Shloka 15
Śrāddha Vidhi (Pārvaṇa-Śrāddha): Invitations, Arghya, Protective Rites, Piṇḍa Offering, Dakṣiṇā, and Visarjana
पात्रमुद्रादि निधाय कुशं दत्त्वा अधोमुखाभ्यां पाणिभ्यां पात्रं गृहीत्वा ॐ पृथिवीते पात्रं द्यौरपिधानं ब्राह्मणस्य मुखे अमृते अमृतं जुहोमि स्वाहा पात्राभिमन्त्रणम् / इदं विष्णुर्विचक्रमे त्रेधा निदधे पदम् / समूढमस्य पांसुरे / विष्णो हव्यंरक्षस्व इत्यन्नमध्ये अधोमुखद्विजाङ्गुष्ठनिवेशनम्
pātramudrādi nidhāya kuśaṃ dattvā adhomukhābhyāṃ pāṇibhyāṃ pātraṃ gṛhītvā oṃ pṛthivīte pātraṃ dyaurapidhānaṃ brāhmaṇasya mukhe amṛte amṛtaṃ juhomi svāhā pātrābhimantraṇam / idaṃ viṣṇurvicakrame tredhā nidadhe padam / samūḍhamasya pāṃsure / viṣṇo havyaṃrakṣasva ityannamadhye adhomukhadvijāṅguṣṭhaniveśanam
儀礼の手印などを整え、クシャ草の葉を置いた後、両手を下に向けて器を取るべきである。次に、「オーム。大地は汝の器、天はその蓋なり。バラモンの口において――不死なるものの中において――不死なるものへと私は供物を捧ぐ。スヴァーハー」と唱え、器を清める。続いて、「このヴィシュヌは歩みを進めた。三歩で彼は足を下ろした――彼の至高の歩みは塵の中に隠されている」および「おおヴィシュヌよ、供物を守りたまえ」と唱え、下を向けた親指を食物の中に置くべきである。
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra on ritual procedure)
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: During pātra-śuddhi and anna-saṃskāra within śrāddha sequence
Concept: All offerings are protected and pervaded by Viṣṇu; ritual objects become sacred through mantra and right handling.
Vedantic Theme: Antaryāmitva and vyāpti: Viṣṇu as the all-pervading ground of ritual efficacy; nāma-mantra as a purifier of action.
Application: Consecrate vessels with mantra before use; maintain correct hand orientation and mudrā; invoke Viṣṇu’s protection over food offered in śrāddha.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: ritual implement (pātra) and officiant’s presence
Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha passages using ‘pṛthivī te pātram…’ and ‘idaṃ viṣṇuḥ vicakrame…’ as standard consecrations; ‘viṣṇo havyaṃ rakṣasva’ protective refrain
FAQs
This verse shows that offerings are not merely physical food; the vessel and the offering are ritually sacralized through specific mantras, aligning the act with cosmic order (Earth as vessel, Heaven as cover) and making the offering fit for sacred use.
Although the verse is procedural, it supports the broader Garuda Purana ritual framework: purity and correct mantra-recitation ensure that offerings (anna/havya) become spiritually effective, which is essential in śrāddha and related observances.
Treat ritual acts with clarity and intention: keep vessels clean, follow a consistent method, and recite a short consecratory prayer before offering food—emphasizing reverence, purity, and mindful giving.