Shloka 51

Adhyaya 31 — Naimittika and Related Śrāddha Rites: Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa, Eligibility, Timing, and Procedure

Sanskrit

रक्षोघ्रांश्च जपेन मन्त्रांस्तिलैश्च विकिरेन्महीम् ।

सिद्धार्थकैश्च रक्षार्थं श्राद्धं हि प्रचुरच्छलम् ॥

Transliteration

rakṣoghrāṃśca japenmantrāṃstilaiśca vikirenmahīm / siddhārthakaiśca rakṣārthaṃ śrāddhaṃ hi pracuracchalam

Translation

Il doit réciter des mantras qui repoussent les rākṣasas et répandre du sésame sur le sol ; et, pour la protection, il doit aussi disperser des graines de siddhārthaka. Car on dit que le rite de śrāddha est souvent une occasion de tromperie ou d’entrave.

Word by Word

• रक्षः-घ्रान्: (things) that drive away/ward off demons
• रक्षः-घ्रान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक) + घ्र (कृदन्त; √घ्रा धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (रक्षसां घ्राः/घ्राणि—राक्षसान् घ्रन्ति इति)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• जपेत्: should mutter/recite
• जपेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √जप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• मन्त्रान्: mantras
• मन्त्रान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• तिलैः: with sesame seeds
• तिलैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• विकिरेत्: should scatter
• विकिरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + √कॄ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• महीम्: the ground/earth
• महीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• सिद्धार्थकैः: with white mustard seeds (siddhārthaka)
• सिद्धार्थकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्धार्थक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• रक्षा-अर्थम्: for protection
• रक्षा-अर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: रक्षा (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (purpose adverb)

• श्राद्धम्: the śrāddha rite
• श्राद्धम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle: indeed)

• प्रचुर-च्छलम्: having abundant protective devices/expedients
• प्रचुर-च्छलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रचुर (प्रातिपदिक) + छल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (प्रचुरं छलं यस्य) श्राद्धम् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

Speakers

• Dharma-instruction within the Markandeya Purana narrative

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "bhakti", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Key Themes

• Dharma
• Śrāddha
• Apotropaic rites
• Mantra
• Ritual protection

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Sacred acts require vigilance: the tradition acknowledges obstacles (inner and outer). Protective rites are a disciplined way of maintaining sanctity rather than acting from fear.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Ācāra/dharma content appended within Purāṇic teaching; not a pañcalakṣaṇa segment.

What is the esoteric significance?

Sesame and mustard function as ‘boundary markers’—symbolic seals against disruptive forces. ‘Chala’ can also be read as subtle distraction or impurity that diverts the offering’s intent.