Shloka 20
Nāga–Nāgabhāryā Saṃvāda: Varṇa-Dharma, Gṛhastha-Discipline, and Mokṣa-Self-Inquiry
Mahābhārata 12.347
त्रयो मूर्तिविहीना वै पिण्डमूर्तिधरास्त्विमे । भवन्तु पितरो लोके मया सृष्टा: सनातना:
trayo mūrtivihīnā vai piṇḍamūrtidharāstvime | bhavantu pitaro loke mayā sṛṣṭāḥ sanātanāḥ ||
Nārada dit : «Ces trois-là, bien qu’ils soient en vérité sans corps, sont apparus en revêtant la forme tangible du piṇḍa (offrande funéraire). Que le monde les reconnaisse comme les Pitṛs éternels, des ancêtres issus de mon propre acte de création.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links the invisible ancestral realm to visible ethical practice: though the Pitṛs are formless, they become accessible through dharmic rites such as offering piṇḍa in śrāddha. It underscores continuity of obligation—care for ancestors as part of sustaining cosmic and social order.
Nārada is describing the origin/status of the Pitṛs, stating that three formless beings manifest through the piṇḍa-form and are to be recognized in the world as eternal ancestors created by him.