Shloka 12
पितृसर्ग-श्राद्धमाहात्म्य-प्रश्नः
Pitṛ-sarga and the Greatness of Śrāddha: The Inquiry
भीष्म उवाच । ये कुर्वंति नराश्श्राद्धान्यपि प्रीत्या युधिष्ठिर । श्राद्धैः प्रीणाति तत्सर्वं पितॄणां हि प्रसादतः
bhīṣma uvāca | ye kurvaṃti narāśśrāddhānyapi prītyā yudhiṣṭhira | śrāddhaiḥ prīṇāti tatsarvaṃ pitṝṇāṃ hi prasādataḥ
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô Yudhiṣṭhira, ceux qui accomplissent les rites de Śrāddha avec une dévotion sincère : par ces Śrāddhas, tout ce qui est visé dans le rite devient pleinement satisfait, en vérité par la grâce et l’agrément des Pitṛs, les ancêtres».
Bhishma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It teaches that the inner bhāva (devotional sincerity) is central: when Śrāddha is done with prīti, the rite becomes spiritually effective through Pitṛ-prasāda, supporting dharma and the unseen order that ultimately aids the soul’s auspicious path.
In the Shaiva view, all sacred duties become fruitful when aligned with devotion and right intention; honoring Pitṛs is part of dharma upheld under Śiva’s lordship (Pati). Such acts harmonize the household path, making one fit for deeper Saguna Śiva worship and, eventually, higher realization.
Perform Śrāddha/tarpaṇa with genuine devotion and reverence; as a Shaiva support practice, one may accompany it with mental remembrance of Śiva (e.g., japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to steady the mind and purify intention.