Shloka 12

Pitṛ-Stuti, Tarpaṇa, and the Ritual Power of Recitation in Śrāddha

Devanagari script

तुष्टाव च पितॄन्विप्रः स्तवैरेभिरथादृतः / एकाग्रप्रयतो भूत्वा भक्तिनम्रात्मकन्धरः

Transliteration

tuṣṭāva ca pitṝnvipraḥ stavairebhirathādṛtaḥ / ekāgraprayato bhūtvā bhaktinamrātmakandharaḥ

Translation

ついでそのバラモンは、これらの讃歌をもって敬虔にピトリを讃えた。心を一つに定め身を整え、信愛をもって頭を垂れた。

Word by Word

• तुष्टाव: praised
• तुष्टाव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तुष् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; स्तुत्यर्थे (praised)

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• पितॄन्: the ancestors
• पितॄन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• विप्रः: the brāhmaṇa
• विप्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• स्तवैः: with hymns
• स्तवैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्तव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• एभिः: with these
• एभिः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (these)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Discourse connector (क्रमसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनन्तरार्थे/प्रसङ्गे (then/thereupon)

• आदृतः: respectful
• आदृतः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + दृ (धातु) + क्त / आदृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘honoured/respectful’

• एकाग्रप्रयतः: single-pointed and disciplined
• एकाग्रप्रयतः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एकाग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रयत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; एकाग्रश्च प्रयतश्च (single-pointed and disciplined)

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: Kriya-viseshana (पूर्वक्रिया/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund); ‘having become’

• भक्तिनम्रात्मकन्धरः: with neck bowed in devotion
• भक्तिनम्रात्मकन्धरः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + नम्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + कन्धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: भक्त्या नम्रः आत्मा/भावः यस्य, (तस्य) कन्धरः (neck) नम्रः—‘one whose neck is bowed with devotion’

Speaker

Narrator (within Lord Vishnu’s discourse to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During śrāddha/tarpaṇa sequence, at the stuti portion

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pitṛ-stuti with ekāgratā and vinaya (humble bowed head) as the inner essence of rite—bhāva perfects karma.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi through devotion and concentration; bhakti as a sattvic mode that refines ritual into inner worship.

Application: When performing rites or prayers, prioritize sincerity, focus, and humility; reduce distraction and cultivate one-pointed attention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (treated as shanta-adjacent)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections emphasizing śrāddha done with śraddhā and purity yields greater fruit (general)

Characters & Entities

• Pitṛs
• Vipra (Brāhmaṇa)

FAQs

What is the importance of praising the Pitṛs in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that Pitṛ-kārya is not merely formal—reverent stuti (praise) offered with devotion is a key element for honoring and satisfying the ancestors.

How does this verse explain the correct attitude during śrāddha or Pitṛ rites?

It emphasizes ekāgratā (single-pointed focus), prayatna (disciplined composure), and bhakti (devotion), shown through a bowed head—indicating inner sincerity alongside outer ritual.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing ancestor remembrance (or even simple prayers), cultivate focus, humility, and reverence—treating the act as sacred rather than routine.