Shloka 27
Sapindīkaraṇa: Timing, Eligibility, Gotra Rules, and Yearlong Śrāddha
with Vṛṣotsarga and Ghaṭa-dāna
सर्वेषां पुत्रहीनानां पत्नी कुर्यात्सपिण्डनम् / ऋत्विजा कारयेद्वापि पुरोहितमथापि वा
sarveṣāṃ putrahīnānāṃ patnī kuryātsapiṇḍanam / ṛtvijā kārayedvāpi purohitamathāpi vā
子なくして没した者すべてについては、妻がサピṇḍīकरण（サピṇḍīカラナ）の儀を行うべきである。あるいは祭官（ṛtvik）に執行させてもよく、また家付きの祭司（purohita）に行わせてもよい。
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)
Ritual Type: Sapindana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: When sapīṇḍīkaraṇa is due for a sonless deceased; may be done directly by wife or through priests.
Concept: For aputrakas, the wife may perform sapīṇḍīkaraṇa; alternatively, it can be executed through an officiating priest or family priest.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma accommodates human limitation through delegation (niyoga of ritual action) while preserving the intended saṃskāra effect; emphasis on śāstric authorization.
Application: If the widow performs, ensure proper guidance and purity rules; otherwise appoint ṛtvij/purohita to perform on her behalf, documenting intent (saṅkalpa) and beneficiary.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: ritual venue (home/śrāddha place)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha sections on kartṛ (performer) and kārayitṛ (one who causes to be done) distinctions
FAQs
This verse states that sapiṇḍīkaraṇa is the key rite that integrates the departed into the ancestral lineage (pitṛ-community), and it must be ensured even when there is no son.
According to this verse, the wife may perform sapiṇḍīkaraṇa, or it can be carried out through an officiating priest (ṛtvik) or a family priest (purohita).
If traditional rites are being observed and there is no son, the family can still fulfill dharma by arranging the rite through the spouse and/or qualified priests, ensuring continuity of śrāddha obligations.