka 64

Gayā-kṣetra and Phalgu Tīrtha: Sites, Rites, and the Liberation of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

एकविंशतिवंश्यान्स तारयेन्नात्र संशयः / यदि पुत्रो गयां गच्छेत्कदाचित्कालपर्यये

Transliteration

ekaviṃśativaṃśyānsa tārayennātra saṃśayaḥ / yadi putro gayāṃ gacchetkadācitkālaparyaye

Translation

Sans aucun doute, il délivre vingt et une générations, si un fils se rend à Gayā à quelque moment, lorsque les circonstances le permettent.

Word by Word

• एकविंशतिवंश्यान्: (his) twenty-one generations/lineages
• एकविंशतिवंश्यान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एकविंशति-वँश्य (प्रातिपदिक; एकविंशति + वंश्य)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; द्विगु-तत्पुरुषसमासः (एकविंशतिः वंशाः येषां ते/तान्)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• तारयेत्: should deliver (cause to cross)
• तारयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तॄ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; णिच्-भाव (तारयति = to cause to cross/deliver)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha/Particle (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation)

• अत्र: here/in this matter
• अत्र: Adhikarana (Topic/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (here/in this matter)

• संशयः: doubt
• संशयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• यदि: if
• यदि: Sambandha/Conjunction (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि (अव्यय)
• Form: शर्तार्थक-अव्यय (conditional: 'if')

• पुत्रः: son
• पुत्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• गयाम्: to Gayā
• गयाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; गत्यर्थे कर्म (destination)

• गच्छेत्: should go
• गच्छेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• कदाचित्: at some time
• कदाचित्: Sambandha/Adverbial (कालवाचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कदाचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (at some time/ever)

• कालपर्यये: at a turn/change of time
• कालपर्यये: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कालपर्यय (प्रातिपदिक; काल + पर्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (काले पर्ययः/परिवर्तनम्)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: ‘Kadācit kāla-paryaye’—when time/circumstances allow; emphasizes feasibility over immediacy

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Putra-dharma: a son’s undertaking of Gayā pilgrimage/rites is declared sufficient to deliver a broad ancestral line.

Vedantic Theme: Intergenerational karmic linkage within saṃsāra; dharmic action as a means to relieve collective burdens and cultivate sattva.

Application: Plan and prioritize ancestral rites when feasible; if delayed, do not abandon—perform when circumstances permit, with sincerity and proper guidance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: tīrtha-kṣetra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana passages on ‘ekaviṃśati-kula’ uplift through śrāddha/tīrtha; Adjacent 1.83.63 on Gayā rites and 1.83.61 on Gayākūpa piṇḍa

Characters & Entities

• Gayā
• Putra (son)
• Vaṃśya (lineage/ancestors)

FAQs

What is the importance of Gayā Śrāddha in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that a son's journey to Gayā (for the prescribed ancestral rites) is considered powerful enough to deliver twenty-one generations of his lineage, underscoring Gayā as a premier pitṛ-tīrtha.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or the ancestors?

By emphasizing “tārayet” (to ferry across/deliver), the verse frames Gayā-related rites as aiding ancestors in crossing states of post-death limitation and attaining relief—linking ritual action to ancestral upliftment.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If possible, undertake Gayā pilgrimage and perform śrāddha/pinda-dāna with sincerity; if not immediately feasible, plan it “kadācit” (when time permits) while maintaining regular remembrance and ethical living that supports one’s family dharma.