Shloka 5
Śrāddha-dvija-parīkṣā: Paṅkti-dūṣa and Paṅkti-pāvana (श्राद्धे द्विजपरीक्षा—पङ्क्तिदूष-पङ्क्तिपावन)
पितृन् पूज्यादितः पश्चाद्देवतास्तर्पयन्ति वै । तस्मात् तान् सर्वयज्ञेन पुरुष: पूजयेत् सदा
pitṝn pūjyāditaḥ paścād devatās tarpayanti vai | tasmāt tān sarvayajñena puruṣaḥ pūjayet sadā ||
«Les sages honorent d’abord les Pitṛs, puis seulement apaisent les divinités par les offrandes. Aussi l’homme doit-il toujours révérer les Pitṛs par toutes les formes de sacrifice et de rite sacré.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should prioritize honoring the ancestors (Pitṛs) before worshipping the gods, and maintain continual reverence for the Pitṛs through all sacrificial and sacred rites—gratitude to lineage is presented as a primary dharmic obligation.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma (Anuśāsana Parva), he lays down a ritual-ethical order: first perform acts of honor and satisfaction for the ancestors, then proceed to offerings for the deities, concluding with an injunction to keep Pitṛ-worship as a constant practice.